Chapter 44

  After finishing, Drakkel walked to an empty spot of the cave and resumed his cultivation. He closed his eyes and continued to unblock the pathway of his sword energy.

  Before he knew it, night turned to morning and birds began to chirp outside.

  With the sun’s rays, he felt the return of his sword energy which flowed strongly within his body, unsuppressed by anything else.

  Feeling it, his desire to cultivate grew. But he knew he had more important things to deal with. He got up to check on Rillian Adore again.

  Rillian Adore was sweating and wore a pained expression.

  Drakkel frowned.

  His fever had gone down a bit, but his forehead was still warm. Drakkel realized he needed to do something about the pain. The herbs weren't enough.

  Then he remembered something. He pulled out his Senior Brother’s bag of herbs and hidden within was a very small bag which held a Jade pain pill. The pill was called such due to its incredible healing properties.

  His Senior Brother could likely only afford one due to it being even more expensive than the rejuvenating pill. Because of this he was surprised that he received any at all.

  He tried to feed it to Rillian Adore, but Rillian Adore kept his mouth closed, moving it around so Drakkel couldn't get it in.

  “No.. mother…” He said. “I don't want…”

  Rillian Adore's words concerned Drakkel, but they were the last thing he could think about. He had to get him to eat the medicine first.

  Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. His senior brother had taught him a trick to get a person to eat medicine if they were resisting. He said he used it to get him to eat medicine when he was very sick in bed and couldn't eat on his own at a younger age.

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  He flipped Rillian Adore's body back so he was laying in his arms. Then he apologized before using one hand to keep his head still. He subsequently jammed the pill in his own mouth, then collided it with Rillian Adore's.

  The motion already seemed to calm Rillian Adore down.

  He used his tongue to shove the pill near Rillian Adore's throat, then immediately pulled away. With his mouth still open, Drakkel then had him drink from the water flask.

  He tilted Rillian Adore's body up a bit to make it easier for him to swallow, then let out a long sigh when he heard him gulp the pill down.

  Drakkel set Rillian Adore's body back up against the wall and went back to his cultivation spot.

  He told himself it was fine. He had to get Rillian Adore to eat the medicine after all. But his cheeks had grown hot and his heart was racing.

  He looked for his bag and took out some small pieces of crispy bread and dried meat. After placing the food in his mouth and allowing their flavors to meld together, he felt better.

  Afterwards, he began to cultivate yet again, closing his eyes and slowing his breath. He surged up his sword energy and rotated it around his body.

  Before him appeared an enormous forest. He stood up on a tree gazing over a large area.

  He unsheathed his sword and the trees around him rustled.

  A gentle quiet and sense of calmness pervaded the air, and a cold wind surrounded his figure. After feeling it, and allowing it to rotate around his body, he took a deep breath- then, he jumped.

  Light as a feather, his body moved. From branch to branch he practiced his sword skills: Glistening waves, Gusting winds, Fierce Tiger, Divine Moon, Eternal Torrent, Illustrious Sun, Blazing Moon, Immortal Ring, Jade Dragon, Soaring Phoenix, Sword heart, Sword Soul.

  Drakkel practiced the twelve moves of his clan repeatedly, allowing his sword energy to flow freely. It swirled around him before moving on. Expanding into the trees he stepped on, the grass below, and even the soil beneath.

  A smile spread on Drakkel's face as his body weightlessly flew around. He hadn't felt so good in a long time. He glided to the ground and ran through the bushes and trees, flowers blooming wherever he stepped. It was as if he was overflowing with life.

  His sword felt like it was a part of him. With his sword energy completely encompassing the area, he sensed himself ascend to another level.

  The amount of sword energy circulating within his body increased exponentially. It was like it was about to burst at the seams.

  Then he opened his eyes.

  When he did, he felt his energy flow anew. He had ascended to Sword Sworn.