"So, Cassian, from what I can tell, a longsword with a slightly broader blade seems to suit you best. To get more specific, there are different types of longswords, like the claymore, but we usually classify them by categories like Xa, XXII, and others. The best fit for you is from category XX, which has a wider blade just below the tip.
The tip itself is sharp and pointy, unlike other categories that have more of a cone-shaped or slightly curved blade," Julius explained, helping Cassian choose the right sword for him.
Cassian had just finished sparring with a girl a few years older than him, who landed a solid hit on his arm, leaving him still clenching it in pain.
He nodded, liking the idea of a longsword but feeling confused by Julius's detailed explanation. "Why not just any longsword? No offense, I trust you, but can you tell me why you chose that particular one for me?" Cassian asked, curious. Julius had trained him longer than anyone else, so he figured there must be a reason for the specific recommendation.
"There's no particular reason, except that it suits your fighting style. You use a mix of moves—slashes, thrusts, parries, deflections, heavy strikes, and fast strikes. Not many types of swords can handle that kind of variety and abuse, except for heavier, broader blades. The one I suggested is ideal for you because it's durable but doesn't come under heavy swords.
You can push it hard, and it won't break or dull easily," Julius explained, then added, "Also, you tend to use the basic principles of fighting, which is fine. Many beginners do the same since they haven't fully grasped the foundational techniques yet. But now that I've explained those principles, what you like from those?"
As Julius asked, Cassian started to reflect on the principles. They had left a strong impression on him. Just understanding them made him feel like he was more than a beginner. He could now see certain patterns in other people's fighting styles—like the girl he had just sparred with. She relied heavily on fast and deflective moves.
While he couldn't fully capitalize on that, he did manage to make her slip up a couple of times. Her speed was impressive, but she lacked precision in her fast movements.
Speaking of himself, Cassian knew he wasn't particularly good at any of the principles. He wasn't fast, nor did he have much strength—though that might change as he grew. He was decent at deflecting and parrying, but still had room for improvement.
When it came to the shadow principle, he didn't quite understand it, and the principle of precision, as Julius had explained, involved executing every move with calculated intent from start to finish. Cassian didn't believe he could do that.
So he admitted, "But I'm not really good at any of it."
Julius smiled and replied, "I didn't ask what you're good at. I asked what you want to be good at."
That was the moment Cassian sank into deep thought, what he liked to be he had never thought it , can he be what he liked to be, what if he want to be the strongest person in world would he become that, it wasn't that he want to be the strongest as it seem like chore but what he want to be was free, the time he have gotten the system his life had been busy and he had been pushed here and there by lot of things.
This was a big step forward for Cassian—progress from being just an orphan child wandering the slums. Yet, those early years had left a deep mark on his mindset. He still saw himself as that same orphan, just luckier than before, believing he could only become so strong.
But now, as he let his imagination expand, he recalled the memory of the ship tumbling down from the mountaintop, soaring through the sky. That moment had stuck with him; he had felt completely free. Embracing that feeling, he said, "I want to be free…"
Julius looked surprised at the response. "Oh? That's not exactly what I was asking, but since you bring it up—what kind of freedom do you want? There are those who seek to be liberated from their life's burdens, and those who want freedom from the world, living with no purpose other than existing. I can't stand those types. And then there are those who strive to become their own person.
Everyone has their own definition of freedom—it all depends on what they need to break free from."
Cassian didn't have to think twice about this one as he didn't know what he want to be free from but one thing was clear. "I want to be my own person," he said with determination.
Julius smiled and replied, "Well, to achieve that, you'll need to become strong. The strongest principle is the principle of precision—a calculated sword technique."
Cassian had already made up his mind and declared, "I will be... I'll learn to be calculated. I don't know how yet, but I will…"
"I don't have all the answers, but I can tell you this: to be calculated, remember that everything matters," Julius said. Cassian nodded, taking in the advice. Seeing this, Julius moved on to teach his other students.
"Everything matters…" Cassian muttered as Julius walked away. As he pondered the statement, he found himself agreeing with it. Like Julius had explained, even choosing the right weapon could significantly enhance a person's abilities. With enough perfect selection, a weapon might even feel like an extension of one's body, eliminating the need to develop a domain.
But the idea that "everything matters" was a lot to take in. Cassian realized that even things like temperature and wind could affect a fight, though he didn't yet understand how. He knew it would take time and effort to figure it out, but he was determined to try. With enough practice, he might grasp these subtleties, but first, he needed a sword technique that embraced this principle.
He hoped he might find one on the merits board.
Within the concept of "everything matters," there are countless factors to consider, even when facing a single opponent. Making calculations about these variables is challenging, but even identifying them can be a task in itself.
Still, he could practice by sparring with others and trying to predict their moves. It was the best approach he could think of for now. Luckily, he had a sparring partner available, so he approached her and asked, "Miss Lumine, can we spar again?"
It was the same girl he had sparred with earlier. She had also received some guidance from Julius, but she already seemed to have the perfect weapon for her style—a short sword, slightly longer than usual, which she wielded with impressive speed, delivering rapid slashes and thrusts.
Having faced her before, he already had some insight—one of the many factors in the "everything matters" approach. What he did with that knowledge now was up to him.
"Why not?" she replied, standing up from her rest. The girl, a head taller than him, picked up her wooden sword and added with a grin, "A bit more stretching won't hurt."
She was another beauty, with shiny blonde hair that leaned toward a lighter, almost white-toned brown, perfectly complementing her almond-toned skin. She was the same age as Robert, older than Cassian, and with all her practice, she had become quite skilled. Like him, she was also part of a special unit.
As they squared off, Lumine wasted no time, moving her sword with speed and precision. She swung down with quick slashes, following up with sharp thrusts, her movements fluid and relentless. Cassian struggled to keep up, focusing all his energy on blocking her attacks, but he was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer speed of her strikes.
His attempts to predict her next move kept failing, leaving him scrambling to keep up as blow after blow targeted his arms. The wooden sword stung with each impact, making his arms ache with the repeated hits.
But then, a thought flashed through his mind as he winced from another strike: Arm...
It clicked into place, and he realized something. 'She keeps targeting my arms.; With a new plan forming, he adjusted his stance, and after a few more exchanges, he deliberately left one of his arms slightly more exposed.
His breathing quickened as he waited for her to take the bait, hoping his gamble would pay off.
As he waited, he blocked off one side completely, assuming she would attack from the other. But suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his stomach—Lumine had delivered a powerful thrust with her sword, nearly knocking the wind out of him. As he clutched his aching stomach, he heard her say, "Did you really think I wouldn't notice you baiting me so obviously?"
"Damn it..." Cassian muttered, sinking down slowly as he tried to manage the pain, his stomach cramping up. "You didn't have to hit so hard…"
"Oh, I just couldn't resist when you left yourself so wide open like that," Lumine replied with a smirk, showing not a hint of apology. Cassian glared at her angrily, his big red eyes burning with frustration.
"Cute..." she murmured, amused by his reaction.