Chapter 25
The match ended early.
Not because Rudeus lost.
But because Paul stopped it.
"…That's enough."
Silence.
Rudeus lowered his sword.
"…Why?"
Paul looked at him.
Really looked.
Not as a son.
Not as a student.
But as something else.
"…Because I don't know how to train you anymore."
That was the truth.
Every principle—
Every method—
Every rule he knew—
Didn't apply.
"…You're not following the path of a swordsman."
A long pause.
"…You're building your own."
Rudeus said nothing.
But inside—
That was already the plan.
That night—
He trained again.
But now—
There was no doubt.
No hesitation.
No limit.
Only one goal:
Go further.