Chapter 15: The Awakening of a Swordsman

The spirit warrior moved like a phantom, his blade striking from angles I could barely comprehend.

Every swing of his sword carried centuries of mastery, his slashes as smooth as flowing water yet as devastating as a storm.

And I—I was struggling.

I blocked, I dodged, but no matter what I did, he was faster, stronger, and more refined.

His technique wasn't just powerful—it was flawless.

Each time I tried to counter, his blade was already there, deflecting, redirecting, and punishing my mistakes.

I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling inside me.

I was strong.

I had trained for two years, alone, fighting beasts that would terrify lesser men.

But this wasn't a battle of brute strength.

This was swordsmanship.

And I was losing.

The Moment of Change

I had to do something.

I knew my greatest strength wasn't just my Haki or physical power—it was the Copy System.

And I hadn't used it yet.

The moment our swords clashed again, I let my hand brush against his wrist.

Ding!

A chime rang inside my mind, and suddenly, my vision exploded with a flood of information.

A panel appeared before me, listing his skills.

[Copy System Activated]

✅ Moon Shadow Sword Style - A Master's Art

✅ Phantom Blade Execution - The Art of Formless Cuts

✅ Spirit Flow - Perfect Blade Control

Choose one skill to copy.

My mind raced.

The Phantom Blade Execution was deadly, but it was one attack.

The Spirit Flow would let me wield the sword perfectly, but it wouldn't teach me how to fight like a master.

But Moon Shadow Sword Style?

That was true swordsmanship.

A complete sword style that could evolve and grow with me.

I didn't hesitate.

I chose it.

The Awakening of Swordsmanship

Suddenly—everything changed.

The moment I copied his skill, my mind exploded with knowledge.

I could see the technique. Feel the movements. Understand the flow of the blade.

The years of experience, training, and refinement that this spirit had spent perfecting his swordsmanship—they became mine.

It wasn't just knowing how to swing a sword.

It was knowing when to strike. Where to aim. How to predict.

It was true mastery.

My hands, which had once been untrained, now moved like they belonged to a master.

The sword in my grip no longer felt like a tool.

It felt like an extension of my will.

And the next time he attacked—

I blocked effortlessly.

Turning the Tide

The spirit warrior paused.

His eyes narrowed slightly, noticing the difference in my stance.

"You—"

Before he could finish, I attacked.

My blade moved with perfect precision, cutting through the air with an elegance that wasn't there moments ago.

CLANG!

He barely blocked in time.

The shock in his eyes was clear.

"Impossible."

He had been overpowering me.

But now, we were even.

I pressed forward, my blade weaving in flawless movements, no longer relying on instinct or brute force.

This was true swordsmanship.

This was the level of a master.

He parried one strike, then another, but I was already ahead of him.

Every move he made—I saw it coming.

Every stance shift—I countered it perfectly.

"This—" he muttered. "This is my own technique…"

I met his gaze. "Yes. And I've made it mine."

His smirk returned. "Then let's see if you can surpass it!"

The Final Attack

We clashed again, but this time, I was in control.

My Observation Haki was sharper than ever, predicting his movements before he even made them.

And my sword—my sword was no longer just swinging aimlessly.

It was hunting.

I could feel the power of Conqueror's Haki rising within me, pushing through my body and into my blade.

The spirit must have sensed it too, because his expression hardened.

"If you wish to defeat me," he said, "then do it properly!"

I gripped my sword tightly.

This was my chance.

An attack not just with strength… but with intellect.

I channeled Advanced Conqueror's Haki into my blade, feeling the energy wrap around it like lightning.

I wouldn't just strike.

I would end this in one move.

The Finishing Blow: Phantom Moon Slash

I stepped forward, blade raised, my body perfectly aligned for the finishing attack.

The spirit readied his defense—but he was too late.

I vanished.

For a split second, my movement was so fast it seemed like I disappeared.

Then—

SLASH!

A wave of black and gold energy erupted from my sword, cutting straight through the air.

The shockwave split the ruins behind him, leaving a deep scar in the earth.

The spirit froze.

Then, slowly—his blade fell apart.

A clean cut.

A perfect cut.

He looked down at the damage, then let out a slow chuckle.

"Well done."

His body began fading, his form dissolving into golden mist.

"You have proven yourself. The sword is yours."

I exhaled, lowering my blade.

The duel was over.

I had won.

And now—

The Cursed Blade awaited me.