Ghoul Evolution

Chapter 43: Three forms of balance

’Trust fate, huh?’

While Oliver wasn’t really one to believe in stuff like fate, considering the situation, he agreed that they had no choice but to go that way.

He and Theo then went ahead and managed to get Korre to agree to go forward in that direction too.

Having finally managed to settle things between themselves, they decided to start rowing their boat forward.

As they drifted through the river, Oliver couldn’t help but look back at the place where the giant water beast had floated earlier and where it had now long since sunk.

’We wasted the opportunity to get its soul core.’

’It could’ve given us a huge power-up.’

’What a waste.’

It wasn’t really their fault though. Normally, once something died, its body would first sink and then float back up later as decomposition created gases that increased buoyancy.

But in this case, it had been the opposite.

The beast had floated for some time after death and then slowly sunk into the dark depths of the river.

---

Five days had passed since they had first gotten on the boat.

During those five days, not a single beast had dared to attack them. Oliver suspected that it was because of the owl beast, though he couldn’t be sure.

Ahreum was still asleep and her condition worried all of them, but the owl seemed completely unconcerned.

Every time they looked worried, it would simply shake its head and close its eyes as if saying,

’She’s fine.’

Whenever they needed food, the owl would disappear for a few minutes and return carrying some unfortunate beast in its claws.

It mainly hunted smaller and weaker creatures since they were easier to carry in this form. Still, even those beasts were enough to greatly increase Oliver’s strength.

His Essence Shards had increased quite a bit over these few days.

[Essence Shards: 21/500]

Other than this, Oliver hadn’t wasted his time either.

In fact, he had begun learning the basics of swordsmanship from Theo.

Honestly, he had expected Theo to refuse and something like,

"No way...This is my family’s inheritance."

Or,

"You are not worthy; the sword is sacred and only those who are chosen may learn it’s true worth."

But surprisingly, Theo had just shrugged and agreed immediately.

---

FIRST DAY AFTER ENTERING THE RIVER fгeewebnovёl.com

"So, you will really teach me swordsmanship once we leave this river and get on land?"

Theo looked at him strangely before an amused smirk appeared on his face.

"Why do we need to wait until then?"

"We’ll start now."

Oliver looked around.

The boat was small and even the slightest movement caused it to tremble and so, training swordsmanship here sounded like a terrible idea.

Theo seemed to sense his doubts as he shook his head and explained,

"A lot of how good you are with a sword comes from balance."

"Balance?"

Theo nodded as he explained,

"There are three balances that are necessary to be mastered to reach the level of a sword saint."

He slowly stood up.

"The first is the balance of body. You must have complete control over it."

As he said that, Theo casually moved his sword.

His body flowed naturally with the movement, his feet remaining stable despite the swaying boat.

Each and every motion seemed effortless, precise and deadly.

’Damn.’

Oliver couldn’t help but stare.

Once he was done, Theo started speaking again.

"The second balance is the balance of mind."

"If you don’t have control over your mind..."

He pointed at Oliver.

"Then you surely have no control over your sword."

Oliver nodded thoughtfully as if he understood everything.

’The heck is that supposed to mean?’

Then Theo suddenly asked,

"What do you think is the essence of sword?"

"Essence of sword?"

Oliver pondered for a moment before replying,

"A need to win?"

Theo shook his head which caused Oliver to think for a bit more.

"A need to murder?"

Theo stared at him with a surprised look as if he had not expected that answer at all.

"Murder? Why would you think that?"

Oliver scratched his cheek and looked away a bit embarrased as he explained.

"Well... I kinda read that in a novel once."

Theo looked at him silently for a few moments, and hen he sighed and shook his head.

"No."

"To become a good swordsman, you don’t need a desire to win or a desire to murder."

"It is not necessary that a swordsman is good nor is it necessary that he is evil. It is not certain that he always wins and nor is it certain that he always loses."

Theo looked at his own reflection in the river for a moment.

"But one thing is certain."

He slowly raised his sword once again. The river breeze brushed past his clothes while the boat gently swayed beneath his feet.

Yet...Theo didn’t move.

Not even an inch.

Oliver frowned as he stared at him as he kept waiting for Theo to slash the sword or perform some flashy technique.

But Theo simply stood there silently.

Then...a thin line suddenly appeared on the river surface.

It was tiny.

So tiny that Oliver almost thought he had imagined it. But the next moment, the water separated along that line and something crazy happened.

A giant ripple spread outward and the calm river surface trembled violently as waves spread in all directions. Even the boat beneath them shook slightly.

’What the-? How did he? How is that even possible.’

Theo slowly lowered his sword and a faint smile appeared on his face. He lightly tapped his sword with his finger.

"This is what happens when the balance of body and mind approaches perfection."

Oliver looked back at the river in which the water had already become calm again.

There wasn’t a single trace of the cut anymore and yet he still remembered what just happened.

"A true swordsman has control over himself that others don’t."

"Complete and absolute control. Both over his body and over his mind."

’This guy he hadn’t swung. HELL, he hadn’t even moved.’

’And still...somehow, the river has been cut.’

’Damn.’