Ambiguous Rank Assessment, Ranks Determined by Superiors

Night was as dark as ink.

Most of the people in Boreas Estate had already fallen asleep.

Only the lights of the "Boreas Library" were still on.

The library was filled with the scent of ink and old books.

Cui Ciyou leaned back in a broad armchair. Several thick, weathered tomes were piled across the desk before him.

His deep gaze reflected the candlelight, but his thoughts had long since drifted toward the nature of this world.

Cui Ciyou believed that in this world called Jobless Reincarnation,

an individual's strength was like money in his previous life's society—the most crucial bargaining chip capable of determining one's fate.

Those with great strength were respectfully called the strong.

And the "Seven Great Powers" at the pinnacle of the pyramid of strength possessed terrifying power capable of easily shaking the world order.

Perugius, the God-level summoning mage known as the "Armored Dragon King," possessed strength enough to stand against an entire nation alone.

In the timeline outside the original main story, the "Armored Dragon King" had openly supported Ariel, whose faction was the weakest, and that alone had allowed her to inherit the throne.

In Cui Ciyou's view, only true strength could allow someone to truly control their own fate and avoid being manipulated by others.

Thus, deep within Cui Ciyou's heart,

a clear and persistent voice constantly reminded him—Not enough. My current strength is still far from enough!

Cui Ciyou closed his eyes and calmly analyzed his own combat ability.

First, I possess a monstrously powerful body far beyond that of ordinary people. At the very least, I can compare with Saint-level, or even King-level, swordsmen in this world.

Second, I possess the unique Magic Nullification ability, a true "mage killer" against spellcasters who are not skilled at close-quarters combat.

And there is also the mysterious Mental Power, whose potential is difficult to estimate, though its greatest use for now remains Perception.

Although Cui Ciyou's fighting style had improved to a certain degree after receiving Ghislaine's systematic foundational training in the Sword God Style and initially grasping several North God Style techniques,

overall, he was still at a crude stage, relying on bodily instinct, pure speed, and overwhelming force.

Cui Ciyou keenly felt that he lacked more systematic and refined swordsmanship techniques, as well as a deeper understanding and application of this world's power system.

Especially in swordsmanship, Cui Ciyou pondered.

In this world where swords and magic coexist, which is superior—swordsmanship or magic?

Every night, between his work and teaching Alice, Cui Ciyou immersed himself almost entirely in the sea of books.

Like a starving beast, he ravenously devoured chunks of flesh called "knowledge."

He studied these exceptionally precious tomes of this world with unquenchable hunger.

He longed to swiftly improve his understanding and comprehension of this completely new world.

From a copy of the Magic Compendium, he learned about the five main categories of magic:

offensive, healing, summoning, the mysterious divine strike type, and the forbidden transfer type.

He also gained a preliminary understanding of the power of magic at each rank.

In another book, Treatise on Sword Styles, he found detailed records regarding the Sword God Style, Water God Style, and North God Style.

According to the descriptions in the books and the information from the anime, magic has an incredibly high ceiling and can do almost anything. Advanced magic can even accomplish something as inconceivable as traveling through time.

In a sense, magic is the true universal power of this world.

However, on the level of pure combat—especially instantaneous explosive force and destructive power—the strength of top swordsmen is often superior. Swordsmanship is ultimate martial power specialized in "destruction," while magic is a universal tool more suited to "creation."

In a duel, a specialized "weapon" might defeat a universal "toolbox."

But in a grander contest of fate, the toolbox's role is irreplaceable.

Unfortunately, I seem to lack the talent to cast magic. In that case, I must take the path of the "weapon" to its ultimate end.

Through extensive reading, Cui Ciyou's understanding of the three major sword styles also grew increasingly clear.

For example, the books record that Kalman, the "First North God," once defeated Atofe, the "Immortal Demon King."

This proves that the strength of the North God Style does not lie in frontal confrontation, but in using every possible means to secure victory.

The three major styles have always competed fiercely for ownership of the Sword Sanctum, which symbolizes the highest honor in swordsmanship. Usually, the strongest representatives of each style duel, and the victor becomes king.

And for nearly a hundred years, the Sword Sanctum has remained firmly in the hands of the Sword God Style. Therefore, the strongest swordsman currently recognized across the continent is Ghislaine's master, the current Sword God—Gal Farion.

However, when Cui Ciyou carefully studied the specific standards used in those books to judge a swordsman's rank, he fell into deep confusion.

The books were filled with all sorts of vague descriptions, yet they lacked any clear, quantifiable standard that would let someone understand at a glance.

What is this? This is completely unscientific! Cui Ciyou felt his rational way of thinking collide violently with this otherworldly mystical system.

In my original world, everything could be quantified.

For example, how many seconds you ran a hundred meters in, how many kilograms you lifted, how many points you scored on an exam—it was all obvious at a glance.

But here, rank assessment is actually this subjective and idealistic?

It seemed that swordsman ranks had to be "certified" step by step by stronger individuals, like an official conferment of authority.

For example, if the Sword God believed a swordsman possessed the strength of a Sword Emperor, that swordsman would be granted the title of Sword Emperor, along with the corresponding Master Certification qualification.

Take Ghislaine, for instance. Although she believed Alice now possessed the strength of a beginner swordsman,

when Cui Ciyou asked her to explain the specific criteria in detail, she could only vaguely say, "It just... feels like she has reached that level."

So, the assessment of a swordsman's rank...

seemed to rely more on specific performance in actual combat, mastery of swordsmanship techniques, and... some mysterious thing akin to a "realm," something that could be understood but not explained?

The assessment standards of the Water God Style and North God Style were even more eye-opening.

Besides following the same rule of superiors recognizing subordinates, the Water God Style's method of promotion was utterly bizarre:

If you could successfully block and counterattack a Sword Saint's full-force strike, then congratulations—you were a Water Saint!

What kind of logic is that? That is completely passive certification.

Using defensive ability as the standard does fit the Water God Style's philosophy, but... it still feels a little strange.

The North God Style was even more unorthodox—or rather, even more pragmatic.

It had only one standard: could you defeat a Sword Saint?

It did not matter what method you used—poison, threats, drugs, sneak attacks, ganging up on them...

As long as you won in the end, you were a North Saint.

This... this is no longer a swordsmanship school. It is practically a survival code that will stop at nothing for victory!

Cui Ciyou was deeply shaken.

In a sense, the North God Style is the most terrifying and troublesome opponent, because they have no rules or bottom line whatsoever.

"Whew..."

Cui Ciyou rubbed the bridge of his nose.