Chapter 232 - 187 : Teacher

"I just wanted to know who's your teacher, the one who taught you swordsmanship."

'This lass knows nothing but swords, can't say if she's crazy or just blindly devoted to swords… nevermind, she's crazy.'

Arthur didn't expect such a request. He thought she'll ask him something unreasonable, but it's surprisingly such a question. If answering is what he needs to get rid of her then he wouldn't mind replying, it's not like it's a secret that must be kept to himself.

"Teacher? I have no such, all my skills are self-taught."

"Impossible!"

With disbelief and anger, Jian Si snapped at him again, not believing such words. Even her skills were learned from ancient books that accumulated dust in the library, very few people would be able to invent a new style of swordsmanship or special moves, moreover, most of these people are legendary figures that are looked up to by all sword user.

Arthur may be extremely strong but she couldn't believe that he taught himself everything, it's just illogical.

"Nothing is impossible in this world. It's not because you can't do it that others can't too, teachers only lead the way, it's up to the students to create their own style as no sword style is the same."

Arthur's knowledge about swordsmanship isn't vast, his skills were learned by possessing people and it just entered his mind and automatically allowed him to wield swords flawlessly. It's one of the many benefits of his race and the system.

"Then where did you come from? What your original world?"

"That's none of your business."

The first answer wasn't satisfying or what she sought. She wanted to know his world to visit it and see if there is a special sword school or a famous sect. She started suspecting that he wasn't willing to answer honestly from the very beginning but the problem was, Arthur wasn't lying in the first answer, as for the second one, he never would tell a stranger that he came from Astria.

Being a small world with very few clans and sects and no Gods residing in it, if someone like her goes there, she'll create havoc and unnecessary problems.

Astria is fine as it is, with only a few skirmishes and it'll surely become more peaceful as the war ended and the Holy Church was more or less eradicated.

"Let me see your sword."

"No."

"What's your name?"

"I don't have a name."

…

This continued for five minutes before Jian Si finally stopped, she knew that she'll get nothing out of him. He didn't answer anything except the first one, which infuriated her but she didn't show the usual anger or frustration as she wanted to show a positive attitude mayhap he changes his mind and agrees to something.

Although she didn't want to admit it, she admired Arthur... or strong sword users in general, her goal is to reach the peak of swordsmanship and to encounter people like him is what drives her to venture outside of her sect. The only thing she hated about him is his provocative words, arrogant attitude, and unceasing mocking, which drives the high and mighty Cold Sword into craziness.

Arthur's body was finally healed, devoid of any ugly injuries but his Health didn't recover entirely, it needs way more time than five minutes.

Fortunately, he became able to do simple movements so he retrieved simple clothes to cover some of the naked parts of his body and got up, after a small struggle. Standing up and walking became doable but it's really difficult, it even stressed his Mental Health, however, he didn't have the time to worry about that. He needs to leave this place as many people would start roaming all over the area, curiosity is a terrifying thing, after all.

Jian Si also noticed that the grey-haired man was about to leave, she can't do anything to stop him, he looked healthy but his sluggish and slow movements indicated his serious condition.

Remembering his powerful sword techniques and how devastated this land became due to his fight with the old man, she blurted out something she didn't imagine she would say.

"Then make me your student!"

Unfortunately for her, she was met with an immediate rejection from him, who waved his hands at her dismissively while answering

"No way, it's way too troublesome and a waste of time. I didn't come here to become a teacher for some spoiled brat who has anger management issues…"

Jian Si ignored the badmouthing and remained stubborn, not willing to let go of this chance. She knew that if he were to go now, who knows when they will cross paths again.

"You just need to teach me your style of swordsmanship!"

"That, in itself, is what I'm talking about. It's nothing but a waste of time, go ask your elders or someone else. It's babysitting rather than teaching."

Unable to handle his provocative words, she angrily stomped the ground, shaking it and creating a small crater under her foot.

"See, that's what I'm talking about. You're getting angry over little things, that's what kids do…"

Jian Si but her lips and angrily glared at him, she clenched her fists and said

"Fine then! If you make me your student, I won't become angry anymore."

As if she made a forbidden oath, the expressionless looking girl showed a rare proud expression, expecting Arthur to finally accept, but the reality was different and it's her bad luck that led her to ask someone such as Arthur…

Arthur removed the dark cube which was trapping them and glanced at the dark-haired girl, who started following him. He pondered for a few moments then said

"I can let you become my student on three conditions."

The girl nodded in response so Arthur resumed talking

"One, this matter will be kept a secret. You never met me, you never saw, you never talked to me, long story short, I never existed, alright?"

Jian Si didn't have a reason to object such condition so she remained silent, indicating her approval.

"Second, no questions about me. I don't have a name, an origin, comrades… nothing!"

Arthur didn't wait for her to accept before he named the third condition

"Third, I teach you whatever I want to whenever I want. I tell you to go East, you go East, I tell you to do this or that, you do it, without pointless questions."

Cold Sword seemed unsatisfied about the third one but she didn't disapprove or utter a single word, just nodding her head obediently, completely different from her usually unruly nature.

Strong sword users are scarce and this world doesn't have many swords sect, to begin with, so she really didn't want to miss such an opportunity. It's not like she was planning to remain as his students forever, she had confidence that she'll surpass him in the not so distant future.

Now that her rambling ended, Arthur clapped his hands and pointed at the old man's hand, ordering

"Here's your first order, you fetch that corpse."

Jian Si begrudgingly followed his instructions, retrieving the lifeless body. She felt like a servant or a dog rather than a student, she wanted to beat him but held herself, reminding herself that he'll surely teach her something that her murdering sword lacked, something that'll allow her to breakthrough to the God Realm.

Arthur didn't want to waste such a previous body, it was still whole, more or less, so he should be able to get the stats and a decent amount of Mental Power. The only reason he agreed to Jian Si's request is because her help would be precious right now, and that will assure him that she'll not suddenly attack him, because that's what she's good at, apparently.

As for teaching her, well he obviously wasn't in the mood to do it, he's busy with his current goals and doesn't have time to be a teacher but it doesn't mean he'll not show her his sword style or just give her a few precious books that contain notes of some ancient sword users.

He softly caressed the golden ring as he looked at his map, seeing a few red dots heading his way. He didn't use his sense and the map, which costs nothing, is his only way of seeing what's around him.

Jian Si noticed their presence once they were in her sense's range, she coldly looked at their direction, ready to act if they were hostile, which they probably are since they are marked as red dots on Arthur's map.

Speaking of which, she was a red dot too but soon changed into a green one once her killing intent toward him disappeared, the System basically judges the enmity based on how much hostility they bear toward the user.