Returning to the real world, a massive amount of memories flooded his mind. At the same time, his body underwent several changes. The feedback from so many years of practice manifested in Jiang Lin's physical form. Muscle memory was etched into his current body, allowing him to quickly release the swordsmanship from his memories even with his present physique.
The channels within his body were forced open. At the seven acupuncture points—the Baihui point, Fengfu point, Dazhui point, Zhiyang point, Mingmen point, Xuanshu point, and Changqiang point—dazzling lights began to shine one after another. Following the influx of memories, they connected into a brilliant, continuous path.
【Seven Star Holy Glow Slash (initiated) → (superlative)】
As the memories continued to pour in, Jiang Lin felt a splitting headache. After a short while, his vision went black, and he fainted directly...
In his final moments of consciousness, Jiang Lin felt the world spinning before he collapsed to one side.
By this time, three or four students had already arrived in the classroom.
Vaguely, he heard someone shouting:
"Holy crap! Did Jiang Lin die from pulling an all-nighter?!"
"Damn! I also pulled an all-nighter. Am I going to die too?!"
"Hurry to the school infirmary and find someone!!"
"Is the infirmary even open this early?"
"..."
Even Little Black, who was nearby, was startled and rushed over to check on Jiang Lin's condition.
It soon discovered, somewhat disappointedly, that Jiang Lin had only fainted and wasn't dead.
What was going on? His mental state had seemed quite stable before. Even though he had stayed up for three days, he hadn't shown any signs of fatigue.
In the end, it could only pray that it was some kind of hidden illness—preferably the kind that would take his life away.
...
When Jiang Lin woke up again, he found an unfamiliar ceiling before his eyes.
Where am I...
Jiang Lin had just opened his eyes and was still a bit dazed. The scent of freshly washed blankets dried in the sun drifted into his nose.
"You're awake?"
A soft female voice spoke.
However, before Jiang Lin could respond, the memories he hadn't fully digested yet flooded his mind once more.
A surge of sharp pain hit him. Jiang Lin's vision went dark, and he fainted again.
"Huh?"
Aina, a priestess at the school infirmary, looked at the again-unconscious Jiang Lin with some confusion, unable to understand the situation.
After thinking for a moment, she decided to use a higher-level mental healing skill.
Her lips moved slightly as she began to chant:
"Silver threads of moonlight, weave a net of tranquility, shroud the buzzing clamor, and still the trembling thoughts..."
The soft voice flowed like moonlight, cold yet gentle, as if it could soothe a wounded soul. Simultaneously, moonlight seemed to ripple across her body, growing brighter as she chanted. As she pressed her palm down, the light flowed into Jiang Lin's body.
High-level mental healing magic: 【Moon's Soothing】.
This was how magic-based classes in this world cast spells: by chanting incantations and using mental power to guide changes in magic essence, eventually drawing upon the magic essence of the world to form a functional spell.
Of course, if a magic-based professional was powerful enough, they could complete the skill release directly through mental guidance, constructing the magic formula without needing to chant.
There were also certain skills where the need for chanting depended on the user's affinity for that specific element.
For instance, the 【Low-level Strengthening】 used by Jiang Lin didn't require much guidance of magic essence, so it could be released without chanting.
As for the 【Seven Star Holy Glow Slash】, Jiang Lin's affinity for the light-attribute as a paladin was high enough that he didn't need to chant for it either.
Furthermore, compared to magic that required mobilizing the world's magic essence, most combat techniques only required the mobilization of internal mana, so they did not require chanting for resonance.
As the gentle mental power flowed into Jiang Lin's body, his originally tense spirit relaxed, and he woke up once again.
The massive influx of memories continued, but this time, with Aina's mental healing skill active, Jiang Lin's fragile spirit was given room to breathe.
Finally, all the memories were integrated into his mind, and Jiang Lin eventually emerged from that half-dead state.
Are high-level skills... this hard to train...?
This was the only thought remaining in Jiang Lin's mind.
At the same time, he opened his eyes again. His gaze held a look of weariness as if eroded by countless years, resembling a frail old man near the end of his life.
But within those weary eyes, a sharp light as bright as the stars was hidden.
The increase in proficiency for a high-level skill wasn't just a simple boost in numbers; it was a comprehensive upgrade to Jiang Lin's combat level. Even the aura he currently exuded had gained the refined air of a grandmaster of swordsmanship.
"Are you fully awake now?"
Nearby, Aina, who had been releasing the mental healing skill for Jiang Lin, spoke. After maintaining the mana output for a bit longer, she stopped the skill.
Jiang Lin nodded.
"Yes. Thank you, Lady Aina."
As the school doctor, Jiang Lin naturally recognized Aina.
After all, any injuries sustained during previous practical exams were treated by Lady Aina.
Aina was a rank-2 priestess. Jiang Lin wasn't sure of her exact level—somewhere in the twenties—but since she could use high-level magic, she definitely wasn't some substandard school doctor.
She was at least much more capable than the school doctors in Jiang Lin's previous life.
"They said you fainted from pulling an all-nighter. What's that all about?"
Hearing this, Jiang Lin was stunned. After thinking for a moment, he replied:
"I'm not sure either, but it shouldn't be an issue with staying up late. However, I seem to have had a very long dream just now."
Jiang Lin noticed another figure outside the infirmary door. A familiar, identical aura allowed him to confirm who it was.
It was Anya, who had also practiced the 【Seven Star Holy Glow Slash】!
Through the seven stars within his body, Jiang Lin could now vaguely sense the seven stars shining within Anya. However, because his proficiency was higher than hers, he could hide the light emitted by his own stars, preventing her from sensing him.
"Oh? What kind of dream?" Aina asked curiously.
"I dreamed that I was constantly practicing swordsmanship and made quite a bit of progress..."
Jiang Lin noticed that Anya, who was outside the door, seemed to perk up when he said this.
"You must be too exhausted, Student Jiang. You should get some good rest."
Jiang Lin shook his head.
"Once the proficiency of a breathing technique reaches a certain level, it can replace the function of sleep. Don't you know that, Lady Aina?"
Jiang Lin repeated the words Little Black had said, though he left out the very last part.
Aina rested her chin in her hand, thinking for a moment before asking in confusion:
"Then why are you only at level 3 when you're almost about to graduate?"
Jiang Lin fell silent.
After lying on the bed for a long while, he stood up and said:
"I've rested enough. Thank you, Lady Aina."
Aina nodded, having no intention of prying further. She waved her hand and said:
"Alright, as long as you've rested. Don't pull so many all-nighters; I don't want to see you again in a few days."
After thanking her, Jiang Lin pushed open the infirmary door and left.
There, he saw Anya waiting outside the infirmary.
"Student Anya, why are you here?"
Jiang Lin pretended not to know she had been standing there.
"I heard a rumor that you died from pulling an all-nighter, so I came to check," Anya said honestly.
Hearing this, Jiang Lin's expression froze. He hadn't expected such a ridiculous rumor to be spreading.
"I arrived just as you woke up, so I stood at the door for a while and heard your conversation with Lady Aina."
Anya paused before continuing:
"Is it true what you said about practicing swordsmanship in your dream and making progress?"
Jiang Lin nodded. "Absolutely true."
Anya's eyes lit up. "Then what swordsmanship were you practicing? Was the progress big?"
Jiang Lin thought for a moment. "I was practicing the 【Seven Star Holy Glow Slash】. The progress... should be quite large, I think?"
Anya seemed even more excited. "To what extent? Do you want to spar?!"
Jiang Lin rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. If he said his proficiency had reached the maximum level, would it scare her?
But if he said it was low, it would be hard to explain if his 【Seven Star Holy Glow Slash】 suddenly showed massive improvement later.
After weighing it for a long time, Jiang Lin said:
"In my dream, I practiced it to at least the perfect level."
This was a proficiency level that would allow him to fight Anya, and it would also let him get another sword technique out of her for free.
"Hey! Student Jiang just woke up from a coma! Let him recover properly! No strenuous activity!!"
At that moment, Lady Aina's voice drifted out from the infirmary.
Hearing this, Anya finally remembered that Jiang Lin was technically a patient.
"Oh right, your body is still recovering. Let's spar next time then."
However, Jiang Lin shook his head.
"It's fine. My body is okay; I can fight."
But fearing Lady Aina would hear and scold him, he lowered his voice and pulled Anya a distance away from the infirmary before speaking.
"So, are we going now?"
"Yeah, no problem!"
While talking, the two arrived at a vacant martial arts arena.
"Can I get familiar with it first?" Jiang Lin asked Anya.
"No problem."
As she spoke, a wooden sword suddenly appeared in Anya's hand, which she tossed directly to Jiang Lin.
It was a rare spatial ring!
As expected of a rich girl!
Jiang Lin marveled as he looked at the wooden sword in his hand.
The price of a spatial ring should be between several hundred to several thousand gold coins. Regardless, it wasn't something the current Jiang Lin could afford.
Rare spatial rings could even sell for over ten thousand gold coins.
Thus, under Anya's shocked gaze, he began his "performance."
He first practiced it once in place, completely lighting up the first star, Tian Shu, within his body. This represented him moving from being just initiated to reaching the great success of the initiated stage.
Anya nodded, feeling that this was still acceptable. After all, moving from initiated to great success wasn't that difficult.
However, Jiang Lin released the 【Seven Star Holy Glow Slash】 again, and the next star in his body, Tian Xuan, lit up immediately after.
Anya began to lose her composure. This speed seemed a bit too fast...
Jiang Lin continued to execute the technique, seemingly familiarizing himself with his current body.
Following that, Tian Ji lit up...
Dammit! This speed is definitely not right!! Is this even humanly possible?!
Anya's Dao heart was starting to crack.
Unfortunately, Jiang Lin had already completed his task of shattering someone's composure for the day; otherwise, he could have claimed another daily quest reward.
As Tian Quan and Yu Heng also gradually lit up, Anya went from her initial shock to a state of numbness.
Is this what a true genius is like?
By the seventh time Jiang Lin practiced the forms, he had completely lit up all seven stars within the sword glow.
His proficiency had reached perfect!
For a moment, Anya felt like she had witnessed a genius's Dao heart shatter.
She had practiced painstakingly for two months, while someone else had simply taken a nap and reached the limit of the sword technique in a dream...
After revealing his proficiency at the perfect level, Jiang Lin asked Anya:
"Shall we spar using this combat technique?"
However, Anya was still staring blankly at the air.
"Hmm? Why aren't you saying anything?"
After a long silence, Anya finally replied:
"Um... the training wooden swords can no longer withstand our current attacks. You should go buy a decent sword, at least iron or better. It seems we need to provide our own weapons for the upcoming mid-term mock exam."
Jiang Lin nodded, keeping this in mind.
A well-made ordinary iron sword cost around four or five silver coins. If it was mixed with some magic-conducting materials like mithril, the price could go up to ten silver coins or more.
For an orphan still in school, the Temple provided a monthly welfare subsidy of fifteen silver coins. Jiang Lin had been surviving on this subsidy previously.
For the old Jiang Lin, taking out such a sum from his living expenses would have been a bit difficult. But now, he still had the gold coin Anya had given him earlier; it was more than enough to buy an iron sword for combat.
Seeing that Jiang Lin didn't speak and was looking at her with an expectant gaze, Anya realized something.
She had seemingly promised him before that once he could spar with her using the 【Seven Star Holy Glow Slash】, she would give him the chance to learn other sword techniques...
At the time, she hadn't expected at all that three days after she said those words, Jiang Lin would reach the same height as her...
She cleared her throat and said:
"Right, regarding the new combat technique I promised you, I'll find the skill book at home and give it to you tomorrow.
"This technique is called 【Light Blade】. It's a high-level combat technique that allows you to temporarily mobilize the magic essence in your body to condense a longsword of the light-attribute."
As she spoke, Anya demonstrated it in front of Jiang Lin.
Her long hair swayed as a holy light rose around her. The radiance gathered like a burning flame, condensing into a sword between Anya's slender fingers, which she held firmly.
At the same time, Anya raised the holy light sword. In the next moment, the seven stars belonging to the 【Seven Star Holy Glow Slash】 appeared on the blade of light.
"A sword condensed using 【Light Blade】 can serve as a medium for other sword techniques, just like any other longsword.
"It can enhance the power of light-attribute sword techniques. After all, the blade itself is equivalent to a material with excellent light-magic-conducting properties.
"However, achieving this requires high proficiency, which isn't something that can be done in a short time..."
She paused here, glanced at Jiang Lin, and finally chose not to continue.
"Forget it. With your talent, you should be able to train it to that level very quickly. However, it's still unlikely you'll be able to use it as a regular weapon. Maintaining it for a long time consumes a massive amount of mental power, which is not something we paladins can manage..."
Rate on N.U.
