Chapter 17: Black Blade, Hidden Blades
Perhaps because of Mio's casual words, Warwick began diving into the sea from time to time in the following days. He wandered through both the deep and shallow seabed, driven by a strange sense of purpose. His goal? To find treasures and gold coins.
Anyone who didn't know better might've thought he was an avid treasure hunter.
Three Days Later — Waters Near Mowak Island, Kingdom of Skanda
The sky was covered in heavy clouds, and it didn't take long before those clouds burst open, releasing a downpour over the vast sea. A ship rocked steadily with the rising and falling of waves.
Standing on the deck amid the rain, Mio swung his sword. A flash of pitch-black sword energy tore through the air.
This energy was unlike most sword auras, which varied in color depending on the user. Pure black sword energy was exceedingly rare — a sign of an ominous yet powerful blade.
The first arc of energy dissipated shortly after slicing through the rain. Unfazed, Mio swung his sword again. The second arc landed in the nearby waters, exploding upon impact and stirring up a frothy cascade of waves.
Watching this, Mio grinned. The corners of his mouth curled up in satisfaction.
"I've finally mastered sword energy."
Though he had been able to produce sword energy before, his technique had been crude. He'd relied more on his physical strength and speed to overwhelm enemies. But ever since unlocking the "Kendo" ability, his progress in swordsmanship had skyrocketed.
The daily sparring sessions with Erica only accelerated his growth.