Simulated Battle, Weapon Master

He shrugged, a bit helpless.

"When I hit that kind of wall," Andrey said, "I usually just keep refining the basics, make sure my body memorizes the feel of every motion until one day, I suddenly get it. Swordcraft breakthroughs usually come in a flash of insight, not from forcing it."

The blond youth's gaze turned distant.

"In the royal court, there were knights who spent their whole lives with only passable swordsmanship. Not for lack of effort, but because they never had that one experience that triggers enlightenment."

Robb nodded. The answer wasn't very satisfying, but it was realistic.

"Guess I'll just have to grind it out…" He sighed and decided to shift gears and do something else for a while.

"By the way, Andrey, you promised to lend me Foundations of Alchemy, right? If it's convenient, could you get it now? I want to change my mindset a bit and learn something new."

"Of course. I'll be right back." Andrey agreed readily and left.

About half an hour later, he returned carrying a thick, leather-bound book.

Its corners were worn, and the gold lettering on the cover had faded, clearly a book that had been through many hands.

"Here it is," Andrey said as he handed it over, a touch of regret in his eyes. "It's an old book, but still a solid introduction. I spent a lot of time studying it… unfortunately, I never got the hang of alchemy, just don't have the talent."

Robb took the book. Its weight carried the weight of knowledge.

He reached into his pouch to pay, but Andrey waved it off.

"No need. I bought it secondhand anyway. It's no use to me now."

The blond youth smiled, his voice light with acceptance.

"I've never had a gift for wizardry skills. Better it helps your research than gathers dust on my shelf."

Robb nodded gratefully and didn't insist.

He flipped the book open, and a puff of dust hit his face, making him sneeze.

As he immersed himself in browsing the Foundations of Alchemy, Andrey's eyes drifted to the pile of magic stone shards on the table, and a thought struck him.

"Oh right, Robb. Speaking of alchemy, did you know the school has a 'simulation battle device'?"

"Simulation battle device?" Robb looked up, intrigued. "What's that?"

"I'm not too clear myself, an upperclassman told me about it."

Andrey tapped his temple, recalling. "Apparently it's a device invented by the school's alchemists. It can build a simulated battlefield within your consciousness and generate preset opponents for combat training. They say… the experience is nearly indistinguishable from real combat."

"That sounds amazing." Robb's curiosity flared, and he set the book aside. "Why haven't I ever heard of this before?"

"Because no one uses it." Andrey shrugged.

"Most wizards in the school are focused on research and knowledge, not combat. Plus, it's really expensive, one session costs thirty magic stone shards. That's about half a month's salary from Lady Elena."

"Thirty shards?" Robb frowned, then relaxed.

"That's a price I can handle now. Especially if it helps me break through my swordsmanship block."

"Then give it a shot!" Andrey said, clearly excited. "The device is on the third basement level of the central tower. Hardly anyone ever goes there. I've passed by a few times, it's always deserted."

Robb thought it over and decided to go for it.

He'd been stuck on the last step of his swordsmanship for too long. If this simulator could offer realistic battle experience, it might be exactly what he needed to push through.

Once they were ready, the two headed to the school's central tower.

This towering black spire was the Black Mist Forest's most iconic structure, one of the school's oldest buildings.

They descended the spiral staircase and passed through several identification screens before reaching Basement Level Three.

Dim blue light from crystal lamps lit the corridor, casting eerie shadows across this forgotten space.

Dust floated in the air. Every step sent a puff rising.

"This is it." Andrey pointed to a heavy iron door etched with runes. "The simulation chamber."

The control panel at the entrance was covered in a fine layer of dust, untouched for who knows how long.

Robb gently wiped it clean, revealing the interface beneath.

"Please insert the required number of magic stone shards. Select simulation difficulty and opponent type."

Text glowed across the console as a holographic projection appeared above it.

Robb drew thirty shards from his pouch and placed them one by one into the designated slots.

As the final shard clicked into place, the entire console lit up. Runes glowed across its surface like pulsing veins.

"Please select an opponent type."

A mechanical voice spoke.

The projection displayed dozens of opponent options, from regular human soldiers to powerful supernatural warriors of various races.

Robb scrolled through the list until his eyes stopped on: "Tigerkin – Weapon Master."

"Tigerkin are known for their strength and speed, and they've got tons of battle experience. Should make for a solid opponent."

He made his selection.

"Please select difficulty level."

Robb thought for a moment, then chose Hard.

If he wanted a breakthrough, he couldn't hold back.

"Robb, are you sure?" Andrey asked, visibly worried. "It says 'Hard' is meant for High Apprentices. It might be too dangerous for you."

"It's fine. It's just a simulation. Can't really die in there."

Robb smiled, though he was a little nervous.

But he knew, only a real challenge could push him past his limits.

"Setup complete. Please enter the simulation chamber." The mechanical voice announced.

The iron door rumbled open, revealing a spacious circular room.

In its center lay a massive formation, surrounded by twelve rune-carved stone pillars.

"I'll wait out here." Andrey patted Robb's shoulder. "Good luck."

Robb nodded and stepped in alone.

The door slammed shut behind him, plunging the chamber into darkness.

"Simulation initializing. Prepare yourself."

The voice now echoed directly in Robb's mind.

In the blackness, Robb felt a powerful force scanning his body and mind.

It was unsettling, like being submerged in invisible water that stirred his thoughts, but not painful.

Suddenly, a blinding light erupted beneath his feet, engulfing the space.

Robb instinctively closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the scene had completely changed.

He now stood in the center of a vast arena, surrounded by empty stands stacked high.

The sky was a strange purple-red. Distant mountains loomed on the horizon. Everything felt too real.

"So this is the simulation battlefield?" Robb murmured, touching a nearby stone pillar. Its gritty surface felt completely authentic.

"Combat commencing. Select your weapon."

The voice echoed from above.

A rack of weapons materialized before him, displaying an array of choices: Longswords, daggers, scimitars, spears, battleaxes, maces, even exotic tools like sickles and chain-hooks.

Without hesitation, Robb chose a balanced longsword, most similar to the ironwood blade he trained with.

Its blade shimmered with a cold sheen. Holding it, he felt a strange sense of fit, like it had been made just for him.

"Your opponent is…"

The voice trailed off for dramatic effect.

"Tigerkin Weapon Master – Aksa!"