Chapter 186: Level 10 Swordsmanship skill Noah opened the advanced manual that Lola had provided, its pages filled with detailed illustrations and descriptions of sword stances. The manual was organised into three distinct sections corresponding to major skill ranks. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢 Time to see what separates novices from apprentice swordsmen. He began by skimming through the novice section; his experience and knowledge allowed him to skim through the techniques and principles that had once seemed impossibly complex. To his surprise, most of the foundational material felt familiar rather than challenging. I’ve already mastered these basics through weeks of intensive training with Master Tanaka, coupled with the hunting sessions with Valeria and Lola. Footwork patterns, basic striking sequences, defensive positioning—all the fundamental elements that formed novice-rank swordsmanship had become second nature through dedicated practice and physical power. The realisation that he had progressed beyond basic instruction filled Noah with confidence as he turned to the apprentice-level section, where real learning would begin. This is where the manual’s true value reveals itself. The apprentice techniques immediately proved far more demanding than anything he had previously attempted. Complex combination attacks that required precise timing, advanced defensive manoeuvres, integrated with footwork, blade positioning, and reflexes that demanded split-second decision-making. Whoosh! His first attempt at the "Threading Needle" technique, a precise thrust designed to exploit gaps in enemy defences, resulted in completely missing his intended target. The coordination required between enhanced attributes and refined techniques proved more challenging than expected. This is going to take serious work. For the next hour, Noah struggled with movements that seemed simple in illustration but demanded extraordinary accuracy in execution. The "Flowing River" combination required seamless transitions between seven different strikes, each building momentum for the next while maintaining perfect balance. Crash! His sword struck the ground as he overcompensated during a spinning transition. But gradually, through persistent repetition and careful attention to the manual’s detailed instructions, Noah began finding the rhythm that allowed his body to work with rather than against the sword technique. Swish! Crack! The "Mountain Cleaver" downward strike finally achieved the devastating force the manual promised; his strength was fully channelled through perfect form to create attacks that would shatter large boulders. The "Wind Step" evasion technique took even longer to master, requiring him to have more control over his footwork. Whoosh! When he finally executed the technique correctly, Noah found himself moving faster than he had imagined possible at his level; his agility was utilised properly through the footwork technique that strengthened him even more. Noah began to understand what being an apprentice meant. It didn’t just mean having a more powerful body, whether it was faster, stronger or healthier. It was also about learning how to effectively utilise your current power and bring out its utmost potential. The second hour of training brought breakthrough moments as his muscle memory began incorporating the advanced techniques into instinctive responses. The previously complex combinations now flowed more naturally, while defensive positioning became more instinctive rather than a conscious effort. Swish! Crack! Whoosh! "Alright, let’s try this out," Noah muttered before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. After exhaling, his eyes snapped open, and he began. A complete apprentice-level sequence, attack, counter, evasion, and follow-up strike was executed perfectly, marking his true advancement beyond novice limitations. [Your Swordsmanship skill has reached level 10!] The transformation his body had undergone became immediately visible to Noah. After all, the feeling was overwhelming and impossible to ignore. Power surged through Noah’s body like lightning as his body adapted to handle capabilities that transcended normal humans. His muscles felt denser, more responsive, while his nervous system processed movement commands with supernatural speed that made the world seem to slow around him. — Host: Noah Carter Age: 28 Shop Level: 2 Daily Revenue: $355,000 (or equivalent) Current Assets: $860,018,640 Shop Points: 6370 Attributes: Strength: 60, Vitality: 30, Intelligence: 20, Agility: 60 Skills: Swordsmanship(Level 10), Mana Control (Level 8), Wind Manipulation (Level 8), Aura (Level 8), Body Tempering (Level 5), Surviving on Ramen (Level 3), Cooking (Level 3), Finance (Level 3), Programming (Level 2), Gaming (Level 2), — Sixty points in both Strength and Agility. It feels amazing... Noah thought as he inspected his new body. Noah felt power rampaging through his body, every muscle fibre rebuilt to handle forces that would have destroyed his previous constitution. The sensation was intoxicating, like wearing a suit of power that responded to his slightest intention. Time to test my new power. He raised his practice sword and executed a simple horizontal swing, channelling his doubled strength through his now refined technique. Whoosh! The air parted with a sound far more audible than anything he had produced before. The displaced atmosphere created visible disturbance while the sword’s passage generated pressure waves. That’s not just double-strength. The enhancement multiplied my combat power aggressively. His speed proved even more remarkable than raw power. When Noah attempted basic footwork, his new agility carried him across distances that should have required multiple steps; his movement was no longer the same. I need to get used to this gradually. Despite the dramatic enhancement, Noah understood that reaching apprentice rank in swordsmanship alone didn’t grant complete apprentice-level power. True rank advancement requires comprehensive development across all related skills. Although I could definitely kill that Crimson Horn Bear much more easily now, this still isn’t my full potential at the apprentice rank. He needed to advance his aura skill to Level 10 to achieve genuine apprentice-rank capabilities that integrated all aspects of his combat development. Only then would he truly possess the power that the rank represented. Aura advancement next. Then I’ll have the power of an apprentice-level swordsman. Still, the current enhancement was nothing to dismiss lightly. With the base power, speed, and skill set of an apprentice swordsman, Noah felt incredibly satisfied with his advancement toward tournament readiness. A few more days until the tournament. The training session had achieved everything he’d hoped for while revealing new goals that would push his development even further.