Chrysalis

The famed sword schools of the Folk are as numerous as the leaves on a tree, each a unique and beautiful part of the overall picture.

Some focus on hard-hitting, heavy blows that crumple armour and shatter bones even as they cut. Others concentrate on speed, moving with light steps and attacking with hundreds, thousands of sharp slashes. And, of course, everything in-between is represented.

What gives rise to this diversity is, in my opinion, the nature of sword-light itself. I don’t know how those ancient people thought of the phenomenon at the time of the System Descent, but perhaps they simply thought of it as a way for weapon wielders to extend their range. Now we know it is so much more than that.

At first glance, sword-light is a simple thing. Slash your sword, activate the Skill, and your blade will glow bright with light. That light will then detach from the sword's edge and fly through the air to strike at your target in the distance. This can be done with any weapon, even fists.

Yet over the centuries, we have discovered so many factors that play into sword-light. The quality of the weapon has an impact. The condition of the edge has an impact. The nature of any enchantments on the weapon have an impact. The level of the Skill, obviously, has an impact. The condition of the individual making the swing has an impact. The quality of the sword stroke has an impact; this includes the speed, power and technique. Even the mentality of the person making the strike affects the result!

When all of these things are perfected to the highest, most extreme point, then you create a blademaster.

- Excerpt from ‘The Nature of the Sword and its Light’ by Snips

I may have been overconfident when I told Eran to negotiate at the arena. I’m pretty sure Grey knew what was coming my way, since he guided me to a fighting pit more than double the size of the last one, radiating smug energy the whole way.

My new guards, Poita and Phul, were apparently ninth swords, and they were keen for a bout, just as all my previous guards had been. Poita had a decidedly raccoon-ish kind of cast to him, but Phul was a straight up rhinoceros. I mean, the guy was abnormally huge, had grey skin, and a horn sticking up from his nose. Luckily, I suppose, he still had mobile digits on his hands rather than flat rhino feet, so he could wield a sword perfectly fine.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

When we arrived, I was treated to the end of an entertaining fight between two high-level swordsmen employing techniques I hadn’t seen before. One, a dainty, fairy looking… fox-Folk(?) was sending out waves of lightning with each of her sword slashes, the crackling light and deafening booms rocking the arena every time she swung. Her opponent, a red-headed panda-Folk, was blasting back with thick balls of fire that shot from the tip of his blade as he executed piercing stabs.

here? I’ve never seen you guys launching

it doesn’t mean we don’t do it,] he replied, as even-keeled as a

would have tried to roast me

and looks at

you

casually, I almost didn’t notice the real curiosity behind

think I can’t sense what’s going on down there? They aren’t just flinging mana around. They’ve combined

Grey actually appears

your opponents have utilised the technique should be

confused, then it clicks

[There’s a barrier.]

there’s a barrier. If we want to fling around our most advanced techniques, then we can’t have the mountain getting cut

with using my spells was because I had such

a barrier for Tunnel Ball also. Need to keep the crowd safe and

[What is… Tunnel Ball?]

preaching on the great ant pastime, which I am the undisputed best at, I have

I ask, feeling a little awkward. [I mean… I was using mana