The Three Sword Styles

The world holds three great sword styles, their followers scattered everywhere. The first is the Sword God Style: purely offensive swordsmanship, where attack is the highest defense. Its aim is to strike first at any cost, with utmost speed, and fell the foe in a single blow; failing that, fall back and repeat. Its principle is 'first to strike wins.' Its supreme technique is the 'Flash Blade,' a lightning slash that cleaves all in its path.

The second is the Water God Style, the first's opposite: defensive swordsmanship of parries and counters. Masters of this style can deflect any attacking move — magic and projectiles included — and instantly strike back. It is studied by palace knights and aristocrats, whose first duty is to defend. The third is the North God Style: more battlefield strategy than pure fencing, with techniques for treating wounds and turning everything around to use; its unpredictable style is favored by mercenaries and adventurers, for it lets one fight even while wounded.

All three styles share a single rank ladder: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Saint, King, Emperor and God. The highest ranks are named for the founders' nicknames: Swordsman — Sword King — Sword Emperor — Sword God. There is usually only one Sword King in the world, showing how narrow these gates are. Many swordsmen take the best of several styles: thus Paul Greyrat, a master of the Sword God Style, also commands the Water and North styles.

The home and heart of the styles is the Holy Land of Swords, where Gal Farion reigns as Sword God. Here Eris Boreas Greyrat won the title of Sword King, and Rudeus's teacher Ghislaine was the fourth-strongest master of the Sword God Style. The true essence of mastery, by the Sword God's words, is neither strength nor technique but unbending desire and resolve.