Reincarnation Of The Legendary Sword Saint-Chapter 46: First Step Toward Mastery

"I protested at first, but she chose to stay. And don’t think it’s because we live in a wooden house. I don’t have a grand mansion of my own, though I’ve earned much as an adventurer. This house, in the forest, is where my party and I usually stayed. Your mother agreed that this would be a safe place for us, away from people. That’s why we live here."

Rowan absorbed this quietly, nodding slowly. "I see... that makes sense," he thought to himself.

"Master Rowan, once you’re done resting, I’ll be waiting outside in Elian’s suite," Elian called, her tone calm but firm.

Rowan nodded, his mind racing. I shouldn’t underestimate her. I wonder... is she really that strong? That magic of hers... it’s impressive. He clenched his fists. I need to learn an attack I can form with my hands, a fire blast or something. Without my sword, I can’t do long-range attacks. I want to fight with my fists, but... I’m nervous.

After a moment, Elian appeared at the top of the stairs, fully dressed and ready. "Are you ready?" she asked.

"Yes. I’m ready," Rowan replied, gripping his wooden practice sword. Aldwin handed Rowan a wooden sword, then gave Elian one as well.

They stepped into the center of the yard, Aldwin watching closely from the sidelines.

"So... come at me!" Elian called.

Rowan charged, raising his sword. The clash of wood rang through the air. Boom, boom, boom. Kling, kling, ta-ta-ta. Their wooden swords collided repeatedly, each strike sending small tremors across the ground.

Elian shoved Rowan back, forcing him to leap away. But before he could recover, she sprinted forward, aiming a strike at him. Rowan ducked just in time and kicked toward her leg, testing her reflexes. I’m holding back, but... she’s really impressive. I have to stay sharp. Luck alone won’t make me unbeatable. They need to see my strength, my real strength, he thought, leaping backward.

From across the distance, Elian raised her hand. "Now it’s time you start using it. Visualize it. Imagine water flowing into your hands!"

She lifted her palm, and water surged forth, condensing into several sharp, arrow-like projectiles hovering in the air. Rowan’s eyes widened. Wow... this is amazing. I want to try it, but first, I need to understand what she’s doing.

"You’re young, Master Rowan, but talented. Focus," Elian instructed.

Without warning, she sent five water arrows streaking toward him. Rowan sprinted, weaving and ducking, narrowly avoiding their precise trajectories. One twisted behind him, aiming for the back of his head. Such control... it requires intense focus, he thought, keeping up his speed as the arrows followed every movement.

Rowan raised his wooden sword, attempting to block one. The arrow bent midair, veering upward. He prepared for the next, only to see it morph into ice as it fell toward him. Reacting instinctively, he slashed through all five with his wooden sword. Click, click, click. Breaking them completely.

Elian’s eyes widened as she ran forward, impressed. "That was... really impressive. I didn’t expect you to keep up!"

"No... you’re the impressive one," Rowan said, lowering his sword. "The way you turned water into ice, it was incredible. In a real fight, that kind of control would be deadly."

Elian smiled faintly. "It takes more than talent. Control, focus, and patience. But you’ll learn it too. I’m certain of that."

Rowan exhaled slowly. "Still... the way you did it. The water didn’t just move, it obeyed you."

Elian nodded. "That’s exactly it. You don’t force it. You guide it."

A voice came from behind them.

"Honestly... that was something else."

They turned to see Aldwin standing nearby, his arms crossed. "Watching the two of you fight like that, it was impressive. Especially you, Rowan. The way you reacted to the water arrows, even when they changed direction."

Rowan scratched the back of his head. "I was honestly panicking."

Elian chuckled softly. "You handled it better than most would."

Aldwin, however, didn’t smile. His expression was distant, troubled.

Rowan noticed. "Dad... you’ve been quiet. Is something wrong?"

Aldwin hesitated. "It’s nothing. Just... thoughts."

Elian narrowed her eyes slightly. "That doesn’t sound like nothing."

He sighed. "It’s just that earlier, when the battle happened, someone intervened. Someone powerful. Too powerful."

Rowan stiffened. "You mean the one who saved everyone?"

"Yes," Aldwin said quietly. "I felt it clearly. That presence... it reminded me of someone I once knew. Someone I thought was long gone."

"So what exactly is that?" Rowan asked.

Aldwin exhaled slowly. "It’s a Fenrir. Like I told you back at the castle, if that Fenrir hadn’t intervened, I would’ve died in the demon lands."

Rowan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he listened.

"I encountered it years ago," Aldwin continued. "Back then, I didn’t even know what it was. I attacked it out of instinct. Fenrirs are creatures not meant to be seen by humans. Those who encounter them usually never return."

He paused, his voice lowering.

"But when I struck it, it didn’t retaliate. My blade cut into its body, yet the wound regenerated instantly. It didn’t even flinch. I attacked again, and again. Each time, it healed as if nothing happened."

Rowan listened carefully, his breath steady.

"It looked at me," Aldwin said quietly. "Not with anger, but with something else. Then it raised its paw and struck me aside effortlessly. I was sent flying. Before I could even recover, it turned its back on me and walked away."

He clenched his fist slightly. "That was when I realized it could have killed me at any moment, but it chose not to."

Rowan’s eyes widened. "Then... why did it appear again?"

Aldwin shook his head. "I don’t know. But I do know this. Someone must have drawn its attention. When it appeared again, it was no coincidence."

He looked at Rowan seriously. "That Fenrir isn’t just some wandering beast. If it showed itself again, then something, or someone, has caught its interest."

Rowan’s hands tightened into fists as he thought back.

"It came because it wanted to protect me, but good thing none of them knew," he thought.