Chapter 27: A Blade Refined by Discipline
Inside Fate's dream, he found himself standing in a vast, empty white space.
In front of him—
Aetherfall.
The blade floated upright, its sky-blue veins pulsing softly like a living heartbeat.
Fate looked at it calmly.
"What do you need?"
Aetherfall did not answer immediately.
"…"
The silence stretched.
Then, finally—
"I wish to know something."
Its voice echoed directly into Fate's mind.
"What do you plan to do with me?"
Fate blinked.
"…Huh?"
He scratched the back of his head slightly.
"Well… since you're a weapon, I planned to use you to fight."
Silence again.
The sword did not respond.
Fate noticed the shift in the air.
"Seems like my answer didn't satisfy you."
He straightened slightly.
"You don't have to worry. I won't use you for evil."
He paused before continuing, more firmly this time.
"I want to protect the people I care about… and give them a happy, joyful life."
Aetherfall's glow dimmed slightly before pulsing again.
"Why?"
Fate frowned.
"Huh?"
"I sense that you are not from this world," Aetherfall said slowly.
"And yet… you wish to protect people you have only just met."
Its voice sharpened slightly.
"Why?"
The words struck something deep inside him.
Suddenly—
Memories surfaced.
Not when he is Fate Kindspring.
But when he was Haneul Kim.
Standing beside his older brother.
Hanseok Kim.
Hanseok spoke to Haneul who was beside him.
"Haneul…"
Haneul answered.
"Yes, brother?"
Hanseok Kim looked at him quietly.
"Do you think protecting everyone you care about is worth it?"
Young Haneul didn't hesitate.
"It will be!"
He clenched his fists, eyes shining.
"If I protect everyone I care about… then they'll all be happy!"
Hanseok smiled faintly.
"Even if the path to protecting them is harsh?"
"Even if it hurts?"
"Even if you suffer?"
Haneul answered without a second of doubt.
"Yes!"
Hanseok laughed softly and placed a hand on his little brother's head.
"Whatever you choose… just know I'll support you."
The memory faded.
Fate opened his eyes.
He was once again standing before Aetherfall.
The sword repeated its question.
"Why do you wish to protect them?"
This time—
Fate had an answer.
"I don't have some grand reason."
He smiled faintly.
"I just think it's the right thing to do."
Silence.
Longer than before.
Then—
The energy around Aetherfall began radiating outward, filling the white void with shimmering blue light.
"You are worthy to wield me."
The blade slowly floated closer.
"I wish to witness the path you walk."
Fate reached forward.
He grabbed the hilt.
The moment his hand wrapped around it—
A surge of power flowed through him.
"I'll be in your care now." Fate said softly to Aetherfall.
He smiled.
Then he took a stance.
Two hands gripping the handle.
His posture lowered slightly.
He began to swing.
Clean.
Disciplined.
Each motion precise.
His swordplay resembled traditional Japanese kenjutsu—
controlled breathing, efficient cuts, no wasted movement.
Sophisticated.
Lethal.
Highly disciplined.
As he continued swinging his newly awakened blade, Aetherfall, Fate's movements became sharper—more fluid.
Each strike cut cleanly through the air.
Precise. Controlled.
Balanced.
He thought to himself.
(I'm glad I watched all those Japanese movies with swordsmanship scenes…)
A faint smile formed on his lips.
(And with Isaac's training… my fundamentals are already above average.)
He shifted his footing and executed another clean diagonal cut.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
Suddenly—
A translucent blue window materialized in front of him.
System Notification
Congratulations. You have learned the Passive Skill: Swordsmanship.
Fate blinked.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
He stared at the floating text for a moment before letting out a quiet breath.
(So practicing properly really does trigger skill acquisition…)
He tightened his grip on Aetherfall.
(Good. Then I'll refine it even further.)
His stance lowered again—
And this time, his movements carried slightly more confidence.
More awareness.
More control.
After a few final strikes—
He sheathed Aetherfall.
And—
"Master Fate…"
A voice broke through the darkness.
Fate slowly opened his eyes.
Fiona was gently shaking him.
She must have been trying to wake him for a while.
When she noticed his eyes were open, she bowed slightly.
"Master Fate, it's time to get up."
He rubbed his eyes.
"I'll be there… just give me a few minutes…"
Fiona nodded and left the room.
Fate sat upright on his bed.
He summoned Aetherfall from his storage ring.
The blade materialized in his hand.
Then—
(Master…)
The voice echoed in his mind.
Fate didn't even flinch.
"…I'm not even surprised anymore…"
(Pardon?)
Aetherfall sounded slightly confused.
Fate answered to Aetherfall.
(It's nothing.)
Fate returned the sword to his storage ring and began changing into his Valhalla Academy uniform.
By the time he stepped into the dining area—
The table was already filled with warm, freshly prepared food.
Fate smiled.
He didn't waste a second.
He began eating alongside Fiona.
After finishing his meal, he stood.
"I'm heading out."
Fiona bowed slightly, as she always did.
"Have a good day, Master Fate."
Outside, he met up with his friends.
They walked together toward the academy building.
Isabelle suddenly spoke.
"Oh! I just remembered… today's the day we fight Jake and his group."
Kyle nodded confidently.
"As long as we do what we practiced, we'll win."
Fate placed both hands behind his head casually.
"We'll win."
"I'm sure of it."
His tone was calm.
Certain.
They arrived at their classroom.
Not long after—
The bell rang.
Students quickly settled into their seats.
The door opened.
Professor Sirius entered.
His presence alone quieted the room.
"Good morning, everyone."
His voice was calm, professional.
"Today, we will be discussing Stats."
He walked slowly to the center.
"All of you know the Five Core Stats every living being possesses."
Strength.
Agility.
Endurance.
Intelligence.
Mana.
He paused.
"But tell me…"
"What do you think is the most important stat?"
Hands shot up across the room.
Fate did not raise his.
He simply observed.
Professor Sirius pointed at a student.
"You. What is your answer?"
The student stood up confidently.
"Professor, the most important stat is Strength."
He explained further.
"If someone doesn't have strength, they're weak and won't be able to do much."
Professor Sirius tilted his head slightly.
"Incorrect."
He pointed at another student.
"You. Your answer?"
A female student stood.
"Sir, the most important stat is Intelligence."
She continued,
"Because knowledge is more important than anything."
Professor Sirius gave a small approving nod.
"A decent answer."
"But still incorrect."
He turned to the class.
"The most important stat… is Endurance."
The classroom went silent.
Professor Sirius began explaining carefully.
"Endurance is the foundation of survival and growth."
"No matter how strong, fast, intelligent, or magically powerful someone is… none of those stats matter if they cannot endure."
He raised one finger.
"First — It Keeps You Alive."
"Endurance determines how much damage, fatigue, pain, and pressure you can withstand."
"Strength is useless if you fall after one hit."
"Agility does not matter if your body gives out."
"Intelligence cannot help you if you die before using it."
"Mana is pointless if your body collapses before casting a spell."
"Endurance is what allows you to remain standing."
He raised a second finger.
"Second — It Supports All Other Stats."
"Strength requires endurance to keep fighting."
"Agility requires endurance to keep moving."
"Intelligence requires endurance to maintain focus."
"Mana requires endurance to withstand magical strain."
"Without endurance… the other stats become temporary."
He raised a third finger.
"Third — It Represents Willpower."
"Endurance is not purely physical."
"It symbolizes mental toughness."
"Determination."
"It is the stat that allows someone to continue when others fall."
"To survive impossible battles."
"To grow stronger through hardship."
He raised one final finger.
"Fourth — The Last One Standing Wins."
"In most battles, the victor is not always the strongest."
"It is often the one who remains standing."
The room fell silent.
Students slowly began to understand.
Kyle, meanwhile, quietly opened his Status Window.
(Status Window)
Status Window
Name: Kyle Ashensteel
Race: Human
Level: 30
Class: Warrior
Unique Skill: Authority Of The Formless Blade
Skills
– Sword Aura
– Quick Blade Draw
– Sword Step
– Piercing Gaze
– Sword Strike
– Quick Parry
– Blade Dance
– Song Of Sword
Passive
– Pain Resistance
– Swordsmanship
– Indomitable Will
– Basic Regeneration
– Mana Circuits
Stats
Strength: 70 (Colorless)
Agility: 75 (Colorless)
Endurance: 60 (Colorless)
Intelligence: 40 (Colorless)
Mana: 45 (Colorless)
Kyle's eyes paused at one line.
Endurance: 60 (Colorless)
He thought to himself—
(My endurance isn't that bad…)
(It's my third highest stat…)
Professor Sirius continued explaining how to properly distribute stat points and the risks of imbalance.
After some time—
The bell rang.
"That will be all for today."
Professor Sirius gathered his stuffs.
"See you tomorrow."
He exited the classroom.
Immediately—
The room filled with chatter.
End of Chapter 27