The morning training continued quietly.
The shockwave from Evan's breakthrough had already faded, leaving the training yard calm once again. A few loose leaves still drifted across the ground, carried lazily by the gentle breeze of early morning.
Sunlight filtered through the tall trees surrounding the estate grounds, casting long golden shadows across the grass.
Evan stood in the center of the yard, a wooden training sword still in his hands.
Even now, he could faintly feel the difference inside his body.
The world felt clearer.
Sharper.
It was as if a thin veil had been lifted from his senses.
The air itself felt alive.
He could almost feel the subtle currents of Qi drifting around him like invisible threads.
Lyra stood a few steps away, watching him with narrowed eyes.
Her arms were crossed.
Her expression serious.
"Swing again," she said calmly.
Evan nodded and raised the wooden sword.
He stepped forward and cut through the air with a clean strike.
The motion felt smoother than before.
More controlled.
The blade whistled softly as it cut through the air.
Lyra nodded slightly.
"The Qi in your body is beginning to respond to your movements," she said. "Now that you've entered the Essence Gathering stage, even simple strikes will slowly become stronger."
Evan lowered the sword and flexed his fingers slightly.
"It feels… strange," he admitted.
Lyra tilted her head.
"Strange in what way?"
Evan thought for a moment.
"It's like… my body knows what to do before I fully think about it."
Lyra's lips curved slightly.
"That's called instinct."
She walked closer and tapped the wooden blade with one finger.
"Before today, your body relied only on muscle and technique."
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"But now your spiritual energy will support every movement you make."
Evan glanced down at his hands.
"So eventually… my sword will carry Qi too?"
Lyra smiled faintly.
"Eventually."
Then she added casually,
"If you survive my training long enough."
Evan blinked.
"…That sounds slightly threatening."
Lyra shrugged.
"You'll get used to it."
Evan sighed dramatically.
"Somehow that doesn't make me feel better."
Lyra suddenly stepped forward.
Before Evan could react—
Thwack!
The wooden sword struck lightly against the side of his head.
"Hey!" Evan protested, rubbing his temple.
"You were distracted," Lyra replied calmly.
"I was thinking!"
"Overthinking during combat is dangerous."
Evan frowned.
"So your solution is hitting me?"
Lyra nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
Evan stared at her.
"…You enjoy this, don't you?"
Lyra's expression remained perfectly calm.
"Immensely."
Evan muttered under his breath,
"I'm definitely being abused."
Lyra ignored him completely.
She stepped back again and gestured with one hand.
"Again."
Evan sighed but lifted the sword once more.
He swung.
Then again.
And again.
Lyra watched every movement carefully.
For a few minutes, the training yard filled only with the quiet sounds of wooden blade cutting through the air.
Then—
Lyra suddenly went still.
Her eyes shifted toward the distant hill beyond the estate walls.
Evan immediately noticed the change.
"What is it?"
Lyra didn't answer.
Instead, she stared toward the hill for several seconds.
Then Echo's voice appeared inside Evan's mind.
[Master.]
Evan focused inward.
Yes?
[An unidentified cultivator has entered the surrounding area.]
Evan's grip on the sword tightened slightly.
How strong?
Echo paused briefly.
[Energy signature indicates a high-level Cultivator.]
Evan felt a faint chill.
High level?
Before he could ask another question—
A voice spoke from the direction of the estate gate.
"Well now…"
"…this is quite an interesting place."
Evan turned immediately.
An old man had entered the estate grounds.
His long grey hair moved softly in the wind, and his clothes were simple but well-made.
But what stood out most was the sword hanging at his waist.
Even from a distance—
It carried a quiet, dangerous presence.
Lyra stepped slightly forward.
Her posture changed instantly.
The relaxed trainer was gone.
Now she looked like a predator guarding its territory.
"State your purpose," she said coldly.
The old man smiled politely.
"My apologies for arriving uninvited."
His eyes moved toward Evan.
"I was simply passing through the region when I sensed a rather unusual spiritual disturbance."
His gaze lingered on the boy.
"Now I believe I have found the source."
Evan shifted slightly.
The old man's eyes felt strangely heavy.
Like sharp blades studying him.
Echo spoke again.
[Warning.]
[Subject possesses an advanced sword aura.]
Lyra didn't move.
"Looking is one thing," she said calmly.
"But entering private land without permission is another."
The old man chuckled softly.
"You are quite protective."
His gaze moved between Lyra and Evan.
"Understandable."
Then his eyes returned to Evan again.
"And how old is this young swordsman?"
Lyra's voice remained cold.
"Old enough that strangers do not need to know."
The old man laughed.
"A fair answer."
He took a few steps forward.
"I should introduce myself properly then."
He placed one hand on the hilt of his sword and bowed slightly.
"My name is William Rhys."
Evan blinked slightly.
The name sounded familiar somehow.
But before he could think further—
Lyra spoke.
"The Sword Master."
William Rhys smiled.
"So you've heard of me."
Lyra's eyes narrowed.
"Anyone who practices the sword has."
The old man nodded.
"Then you understand why I'm curious."
He looked at Evan again.
"A child who breaks into the Essence Gathering stage while practicing sword techniques…"
His eyes gleamed with interest.
"That kind of talent is rare."
Evan suddenly had a bad feeling.
And the next words confirmed it.
William Rhys folded his hands behind his back.
"Boy."
Evan straightened instinctively.
"Yes?"
The old man smiled kindly.
"Would you like to become my disciple?"
The training yard fell silent.
Evan froze.
That question had come completely out of nowhere.
He slowly turned his head toward Lyra.
She was already looking at him.
Her expression was completely calm.
But her eyes carried a very clear message.
Don't even think about it.
Before Evan could open his mouth—
Lyra answered.
"No."
Her voice was immediate.
Cold.
Absolute.
William raised an eyebrow.
"You refused rather quickly."
Lyra stepped forward slightly.
"He already has a teacher."
William looked between them.
"You?"
Lyra nodded.
William studied her carefully.
For the first time, his relaxed expression became thoughtful.
"…Interesting."
Then he smiled again.
"Well then, allow me to ask a simple question."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Why should he stay with you?"
Lyra's eyes sharpened.
William continued calmly.
"I have trained swordsmen for over one hundred and fifty years."
His voice carried quiet confidence.
"My disciples have become generals, masters, and legends."
He gestured lightly toward Evan.
"With guidance like mine, this boy's talent could flourish."
Lyra didn't hesitate.
"Because I am stronger than you."
The wind suddenly fell silent.
William Rhys blinked once.
Then slowly…
He smiled.
"A bold statement."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"A true one."
William rested his hand on his sword hilt.
"Well then."
He looked toward the open space of the yard.
"There is a simple way to test that claim."
His eyes met hers.
"A duel."