After several days of rigorous training, in the back garden of Palace of Astrum...
" Galactic Baseballer, officially debuts!"
Xing, hands on hips, came to check on March 7th's sword practice progress as a 'surrogate parent'.
"Where did Ye Yan go? Wasn't he supposed to be a sparring partner?" Xing looked around but didn't see Ye Yan anywhere.
" Teacher Ye Yan's assistant coaching session only lasted for the first two days, and then I haven't seen him since."
"Ah, that's very much in line with Ye Yan's style."
Xing was used to it; after all, he had his own shops to manage.
"Now that Miss March 7th is here, let's begin today's lesson."
"I'm not good at putting on airs as a master. Since Grandpa asked me to teach you swordsmanship, I will definitely not hold back."
"Not at all, Masters, you're too kind." March 7th suddenly realized something was wrong. "Wait... is our lesson only just beginning?"
"After all, we were able to assess your aptitude only after observing your practice over the past few days."
" Miss March 7th is exceptionally intelligent and has a natural talent for swordsmanship."
"Wow~ Xing, did you hear that? My two masters said I'm a genius at swordsmanship."
"Indeed, it lives up to its name as our family's March 7th." Xing said with a look of satisfaction.
"Hehe~" March 7th proudly raised his chin, as if he could already see the future, "If I go back after completing my studies, everyone will look at me with new respect."
"Swordsmanship training has always been a rigorous process. Since Miss March 7th has decided to learn swordsmanship, she must find a path that will allow her to persevere before formal training begins. This reason can be big or small, but it cannot be ambiguous."
"In other words, while becoming an apprentice is a rather passive process, you need to be more proactive in the learning process."
Immediately, a look of reminiscence appeared in Yanqing's eyes, and her expression became solemn:
" Yanqing once had the privilege of discussing swordsmanship with a master swordsman. She asked me why I embarked on the path of swordsmanship at such a young age, and why I wield a sword... Today, for my first lesson, I also want to begin with this question--"
March 7th pondered, "Why do I wield the sword...? I wield the sword to defeat my enemy! Isn't that right?"
"I once asked that swordsman why she wielded her sword, and she said, 'To kill the enemy, that's all.' Miss March 7th gave a similar answer; it seems you truly have talent."
There are countless ways to defeat your opponent.
Xing took out a mimicry weapon. As a weapon master blessed by [ Eternity ], his proficiency in various weapons was unparalleled.
"The best way to defeat your opponent is with an energy gun. I've heard something similar in the game! The master also said that swordsmanship can push one's physical abilities to their absolute limit."
"It seems Miss March 7th has watched quite a few illusion plays. However, in Yanqing's opinion, if Miss March 7th's goal is to 'improve herself,' even if she puts down the sword and picks up the bow again after mastering the skills, she will still feel that she has achieved something."
Yunli clicked her tongue a few times, "Don't listen to Yanqing's empty platitudes."
"Oh? I'd like to hear what Master Yunli has to say..."
" In March 7th, I asked you, do you have any specific, achievable goals in learning swordsmanship? For example, what rank or position do you want to achieve in the Wardance? Is there anyone you want to defeat, such as Yanqing, or me?"
Yunli's words successfully stumped March 7th, who also didn't know who she was going to defeat.
"If I had to say... Teacher Ye Yan?"
" March 7th, you immediately picked the most difficult one, typical of you!"
"Hey~ Don't underestimate me!" Although I was utterly humiliated by Teacher Ye Yan on my first day of sword training, I redeemed myself on the second day!
"Oh?" Xing's Curiosity was immediately piqued. She took a step closer and asked with great interest, "Tell me quickly, how are you going to get revenge?"
"Um... it was mainly due to milk tea, back then..."
On March 7th, mimicking the scene from that time, he began to dance and sing:
"That day, Teacher Ye Yan still looked lazy, leaning against a pillar, holding his signature ' Eternity ' milk tea that he could never finish."
"He told me to attack. With the experience from the previous day, I charged forward using the footwork taught by my two masters, thrusting my sword straight at him!"
March 7th demonstrated a clumsy but courageous thrusting motion.
"Well... you know how it is." She slumped her shoulders, making a helpless expression.
" Teacher Ye Yan's movements are like a ghost. With a casual flick of his wrist, my sword almost flew out of my hand, and I even tripped and fell."
"I tried several more times, but I couldn't even touch the hem of Teacher Ye Yan's clothes, let alone run into him. Every time he blocked my sword, he would slowly take a sip of milk tea, which made me so envious!"
March 7th paused, "Just when I was so exhausted I was about to collapse, and felt like I was going to repeat the crushing defeat of the first day, suddenly a brilliant idea struck me!"
"At that moment, Teacher Ye Yan put the milk tea aside, and I pretended to be exhausted, staggered, and the sword flew towards him!"
"It wasn't intentional; March 7th actually tripped over a pebble."
"And then? Did you hit it?" Xing asked.
"How could it possibly hit!" March 7th rolled his eyes. " Teacher Ye Yan didn't even look, he just casually pinched my flying sword between two fingers and caught it firmly."
"But—" March 7th suddenly raised her voice, "Here's the key point! Just as Teacher Ye Yan reached for his sword, I successfully snatched the milk tea next to him!"
star:...
It really was just a literal solution: using milk tea. She thought March 7th had figured out some new trick.
"Play to their preferences, attack what they must defend... It's a bit unconventional, but the results are outstanding. Interesting."
Yunli commented, then returned to the main topic:
"... If you can't think of a specific person, you can set a simpler goal, such as how many opponents you can defeat at the same time with a sword?"
"I want to take on ten!" March 7th said, imitating a line from a fantasy play.
" March 7th, you're full of fantasies."
"... I can't help it, this young lady is really interested in Xianzhou dramas and novels! It's like Teacher Ye Yan's milk tea, once you get hooked, you can't live without it... wait, I feel like what I just said is a bit dangerous..."
"I think I understand now what motivated March 7th to learn swordsmanship."
"... Could it be some kind of fantasy drama about swordsmen?" Yanqing guessed.
March 7th nodded. "Although I use a bow and arrow, almost all the heroes in the fantasy play use swords. I want to become a hero like that!"
"That's a good reason to motivate myself to learn swordsmanship."
"Right, right? I told you, who doesn't dream of being a swordsman?"
Yunli and Yanqing both agreed with March 7th's motivation to practice swordsmanship.
"Since both masters have agreed, I have one small request. I would like to offer you both a cup of tea as a gesture of respect. Please remember to tap your palms on the table a few times..."
"... Offering tea to the master? Making a hand-knocking gesture?" Yanqing asked with surprise, "Is it this solemn for the first time accepting a disciple?"
"Please, that's how the heroes in fantasy plays all become their disciples..."
On March 7th, she clasped her hands together, and it was clear that she really wanted to do it.
"Soda soy milk, Immortal's Joy Tea, Himeko's coffee... March 7th, pick one."
"Stop dawdling, just treat us to milk tea. After that, you'll obediently come back and learn swordsmanship, okay?"
"Alright, let's go, let's go find Teacher Ye Yan right now..."
"Wait a minute," Xing interrupted March 7th, "The apprenticeship tea ceremony is a solemn ritual concerning the dignity of the teacher-student relationship. Ye Yan's shop is in a remote location with a 'unique' environment; it's really impolite."
She analyzed, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "At a time like this, shouldn't we go to the [ Sleepless Earl ] teahouse?"
"Moreover, based on my understanding of Ye Yan, it's highly likely that he's currently lounging there, slacking off and drinking milk tea."
That makes sense.