Reborn with the SSS-Rank Creator System-Chapter 12 - 6 Months

The morning rays stretched over Elmsworth, bathing the fields in soft gold. Inside the modest cottage, Theos and Xiphos finished breakfast in relative silence, each lost in his own thoughts. Though their first evening under one roof had been tense, an unspoken understanding now settled between them. They had a common path, if not yet a shared purpose.

Xiphos, still wearing his blindfold, rose first. His every move exuded a quiet discipline. He inclined his head politely to Elena, who was busy clearing away the dishes. Meanwhile, Samuel looked on with guarded curiosity. The boy might have been a stranger thrust into Theos' life, but he had shown no ill intent so far.

"Theos," Xiphos said quietly, turning toward him. "I always train in the morning. Do you want to train together, or should I train alone?"

Theos pushed his empty bowl aside, stood up, and nodded. " Let's go. We will train together. I also wanted to talk to you"

They walked outside together, leaving Elena and Samuel behind to exchange uncertain yet hopeful glances. This would be the first day of many that Theos and Xiphos would spend honing their skills side by side.

When they reached an open patch of land not too far from the village, Theos stopped and turned to face Xiphos. The soft morning light revealed the faint scars and callouses on Theos' arms—a testament to the countless hours of grueling training. In contrast, Xiphos seemed eerily calm, his blindfold hiding any hint of emotion.

"I want to see how you fight without sight," Theos said, folding his arms.

Xiphos gave a small shrug. "I can still sense everything I need."

That answer only deepened Theos' curiosity. Without another word, he reached for a wooden practice dagger strapped to his waist. He tossed a wooden sword toward Xiphos, who caught it effortlessly, his body never once faltering despite the lack of visual cues.

"Let's begin." Theos crouched low, muscles coiling in readiness.

Xiphos mirrored the stance, the tip of his wooden blade hovering in the air.

Theos lunged, aiming a quick stab at Xiphos' side. To his surprise, Xiphos shifted at the perfect moment, narrowly evading the blow. Theos tried another strike, feinting low then slashing upward. Again, Xiphos countered with precise timing, deflecting Theos' attack. It was as though he could read the ebb and flow of Theos' energy without relying on sight at all.

What is this ability...? Theos wondered, switching to a flurry of rapid dagger strikes that tested every angle he could muster.

Despite Theos' Bone Forging strength, Xiphos parried each attack calmly. The difference in their fighting styles was stark—Theos' strikes were heavy, brimming with raw power, forcing Xiphos to constantly adjust his footing. Xiphos, on the other hand, moved like flowing water, his precise swordsmanship allowing him to deflect each attack with minimal movement. Theos relied on instinct and overwhelming force, while Xiphos dissected every move with calculated precision, turning even a small motion into a deadly counter. The wooden weapons clacked against each other with increasing speed, until finally, Theos managed to slip past Xiphos' defense, tapping the blindfolded boy's arm.

"Point," Theos muttered, stepping back and catching his breath.

Xiphos merely nodded, acknowledging the hit. "You're fast," he observed quietly, "but you rely on direct force a bit too often."

The comment lit a competitive spark in Theos' chest. "Well, you're too cautious. That won't work if you're outnumbered."

Xiphos raised a brow behind the blindfold—Theos couldn't see it, but he sensed the subtle shift in Xiphos' stance. "Then I'll adapt."

They resumed, trading blows over and over, each learning something about the other's style. Where Theos was aggressive and direct, Xiphos was measured and fluid. When Theos feinted, Xiphos read his energy changes. When Xiphos defended too passively, Theos pushed the tempo, using sudden bursts of power to break his guard.

By the time they called it quits, both boys were drenched in sweat, their breathing labored but their spirits oddly uplifted.

"That was... enlightening," Xiphos remarked, leaning against a nearby tree.

Theos nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Same. I've never sparred with someone who can fight this well."

Their gazes met, and an unspoken agreement passed between them—a seed of respect planted amid the rivalry.

Theos and Xiphos sat beneath the open sky, catching their breath. The stars above shimmered, a quiet reminder of how vast the world truly was.

"I think we should train for six months and then leave for the sect. What do you think? I feel like training together benefits us both, and we can push each other further."

Xiphos nodded, his expression unreadable behind the blindfold. "That makes sense. I think I know why master partnered me with you. I never fought like that with anyone. They all were weak".

Theos looked at Xiphos, realizing that he felt the same way. In the village, no one had ever come close to matching him in battle—his strength and speed had always set him apart, leaving him without a true sparring partner. He had spent years honing his skills against people who could never push him to his limits. Now, for the first time, he had found someone who could stand against him blow for blow. The constant ties in their matches frustrated and excited him in equal measure, making him eager to push his abilities even further.

Theos exhaled, stretching out his tired limbs. "I'll push my Cultivation further. I won't be outdone by you."

Xiphos turned his head slightly in Theos' direction. "Good. Because I'll be doing the same. The sword isn't just my weapon—it's my path. By the time we leave, I intend to be far sharper than I am now."

Theos smirked. "Then I guess we'll see who improves more."

Xiphos let out a quiet chuckle, rare but genuine. "We will."

One month has passed since Theos and Xiphos started training. The days fell into a steady rhythm. At dawn, Theos and Xiphos met at the edge of the forest, alternating between weapons training and unarmed combat. Their sparring sessions were grueling, testing both their reflexes and endurance. Each clash of dagger against sword or fists against forearms carried the weight of their determination, neither willing to admit defeat.

Afterward, they moved on to physical conditioning. Theos introduced Xiphos to weighted pushups and long endurance runs, while Xiphos demonstrated intricate footwork patterns that allowed him to compensate for his lack of sight. They pushed each other relentlessly, their bodies growing stronger with each passing day.

As they sat catching their breath after another exhausting training session, Xiphos turned to Theos. "You're doing Bone Forging multiple times, Right? How many cycles have you completed?"

Theos wiped the sweat from his brow. "This is my third time."

Xiphos let out a short chuckle. "No wonder you're so strong. I'm only doing it twice."

Theos glanced at him, intrigued. "You're only tempering your bones twice? I thought you'd go further."

Xiphos shook his head slightly. "I don't need to. My goal isn't raw physical strength—it's my sword. Refining my body is secondary to refining my technique. Every movement, every strike must be precise. I'm not just wielding a sword; I'm becoming one."

Theos exhaled, flexing his fingers around his dagger. "I see. You're pushing your swordsmanship beyond limits, cultivating you sword while I'm mainly cultivating myself"

Xiphos nodded. "You're strong, Theos, but strength alone won't be enough in the future. When we leave, you'll see what I mean. This world is vast, and my master always said that it is filled with geniuses who are just as strong, if not stronger than us. You can't rely on just your physical strength forever. You need to refine everything—your instincts, your technique, and especially your dagger skills. You have a strong foundation, but it's not enough. You need to sharpen it, just like I sharpen my swordsmanship."

Theos took a deep breath, gripping his dagger. "I get what you're saying. I've been focusing so much on my physical strength that I haven't put as much effort into refining my technique. I can fight well, but against someone truly skilled, I'd struggle."

Xiphos smirked. "Exactly. Your instincts are strong, but instinct alone won't take you to the top. You need to forge your dagger skills as deliberately as I forge my swordsmanship."

Theos nodded slowly, determination flashing in his eyes. "Then I'll do it. I'll refine my technique and make sure my dagger can match even the sharpest sword. I won't let anyone outpace me."

Once exhaustion forced them to pause, they shifted into meditation and cultivation. Theos followed the Origin Chaos Cultivation Technique, focusing on strengthening his foundation through precise energy control. Though Xiphos rarely spoke of his own cultivation method, Theos could sense that his training was equally demanding. Xiphos' body pulsed with a different kind of energy, something that seemed to be growing sharper and more refined each day.

In the evenings, they ventured into the forest for practical combat experience. Hunting became an extension of their training—tracking, ambushing, and fighting beasts of increasing difficulty. Theos tested the limits of his Supreme Eyes, honing his instincts beyond what his vision could perceive, while Xiphos demonstrated an uncanny ability to predict movement based solely on presence and intent.

Their days always ended in the warmth of Samuel and Elena's home, where a hot meal awaited them. At first, Xiphos remained distant, eating in silence and excusing himself quickly after. But over time, something shifted.

"Xiphos, have some more," Elena said one evening, offering him another portion of stew.

Xiphos hesitated for a moment before accepting with a small nod. "Thank you."

Samuel chuckled, leaning back. "You know, when I was younger, I met a swordsman who barely spoke a word, just like you. Traveled through our village once—moved like a shadow, but you could tell he carried a thousand stories."

Xiphos, normally indifferent to idle conversation, found himself listening more closely. "And?"

"And," Samuel continued, smirking, "he left just as mysteriously as he came. But I always wondered—was he always like that, or did he forget how to be part of something bigger?"

Xiphos remained silent, but the question lingered in his mind. Was he always like this, or had he simply forgotten what it meant to belong?

Theos watched as his posture softened slightly. He no longer ate quickly just to leave. He listened, he nodded, and sometimes, even if rarely, he spoke. To Theos, it was clear—Xiphos was no longer just passing through. He was beginning to belong.

As the weeks turned into months, their rivalry deepened into something more—a shared respect, a friendship, an acknowledgment of one another's strengths and weaknesses. Every flaw Theos exposed in Xiphos' style was corrected, every opening Xiphos found in Theos' defense was patched. They grew stronger, not just as individuals, but as warriors walking the same path.

By the end of the six months, Theos felt the stirrings of another breakthrough, his body honed to an even finer edge. Xiphos, though silent about his progress, radiated a quiet confidence that hadn't been there before. He had sharpened his swordsmanship to a terrifying degree, making up for the gap in raw strength between him and Theos.

Their time in the village was nearing its end, and with each passing day, their departure loomed ever closer, no longer a distant idea, but an inevitable reality.

One morning, as the first rays of sunlight stretched over the treetops, a sudden surge of power erupted from Theos' body. A deep pulse rippled through his bones, like his entire body was expanding from within. His vision sharpened as if the world itself had become clearer. The ground beneath him trembled slightly, dust swirling around his feet. A dense wave of energy pulsed outward, rustling the nearby trees. He exhaled sharply, his body feeling stronger than ever before.

Xiphos, who had been cultivating a short distance away, slowly opened his eyes. He turned his head toward Theos, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "So, you have done it?"

Theos stretched his arms, feeling the raw strength coursing through his limbs. A wide grin spread across his face. "Yes, hehehe." He cracked his knuckles confidently. "Next time, it won't be a tie between us. I will win."

Xiphos chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah, we will see. It's always been a tie until now. But I must say... I never thought your dagger skills would improve this fast."

Theos laughed. "Hehehe."

Still brimming with energy, he took a deep breath and turned his gaze inward. "Let me check my status, then we'll leave for home." He called for his status screen, ready to see just how much he had grown.

 ___________________________________________

| [ STATUS SCREEN ] |

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 Name: Theos Redheart 

 Species: Human (Superior) 

 Age: 10 years 

 Title: ???? (Locked), Reincarnator Cultivation Technique: Origin Chaos (????) 

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 Cultivation Stage: Bone Forging (9th Stage) ??? 

 Strength: Muscle Forging (9th Stage) 

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 Spirit Root: Primordial Grade 

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 Talents: 

 • Supreme Eyes (SSS) – Upgradable 

 • Master of Every Art (SSS) – Upgradable 

 • Energy Manipulation (SSS) – Upgradable

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 Skills: 

 • Medium Dagger Mastery (Stage 5)

• Killing Intent (SSS)

New novel chapters are published on freewёbn૦νeɭ.com.

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 Unique Skills: 

 • ????? (Locked) 

|____________________________________________|

-------A/N--------

This end the journey in theos' village.

The first volume aim is to showcase his growth and his acceptance into a sect.

so half of the first volume is done.

after the first volume will come bigger,serious and better arcs.