ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 147: THE MYSTERIES OF A SWORD

As Kaelen and his companions stepped out of the Vice Chancellor’s office, their exhaustion was evident in every movement. They had been through enough trials, both physical and mental, to last a lifetime. Each step felt heavier than the last, their minds clouded with thoughts of their recent battles and the revelations shared by the Vice Chancellor.

The silence among them was broken by a jovial, high-pitched voice.

"Well, well, look who we have here! You all look like you’ve just returned from the underworld!"

They turned to see a chubby professor hurrying toward them, his robes fluttering comically as he waddled over. His round face was flushed, but there was a brightness in his eyes, especially as he approached Sofia.

"Sofia, my dear! It’s been far too long! And what’s this? You’ve grown even stronger since the last time I saw you!" He beamed, clearly familiar with her.

Sofia managed a tired smile, though her fatigue was palpable. "Professor Brolin… it’s good to see you too."

Just as Brolin started engaging in enthusiastic conversation, three more figures approached: The Fleeting Spear, The Dark Prince, and Lila.

Lila, without hesitation, closed the distance between herself and Kaelen, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Kaelen!" she exclaimed, a mixture of relief and joy in her voice. She buried her face against his chest, ignoring the rest of the group entirely. "You’ve been through so much. You need rest. And I don’t care what any of them say—you’re not doing anything else today."

Her possessiveness wasn’t lost on the others, especially Sofia, who arched an eyebrow but said nothing. The tension that hung in the air dissipated slightly with the sight of Lila clinging to Kaelen.

Lila’s eyes flashed with a warning as she turned her gaze to the others. "He needs rest. So unless it’s an emergency, none of you are to disturb him."

But her plans were quickly sabotaged when the Fleeting Spear, who had been standing a few steps back, cleared his throat. "Sorry to interrupt, Lila, but… Kaelen," he said, looking directly at him, "the Mysterious Swordsman wants to meet you. Privately. At the cliff near the Veilwood Forest. It’s important."

Kaelen, who had been hoping for a brief moment of peace, furrowed his brow in thought. The Mysterious Swordsman had always been an enigmatic figure, one who had shown incredible strength during the battle with the Dragonyx family. Kaelen wasn’t sure what to expect from this request, but he knew he couldn’t turn it down.

Lila’s hold on him tightened as she frowned, clearly displeased. "You’re not going anywhere," she said firmly, her protective nature surfacing. "You need to recover."

Kaelen sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Lila… I need to do this. It won’t take long."

Lila narrowed her eyes but eventually relented, her grip loosening. "Fine," she muttered, "but if you come back in worse shape, don’t think I won’t drag you into bed myself."

Sofia stifled a laugh at Lila’s possessiveness, while The Fleeting Spear, clearly pleased that Kaelen agreed, nodded. "I’ll lead the way," he said.

Kaelen gave his companions a weary glance. "You all go ahead and rest. I’ll catch up later."

As he started to follow The Fleeting Spear toward the Veilwood Forest, Lila stood back, her expression torn between worry and trust. The Dark Prince and Sofia exchanged glances, both silently wondering what the Mysterious Swordsman wanted with Kaelen, while Professor Brolin gave a cheery wave as Sofia and the others departed to the student lounge.

"Just be careful, Kaelen," Lila called out one last time, her voice softer now, but the concern still evident.

’Its just a brief meeting, it’s not like I am going for a war!!’

Kaelen thought unnervingly while he nodded in acknowledgment before turning his attention ahead. As much as he needed rest, something about the Mysterious Swordsman’s request pulled at him, a sense of fate tying him to this meeting at the cliff.

With a deep breath, he steeled himself for whatever awaited him at Veilwood.

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As Kaelen and the Fleeting Spear walked across the school grounds, the atmosphere shifted. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd of students scattered around the academy, some casting curious glances in their direction while others exchanged hushed conversations.

The news of Kaelen’s recent triumphs had spread like wildfire, and now, as he walked among his peers, it felt as though all eyes were on him.

"Isn’t that Kaelen? He just fought against the Dragonyx family and lived to tell the tale!" one student murmured to their companion, awe in their voice.

"I heard he’s stronger than anyone we’ve ever seen at the academy!" another added excitedly.

"Look at him… he’s different now. Like he’s carrying something powerful with him," a third said, their eyes locked onto the Blade of Eternity hanging at Kaelen’s side.

Kaelen remained quiet, his focus on the path ahead as The Fleeting Spear led him toward the Veilwood Forest. Despite the attention, he was used to the stares by now. He had come a long way since his time as just another student taking the Pacesetters Academy’s entrance examination.

Among the crowd, a figure stood watching, his expression darkening as his gaze followed Kaelen’s every step. Nathaniel. He had been there on the day of the internal entrance examination, witnessing firsthand Kaelen’s rise to prominence. But unlike the others who marveled at Kaelen’s accomplishments, Nathaniel’s heart burned with jealousy and resentment.

His eyes narrowed, his fists clenching as he thought, ’Don’t think you’ve gone far ahead of me, Kaelen. You don’t know what I have in store for you yet.’

Nathaniel had always felt like he was meant for greatness, destined to rise above the rest. His infatuation with Lila only fueled his desire to surpass Kaelen, the one person who had taken everything he wanted. The mere thought of Lila clinging to Kaelen earlier that day made his blood boil.

He couldn’t stand the idea of Kaelen being the one in the spotlight, the one revered by both the academy and Lila.

’You think you’ve won’, Nathaniel thought bitterly, ’but this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.’

As Kaelen and The Fleeting Spear continued walking, unaware of Nathaniel’s burning gaze, the whispers of the students grew quieter as they reached a less crowded part of the academy grounds. The tension Kaelen had felt moments ago eased, though there was still an unspoken weight that hung in the air.

The Fleeting Spear glanced at Kaelen. "You’ve made quite the impression on the academy," he remarked, his tone light but with a hint of seriousness. "But with that kind of attention, you’ll find yourself in more than just friendly competition."

Kaelen nodded. "I’ve felt it. But I didn’t come here for attention. I came here to get stronger."

The Fleeting Spear smirked. "Well, stronger you’ve certainly become. But that just means you’ll have more people gunning for you. Keep your wits about you."

As they approached the edge of the Veilwood Forest, the anticipation of Kaelen’s upcoming meeting with the Mysterious Swordsman grew heavier. But, even as he prepared for what lay ahead, the shadow of Nathaniel’s malice loomed just behind him, unseen but simmering, waiting for its moment to strike.

As Kaelen and The Fleeting Spear reached the edge of the cliff, the scene before them was breathtaking yet ominous. The cliff overlooked the vast Veilwood Forest, a sea of dark treetops swaying gently in the breeze, and the horizon painted in fading hues of dusk. At the edge of the cliff, standing with his back to them, was the Mysterious Swordsman.

He stood motionless, the air around him thick with an aura of stillness and quiet strength. His figure was solitary, as if he were one with the landscape, blending into the calm yet powerful forces of nature that surrounded him. The Fleeting Spear stopped a few paces back, casting Kaelen a look of silent understanding.

"This is your moment," The Fleeting Spear said, his tone respectful. "Good luck, Kaelen."

With that, he turned and left Kaelen alone with the Mysterious Swordsman.

Kaelen took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him as he cautiously approached the swordsman. His every step was deliberate, his heart steady yet aware of the significance of the encounter. The Mysterious Swordsman had no formal title in the academy, no recognition from the pillars or the students, yet his reputation as the strongest was unquestioned.

And now, Kaelen stood before him.

When Kaelen was close enough, he bowed slightly out of respect, keeping a few paces back. The silence stretched on for a moment, the only sound being the rustle of the wind against the trees far below.

Then, without turning around, the Mysterious Swordsman finally spoke, his voice low yet filled with a depth that seemed to resonate with the very air around them. His words, though few, carried immense weight.

"The sword," the Mysterious Swordsman began, "is more than a weapon. It is a reflection of the one who wields it. To master the sword is to master yourself."

He paused, letting the words sink in, and Kaelen felt the gravity of the message. There was something profound, something deeper than the surface-level mastery of swordsmanship that the Mysterious Swordsman was speaking of.

"The blade you carry," the swordsman continued, "is nothing without the spirit behind it. It cuts not just through the flesh, but through the very fabric of reality. But only when you understand yourself, when your heart and your will are in perfect harmony with your blade, can you begin to see the truth. The sword... will show you."

Kaelen stood there, absorbing every word. It was a message he had never heard spoken so simply, yet its implications were vast. It wasn’t just about power or technique; it was about alignment, about becoming one with the sword in a way that transcended mere combat.

After a long pause, Kaelen finally spoke, his voice steady but filled with curiosity. "How do I reach that understanding? How do I truly connect with my blade?"

The Mysterious Swordsman was silent for a moment before he turned slightly, just enough for Kaelen to catch a glimpse of his eyes beneath his hood, piercing and filled with wisdom.

"That is a journey only you can take," he said quietly. "And it begins not with your sword, but with your soul."

With those final words, he turned fully to face Kaelen, his presence imposing yet calm. Kaelen felt an overwhelming sense of respect for the man before him, knowing that whatever guidance lay ahead, this swordsman would play a pivotal role in unlocking the mysteries of his path.

The Mysterious Swordsman then stepped closer, his eyes fixed on Kaelen. "You have potential, Kaelen. But potential is only the beginning. When you’re ready to face the deepest truths of the sword, return to this place. Only then will you understand what it means to truly wield the Blade of Eternity."

Kaelen nodded, the weight of the conversation pressing on him like the force of an unseen blade.