An Aura Farmer's Guide to Another World-Chapter 40: Kenjutsu Training

I was clad in a crisp white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up for ease of movement, paired with dark, high-waisted trousers designed for flexibility. Two simple belts crossed over my shoulders, holding the trousers firmly in place.

Lana and I stood in the center of the training ground, with no shadows falling on the stone floor.

’Drip-drip.’

Sweat prickled from my chin and fell.

The tip of my sword rested against Lana’s sword as we stood in the traditional Kenjutsu stance.

"Before commencing your Kenjutsu training, it is essential to discuss a few important aspects of combat."

Lana began moving in a circle, and I mirrored her steps, the tips of our swords remaining in contact.

"An opponent can attack you in three ways: first, by utilizing their primary class-related revelations; second, through their unique skill; and third, by employing a subclass-related skill."

Lana halted her movements, her gaze unwaveringly locked on mine. "To clarify, Lucy’s Unique skill is her blood manipulation, her subclass-related skill is Inferno, and for Cupcake, her Barrier skill corresponds to her class-related ability."

Lana thrust her sword forward, the tip pressing firmly against my neck. Slowly, she glided the blade downward, halting its descent at the center of my chest.

"One in every one hundred thousand individuals awakens a core, while one in every one million unlocks a unique skill."

Lana pressed her sword deeper against my chest, her eyes closing as she focused intently on the rhythm of my heartbeat.

"If you encounter someone possessing a unique skill, remember that it often makes little difference whether they operate with a core of 100 heartbeats per second or one with 1000 heartbeats per second. What truly matters is the information—the specifics of the unique skill."

Lana withdrew her sword and adjusted its point to touch the tip of my sword. She cast a glance in my direction and proceeded to move in a deliberate circle.

"A unique skill may range from the ability to comprehend animal speech to a skill capable of infiltrating dreams and causing harm within the realm of sleep."

A gust of wind swept from west to east, causing Lana’s kimono to flutter in the breeze, momentarily revealing her undergarments.

They are Black.

An orange oak tree leaf became entangled in my hair, prompting me to reach up and remove it. "You mentioned three threats, yet none of them involve a weapon such as a sword or a bow. Am I overlooking something?"

Lana smiled in response to my question. She advanced closer until my sword touched her left shoulder, then leaned in, her own sword resting lightly on my right shoulder.

"Revelations are limited by your mana capacity and the stage of your core. However, your ability to wield a weapon is not restricted by these factors. Individuals who have not yet unlocked a core can dedicate significant time to mastering a single skill, enhancing their weapon-related abilities. You should be afraid of such individuals; very afraid."

Lana’s greenhorns nearly brushed against my body, and as I glanced downward, I observed every detail of her jade hair and Emerald eyes, most notably her cleavage, starkly pale like a corpse.

"Skills consume mana and are intended only for utility purposes. Your weapon should serve as a primary tool in combat. Relying solely on skills is akin to an individual with extraordinary strength choosing to carry their horse on their shoulder and run rather than riding it."

Lana took five steps backward and her neck swiveled 180 degrees to both the left and right, meticulously scanning the Oak trees encircling us.

"Now that we’ve got the combat basics out of the way, we’ll move on to the sword-slapping techniques in Kenjutsu."

Hearing "sword-slapping techniques" made me blink.

My knuckles whitened around the hilt of the sword as I pointed its tip toward Lana.

Lana is a two-star general; there is no way she is pulling the name of the technique out of her ass.

"Attack me with a horizontal slash," Lana commanded, her blade resting silently by her thigh.

"Thud-thud!"

I advanced two steps with my sword raised high above my head, and as I closed the gap between us, I struck forward, aiming precisely at the space between Lana’s horns.

Lana did not sidestep; instead, she raised her sword into the shape of a crescent moon and deflected my strike. Immediately, she pulled her sword back and tilted it to the left, striking forward toward my wrist.

’Argh!’

Lana struck my bare skin, forcing me to release my sword. To my astonishment, after examining my wrist, I found no signs of bleeding.

"That was the Sword Slapping technique, first form, where you block the attack, swiftly tilt your sword, and strike the attacker’s wrist."

Lana cast a glance in my direction as I bent to retrieve my sword from the stone floor. "Return to your position," she commanded.

Positioned five feet away, I pointed my sword at her, meticulously planning my revenge.

With a flick of her wrist, Lana curled her index finger inward repeatedly, beckoning me to come closer, "Attack with full force," she said.

Switching my attack strategy, I delivered a vertical slash aimed at Lana’s left ribs; however, she deftly parried the blow and deflected my sword. With nothing obstructing her, she thrust her blade directly into my gut.

’Ow!’

Lana retreated, and I dropped to my knees, clutching the spot she had struck.

There is no blood?

"That was the Sword Slapping technique, second form," Lana explained. "Here, you simultaneously block with the sharp edge of your blade and push your opponent’s blade aside with the blunt back. It’s all one fluid motion: block, twist, parry, then thrust your blade directly into their gut."

Lana extended her hand, and I took it to stand. "You might consider striking with less force," I muttered.

Lana positioned herself before me, extending her blade. "Pain serves as an effective teacher; you will come to appreciate it."

"Tsk."

I adjusted my stance and extended my blade toward Lana, sweat trickling down my knuckles and leaving my palms damp.

"Come a—"

I didn’t give Lana a chance to finish. I lunged, forcing her to backpedal. In the blink of an eye, she lowered her sword, inviting me into her space. Just as I prepared to thrust, Lana unexpectedly lifted her blade, slapping my sword away and knocking it off course. Then, she thrust her own sword directly at my heart, stopping mere seconds before the tip broke my skin.

’Ow!’

I cast a glance at Lana, her sword still pressed against my chest. "Do you intend to kill me?"

Lana withdrew her sword and placed it alongside her thigh."That was the Sword Slapping technique, second third form.

"In this form, you skillfully draw your attacker close while lowering your weapon. The moment they commit to their thrust, you swiftly lift your sword, sweeping their blade aside with a powerful slap. This creates an immediate opening for you to thrust directly at their heart."

I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my hand and let go of my sword.

’Bam.’

I fell onto the ground and glanced up at Lana, catching a brief glimpse of her pants before shifting my gaze to her.

"You could have been a bit more careful, you know. I don’t have to feel like my heart’s about to stop every time you swing your sword."

’Thud-thud!’

Before Lana could respond, Emily, her assistant, stormed into the training ground with an intense and fierce expression. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

"The Queen has issued a new decree: the Night Squad is hereby ordered to provide secret service protection to Lady Beatrice in the city of Silver Bell."

Emily seized my collar firmly. "The train to Silver Bell departs at 04:30. We must not waste any time."