Another month has passed.
Rei decided to greatly upgrade his training, he always wanted to be a master of weapons.
On Earth there was no need for this, guns existed.
On Aerthos however, he can totally achieve that goal.
For some reason, the whole population of the planet was stuck with basic weaponry.
'Very interesting, considering they have something as powerful as mana.'
"MY SOOOON!" He heard a shout from his side.
And turning his head, he was once again greeted by the greatest beauty in the world.
The day was sunny, but, thankfully, not too hot.
The sky was clear, birds song a melody of nature.
The wind was warm and calming.
They were in the courtyard, with green, soft grass under their feet.
Many beautiful plants decorated the place.
And his mother made the scene even more enchanting.
Her smile, filled with a pure joy of seeing him.
And eyes that almost radiated happiness.
'I got really fucking lucky, didn't I?' He pondered on the question that was on his mind for quite a while.
"Reiiii, mhm~" And he was already in Rose's hands, being kissed all around his handsome face.
'...You know what? I will think about my reincarnation later.'
He hugged her gently and smiled.
'At the end of the day, my goal is to have fun.'
His mother was truly gorgeous.
Her forms were absurd, even better then he thought at first.
Her chest to waist to hips ratio was absolutely divine, as if gods put everything they had to make her perfect.
He simply couldn't get enough of her.
She stood at just about 182 centimeter, which was quite a height for a woman.
'Sigh. I'm thinking about that again. If only I was older...'
"So why did you call me, dear?" Rose looked at him and gently asked.
Rei thoughts speed was greatly enhanced in the past six month.
So it took him barely a few seconds to think about everything.
"I want to train with sword!" He said with determination.
Swords were good for both close, and medium range. But so were spears, right?
Well, what was even more important for him, was speed.
He didn't choose spear as his first weapon precisely because of this. They were slow.
"W-what?! But you are still too small!
What if you hurt yourself?!" She almost cried out the last question.
He tilted his head.
"But if you train me, you will also protect me. Mother is strong."
"Ugh..." She pouted, unable to refuse and calming down a little, but one question was still on her mind.
"Why do you want to learn sword now?"
"The earlier I start, the earlier I become strong."
His words become more adult like, for the first time he didn't hide his real thoughts.
"You don't need to be strong now, mommy will protect you from anything!" She hugged him, his face in her blossom. 'Forever...'
"But I want to be strong..." Rei looked up and spoke. His tone was calm, but filled with desire.
'To be the strongest, to do anything I want, to protect what I love.'
He was lost in thoughts, and in that small moment of vulnerability, did something unexpected.
"Because it sounds so fun."
A twisted expression adored his face.
His eyes become a bit sadistic, filled to brim with desire.
His smile as wide as it could possibly get on a human face, showing his snow-white teeth.
Breath hitched, uneven.
And Rose saw it all... Every. Single. Moment.
And she was happy, very.
"Hehe-hehe," she laughed, like a yandere who met her beloved.
"You are truly my son. Truly a hair of Kuroda family. My little monster..."
'Huh?' He got startled by the sudden sounds, his face showed a bit of panic, but he quickly regained his composure with a deep breath.
'I always lose control over my emotions near them, but this time it was even worse... Oh well. Fuck she smells good...'
He looked at his beautiful mother, who was smiling foolishly, and his lips involuntarily raised up.
'That mini outburst of mine worked wonders. She is just as crazy as I am. Interesting, is Mei the same?'
He took in her aroma once again and asked the most important question:
"So mum, will you train me?"
"Fufu, of course."
What an odd situation...
-------------------
Training hit his body hard.
He needs a lot of energy and nutrition for regeneration alone.
He started drinking 3 times the milk he drank before.
'I don't even know where mum stores so much of it.
Does improved physique also improves milk production?'
In last 4 month, training with sword and sleeping was basically all he did.
Only rarely did he has time to play with Mei, but at least Saya was always near.
His mother was quite harsh with him, despite not wanting to harm her son, she also wanted to make his dreams come true.
His growth was also greatly accelerated, compared to others.
By now, he was already almost meter in height, 97.4 centimeters to be exact.
His body adaptability, training, additional nutrition and genetics played crucial roles in this.
His body fat percentage was also unlike any kid of his age in the world, about 7 percent.
And it was understandable, there is no human who started training just two month after being born, it was absurd!
Children his age could barely crawl!
He blocked his mother's sword, just barely, and was send flying.
While in the air he twisted his body, like a cat, landing safely on his legs and supporting his weight with one hand.
'Beside that, my stamina and body coordination are incredible.
It's like I've been born to be perfect.'
It wasn't narcissism, but pure facts. His body was perfect in every way possible.
He is yet to find a flaw with it.
He used his leg muscles to the fullest, propelling him forward towards his mother, but he did not strike.
As Rose raised her sword to parry him, Rei suddenly stopped and immediately moved to the side, using his forward momentum.
Every part of his body worked in tandem, allowing him to do crazy maneuvers like this one.
Of course, his mother was not simple, not at all.
As he pushed the wooden sword into her side, she masterfully redirected it, and moved to strike.
Rei, again using his momentum, rotated his sword and blocked her attack, while getting proper footing not to fall.
Earth shuttered under the force of the hit. He bent his knees a bit to amortize the force, but his boots still stuck in dirt.
The next second he found a sword near his neck.
"I lost." He sighed.
"We need to talk." His mother's tone and face were surprisingly serious, and he didn't dare to ignore it.
-------------------
"Rei, your sword skill is nearing Sword Master's Domain."
His mother, who was sitting in front of him, abruptly said.
She tried to sound calm, but shock was too big to fully hide it.
They were drinking tea at the table under a cherry tree.
It was a bit late, and sun already began to go under horizon.
Tea was, of course, not just any drink.
The plants it made off came from different races from all around Aerthos.
It was well known as one of the best teas ever made, and is only found in the highest echelons of society.
Like royal families of human empires.
It reputation, of course, comes not only from taste, but also positive effect on the body.
Calmness, regeneration boost, accelerated thoughts speed and even a hair growth from full baldness.
It was said, that by feeding a child with it from a young age, the effect will become permanent at the adulthood.
So Rose gave it to both of her children, once in a while.
"Really? That was fast." He was a bit surprised as his mother didn't tell him his rank until now.
Swordsmen are divided in ranks and stages, based on a skill, battle awareness and instincts of a sword wielder, independent of actual strength.
Each stage contains 3 ranks, except the last one.
It is standardized across the continents and managed by Sword Association, branch of a bigger organization.
The ranks and stages are globally available, and are in International Internet Archive, IIA for short.
'''
I. The Fundamentals (Apprentice & Basic Competency)
Initiate — One who has just begun their journey, focusing on basic stances and theory.
Raw potential, no practical combat experience.
Novice — Has grasped the absolute fundamentals of grip, balance, and the simplest strikes.
Can wield a training blade without immediately injuring themselves.
Adept — Demonstrates basic footwork and parrying, able to engage in simple sparring exchanges.
Focus on defense and learning common attacks.
II. The Warrior's Path (Combat Proficiency)
Competent — Proficient in basic combat scenarios.
Can hold their own against multiple lesser opponents or one equal foe.
Focus on offensive applications.
Skilled — Experienced in various combat situations.
Adaptable, can read opponents, and effectively utilize different techniques.
The rank most swordsmen's journey ends.
A reliable fighter.
Expert — A recognized warrior, capable of leading small combat units.
Their skill is respected, and they possess a strong understanding of tactical blade use.
III. The Master's Domain (Strategic & Tactical Prowess)
Master — Leads with exceptional skill on the battlefield.
Not only individually formidable but also capable of orchestrating complex maneuvers with their blade and command others effectively.
Virtuoso — Their movements are fluid, precise, and highly efficient.
They understand the intricacies of blade-to-blade combat and can counter advanced techniques with ease.
Often sought after as instructors.
Grandmaster — A force to be reckoned with.
Their mastery extends beyond mere technique to a profound understanding of combat flow, opponent psychology, and environmental integration.
Very few reached this tier.
IV. The Legendary Domain (Transcendent Skill)
Legendary — Their deeds and skill are spoken of in hushed tones.
With just sword, they are able to cut through mountain ranges and split oceans.
Their movements border on the supernatural.
Mystic — Not just a master of the sword, but an embodiment of its philosophy.
Their presence on the battlefield can shift tides.
They have transcended the physical limitations of the blade, wielding it as an extension of their will.
They might possess a signature technique that seems impossible.
Transcendent — Reaches a state of near-perfection with the blade.
Their movements are flawless, intuitive, and almost prophetic.
They possess an aura of untouchable mastery, and their understanding of combat might extend to prescience.
They are living legends, true one in a generation individuals.
V. The Zenith
Sword Emperor — The single undisputed master of the blade.
Their skill is beyond compare, having surpassed even the Sword Emperors of the past.
Their mastery is absolute, their presence overwhelming, and their word on swordcraft is law.
No other can stand against them in pure blade skill.
Absolute Apex.
'''
It is good to note again, that those ranks are qualification of the skill, not of power.
Nothing is stopping one to become a magician, while being a swordsman.
Rei always thought that some of those ranks were absurd.
Splitting the mountain with pure sword skill?
Yeah, sure, and he is Leonardo Da Vince.
'It's definitely just a subconscious use of mana.'
"Mother, but what is your rank?" He asked curiously.
Rose smiled gently.
"It's..."