An Unfathomable Gap
Something was off. It was clearly the same swordsmanship, yet how could the difference be this vast?
Ludenberg Lavante could only lie sprawled on the training ground floor, lost in that thought. He recalled what had just happened.
Leven, wielding sword techniques identical to his own. And yet, they didn't look the same at all—not even remotely.
From the fundamental structure of the techniques to every last detail, everything was on a completely different level from his own. It was just a simple swing. A swing rooted purely in the basics... and yet, Ludenberg knew he could never swing a sword like Leven did, not even if he died and came back to life.
And the power behind it. The moment their swords clashed, a searing pain shot through his arm, as if it had been torn clean off in an instant. If this hadn't been the world of trials, he surely wouldn't have a single intact bone left in his body.
"You're still sorely lacking."
Leven clicked his tongue as he gazed down at the fallen Ludenberg.
"...I know."
Ludenberg muttered back to him.
"If you'd been even a bit more proficient with your sword just now, you wouldn't have ended up flat on your back like this."
"......"
"Everything in swordsmanship starts with the basics. No matter how sharp or powerful a technique is, without a solid foundation, it holds no power at all. That's exactly the gap between you and me."
"A difference in fundamentals?"
"Exactly. How deeply do you grasp the basics? How completely can you pour yourself into a single swing?"
Ludenberg fell silent at Leven's words. He had felt it himself, after all.
"With your talent, you already know the core essence of the swordsmanship you're wielding."
Ludenberg nodded. The swordsmanship he practiced was infused with countless intents to kill. Techniques driven by the singular resolve to slay his opponent.
"So instead of worrying about anything else, focus on tempering your mind and spirit, and revisit the basics. That's what Liberatus emphasized, too."
"...Got it."
"Good."
Leven nodded.
"If you need help, just say the word. Sparring's no trouble anytime."
"...Yeah. But there's one thing I'm curious about."
"What?"
"Why are you helping me? To break Raha's seal?"
"That's part of it. But the real reason we're aiding you is a bit more complicated. You'll learn it if you keep conquering these trials."
"......"
Leven shrugged at Ludenberg's doubtful expression.
"Can't help it if you've got questions piling up. But one thing's certain: if you reach the end of these trials, you'll face the full truth."
"The truth... huh."
"Yeah. But to complete them, you'll have to overcome countless hardships and grow accordingly. You're nowhere near ready now. Forge yourself further. Build unyielding conviction, hone the basics, and perfect your swordsmanship. You need to be strong enough in the real world to handle a Devourer before you can touch that truth."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. That's enough for today."
The moment Leven finished speaking, the training ground scenery shifted. Raha's jade throne reappeared, and Leven had vanished once more.
"Leven's strong, right?"
Raha said to Ludenberg with a hint of smug pride.
"He was. Stronger than anyone I've ever faced."
That included his father, without a doubt.
Raha let out a pleased laugh at his words.
"Hee hee. But remember this, Ludenberg."
"What?"
"You have to become stronger than even Leven."
"......"
"At the end of these trials, you'll finally confront the fate targeting you. So get stronger, Ludenberg."
"Yeah."
Ludenberg nodded calmly.
"You've worked hard today. Tomorrow, you'll probably face some real combat."
"Understood."
"Then, farewell."
Emerging from the world of trials, Ludenberg headed straight for the training ground. Gripping his sword, he replayed his spar with Leven, recalling his techniques and movements.
Movements and swordsmanship without a shred of waste. Ludenberg had thought his own form was decent enough, but facing someone leagues above him made him realize how far he still had to go.
He'd recently experienced Liberatus's movements and figured nothing could surpass that awe-inspiring level. Yet Leven's had exceeded even that.
How much more training do I need to reach that?
The distance felt dizzyingly far, but he shook his head once to clear it. No point dwelling on the distant end when the road ahead was so long. All that mattered was taking the next step. That was Ludenberg's sole task.
He assumed his stance and visualized Leven's sword path. With his ability to replicate most actions after seeing them once, Ludenberg fully grasped Leven's trajectory. How he moved, the speed of his steps, the precise muscle tension in each swing... all that data flooded his mind.
He swung his sword once. His stance wobbled. The blade slipped from his control.
Ludenberg refocused and swung again. His form began to stabilize, bit by bit. But it still fell short of the Leven in his memory.
Of course, he wasn't incapable of mimicking the techniques like before. He had already awakened his own swordsmanship. Even so... there were gaps. That's why the spar with Leven had been so satisfying, despite the utter thrashing.
It had clarified exactly what he needed to do. With unwavering conviction and fidelity to the basics... he could surely reach it.
He swung again. Stepped forward. Refined his muscle movements for a more perfect form. Even a single swing should drench his body in sweat.
He repeated the sequence. His breath grew labored. Pouring all his focus into the swings narrowed his vision until only the sword remained.
Then, his gaze shifted from the training ground to a distant path.
He couldn't see what lay at its end, but Ludenberg knew. He had to reach it someday.
Standing at the path's entrance, he took a step. Vitality surged through his body.
Another step. His mind sharpened, and a resonance hummed from the sword in his hand.
Yet another. The hum grew stronger, the path ahead clarifying.
How many more steps? Sweat poured from him, his palms slick. Yet vitality still overflowed, so he lifted his foot for the next.
But as he tried, all that energy drained away. The sword's hum faded. The path vanished from his sight... and the training ground reappeared.
Leonard Lavante stood there, watching him—heaven knows when he'd arrived—and the sun hung high overhead. He'd started at dawn, but hours had slipped by in that focused trance.
Realizing this, Ludenberg's head spun, strength fleeing his body.
Thud.
He collapsed noisily onto the ground. Leonard looked surprised at his son, and Ludenberg asked, gazing up at him.
"How... how long was I like this?"
"From dawn till now, straight through."
"Ah."
"Ludd. What did you see?"
Leonard asked what Ludenberg had witnessed.
"...A path. I saw the path."
He simply nodded.
"Looks like you've had several insights lately."
"Yes."
Gazing at Ludenberg, who seemed half-lost in a dream, Leonard said,
"In this state, today's training would be pointless. You've gained something far more valuable."
"Is that so?"
"It is. You've crossed a wall."
"I just took a few steps."
"A skilled swordsman reaches a point where he merges with his blade. When you focused, did only the sword fill your vision?"
"...I think so."
"Then you've definitely crossed it. You've expanded your limits another step. Congratulations, Ludd."
"Thank you, Father."
"You're exhausted. Head back and rest."
"Yes."
Even returning to his room, Ludenberg couldn't fully grasp what had happened. What was that path? Why had vitality welled up just from walking it, only to vanish afterward? He had no clue.
He recalled his father's words. You've crossed a wall. Expanded your limits another step.
Back in his room, Ludenberg examined his body. It felt far stronger than before.
What the...?
Perplexed by the sudden change, he thought,
I should tell Raha and Leven about this.
After sorting his thoughts briefly, he decided to report it to them.
"No way. For real?"
Worn out as he was, sleep claimed Ludenberg naturally, and he reported the incident to Raha upon arriving in her realm.
"...Do you know something about it?"
"Of course. It's the fruits of your efforts finally blooming. Impressive, Ludenberg."
Raha fawned over him, repeatedly calling him amazing.
"Thanks to Leven... right?"
"Silly. Leven only sparred with you once. He was just the spark—the rest was all your own power opening the path."
"Opening the path...?"
"Those who temper mind and body encounter a path right before surpassing their limits. Each step you take expands those limits, and reaching the end shatters them entirely."
"......"
Shatter your limits. Ludenberg reflected on his conviction: that his body had no limits.
Perhaps encountering the path now stemmed from his spirit strengthening through the second trial. Spiritual growth was mental growth, tied directly to conviction... That seemed likely.
He nodded. Whatever the case, he'd clearly advanced a step.
"...Thanks."
"What for? You did this yourself."
"Still..."
"Hee hee. Instead of thanking me, praise yourself more, Ludenberg. Now that you've grown, shall we face the end of the second trial? Time to meet the last hero."
"The last hero?"
"You've met Parrel Mer, so next is Adalin. You'll meet Adalin Cielm, the hero who yearned for freedom more than anyone. Of course, we'll see a bit more of Parrel's story too."
"...Understood."
Ludenberg felt his vision fade to black once more and closed his eyes.