Livy raised one hand while keeping her sword balanced with the other. "Teacher, I have a question about long swords and short ones. I've heard that even with a short or normal-sized sword, an expert can execute powerful attacks capable of destroying cities and mountains..."
Bella Noll flinched at Livy's mention of 'that can destroy cities.'
Eric could only feel pity for Bella Noll. This little girl didn't know of Bella Noll's past.
He still didn't really understand how one swordsman or anyone could be powerful enough to devastate such vast areas.
Were they all walking nuclear bombs?
Bella Noll swiftly calmed down. The reason she flinched wasn't only due to her past but also due to all Apprentice Ranks' inherent fear and helplessness toward any Master Rank. Only Rank 4 and above could wield such destructive power, in fact, even Rank 4 wasn't that formidable. Perhaps only Rank 5 and beyond.
Even she, a late-stage Rank 3 Mystical Knight, would be utterly helpless against an early-stage Rank 4.
Even if dozens of her gathered, they still wouldn't be a match for either a Mage or Warrior Rank 4, as not only were their four basic stats incomparably higher than any Apprentice Rank's, but they could also fly and wield vast amounts of Mana.
She couldn't even hide or outmaneuver them as their Spiritual Sense would see through everything.
All Apprentice Ranks have an inherited fear toward all Master Ranks; they are just toddlers compared to them.
Bella Noll wasn't disheartened by Livy's question. She even hoped that one day all three of them would be strong enough to not be as helpless as she was against any Master Ranks.
Of course, before that, a miracle needed to happen for both Lyria and Livy to even become Mana Wielders.
"Yes, but this Rank is far beyond the initial three Ranks," Bella Noll calmly answered, while secretly fearing that Eric would use this opportunity to ask a thousand different questions.
Livy nodded and continued with her question, "What I wish to know is, if short swords can also be used to execute such terrifying levels of attack, then is there any point for long weapons?" She was always confused about this point. Both she and Lyria had only heard rumors and were not too knowledgeable on all these matters, as their mothers kept a tight seal over most knowledge on Appreciate Rank, much less beyond that.
Both Eric and Lyria also grew curious to learn the answer to that.
Bella Noll shook her head in amusement. "This is a question that you need to seek the answer to by yourself. I can only inform you that both have their advantages and disadvantages. In choices of weapon, most people will normally just go with what they are comfortable with, and around that, they either try to create techniques or seek out the existing ones."
"A lot of time has already been wasted talking. For now, be prepared- all three of you are to play with that sword in your hands for the next half an hour."
Half an hour! It would be a miracle if they could continue swinging the sword for even ten minutes!
Eric, for the first time, raised his hand and reminded her, "Grandma, they have exams tomorrow. I think if they push too far, then they might not even be able to write anything in their exam."
Bella Noll rolled her eyes at Eric for not calling her 'Teacher'. "It will be fine. I only kept it at thirty minutes for that purpose, or else it would have been longer."
"People who train regularly always recover and improve far faster than you think. Just yesterday, all three of you were dead-beat, but see today- not only are you children back on your feet, but you are completely ready to train as well. You might not have noticed, but I can tell all three of you have improved greatly since yesterday. After the exam tomorrow, during the evening training time, do the same thing as today. You will clearly notice the difference compared to today."
"Enough talking. Begin!"
With Bella Noll's command, Eric, Lyria, and Livy started doing small thrusts and slow swings with the massive swords in their hands.
Thankfully, they were a little far away from each other, or else they might have swung the other out of their little lives.
"Riya, have I really improved that fast?" Eric knew people who exercised recovered a lot quicker for obvious reasons, but it was still quite fast to recover and improve so much in a single day.
"Yes," Riya agreed. "I'm guessing it has something to do with the Mana in the atmosphere. I've noticed you're a lot healthier and fit for your age, but it's not only you- anyone in this world is probably at least one or two steps better in health compared to Earthlings. You also probably hadn't noticed, but Hannah and anyone else you've met looks a lot more 'perfect' compared to Earthlings, due to this very reason, I think. This goes for recovery too, and you're also having very healthy meals every day. I don't know about the larger world's food standards, but you're never lacking in nutrition or the necessary energy levels."
Eric nodded internally and then fully immersed himself in swinging his Buster Sword.
Initially, it wasn't that hard, but with each passing second, the burden on his entire body kept increasing, and after three to four minutes, he couldn't even swing properly like he began with.
Swinging was easier said than done, as one couldn't just go round and round. Each thrust had to be within one's calculation, or they would lose balance, and a tiny mistake would either force them to tip over or lose their grip on the sword.
Livy was barely able to hold on for fifteen minutes, and she was half-dead.
Eric and Lyria weren't in any better condition. Their bodies were completely coated in sweat.
One might think that gripping a heavy sword was all about wrist power, but that was wrong; their entire body was stretched to its limit with each movement to keep their balance in check.
Eventually Livy could no longer hold on, and due to a careless mistake of using a tiny bit more force, she lost balance and fell over.
After dropping to the ground, she started breathing like a drowning person- no better than the day before.
Finally, the child abuser Bella Noll showed the three cute children what she previously meant by 'the consequence for failing wasn't nice!'
Unlike the usually gentle and kind Bella Noll, she gave Livy no time to recover and promptly put her into punishment.
A punishment that even made Eric feel horror in his heart.
Livy was forced into a seated position with knees bent- of course, with no chair beneath her. Her hands were held parallel in front of her, and then the massive sword was placed atop them. If her hands couldn't hold on, the sword would fall onto her knees- and needless to say, that would be the end of her pretty knees. In the best-case scenario, they wouldn't be completely obliterated but merely snap; even then, she'd be bedridden for months to a year at least.
Even Eric felt this was far too terrifying. And Livy was told to hold that position for a freaking five minutes!
Eric felt these were the most expensive five minutes he would ever witness, especially since Livy was already dead-beat-tired and her strength was already drained.
Just by glancing at Livy, Eric knew that his current beyond-terrible condition, while merely swinging the sword, was a thousand times better than the exclusive love Livy was receiving.
Lyria, who didn't know the difficulty of it but could approximately guess, wasn't too bothered, as she was determined to go through all hell, all the way!
But she also didn't want to receive such special treatment, so she remained extremely focused on her own swinging.
Meanwhile, Livy was in utter despair. She felt training back at home was heaven, and she still used to complain about that!
Just which hell did she just sign up for?!
Her hands and her entire body were shaking like a barely clothed beggar during freezing winter.
She could see that as long as she slipped even a tiny bit, she was finished for good!
She could actually push her hands a little forward and make the sword fall on her feet, and then her feet would be obliterated from existence! And Old Demoness had also warned her not to move her hands even an inch, or else the punishment time would keep increasing by twice!
Livy knew she was dead, and her face was filled with despair.
But...
Even with that terrible condition, Livy held on!
Both Eric and Bella Noll were thoroughly shocked.
Bella Noll was prepared to save Livy in case she really couldn't hold on, but she held on for the entire duration of five minutes!
Bella Noll had previously assumed that all three would definitely fail, especially Livy with her punishment. But the more she watched all three, the more shocked she became.
This was not about their current physical capabilities or tenacity, but more about their spirit and determination. As far as her knowledge went, even the most trained Mortal child might not be able to go through all these difficulties and pass through successfully.
Bella Noll sighed internally over these little children's strong determination and willpower. She knew Eric wouldn't be a simple person the moment he had opened his eyes back when she had received him, but it seemed both Lyria and Livy were also not going to be simple either.
All this only made Bella Noll's determination, to train the three to her full capability and knowledge, increase.
Bella Noll used to be an extremely strong Apprentice Rank in the past, and similarly, she had far more extensive knowledge and experience. Most of it she had picked up, discovered, or self-created through her own insights, but she never had the opportunity to master or train properly with those.
She decided if Eric, Lyria, and Livy continued with this level of determination, then she would keep pushing them beyond anything or anyone had accomplished within Mortal limits.
After five minutes of special 'love,' Livy was once again allowed to swing her sword like before.
Livy could not express just how easy it was. The 18th degree of hell was indeed different from the 12th degree! It was heaven!
Eric, Lyria, and Livy continued with their torture session, which made them feel each second was as long as an eon.
Riya spoke within Eric's mind at this moment, "Hey, how is it- enjoying torturing those pitiful bones and muscles of yours?" Her tone was playful.
Eric trembled and screamed back at Riya mentally, "Are you out of your mind? Why don't you try experiencing what I'm feeling right now?!"
Eric was extremely annoyed by Riya disturbing him at this moment, as even the tiniest distracting thought could send him into experiencing the 18th degree of love that Livy had just endured.
"Why should I...?" Riya murmured. She could decide when to experience Eric's sensation and when not to.
Eric heard Riya loud and clear. Just as he was about to explode, she interjected, "Calm down. Can't you see the difference?"
"What difference...?"
Suddenly, Eric's eyes widened. His voice dripped with disbelief. "How can I talk to you so calmly while I'm so exhausted, without even getting distracted?"
At Eric's current condition, just thinking would disturb his balance, and he wouldn't be able to hold onto it. But he was talking with Riya so calmly without even losing his concentration. It was almost as if his inner and outer Mind Space were completely two different worlds.
"Yes, that's what it is," Riya answered. "I was just doing a simple experiment, and it seems no matter the situation, our connection with this space is very stable, and you won't get distracted easily."
Eric was really surprised, but he didn't want to think further. So, he retorted with annoyance, "Do these experiments when I am not so close to death!"
"Alright, alright," Riya conceded. She was completely certain of the effect, otherwise, she wouldn't have risked it.
Eric didn't speak further and focused on completing his last remaining minutes, which felt like forever.