Chapter 93: The Pursuit of Mastery
"St. Freya Academy is… unique," Fu Hua said, her pace even as they walked along a tree-lined path. She paused for a moment, then elaborated, "Headmaster Theresa's philosophy is that before our students can become warriors, they must first understand why the world is beautiful."
"They must first experience the world as a 'person'," she explained, her voice calm and measured.
It was a deeply idealistic educational philosophy, perhaps so much so that it bordered on the impractical.
"A very romantic notion," Rovel commented with a faint, unreadable smile. Whether it was a genuine compliment or a wry observation, only he truly knew.
"To allow students the freedom to choose who they wish to become… in a world as cruel as ours, that can indeed be considered a form of romance," Fu Hua replied, her tone noncommittal.
The academy grounds were vast, so large that they even housed their own commercial street along the outer perimeter. As they passed by, Rovel noticed the prices displayed in the shop windows were unimaginably low.
He recalled the high-quality wooden sword he had purchased outside the academy, which had cost him a steep 5,000 Credits. Here, an identical one was priced at a mere 1,000.
A fivefold price difference.
'No wonder St. Freya Academy's accounts are always in the red,' Rovel mused. Only someone like Theresa, with the practically infinite financial backing of Otto Apocalypse, could possibly sustain such an operation. Anyone else would have driven it into bankruptcy within a month.
"Up ahead is our combat simulation training room," Fu Hua announced, guiding him toward a large, windowless building. "It can use data to replicate a wide range of enemies, from the most basic Death Soldier all the way up to an Emperor-class Honkai Beast. It's also where we conduct the combat portion of our annual evaluations."
She led him into a cavernous chamber where every surface—the walls, the floor, and the distant ceiling—was a seamless, high-tech lattice of uniform grids.
"Simulation start. Select location: Training Ground 1. Select enemy: Guardian Death Soldier."
As Fu Hua's voice echoed in the sterile space, a synthesized, mechanical voice responded, and the ambient lighting in the room shifted subtly.
[Identity confirmed. Schicksal B-Rank Valkyrie: Fu Hua. Simulating environment… Simulating enemies… Generation complete.]
[Guardian Death Soldier: A basic Death Soldier unit. Aggression is low, and attack patterns are significantly telegraphed. Dodge according to the timing of the scythe swing. Avoid being surrounded.]
The mechanical voice helpfully listed all the creature's weaknesses for Rovel, a feature likely intended for new students. A moment later, a grotesque figure coalesced from shimmering data in the center of the room.
[Guardian Death Soldier, Level 20]
It was the same type of creature that had swarmed Changkong City during the Third Honkai Eruption, though this one's level was slightly higher than the average fodder he'd encountered then.
"Would you like to try, Classmate Ruobai?" Fu Hua asked, her gaze turning to him, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
"I might as well," Rovel replied. He drew the Prototype Pulse Katana, the blade humming faintly. In a single fluid motion, he executed a lightning-fast draw-slash, followed by two more precise cuts that flashed like silver threads in the air. The Guardian Death Soldier crumpled into dissipating pixels before it could even fully raise its scythe.
[Killed Guardian Death Soldier. Gained 200 EXP. (Experience gained from data simulation is reduced by 80%)]
'That debuff is a bit annoying,' Rovel thought with a frown.
[Used Basic Kendo to kill Guardian Death Soldier. Skill proficiency +50. Location bonus "Combat Simulation Training Space" active. Skill proficiency +50.]
Fortunately, the loss in experience was offset by the boost to his skill proficiency, which was a welcome consolation. A permanent 100% bonus to skill gains was an incredibly generous feature. This place truly was a top-tier training academy.
"Such exquisite swordsmanship." A flicker of genuine surprise crossed Fu Hua's usually placid features.
Not only was this young man highly accomplished in martial arts, having already grasped the principles of Dead Force, but his skill with a blade was equally outstanding. That single strike was swift, powerful, and utterly devoid of wasted movement. It was clear to her that Rovel's Basic Kendo was rapidly approaching the world of 'Great Accomplishment'.
"It seems an ordinary Guardian Death Soldier poses no threat to you, Classmate Ruobai. Would you like to try a stronger variant?" she proposed.
"Let's. I haven't encountered many other types yet," Rovel agreed with a nod.
Without delay, Fu Hua began summoning a variety of different Death Soldiers.
First came a level 25 'Undead Death Soldier', which could summon two Guardian-class minions to assist it while its main body fired weak Honkai energy beams. The projectiles were slow and easily dodged, and Rovel quickly closed the distance and decapitated the summoner.
Next, she simulated a level 30 'Ninja Martial Death Warrior', and the intensity immediately skyrocketed.
The Ninja Martial Death Warrior was a different beast entirely. Wielding two katanas with blinding speed, it was the kind of relentless assassin that legends were made of—a whirlwind of steel that seemed capable of carving a path of destruction from one city to the next without pause.
Its combat prowess was far superior to the previous models. Rovel could feel the substance behind its dual-wielding technique; its skill was likely equivalent to the 'Mastery' level of Basic Kendo. Though it was only level 30, it presented a far greater challenge than a Chariot-class Honkai Beast. In both speed and raw power, it surpassed him.
However, against Rovel, that wasn't enough. The creature could pressure him, forcing him onto the defensive with its sheer ferocity, but it couldn't land a single clean hit. This was an absolute suppression of skill. Unless an opponent reached the point where brute force could shatter all technique, Rovel could rely on his superior swordsmanship to handle most threats.
"It appears that even advanced Death Soldiers don't present much of a challenge for you," Fu Hua observed, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
The Ninja Martial Death Warrior was a standard part of the combat assessment for B-Rank Valkyries, yet Rovel had dealt with it so effortlessly. Although his physical attributes were somewhat lacking, his technical skill had already surpassed that of most B-Rank Valkyries.
"Are there any stronger ones? I want to try again," Rovel said, his grip tightening on his katana as he glanced at his status screen.
His Basic Kendo proficiency was tantalizingly close to its next breakthrough: 97,000 / 100,000. He was determined to reach the 'Great Accomplishment' realm today.
"There are," Fu Hua confirmed, "but they are typically reserved for A-Rank Valkyries." She, too, was curious to see the true limits of this Descender. After all, Rovel hadn't even resorted to using his formidable martial arts yet.
However, Fu Hua was destined for disappointment on that front. Rovel had no intention of using his combat techniques today. As much as he wanted to see the shocked expression on her face when he unleashed the Cun Xin Fist Style, his priority was leveling his swordsmanship. He was eager to see what new effects Basic Kendo would gain once it reached the next stage of mastery.
"Please, let me try," Rovel said, his tone serious.
"...Alright," Fu Hua conceded after a moment of consideration. "But if you encounter any real danger, I will terminate the simulation." She then initiated the sequence to summon a 'High-Level Ninja Martial Death Warrior'.
A new figure materialized, its presence far more menacing than the last. A Level 40 High-Level Ninja Martial Death Warrior.
Rovel's eyes narrowed. He could feel it instantly—the sheer technical skill radiating from the simulated foe. If he wasn't mistaken, its mastery of the blade was equivalent to a player who had reached the 'Minor Accomplishment' realm in Basic Kendo.
Though it lacked the Sword Intent of a true master, its raw skill was on a completely different level from the previous ninja. This was, for the moment, the most powerful Death Soldier he could face.
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