Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

If it was a real fight between them where their abilities weren't restricted. Caleb felt that he would be able to last against the old man for at least ten minutes. However, defeating him was another concept for now. Now, he can be sure that the old man is far stronger than David!

The old man stepped closer, casually patting Caleb's forehead. "It's all about feeling the flow. Close your eyes, focus on the sword, and let it awaken naturally."

Caleb closed his eyes, wondering if this was some weird dream. The old man muttered, "One push, that's all you need." With a gentle touch, Caleb felt a surge of energy, a connection to the sword that he hadn't sensed before.

Opening his eyes, he grinned, feeling the connection. "Whoa, that's something!"

The old man nodded, satisfaction in his tone. "You had it in you. Sometimes, all you need is that last push."

Rozho, still buzzing with excitement, asked, "How does it feel, Caleb?"

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Caleb smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Feels like I could take on a whole army. Let me try something."

Closing his eyes, Caleb focused on the sword aura coursing through him. The air crackled with anticipation as a white glow enveloped him. Rozho and the old man exchanged glances, sensing the surge of energy.

Caleb's voice, laced with excitement, broke through the moment. "Watch this."

He swung his sword in a wide arc, and a shockwave of white energy rippled through the air. The trio shielded their eyes as the glow intensified. The unsuspecting tree at the edge of the courtyard felt the force of Caleb's experiment.

The impact was like thunder, a deafening roar that echoed through the courtyard. As the light subsided, the trio stared in awe at the scene. The once towering tree now lay split in two, a clean cut down the middle.

Rozho's smiled happily. "You've finally done it. Isn't my master awesome?"

Caleb grinned. He finally improves his swordsmanship to another level. "Looks like it. This sword aura thing is no joke."

The old man, his fox mask hiding any visible expression, nodded in approval. "Impressive. It seems you've connected well with your sword aura, my friend."

Caleb couldn't help but feel a shiver down his spine. The courtyard, once filled with the casual vibe of conversation, now crackled with an electrifying energy. He lifted his sword, the blade humming with a powerful white aura.

The old man, a hint of pride in his voice, spoke. "The sword is an extension of oneself. With the right connection, you can cut through more than just trees."

Caleb, still feeling the adrenaline from awakening his sword aura, couldn't help but let curiosity get the better of him. He turned to the old man, a grin on his face, and asked, "Hey, old man, that move you pulled on me earlier... care to share the secret?"

The old man, leaning on his wooden cane, chuckled. "Ah, you mean the 'One with the Sword' state."

Caleb's eyes lit up. "Yeah, that one! What's the deal with it?"

The old man, with a twinkle in his eye, began to explain, "One with the Sword is more than just a move. It's a state of being. When you've mastered it, you're not just wielding a sword; you are the sword."

Caleb scratched his head, a puzzled expression on his face. "So, like, I become a living, breathing sword?"

The old man nodded. "Exactly. Your entire being becomes the weapon. You don't need a physical sword; your body is the sword. Every movement, every thought, becomes a strike. It's about achieving a harmonious state where you and the sword are one entity."

Rozho, who had been quietly listening, chimed in, "Sounds like some next-level stuff, right?" Rozho chuckled at Johan, then turned again at his master. "But how do you get to that point, master? That's the only concept that I need to advance to the next realm, but I'm still far from it."

The old man's eyes gleamed with wisdom. "It's a journey of understanding and connection. You must understand the essence of the sword, not just as a tool, but as an extension of yourself. When you reach that level of connection, you'll feel the shift. It's like the sword becomes an innate part of you."

Caleb, absorbing the information, mused, "So, no need for an actual sword. My body becomes the weapon. That's wild..."

The old man nodded. "Indeed, it is. But reaching that state requires discipline, focus, and a deep understanding of the sword's nature. It's not just about physical skill; it's about the spiritual connection between you and the weapon. Not only that, you need to understand the sword's intent first... One with the Sword is inseparable to sword intent."

Caleb nodded with understanding. "Have you achieved that state, old man? So that's the move you used previously to defeat me?"

A wistful smile played on the old man's lips. "Long ago. Ascending from Sword Master to Sword King requires One with the Sword. It's a journey every true swordsman should undertake."

Caleb, feeling a little complicated, sighed for a moment. "Guess I'm too far from that. First, it seems I need to comprehend Sword Intent."

A gleam of light appeared in the old man's eyes and he simply nodded. "You've got the potential..."

Yes, at the start. He didn't have much expectations of whoever his disciple would introduce to him. However, the kid's talent was actually not far away from Rozho's talent! He feels that it's not really a talent for the sword. It was a strong spirit that gave him a strong comprehension of things!

'A talent in spirit. Interesting...' The old man caressed his chin.

Suddenly, the casual atmosphere shifted. The old man's gaze turned serious, and he motioned for Caleb and Rozho to gather closer. Rozho, curious but respectful, leaned in, ready to absorb whatever it was the old man was about to say.

The old man's tone became grave. "Boys, there's something more pressing we need to discuss. The second wall and first wall's defenses, the sword formations that have protected us for years, are running out of energy. They won't last more than fifteen years."

Caleb and Rozho exchanged glances. Caleb furrowed his brows as he didn't know what the fuck are they were talking about. "What do you mean? What happens when they run out?"

The old man sighed, a heavy burden evident in his eyes. "When the formations lose their energy source, they will lose their power. Tier 4 and 5 Apokalips will break through, and without the protective barrier, the entire city will fall. We're on borrowed time."

Rozho, gripping the hilt of his sword, asked, "Can't we do something about it? Fifteen years seems like a decent amount of time to figure something out."

The old man nodded, acknowledging this disciple's suggestion. "That's where you two come in. We need to find a solution, find an alternative energy source. The fate of the city depends if we will be able to acquire the energy sources."

'Should I really help? But I don't have that much attachment to this city.'

Caleb mused for a moment.