Ruffian · Sword (D) and Swordsmanship Talent (D).
Although their effects overlap to some degree, the former mainly boosts combat sense while the latter focuses on growth acceleration; they are essentially parallel substitutes.
Seeing lower traits like the early Swordsmanship Prodigy (C) or the newly acquired Ruffian · Sword (D) merge into the superior Swordsmanship Genius (A) makes it obvious: high-rank traits inherently encompass multiple lower traits.
The Tripper System may look like a game system, but that’s only skin-deep.
Since it is rooted in something real, possessing just one “swordsmanship” trait doesn’t mean you’ll only excel at swordsmanship.
For example, Swordsmanship Genius (A) even includes something as high as Blade Mastery Prodigy (B).
They are weapons with similar roots, after all.
It also contains numerous lower traits that could be called “talent for swordsmanship,” such as Athletic Ability (C) or Reaction Speed (C).
This means that even owning dozens of C-rank talents is still inferior to a single A-rank.
Moreover, identical traits are not completely the same in essence.
From C to A they are lumped together as “genius” or “prodigy,” but when the accumulated individuality is maximized and it evolves into an S+ rank—i.e., a Title trait—even the name changes.
As I’ve explained before, Swordsmanship Genius (A) can evolve in various directions:
- the Sword Sovereign (S+) that Great-uncle possesses,
- the Sword Saint (S+) of Edval Heimfjord,
- Sword Emperor (S+), Sword Emperor (S+), Sword Demon (S+),
- and even the female-only Sword Empress (S+).
Personally, the Title trait I want as a swordsman is Sword Demon (S+), specialized in harmonizing multiple sword styles and using them unpredictably.
In the original work, the representative character with the Sword Demon trait was none other than Regenshauer, the Thousand-Man Slayer.
Julian Connelly, originator of the Harmony Heart Method, also had Sword Demon.
Since I am growing while benchmarking both of their styles, barring any major incidents I should obtain the Sword Demon title.
Of course, I’d need to approach at least level 40 to even dream of evolving into a Title trait; it’s still far off.
I turned my gaze back to the translucent Tripper System pop-up.
Maybe I should try a skill draw too.
“Random Bronze Card, Skill draw.”
[You have obtained Itanga Tribe Weapon Arts (C)!]
[Itanga Tribe Weapon Arts (C) is already at ‘Mastery’ stage. Effects greatly increased.]
The moment the message appeared, knowledge and techniques for handling various weapons poured into my head.
It seems skills acquired through draws start at the ‘Mastery’ stage from the very beginning.
That means I can wield them proficiently right from acquisition; extremely useful when I need an immediate boost in ability.
It took me nearly a year to master the mere B-rank Stroke Swordsmanship, so this is a huge advantage.
The higher the rank, the harder proficiency is to raise, so once I can reliably draw higher-tier cards, skill draws will become a favorite.
For now, though, prioritizing trait acquisition to maximize growth potential is better.
Let’s spend about 500p first.
“Random Silver Card, Trait draw ×5 in a row.”
[You have obtained Adventurer (C)!]
[You have obtained Swordsmanship Prodigy (C)!]
[Judged as lower compatibility with Swordsmanship Genius (A); merging. Swordsmanship Genius effect slightly increased.]
[You have obtained Mana Control (C)!]
[You have obtained Lung Capacity (C)!]
[You have obtained Alchemy Prodigy (C)!]
[Achievement Points: 670p]
Four C-rank traits.
Among them, Mana Control (C) and Lung Capacity (C) stood out; they allow far more efficient operation of heart methods in my current state.
“This much… is a moderate hit?”
I failed to break the sub-10% chance for B-rank or higher.
Still, I picked up several solid C-ranks.
But somehow…
It feels lacking.
Having once gathered the energy of the universe right after possession and pierced a 1/1000 probability, this feels subtly disappointing.
Suddenly a strong impulse hit me.
“…Should I just blow all the remaining points?”
A Silver Card costs 100p—exactly ten times a Bronze.
Yet considering that the chance of getting C-rank or above from Bronze is only 1/20, buying Silver (which guarantees C or higher) is unconditionally profitable.
This relationship will likely hold even for higher-tier cards, which means the so-called “patient waiting meta”—saving everything for later cards—would be optimal.
But considering a 300-range MacGuffin gave 1,000 points, there’s no real need to hoard here.
Recovering a two-digit MacGuffin later would probably shower tens of thousands, and by the time Gold or Platinum (tentative) cards appear, a few hundred points will be pocket change.
They say many little drops make an ocean, but right now I desperately want to draw.
A human must be true to desire.
“I’ll just burn everything left.”
And if I’m going to dream of a jackpot anyway,
this time I’ll go with consumables.
Consumables currently have the highest variance.
Even a decent C-rank consumable is worth less than one platinum coin.
To me, who is already carrying heaps of A-rank Yin-Yang Tea, it’s not even a snack.
If the result is average, the point loss is massive.
But the return that more than covers that risk exists: the random selection tickets that appear at low probability.
Unlike normal trait/skill draws, a selection ticket obtained through consumables lets me pinpoint exactly the lineage of power I want.
True, the grade drops by one because manual selection is allowed, but isn’t that still better than pulling something like Legendary Chef (S)—a non-combat S-rank?
Well, even that would be S-rank, so it wouldn’t be useless… but personally there are many combat traits and skills among A-rank that I want, so this felt more attractive.
“Random Silver Card. Consumable draw, six in a row.”
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Six roulette wheels burst into existence and began spinning ferociously.
I watched them alternately, tense.
Soon—
[You have obtained Imperial-style Medicinal Soup (C)!]
[You have obtained Life Church Holy Water (C)!]
[All-Weather… (C)]
[Spirituality… (C)]
[Light… (C)]
[A-rank Skill Random Selection Ticket (S)!]
“…Huh?”
I rubbed my eyes, thinking it was an illusion.
But the A-rank Skill Random Selection Ticket (S) sat proudly in the corner of the Tripper System.
“No way, this?”
Counting all draws so far, I’ve only done 17 in total.
And with that I pierced the diabolical 0.1% probability twice?
“If this were a novel, readers would flame it for being contrived.”
I used to click my tongue whenever I saw author-convenient luck, but now that I’m in the protagonist’s shoes, I’m just happy.
Having read countless web novels, I know exactly what to say at times like this.
“Good luck.”
Grinning, I looked at the ticket.
Since it’s a skill-only ticket, there’s no need to agonize over where to use it.
“Use A-rank selection ticket. Tranquil Heart Method.”
[You have obtained Tranquil Heart Method (A)!]
[Tranquil Heart Method (A) is at ‘Mastery’ stage. Effects greatly increased.]
With the Tripper System’s aid, I instantly memorized the unique breathing of the Tranquil style—Breath of Stillness.
By setting, Breath of Stillness is extremely difficult to learn.
Yet reaching ‘Mastery’ grants an additional A-rank trait.
[Having mastered Breath of Stillness, you have reached a realm where you are not easily shaken under the Tranquil philosophy, no matter the hardship.]
[You have obtained Serene Clarity (A)!]
Serene Clarity (A)
- Stabilizes mind when emotions overheat
- Greatly increases composure in combat
- Extremely optimizes judgment in battle
- Reduces stamina consumption during breathing
Serene Clarity.
A trait I personally thought was absolutely necessary.
The core of Aiden—me—is a weak modern human.
It’s obvious I’d struggle to stay calm on a real life-or-death battlefield.
But with Serene Clarity, that weakness is more than compensated for.
Plus, I now possess the Still Aura that can neutralize the violent, explosive aura born from the Stroke Heart Method.
Truly killing two birds with one stone.
No—three.
[Heterogeneous triple auras harmonize within the body.]
[Brandish Harmony Heart Method (C+) evolves into Brandish Harmony Heart Method · Extreme (B+).]
<Aiden Stroke>
[Level: 16/40]
[Stamina: 07]
[Strength: 07]
[Agility: 06]
[Magic: 11]
[Spirit: 05]
[Senses: 10]
[Divinity: 00]
[Traits: Swordsmanship Genius (A), Reverse Veins (A), Serene Clarity (A), Magical Prodigy (B), Spirit Affinity · Weak (C), Mana Control (C), Lung Capacity (C), Adventurer (C), Alchemy Prodigy (C)]
[Skills: Alsigima Resonance Shatter Art (A), Alsigima Heart Method (A), Tranquil Heart Method (A), Brandish Harmony Heart Method · Extreme (B+), Spirit Step (B), Stroke Swordsmanship (B), Stroke Heart Method (B), Northern Advanced Swordsmanship (C), Itanga Tribe Weapon Arts (C)]
[Description: 15 years old, human. Once infamous throughout the principality as a notorious wastrel, but recently rumors say he has changed.]
The skill column that had been nearly empty feels like only yesterday, yet in one year it has filled up considerably.
Thanks to steady Yin-Yang Tea consumption, my potential level has also reached 40—barely hanging on at quasi-Twelve-Heroes tier.
Current level 16, yet the trait and skill lists are dazzling.
Is there any other sheet this unbalanced besides mine?
After checking my character sheet, I looked at Chesa running laps in the training hall in light training clothes.
She was simply jogging, yet she looked like a living painting.
The growth of our prodigy Chesa was just as fierce as mine.
<Chesa Utland>
[Level: 17/69]
[Stamina: 05]
[Strength: 03]
[Agility: 03]
[Magic: 20]
[Spirit: 07]
[Senses: 02]
[Divinity: 01]
[Traits: Extreme Mana Circulation Body (S), Dense Elemental Amplification (S), Magic Genius (A), Analytic Magic Sight (A), Mana Sensitivity Retardation (-)]
[Skills: Mana Rampage (B), Crimson Tower Training Method (C), Northern Basic Magic (D)]
[Description: 15 years old, human. Official second daughter of the prestigious Utland magical family of Croa Kingdom. Yet rumored to be a dunce unworthy of the family name.]
Her potential level rose by 1 to 69, and thanks to continuous medicinal treatment, Mana Sensitivity Disorder (-) degraded one step to Retardation.
She still struggles greatly with proper spellcasting, but thanks to the Ring of Eternal Snow (A) assisting her, she can now use basic magic without much difficulty.
More than that—her magic stat is already 20.
Compared to the original Chesa who wandered the world after running away and picked up all sorts of miscellaneous skills, her stat distribution will be far superior.
The time is ripe.
I went to Foden and said,
“Your Highness the Grand Duke. I will leave the family next month.”
“…Hm.”
Foden, who had grown noticeably gaunt since losing his eldest son Litton, slowly nodded.
Many things had happened, but living under the same roof had built some attachment.
By the original history he would die soon, so I was worried, but considering the harsh road ahead, I could not delay leaving for personal reasons.
Now that there were no more benefits to gain from the principality, this was the perfect time to depart.
“Though you are not the heir, with Litton gone you are now the eldest son of this Grand Ducal house.
Even after leaving, you must maintain dignity befitting that position.”
Foden spoke heavily and asked,
“How many guards and attendants will you need?
I will provide however many you desire, Aiden.”
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