Reborn as an Extra Chapter 530: A Meeting Arranged By Fate. Part-2.

Regarding the essence of 'Sword Intent,' Rio had never possessed a mentor to turn to for advice.

As a legendary skill, 'Sword Intent' was a rarity, standing on the same level as any other peak-tier ability.

Even the kingdom's most powerful warrior, Ashtel Rex, lacked a legendary skill, leaving Rio with no choice but to navigate the path of cultivation alone.

He was forced to decipher every mystery by himself, forging his own way forward through trial and error.

Ironically, he was usually the one providing instruction and helping others refine their own legendary skills.

Since Rio had awakened his legendary skill before any of his companions, he acted as the primary guide for Link and the others on this subject.

However, there was simply no one capable of offering Rio any legitimate direction.

Because of this lack of guidance, the progression of Rio’s 'Sword Intent' had slowed to a crawl during its advanced stages.

His 'Sword Intent' had undergone an evolution after he reached the rank of S-ranker, yet Rio remained dissatisfied with the results.

His intuition whispered that he was still several steps short of achieving the true 'quality' he desired.

A legendary skill is comprised of several 'aspects' that determine its ultimate devastation.

These include 'proficiency,' the status of the user, and most importantly, 'understanding.'

Rio's proficiency with 'Sword Intent' was already staggering; he had reached the 99 percent mark, meaning further practice in that area was redundant for now.

Furthermore, his physical condition and combat techniques were elite, befitting a formidable S-ranker.

Even if he set aside his 'Sword Intent' entirely, he possessed more than enough raw power and skills to massacre other S-rankers with ease.

The 'Understanding' of the skill was the sole bottleneck currently stalling his advancement.

Rio remained quite distant from grasping the 'law' of the 'sword' and the fundamental 'foundation' of 'Sword Intent' itself.

What was the true definition of the 'law' of the 'sword'? How could it be applied most effectively? What was the precise ratio of power one could channel without causing damage to their own soul?

A multitude of questions plagued Rio’s thoughts.

Chief among his concerns was a single mystery: why was Rio’s 'Sword Intent' so inherently 'violent'?

Why did it manifest with such uncontrollable hostility toward everything, requiring him to exert constant, exhausting control over it?

If Rio were to ever release his suppression, the 'Sword Intent' would instantly unleash a hellish storm, striking out at everyone in his vicinity of its own accord!

As the saying goes, it is often darkest directly beneath the lamp.

While Rio was busy enlightening others, he remained blind to the solution of his own problems.

It was only when Kifrid, a mere unknown child, remarked that Rio’s 'Sword Intent' seemed to be 'burdening' him that a crucial realization struck Rio.

From the very moment Rio acquired his 'Sword Intent,' his focus had been entirely on 'controlling' or 'suppressing' it.

He had spent all his effort trying to contain its savage nature, becoming incredibly proficient at keeping it in check!

Yet, he had never truly attempted to understand its nature or allow it to exist in a liberated state.

Sword Intent is more than just power; it is the manifestation of a 'law' of 'nature' that has become fundamentally woven into Rio’s soul.

It had practically become an organic extension of his own body.

Just as one's 'breathing' becomes erratic and unnatural when consciously forced, 'Sword Intent' reacted poorly to manual interference.

There should be no need to forcibly govern 'Sword Intent' while it resides within the body.

Since it is tethered to his own flesh and soul, it ought to require zero 'control' or 'suppression.'

Restraint should only be necessary during the act of attacking an opponent; even then, only the energy leaving the body needs to be directed, not the energy flowing within.

By suppressing it internally, Rio was needlessly draining his mana, mental focus, and soul power, leading to a significant decrease in overall efficiency and output.

"Oh!? That strange energy suddenly turned so quiet!? What did you do?"

Kifrid shouted in surprise, noticing the immediate transformation in Rio’s aura.

The 'Sword Intent' suddenly became more fluid and serene as Rio abandoned all attempts at suppression and ceased his rigid control.

Rather than dominating the energy, he allowed it to circulate through his entire frame with total freedom.

This change didn't just accelerate the speed of the 'Sword Intent' within Rio's body; it made the entire flow harmonious and perfectly structured.

It felt as though Rio’s 'Sword Intent' had entered a genuine 'flow state' for the first time, removing the need for constant mental pressure.

By simply redirecting the path of the 'Sword Intent'—allowing it to loop through his system like blood through veins—the 'flow' became tranquil and balanced.

It surged through Rio’s body with an orderly grace, as if its previous violence had been nothing more than a misunderstanding.

Rio could feel his physical form growing both lighter and sturdier, as the 'Sword Intent' provided a passive defensive layer and a continuous physical enhancement.

"It’s because of your help... Hmm, I suppose I am in your debt now, kid. Tell me, is there a wish you want me to grant?"

Upon hearing the offer, Kifrid grinned and declared,

"I want to be the strongest person in the world!"

Rio shook his head slightly at the response and answered in a steady tone,

"Power bestowed by another only leads to corruption and ruin; only the power earned through your own sweat and labor brings true order and peace of mind..."

"Gaining instant strength won't make you the greatest; it is the act of failing, rising again, and repeatedly defying 'fate' itself that defines the world’s strongest!"

Rio gently patted the boy's head and asked once more,

"You must achieve that dream on your own; it is your personal 'path' in life, and no one can walk it for you... You have to do it yourself."

"If you have a different wish, speak up..."

Kifrid brushed Rio’s hand away and pouted.

"Stop patting my head! I won't be able to grow tall if you do that!"

"I've made up my mind; I want to be both tall and powerful!"

Rio chuckled at Kifrid’s innocent words and pulled out his flute once again.

He tapped the child's forehead with the instrument and activated one of his most potent abilities—the power of soul manipulation.

Utilizing his newly refined 'Sword Intent,' he forged a deeper resonance between Kifrid's soul and his physical body.

While a person's soul and sea of consciousness are naturally tied to their body, that bond can be artificially strengthened through the legendary skill 'Soul Resonance' or soul manipulation techniques like Rio's.

What Rio was performing was a feat that even SS-rankers might find impossible.

He was effectively boosting Kifrid’s innate talent across several dimensions.

This fortified bridge between body and soul would allow Kifrid to naturally surpass his peers in both physical strength and mental acuity.

It ensured that his mind and soul would develop in tandem, fueling each other's growth.

Once Kifrid finally becomes an awakener, this enhanced connection will become even more potent and formidable!