Thud!

Emptiness flooded my limbs, like a riverbed gone dry. Even if I reacted, my strength was dust on the wind.

No surprise—the lion cat’s phantom slammed me, and I skidded like a broken kite. Pain bloomed sharp, like shards under skin. I tried to rise, but my body was stone; even a finger felt nailed down. A cat flattened me in front of Xinuo, my sister, and Serenemoon—humiliation stung like cold rain.

“Mew-mew~”

Its furry paw nudged me, soft as moss. Seeing no response, the lion cat yowled toward Xinuo, angling for praise like a child with a trophy.

“…You can go.”

She sent it away, then crouched beside me. Her fingers pinched my cheeks like dough, rhythm steady as beads: “Servant, you lost embarrassingly. That cat’s strength was about the same as yours.”

“…Sorry.”

“Uwaah! Brother, are you okay?!”

“Poor Little Emperor~”

My sister and Serenemoon rushed over, worry bright as lanterns. Serenemoon brushed dust off me with magic that fell like soft rain.

“Thanks, Serenemoon.”

Warm light sank into me, spring against frost. My wounds faded like fog, and half my stamina crawled back, ember to coal.

“Servant, do you know why you lost?” Xinuo’s voice was cool, like shade under a pine.

“Maybe… my body couldn’t keep up. I got careless.” The words tasted like bitter tea.

She shook her head, snow sliding off a branch. “That’s not the core. You relied too much on Sword Aura and special techniques. You ignored ordinary swordplay, burned stamina like dry straw, and lost to a lion cat.”

“But it kept casting from afar, never came in close…” The excuse sounded thin, a reed bending in wind.

“Don’t imagine battle as a gentle garden.” Her tone cut clean, like a blade on silk. “If you want victory, don’t beg the enemy for chances. Create them. Earlier, when you used the Draw Sword Technique, you could’ve ridden the wave of Sword Aura and chased with normal sword strikes. Instead, you stood there like a post, waiting for its counter.”

Her words hit true, like arrows finding knots. It was obvious as daylight—why didn’t I see it?

“Xinuo, you’re too strict! It was Brother’s first fight, and the cat was so cute… Anyway, I think Brother fought pretty well!”

My sister tried to shield my pride, a hand over a flickering candle. The kindness warmed me, and made my excuses feel like mud.

“I think if Little Emperor had stronger Sword Aura techniques, he could’ve ended it in one strike.” Serenemoon’s thoughts were a different sky—distant and direct. One strike… I’m nowhere near that.

“Talking about what you don’t have is pointless.” Xinuo’s gaze was clear water. “Servant’s biggest problem is comfort. He hasn’t tasted training you’d call grueling.”

“No way! Brother trains hard. He’s always drenched in sweat.” My sister bristled like a kitten puffing up.

“Drenched in sweat?” Xinuo’s laugh bloomed bright, a lotus opening. It stunned us for a heartbeat.

“Do you know how training works outside?” she asked gently.

“I don’t,” my sister answered, honest as morning.

“It’s simple. Out there, most people chase strength on the knife-edge of death, pressing themselves in the vise of life and death to break through. Many die when the breakthrough fails. Look at Servant—he stops at ‘sweat.’ He was born in the Mizumi Clan, never short on resources, and lives too relaxed.”

“So, Xinuo, you mean…” My own resolve felt thin as paper. I didn’t have the courage to risk my life; I always stopped when it felt ‘enough.’

I wanted to be a Sword Wielder to see the wider world. With the Mizumi Clan behind me, and Xinuo beside me, a cushion settled under me: even if I’m not that strong, won’t things be fine?

“For the time left, I’ll increase your training and live bouts.” Her tone was light, but iron under silk. “If you don’t meet my daily mark, you don’t rest.”

“Eh? Brother’s time to play with us is already short. If training goes up, won’t it be even less?!”

“Littlesky’s right, and besides, Little Emperor doesn’t need to be that strong, right?”

Their protest rippled like a small storm. Xinuo stayed steady, a mountain in fog.

“What matters more—playing with you, or Servant’s future?” Her eyes were moon-clear. “And, Yugong Jingyue, you said Servant doesn’t need too much strength? Remember, a family’s power isn’t your own power. Servant aims to be a Sword Wielder.”

“…I get it, Xinuo. Brother’s training is more important.” My sister bowed her head like a stalk in wind.

“Sorry, Xinuo Miss. I spoke too casually.” Serenemoon’s tone softened, snow melting into stream.

They weighed it in silence, then set aside the worry of less time with me, like putting away a toy box.

“So, Servant—what’s your answer?”

“I’ll follow Xinuo’s decision!” The words felt like stepping onto stone. I’d been too leisurely since childhood. Even as a trainee Sword Wielder, I never set a goal worth bleeding for.

Sometimes I really envy Qianji Sister—her magic talent is monstrous, a storm cresting the sky, yet she’s in love with the sword. She pours everything into sword training, letting her brightest magic lie fallow. That kind of heart—willing to spend everything for one pursuit—shines like a star I can’t reach.

And me? I talk about seeing the world, but I haven’t paid the price. Qianji Sister left the Mizumi Clan for years, roaming the Central Continent’s deep mountains and old forests, challenging strong foes of every race. Compared to that, I, the younger brother, am ashamed—like a bird taking shelter under someone else’s wing. Sitting on blessings is a bad habit. I must change.

Since Xinuo intends to increase my training, I’ll follow her lead. Maybe this is the wind I need to turn the sail.

“Good resolve.” Xinuo’s fingers pressed my cheeks again, soft as plum petals. She nodded once. “Enjoy your last true rest today. Two months are nearly gone. Before we depart, get your Sword Aura to the second tier.”

“The second tier of Sword Aura? Swordsmanship, Sword Aura, Sword Intent all have three tiers. Xinuo, can you tell me the tier meanings for Sword Aura?”

Curiosity rose like steam. I watched Xinuo, wanting the contours of that path.

“I want to hear too!”

“Same~ I’m not a Sword Wielder, but I know so much about them. I can finally show off to Qianji.” Serenemoon’s eyes glittered like fish scales.

“No rush. Let’s go back to the room, eat pastries, and talk. Servant, brew me red tea.”

“On it!”

…

Half an hour later, the room held sweets and drinks, laid out like a little festival.

“Servant’s cooking is the one thing I can’t find fault with.” Xinuo ate a slice of cake, then sipped warm black tea, satisfaction glowing like evening light.

“Mhm! Brother’s craft is great… We’ve said this a lot, huh?” My sister giggled, bubbles rising in a glass.

“That just proves Little Emperor’s cooking surprises us every time~” Serenemoon chimed, smile as smooth as silk.

Praise for food always pours sweetness into me, honey on the tongue. But right now, my mind anchored to Sword Aura tiers.

“Xinuo, tell us the tiers! I can’t stand the suspense.”

“Mm.” She drained her cup, and I refilled it with tea like amber. Xinuo spoke gently, words falling like flakes.

“Sword Aura tiers are much like swordsmanship. Three tiers:

First, Entry—condense Sword Aura. No need to explain; Servant, you’ve reached it.

Second, Mastery—Sword Aura at will. As the name says, it’s ‘at will, freely controlled.’ From your performance today, you’re far from it.

Third, Extreme—sword merges with heaven and earth; all things are swords. If the World Sword draws the world’s power, Extreme-tier Sword Aura goes farther. You don’t just draw—you control the world’s power, making everything become your blade.”

Silence settled like snow. Shock rang in us, leaving our words frost-stiff. No wonder Sword Wielder is called the world’s strongest profession. I saw our ancestor’s strength in deeper relief, mountain ridges revealed by dawn.

“So strong! Sword Wielders are amazing!” My sister bounced, eyes sparkling like stars. She hugged me, hope a kite tugging its string. “Brother, you have to reach that tier someday. Let me see Extreme Sword Aura!”

“Uh…” Don’t make it a burden… I almost said it. Then I swallowed it like a bitter pill. Life needs a dream to burn bright. As a Sword Wielder, if I don’t aim higher than a dream, I won’t even qualify to chase our ancestor’s footsteps.

I smiled and ruffled her hair, soft as willow leaves. “No problem. When my Sword Aura reaches Extreme, I’ll let you watch to your heart’s content, Littlesky.”

“Don’t play favorites! I want to see it too!” Serenemoon lunged, and her warm weight washed over me—like a soft avalanche that stole my breath.

“Of course, Serenemoon. You’ll be in the audience too! Also, Extreme-tier Sword Aura’s still a distant mountain to me. No need to dwell on it yet.”

“Looks like you’ve figured something out, Servant.” Xinuo’s gaze saw through me, moonlight on clear water.

“Yes. I will become a true Sword Wielder.” My voice steadied, a blade finally set in its scabbard. “Please guide me, Xinuo.”

“I’ll see what your resolve looks like when the time comes.”

“Got it!”