Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Swordsmanship Sparring

It was still the early morning, but when Jon followed the signs to the training grounds, he found someone was already there.

It was Evans Dean.

He was gripping his broadsword, adorned with a Yellow Gemstone, and meticulously practicing the most fundamental Swordsmanship moves—cleaves, thrusts, taps, and rising cuts. Sweat had soaked through his dark training uniform.

Seeing Jon approach, he showed no intention of stopping, looking every bit the part of a sword fanatic.

’As expected of the future top enforcer for the Harvia Royal Chamber of Commerce. With that kind of dedication, it’d be strange if he *wasn’t* incredible.’

Jon didn’t disturb him. He hugged his ”iron arm” and watched for a few moments, then went to a nearby weapon rack to pick out a practice Blunt Sword. He touched [Dragonman Swordsmanship - Revised] with his consciousness and surrendered his body to the system’s guidance.

Unlike traditional Human Race Swordsmanship, [Dragonman Swordsmanship - Revised] was a Sword Skill adapted from Dragon-man Martial Skill.

And the core philosophy of the martial arts used by those Dragon-men—with horns on their heads and tails behind them—was also very simple: to replicate the fighting style of their bloodline’s source, the [Giant Dragon].

Therefore, the opening stance of this ”Swordsmanship” naturally looked a bit bizarre.

Jon followed the Skill’s guidance and adjusted his posture. His back was slightly hunched, his legs slightly bent, and his sword hand was held to the side with the blade pointing diagonally forward. His entire figure looked like a Dragon-man with a stooped back, ready to pounce!

Such a peculiar stance naturally drew Evans’s attention. Although the movements of his hands didn’t stop, his focus was inevitably diverted.

’What kind of stance is that? Why is it so strange...’

The next moment, Jon moved.

His seemingly relaxed legs and back exploded with force in an instant. He shot forward abruptly, simultaneously raising his arm and swinging it like a Giant Dragon swiping its claw, bringing the Blunt Sword around in a fierce slash!

[Dragon Claw Swing]!

A simple horizontal swing, yet it seemed to kick up a gale within the training grounds!

But Jon didn’t stop there.

He hadn’t used the supportive arm armor for that last move, so he wasn’t going all out yet. The next move was the true test of his strongest burst of power!

He maintained his forward momentum, his eyes locking onto a sword-testing stone to his right. With a shift of his feet, he adjusted his trajectory and let his sword hand hang casually at his side!

[Magic Mastery]!

[Dragon Force Burst]!

Supportive arm armor, activate maximum output!

With an 18-point Power boost, [Dragon Claw Swing]!

As the young Warrior unleashed his full strength, a brutal and savage aura instantly swept across the entire training ground. Even Evans, standing to the side, couldn’t help but stop swinging his sword!

He stared intently at Jon, watching as his sword hand, hanging at his side, suddenly jerked up. With a form that was anything but orthodox yet filled with explosive power, he swung the sword diagonally upward, and then—

KRA—CK!

Following a grating crack, the sword-testing stone—which stood as tall as a man and had endured countless attacks without falling—was actually split diagonally in two by Jon!

Its upper half collapsed with a great crash, sending dust flying as it hit the ground!

Jon had naturally anticipated this. After delivering the strike, he backed away a few steps to avoid getting his clothes dirty from the dust.

He rolled his arm, feeling the burst of power just provided by the supportive arm armor, and let out a satisfied breath.

’Hahh... It takes someone with a high Constitution like me to handle this kind of Power.’

’If some weakling tried this, their arm would probably snap right off.’

’Also, that feeling when Magic Mastery and Dragon Force Burst combined... that was interesting...’

At the same time, the sound of chaotic footsteps came from nearby—it was the guards from the chamber building who had heard the commotion and were coming to check on the situation.

”Lord Dean! What happened here—!”

”It’s nothing. Mr. Jon is just testing his sword.”

Evans Dean calmed his subordinates with that one simple sentence, making them halt outside the training grounds and cast reverent gazes into the field.

He himself turned to look at Jon, a flash of fanaticism in his iron-gray eyes.

”That’s some impressive Swordsmanship. Care for a spar?”

One would think that someone with a personality like ”Stone Sword Evans,” so obsessed with Swordsmanship, wouldn’t even ask. He’d just draw his sword upon meeting a worthy opponent. But the person before him was, after all, a benefactor of the United Commerce Association, so he suppressed the restlessness in his heart and asked politely.

Of course, if Jon were to refuse, it wouldn’t be so easy for him to leave.

As for whether to accept?

Was there even a need to ask?

Jon turned around and looked at the mission information that popped up before him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

---

[Swordsmanship Spar (Excellent · Daily Mission)]

[A swordsman has challenged you to a spar. What will you do?]

[Mission Objective: Complete the Swordsmanship spar with Evans Dean (0/1)]

[Basic Reward: 800 Combat Experience, 50 Heta County Noble Union Chamber of Commerce Reputation]

[Additional Reward: Bonus experience and a reputation reward multiplier will be granted based on mission completion rating.]

”Note: The Basic Reward will be granted regardless of victory or defeat.”

---

This was the kind of mission players loved most—fight a battle, get a reward. Simple and direct.

So, Jon accepted without hesitation the moment the mission prompt appeared.

He gave the Blunt Sword in his hand a flourish, settled into a relaxed stance with the sword tip pointing down, and then raised an eyebrow at Evans.

”Let’s do it, then. I’d also like to test the Swordsmanship of the ’Stone Sword’.”

”Alright.”

The man, as cold and hard as stone, gave a crisp reply.

He unfastened the sword at his waist and also took a Blunt Sword from the weapon rack.

It was clearly the exact same type of training equipment as the one in Jon’s hand, but when held by Evans, it seemed to carry an immense weight!

Evans stood about three meters away from Jon and assumed a stance, holding the sword with both hands near his waist, its tip pointing diagonally upward.

As the two stood facing each other, an opposition of auras naturally emerged between them, making the hearts of the onlookers clench.

On one side was ”Stone Sword,” long famous in Heta County, a magnificent Knight-Level expert!

On the other side was a man whose name was not well-known, but his calm and composed demeanor while facing the edge of ”Stone Sword” was equally captivating!

The spectating guards didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly, only marveling silently in their hearts!

’The auras of these two masters are so sharp!’

But the clash of their auras didn’t last long. It was just a spar; there was no need for endless probing.

As the weaker party, Jon struck first!

[Agile Stance]!

[Fierce Strike]!

When a stance that increases Attack Speed is combined with a fast-striking move, the only result is even greater speed!

The moment the motion of him raising his sword registered in the onlookers’ eyes, an incomparably swift thrust was already before Evans’s face!

The three-meter distance was crossed in an instant!

’What fine Swordsmanship!’

A light flashed in Evans’s iron-gray eyes as he marveled inwardly.

This opening move alone was enough to show how solid Mr. Jon’s foundation in Swordsmanship was.

To draw one’s sword like a thunderclap—how many mediocre practitioners would never reach that level in their entire lives!

But clearly, this wasn’t the move he wanted to see.