The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 52: Swordsmanship Skill Rank Up

[Swordsmanship {G->F}]

[Swordsmanship {F}]

[Skill Description: Increases accuracy and critical hit chance when attacking with a sword. (NEW) Additionally, grants a minor boost to attack speed during sustained sword combos.]

Oh? Neraxis raised his brow in surprise.

The skill received a minor buff—nothing too major, but something that could definitely turn the tide of battle.

Sadly, that and his main skill were the only ones that could rank up since they were considered a bit more special than others.

A weapon skill, in this case, Swordsmanship, had that exact same property, meaning he could raise it as high as possible, perhaps even to SSS rank.

However, he quickly chuckled at that thought. That’s less likely than me surviving until I get my revenge.

Putting that grudge aside for now, he looked at the dazed Kael.

It still seemed like he was conscious, but due to the recoil from Neraxis’s attack, he was practically knocked out.

But just as Neraxis kicked once more, his leg was suddenly grabbed.

Before he could even react, he was swung into the same virtual tree Kael had hit.

The pain he was expecting to feel, however, was not there—the tree felt like some kind of pillow instead.

Neraxis turned his gaze back down to where Kael was before saying, "Would you mind letting me go now?"

However, Kael merely tightened his grip. "Hmm? Should I?"

This guy... Neraxis heaved a deep sigh. Evangeline... become more blunt, please.

[With pleasure.]

As soon as her words resounded, Neraxis twisted his heel and swung the sword directly at Kael’s upper body, boosting the swing with the Simple Horizontal Slash skill.

But just as it was about to make contact, the tattoos on Kael’s body lit up, and Neraxis found himself being sent to the side.

Just as he turned around and was about to shoot Kael an angry glare, Neraxis noticed that he had seemingly vanished.

There was an extremely small particle of wind on his right that he just barely managed to catch; therefore, he quickly ducked.

As he did, a pair of broken gauntlets passed by where he had just stood, Kael’s emotionless face appearing in view.

Now he’s going serious? After I’ve exhausted all my skills? Neraxis inwardly sighed, preparing to give up.

Before he could do so, however, Kael brought his gauntlets down, and Neraxis managed to block them with his sword.

The block was not perfect, as he could feel the bones in his right hand crack.

[Seems like he is trying to win this time,] Evangeline pointed out.

Yeah, I can tell. he replied, groaning as he blocked another attack.

Even while his Decaying debuff was active and at max stacks, it did not do much to slow Kael down.

But soon, Neraxis found a small opening. Taking that chance to back away, even if just for a moment, he saw Kael dashing toward him. Before Kael could get too close, Neraxis used Sword Dash, closing that distance instead.

With the added time-wasting he had done, he used Simple Horizontal Slash as well.

Since the proximity was too close, Kael was unable to fully react in time; therefore, the sword connected flat with his ribs, and a loud shatter resounded.

Kael was pushed back this time, his expression pale, but he still hadn’t given up. By simply activating his tattoos, his injuries began healing.

That did not mean it came at no cost, as the tattoos were beginning to dim—until finally, they became completely invisible.

This guy is a beast, Neraxis thought as a shiver went down his spine. Any ordinary student Kael’s age would have long been killed, yet here he was, tanking all of his strongest attacks.

Even so, it was beginning to look like he was reaching his wits’ end; therefore, Neraxis would finish it.

After all, what better time to test out his improved swordsmanship skill than now?

Taking a deep breath, he decided to make the first move, slowly walking over to the injured Kael.

His sword was held in a way that, with a single swing, he would be able to cleave anyone’s head off.

In this case, it would be enough to knock Kael out—or so he hoped.

Neraxis moved into Kael’s range and swung sideways. However, just before the sword was about to connect, he halted and tilted his head.

"What are you doing?"

Yet his words were met with no answer as Kael merely stared at him.

Upon taking a closer look, Neraxis could see that Kael’s eyes were unfocused.

Soon, he completely toppled over and fell to the side, what was left of his gauntlets crumbling on impact.

Neraxis heaved a relieved breath before sitting down himself.

It was an exhausting fight—one that was dangerous, where he could have sustained serious injuries at any moment, and at the same time, greatly beneficial.

He was able to find out which skills would work against those stronger than him, and in this case, he would likely hold Cosmic Cascade as a trump card.

A strong skill, no doubt, but for some reason, not extremely difficult to disperse—likely due to the note at the very start, which stated that its effects were greatly reduced.

Alas, there was no time to wallow. An S-rank skill was an S-rank skill for a reason, and he could make use of its passive effect once he began feeling mana.

At his current pace, that would be very soon. After all, his Mana Capacity was nearly at E-. That was when he would finally be able to feel it—and even harness it.

But just as his thoughts were starting to wander and his fatigue began setting in, the virtual landscape that had been created soon returned to the normal training room.

To his shock, a pair of footsteps resounded—ones that carried a certain weight to them he couldn’t explain.

Soon, they arrived right behind him, and when Neraxis turned to see who it was, he was met with Magnus’s blank, expressionless face.

However, instead of a scolding, he received a small applause.

"That was an excellent spar," Magnus exclaimed, awe seemingly present in his rather contrary face.

So he watched the whole thing...? Is that what he was aiming for by leaving early? Neraxis began pondering.

Magnus was a calculative person and likely expected both Kael and Neraxis to succeed in their potion-making easily, thus being let out early.

[Well, seems like you were read like a book, huh?] Evangeline’s chuckling resounded, which he decided to simply ignore.

However, as he was expecting more praise, Magnus spoke in a stern voice. "While it was excellent in most regards, swordsmanship definitely wasn’t one of them."

Just as Neraxis was about to respond, Magnus interjected with a question.

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"You have the swordsmanship skill, right? What rank is it?"

Puzzled, Neraxis quickly responded, "F...?"

Magnus nodded before clearing his throat and declaring, "Great. Not exactly great that it’s so low, but that means there is room for improvement. Therefore, I want you to reach E rank by the time you set out for the first floor of Dreamspire."

"Instructor... That is in two months, isn’t it? How am I meant to rank it up so fast?" Neraxis questioned his unreasonable demands.

He was merely met with a shrug as Magnus turned around and began heading toward the exit.

But just before he left, he left behind a few words:

"You can figure it out. Also, fix yourselves up before my lecture, I will be announcing the results of the Goblin Rift."