Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 243

Chapter 243: Sword Skills – Water Moon!
 

“Let’s get started,” Ryan announced, assuming a stance with the confidence of a seasoned warrior, though the weight of his long sword still felt unfamiliar in his hands.

Noel’s laughter, light and mocking, was the only warning before her blade, a flash of green light, surged toward him.

Clang!

Their swords met with a jarring force, Ryan parrying with surprising agility, his counterattack swift and forceful despite the unwieldy feel of his weapon. Each move, heavy yet incisive, betrayed the mountainous effort behind it. Noel’s smile widened, her delight evident in the playful spark in her eyes. She could see Ryan wasn’t just mimicking the Sky swordsmanship; he was adapting it, bending its principles to suit his unique style.

Their blades danced a rapid, clashing ballet. With each forceful slash from Ryan, Noel countered with fluid, almost effortless breaks. Her astonishment grew with every exchange; the beginner before her wielded his sword with the proficiency of a core disciple from the Sky Sword Dojo.

“Such talent…” she murmured under her breath, impressed beyond her expectations.

After a series of intense exchanges, Ryan stepped back, his chest heaving with exertion. Green spiritual light coursed through his blade, enveloping him in its luminescence. He could almost feel the wind’s energy seeping into his veins, transforming his next movements.

With the activation of his special skill, Wind-walking Slash, he advanced, his pace accelerated by the wind at his back. His sword traced a brilliant blue arc through the air, slicing towards Noel.

Clang!

Again, their swords met, but in the next heartbeat, Noel’s blade was poised at Ryan’s throat, halting his advance. His attack had been anticipated, his movements read like an open book.

“It’s the same trick again,” Ryan conceded, lowering his weapon, a mix of frustration and admiration in his tone.

“I lost, can you tell me what this move is?”

Noel retracted her sword, her expression a blend of mischief and respect. “This technique is called ‘Water Moon,’ a skill that demands not only mastery over Sky swordsmanship but also exceptional eyesight, experience, and spiritual and physical acuity. It’s a level few can hope to achieve.”

She stepped closer, her tone sincere. “For most, it’s beyond reach in a lifetime, but for you, Mr. Ryan, I suspect it won’t take long at all.”

She chuckled, a sound that seemed to echo the playfulness of their sparring. “Not bad at all. Keep improving at this rate, and soon you’ll surpass even my expectations.”

A pause, then, “Well, I’ve been out longer than intended today; I really must head home.”

As she sheathed her sword, Noel threw over her shoulder, “I’m free these days. If you’re up for it, meet me here at 9 every morning. We can train together.”

Her next words carried a hint of secrecy. “But remember, you are not to speak of my existence to anyone.”

With a breezy wave, she added, “That’s all for today. Bye~” And with those final words, she vanished as swiftly and mysteriously as she had appeared, leaving Ryan alone with his thoughts and the whisper of the wind.

As Noel’s form vanished into the ether, swept away like a wisp of wind, Ryan found himself alone atop the barren cliff. The only sounds were the whispering breeze and the distant, rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore.

He gazed down at the gray-silver sword cradled in his hands, its metal catching the light with a subtle gleam. The weight and cool touch of the blade were real enough, and the intricate swordplay Noel had imparted to him danced vividly in his thoughts. Without these tangible proofs, Ryan might have dismissed their encounter as nothing more than a fleeting dream.

Noel, her name echoed in his mind. She possessed a mastery of the blade that belied her mysterious origins, having taught him secrets known only to the elite of the Sky Sword Dojo. Despite her denials, her skills hinted at deep ties to the dojo. Yet, Ryan felt an instinctive trust in her; her denial about her leadership there didn’t seem like a deception.

Surrounding him, the world seemed blurred and indistinct, like a landscape obscured by mist.

He sighed deeply, the sound lost to the wind. What had started as a simple challenge in the sword arena had spiraled into something far more complex and intriguing.

“Come and have a look tomorrow,” he muttered to himself. His venture so far had proven fortuitous, leaving him richer not in coins but in knowledge, a new sword technique that promised to broaden his horizons.

Ryan wasn’t in any hurry to leave the cliff’s edge. He practiced a few swings with the sword, each movement fluid and precise. The Sky style, with its emphasis on speed and minimal force, was a stark contrast to the greatsword techniques he’d always favored, which relied on brute strength and raw power.

The greatsword, a behemoth of a weapon, was designed for sheer destructiveness, its slow, ponderous swings a complete opposite to the nimble, swift strikes of the Sky swordsmanship. Merging these two styles wouldn’t be simple, yet Ryan was determined to meld the best of both worlds.

In his heart, Ryan knew the greatsword was suited to his robust build and straightforward nature. The smaller, lighter one-handed sword of the Sky style was hardly a match for the giant creatures of the wandering lands, which required more than finesse to subdue.

He envisioned integrating the Azure Sword Technique into his combat repertoire, transforming his approach without abandoning the core principles he valued. Techniques like [Wind Walker], which combined a charging motion with a damage boost, could be adapted to work with his greatsword, granting him the agility of a lighter weapon without sacrificing the crushing force he was accustomed to.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of fire and shadow, Ryan remained on the cliff, swinging his sword and contemplating the fusion of two worlds, each stroke a step closer to mastering the art of the blade.

Though both [Wind Walker] and [Special Sword Skill – Charge Attack (Blade Heart)] involve charging forward, there’s a key distinction between them. While [Blade Heart] envelops the user in a “dominant blood film” that renders the technique resistant to interruptions and enhances its durability, [Wind Walker] lacks such a protective feature. This vulnerability was glaringly exposed during Ryan’s duel with the Hurricane Swordsman Field, who managed to intercept Ryan’s [Wind Walker] mid-charge.

Clearly, if Ryan intends to adapt Sky swordsmanship to his greatsword fighting style, he must approach this integration with thoughtful consideration and finesse.

As Ryan lost himself in these reflections, dusk crept over the sky, signaling the day’s end.

“It’s time to go back,” he murmured, standing and turning, his shadow stretching over the roots of a bare, ancient tree that stood sentinel in the chill of late autumn.

—

In Azure City, the sun lingered on the horizon, giving Ryan enough light for an unhurried stroll through the inner ring of the city. His quest was to find a blacksmith shop worthy of his needs. He still possessed the rare materials of the [Crown] Blasting Dragon, and forging them into powerful artifacts could significantly bolster his combat prowess.

However, fortune did not favor him this day. It wasn’t that his luck was bad; rather, it seemed his extraordinary luck of the past had simply normalized. Azure Island boasted many blacksmiths, but even a cursory inspection revealed that their skills, while competent, did not approach the mastery required to craft high-level artifacts.

Ryan had also explored the Emerald Chamber of Commerce, as recommended by Master Golden Hammer. The establishment was impressive, a vast multinational entity rivaling the renowned Obsidian Chamber of Commerce in scale and surpassing it in reputation. Yet, the spiritual blacksmith they recommended fell short of Ryan’s expectations, lacking the finesse of even Master Silver Hammer, let alone the legendary craftsmanship of Master Golden Hammer.

“I don’t know where Master Golden Hammer went,” Ryan sighed, feeling the absence of the master’s guidance more keenly than ever.

Sometimes, you only realize the true value of something once it’s gone. With no progress in his search, Ryan reluctantly headed home.

Sky City sparkled with lights as night fell, its streets alive with the bustling figures of professionals from various fields, each moving with purpose under the city’s bright glow.

The nightlife of this world, charged with an enigmatic energy known as spirituality, was vibrant and multifaceted. Spirituality, a mystical force, could not only replicate but often surpassed the capabilities of electricity, infusing the night with a glow that transcended the mere functional.

For Ryan, however, these wonders held no allure tonight. His mind was singularly focused on mastering the Sky swordsmanship, eager to unlock its secrets before the stroke of midnight.

As he hastened his steps, the lively hum of a nearby pub momentarily drew his gaze. It was the same establishment where he had once been captivated by a spirit shadow performance. A brief glance through its open doorway, unrepaired from yesterday’s chaos was enough to halt him in his tracks. The resilient operation of the tavern, despite its visible disrepair, hinted at the owner’s significant influence and standing in Thundera City.

Peering through the dim interior, Ryan spotted a solitary figure ensconced in a shadowed corner. It was the enigmatic rebel swordsman, Durand, unmistakable in his unchanged attire. A surge of surprise gripped Ryan. Durand’s brazen presence here, so soon after the previous day’s conflict, was a bold taunt to the Sky Kendo Hall. The outcome of Durand’s confrontation with the Sky chief female swordsman remained a mystery.

Ryan’s fleeting scrutiny did not go unnoticed. Durand’s gaze lifted, locking eyes with him across the crowded room. After a moment of puzzlement, recognition flickered across Durand’s face, and he rose, approaching with a confident stride.