Newbie Guardians

Chapter 15 Settling for Second Best

When Jin Jun saw Huang Xin's hope finally ignite only to be extinguished again, he couldn't help but recall his own childhood experiences.

At that time, he was seven years old and had no special talents. His younger cousins ​​had already shown their talents, fighting fiercely on the training field. He, on the other hand, didn't even have the right to enter the training field. He could only sneak out of bed late at night after his elders had gone to sleep, grab various weapons, and wildly brandish them. Although he didn't learn any skills, he persisted every night until his twelfth birthday.

That day, the family sent my father and three clansmen on a mission. On the way, they were ambushed. My father died in battle to cover the three clansmen. He only managed to salvage a blood-stained robe, which was then used to build a cenotaph.

From that day on, the clan chief made an exception and allowed him to train with his younger cousins. His instructor was one of the clansmen whom his father had saved, and he taught him meticulously. In order to keep up with his younger cousins, he would still secretly get up every night and go to the training ground to practice every move the instructor taught him. He persisted in this way for ten whole years before achieving his current level of success.

Now, he is a prodigy among his peers in the clan, and has finally been admitted to the Folklore Academy through a special admission process. How many people in this world know how much hard work this seemingly glamorous young master has put in behind the scenes?

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, he took out a pair of short swords and handed them to Huang Xin.

"Since archery skills are temporarily unavailable, let's learn assassin skills first! These short swords aren't particularly famous weapons, but they've been with me for ten years. Originally unremarkable, they've gradually acquired a rare passive attribute after long-term use—Swiftness. This attribute increases attack speed as the wielder's proficiency with the weapon improves. Now, you are their new master. Treat them well, like your own hands."

Huang Xin didn't react for a moment, blankly taking the short swords, one in each hand. He noticed the sword in his right hand was slightly heavier and asked curiously,

"Brother Jin, isn't your short sword heavier than others?"

"Brother, this is your short sword, starting now." Jin Jun first carefully corrected him before beginning his explanation.

"Everyone's hand strength is different. Some people are right-handed, so their right hand is stronger, and vice versa. Therefore, when famous blacksmiths forge a pair of weapons, they take into account the difference in strength between the user's left and right hands, deliberately making one of them slightly lighter. Only in this way can they be used with ease. Try it out first and see which hand is stronger!"

"I'm right-handed, so my right hand is stronger!" Huang Xin stammered, almost making Jin Jun laugh.

"Most people are right-handed, so people who are left-handed are generally called left-handed. Who would say they are right-handed? Okay, now let's learn the three most basic skills."

Jin Jun, as expected of the Jin family's genius, patiently and repeatedly explained the techniques in less than an hour, managing to teach Huang Xin, this clumsy and inexperienced novice. This was the most basic skill; he remembered practicing it himself as a child, taking only fifteen minutes, and his instructor had given him a severe scolding, saying his aptitude was too poor, that he was born with innate deficiencies, and that he had to practice diligently. Compared to Huang Xin, this blockhead, if he had been born into the Jin family, would probably have never had a chance at cultivation in his entire life.

Huang Xin kept Jin Jun's words in mind, constantly switching between holding the swords in a forward and reverse grip. The two short swords spun around in his hands, and every time he spun them, his heart pounded. If he didn't hold them properly, he would definitely get a big cut. These two short swords looked too sharp.

Then comes the exertion of force, not chopping, but cutting through. Simply put, no matter what is in front of you, the ultimate goal is to penetrate it, not just leave a wound on the surface.

Finally, there's the counter-attack after a block. No matter which direction the opponent attacks from, use the short sword as if you're instinctively blocking with your arm. Blocking isn't the goal; the counter-attack is. The instant you successfully block, you must anticipate a counter-attack, making different starting movements depending on the distance between you and your opponent. Keep your right hand in a blocking position while your left hand quickly switches grip to deliver a fatal blow.

"That's all for today. Cultivation requires perseverance, and it's best to avoid being impatient for quick results."

"Okay!" Huang Xin held the two short swords close to his forearms so they wouldn't be so conspicuous.

"Put it back in your inventory!" Jin Jun thought Huang Xin still wanted to practice.

"Inventory? What's that?"

"You don't have an inventory?" Jin Jun's eyes widened, somewhat incredulous.

"I don't know! What is the inventory? How do I open it?"

"This..." Jin Jun couldn't think of a way to explain it for a moment. Since he officially embarked on the path of cultivation, his inventory naturally appeared. There was no such thing as opening it. Simply put, it was like having a storage cabinet out of thin air next to him. Putting things in was as natural as putting them in a pocket, and taking them out was the same.

"Don't worry, it will appear naturally in time," Jin Jun sighed inwardly. This newly recognized underling was indeed a bit special.

The next morning, the instructor brought Huang Xin and two other students to Class 3, Grade 2. Amid applause, the three introduced themselves on the stage, then returned to their seats. The two prodigies quickly took two seats side-by-side, leaving Huang Xin to share a table with another girl. The girl was extremely beautiful, with fair skin and a curvaceous figure. If it weren't for her icy expression, she would have been a truly striking presence. No wonder the other two were fighting over seats; who wants to sit next to an ice sculpture?

Out of politeness, Huang Xin took the initiative to speak.

Hello! My name is...

"I don't want to know your name, please don't bother me," a clear and melodious female voice rang out, pleasant to hear, yet chillingly cold. Huang Xin had no choice but to obediently shut up.

"Instructor!" A familiar, calm, emotionless voice rang out.

"Jin Jun, what's wrong?"

"Let him sit next to me, I'll guide him!"

"Jin Jun, I think Xia Qiyue is more suitable to be your deskmate."

Huang Xin was secretly delighted, never expecting to be in the same class as Jin Jun. He nodded to Jin Jun without making a sound, indicating that it was okay and he could do it.

Jin Jun sighed softly and silently mourned for Huang Xin for three seconds.

"Mu Lingshan, a water-elemental genius and the most beautiful girl in the entire school, is arrogant and aloof, never giving anyone a kind look. My brother is really... incredibly unlucky!"

The morning class was a theory class. The teacher was a beautiful young woman in her thirties. She spoke very pleasantly and was very approachable, making people feel inexplicably warm towards her.

"We have a new classmate today. Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Murong Qi, and I specialize in the Wood element. If you have any questions about the Wood element in the future, feel free to contact me anytime."

"Wood element!" A deep sense of loss welled up in Huang Xin's heart. She had thought she would be a wood element person, but now it seemed that she was destined to be unrelated to the wood element.