Contemplation!

"Now, stop thinking about sword techniques. Instead, take deep breaths, inhale forcefully, expanding your lungs to their maximum capacity, and then begin to exhale slowly.

Don't disrupt the rhythm of your breathing.

By excessively absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere, you'll induce a state of dizziness and slight blankness in your mind.

Then, maintain this state and imagine yourself as a mountain rock. Through perseverance, adapt and temper your will, forming a habit until this mountain rock is imprinted in your mind. You must remember, the mind has no limits.

The breadth of your mind will determine the breadth of your sword's future."

Through this method, Fiore was imparting the sword principles of Rockheart Kendo, which he had only grasped over half his life, to the two of them.

This spiritual cultivation, coupled with sword training, would gradually transform one's aura. Upon achieving mastery, a single strike would make opponents feel as if a mountain were crushing down on them.

Fiore guided the two, and time slowly passed. Merlin felt his lungs ache from breathing, his head was dizzy, but it was more akin to oxygen poisoning.

"Clap clap!"

Suddenly, Fiore clapped his hands, drawing their attention. Seeing their symptoms, a smile flickered in his dark golden eyes:

"Alright, stop this training now! This symptom of oxygen poisoning proves you've grasped the essence of this breathing technique.

While this breathing method is a prerequisite for cultivation, it's not without its dangers. Severe cases of this symptom can be fatal.

And since everyone's physique is different, you'll need to adapt and gauge the right measure yourselves."

"You see..."

As he spoke, Fiore's breathing became rhythmic.

Immediately after, his aura surged, and simultaneously, an impassioned fighting spirit emanated from him.

At this moment.

Under the influence of this passionate spiritual will.

Merlin's consciousness began to waver, and then he saw a towering, steep mountain peak seemingly rising behind Fiore, appearing as if it could collapse upon him at any moment.

His pupils contracted sharply, and his consciousness snapped into focus. Yet, Fiore remained Fiore, seated three meters in front of them, his body like a small mountain, his back ramrod straight.

His bright, piercing eyes looked expectantly at Merlin and the other disciple. Seeing Merlin snap back to attention, a hint of admiration flashed in Fiore's eyes. Then, he saw Yol also regain her senses, and his smile grew even more pronounced.

"Not bad, your spiritual wills are both very strong.

An ordinary person, under the pressure of my aura, would definitely be scared into collapsing on the ground."

At this, Yol looked at Fiore with astonishment. "Teacher, is this your Rockheart Fantasy?"

Fiore chuckled proudly and nodded. "This is the result of my cultivation of Rockheart Fantasy for most of my life. Within my heart lies a great mountain, which I use to hone the sword that is myself.

Therefore, when influenced by my fighting spirit, the imagined object in my heart is spontaneously evoked within my aura.

This can also be considered a form of sword art that applies psychological pressure to the opponent."

Speaking of this, Fiore became somewhat talkative, immensely proud of his illusory achievements.

After a long while, Fiore felt his throat dry and finally stopped speaking. He looked at Merlin and Yol, his eyes twinkling as he asked them:

"Are there any other parts you don't understand?"

Yol's eyes showed a hint of confusion, a mix of understanding and bewilderment. She couldn't help but recall her daily prayer lessons at the Church since childhood.

Emptying her consciousness and then praying to an ethereal deity, but now it had transformed into imagining a mountain rock in her mind.

She felt as if she had grasped something, yet also as if she had grasped nothing at all.

Merlin's eyes held a subtle expression. This method of spiritual cultivation felt somewhat reminiscent of the contemplation techniques from Taoism and Buddhism in his previous life.

In his past life, during his adolescent phase, he had indeed searched online for such health-oriented mental contemplation methods.

Thus.

"Teacher, wouldn't you say your method of cultivating the mind is less Rockheart Fantasy and more Rockheart Contemplation?"

"After all, it involves constructing the outline of a mountain in one's consciousness and then continuously deepening that impression in daily life.

Thus achieving a form of spiritual will cultivation, right?

You should be able to apply the majestic power of this mountain to your sword, shouldn't you?"

Fiore looked at Merlin in surprise, not expecting such a unique perspective. He couldn't help but feel delighted:

"Whether it's contemplation or fantasy, it's not important. What matters is that through this method, we can cultivate our inner spiritual realm from the inside out.

The focus, from beginning to end, is solely on strengthening our mental armament."

However, with that, Fiore smiled contentedly at Merlin:

"But I didn't expect you to have such unique insights into this kind of spiritual cultivation.

That's very good. By the way, have you studied this kind of contemplation practice before?"

Fiore was curious, as the backgrounds of his two disciples were mysterious. However, he wasn't one to pry.

As long as they harbored no ill intentions towards him, he saw no need to investigate further.

In response, Merlin, mixing truth with falsehood, said he had observed cats up close and imitated some of their physical movements.

Fiore clapped his hands and laughed heartily after listening, "You've got some skill! This aligns perfectly with my Sword Heart principles!

Just like your senior disciple, he's as intelligent as you are. He didn't follow my teachings of [Rock Heart] entirely, but instead, he figured out his own method of cultivating the mind, a [Waveheart] approach.

That kid even gave himself the name [Waveheart]!

Haha, I'm getting old, getting old. This old man can't compare to you young folks!"

Yol's eyes flickered with thought as she listened to their discussion. It seemed there wasn't just one way to cultivate the mind.

Merlin was also a bit curious at this point:

"Right, Teacher, we've been at the dojo for a week now, but why haven't we met the senior disciple or senior disciple you mentioned?"

Fiore smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes, "Your senior disciple's name is Fulvio, he just turned twenty this year, and your senior disciple is Teresa, who is eighteen. They are currently working as bounty hunters to hone their swordsmanship.

They return here to rest and consolidate their experiences from the outside world every so often.

Yes! They should be back in about another week, and then you can all discuss things together."

Hearing this, Merlin smiled and nodded, agreeing for now. As for whether he'd interact with them later, that would depend on fate!

At this moment, Merlin glanced at Yol, a thoughtful look in his eyes, and said to Fiore, "Right, Teacher, I heard from Monde that you're not only skilled in swordsmanship but also a master blacksmith.

Could you perhaps reforge a rapier for me? I want to reforge a quick-blade quality rapier into a greatsword?"

Fiore was surprised by the question and immediately let out a half-joking scolding, "That big-mouthed Monde! It's only been a few days, and he's already spilled all my secrets."

However, he also showed some interest. In recent years, after making little progress in swordsmanship, he had turned his attention to blacksmithing, hoping to find inspiration. As a result, despite his swordsmanship not breaking through in ten years, he had made significant gains in weapon forging. He was confident he could forge a quick-blade quality weapon.

But at this moment, he was also curious, looking at Merlin and asking, "I've observed that you've been using a rapier the most this past week. Why are you thinking of switching to a greatsword?"

Merlin smiled, "It's Yol."

Fiore was surprised.

At this point, Yol said with a hint of helplessness, "Teacher, I've tried all three types of swords this week, but in the end, I think I'll stick with the greatsword!

Using a greatsword allows me to maximize my physical strength."

Fiore chuckled upon hearing this, "That's true. You have naturally strong physical attributes and great flexibility.

Any type of sword would suit you, but I'm genuinely happy that you've chosen the greatsword.

Teresa also uses a greatsword.

When they return, you two strong girls can discuss sword techniques together."

He then looked at Merlin, "What about you, Merlin? Have you decided which type of sword you want to specialize in? If so, I can forge a sword for you during this opportunity!

Oh, right, this old man charges for forging weapons. Hahaha.

The forging fee, including materials, is one million for a quick-blade, and five million for a fine quick-blade. Although forging a fine quick-blade requires luck, I have successfully forged one before."

Merlin was surprised but nodded in agreement, "Then I thank you, Teacher. I would like a katana."

Fiore raised an eyebrow and then smiled, "So it seems you plan to use a sword as your weapon from now on."

Merlin nodded, "Yes, I plan to use a sword from now on. However, Teacher, when you forge it, I'd like the blade's curvature to be smaller, and the blade itself to be straighter."

Fiore thought for a moment and understood immediately, then smiled and nodded, "I understand what you mean. Alright, bring me the quick-blade you want reforged.

I'll forge the weapon for you as quickly as possible."

Joy appeared in Merlin's eyes as he thanked Fiore, "Then I'll trouble you, Teacher.

Also, my katana needs to be reforged as well. The material of my sword is quite good; while it's not a famous sword, it's a rare and excellent weapon."

Fiore listened, feeling a touch of surprise, these two youngsters are quite wealthy!

And so mysterious.

But that didn't matter.