The training grounds, nestled between towering evergreens, bore witness to the silent duel between Grey and his master, a figure shrouded in an air of mystery. The tall man, with brown hair and a beard framing a blurry face, stood in stark contrast to Grey's stoic presence.
Wooden swords gripped firmly, the two faced each other. A breeze whispered through the training grounds, setting a tense atmosphere. Grey's expression remained impassive as his master spoke, "Swordsmanship is the last thing I will teach you."
Grey nodded, the golden glint in his eyes reflecting only a fraction of the questions swirling within his mind. The master's voice continued, "Astrum may allow you to become the strongest, but to fully master it, you must create your own technique. To do that, you need to learn the way of the sword."
Grey, with characteristic calmness, questioned, "Master, is it really necessary to wield a sword? Can't I just use 'Astrum' to defeat beasts?"
His master met his gaze, "Astrum may give you power, but it requires the refinement of skill. It demands a connection between your mind and the blade, an understanding forged through the dance of steel. Your knowledge is vast, but true mastery lies in the synthesis of magic and martial prowess."
Satisfied by the reply, Grey shifted into a defensive stance, wooden sword poised. Suddenly, his master, standing nearly 10 meters away, blurred into motion. With sheer speed, a diagonal strike flashed, catching Grey off guard.
Stunned by the simplicity and efficiency of the strike, Grey found himself on the ground. A peculiar laughter emanated from him, devoid of clear meaning. "Let's do this. Let's learn swordsmanship." With these words, a new chapter unfolded in Grey's journey, where the clash of wooden swords echoed against the snowy peaks, shaping the destiny of his abilities and the dance of Astrum.