After Wesley reached his Manor. He went straight to his basement, but not before receiving odd looks of surprise and concern from his guards and maids. Wesley's current appearance could only be described as haggard and poor, It simply didn’t resonate with the image of Wesley they had in their minds.

Wesley, however, ignored them and went straight to the basement. He was extremely tired, and although he spent most of the day passed out, he still felt like it was simply not enough. Wesley thought that it was most likely due to his injuries.

As soon as he reached the basement, which was now Wesley's official bedroom, Wesley went to sleep. His sleep was uncharacteristically deep, accredited to the fact that the issue of his shattered core no longer weighed on his conscious as heavily as earlier in the day.

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Almost eight hours later, Wesley woke up from his slumber. This felt surprisingly refreshed, and aside from his left shoulder which was bruised and aching, he felt great. Considering everything he went through in the last couple of days, a good night's sleep was extremely invigorating.

However, Wesley had no idea to marvel at his condition. He was on the verge of being late to his swordsmanship class, and although he would very much rather spend this day recuperating, he knew that he had already skipped a day, and didn’t dare skip another.

Wesley donned on his red uniform and headed to the swordsmanship class in a hurried pace. Although, he was simply going to oversee the first years during the regular class time, he still wouldn’t dare be too late for fear of giving the second elder reason to make his life complicated.

Over the last eight to nine months Wesley spent with the second elder, he was able to get a glimpse of the second elder's true nature. Wesley knew the second elder was rather powerful, however, unlike other powerful people Wesley knew, such as his master, the second elder was more childish and free spirited.

The second elder enjoyed conflicts and oddities, he would even encourage the first years to spar against Wesley and Kellan, simply for his enjoyment. If there is any way he can have himself some entertainment, the second elder would find it.

However, regardless of his playfulness and open nature, Wesley still felt that this second elder was more profound than he appeared to be, especially after his encounter with that old expert from the Kader Family.

Ever so often, Wesley would notice the second elder in deep thought causing him to wonder what in the world can force an elder to be preoccupied.

Wesley reached the swordsmanship class in a few minutes. As soon as Wesley walked in, he noticed that all the students were staring at the center of the classroom while five blue clothed figures stood across from one azure robed figure.

Seeing this scene, Wesley was instantly startled. The second elder was facing five first years, causing Wesley to almost have a heart attack. Wesley knew how scary the second elder is, and the fact that those blue clothed students actually stood without running, made him feel sorry for them. If only they knew.

The second elder was holding a thin, long bastard sword in his right hand causing Wesley to heave a sigh of relief. If the second elder was serious, he wouldn't be holding a sword, rather he would have his gigantic green sword hovering around menacingly.

"Oh Wesley."

While Wesley was busy remembering the second elder's terrifying sword and his pressure, an almost laughing voice reached his ears causing him to frown and curse his luck. Wesley immediately looked towards the center of the class and spoke respectfully:

"Elder."

The second elder looked at Wesley for a few seconds, at which point a slight frown appeared on his face and he spoke:

"Where were you yesterday?"

Wesley stared at the second elder with an emotionless face as he replied:

"I left the city for a short while."

The second elder simply stared at Wesley with a slightly unconvinced look on his face.

"Is that so. Where did you go?"

Wesley frowned slightly as he replied:

"In the outskirts. I was.....sharpening my sword."

Wesley's paused slightly as he spoke. His words were not a complete lie, but he still hoped that the second elder wouldn’t pursue this topic any further.

The second elder's frown disappeared and he looked at Wesley with an amiable smile on his face. As he looked at the slightly frowning Wesley, the second elder had a sudden thought causing his smile to get even wider. Seeing the elder's smile, Wesley couldn’t help his heart from speeding up a little, these were telltale signs that the elder was up to something.

"I see, it is always necessary to sharpen one's sword. Anyway, I was about to demonstrate the importance of flexibility in a fight to these young ones. They seem too rigid in their spars as they keep using one technique after another. What do you think?"

Wesley knew the second elder was setting him up for something, but he still replied respectfully:

"Elder is right. Techniques are important, but not as important as flexibility that enables one to respond and react to each enemy accordingly."

"Haha. Exactly. See, young ones, Wesley knows what I mean. I worry for the young ones in the upcoming ranking competition."

Wesley slowly walked towards the crowd of students hoping the second elder would just let him be, but that was not going to happen as the second elder spoke again:

"Wesley, I think it is better if the young ones see you demonstrate what I mean by flexibility."

Wesley was inwardly cursing,but he still smiled at the elder and spoke:

"Elder. I can hardly compare to your teaching. You're the best person to demonstrate to them."

"Nonsense. If I do the demonstration, it will just be like an elder flaunting, but if you do it, the young ones will now it is achievable. Now come."

What a reason. Wesley could only praise the second elder for his craftiness. Not only does he not need to teach, he can also watch a good show. If this was not sly, then there is no such thing.

"Yes Elder."

Wesley could only sigh and walk towards the second elder's position with a dejected look on his face. Wesley didn’t mind demonstrating, he only hated being put on the spot by the second elder, as well as the fact that his shoulder was hurt badly. Unfortunately, Wesley could only sigh and accept his fate.

Wesley stood in front of the five students and upholstered his replica dark sword. Wesley just stood there with his dark sword in his left hand as he just stared at the students apathetically.

The five students, seeing that Wesley was their opponent were relieved, some even had a hint of sneers present on their faces. Wesley is stronger than them, but he is not the elder, and there are five of them, how could they possibly lose.

Wesley just stared at the five students who were clearly looking down on him and spoke:

"You may begin."

The five students immediately rushed towards Wesley with their swords drawn. The five students all had regular shaped one handed swords, showing that they practiced an orthodox style of swordsmanship.

Wesley just brought his right hand to the hilt of his sword and immediately unsheathed his sword with great. Only, his left hand released the scabbard as he was halfway through the unsheathing causing it to fly out.

When Wesley did this, four of the students snickered at his foolishness, without even noticing that one of them has already fallen behind.

The scabbard that flew out of Wesley's hand, rushed towards the left most of the students. The students was caught off guard and immediately knocked out by the scabbard hitting his face. Wesley's left shoulder was injured, so Wesley used his injury to weaken his opponents.

By the time the four students noticed that one of them was already knocked out, they were within five feet of Wesley. Wesley just leisurely walked towards the two students who were in the center, ignoring the other two.

The four students nodded towards each other, then the two in the middle charged towards Wesley. While the other two circled around him. Seeing this, Wesley ignored the two who were circling around him and faced the two that charged towards him.

As soon as the two charging students were within range of Wesley, they immediately swung their swords horizontally from two opposite sides. Wesley who was so far heading forward suddenly jumped backwards before the two students started their swings. As soon as those two students noticed Wesley's jump, they immediately adjusted their swings to follow him.

However, Wesley's backward jump propelled him a few feet putting him past the two students who were circling behind him who were already mid swing themselves. Now, the swings that were coming towards Wesley from the back and those coming from the front found themselves heading towards each other.

The moment the two groups collided, the two the were coming from the front were tossed back a few feet. They had adjusted their swings to follow Wesley's backwards jump, causing their stances to become shaky.

As soon as the two were sent backward, Wesley was already rushing to the two from behind who currently had their back to him. Wesley immediately reached the tiny space between them that he broke through earlier.

By this point, the two students knew what just happened, so they both instinctively swung their swords sideways. They knew that Wesley was behind them and was most likely heading towards them, so they each let out a random swing to the tiny space in between them.

Surprisingly, their swords did meet something, but it was not Wesley, but their companions sword, causing a ringing sound of swords colliding. Each of them swung their sword towards the Wesley's position, but they both swung at the same time and towards the same place causing them to block each other's swords.

Suddenly, another ringing sound came as Wesley's sword collided against the crossed swords of those two students. The initial collision between the two swords was already enough to cause the two students to feel their hands tingle with numbness, however, when Wesley's strike came, they simply couldn’t hang on to their swords.

'clang'

'clang'

'clang'

The sound of swords hitting the floor resounded throughout the classroom. However, it was not only two swords that fell, but three. If Wesley have disarmed the those two students, where did the third sound come from.

Everyone soon received their answer as Wesley released his own sword and let it drop with the other two. Before anyone could wonder why Wesley did such a thing, they received their answer.

Wesley immediately swung his two hands with a backward swing towards the heads of the two students. Wesley's hands were not in a fist, so his swing was more like a slap, but the moment it connected against the cheeks of the two students, they couldn’t help fall sideways.

Their awkward swings caused their stances to become practically ruined, that and the fact that they were surprised by Wesley disarming them, they simply couldn’t help but tumble. Wesley's face twitched slightly because of his shoulder, but soon enough went back to its usual passiveness.

At this point, a laughing voice came from within the crowd:

"That Is enough."

Wesley looked at the second elder that was looking at him with a smiling face.

"Yes Elder."

Wesley immediately picked up his sword and walked towards where his scabbard was. The second elder, once again let out a laugh and spoke:

"Haha. See young ones. Being flexible is indispensable. If you were flexible, you would be able to cope with a scabbard flying at you, or your companions attacking you, or your enemy appearing behind you."

The entire classroom was dead silent. The students simply couldn’t fathom what they witnessed. Not only did Wesley beat five people so quickly, he also did it so thoroughly. Is this really just due to being flexible.

As if knowing what the students were thinking, the second elder spoke again:

"However, am afraid if you want to be like Wesley you'll need more than flexibility. Haha."

At this point, Wesley was already walking to where Kellan was standing while smiling at him, but no one seemed to pay any attention to him because of the elder's words. Each of the students wanted to know what they need to become like Wesley.

One student who was in the crowd shouted towards the elder:

"Elder, What else do we need besides flexibility?"

"Haha. Do you really want to know?"

The second elder like to tease people for his enjoyment causing him to entice the little students with a mystery, than asking them if they want to know what it is. He looked at the students who were nodding their heads with bright eyes, and then he spoke:

"You need talent, hard work, understanding and a certain level of ruthlessness."

The students clearly were not satisfied with the elder's vague words so they looked at him expectantly forcing him to continue his speech:

"Talent to grasp techniques, hard work to perfect those techniques, understanding to see your opponents intentions and ruthlessness for...Haha."

The second elder's words caused many of the students to wince as what he implied by ruthlessness. Some of the more acute of the first years turned to Wesley with looks of fear. They all heard Wesley say that he was sharpening his sword now..

At the time, none of them thought much about it, but as soon as they heard the elder's words, they seemed to have understood something. However, Wesley didn’t even notice the looks these students were giving him as he simply just stood there like a statue.

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After the regular class was over, Wesley and Kellan both went to put on their respective training armors, however, before they could proceed, the second elder spoke:

"Wesley, Kellan. There is no need for that today."

Wesley and Kellan looked at the second elder with confused looks. The second elder simply walked towards them and continued speaking:

"The two of you have been using these two armors for almost a year now. I am afraid its effects are practically negligible."

The second elder's words were indeed true. Wesley has already learned how to control his muscles and manipulate them so that the restraint on him was minimal and sometime even helpful, while Kellan simply got used to the weight of his armor.

"I believe it is about time I prepared you two for a new training regiment."

Wesley and Kellan's eyes lit up at the same time. They both knew how beneficial the second elder's training was, and now they will learn new things. The second elder ignored their foolish looks and continued speaking:

"There will no longer be any after class training for the two of you until next year and you don't need to attend the regular classes. Think of this as time off. However, I want you both to come here with some good quality metal when you return next year."

"Why." Kellan couldn't help but blurt out.

The second elder's eyes narrowed slightly in amusement. He stretched his hand and his green long sword appeared. As the sword hovered in the air, the second elder spoke:

"Because, for the next year, the two of you will be making a bond with a sword. You need a good quality sword, so good quality metal will be essential."

Both of Wesley and Kellan's eyes became circular. Both of them were curious about the methods of this second elder and wanted to learn it, but neither of them thought they would learn of it so early. Kellan wanted to speak again but was stopped by a hand from the second elder who continued speaking:

"The better the quality of the metal, the better your sword will be. As my students, I will not allow you to bond with trashy swords."

The second elder looked away for a short while as if thinking about something, then he looked at Wesley and Kellan, who were still staring at his sword, and continued speaking:

"Kellan, I'll take care of the metal for you, but for you Wesley...Haha, I'll let you take care of it yourself. I am sure you can do it."

Wesley smiled at the second elder's words. He didn’t know if the second elder was referring to his identity as a prince, or if he was implying that because Wesley was someone else's disciple, he should ask his own master.

Either way, Wesley didn’t care, but he still spoke:

"Getting a metal will not be a problem Elder. Only, I don't know what kind of metal I should get."

"Hmm, that is a good question. It depends on your sword style as well as your affinity..."

Before the second elder could even finish his speaking, Kellan interjected with some confusion in his words:

"But elder. We are swordsmen. Why do we care about affinity."

The second elder just looked at Kellan without even flinching and he replied:

"As swordsmen, we don't rely on our affinities like mages do, but we can still use it to our advantage. For example, I have an average affinity for wind, and my sword is made from Green Jade Steel, which allows me to use my mana in conjunction with my sword and make my technique better and faster."

Wesley recalled wondering if swordsmen could use affinities to improve their techniques. Only, he was thinking of it from a mage's point of view which required a high affinity, and didn’t expect that the sword itself could be used as a medium even with a average affinity.

While Wesley was thinking about the possible applications of different affinities with swordsmanship, the second elder's voice reached him again:

"Now, leave you two. I have things to do. And remember to choose your metal well."

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After leaving the classroom, Wesley immediately bid Kellan farewell.

Because he was released from training a little earlier than usual, Wesley didn’t immediately leave the Academy. Rather, he headed towards the library.

He wanted to search for books about the different channels of the body. He was certain that something has changed about his core since it no longer responded to the regular channels associated with Dark Magic.

He wanted a book that outlined all the channels in one's body, and if that couldn’t be found, different books for different affinities would be best. And while he was at it, he would need to get a book regarding different metals and their characteristics.

Wesley was not too alarmed by the oddity of his core since he was able to refine mana. In the worst case scenario, he would go back to Holt City and ask his master for advice.

And as far as his swordsmanship was concerned, Wesley was curious about the different techniques that swordsmen use. Although Wesley identified as a mage, he was still willing to learn as much as possible regarding swordsmanship, as long as it made him stronger.

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After leaving the classroom, Wesley immediately bid Kellan farewell.

Because he was released from training a little earlier than usual, Wesley didn’t immediately leave the Academy. Rather, he headed towards the library.

He wanted to search for books about the different channels of the body. He was certain that something has changed about his core since it no longer responded to the regular channels associated with Dark Magic.

He wanted a book that outlined all the channels in one's body, and if that couldn’t be found, different books for different affinities would be best. And while he was at it, he would need to get a book regarding different metals and their characteristics.

Wesley was not too alarmed by the oddity of his core since he was able to refine mana. In the worst case scenario, he would go back to Holt City and ask his master for advice.

And as far as his swordsmanship was concerned, Wesley was curious about the different techniques that swordsmen use. Although Wesley identified as a mage, he was still willing to learn as much as possible regarding swordsmanship, as long as it made him stronger.

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Hey.

Before you kill me because of this filler chapter. The next chapter is coming soon. Like in ten minutes soon.