The Aura Swordsman's Realms and Vandel's Tale
Bernard's words made Elsid frown. The orcs were charging into their own stronghold, and the two of them were about to face monsters a full stage above them in the aura hierarchy. Just the two of them... Can we really win?
The attack he had used to fell the orc at the gate had been a mass bombardment that relied on the terrain. What they needed to do now was march into the forest—the orcs' home—and fight an unknown number of them. He could not cut, could not draw blood; he was a swordsman in name only. How much could he truly accomplish in there? Still...
"When do you plan to depart?"
"May I take that as acceptance?"
"Yes. I'll do it."
The option to refuse had vanished the moment he heard the story. Even if he declined, Lord Bernard's will was absolute, and someone else would simply be sent in his place. It sounded like bragging, but despite the fatal flaw he carried as a swordsman, Elsid was confident he ranked among the top two strongest fighters currently in Ragna Castle. That meant the two of them here had the highest chance of success.
"Tomorrow night. The night when the orcs' offensive is at its weakest, we will enter the forest," Bernard said, naming the date once Elsid agreed.
"You know when their attacks will lessen?"
"Thanks to the journal my father kept while fighting to protect the people of Ragna Castle until his dying breath. I do not know the reason, but he wrote that the monsters' assaults grow noticeably weaker during the new moon."
Bernard pulled an old, brown notebook from his desk drawer and shook it lightly.
"Then I will see you tomorrow. Ah, and make sure you inform any close acquaintances. We cannot know what might happen."
"Understood. Rest well."
With that, Elsid offered a polite bow and left the lord's office.
***
After walking a short distance from the castle, Elsid finally stepped outside its walls.
"Haa..."
He sighed as he made his way home.
"Orcs that use Tugap..."
Elsid was still mulling over what had just happened. He would have to throw himself into a fight against an orc stronger than himself, a battle whose outcome he could not guarantee. Naturally, his thoughts turned to the realms of the aura swordsman.
Tugumsa—Aura Swordsman. Warriors who wield aura are called by this name. Whether archer, martial artist, or even cook, anyone who uses aura is generally referred to as a Tugumsa when discussing their level of mastery. There are exceptions among the famous, but because the first to wield aura was a swordsman, the title stuck across the continent of Carnea.
The strength of these aura swordsmen is divided into seven distinct stages.
The realm of the Tuin—Aura Human. One learns to manifest fighting spirit as aura and uses it to strengthen the body, achieving movements beyond those of ordinary humans. As the name suggests, these are simply humans who can use aura. Many work as porters, supplying weapons and potions without any personal combat techniques.
The realm of the Tusa—Aura Warrior. Body strengthening becomes second nature, and one can coat the weapon in hand with aura—the very proof of an aura swordsman. This is commonly called an "aura blade." Most adventurers, monster hunters, mercenaries, and soldiers who wield aura fall into this category.
The realm of the Tugwi—Aura Ghost. At this stage, one can envelop not only the hands but the entire body in aura. Coating oneself head to toe and using it like armor is called Tugap. From here, one can also create a personal aura technique—a unique combat skill that infuses one's own convictions and desires into aura to produce special abilities. It is considered the true starting point for talented aura swordsmen.
The realm of the Tuwang—Aura King. Beyond merely strengthening the body with aura, the five senses themselves evolve past their limits. Enhanced vision, superhuman smell, ears that detect lies, a tongue that analyzes components, touch that senses heat—these and more become possible. Some even gain a sense that lets them foresee events seconds in advance.
Next comes the realm of the Turyong—Aura Dragon. Beyond coating weapons or objects to create aura blades, one can condense aura itself in midair to form a special aura blade called an aura sword. Those who reach this stage can distort reality itself with aura alone, much like a mage's spell—an evolved form of aura techniques. Even across Carnea's thousands of years of history, only about a hundred people have attained it. The most recent were the Six Heroes of Light who fought for the Carnea Alliance during the Hundred Years' War, and the Six Demon Generals of the Demon King's army.
Then the realm of the Tushin—Aura God. The ultimate stage said to be the end of aura that humans can reach. In Carnea's long history, only twelve have ever arrived there. The identities of nine remain unknown, but three are known to all who know history. One was Lucina, the dark elf and Knight of Darkness who was the first Demon King's lover; history records that she chose to take her own life after the Demon King was sealed. Another was Arsein, the Hero of Light who, alongside the other heroes, defeated the Demon King a hundred years ago. After bringing peace to the continent, he married a princess and lived a fairy-tale ending still told in countless heroic tales. The last was Bart, the King of Adventurers, who founded the Adventurer Guild and later went into seclusion. Bart was infamous for mercilessly slaughtering any who entered his domain if they were enemies of humanity, and for beating humans within an inch of their lives before tossing them outside.
Finally, the realm of the Tugye—Aura World. Said to have been reached only by Cain, the very first aura swordsman of the mythical age, this divine stage is now spoken of only in legend. It is said one can communicate with the world through the sword, erode it, and even reconstruct it. Whether it truly exists remains shrouded in mystery.
This system of classifying aura swordsmen, passed down for thousands of years, is still widely used by knight orders and adventurer guilds across every nation.
Even Grandfather never reached the final stage...
With that last thought, Elsid ended his reflections. Before he knew it, he had arrived at his own home—the old shack.
***
The next day. Tom's forge.
"You went and took on another troublesome job, didn't you?"
"Well... it's just my luck."
Elsid had arrived at the forge and recounted his conversation with the lord in detail. Tom let out a short laugh.
"More importantly, what are you doing?"
Tom was usually hammering away without rest. Today, however, he was not striking metal at all; instead, he was drawing something on a large sheet of paper.
"Some damn fool decided to smash the castle gate to pieces just to take down a single orc, so I'm designing a new one."
"Haha."
Tom explained what he was working on, and Elsid could only laugh.
"Enough. I'm calling it a day."
"Good idea. You can start again tomorrow. Leave all the weapon repairs to me."
Elsid thumped his chest confidently, assuring Tom that he could relax because his temporary assistant was there to help.
"Says the guy who's about to leave."
"Huh... You knew?"
"Do you think I don't know you? I figured you'd do something like this eventually. You're exactly like that grandfather of yours."
Tom had already guessed that Elsid would soon leave Ragna Castle. After saying so, he cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Thanks for today. If you hadn't stepped in, I would've been badly hurt."
"No need to thank me. It's only natural as your temporary assistant."
Elsid scratched the back of his head, awkwardly accepting the gratitude. He briefly wondered if he even deserved it, since handing the cleanup to Beth might have prevented the gate from being destroyed in the first place.
"So, what are you planning to do once you leave?"
"I'm thinking of becoming an adventurer."
Before long, the two of them had each taken a seat on the chairs in the forge and begun talking.
"A close junior recommended it. Honestly, the biggest reason is that it sounds fun."
He was genuinely looking forward to it. The adventurers in the stories his grandfather used to tell had all seemed exciting.
"By the way, Tom, you mentioned your son Vandel before."
"Why are you asking about that all of a sudden?"
Elsid brought up Vandel.
"Being an adventurer means traveling all over. I might find some clues while I'm on the road."
Normally he would never have considered it—the guy had never been particularly likable—but for Tom's sake, seeing the longing in the older man's eyes, it was something he could do.
"Tell me about Vandel."
"You really think you'll find him?"
"My grandfather once said something."
Elsid took a short breath before speaking.
"Have you tried? Don't talk until you've tried!"
"Kahaha! That's exactly the kind of thing that old man would say."
Tom burst into hearty laughter at Elsid's unexpectedly comical words.
"Heh, no need for a long story. Here."
Once his laughter subsided, Tom pulled a single worn letter from his pocket and handed it to Elsid.
"This is..."
Elsid accepted the black envelope, hesitated for a moment, then opened it.