Damon returned home disappointed, but he refused to give up. For the next several days, he searched everywhere for the mysterious swordsman. He explored every path in the outer layer of Mysticwood Forest, hoping to catch even a glimpse of him.
But he found nothing.
Mysticwood Forest – Outer Layer
After spending the entire day searching, Damon finally gave up and sat beneath a large tree to rest.
"I can't believe I couldn't find him," he muttered with a sigh.
"Why wouldn't he agree to train me? He's obviously incredibly powerful. Anyone who can enter and leave the inner layer alone can't be an ordinary person."
"If only I knew his name... I could have gone to the Token Registration Hall and asked about him."
He shook his head.
"Well... I guess it wasn't meant to be."
He slowly stood up.
"I'll just continue training on my own."
"No matter what happens... I will become stronger."
With renewed determination, Damon headed toward his usual training ground.
What he didn't realize was that, high above him, hidden among the branches of an ancient tree...
...the mysterious swordsman had been watching him the entire time.
Damon's Training Ground
"I'm here."
"Let's begin."
As always, Damon started with meditation.
He sat cross-legged on the old tree stump, closed his eyes, and calmed his breathing.
Soon, a crimson aura slowly emerged from his body.
"I first felt this strange energy after I was discharged from the hospital... during my first fight against Brock."
He opened one eye and stared at the crimson glow surrounding him.
"It was this energy that allowed me to perform Crimson Blade."
"I still don't know what it is."
"It isn't Spirit Energy... yet somehow it feels connected to it."
He clenched his fist.
"Ever since the incident in the inner layer..."
"...this energy has become stronger."
"And strangely..."
"...my Spirit Energy has become weaker."
"It's almost as if..."
"...my Spirit Energy is slowly transforming into this new power."
Damon lowered his head in thought.
"I don't know exactly what's happening."
"But I do know one thing."
"If I can strengthen this energy..."
"...I'll become stronger."
"This is the breakthrough I've been searching for."
A smile appeared on his face.
For the next several hours, Damon trained exclusively with the crimson energy.
The more he experimented with it, the more he began to understand its nature.
Unlike Spirit Energy, which mainly flowed through the Spirit Channels and was used for casting spells, this mysterious power enhanced every part of the body.
It strengthened muscles.
Bones.
Blood.
Organs.
Even the body's individual cells became stronger.
Not only that...
The energy could also be transferred into weapons and other objects, dramatically increasing their durability and destructive power.
"This is incredible..."
"I love this power."
He looked down at his hands.
"I've spent years training my body."
"I've built my muscles through endless effort."
"This energy perfectly complements my fighting style."
Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.
"I should create another technique."
"One that allows me to move at incredible speed..."
"...and finish my opponent with a single strike."
He smiled.
"I'll call it..."
"Crimson Flash."
Damon immediately began practicing.
Again.
And again.
And again.
But every attempt failed.
"Damn it..."
"What am I doing wrong?"
"Why can't I get it right?"
A calm voice suddenly echoed from above.
"Because you're doing it all wrong."
Damon instantly looked up.
The mysterious swordsman was sitting casually on the branch of a tree, looking down at him.
"How long have you been there?" Damon asked.
"Long enough," the man replied calmly.
He observed Damon's stance before speaking again.
"Your energy distribution is completely unbalanced."
"Concentrate your power only in your legs and arms."
Damon frowned.
"Only my legs and arms?"
"Will that really work?"
The man simply remained silent.
Damon closed his eyes.
"Wait..."
"I think I understand."
"If speed comes from my legs..."
"...and the attack comes from my arms..."
"...then..."
"I should concentrate sixty percent of my Spirit Qi into my legs..."
"...and forty percent into my arms."
He took a deep breath.
Then...
SWISH!
SLASH!
A crimson streak flashed through the forest.
The next instant...
A massive tree several meters away split cleanly in half before crashing to the ground.
BOOM!
Damon stared in disbelief.
"It worked..."
"I actually did it!"
Hidden beneath his hood, even the mysterious swordsman looked surprised.
"That kid..."
"He actually mastered it..."
"To create and learn a Battle Art in a single day..."
"...his talent is frightening."
Damon turned toward him with excitement.
"Thank you so much!"
"You really helped me!"
The man shrugged.
"Save your thanks."
"I only pointed you in the right direction."
He folded his arms.
"More importantly..."
"Why didn't you tell me you could use Spirit Qi?"
Damon blinked.
"Spirit... Qi?"
"What's that?"
The man stared at him.
"...You don't know?"
Damon shook his head.
"No."
The swordsman sighed.
"The energy you've been using..."
"...is called Spirit Qi."
Damon's eyes widened.
"So that's what it's called..."
"But..."
"...how do you know?"
The man smiled faintly.
"Because..."
"I possess the same power."
"What?!"
"You have Spirit Qi too?"
"Exactly."
Damon became even more confused.
"I've never heard of a mage using Spirit Qi."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Mage?"
"I'm not a mage."
"I'm a swordsman."
"A swordsman?"
"I've heard of swordsmen before..."
"...but I thought they also used Spirit Energy."
The man shook his head.
"No."
"Swordsmen use Spirit Qi."
"It is the very foundation of swordsmanship."
Damon repeated the words quietly.
"The foundation..."
The swordsman looked at him curiously.
"How do you not know any of this?"
"You possess Spirit Qi."
"Can't you tell the difference between it and Spirit Energy?"
"I can."
"I just thought..."
"...I was the only person who could use it."
The man burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"You seriously believed you were the only one?"
"What made you think that?"
After calming himself, he continued.
"Still..."
"You're not entirely wrong."
"Spirit Qi is extremely rare."
"Very few people ever awaken it."
His expression became serious.
"So..."
"How did you awaken yours?"
Damon scratched his head.
"I honestly don't know."
"Everything about this power is still new to me."
"Then tell me..."
"What exactly is Spirit Qi?"
The man nodded.
"Listen carefully."
"Both Spirit Energy and Spirit Qi originate from the Spirit Core."
"Spirit Energy is the power naturally released by the Spirit Core."
"But Spirit Qi..."
"...is the Spirit Core's hidden potential."
"Its true power."
"When someone begins awakening Spirit Qi..."
"...their Spirit Energy gradually transforms into Spirit Qi."
He continued.
"Spirit Energy can only flow through the Spirit Channels."
"But Spirit Qi is different."
"It can flow throughout the entire body, strengthening every muscle, bone, organ, and even your cells."
"However..."
"It can only leave the body through the Spirit Channels."
He pointed toward Damon's dagger.
"Spirit Qi can also be infused into weapons or even other people."
"Spirit Energy cannot do that unless it's used through a spell."
Damon nodded.
"I noticed that."
The swordsman continued.
"For swordsmen..."
"Spirit Qi is essential."
"Without it..."
"...Battle Arts cannot exist."
"What are Battle Arts?"
"They are the equivalent of magic."
"Mages use Spirit Energy to cast spells."
"Swordsmen use Spirit Qi to perform Battle Arts."
"They are techniques built upon the unique properties of Spirit Qi."
"The stronger your Spirit Qi becomes..."
"...the stronger your Battle Arts become."
He continued.
"Every Spirit Qi possesses its own unique ability."
"Once your Spirit Energy has completely transformed into Spirit Qi..."
"...that unique ability will fully awaken."
"Swordsmen like me specialize in Sword Arts."
"But you're not limited to one style."
"Depending on your Spirit Qi..."
"...you may be able to create multiple forms of Battle Arts."
He looked directly into Damon's eyes.
"Spirit Qi is extraordinarily powerful."
"But awakening it completely is incredibly difficult."
"Some awaken it only after standing at death's door."
"Others achieve it through years of brutal training."
"And a fortunate few awaken it because of their bloodline."
Damon smiled brightly.
"So if I completely awaken my Spirit Qi..."
"...I'll become much stronger."
The swordsman couldn't help but smile.
"This kid..."
"I just told him how painful the training would be..."
"And instead of fear..."
"...he's excited."
"What incredible determination."
Damon suddenly asked,
"So..."
"Which is stronger?"
"Spirit Energy..."
"...or Spirit Qi?"
The swordsman thought for a moment before answering.
"Neither."
"What determines strength..."
"...is not the power."
"It's the person using it."
Damon nodded respectfully.
"I understand."
"Thank you for teaching me."
"I should head home now."
He turned and began walking away.
The swordsman watched him for a moment before speaking.
"You spent days searching for me."
"Now that you've found me..."
"...aren't you going to ask me to train you again?"
Damon smiled without turning around.
"I'm fine."
"All I wanted was a way to become stronger."
"Now I've found one."
"I'll continue training."
"And one day..."
"I'll become powerful enough on my own."
The swordsman narrowed his eyes.
"Why are you so obsessed with becoming stronger?"
Damon stopped walking.
After several seconds of silence, he answered quietly.
"Because..."
"I made a promise..."
"...to someone important."
"And no matter what..."
"I intend to keep it."
"What promise?"
Damon shook his head.
"I'm sorry."
"I can't tell you."
"I see."
The swordsman looked away.
"I don't really care."
A moment of silence passed.
Then he spoke once more.
"But..."
"If you're still interested..."
"I'll accept you as my student."
"I'll train you myself."
Damon froze.
His eyes slowly widened.
"...You're serious?"
The man nodded.
"I am."
A huge smile spread across Damon's face.
"Yes!"
"I want to become your student!"
The man smiled faintly.
"Good."
"Then from this day forward..."
"...you are my disciple."
Damon clenched his fists with excitement.
"This is incredible!"
"I'm finally going to become stronger!"
The swordsman turned around and began walking away.
"Get some rest."
"Meet me here tomorrow at dawn."
"And don't be late."
He paused for a moment before adding,
"Because once your training begins..."
"...you'll wish you were dead."
With that, he disappeared into the forest.
Damon stood there in stunned silence before breaking into a wide grin.
"I've finally done it..."
"This is the opportunity I've been waiting for."
He looked toward the sky, his eyes burning with determination.
"Just wait..."
"One day..."
"I will become the strongest swordsman in the world."