The proficiency of 【Melting Slash】, which Matthew was most concerned about, had already reached “Mastered (29/30),” only one step away from advancing to the next stage.
Looking at the nearly maxed-out 【Melting Slash】, Matthew already had a plan in mind: this morning, he had to push this combat technique to a new level.
He would strive to break through to the Black Iron Rank this morning!
Matthew withdrew his gaze from the panel, picked up his bowl to finish the rest of the meat porridge, and said to Aidan, who was also eating heartily beside him:
“Alright, Aidan. Get ready, but make sure to ask your parents for their opinion first.”
“If it's fine with them, I'll wait for you by the dirt road outside the forest this afternoon.”
Hearing this, Aidan was overjoyed at first.
Over the past few days, he had watched Big Brother Matthew train diligently every day, and he already knew that Matthew had limitless potential and was genuinely sincere.
To have the opportunity to act together with Big Brother Matthew and build a stronger bond was naturally the best thing possible.
However, when he heard Matthew mention asking his parents' opinion, the excitement on his face faltered for a moment.
He quickly regained his usual cheerful expression, but his tone carried a touch of maturity that didn't match his age as he spoke directly:
“Big Brother Matthew, there's no need to ask. My parents passed away years ago. I've been working with Uncle Delank, and I live and eat at his house.
I can make my own decisions. As for Uncle Delank... I'll just let him know, and he'll definitely support me.”
Hearing this, Matthew felt a bit surprised. He reached out and gently patted the boy's shoulder, but didn't say much else.
Such things were not uncommon. In this dangerous world, safety was never something ordinary people could take for granted.
Accidents, illnesses, monster attacks... any of these could claim their lives at any moment.
Because of this, the village was so tightly knit, with everyone watching out for and helping one another.
The two ate in silence.
Matthew used a wooden spoon to scrape the last bit of meat porridge from the bottom of his bowl, finishing it off with some black bread. Aidan also quickly finished his portion and took the initiative to wash their bowls and spoons by the water butt, his movements quick and deft.
“Big Brother Matthew, I'll head back first then. See you at the usual spot this afternoon!”
Aidan dried his hands and grinned with the characteristic vigor of youth.
He understood that Matthew needed to focus on training this morning, and staying would only be a distraction.
Matthew nodded. “Alright, be careful on the way. The snow is slippery.”
After seeing Aidan off, Matthew tidied up the house a bit.
He checked the waterskin at his waist and the dried meat he carried with him. Although his supplies were running low, it should be enough to sustain a morning of high-intensity practice.
Taking a deep breath, Matthew pushed open the wooden door.
Outside, the post-snow sunlight was somewhat blinding, but the chill remained biting.
He tightened his clothes, slung his old backpack containing the last of the dried meat over his shoulder, and stepped onto the crunching snow, walking toward the training field on the east side of the village.
Arriving at the training field, Matthew set down his backpack, took a deep breath of the crisp, freezing air, and cast aside all distracting thoughts.
He walked up to a tree and drew his sword, its blade reflecting a cold light under the thin, post-snow sunlight.
He focused his mind, recalling every detail of 【Melting Slash】.
Then, with a sudden movement, his sword sliced through the air, letting out a sharp whistling sound.
Following Matthew's movement, a silver arc of light, sharper and swifter than ever before, flashed into existence!
“Chih—!”
The edge of the sword swept precisely across the tree trunk in front of him. There was no earth-shattering boom, only a dull, crisp crack.
Where the arc of light flashed, the hard, moisture-laden trunk split open with a large gash, wood chips flying everywhere!
Matthew came to a halt, exhaling a long plume of white mist.
He looked at the gash, a hint of understanding and satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
After a period of practice and with his proficiency increasing, he could faintly feel that the flow of life energy in his body was smoother than before, and the energy consumed had decreased slightly.
“As my proficiency approaches the limit of 'Mastered', my efficiency in utilizing life energy has improved, and the consumption has decreased accordingly.”
“Once 【Melting Slash】 breaks through to the Novice level, my strength will likely undergo a qualitative change!”
“Not just because of the power,” Matthew felt the still-abundant life energy in his body, his mind becoming even clearer. “More importantly, the consumption will be significantly reduced.”
“This means that with the same energy reserves, I can unleash 【Melting Slash】 many more times, and my combat endurance will be greatly enhanced.”
“Moreover, the improved efficiency of energy flow might also mean that the 'activation' and 'transition' of the combat technique will be faster and smoother, doubling both flexibility and lethality in actual combat.”
With this thought, he didn't linger. Taking a deep breath, he readjusted his breathing and stance, throwing himself into round after round of practice.
In the snow, silver sword arcs lit up time and again, the whistling sound of the wind growing increasingly fierce. With every swing, he challenged that final '1 point' of proficiency, pushing toward the threshold of the Black Iron Rank!
Before long, the sky grew even gloomier, and fine snowflakes began to drift down from the gray expanse once more, silently blanketing the earth.
The tree in front of Matthew was already a complete mess, covered in gashes and dents.
But it was still far from being split in half with a single strike.
Matthew stood holding his sword, his chest rising and falling slightly, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. However, his breathing was not ragged; instead, it maintained an orderly rhythm.
He looked at the split in the thick tree trunk before him, then at the sharp weapon in his hand.
Against the fine snow, the blade remained as clean as new, a cold light flowing along the edge without the slightest trace of bending or chipping.
“As expected of a Green-grade item, it really is useful.”
Matthew praised in his heart. Repeatedly executing a highly explosive combat technique like 【Melting Slash】 placed an immense burden on the weapon. If it were an ordinary iron sword, it probably would have sustained damage or even snapped by now.
Yet, this sword had withstood it all completely unscathed.
“I wonder if the forging craftsmanship is extraordinary, or if the material itself is special, or perhaps both, to be able to craft such a treasure.”
“Could there really be a blacksmith Class holder...?”
“If a Green one-handed sword performs this well, I wonder what a Blue one would be like?”
Matthew shook his head and stopped dwelling on it, as a notification prompt popped up before his eyes:
【You have successfully mastered 【Melting Slash】. Current 【Melting Slash】 is at the Novice level. Your Strength and Constitution have increased slightly.】
【Melting Slash: Novice (1/100)】
Rate on N.U.
