Cassian wiped sweat from his brow, looking up at him with a frown. "Because I'm not strong enough yet?"
Julius shook his head. "No, it's because you don't have sword intent yet."
Cassian blinked, confused. "Sword intent?"
"Yes," Julius replied, resting the flat of his sword on his shoulder. "Sword intent isn't just about swinging a blade. It's about understanding the sword—what it is, what it can do, and how it becomes part of you. Until you master a sword technique and understand it deeply, you won't be able to channel your Domain into the blade. It's like trying to fill an empty vessel with energy when you don't even know its shape."
Cassian looked down at his sword, frustration giving way to thoughtfulness. "So, what do I do?"
Julius smirked, spinning his sword back into position. "Simple. For now, forget about the sword. Focus on mastering your Domain around your body first. We'll get to the sword later." He pointed his blade at Cassian.
The red glow of Cassian's Domain flickered as he moved, parts of it turning foggy and unstable again. He gritted his teeth, forcing the energy to pull together, smoothing it back into its translucent form.
Julius's eyes glinted with interest as he stood his ground. "Come on, Cassian. Show me what you've got."
Taking a steadying breath, Cassian pushed forward, closing the distance in a few strides. With his sword raised, he swung it down toward Julius with all his focus. The moment their blades clashed, Julius's sword held firm, a loud metallic clang echoing through the air. For a brief moment, Julius looked surprised, his brows raising slightly. Then, a wide grin spread across his face.
"Good!" he said, his voice brimming with encouragement. "Keep coming at me!"
Cassian didn't hesitate. He pulled back and swung again, his red Domain flickering and wavering around his body as he moved. Each swing forced him to fight for control, the translucent sheet breaking apart and turning to mist with every exertion. It was as though he were trying to move a limb he'd only just discovered—familiar, yet foreign. The energy was there, but bending it to his will was exhausting.
Julius easily parried each attack, his movements smooth and effortless. "Don't let it break! Breathe, Cassian. The Domain follows you—don't let it scatter!"
Cassian growled under his breath, frustration creeping in as his swings grew heavier and his energy faltered. But he didn't stop. Sword strike after sword strike, he pushed himself forward, Julius's steady instructions ringing in his ears.
And then, something clicked. With each swing, Cassian began to feel the flow of his Domain more clearly. It wasn't something he had to force—it was part of him. A new limb, yes, but one that would obey as long as he moved with intent. The red glow around him grew steadier, the fog receding until it once again resembled a thin, flowing sheet of light.
Julius noticed the change, his smile growing wider as Cassian's strikes became sharper, more controlled. The red Domain rippled like a transparent sheet of water, flowing seamlessly with his movements, no longer scattering with every swing.
Cassian delivered another series of attacks, his blade cutting through the air in smooth, precise arcs. Julius parried them all, though the strength and stability behind Cassian's strikes clearly impressed him. Beads of sweat began to form on Cassian's forehead, his breathing growing heavier with each strike, but his focus never wavered.
Finally, Julius pushed him back with a quick flick of his blade, forcing Cassian to stumble a step. "You can stop now," Julius said firmly.
Cassian stood there, panting heavily, his sword still gripped tightly in his hands. The red glow around his body flickered but didn't fade, as though ready for more. His eyes remained locked on Julius, determination burning in them.
Julius chuckled, lowering his sword and resting it against his shoulder. "It's enough for now. Pushing yourself too far will only break the progress you've made."
Cassian exhaled sharply, his shoulders heaving as he finally lowered his sword. Despite the exhaustion weighing on him, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He had done it. Even if it was rough, he'd managed to make his Domain flow properly during combat.
Julius nodded approvingly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You're getting there. That Killing Domain of yours—it's strong. Once you fully master it, you'll be a force to reckon with."
With a casual motion, he sheathed his sword, the blade sliding back with a smooth clang. A smirk tugged at his lips as he added, "But don't get ahead of yourself. Even if you trained for a hundred more years, you still wouldn't be able to match me."
Cassian smiled tiredly, shaking his head as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "There he is," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with faint amusement. "I was starting to wonder where the narcissistic Julius had gone. Haven't seen him since you started teaching me today."
Julius raised an eyebrow, clearly hearing the remark, and placed a hand on his chest with mock offense. "Narcissistic? Please. I'm merely stating the truth. It's not arrogance if it's earned."
Cassian let out a breathy chuckle, his exhaustion making it hard to hold back. "Right. Of course. How could I forget? You're the greatest warrior to ever grace this world, and we're all just lucky to exist in your shadow."
Julius grinned, clearly enjoying himself as he crossed his arms. "Exactly. See, you're learning more than just how to swing a sword today."
Cassian shook his head again, still smiling despite the dull ache in his muscles. As they made their way toward the large mansion, he glanced at Julius and asked casually, "How's everyone doing at work?"
Julius shrugged nonchalantly, his tone relaxed. "We were free for a while, but something else came up recently," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "So, busy..."
He didn't elaborate further, his tone making it clear he wasn't keen on diving into details. Cassian raised an eyebrow at Julius's vague response but decided not to push. If Julius wasn't talking, it probably wasn't anything he needed to know—at least not yet.