Parallel Vol. 4 [LEGACY EDITION]

Chapter 98.2: Breakthrough

"...I passed?" Hektor gasped. The young man hesitated, staring at the Sword Spirit for a couple of seconds. When the Sword Spirit nodded, Hektor went ballistic. "Fuuuuck, YEAH!" The warrior shouted with joy! He punched the ground and then raised his hands to the sky. Pumping his fists in the air, he let out all sorts of expletives that would make a nun blush.

Hektor did not forget Rex amidst his jubilation. He grabbed the baby dragon off kissed his head multiple times. "Haha! It's all thanks to you! Wouldn't have done without you, partner!" Rex's little wings excitedly flapped, and he repeatedly licked Hektor's face. Currently, he was unable to use human speech, so he could only show his appreciation this way.

"That's a mighty dragon, not a common dog." The Sword Spirit scolded the excited brats. With his furrowed brows and crossed arms, he resembled a disapproving grandpa. "The kid's still too young to know any better. So, Hektor, you must teach Rex a dragon's pride."

Hektor's eyes went wide in disbelief. "You..."

"What?"

"You said my name." Hektor searched through his memories. He could not recall a single moment where the Sword Spirit called him by name. It was always, 'Hey,' 'You,' or 'Kid.'

"A warrior must show courtesy to another." The Sword Spirit even gaze stated like it was a matter of fact. "This is the basics of the basics."

"Warrior?" Hektor did not know whether to be offended or flattered. "I wasn't a warrior before?"

The Sword Spirit looked upon the young man with disdain. "Is any child that wave a stick around automatically a warrior?"

"Wow. So I was like a child?"

"Do not insult children. They, at the very least, are totally convicted to their roles." The Sword Spirit suddenly raised his head and looked past Hektor. It was unknown what he was looking at as he said, "The same cannot be said of every man who picks up a sword." The Sword Spirit then looked at Hektor. "You've barely crossed the threshold to be called a warrior. From here on out, you should devote yourself to the sword and battle." The Sword Spirit raised his finger and pointed at Hektor's chest. "But most importantly, never neglect your heart. Your heart. Your conviction. The reason you swing your sword. That resolve. The willingness to die for what you believe is what separates the warrior from the vagabond." The Sword Spirit's gaze turned grave as he finished, "The world may laugh at you, scorn you, praise you or even condemn you. Situations will arise where your conviction is called into question. At these times more than most, you must affirm your will. Strive until you reach a realm where man or god cannot shake your will. Then, and only then, would you have truly become a warrior."

Hektor's heart shook as he listened to the Sword Spirit. He suddenly felt a horrible sense of foreboding, like something terrible was about to happen. "Why're you sounding like you're gonna disappear?"

"Heh." The Sword Spirit chuckled as it lifted its buster sword. It balanced the sword on its shoulder and said, "What did you think was going to happen? You gain the weapon and the spirit? Your greed knows no bounds." The Sword Spirit tossed the sword. Shlick! The sword stabbed into the ground a few centimeters from Hektor's feet. "I will cease to exist the moment you take hold of that sword. If you are strong enough, one day, you will cultivate your weapon spirit."

Hektor frowned. He took a step back and shook his head. "No. I'm good. As you said, I already earned plenty from this trip. The dragoon technique and Rex are more than I could've asked for. And you trained me for so long. Even though I'm a blockhead, you took your time. What kind of scum would I be if I turned around and killed you for my greed?"

"Thanks, Hektor." To the young man's shock, the Sword Spirit broke out in a full grin. "I could not have asked for a better person to see me off."

"Wha—"