The Power of Conviction
Before they began their training, Ludenberg slipped out of Liberatus's body in soul form on his own. This allowed him to observe the trio's practice in even greater detail. As he took in the sight of the three with his newly expanded field of vision, Liberatus happened to speak up.
"Draw your weapons and assume your stances."
At Liberatus's command, Kyle and Orpina nodded. They pulled out the weapons they always carried and took up their positions. Kyle wielded a one-handed sword. Orpina drew a greatsword as large as her own torso.
To Ludenberg's eyes, their stances exuded a refined poise. It seemed they had been the scions of prominent noble houses in their kingdom of Seranad before its fall.
Liberatus's assessment matched Ludenberg's closely. He nodded and said, "Your stances are solid. A strong foundation is essential for masterful swordsmanship, so you must have received excellent instruction."
"Thank you."
The two replied softly, but their expressions betrayed their delight. Having witnessed Liberatus's true nature with their own eyes, they knew full well what it meant to earn his praise.
"But a good stance doesn't guarantee good swordplay—you have to show me. Kyle, I'll look at your technique first. Swing at me."
"Yes!"
Kyle's face tensed with focus as he stepped forward and slashed fiercely at Liberatus with his one-handed sword. His impeccable form proved the stance was no fluke—a clean, flawless strike.
Liberatus took a slight step back, dodging by a hair's breadth, then spoke to Kyle with evident satisfaction. "It's clear surviving that wasteland wasn't just luck. Your skill is remarkable for someone so young."
Ludenberg shared the sentiment. Kyle was as strong as he was. And Ludenberg had grown unnaturally powerful after meeting Raha; Kyle had been this strong even before Liberatus's guidance.
Indeed, the Six Heroes. Extraordinary from the start. No wonder they achieved feats etched into history.
Kyle's thrusting strikes held no tremor, and his steps firmly supported his frame. That alone revealed how much he valued swordsmanship fundamentals.
But naturally, Kyle's blade never so much as grazed Liberatus's clothes.
"That's enough. Next, Orpina."
At Liberatus's word, Kyle halted his swings, and Orpina stepped forward.
"Same for you. Show me your best swordplay. I need to see it to decide how to guide you."
"Got it."
Orpina rested her massive greatsword on her shoulder and advanced a foot. Then she lunged at Liberatus like a shot from a bow. The enormous blade tore through the air, savagely aiming to devour him.
Of course, it ended the same as with Kyle. Orpina's sword couldn't touch Liberatus, who evaded effortlessly, stepping into her blade's blind spots as if out for a casual stroll.
To Orpina, he seemed like a mirage. No matter how swiftly she moved, she couldn't even graze his toes. Yet amid the endless gap, a swell of anticipation rose in her chest. How far could she go under such an incredible mentor?
"That's enough."
Liberatus nodded. "Both of you, come here. I'll point out your shortcomings one by one, so listen carefully."
"Yes!"
"Kyle first. Lend me your sword."
"Here you go, Liberra."
Kyle handed over his blade. Liberatus took it and perfectly mirrored Kyle's stance. Kyle was stunned just by that. Stance was the foundation of swordplay, and Liberatus had replicated it flawlessly after one glance. It even felt firmer than his own, suggesting he'd fully grasped the characteristics of Kyle's style.
Then Kyle watched, utterly entranced, as Liberatus demonstrated the technique. It was so different from his own execution that he questioned if it was the same swordplay at all.
The power in the blade, the foot placement, the rotation from specific body parts... Subtle differences in the minutiae yielded dramatically superior results. The flowing strikes sent chills across his skin, and the stance left no openings whatsoever.
Instinctively, Kyle realized: That's the direction I need to pursue.
Finishing the demonstration, Liberatus said to him, "Your style emphasizes fundamentals. Without a rock-solid base, it loses its edge. You're already skilled, but if there's room to grow, you should take it. From now on, train using what I just showed you as your foundation."
"Yes!"
Kyle could only nod. It wasn't mere words—Liberatus had shown exactly how the technique moved, inspiring instant trust. Changing swordplay? Styles evolved with their user anyway. To advance, one had to pursue any better path.
Liberatus then turned to Orpina's greatsword style.
"Orpina."
"Yes? What is it?"
"That greatsword—heavy, isn't it?"
"Yes. But I handle it fine. Feels light, even."
"Impressive strength. Then... this should work better."
The greatsword passed from Orpina's hands to Liberatus's, tracing wide circles that dominated the space. A terrifying momentum brushed her skin, confirming the spectacle she'd hoped for.
Ludenberg watched, eyes widening. That...
Liberatus's technique strikingly resembled the one his father had devised and passed to Ashytara.
Just coincidence. Masters converge on similar truths.
"Your greatsword style feels a bit foreign now, but brute force suppression wastes its potential. Use its weight in your swings instead. Treating it like a standard blade ignores its advantages."
"Thank you!"
"And one more thing—the most important, arguably..."
At those words, Kyle and Orpina fixed Liberatus with fierce concentration.
"What is it?"
"Conviction."
"Pardon?"
The abrupt term puzzled not just Kyle and Orpina, but nearby Hidea—and even Ludenberg observing them.
Conviction? What did that have to do with sword training?
"You might find it absurd, but through endless practice and encounters with countless knights, I learned this: Those who infuse their blade with conviction reach limits others cannot."
"What kind of conviction?" Orpina asked Liberatus.
"Any kind. For me... it's faith that my sword can fell any foe, no matter how armored. It extends beyond the blade to the body itself. That's why I dispatch erosion beasts with such ease."
"Does... that really work?"
"Believe me. I swear it on the path my sword has forged."
"Conviction..."
"Yes. Kyle, Orpina—you have desires. Fuse them into your weapons. Hidea, that goes for you too. Whatever your weapon, conviction in training creates vast differences later."
"Ah, yes!"
Hidea startled at being addressed but nodded swiftly, convinced by his words.
Ludenberg pondered. Conviction. Conviction.
In an era without divine power, perhaps that's how they fought erosion beasts. And it pointed the way for power-less Ludenberg to grow.
Maybe I've found a new path. What conviction do I hold? Can I infuse it into my body, my blade?
He tried to reflect, but conviction wasn't something summoned on demand.
I'll think on it later. Focus on the trial now.
As Ludenberg refocused, Liberatus addressed Hidea.
"What weapon do you use, Lady Hidea?"
"A bow. I'm no swordswoman, but archery is my strength."
"A bow, eh. Show me a shot."
"At you, Sir Liberatus?"
"Yes. Archery demands instinct, sharp vision, unerring aim. Hone them against me."
"Right. Oh, and Sir... you can drop the formalities now. I'm your student."
"Understood. Then, Hidea—shoot at me."
Liberatus created the ideal distance—one no sword could bridge—and made himself the target. Hidea focused, nocking and aiming her bow.
Once her aim settled, Liberatus charged at a "moderate" pace—faster than most knights' sprints.
Hidea didn't fluster. Her eyes tracked his form. With practiced poise, she drew the string taut. The bow quivered fiercely.
The process was a blink. Her confidence was no bluff.
Releasing, the arrow rocketed toward Liberatus. He tilted his head slightly to dodge, closing the gap in an instant.
"Fine marksmanship. Even seasoned knights would struggle to evade. I'm no archery expert, so I can't teach technique directly... but I can show you how to move swiftly. Dodge rushing foes nimbly, even as an archer."
"Yes!"
Hidea beamed brightly in response.