Hillman

Biodata

Appearance

• Build: Tall and powerfully muscular; his exposed muscles are described as looking carved by a blade 2 5.
• Distinguishing feature: A prominent facial scar 5.
• Expression: Usually stern and icy. When he smiles at Old Jack, the children joke that he looks even scarier than usual 3.

Personality

Hillman is a strict, observant instructor who values discipline without dismissing independent thought. Although he questions Loa about falling short of the assigned three hundred sword strokes, he listens seriously to the boy’s explanation and recognizes the value of his deliberate experimentation 5. He also refuses to give Linley special treatment because of his noble birth, declaring that he will train and rest alongside the other children 11.

His intimidating manner conceals a strong attachment to Wushan Town. Old Jack describes him as someone who looks fierce but carries the whole town in his heart 5. After the town’s devastation, Hillman allows Loa to grieve openly and promises that the community will always offer him food and somewhere to rest 26.

He is realistic about the limits of his strength. After witnessing Harris and his magical beast destroy the mercenaries, he acknowledges that Wushan Town could not have resisted them 22. He is equally dismissive of inherited status when compared with genuine talent, reassuring Linley that noble titles mean little at the magical aptitude test 42.

History

Teaching Wushan Town’s Children

As captain of the Baruch Clan’s guards, Hillman provides basic warrior training free of charge to children old enough to participate. His instruction emphasizes physical conditioning and technique; the children are not supplied with a Battle Qi Manual 3 38.

His first appearance is a demonstration in which he shatters a large bluestone boulder with one punch. Five-year-old Loa witnesses the feat and becomes intensely excited, shortly before a violent headache and fever accompany the collision of his past- and present-life memories 2.

When Loa turns six, Old Jack entrusts him to Hillman’s instruction. Hillman places him with children of a similar age and personally demonstrates the Qi Accumulation Stance 3. He later notices Loa’s unusually analytical approach to swordsmanship, adjusts his strength-training requirements, and corrects his overly deliberate breathing 5 7.

Hillman also oversees Linley’s introduction to training. When the younger boy struggles with standing practice, he assigns Loa to demonstrate beside him and subsequently makes Loa responsible for guiding him during training 11.

Destruction and Recovery

When Rudi casts Meteor Fall during his battle with Dillon above Wushan Town, Hillman immediately orders the children to run home and take cover. His shouted warning breaks their frightened paralysis 24.

After the battle, Hillman and the Guard Squad establish a temporary shelter and survey the damage. He reports more than eight hundred recovered bodies, numerous injuries, and widespread destruction to Hogg. Following Hogg’s orders, he gathers guards and able-bodied residents to clear wreckage and recover essential supplies 26.

Finding Loa among the ruins of Old Jack’s smithy, Hillman obtains liquor for him and urges him not to suppress his grief. When Loa says that he no longer has a home, Hillman assures him that Wushan Town and its people remain his family and refuge 26.

By Loa’s departure, Hillman is helping older children clear the training grounds so instruction can eventually resume. He recognizes Loa’s advancement to Rank 3 and reminds him that the town’s doors will always be open 27.

Reunion in Fenlai City

Hillman later accompanies Linley to Fenlai City for the magical aptitude test. When an unfamiliar-looking young man follows them through the streets, he leads Linley into a quiet alley and shields him while confronting their pursuer 40 41.

The stranger is Loa, who initiates a surprise spar. Hillman recognizes his characteristic method of generating force, initially limits himself to roughly Rank 4 strength and speed, then uses his Rank 6 battle-qi to take control of the exchange. Their reunion continues over dinner, where he expresses pride in Loa’s growth and encourages both boys before the test 41.

At White Square, Hillman explains the expenses of magical education and Ernst Institute’s tuition exemption for accepted students from the Holy Union. He looks after Bebe while Linley enters with Loa 42. He is visibly overjoyed when Linley receives an Ernst Institute invitation, then returns with him to Wushan Town to inform Hogg 43.

Abilities & Skills

Rank 6 Warrior Strength and Battle-qi

• Boulder-breaking strength: Shatters a towering bluestone boulder with a single punch 2.
• Controlled output: Deliberately restricts his strength and speed while assessing Loa’s Rank 4 combat ability 41.
• Battle-qi reinforcement: Activates his Rank 6 battle-qi to overwhelm Loa’s attacks and dictate the spar’s exchanges 41.
• Alcohol removal: Can use battle-qi to evaporate alcohol from his body 41.

Swordsmanship and Unarmed Combat

• Precise parrying: Deflects Loa’s developing thrust with a half-step and a wrist turn, nearly knocking the wooden sword from his hand 12.
• Reading transitions: Identifies stiffness between Loa’s feints and follow-up attacks rather than judging a technique solely by its speed 12.
• Counterattacking: Interrupts combinations by striking into the gaps between attacks and closes off variations with well-placed palm strikes 41.
• Combat experience: Anticipates Loa’s changes between rapid punches and heavy blows; the narration attributes his alertness to years of military service 41.

Warrior Instruction

• Foundational stance: Teaches posture, balance, concentration, and steady breathing through the Qi Accumulation or Qi-Gathering Stance 3 11.
• Whole-body force: Recognizes the value of generating force from the feet and transmitting it upward through a twisting motion 5.
• Guiding rather than forcing: Teaches that both sword movement and breathing should be guided naturally instead of rigidly controlled 5 7.
• Physical conditioning: Explains that technique requires a sufficiently strong body, assigning Loa three additional daily strength-training sets 5.
• Individual assessment: Gives Loa a heavier wooden sword after observing his control of a sharpened iron sword, and warns him against becoming confined to a single technique 11 13.

Guard Command

• Emergency response: Directs children to shelter during Meteor Fall 24.
• Disaster relief: Organizes shelter, casualty assessment, and debris clearance after Wushan Town’s destruction 26.
• Protective vigilance: Notices persistent pursuit in Fenlai City and positions himself between Linley and the apparent threat 41.

Equipment

• Broadsword: Carried on his back; he reaches for its hilt when confronting the unidentified Loa in Fenlai City 41.
• Wooden training swords: Used for lessons and sparring; he replaces worn practice weapons and provides heavier ones when appropriate 7 11 12.
• Wooden whistle: Used to signal the end of morning training 24.

Relationships

• Loa — Student and younger townsman whom he treats with paternal concern. Hillman develops his foundations, supports him after the smithy’s destruction, and later tests his progress in Fenlai City 3 5 26 41.
• Linley Baruch — Student and member of the household he serves. Hillman insists on equal training standards while remaining attentive to his safety, emotional strain, and educational prospects 11 13 41 42 43.
• Old Jack — Respected townsman whom Hillman addresses as “Uncle Jack.” He readily accepts responsibility for Loa’s formal training at Jack’s request 3.
• Hogg — His lord and superior. Hillman reports the town’s losses to him and carries out his recovery orders 26.

Notable Quotes

“You shouldn't ‘control’ the sword. You should ‘guide’ it.” 5

“Technique can let you defeat someone stronger than yourself, but only strength can qualify you to stand before a truly powerful enemy.” 5

“Wushan Town is your home. Its doors are always open to you. If you're tired or have been mistreated, come back.” 27