Cataclysm Hunter: I Have an Experience Points System

Swoosh-! Swoosh-!

[Single-handed Sword-Lv0: experience points +3]

[Single-handed Sword-Lv0: experience points +4]

Ignoring the advice just given by the older man, Lin Xiao began to grind for experience points at his own pace.

“Why won’t you listen to me? Don’t you want to make your swordplay look cooler?”

“And when you’re stabbing, don’t lean forward so much-it looks terrible…”

The long-haired Sword Immortal still seemed a bit resentful, muttering to himself by the side.

Lin Xiao felt his image of a wise man was completely shattered.

Swoosh-!

[Single-handed Sword-Lv0: experience points +2]

[Single-handed Sword-Lv0 >>> Single-handed Sword-Lv1! Potential points +1]

“Ah… don’t you think those moves are impractical?”

He sighed lightly, somewhat helplessly continuing the conversation.

“A rational analysis does seem to suggest they’re not very practical.”

The long-haired man nodded, then added:

“But if you want practicality, you should train with heavy weapons, which are better for hunting mutant beasts. If it’s not for the sake of looking good, why bother with a single-handed sword?”

Lin Xiao opened his mouth, but found himself at a loss for words.

For a moment, he actually thought the man made a lot of sense!

“What if you were sparring with someone? Would you still have the leisure to pose then?”

“Hmm…”

The man frowned, pondering for a moment.

“Leaving teachers aside, there should be no student in the school whose swordsmanship is better than mine, so even if I show off, I can still win.”

…Just who is this guy, being so confident?

Lin Xiao looked at the unopened blade in his hand. This type of single-handed sword wasn’t as heavy as the Elective Weapons, and getting hit with it wouldn’t break bones or tendons.

“How about we spar?”

He hadn’t fought someone with weapons before, and the idea felt quite fresh.

“Your swordsmanship is decent, but you can’t beat me…”

Swoosh-!

Lin Xiao immediately performed a series of sword flourishes, all mimicking the moves of the Sword Immortal from before.

The long-haired man was stunned, clearly noticing Lin Xiao’s improvement.

“…I must have been mistaken earlier; your swordsmanship is indeed quite good.”

Then he gripped his long sword, saying to Lin Xiao:

“Come on, I’ll keep my strength at the same level as yours.”

“…”

Lin Xiao felt a bit too exasperated to comment. Was this guy showing off, or was he genuinely a Big Shot?

Taking a deep breath, he focused intensely, his blade flashing coldly.

Swoosh-!

Clang-!

The long swords tore through the air, a sound of clashing blades echoed.

Lin Xiao and the long-haired man tested each other’s attacks, holding back their full strength.

After a few exchanges of sword moves proved ineffective against the other’s blade, their attacks gradually picked up speed.

Clang-! Clang-! Clang-!

The sounds of rhythmic steel hitting filled the single-handed sword classroom, drawing the attention of other students.

“Both of these guys seem like experts…”

“Those playing with single-handed swords are really cool, they have a kind of hero’s aura.”

“I’m so jealous, when can I train to this level?”

“Wait, isn’t that guy from senior year Class A…?”

“Top Student!?”

“Holy crap! Who is the other one? They seem evenly matched!”

“Is he a senior too? His single-handed sword skills are amazing.”

“I think he’s from junior year Class C, I heard a bunch of guys talking about him earlier…”

“Look, look! Both are such handsome guys!”

“Hehe… I’ve got some inspiration for my writing now! Hehe…”

…

Dodging a direct thrust from his opponent, Lin Xiao countered with a lightning-fast horizontal slash.

Clang-!

As expected, the blade was blocked again, the clash of steel sending sparks flying.

Observing the opponent’s unyielding wrist, Lin Xiao chuckled self-deprecatingly and sheathed his sword.

“I lost.”

The Long-haired Man shook his head, disagreeing with Lin Xiao’s admission.

“Our swordsmanship is probably on par.”

“You’re flattering me. There’s no swordsmanship that doesn’t involve strength and speed.”

Lin Xiao was aware of his own limitations. Although their swordsmanship was both at Level 1, with little difference, this man’s strength seemed bottomless.

Strength equates to speed.

If he wanted, he could easily break through Lin Xiao’s defense and even disarm him with a single strike.

“Thanks for the guidance today. I’ll be off now.”

Returning his weapon, Lin Xiao prepared to leave.

“Wait.”

The Long-haired Man called out, extending his hand.

“My name is Zhuang Jianyu. Let’s spar again sometime.”

“Oh… sure, I’m Lin Xiao.”

Politely shaking the offered hand, Lin Xiao froze.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, sorry.”

Retracting his hand, Lin Xiao asked with a complex expression:

“Are you a junior?”

“Yes.”

“Top Student?”

Zhuang Jianyu nodded slightly, his expression unchanged, as if accustomed to being recognized.

“Lin Xiao, are you a junior too? Why haven’t I seen you in the 5A Ranking Competition?”

“…Because I’ve never participated in the 5A Ranking Competition.”

Zhuang Jianyu frowned, puzzled.

“How is that possible? While I’m not familiar with everyone, with your skills, you should easily make the top ten.”

“Haha… I used to be sickly and didn’t perform well.”

Lin Xiao felt a bit awkward. The so-called 5A referred to the end-of-term grades.

Martial Arts, footwork, Elective Weapon, vitalis refinement, Practical Combat-five subjects, all rated A.

Among them, Practical Combat held the most weight.

At the end of the last term, Lin Xiao’s scores were-

Martial Arts C, footwork C, Greatsword Elective C, vitalis refinement A, Practical Combat D.

His grades were quite poor.

Moreover, in Martial Arts, footwork, and Greatsword, Lin Xiao’s actual evaluation should have been D, due to his lack of strength.

As he mentioned earlier, there’s no swordsmanship that doesn’t involve strength and speed.

These three courses all had strength requirements, but Lin Xiao was slightly better in technique. The three instructors, after some consideration, generously gave him a passing grade.

A C rating was the passing line, while a D was failing. Lin Xiao’s Practical Combat was failing, making him one of the dead last.

In Class C, only two students managed to achieve 5A: Wu Zhixing and Fang Wen.

Even across the entire Grade, there were only about 20 students with 5A ratings.

The so-called 5A Ranking Competition was essentially a battle among the top students, unrelated to a poor student like Lin Xiao.

After hearing Lin Xiao’s explanation, Zhuang Jianyu didn’t press further and sincerely said:

“I see. I hope to see you on the field this year.”

“Thanks for the encouragement…”

…

After leaving the weapon dojo, Lin Xiao walked along the academy path, eyes downcast.

He didn’t actually know Zhuang Jianyu. The former Lin Xiao was anxious and self-conscious, spending all his waking hours catching up and training hard, never attending the Ranking Competition.

Apart from Wu Zhixing and Fang Wen, his classmates, he had no idea who else was among the top students in the Grade.

The reason he guessed Zhuang Jianyu was the Top Student was because he saw the other’s attributes.

Strength 20, agility 18, constitution 14, spirit 16, Martial Arts Lv2, footwork Lv2, refining method (incomplete) Lv2, wide-bladed war knife Lv2, shield block Lv2, single-handed sword Lv1.

It was astounding, the most terrifying stats Lin Xiao had ever seen among students.

If this attribute panel wasn’t the top in the Grade, Lin Xiao might as well swallow his sword on the spot.

With 20 strength and Lv2 Martial Arts, one kick from the opponent and Wu Zhixing would probably be done for!

Lin Xiao too…

Of course, what shocked Lin Xiao the most wasn’t the stats, but an attribute he had never seen before.

[Superpower: Sword Control]

Oh my! He really is a Sword Immortal!