Sword Saint
Soren stood at the edge of the forest, the trees towering above him, casting long shadows across the ground. The air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth. This wasn't a natural forest. He knew it well—it was a part of the Heavenly Fate Tower, one of the many trials the tower used to test those who entered. He was teleported here after destroying the crystal with the voice, that spoke to him. The challenge was simple: find the key hidden within the vast expanse of trees.
He moved forward, keeping his senses sharp, but something felt different. The deeper he walked into the forest, the more he could feel it—an unnatural pressure, a weight in the air. It was almost like he wasn't alone.
The sound of birds chirping overhead seemed to fade, replaced by the soft rustle of the wind through the branches. Every now and then, the rustling grew louder—too loud—like something was moving through the trees. He gripped his sword, the only weapon he had, and kept moving forward.
The sudden rumble of the ground beneath his feet made him stop in his tracks. The trees shuddered, their leaves shaking violently as the air hummed with an ominous energy. Then, without warning, a massive Void Gate appeared in front of him—its edges crackling, swirling with an unnatural blackness.
The gate seemed to pulse with a dark energy, like it was alive. There was no sound except for the low hum vibrating through the ground beneath his feet. Soren instinctively stepped back, sword raised, ready for whatever would come through. But nothing came.
Instead, a cold, detached voice echoed from the void, cutting through the silence like a blade.
[Void Gate Activation]
The system within the Heavenly Fate Tower cannot account for this anomaly. This portal is not within the recorded parameters of the Tower's trials.
Proceed at your own risk.
Soren's brow furrowed. The Heavenly Fate Tower, the very place that had designed these trials, was unaware of this phenomenon. He'd been through enough trials to know that nothing had ever felt like this. There was a sense of dread, an unknown force that pressed against him from all sides.
But there was no turning back. Soren had come this far, and the Void Gate seemed to demand an answer. With no other choice, he stepped forward, his sword at the ready.
The moment he crossed into the gate, everything shifted.
He wasn't in the forest anymore. The world around him had completely changed. He now stood in a dimly lit room with walls made of shimmering, glowing crystals. The air smelled faintly of old stone and dust. In the center of the room was a stone pedestal, and upon it lay a sword, its hilt adorned with intricate designs that pulsed with an eerie light.
Next to the sword was an ancient book, its cover battered and torn, as though it had seen ages of neglect. But there was something about it. Something… magnetic.
Soren approached the book cautiously. As his fingers brushed against its surface, the book suddenly disintegrated, crumbling into dust before his very eyes. For a moment, he stood frozen, staring at the empty space where the book had been.
Then, a cold, emotionless voice broke through the silence in his mind.
---
[Sword Saint System]
System Name: Sword Saint Legacy
Type: Legacy System
Purpose: To guide the inheritor of the Sword Saint's power and provide the necessary tools to master swordsmanship.
---
The words appeared suddenly in Soren's vision, as if they had been there all along. They were clinical, detached, almost like an instruction manual.
The Sword Saint Legacy had been triggered.
---
[Sword Saint System]
You have inherited the Sword Saint Legacy.
This legacy grants you access to advanced swordsmanship techniques and knowledge.
---
Soren blinked in confusion. This wasn't a normal trial. This wasn't part of the Heavenly Fate Tower's plan. The Sword Saint—a name that carried weight in legends—was now tied to him. But how? Why? And most importantly, what did this mean?
The system continued, its mechanical tone unmoved by Soren's questions.
---
[Sword Saint System]
Skills Available:
Sword Saint's Focus – Temporarily heighten your senses and reaction time.
Heaven's Blade – A powerful strike that channels the strength of the Sword Saint's legacy.
Sword Saint's Will – A passive effect that increases your proficiency in swordplay the more you fight.
---
Soren's mind raced as the information flooded his thoughts. There were no complex tutorials, no speeches. It was just raw data—skills and techniques that would aid him on his path. His hand instinctively tightened around the sword's hilt, as if the weapon itself was calling to him.
But there was more.
---
[Sword Saint System]
Swordsmanship Level: 1
Sword Rank: F (Novice)
Legacy Growth: By completing trials, fighting strong opponents, and mastering techniques, your Swordsmanship Level and Sword Rank will increase. Higher ranks unlock more powerful techniques and abilities.
---
His Swordsmanship Level was 1, barely above a beginner. His Sword Rank was F—the lowest of the low. It was clear that the system had faith in his potential, but he had a long way to go before he could truly live up to the Sword Saint legacy.
Soren felt the weight of the sword in his hand again. It wasn't just any blade. It was the Sword Saint's Blade—a relic of incredible power. And it had chosen him.
He glanced back at the Void Gate that had brought him here. The strange force that had pulled him into this room wasn't done with him yet. But now, there was a new fire burning in him. A purpose. A path.
Soren stood still, the weight of the Sword Saint Legacy pressing heavily on his mind. The Void Gate behind him had begun to fade, its energy dissolving into the air like vapor. He looked around the room, which felt both ancient and enigmatic. The pedestal with the glowing sword sat before him, its simple yet powerful presence calling to him.
Without hesitation, Soren reached out for the blade. The moment his fingers brushed the hilt, an electric current seemed to surge through him, as though the sword itself recognized his touch. The metal was cold at first, but as his grip tightened, a warmth spread through him. This was no ordinary weapon—it felt as though it was part of him.
The sword had a plain, unembellished design. Its blade was slightly curved, polished and gleaming faintly with a silvery hue. The hilt, wrapped in worn leather, fit his hand perfectly. It was the Sword Saint's Blade, an artifact of immense power and history. He could feel the weight of it, both physically and spiritually, as though it carried the echoes of past masters who had wielded it.
Soren couldn't help but feel a deep connection to the sword. It wasn't just a weapon—it was a legacy.
With one last look at the room, Soren gripped the sword firmly and turned toward the Void Gate. As he made his way to it, the blade in his hand hummed faintly, almost as if it were urging him forward. He passed through the gate, returning to the familiar landscape of the trial—a forest clearing, the air thick with tension and the remnants of the test.
But something felt different. The clearing seemed unchanged, yet there was an odd sensation in the air. He glanced around, and there, floating in front of him, was the key he had been searching for. It was suspended in midair, glowing faintly, as though it had been waiting for him all along.
Soren stepped forward, drawn to the key. As his fingers brushed against it, a strange energy surged through him, like the final piece of a puzzle clicking into place. The key was small and intricate, made of a shimmering silver material. It felt surprisingly warm in his hand, as though it, too, held a connection to the sword he now carried.
With the key secured, the trial was complete.
The air around him shimmered once again, and the familiar voice of the system resonated in his mind.
---
[System Notification]
Trial Complete.
You have successfully completed the Trial of Discovery.
Swordsmanship Skill Unlocked: Rank F - Sword Saint's Blade
Swordsmanship Rank: 2 (Apprentice)
Skill: Sword Saint's Blade – A basic technique passed down from the Sword Saint. Enables the wielder to channel basic swordsmanship into powerful strikes, enhancing strength and control.
---
As the notification faded, Soren felt a rush of exhaustion. It wasn't from physical strain—his body was in good condition, thanks to the tower's healing. But his mind felt tired, drained from the overwhelming flood of new knowledge and the intense focus he'd given the trial.
Still, there was no time to linger. The trial was over, and with it, he had acquired something far more important than just the key. The Sword Saint's Blade, the Sword Saint Legacy, and the title of Sword Saint's Heir would shape his future.
---
[System Notification]
Congratulations, Soren.
You have demonstrated exceptional performance in this trial, completing it under challenging conditions. As a result, you are awarded the title:
[Sword Saint's Heir]
Effect: Grants a passive bonus to all sword-related skills and techniques. Increased proficiency with swords and improved combat instincts.
Additional Reward:
Swordsmanship Rank Increased to 2
---
The system's voice was cold and mechanical, but there was a sense of acknowledgment, as if the system itself recognized Soren's achievement. The air around him seemed to shift as the clearing faded into a white, sterile space.
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the weight of everything settle within him. When he opened them again, he was standing at the base of the Heavenly Fate Tower. The trials had ended for now, but the path ahead was clear. With the Sword Saint's Blade in hand and a new title to bear, Soren felt the weight of his future pressing down on him.
He had entered this tower with nothing. Now, he had a weapon, a legacy, and a purpose.