Rhode stood with his sword, his face devoid of emotion.
This was the second time he had entered this extremely peculiar state. The first time had been fleeting, but this time he intended to fully immerse himself in the experience.
It was as if everything between heaven and earth had fallen utterly silent. No sounds remained except the beating of his own heart.
"Is this the Breath of All Things?"
A flicker of wonder rose in Rhode's heart, but it quickly settled into calmness.
In this state, his emotions and consciousness seemed highly concentrated, making it difficult for external factors to disturb him.
"Last time, I focused all my mental energy on the slash, which allowed me to cut the black stone. Let me try something else."
He began attempting to concentrate his mind on other objects. Faintly, he seemed to hear the breathing of wood, stones, the ground—everything.
"Is this Observation Haki?"
Rhode couldn't help but feel a trace of doubt. This sensation bore too striking a resemblance to descriptions of Observation Haki.
Just as he was about to delve deeper into this realization, a wave of astonished exclamations erupted from the outside world. The recorder had tallied Rhode's results and announced that he qualified to become a reserve member of the Revolutionary Army.
His Power Level was 249!
This wasn't weak—among those who passed this year, it placed him squarely in the middle.
"How is that possible?!"
"That can't be right."
Naturally, people found it hard to believe, and murmurs of disbelief spread through the crowd.
Everyone had witnessed Rhode's physical fitness tests earlier. Logically, with those results, he shouldn't have such a high Power Level. If not for the fact that Rhode's identity was well-known, some might have suspected foul play.
Though people muttered among themselves, no one openly voiced their skepticism.
After all, the combat test was coming up soon. Someone would inevitably challenge Rhode, whose true strength remained unclear, and the truth would reveal itself then.
As for the severed black stone, since no one had seen it happen, no one would believe Rhode had been the one to cut it.
Rhode, however, was indifferent.
After withdrawing from his focused state, he found a stone bench at the edge of the square and sat down, reflecting on the brief experience he'd just had.
This explosive episode had given him some personal understanding of the Breath of All Things. With proper preparation next time, he should be able to enter the state directly.
This was the formidable aspect of his Swordsmanship Specialization talent—anything related to swordsmanship, he could learn and master with startling speed.
At that moment, Koala approached and said with a quiet laugh, "You really surprised me."
"I just had a sudden breakthrough in the moment. Normally, I can't do that."
Rhode shook his head.
"Even so, it's impressive. That was the secret of cutting steel, something only a swordmaster can comprehend. It seems your talent for swordsmanship is extraordinary."
Koala smiled, though a probing glint flickered deep in her eyes.
"Of course."
Rhode's eyes gleamed as he grinned. "You know about scalpels, right?"
"I was always very steady with those—extremely precise."
"Then, when I took up swordsmanship, I realized I was truly suited for it. I picked it up effortlessly."
No matter what, he could always attribute it to talent. After all, it wasn't anything earth-shattering."Talent?"
Koala hadn't been overly suspicious to begin with; it was just an instinctive question. After receiving an acceptable answer, she didn't press further.
"Be careful. Someone will definitely challenge you later."
With such inconsistent results, challenges were inevitable.
The so-called combat test wasn't actually about having qualified candidates like Rhode fight each other. Instead, it gave those with Power Levels below 200 a chance—an opportunity to challenge people like Rhode.
After all, Power Levels didn't fully represent combat ability. If they could win, they'd naturally earn the right to become reserves.
Earlier, Koala had thought Rhode could become a reserve precisely because of the combat test.
Swordsmanship excelled in offense—it was the pinnacle of technique. In battle, swordsmen were the most feared, often capable of defeating stronger opponents.
"Mhm."
Rhode nodded calmly but didn't take it to heart.
If he couldn't even handle these insignificant extras, he might as well find a block of tofu to crash into and end it all.
Since Rhode had joined midway, the Power Level tests concluded shortly after his evaluation.
"The list of successful candidates has been announced. Next up… is the combat test."
Koala's voice drew everyone's attention.
Almost instantly, a series of shouts erupted.
"I, Ed, challenge Rhode!"
"I, Lef, challenge Rhode!"
...
This sudden outburst left even Koala momentarily stunned. Why so many?
But after a moment's thought, she understood and couldn't help but chuckle.
While Power Levels didn't wholly reflect combat strength, they still represented a significant portion. In past combat tests, few chose to challenge others—and if they did, they'd target those barely above 200.
But Rhode was different.
Everyone had witnessed how, in the physical tests, Rhode had only barely passed in strength, while his speed, endurance, and other attributes were mediocre at best.
Sure, his weapon mastery might be slightly better, but how much better could it be?
Opportunity knocks but once.
Miss this chance, and they'd have to wait another year. So everyone rushed to fight Rhode—each successful candidate only had three chances to be challenged.
Watching this unfold, the other successful boys and girls glanced at Rhode from the corners of their eyes, waiting to see him humiliated.
Those who had barely passed with Power Levels just over 200 breathed sighs of relief.
Thankfully, Rhode was drawing all the attention. This time, there were plenty of candidates close to 200—if they had been challenged instead, they might have been defeated!
"What a hassle."
In the crowd, Rhode curled his lip. Being too low-key had its downsides.
"Guess it's time to make an impression."
Stepping forward from the crowd, Rhode gripped his practice sword and slowly made his way to the front.
After sweeping his gaze over the excited boys opposite him, he paused briefly before deciding to teach them a proper lesson.
"Will you come at me one by one…"
"Or all at once?"
The moment these words left his mouth, the heated atmosphere froze momentarily before erupting into uproar.
Everyone stared at this slightly slender youth in white as if seeing him for the first time.
"I'll go first!"
While others were still stunned, a voice suddenly rang out as someone stepped forward into the arena.
"Dammit! Ed beat us to it!"Leif and the others snapped out of their daze, unable to hide their frustration.
Meanwhile, Ed wore a smug expression, as if he had already defeated Rhode and secured his place as a reserve member.
"Sorry, Dr. Rhode, but I'm going to become a reserve member too," Ed said, his tone apologetic but his expression resolute. It was clear he wouldn't give up this opportunity, even though he had once been treated by Rhode.
"Beat me, and you'll earn that title," Rhode replied calmly, standing with his sword in hand.