Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking

"My name is Uruk Silverfang. I am this generation's Instructor of the Sword Path." The man said without turning around.

"Nice to meet you, Sir. I am Cedric Stormrider, a freshman." Cedric replied while performing a curt bow towards the man.

Then he sensed him moving. The man faced him and Cedric took some time to study the features of his instructor. The most obvious feature that made a deep impression on Cedric was his lack of eyes.

As in the man's eye-sockets were empty, yet even so, Cedric could clearly tell that this missing feature wouldn't hinder this man at all. Apart from that, the man looked like any ordinary middle-aged man; he had a mop of black hair with a few grey strands, a slightly wrinkled face, a long beard, and a rather stocky body.

He's wearing faded gray robes as he sits on his knees and has a bamboo sword beside him.

"...'Control', hmm...no, it isn't just simply control, it's 'Absolute Control' instead."

Cedric couldn't help but smile wryly. As expected, the man was something else. Even without eyes, he was able to tell what kind of Sword Intent he fostered.

See, Sword Intent could be expressed in many ways, mostly depending on the user's enlightenment or desired path.

When Cedric initially condensed his Sword Intent, it was mostly 'neutral', meaning that it's just purely Sword Intent. But as he continued nurturing it, in addition to the knowledge he received from the Book of Laws, he eventually discovered a path that resonated with him the most.

"...'This sword will cut those who I want to cut. And it won't cut those who I don't want to cut.'" Uruk stated softly. Accurately discerning the very basis behind Cedric's Absolute Control Sword Intent.

Cedric remained silent because he truly didn't have anything to say. The Instructor was right and there's no use denying it or responding since he could see right through him.

Cedric then saw Uruk smiling at him.

"How about you, then? Have you discerned anything about my Sword? Feel free to express your thoughts candidly, young man. There are no wrong answers this time." Uruk asked in a calm and gentle manner.

Cedric was stunned as he wasn't expecting this at all. However, it would be too impolite to make him wait so he hurriedly recalled what happened a few moments ago.

Recalling that horrible tide of the sharp will caused him to shiver, however Cedric endured it. He did his best to analyze the sensation deeper to have a proper response to the man's questions. After a minute or two, Cedric released a breath and said:

"...'A Sword that cuts through Calamities.' That's...that's what makes sense to me with my limited experience, Sir." He replied politely.

He then received the impression that Uruk was staring at him in a dumbfounded manner while the man's expression remained stoic. As he was starting to get uncomfortable, Uruk suddenly opened his mouth to release a boisterous laugh that echoed throughout the entire dojo.

"BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

His voice was so loud and carried a great momentum. It cracked the wooden floors and caused the decorations inside the room to scatter everywhere.

Cedric winced at his loudness. Thankfully, he was able to dull his ears before he laughed, or else, they'd be bleeding right now.

"Whew...sorry about that. It's been a while since I laughed that much." Uruk apologized after calming down a bit, he was even wiping some tears at the corner of his eyes.

What followed was a brief moment of silence before Uruk said:

"Almost everybody who desires to walk the Path of the Sword seeks enlightenment for Sword Intent. Others succeed while the majority doesn't, even after pouring countless resources, time, and effort chasing after it."

"Amongst those who succeed, many thought that they've reached the pinnacle of the Sword Path just by having Sword Intent, when that couldn't be any farther from the truth."

Once again, Cedric felt the impression that Uruk was now staring at him intently so he focused. There's no way he'd miss the fact that his first lesson from the Instructor began just now, and he'd be damned if he didn't listen to it.

"...'A heart that beats for the Sword', or in simple terms 'Sword Heart', that is the next stage in the Sword Path. Only by condensing a Sword Heart would one be qualified to look at the esoteric image of what the 'real' Sword Path is — the 'Sword Law'."

"I'm assuming that you've perused the Book of Laws before?" Cedric nodded to the inquiry so Uruk continued: "That book has entries about the Sword Laws, but it's labeled as 'mostly speculations', no?"

Cedric nodded again.

"That was intentional, not in a selfish way, mind you." Uruk gently stated, "Trust me, many Swordsmen wanted to write down or share their experiences with others. They could've done so anyway but the act itself carries severe risk."

"It's because Laws a finicky in general. Everybody has their own interpretation of it, and they cannot just recklessly claim that what they knew was the correct one. This is even more apparent when it comes to Sword Laws."

"You should've experienced a taste of it by now." Uruk smiled at him, "Even the amalgamation of Sword Intent in this place could turn Sword Path beginners mad. That also happens in Sword Laws."

"Those who recklessly impart their enlightenment of the Sword to others might cause their students to experience bottlenecks, worst is death. That's why nobody dared to jot down their experiences in a book that could be accessed by the public."

Uruk just confirmed Cedric's speculations. He already had an idea that it was like this but it still felt good to have a confirmation. Thankfully, this was all a distant matter to the current him so he doesn't have to be cautious of it.

"I'm fairly lenient when it comes to teaching." Uruk stated, "Some would even call me laidback, to be honest, and I never particularly mind that. I'm not gonna hold your hand all the way towards your goal because that is, ultimately, yours to take. I have nothing to do with that."

"The most I can offer are insights. Even then, I always require my students to show some real effort before I give them that."

"It's designed to be this way because of the very nature of Sword Cultivation." Uruk stated, "It's very unlikely that one's path would be the same as others. Even then, there would always be minor differences still."

"You've nurtured your Absolute Control Sword Intent excellently." He praised, "Honestly, I am astonished that you've managed to go this far on your own without making any mistakes."

"Your next goal is to obviously condense a 'Sword Heart'. In this place, there's a thing called the 'Sword Tempering Cave', you can ask Thirdy for directions later. Train in that place until you condense a Sword Heart."

"Understood, Sir." He replied.

"Your achievements are honestly impressive but I still have to remind you; Sword Intent and Sword Heart are two different things." Uruk warned him earnestly, "While you comprehended Sword Intent early, the same might or might not happen with the Sword Heart."

"Do not feel pressured about time, Young Man. My class is different from the others. Its difficulty might even surpass those that are considered as 'Advanced Classes'. You don't need to worry even if you couldn't condense a Sword Heart by the end of your first year because only I can determine whether you passed my class or not. Not even the Headmaster could fight me over that. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Sir." Cedric nodded eagerly.

"Alright, you may go then." Uruk then waved his hand as if 'shooing' him away.

Cedric stood up, but before he left, he remembered Thirdy's words so he turned around and said:

"Uh...Instructor? Thirdy said that I'm supposed to receive my badge from you?"

Uruk blinked at him before letting out a snort. He reached into his robes and threw a badge at him, which Cedric deftly caught.

"Oh right...I'm not strict about clothing here. Feel free to wear whatever you're comfortable with. Your uniforms might have some enchantments with them but the environment here will swiftly eat away at its durability. Consider yourself warned."

"Understood, Sir."

"Alright, you may scram now. You've already delayed my tea time, shoo!"

Cedric bowed at Uruk before politely leaving the room.

As Uruk watched him leave, he couldn't help but smile. He didn't expect to meet such a young prodigy this time around. He already saw Cedric's performance, despite lacking his sight, and he was truly impressive. Though at the same time, he's also completely aware of just how much Cedric held back in the test.

"...if only he's completely loyal to the Sword Path, I would've taken him as my Legacy Disciple. After all, you won't find someone with such talent and diligence nowadays."

"Sadly, it's not meant to be."

"Still, I guess it wouldn't be so bad to be a Mentor of a Young Sage."

"Yup, that doesn't sound bad at all..." Uruk chuckled before taking a sip of his tea.