V2: Chapter 184: To Achieve Your Dreams, Become Strong!
Liang Di escorted Liang Lin to the backyard of the Magic Tower. Hilary stayed by Liang Lin's side, while Liang Di and Octaville had other matters to attend to.
The Magic Tower stood tall, an ancient castle sculpted by the ravages of time.
In the courtyard, the afternoon sun gently shone, draping this ancient land in a golden veil. In the center of the courtyard, Liang Lin was immersed in swordplay, her figure intertwined and overlapping with the Magic Tower.
Liang Lin's swordsmanship was exceptionally elegant.
She wore a streamlined, silver-white armor, intricately carved with vines and rose patterns, exuding both majesty and feminine grace. It was the armor Hilary had once worn, now appearing somewhat small on Liang Lin.
Hilary thought to herself that she should have Octaville make a new set for her sister, adding a few more magical enhancements.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the armor, illuminating Liang Lin's skin and highlighting her resolute yet gentle face. Her long black hair was tied back with an exquisite silver ribbon, swaying gently in the breeze.
Liang Lin held a slender longsword, its blade gleaming with a faint chill. Her movements were fluid and elegant; every swing, turn, and leap was like a dance, each movement precise and flawless, brimming with power and beauty.
With each dance, the sword tip drew graceful arcs in the air, sometimes as light as a swallow, sometimes as swift as a tiger, showcasing her superb swordsmanship and profound inner strength. Her eyes were focused and deep; the entire world seemed to converge on each strike.
At this moment, time seemed to stand still; all the noise and chaos were shut out, leaving only Liang Lin and her sword.
For Liang Lin, sword practice wasn't just about memorizing and preparing for battle; it was also an expression of emotion.
Through the sword, she expressed her pursuit and love of chivalry, her yearning for and adherence to freedom and justice. Every movement she made was filled with power and conviction.
A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of distant flowers and grasses, echoing the rhythm of the swordplay. The branches and leaves of the trees in the courtyard swayed softly, making a "clap-clap" sound.
When the last strike landed, Liang Lin sheathed her sword. She stood there, without a moment's hesitation, her face calm, her heart steady, utterly composed, yet her eyes shone with satisfaction and pride.
"Sister, you've improved again... no, I should say, you've been constantly improving in swordsmanship."
Hilary held out a cup of tea to Liang Lin. "Have a sip; you've been practicing for a long time."
"Glug~"
Liang Lin was indeed thirsty and took a large gulp of tea.
"Ha~"
Liang Lin casually wiped her mouth with her sleeve. Holding her longsword, she sat down on the steps, sitting there rather casually, not at all ladylike. Her eyes were somewhat vacant as she stared at a ginkgo tree in the courtyard, her lips moving as if she were muttering to herself.
"Sister."
"Hmm?"
"Before I knew about magicians and those monsters, I thought I would be the strongest in the Soteland Empire."
"Pfft~"
Hilary laughed, raising her hand to ruffle her sister's hair.
"What do you think now? You don't think you're the strongest in the entire empire anymore?"
Liang Lin lowered her head, looking somewhat dejected.
“I only know how to use a sword, but they know many other things. Like my sister-in-law, Octaville, she knows magic, which is much more useful than swordsmanship. Swordsmanship requires close combat, but magic can be controlled remotely, and it's much better than bows and arrows.”
“Then there’s Liang Di, she’s even more amazing. Not only does she know magic, but she also has monster blood flowing through her veins, giving her monster abilities. Those tentacles can regenerate, and ordinary swords can’t cut them; even if they are cut, they grow back quickly. She can also hypnotize; just looking into her eyes can put you into an illusion. That’s much more powerful than swordsmanship; it can control a person’s mind.”
Liang Lin became increasingly frustrated as she spoke, so she kicked at the small stones on the ground with her boots. The small stones rolled away with a “crunch.”
“Sigh~”
It seemed that Liang Lin could only be honest and straightforward, without being arrogant, when facing her sister, Hilary.
“Haha~ This isn’t like you at all,” Hilary teased.
She propped her head up with her hand, tilting it to look at her younger sister with her chubby cheeks.
Yes, Liang Lin's style had always been "I'm the strongest, the world's strongest," "You disagree? I'll punch you," "My manners are my fists," but now she was acting emo, sitting there with her head down, shaking her head like a lost dog.
"I've been feeling lost lately," Liang Lin sighed. "Even though I've found a new direction in life, I still feel lost because there are so many people in this world stronger than me. If I want to protect the people of the empire, I have to become even stronger. But I don't have the talent to be a magician."
Hilary looked at Liang Lin and thought she had become cute. She wasn't like before, that arrogant, impulsive brat anymore. Now, Liang Lin, swinging her legs and shaking her head, her long hair tied up and fluttering in the wind, with her handsome features, spoke those confused words like a child who couldn't find her way home.
Hilary leaned closer to Liang Lin, putting her arm around her shoulder and pulling her into her embrace.
"Silly girl."
"Instead of being so confused, think about the advantages of not having a magician's talent. Didn't you say it when you came? The royal family knows how to deal with magicians, but you're not a magician. As long as you're stronger than Doris, that's enough. That's enough to save your people from their suffering."
"I have that ambition, and I believe I will become strong, but..."
Liang Lin recalled the vortex in Doris's eyes, as if it wanted to suck her in.
"But, can the fragile, vulnerable human body really resist and kill monsters?"
"Sister, when did you become so insecure? Although I don't want you to take risks, I don't want to see you lack confidence, to be confused. I believe in you. In my heart, and in Liang Di's heart, you are the most powerful swordsman in the entire empire, no, it should be said, the entire continent."
Hilary pinched Liang Lin's cheek.
“Go and fulfill your dream, sister.”
“I know life is important, but if the dreams in our hearts remain unfulfilled, and we grow old with the passing of life, it is our spirits that will be constantly tormented.”
“Become stronger for the sake of your dream!”
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