The master of the sword

Liebu Mountain Academy was the biggest, most renowned place for those who wished to learn swordsmanship. There were seven reputable sword masters who taught those young talents in this place. From a young master to a beggar on the road, Liebu Mountain didn't look at their background, but at their aptitude and moral conscience.

In the middle of the large training grounds, many apprentices crowded the place. Some of them had obtained their spirit sword, while some younger ones still holding their training sword. All of them were equally amazed watching two of their masters sparring in the arena.

One of those two masters swung his sword down hard. He smirked when his opponent withstood the blow with her own sword. The impact was so strong that sparks flew from the collided metal.

"Come on, Lulu. Tired already?" he asked, teasing. Even when he himself was panting lightly.

The man was Rion Ren, one of the masters from Liebu Mountain. He was strong and his moves were fast and agile. Many people had tried to challenge him, but very few could match his power. And even fewer who were able to defeat him.

Rion Ren was a handsome man with a tall, muscled body and broad shoulders. His hair was shoulder-length, carelessly tied back into a short ponytail. He had lips that naturally curved a little upward, which made him have a friendly and approachable look. His skin was the color of honey, glistening with sweat. His dark eyes were bright with excitement.

"Don't call me that," 'Lulu' said, without slowing the tempo of her attack.

Rion somersaulted backward, narrowly avoiding a high kick. Then immediately stepped to the side when her sword almost stabbed him between the eyes. Her sword managed to cut the tip of his shot ponytail, though. So, she counted it as a win.

"Why? Lulu is a cute name," Rion said conversationally, as if they were sharing a pot of tea and not fiercely fighting. He ducked his head down when her sword swung, threatening to sever his neck. "Alright, alright. Master Ludriev, please go easy on this brother of yours!"

The woman, Ludriev, thinned her lips, and a displeased frown somewhat appeared between her pretty brows. She attacked even more forcefully than before and didn't give any chance to Rion to strike back.

"Mercy!" Rion shouted, even when his smile grew wider, clearly enjoying this fight.

"You are not my brother," Ludriev said, punctuating each word with the slash of her sword.

"I am not. But, I'm older and we've been learning and now teaching here for twenty years. So, of course, I'm more than a friend. I'm your brother, not related by blood, though. But still your older brother."

Rion knew riling up Ludriev like this would drive her even more aggressive, and that was exactly his aim. Ludriev was strong. She once fought a thousand rebels who attempted to sneak attack the kingdom and wiped them all in one night all by herself. The emperor was so pleased he asked her to be a general in the palace, but she refused. Therefore, people called her the Goddess of War from Liebu Mountain.

Ludriev was a tall woman (but still shorter than Rion, and often got teased with that). She loved fighting and would gladly fight anyone who dared to challenge her. Therefore, even if she looked lean, she had quite toned muscles beneath all those layers of clothes.

She rarely smile, but her facial feature was delicate and her almond-shaped eyes made her look soft. There was a beauty mark under her left eye. This made those people (mostly men) often underestimate her. Before she proceeded to beat their ass.

Ludriev spun on one heel and used the momentum to swing her sword down strongly. Rion raised his own sword to deflect her. He heard a low but crisp 'clink', and glanced a little at his sword. There was a small crack on the weapon.

He quickly took two steps backward, trying to get some distance from Ludriev.

"Wait, Lu, I think-"

But the War Goddess didn't even let him finish the sentence. She jumped nimbly like a frigging monkey, her sword slashed so fast it was barely visible.

Rion didn't have enough time to dodge. He hopelessly used his sword to meet hers. The poor sword broke completely. Its shards clinked pitifully to the floor. Ludriev's eyes widened in surprise. She tried to stop, but her momentum was too strong and everything happened too suddenly. Her sword grazed Rion's arm.

Blood immediately seeped through his cut sleeves. Ludriev flinched and staggered backward, looking at the wound wide-eyed, and then looked up to meet Rion's eyes.