"Sharpness" Trait — The Thief

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the room. Ron had already finished today's meditation and was preparing to begin practicing Corona Swordsmanship.

Ever since killing Darund last time, his understanding of this swordsmanship had undergone a qualitative leap.

Especially during that life-or-death battle, he had gained a deeper appreciation for the mysteries of combining swordsmanship with a breathing technique.

"Let's begin."

Ron adjusted his breathing as the wooden sword in his hand slowly rose.

Under the guidance of Corona Breathing Technique, every one of his movements was filled with a special rhythm.

First breath, inhale for seven breaths.

The wooden sword traced an elegant arc upward, its tip pointing toward the sky, as if a knight were saluting the sun.

This was the Morning Glow Ring technique of Corona Swordsmanship. It emphasized using smooth arcs to neutralize attacks from every angle.

Second breath, hold for three breaths.

The blade was parallel to the ground, both hands gripping the sword before his chest in a classic guard stance.

This defensive posture originated from an ancient tradition and could guide an enemy's force away in all directions.

The halo on the wooden sword's surface gradually brightened. It was the unique energy of Corona Breathing Technique accumulating within the blade.

Third breath, exhale for five breaths.

The sword's momentum abruptly changed. The horizontal grip shifted into a straight thrust, the tip darting forward like a venomous snake leaving its sheath.

This move was called Dawn Cross. It was one of the few offensive-and-defensive transformation techniques in Corona Swordsmanship.

The blade carved a perfect cross through the air. It could block incoming attacks while also containing powerful counterattacking force.

After completing an entire set of sword techniques, the wooden sword traced an elegant arc through the air, perfectly matching his breathing.

Unlike before, when his movements had been clumsy, every motion now began to flow as smoothly as water.

Current Progress: Basic Swordsmanship (Beginner 49/50)

"Just a little more."

Ron took a deep breath and began practicing the final set of sword moves.

This was the most complicated series of movements in Corona Swordsmanship, requiring multiple changes in direction within a short period.

But this time, he discovered that his body seemed to possess a consciousness of its own.

Every turn was executed flawlessly, and the transitions between sword movements were completely seamless.

After completing the set in one fluid motion, Ron clearly sensed a change within his body.

Basic Swordsmanship Breakthrough!

Basic Swordsmanship (Beginner 50/50) → Basic Swordsmanship (Proficient 1/100)

Additional Trait Acquired: Sharpness (Penetration increases when using swordsmanship attacks)

He raised the wooden sword and swung it lightly.

The path traced by the blade seemed to carry an invisible fluctuation. Even the air trembled faintly.

If he faced Darund again now, he could probably defeat him in a single exchange.

"Is this the difference between the proficient and beginner levels?"

Ron sighed inwardly. In truth, classifications such as "beginner" and "proficient" were all evaluations determined by the panel itself.

He felt that the swordsmanship displayed on his panel as merely "proficient" was already no weaker than that of the kingdom's celebrated swordsmanship champions.

After putting away the wooden sword, he began preparing for today's body tempering.

As his mastery of Corona Breathing Technique deepened, he also became increasingly proficient in the process of Breathing Body Tempering.

Breathing Body Tempering Experience +1

Current Progress: Breathing Body Tempering (Beginner 43/100)

Although his progress had only just passed the halfway mark, Ron was not in a hurry.

Body tempering differed from other skills. It required specially prepared essential oils, and the body needed a certain amount of recovery time after each session.

Besides, when it came to foundational training like this, becoming too impatient would only make problems more likely.

After completing his body tempering, Ron felt as if his entire body had been soaked in sweat and essential oils, so he decided to wash himself in the public bathhouse.

After gathering his belongings, he was about to leave when he suddenly remembered Andre's warning.

In this world, even taking a bath required vigilance. After all, bathing and using the toilet were the moments when people were most relaxed.

"I hope things will be quieter today."

Ron muttered softly, opened the door, and stepped into the corridor.

Steam billowed through the public bathhouse. He chose a spot in the corner and began washing the essential oils and sweat from his body.

The warm water flowed over him, gradually relaxing his tense muscles.

His body had grown sturdier from the body tempering during this period, especially with the contours of his muscles and meridians becoming sharply defined.

When several Candidate Apprentices entered the bathhouse and saw Ron, they instinctively avoided him and chose spots farther away.

After the incident with Darund, and with Andre having helped him out before, they both respected and feared this neighbor who could kill an Aberrant with a wooden sword.

After washing, Ron put on his clothes and gathered his toiletries, preparing to return to his room.

The corridor was utterly silent, with only a few dim Magic Crystal Lamps flickering.

Just as he was about to reach his room, a figure suddenly stepped out from around the corner.

"Lord Ron."

It was a young woman dressed elegantly. Ron recognized her as one of Marcus's servants.

Compared with the other servants, her clothes were much more luxurious, and she wore a gemstone necklace around her neck.

"I'm Danni, Lord Marcus's personal maid." She gave a slight curtsy, her voice soft and pleasant.

"I heard that you work at Mrs. Allen's Herb Shop?"

Ron looked at her expressionlessly. "What is it?"

"It's like this." Danni put on a proper smile.

"My master has always been very interested in Potions, and I heard that you've made great achievements in this area recently. I wonder if you could—"

"No." Ron cut off what she was about to say.

He knew the tricks these servants played far too well. First, they would make indirect inquiries to gather information, then they would look for ways to find leverage.

Besides, he had a confidentiality agreement with Mrs. Allen. This deliberate display of ignorance was simply too clumsy.

"This..." Danni looked troubled.

"If it's a matter of price, we can discuss it. My master said that as long as you're willing to share some formulas, he's prepared to offer—"

"Not interested. Move aside."

Ron did not want to continue this pointless conversation. He went around her and prepared to leave.

At that moment, a cold glint flashed through Danni's eyes as she brushed past him, and the corners of her mouth curled into a triumphant smile.

Her slender fingers made a special gesture beneath her sleeve while she silently recited an incantation.

This was a zero-ring spell called Light-Handed Theft. Although it had no offensive effect, it excelled at remaining hidden and difficult to detect.

A faint tendril of dark energy spilled from her fingertips and drifted silently toward Ron like wisps of smoke.

At this distance, even an experienced apprentice would have difficulty detecting this energy fluctuation without warning.

As she cast the spell, her eyes remained fixed on the bulging cloth pouch at Ron's waist.

It contained not only Magic Stone Fragments but also several potions Ron had painstakingly refined.

The energy tendril had already reached the pouch. With just another instant, the theft spell could transfer it into her hands.

By then, all she needed to do was frame him by claiming that he had attempted to steal her personal belongings, and she could accomplish it effortlessly.

—At the critical moment, Ron's mental perception suddenly caught that strange trace of energy fluctuation.

It was an extremely subtle sense of incongruity, as if something were repeatedly plucking the strings of his mind and making him restless.

When Danni saw the young apprentice who had just brushed past her suddenly stop, alarm bells immediately rang in her mind.

But it was already too late. The wooden sword was drawn with unbelievable speed, and Corona Swordsmanship at the proficient level revealed its terrifying power for the first time.

A flash of sword light passed, followed by a shrill scream.

Danni's right hand, along with the dark energy tendril, was severed, and blood sprayed into the air.

She stared in horror at her severed wrist. Just as she was about to scream again, Ron kicked her violently away without the slightest trace of mercy.

At the same time, he swiftly caught his cloth pouch before it could fall to the ground. His Magic Stone Fragments and potions were inside.

"If this weren't a public area with a Surveillance Eyeball..."

Ron flicked the blood from his wooden sword, his gaze radiating bone-chilling cold. "You'd already be dead."

Danni rolled across the ground and could not get up for a long while. Her once-luxurious dress was covered in dirt and dust, with an especially conspicuous footprint stamped across it.

She struggled to clutch her bleeding severed wrist. All elegance had vanished from her face, leaving only terror and pain. "You... how dare you..."

At that moment, a sinister voice suddenly came from the end of the corridor.

"Hmph. Just as the rumors said—a brute with nothing but muscle in his head!"

Marcus had no one knew how long he had been waiting there. He wore a dark-gray apprentice robe, and the green badge on his chest glimmered faintly in the dim light.

"I witnessed with my own eyes how cruelly you injured my servant just now."

The short man, whose features were somewhat ugly, revealed a savage smile.

"The School expressly forbids internal fighting. And you, a mere Candidate Apprentice, actually dared to inflict such severe harm on the property of a Formal Apprentice."