The 『Space of the Present』, the Holy Land of Swords.
There kneeled three Sword Saints.
Nina Farion.
Jino Britts.
Eris Greyrat.
Standing in front of them was the Sword God, Gull Farion. The Sword God leisurely moved his hand to the sword at his waist, overlooking the three of them. He slowly opened his mouth.
"Your sword techniques have already surpassed the bounds of a Sword Saint."
At those words, Jino's shoulders faintly trembled.
"I think that it's about time to choose the next Sword King after Ghyslaine."
Jino's eyes widened. Fists clenched, he trembled all over. His body was taken over by feelings of joy. He was single-mindedly keeping in check his desire to jump up in joy.
However, the Sword God continued to speak.
"Before that, a question."
"..."
"Do you lot understand the difference between Sword Saints, Sword Kings, and Sword Emperors?"
"...Is it their strength?"
The one who muttered this was Nina. You could see in all their eyes that they were asking if there was anything else besides strength. However, at the same time, they all knew. They knew that what the Sword God wanted to hear something that was beyond that. That he wanted to hear what came before this strength, and where this strength came from.
Not answering Nina, the Sword God instead asked her another question.
"Nina. What was it that your Shisho told you before you learnt the 『Longsword of Light』?"
Nina's Shisho wasn't Sword God Gull Farion. She was the direct disciple of Jino's father, Sword Emperor Timothy Britts. Recalling his teachings, Nina squeezed out her words.
"[Because you're right handed, train your left hand.] he said. I was told that until I could use the sword perfectly with my left hand, I wasn't to use the 『Longsword of Light』."
"That's right. The hand that isn't dominant is needed for the 『Longsword of Light』. Do you know why?"
"If your dominant hand is filled with power, the tip of your sword will shake side to side."
"Right. Collecting all your touki and cutting right through. It's simple, but that's the heart of the 『Longsword of Light』."
Swordsmanship was to cut down a moving opponent. If you just foolishly slashed head-on, your attack would just be simply avoided. That's why slashes from below, slashes from the side, slashes that slanted; various slashing techniques were devised so that a swordsman could cut the opponent.
However, the first generation Sword God was different. He had no use for such things. He would just swing his sword faster than anyone, and cut everything in two.
"The heart of the Longsword of Light is filled with the history of the Sword God Style."
The Sword God tapped the pommel of his sword with a sound.
"The thing that Shodai-sama[1] somehow managed to do, is what each generation of Sword Gods after him spent their time refinement little by little, until it finally became the present Sword God Style. The Longsword of Light... The refinement of its key points, the principle behind it, and the way to train in it; when these were followed to the end, what we ended up with was something simple. It became something that anyone with a little talent will be able to use. This change marked the beginning of the Sword God Style's recognition as the strongest. We Sword Gods have refined[2] Shodai-sama's techniques, and together with him were able to spread the name of the Sword God Style far and wide."
With a sound, the Sword God tapped the sword pommel again.
"The 『Longsword of Light』 is the ultimate technique of the Sword God Style. It's what other styles would call a 『secret technique』. Even though you've all learned the same principles, something like differences in strength appeared. Sword Saint, Sword King, Sword Emperor... It's ridiculous huh? Even though you all know the same bloody things, for there to be strong guys and weak guys is, you know...?"
Having said that, the Sword God turned to face Jino.
"What do you think the difference is? Jino, try answering."
Having been asked this, Jino lowered his face. His face was plastered with anxiety. He didn't know the answer to the question. However, the impatience of not being able to answer quickly forced his mouth open.
"T-, thinking about it logically, excepting techniques, it would be the skill and strength of their footwork, or it could be... w-, the quality of their weapons?"
"WEAPONNNS!? You, just how many years have you been practicing!? Wouldn't it be better for you to start from scratch again, huuuh!?"
"I-, I'm truly sorry!"
At the Sword God's angry shout, Jino completely paled and hung his head.
Jino had wanted to answer 『ability』. However, he knew very well that it wasn't the answer that the Sword God wanted. It wouldn't have been an answer that you could so easily write off the problem with. At any rate, it was a discussion about what the heart and origin of talent was. Had he answered 'ability', he might really have been chased out of this place.
"Since you're still a brat, you don't get it, huh? Well, whatever. Even if they don't get it, strong people will remain strong. Alright. Well then, Nina, you try answering it then."
"..."
Being asked this, Nina carefully considered it. What he was asking was probably about Sword Gods, Sword Emperors, and Sword Kings; the difference between her and the ones above her. They had something that Nina and the others lacked. Come to think about it, the Sword God and Sword Emperors all had partners already. Something that she wanted. A boyfriend? A husband? She glanced towards Jino. He was hanging his head. His expression was truly mortified. It couldn't be helped that he, who was younger, was recently on Nina's mind. And at that moment she recalled the word that the Sword God often used.
"...Is it 『desire』?"
"Hah, lately you've realised it as well, huh? As expected of my daughter."
The Sword God smiled as though peering into the depths of Nina's heart. Nina was perturbed. This type of training continued.
"『Desire』 isn't wrong. But yanno, just how far can you endure for your desires?"[3]
"Endure...?"
"For example, between marrying Jino or becoming Sword King, if you were asked to choose one, which would you choose?"
Hearing the word marriage, Nina and Jino's gazes overlapped. Nina's cheeks turned a little red.
"...I would pick becoming Sword King."
Between marrying Jino or becoming a Sword King, she would probably pick the latter. In other words, her desire was of that level. Nina realised the mistake in her words.
"You're as naive as ever, huh. Then Eris, what do you think?"
"It's resolve."
Eris immediately replied. Without thinking about anything, she immediately replied.
"『Resolve』. That's wrong, huh."