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.
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.