Chapter 8: This Albino's Talent is Extraordinary! |
...
"What's so interesting?
Young master, you should just give me that sword...
The outcome is already obvious. Having an Albino in the military camp doesn't make a good impression either."
Jonas waved his hand with a smile. "No need to rush.
Can't you wait ten more days?"
...
The training continued.
Time passed minute by minute as the scorching sun grew more intense, its blinding glare reflecting off the sandy ground.
Their gazes unconsciously drifted toward Olivia, still practicing alone on the field with clumsy movements.
Each pair of eyes held mocking amusement.
"I bet she can't go past 180 repetitions."
"180? You're giving this Albino too much credit.
150 at most.
If not for using a wooden sword, she probably wouldn't even reach 150."
After all, when they first joined the swordsmanship class, they too were required to perform these basic sword forms three hundred times - and not a single one had succeeded back then.
But as time passed, watching Olivia swing her sword repeatedly,
the surrounding students' jeering gradually faded into silence, their faces filled with astonishment instead.
267 repetitions!
268 repetitions!!
They watched helplessly as Olivia's frail figure kept swinging the wooden sword under the blazing sun.
Though her body trembled violently and her footing grew unsteady, the sword in her hand never stopped moving.
...
This girl was unexpectedly tenacious.
Even Asher couldn't help raising an eyebrow as he observed the girl before him, a trace of doubt in his eyes.
His surprise wasn't because a beginner could perform so many repetitions, but because with each swing, the girl seemed to continuously adjust and improve.
The same sword technique required less and less strength from her, yet her movements grew increasingly fluid and polished.
This was partly why such a frail girl could persist for so many repetitions.
To display such comprehension and skill during her first sword practice...
Something's off!
This Albino Jonas found possesses extraordinary talent!
...
Huff... huff...
Under the sunlight,
Olivia's sweat dripped onto the ground one drop at a time, her clothes long soaked through.
Her body wobbled unsteadily,
yet her eyes shone with unwavering determination and purity.
Gazing straight ahead, as if seeing only her sword and a distant figure in her vision.
She could feel her young master's gentle smile.
He had given her this opportunity, this life, this respect.
He was watching her - she couldn't let him down!
Just three hundred repetitions!
Compared to the humiliation and hardships she'd endured before, what was this?
...
Finally, Olivia raised her wooden sword high, mustering the last ounce of strength to complete the 300th repetition.
With a "thud," the wooden sword fell onto the sandy ground as her exhausted body collapsed to its knees.
Propping herself up with both hands, she gasped for breath, her chest heaving violently.
...
The scene fell silent. No one had expected Olivia to actually complete all three hundred basic sword forms.
Especially considering she was female - and so frail at that.
When they had first arrived, none of them could accomplish this.
Those who had mocked her earlier couldn't help flushing with shame.
They couldn't even match an Albino?
Some instinctively began making excuses.
"She used a wooden sword..."
"Right! It's only because she used a wooden sword!"
...
Asher's expression turned complicated.
He had thought completing one hundred repetitions would already be impressive for this Albino, yet she had done all three hundred.
Even with a wooden sword, given her frail physique and being female,
this was astonishing enough.
And that look in her eyes... that resilience.
Asher actually began to think Jonas might stand a chance in their ten-day wager.
...
Huff... huff... huff...
Kneeling on the ground, Olivia's sweat-drenched hair clung to her pale cheeks as her chest heaved violently.
With everyone keeping their distance, she tried to stand but momentarily lacked the strength.
Then a hand extended toward her.
"Get up."
Looking up, Olivia found Jonas had somehow appeared before her.
Seeing the offered hand warmed her heart.
Instinctively, she reached out to take it.
"Young master... I didn't embarrass you, did I...?"
Jonas' voice was gentle. "Of course not."
When their hands connected, Jonas could feel the rough calluses on Olivia's palm - marks left from surviving on the streets.
Now overlapped with fresh blisters from sword practice, like fate quietly laying its groundwork.
The constantly increasing swordsmanship values on his system interface
proved he hadn't misjudged her.
Just from this session alone, the ability feedback had reached hundreds of points.
He was already nearing Ordinary-rank Swordsman level.
For ordinary people, reaching Ordinary-rank after two and a half years was considered fast.
His sister had reached Bluestone-rank swordsmanship in three years and was considered a genius in these parts.
Yet here he was, after just this short period, already approaching Ordinary-rank.
This cultivation speed would make even geniuses hesitate.
...
Jonas produced a small vial. "Replenish your energy!
I had the apothecary prepare this nutrient solution for you in advance."
This was key to his future strength, as well as his future general - of course he would take good care of her?
Seeing the relatively exquisite vial, Olivia felt somewhat awkward.
The surrounding students watched with envy.
They recognized this nutrient solution - it restored energy after exhaustion.
A single vial could revitalize weary bodies.
But its ingredients were expensive, typically reserved for nobility. Who would have thought the young master would give it to an Albino?
Many inwardly cried "waste."
Sensing the students' envious gazes, Olivia understood the solution's value and instinctively said, "Young master, I shouldn't—"
"No need for words, just drink it.
I won't have people saying my future swordsman can't even lift a sword."
This simple statement made Olivia press her lips together as she accepted the nutrient solution.
Her eyes inexplicably reddened.
She would work even harder.
As an Albino, she was accustomed to being scorned, avoided like the plague.
Yet here was Jonas, not only unbothered by her dust-covered state as he helped her up before everyone,
but even offering this coveted nutrient solution.
Tears that hadn't fallen even when struck by stones in the streets now uncontrollably welled up in her eyes.
"Th-thank you, young master..." Her voice trembled as she gazed up at Jonas' jawline.
Sunlight poured from behind him, gilding his silhouette in gold.
[Loyalty: 40%]
[Ability Feedback Multiplier: 8x]
Seeing the system notification, Jonas couldn't help feeling pleased.
Olivia's loyalty was easier to gain than expected!
An S-rank eightfold cultivation speed, coupled with Olivia's diligence and determination.
What genius could possibly compare to him now?