《Cursed Sorcerer》 Comfort In Life Chapter 1-Comfort IN Life (10 Years Earlier ¨C Town of Honfaza, Two Days Before the Yearly Magic Festival) The rich aroma of roasted meat filled their small home, making young Arata¡¯s stomach rumble. He sat eagerly by the table, his wide eyes fixed on his mother, Sayaka, as she carefully cooked their dinner¡ªthe very meal they had hunted together that morning. "Mom, how did you get so good at hunting?" Arata asked, chewing as fast as he could. Sayaka chuckled, shaking her head as she stirred the pot. "Well, when my home felt like a stranger¡¯s place, a kind chef took me in. He gave me time to settle in, then taught me how to hunt, work for myself, and all the other things a father should teach his son." Arata blinked. "But Mom¡­ aren¡¯t you a girl?" "It¡¯s ¡®woman,¡¯ sweetie," Sayaka corrected with a small laugh. "And yes, but his wife taught me how to be a proper lady, how to take care of a home¡­ and even how to win a man¡¯s heart." She glanced at Arata and chuckled as she noticed the mess he had made¡ªhis cheeks covered in sauce, his shirt stained from his hurried bites. "And it looks like I¡¯ll have to teach you about table manners too," she teased, wiping his face with a cloth. As night fell, Sayaka tucked Arata into bed, brushing his hair back as she smiled softly. "You know what tomorrow is, right?" Arata¡¯s face lit up. "The festival! I can¡¯t wait!" Sayaka smirked playfully. "Wait, what did you promise me?" His excitement faltered for a second, but then he nodded quickly. "I¡¯ll behave! I promise!" "Good," she whispered, leaning down to press a kiss against his forehead. "Now sleep well. You¡¯ll need all your energy for tomorrow." As she stepped into the other room, her smile slowly faded. Her gaze drifted to the dim lantern light flickering against the walls. She remembered the words spoken to her the night Arata was born. "This is not to weaken him¡­ but to protect him." She clenched her hands into fists, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I thank you for giving me the resources to take care of our child¡­ but I believe I don¡¯t have much time. Please, look over him, my love." The festival lights outside flickered in the distance, but Sayaka barely noticed. Something deep inside her told her¡­ this was the last festival she would ever see. (The Next Day ¨C Morning in Honfaza) The morning sun bathed their small home in warm light as Sayaka opened the windows, letting the fresh air sweep through. The gentle breeze brushed against her face, carrying the scents of dewy grass and distant festival preparations. "The wind missed me," she murmured with a small smile. Peeking into Arata¡¯s room, she found him still curled up in bed, his slow, steady breaths rising and falling in peaceful rhythm. With a soft chuckle, she quietly closed the door. "I need to bathe and get his breakfast ready before he wakes up." --- Breakfast & Life Lessons As Sayaka set the plates on the table, she couldn¡¯t help but smile. "He worked so hard just to go to the festival. He deserves to wake up to a great meal!" she said enthusiastically to herself. Ten minutes later, just as she was about to wake him, she found Arata already up, eagerly getting dressed. "I see you¡¯re already up. Do you know what today is?" she teased with a knowing smile. Arata spun around, his face lighting up. "OF COURSE I DO! IT¡¯S FESTIVAL DAY!" Sayaka chuckled. "Okay, okay, calm down. It¡¯s still morning. First, we eat, then we finish our chores. After that, we¡¯ll head to the festival." Arata¡¯s excitement deflated instantly. "Aww man, we still have to do chores?" "Of course we do," Sayaka said, patting his head. "Now come eat before the food gets cold." As they sat at the table, the morning air filled with the comforting aroma of freshly cooked rice and grilled meat. Five minutes into the meal, Sayaka¡¯s voice shifted, carrying a weight that hadn¡¯t been there before. "Arata¡­ you know I won¡¯t be here forever, right?" she said gently. Arata blinked mid-bite, his excitement fading. "B-but why?" Sayaka placed her chopsticks down. "Well, for starters, I¡¯m not immortal. But¡­ there¡¯s another reason. One you won¡¯t understand until you¡¯re much older." "Why won¡¯t I understand? I can understand a lot of things now!" he protested. Sayaka smiled faintly, but there was sadness in her eyes. "Sweetie, if I were to die right now, what would you do? How would you survive?" Arata hesitated. "Well¡­ umm¡­ umm¡­" "Exactly," Sayaka said firmly. "That¡¯s why I need you to listen carefully. If something ever happens to me, I want you to go to Mizukaza. Find a man named Zetsubo. He¡¯s my brother¡ªyou can trust him like you trust me." "But¡ª" "No buts," she cut him off, her tone uncharacteristically sharp. "Wear this bracelet when you go. He¡¯ll recognize it, and he¡¯ll know who you are. Just follow him, and he¡¯ll take care of the rest." Arata looked down at the bracelet on his wrist, running his small fingers over the intricate designs. The idea of losing his mother wasn¡¯t something he could comprehend¡ªnot yet. "Why are you telling me this, Mom?" he asked quietly. Sayaka reached across the table, resting a warm hand on his head. "Because my number one goal is to make sure you survive. No matter what. I love you, and I will always protect you." Arata swallowed the lump in his throat. "I love you too, Mom." They sat in silence for a moment before Sayaka clapped her hands together, her usual energy returning. "Alright, enough gloomy talk! Let¡¯s finish up and get these chores done. The festival won¡¯t wait for us!" Arata nodded, forcing a smile. He didn¡¯t know why, but his mother¡¯s words clung to him, leaving a strange feeling in his chest. A feeling he would only understand far too late. ¡ª (5 Hours Later ¨C Outside the House) Five knights stood before the small home, their cloaks shifting slightly in the night breeze. Their leader raised a hand, his voice low and firm. "Activate the suppression magic. Make sure it''s powerful¡ªremember, she¡¯s no lightweight." Two mage-knights stepped forward, beginning the incantation. A pulse of divine energy rippled through the air, forming an invisible radius around the house. Inside the spell¡¯s range, all magic would be severely weakened. --- (Inside the House) Sayaka hummed softly as she finished preparing snacks for her and Arata. The warm scent of grilled skewers filled the home, but just as she turned to set the food down¡ªher body tensed. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. A chilling wave of pressure crashed over her. Her magic¡ªit was fading. Fast. Her breath hitched. They¡¯re here¡­ Only they have the power to drain me like this. "Mom, who are you talking¡ª" Sayaka whirled toward Arata, her expression sharper than he had ever seen it. "No time. Under the floorboards. Now!" "B-but¡ª" "NO BUTS! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" Arata flinched at the rare force in her voice. He swallowed hard and nodded. "Y-yes." Sayaka exhaled, kneeling beside him for just a second. Her eyes softened. "Good. Stay hidden. No matter what you see, no matter what you hear¡ªdo not make a sound. I love you." Arata felt his mother¡¯s hand rest on his head briefly before she pulled away. He barely had time to crawl under the wooden boards before¡ª BOOM. The front door exploded inward. --- (The Knights Arrive) Sayaka grabbed her hammer, its weight familiar in her grip. She reached for her enchanted stones, shattering one against her chest¡ªthe spell within surging through her veins, mitigating the suppression effect as much as possible. Footsteps. Five sets. Heavy armor clanking. A knight stepped forward, unrolling a parchment, his voice monotone, hollow¡ªas if this was just another task to complete. "Sayaka Shirogone, by decree of the Divine Order, you are sentenced to execution on the fifth day of March. Your crimes: The unrightful birth of a child, The theft of a sacred divine artifact, Failure to return said artifact upon request. Your refusal to comply has sealed your fate. May your soul find mercy." Three knights unsheathed their swords, their steel glinting in the dim lantern light. Sayaka tightened her grip on her hammer, her heart pounding¡ªbut not with fear. With fury. She let out a slow breath, leveling her gaze at the intruders. "I want all of you bastards to know¡­ I will not go down without a fight." Her stance shifted slightly, feet planted firmly. "And as for my son¡ª" she smirked, fire in her eyes. "You¡¯ll never find him." Fight Scene (Opening Sequence - Sayaka RUSHES IN) The moment the knight finishes reading the execution order, Sayaka moves. No waiting. No fear. Just pure instinct. The wooden floor shatters beneath her as she explodes forward, closing the gap before the knights can react. The first knight barely has time to widen his eyes before¡ª CRACK! Sayaka¡¯s hammer collides with his chest, crushing his armor inward like a tin can. His body rockets backward, slamming into the wooden wall with a sickening crunch. Before the others can react¡ª She spins, bringing the hammer around in a brutal arc. The second knight barely lifts his sword in time¡ªbut it doesn¡¯t matter. Sayaka¡¯s sheer force shatters the blade like glass, sending shards flying. The impact sends the knight skidding across the ground, choking on his breath. Two down in seconds. The remaining three knights hesitate. Good. Sayaka rolls her shoulders, shifting her grip on the hammer. "You wanted a fight?" she growls, grinning despite the odds. "Then step forward and die." The leader of the knights clenches his jaw. "Suppress her. Now!" The divine suppression magic pulses stronger, and Sayaka feels it immediately. Her body grows heavier, her speed slows slightly, but¡ª She¡¯s still standing. And she¡¯s still faster than them. The third knight lunges forward, attempting to take advantage of the spell¡¯s effect¡ª Big mistake. Sayaka ducks low¡ªtoo fast for him to adjust¡ªand slams her hammer into his kneecap. SNAP. He collapses with a scream, his leg bending in a way it was never meant to. Three down. Two left. Sayaka inhales sharply. The suppression is weighing her down now, more than before. She¡¯s strong, but five knights and a divine spell? Even she has limits. The last two knights don¡¯t hesitate. They rush in together, blades ready. Sayaka grits her teeth and tightens her grip. I won¡¯t let them take me easily. She charges again. The Battle Turns Sayaka charges forward, hammer swinging. The last two knights brace themselves. ? She¡¯s fast¡ªbut slower than before. The suppression magic is taking its toll. Still, she doesn¡¯t stop. ?? She refuses to stop. ?? One knight lunges in, blade flashing. Sayaka sidesteps, hammer swinging up in a brutal uppercut¡ª ?? CRACK! ?? The knight¡¯s helmet bends inward, his body whiplashing backward as he slams into the floor, unmoving. One left. Sayaka¡¯s breath is ragged, her limbs heavy. The divine suppression feels like chains wrapped around her body. But she still has enough left for one more swing. She tightens her grip, lunging at the last knight. His sword rises to meet her¡ª But this time¡ª ? She¡¯s too slow. ?? SHHNK! ?? Pain. Blinding, searing pain. She stumbles, eyes wide as she feels warmth spreading across her stomach. The last knight¡¯s blade is buried deep in her abdomen. For the first time in the battle, Sayaka staggers. Her grip on the hammer weakens slightly. The knight, panting heavily, pushes the blade deeper, twisting it. "You¡­ should¡¯ve just accepted your fate." Sayaka grits her teeth. Her knees nearly buckle. But instead of collapsing¡ª ?? She swings. With her last ounce of strength, she smashes the hammer into his ribs. ?? CRACK! ?? The knight is sent flying, his body skidding across the wooden floor, coughing up blood. He¡¯s not dead¡ªbut he won¡¯t be getting back up anytime soon. But neither will she. --- Sayaka¡¯s Last Moments She stumbles backward, the world spinning. The blood pooling at her feet is hers. Her grip on her hammer loosens, fingers trembling. She falls to her knees. Her vision blurs, but she forces herself to look toward the floorboards where Arata is hiding. "Arata¡­ my baby boy¡­" She can¡¯t see him. But she knows he¡¯s there. "I love you so much." Her breathing hitches. The warmth starts fading. Her body grows cold. She forces a weak smile. "Grow up strong." With that final whisper, Sayaka collapses. She doesn¡¯t get back up. The house fell silent. The only sound left was the drip, drip, drip of Sayaka¡¯s blood pooling beneath her. The last standing knight staggered to his feet, clutching his ribs, wincing in pain. He looked down at her lifeless body, his grip tightening around his sword. "Tch¡­ stubborn woman." The knight glanced toward his fallen comrades, three unmoving, one barely breathing. "She killed three of us¡­ injured another¡­ and nearly took me with her." He exhaled sharply, then turned to the other knight who was still conscious. "Confirm the body. Then search the house." The other knight, limping, stepped forward. He knelt beside Sayaka¡¯s motionless form, pressing two fingers to her neck. A few seconds passed. He shook his head. "She¡¯s gone." The knight leader gave a stiff nod. "Good. Now¡­ where¡¯s the boy?" --- Under the Floorboards Arata didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t breathe. He wanted to scream. To cry. To run. But he stayed still. Just like his mother told him to. Her blood had seeped through the cracks in the floorboards, dripping onto his hands. It was warm. His mother¡¯s warmth. Now fading. Now gone. The knights'' boots thudded against the wooden floor, getting closer. "Search the rooms. If he¡¯s here, we take him alive. If not¡­ he won¡¯t last long on his own." Arata clenched his fists. He had to stay hidden. He had to survive. Just like his mother told him. Just like she died for. Chapter 2 – The Road to Mizukaza Chapter 2 ¨C The Road to Mizukaza (Arata¡¯s Escape Begins ¨C Festival Night in Honfaza) --- The Night of the Festival The distant sound of laughter and music filled the air, carried by the night breeze. The town of Honfaza was alive with celebration, bright lanterns casting golden light over the streets. People danced, vendors called out their specials, and children ran through the festival grounds, their faces full of excitement. The scent of roasted meat, sweet pastries, and spiced wine wafted through the streets. No one knew. No one knew that only a short distance away, beyond the town¡¯s edge, a massacre had taken place. --- The House on the Outskirts The small house stood alone, nestled between the trees on the outskirts of Honfaza, far from the festival¡¯s noise. A simple home¡ªone built for a mother and her child. But now, it was silent. Blood pooled across the wooden floor. The scent of iron clashed against the fresh evening air, staining the peaceful night with the stench of death. The door hung open, swaying slightly in the wind. The battle was over. And beneath the floorboards¡ªArata still hadn¡¯t moved. --- The Aftermath of the Raid His body refused to function. He wasn¡¯t sure how long he had been lying there. His mother¡¯s voice still echoed in his ears. The sounds of the fight, the clash of metal, the desperate gasps of breath¡ªall of it played over and over again. And the blood. The blood was everywhere. Soaking into the wood. Staining his hands. His arms. His face. It was her blood. A sharp tremor ran through him. He squeezed his eyes shut, curling in on himself. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. "If I stay here¡­ maybe I¡¯ll wake up." "Maybe this is a bad dream." But when he opened his eyes¡ªnothing had changed. His mother was still dead. The knights were gone. And he was alone. A lump swelled in his throat. He swallowed it down. He had to move. With slow, stiff movements, he pushed himself up, his arms trembling. The floorboards creaked beneath him as he crawled out of his hiding spot. The first thing he saw was her body. His breath hitched. His mother lay where she had fallen, her once-bright eyes now dull, staring at nothing. Her blood had dried along the floor, marking the place where she had made her last stand. A piece of her necklace had slipped from her neck, its once-pristine silver now streaked with red. Arata reached forward, his hands shaking as he took the bloodstained necklace and clutched it to his chest. "I won¡¯t forget." He wiped at his face with his sleeve, smearing dried blood across his cheek. Then, with a deep breath¡ªhe turned toward the door. --- The Exit ¨C Making Sure No One Sees Him The night air hit his skin like a cold slap. His bare feet stepped into the dirt, leaving faint imprints as he moved toward the side of the house. His body felt light and empty like he wasn¡¯t even fully there. He moved instinctively, carefully, like an animal trying not to be seen. The trees rustled faintly, the wind carrying the distant laughter of festival-goers. He peeked toward the town¡ªstill too far to see him. Good. The main road leading into Honfaza was too risky¡ªthe knights might still be around. But the woods behind the house led toward the western path. That was his way out. His small hands gripped the wooden wall of his home one last time. His breath shook, his fingers tightening for just a second¡ªthen he let go. And without looking back, he ran into the forest. --- The Road to Mizukaza The festival music faded behind him. The further he ran, the more the world seemed to swallow him whole. The night stretched endlessly ahead, the trees towering like silent watchers. The cold wind stung his skin. His stomach growled. His legs ached from exhaustion. But he didn¡¯t stop. He couldn¡¯t stop. The words his mother told him replayed in his mind. "Find Zetsubo. Go to Mizukaza. He will take care of you." So he kept running. Through the thick brush. Over twisting roots. Past the whispers of the wind. Until finally¡ª A faint glow on the horizon. Mizukaza. He stumbled forward, his body on the verge of collapse, but he forced himself to keep walking. Dawn¡¯s light stretched across the rooftops of Mizukaza, bathing the city in a soft glow. Arata tightened his grip on his mother¡¯s necklace. He had made it. This place¡­ it had to be his new home. Chapter 3 – Meeting Zetsubo Chapter 3 ¨C Meeting Zetsubo (Arata Arrives in Mizukaza) --- The Morning After His Escape The streets of Mizukaza were already alive with movement. Unlike Honfaza, Mizukaza was bigger, busier, and louder. Buildings lined the streets, their rooftops stacked high in layered designs. The air carried the scent of fresh bread, roasting meat, and the crisp morning breeze. Vendors called out their sales, carts rolled by carrying goods, and people bustled through the streets, too caught up in their daily lives to notice a small, bloodstained boy stumbling into their town. Arata¡¯s legs ached. His feet burned. His body swayed with exhaustion, but he forced himself to move forward. He had made it. Now, he just had to find Zetsubo. But there was a problem¡ª He had no idea where to look. --- Alone in a New City Arata walked through the streets, keeping his head low. He clutched his mother¡¯s necklace tight against his chest, his only comfort in this unfamiliar place. Stolen story; please report. People passed by, not paying him any attention. He was just another dirty kid in a busy city. His stomach growled. He needed food. His hands twitched. He had seen a stall selling small loaves of bread. The vendor wasn¡¯t looking. If he could just¡ª ¡°Hey, kid.¡± Arata froze. A strong hand grabbed his shoulder. --- Meeting Zetsubo The voice was deep and rough, but not unkind. Arata turned, his body tense¡ªready to run. The man standing before him was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in dark robes. A single scar ran across his cheek, and his piercing gaze studied Arata carefully. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then¡ªthe man¡¯s eyes fell on the bloodstained necklace clutched in Arata¡¯s hands. His entire demeanor changed. ¡°¡­Sayaka.¡± His voice barely came out as a whisper. Arata¡¯s breath hitched. He knew that name. The man knelt, removing one of his gloves, revealing a tattoo on his wrist¡ªan identical mark to the one Sayaka had. ¡°Kid¡­¡± The man¡¯s voice was softer now. ¡°You¡¯re her son, aren¡¯t you?¡± Arata¡¯s grip on the necklace tightened. He hesitated, but finally, he gave a small nod. The man exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something¡ªbut instead, he just rested a hand on Arata¡¯s head. ¡°You did good getting here.¡± A lump swelled in Arata¡¯s throat. The weight of the last 24 hours crashed down on him. He had made it. He had found Zetsubo. Will this be his friend or Foe? Chapter 4 – The Road to Strength Chapter 4 ¨C The Road to Strength (Arata¡¯s Truth & The Beginning of Training) --- Two Years Before the Raid ¨C The Capital City of Eldoria (Flashback: Zetsubo¡¯s Perspective) The royal palace of Eldoria stood tall, its golden towers gleaming under the sun. It was a city of power, a place where kings, nobles, and warriors shaped the future of the world. Zetsubo strode through the halls, his cloak flowing behind him. The weight of duty sat heavily on his shoulders. For years, he had served the capital. Not because he wanted to¡ªbut because he had no choice. A noble higher than the royal family itself had taken interest in him, dragging him into their ranks. His skills as a warrior were unparalleled, and so he was used¡ªsent on missions of assassination, retrieval, and control. This time was no different. As he entered the meeting chamber, a man clad in regal attire turned toward him. Duke Valstein. ¡°You¡¯ve served well, Zetsubo,¡± the noble said, a smirk playing on his lips. ¡°I have another mission for you.¡± Zetsubo didn¡¯t speak. He simply listened. ¡°There¡¯s a woman,¡± Valstein continued. ¡°A former noble. She possesses something we need¡ªa divine artifact. One that belongs to the gods.¡± Zetsubo¡¯s eyes narrowed. Then¡ª Valstein tossed a sealed letter onto the table. Zetsubo didn¡¯t move at first. But when he finally picked it up and read the name inside, his blood ran cold. Sayaka Shirogone. His sister. He forced his expression to remain blank. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± Valstein chuckled. ¡°Retrieve the artifact, of course. And if she resists¡ª¡± he shrugged, ¡°¡ªeliminate her.¡± Zetsubo clenched his fists. This was why he hadn¡¯t gone back. Why he had been forced to stay away from his sister? Because the moment they knew she was alive, they would target her. And now, it was his job to kill her. No. Not happening. That night, Zetsubo burned the letter. Then, he vanished from Eldoria¡ªdisappearing before the nobles could chain him any further. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. But he was too late. Two years later¡­ they found her anyway. --- Mizukaza ¨C The Morning After the Raid Zetsubo sat across from Arata at the small wooden table. The boy hadn¡¯t touched his food. Instead, he sat stiffly, his fingers clenching his mother¡¯s bloodstained necklace, his eyes distant. Zetsubo exhaled slowly. He had seen many broken souls before. Soldiers who lost their homes. Orphans of war. Survivors who barely clung to life. But this was different. This was Sayaka¡¯s son. ¡°¡­Tell me what happened.¡± Arata didn¡¯t move at first. His fingers tightened around the necklace. Then, slowly¡ªhe spoke. --- The Truth Comes Out Arata recounted everything¡ªthe rumors, the accusations, the way the knights stormed into their home. He spoke in a low, even tone, his face blank. But Zetsubo saw the way his hands trembled. He didn¡¯t interrupt. He didn¡¯t react. He simply listened. Until¡ª ¡°¡­and then she told me to hide. So I did.¡± Zetsubo¡¯s stomach twisted. ¡°She fought them,¡± Arata continued, his voice wavering now. ¡°She almost won, but¡ª¡± His breath hitched. Zetsubo waited. Arata¡¯s grip on the necklace turned white-knuckled. ¡°They killed her,¡± he whispered. ¡°And I couldn¡¯t do anything.¡± The room fell into silence. Zetsubo took a slow breath. He wanted to tell Arata it wasn¡¯t his fault. That there was nothing he could have done. But the boy wouldn¡¯t believe him. Not yet. Instead, Zetsubo leaned forward. His voice was calm, steady like stone. ¡°¡­And what do you want to do now?¡± Arata looked up. For the first time, Zetsubo saw it. The rage. The determination. The hunger for power. ¡°I want to get stronger,¡± Arata said. Zetsubo nodded. ¡°Then I¡¯ll train you.¡± --- Training Begins ¨C The Warrior¡¯s Path The next morning, Arata stood outside Zetsubo¡¯s home. The morning air was crisp, the sun barely rising over Mizukaza¡¯s rooftops. Zetsubo stood before him, arms crossed. ¡°Before we begin, there¡¯s one thing you need to understand.¡± Arata stared up at him, waiting. ¡°You¡¯re not ready for magic yet.¡± Arata¡¯s brows furrowed. Zetsubo continued his voice firm. ¡°Power isn¡¯t just about magic. Your mother was a warrior before she was a sorceress. If you can¡¯t handle a blade, a fistfight, or a battle without spells¡ª¡± he narrowed his eyes, ¡°¡ªthen you won¡¯t survive long enough to use magic at all.¡± Arata¡¯s fists clenched at his sides. The weight of those words pressed down on him, heavy and unrelenting. He thought of his mother¡¯s last fight. Of the knights. Of how powerless he had been. He refused to feel that way again. His voice was steady, but there was fire beneath it. ¡°So what do I start with?¡± Zetsubo exhaled, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. He turned slightly, his shadow stretching in the early morning light. "You start," he said, stepping closer, "by learning how to fight with your body." His gaze locked onto Arata¡¯s. It wasn¡¯t just an answer. It was a challenge. Chapter 5 – The First Test Chapter 5 ¨C The First Test (Arata Meets His Trainers & Spars for the First Time)
Mizukaza ¨C The Training Grounds The morning air was crisp, and the training field stretched out under the rising sun. The scent of damp earth and distant city life lingered in the air. Arata stood in the center, his small hands curled into fists, trying to steady his breathing. Five warriors surrounded him¡ªthe people who would shape his future. Each one watched him carefully, assessing him in their way. He swallowed hard. Their gazes felt heavier than the heat of the sun.
"Alright, Kid. Let¡¯s See What You Got." Zetsubo stood beside him, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable. ¡°To train you properly,¡± he said, ¡°we need to know where you stand.¡± Arata nodded, determination burning in his chest. ¡°One at a time,¡± Zetsubo continued, ¡°each of them will fight you for three minutes¡ªthey¡¯ll hold back, of course.¡± Hold back. Even so, Arata¡¯s gut twisted. He wasn¡¯t naive¡ªthese weren¡¯t ordinary fighters. Still, this was his chance. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

The First Opponent ¨C Grundor, The Strategist

A sharp-eyed man stepped forward first. His stance was casual, but his gaze was piercing¡ªlike he already knew everything about Arata just by looking at him. ¡°My name is Grundor,¡± he said, rolling his shoulders. ¡°I study battles, plan strategies¡­ and if you ever want to win a fight, you¡¯ll need to use your head first.¡± He cracked his knuckles. ¡°So let¡¯s see if you¡¯ve got any instincts.¡±

DING! (An imaginary bell rings in Arata¡¯s mind.)

Grundor didn¡¯t move. Arata hesitated. Then, without thinking, he rushed forward, throwing a punch. Grundor sidestepped with ease. Arata spun and swung again¡ªmiss. He gritted his teeth, shifting stances. Grundor wasn¡¯t attacking. He was watching. Testing him. Arata tried again¡ªa kick this time. Nothing. Grundor barely even acknowledged it. ¡°¡­Not bad for a kid,¡± Grundor muttered. ¡°But if that¡¯s all you¡¯ve got, you¡¯ll be eaten alive out there.¡±

DING! (Time¡¯s up.)

Grundor smirked and patted Arata¡¯s head. ¡°You¡¯ve got potential¡ªbut right now? You¡¯re predictable.¡±

The Second Opponent ¨C Omega, The Strong One

A towering man with arms like tree trunks stepped forward next, cracking his knuckles. Unlike Grundor, he looked excited. ¡°Omega.¡± His deep voice rumbled like thunder. ¡°I don¡¯t do strategy. I don¡¯t do tricks. I hit things. Hard.¡± He stomped his foot. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to hurt me, kid. But let¡¯s see if you can handle a hit.¡± Arata¡¯s heart pounded.

DING!

Omega lunged. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Not fast, not tricky¡ªjust raw power. Arata barely ducked as a massive fist swung past his head, the force alone making his hair whip back. ¡°Whoa¡ª¡± Omega grinned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You scared?¡± Arata clenched his fists. No. He wouldn¡¯t be scared. He charged forward, aiming a punch at Omega¡¯s stomach. His fist connected¡ªand did absolutely nothing. Omega raised an eyebrow. ¡°That it?¡± Before Arata could pull away, Omega gently¡ªbut **firmly¡ª**tapped his shoulder. Arata staggered back, nearly losing his balance. A single tap had almost knocked him over. ¡°¡­You¡¯re gonna need muscle, kid,¡± Omega said, laughing.

DING!

Arata stood frozen. Omega cracked his knuckles. ¡°Next time? Try harder.¡±

The Third Opponent ¨C Beatrix (Sound Breaker), The Speedster

The moment Omega stepped back, a blonde blur zipped past Arata, making him stumble. When he turned, she was already behind him. ¡°Too slow.¡± A grinning girl twirled her twin sai''s, bouncing on her heels. ¡°Name¡¯s Beatrix¡ªbut you can call me Sound Breaker.¡± She winked. ¡°I¡¯m fast. You¡¯re not. Let¡¯s see if you can touch me.¡±

DING!

She vanished. Arata barely saw the flash of movement before something tapped his shoulder. He spun¡ªbut she was already gone. Another tap¡ªthis time on his back. Then his arm. Then his forehead. He swung wildly, frustration boiling up. Nothing. ¡°You¡¯re way too slow, little guy,¡± Beatrix teased. ¡°C¡¯mon, at least try!¡± Arata gritted his teeth. If he couldn¡¯t hit her normally¡­ He¡¯d have to fake her out. He pretended to stumble, making it look like he lost balance. For a **fraction of a second¡ª**Beatrix hesitated. Arata swung. And missed. By an inch. Beatrix whistled. ¡°Not bad!¡±

DING!

She gave him a playful punch to the arm. ¡°You¡¯re slow, but at least you can think.¡± Arata was breathing hard. He had never fought someone with that amount of speed. Beatrix smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make you faster.¡±

The Fourth Opponent ¨C Kate, The Big Sister

The only one who hadn¡¯t stepped forward yet was Kate. She sighed, crossing her arms. ¡°I don¡¯t like fighting kids,¡± she muttered. Zetsubo raised an eyebrow. ¡°And yet, here you are.¡± Kate sighed again. ¡°¡­Fine.¡± She motioned for Arata to come at her. ¡°Show me what you¡¯ve learned.¡±

DING!

Exhausted, but determined, Arata charged in. Kate sidestepped effortlessly. He swung again¡ªshe redirected his strike with just a flick of her wrist. Arata stumbled. Kate shook her head. ¡°You¡¯re too aggressive.¡± Arata clenched his fists. ¡°I have to be.¡± Kate watched him carefully. ¡°You think being strong means throwing yourself at people?¡± Arata hesitated. Kate sighed, softening slightly. ¡°If you keep fighting like that, you¡¯ll get yourself killed.¡± Arata swallowed.

DING!

Kate folded her arms. ¡°You need to learn when to fight¡ªand when to wait.¡±

The Final Opponent ¨C Spiffy

Arata barely had time to breathe before the last figure stepped forward. Spiffy didn¡¯t even get into a stance. ¡°You tired yet?¡± he asked, unimpressed. Arata clenched his fists. ¡°No.¡± Spiffy raised an eyebrow.

DING!

The moment Arata moved, Spiffy grabbed his wrist, twisted, and threw him onto the ground. Hard. Arata gasped as the air rushed out of his lungs. Spiffy crouched down. ¡°Here¡¯s a tip, kid.¡± He pressed his knee onto Arata¡¯s chest, pinning him easily. ¡°If someone¡¯s stronger than you, don¡¯t fight fair.¡± Spiffy stood, dusting himself off. ¡°I give him a week,¡± he muttered. Arata lay on the ground, breathing hard. Everything hurt. He felt weak. Small. Helpless. And he hated it.

Zetsubo¡¯s Verdict

Zetsubo walked forward, looking down at Arata. ¡°Well,¡± he said. Arata stiffened. Then¡ªZetsubo grinned. ¡°You¡¯ll do.¡± Arata blinked. ¡°You mean¡­?¡± Zetsubo nodded. ¡°Training starts tomorrow.¡± Arata¡¯s body ached. But deep inside, something burned. He¡¯d prove himself. No matter what. Chapter 6 – A Place to Call Home (Evening ¨C Mizukaza, Zetsubo¡¯s Hideout) Arata stood at the entrance of his new home, staring up at the massive structure before him. It wasn¡¯t a traditional house¡ªit was something much bigger, almost like a fortified estate, hidden within the outskirts of Mizukaza. The building loomed against the dim evening sky, constructed from reinforced stone and dark oak wood, its design both rugged and imposing. Large, rectangular windows lined the upper floors, some flickering with soft lantern light, their glow barely visible against the creeping dusk. Smoke curled lazily from a chimney at the far end, filling the air with the faint scent of burning firewood. It was nothing like his mother¡¯s home in Honfaza. Her house had been small, simple, and warm. This place was built for many people¡ªwarriors, not families. A heavy hand patted his back. ¡°Come on, kid,¡± Zetsubo¡¯s voice broke through his thoughts as he walked past. ¡°Let¡¯s get you settled in.¡±

Inside the Hideout

The moment Arata stepped inside, he felt small. The common hall was vast, stretching wider than he expected. A long wooden table sat at the center, surrounded by mismatched chairs, some neat, others slightly pulled back as if their occupants had just stepped away. The lingering scent of cooked meat and warm bread drifted through the air, left over from dinner. To the left, a kitchen came into view, equipped with a large stone hearth, shelves filled with glass jars of spices, and barrels stacked against the walls. The scent of dried herbs mixed with the warmth of the fire gave the place a lived-in feel. To the right, an open training area took up an entire section of the home. Wooden dummies stood lined against the walls, racks of swords, spears, and shields gleaming under the dim lantern light. The floor bore scuff marks and faint burns, scars left behind by years of sparring. Further back, there were several doors leading to personal rooms, some slightly ajar, revealing glimpses of beds, bookshelves, and personal belongings¡ªsigns that this was a home, but not in the way Arata had known before. His small feet barely made a sound against the stone floor. This place was built for warriors¡­ but it still felt like a home.

Dinner with the Group

The long wooden table was packed with roasted meat, freshly baked bread, and steaming bowls of stew. Plates and mugs clattered together as the group sat around, talking and laughing like they had no worries in the world. Arata sat quietly, his plate untouched. The warmth of the room clashed against the coldness still gripping his heart. ¡°You¡¯re gonna eat, right?¡± Kate nudged him, placing a piece of bread onto his plate. Her hazel eyes studied him with quiet concern. ¡°You need to put some weight back on, kid.¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m fine,¡± Arata muttered, staring at the food. Beatrix rolled her eyes, grabbing a piece of meat. Her sharp, fox-like features twisted into a smirk. ¡°You better start eating before Omega steals your portion.¡± Omega, mid-bite, looked up with a mouth full of food. ¡°What?¡± he grunted, crumbs falling onto his plate. ¡°If he doesn¡¯t eat it, I might as well!¡± A faint chuckle rippled through the table. Arata hesitated. He wasn¡¯t hungry¡ªbut under Kate¡¯s expectant gaze and Beatrix¡¯s playful warning, he finally picked up his fork. As he ate, he listened. Grundor, the sharp-eyed strategist, sat with one arm resting on the table, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the wood¡ªa habit, perhaps, or a sign that his mind was always running. Omega, all brawn, and little subtlety, tore through his meal like it was a competition. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Beatrix, fast and cocky, twirled a knife between her fingers as she ate, barely paying attention to her food. Kate, the one who seemed to play the role of caretaker, kept an eye on him more than the others. Spiffy, the quietest of them all, leaned back against the far wall, arms crossed, his deep brown eyes watching everything, but saying nothing. They weren¡¯t scared of him. They weren¡¯t cruel. They were¡­ normal. But he wasn¡¯t.

The Conversation Turns to Honfaza

At some point, the conversation shifted. ¡°I heard some noble from Honfaza passed through town yesterday,¡± Grundor mentioned casually, sipping from his mug. Omega scoffed. ¡°Bet he looked down on everyone like they were trash.¡± Arata stiffened. The name of that town felt like a knife in his chest. ¡°Honfaza¡¯s always been corrupt,¡± Kate muttered, crossing her arms. ¡°People think just because they have money and ¡®divine knights,¡¯ they can get away with anything.¡± Arata¡¯s grip on his fork tightened. His fingers turned white from the pressure. Zetsubo noticed. ¡°You alright, kid?¡± he asked, his voice calm but observant. Arata swallowed hard. A beat of silence passed before he forced himself to nod. ¡°Yeah¡­ just tired.¡± Zetsubo didn¡¯t push further, but his golden eyes lingered on Arata for a second longer. Arata wasn¡¯t tired. He was angry. Honfaza still existed. The people who killed his mother were still alive. Breathing. Enjoying their lives. That wasn¡¯t right. They needed to suffer.

Arata¡¯s First Night

After dinner, Kate led him to his room. The room was small but comfortable. A bed with clean sheets sat against the wall, a wooden dresser beside it. A single window overlooked the town, its distant lantern lights flickering in the night. ¡°It¡¯s yours now,¡± Kate said, setting the blankets on the bed. ¡°You can decorate it however you want.¡± Arata stepped inside, his fingers brushing against the soft fabric of the blanket. He hadn¡¯t had his own space in days. ¡°¡­Thank you.¡± His voice was quiet, almost unsure. Kate smiled. Not the cocky grin Beatrix gave, nor the sharp smirk Grundor always had. It was warm. Genuine. ¡°Get some rest.¡± She leaned against the doorframe. ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s gonna be a long day.¡± Then she left, shutting the door behind her.

Alone in the Dark

Alone in the room, Arata sat on the bed, staring at the ceiling. His fingers curled around his mother¡¯s blood-stained necklace. He hadn¡¯t let go of it since that night. The house was warm. The bed was soft. The people here were kind, in their strange ways. But it wasn¡¯t home. Not yet. A chill suddenly ran through him. His vision blurred¡ªno, his mind blurred. The air around him felt heavy, the distant sounds of Mizukaza¡¯s nightlife fading into nothing. Then, he saw it. A distant figure, outlined in the moon¡¯s glow, standing high above. Looking down at him. Its presence felt unreal¡ªlike it didn¡¯t belong to this world. The voice came next. Deep, distorted, like it was speaking through water. ¡°What shall I ever do with him?¡± The pressure in the air disappeared as quickly as it came. Arata gasped, blinking fast. His heart pounded against his ribs. His room was normal again¡ªthe same quiet space Kate had led him to. The lantern¡¯s light flickered gently on the wall. Was that¡­ real? He wasn¡¯t sure. His fingers tightened around the necklace. Outside, the night continued as if nothing had happened. Chapter 7 – A New Life Begins (Morning ¨C Waking Up in Mizukaza) Arata first felt the unfamiliar texture beneath him when he stirred awake. His body had grown used to the simple wooden bed¡ªthe rough mattress, the slight creak whenever he shifted. But this¡­ this was different. The bed here was thicker, the blanket heavier, trapping warmth in a way that felt almost suffocating. His eyes blinked open, adjusting to the dim glow of morning light filtering through a small window. A ceiling, carved from sturdy wood, stretched above him. It took a second for reality to settle in. He was in Mizukaza. Slowly, Arata sat up. The moment his feet touched the floor, a sharp contrast hit him. The wooden planks were cool and smooth, sending a slight shiver up his legs. It wasn¡¯t freezing, just enough to make his toes curl before adjusting. This wasn¡¯t home. Then, a knock on the door. ¡°Hey, kid. Wake up,¡± Kate¡¯s voice called from the other side. ¡°I got something for you.¡± Before he could respond, the door creaked open slightly, and Kate slipped inside, a small pile of folded clothes in her arms. ¡°You slept in those same clothes, didn¡¯t you?¡± she asked, eyeing his wrinkled, dirt-stiffened tunic. Arata glanced down. He hadn¡¯t even noticed. ¡°I never noticed.¡± Kate sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Figures.¡± She placed the clothes on the edge of his bed. ¡°They¡¯re a little big, but they¡¯ll do for now. We¡¯ll get you fitted ones later.¡± Arata hesitated, staring at the fresh clothes. It had been so long since anyone had given him something just for the sake of taking care of him. Kate must¡¯ve noticed his pause because she crossed her arms. ¡°Don¡¯t just sit there looking at them. Change, and then meet us in the common room.¡± Just as Kate turned to leave, a horrid stench hit Arata¡¯s nose. ¡°Hey, uh¡­ Kate?¡± Arata asked hesitantly. ¡°Do you know where I can bathe? It¡¯s been¡­ a couple of weeks.¡± Kate froze, then turned back to him with an amused smirk. ¡°That explains a lot.¡± ¡°Down the hall to the left. There should be spare supplies in there somewhere, but I¡¯m not too sure.¡± She gave him a final glance. ¡°And don¡¯t take forever. We don¡¯t wait for stragglers around here.¡± With that, she shut the door behind her. Arata stared at the clothes for a moment longer before reaching for them. For the first time since arriving, he felt just a little less like an outsider.
(Morning ¨C Leaving the Hideout) After thirty minutes of bathing and changing into the clothes, Kate brought him¡ªa simple dark tunic, slightly baggy pants, and a belt that barely fit¡ªArata stepped into the common room. The others were finishing breakfast, but Zetsubo was already waiting for him by the door. ¡°You¡¯re up. Took you long enough,¡± Zetsubo said, eyeing him. ¡°Come with me.¡± Arata blinked. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Zetsubo smirked. ¡°To see the town. Before we throw you into training, you need to know where you¡¯re living. Let¡¯s go.¡± Arata hesitated for a moment but followed. It wasn¡¯t like he had anywhere else to be.
(Walking Through Mizukaza) The streets of Mizukaza were lively¡ªfar more than Arata expected. Vendors shouted as they advertised fresh produce, exotic spices, and hand-crafted goods. The smell of grilled meats and sweet pastries filled the air, mixing with the bitter scent of incense from a nearby shrine. People bustled around¡ªsome chatting, others carrying supplies, children weaving between stalls with wooden swords. But as they walked, Arata noticed something unsettling. People were staring at him. Not openly¡ªnot in a way that screamed hostility¡ªbut in passing glances. Some were curious. Some seemed to recognize something about him but said nothing, while others¡­ had something else in their eyes. Some were filled with pity. Others with uncertainty. A few, though¡ªa handful of older men and women¡ªlooked at him with quiet suspicion. Did they know? His fingers curled around his mother¡¯s necklace, gripping it tightly. Zetsubo must¡¯ve noticed because he spoke up. ¡°Ignore it.¡± ¡°They¡¯re only wondering why a child is with me.¡± Arata didn¡¯t look at him, but he could hear the weight in his voice. ¡°They¡¯re gonna look. Some might talk. But what they think doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Arata nodded slowly, but the uneasy feeling lingered. ¡°Have you ever cared what people think of you?¡± Arata asked, glancing at Zetsubo. Zetsubo¡¯s golden eyes flickered as he scanned the surroundings, watching the passing crowd. ¡°Of course.¡± He exhaled slowly. ¡°But then I realized it didn¡¯t matter. It never will¡ªas long as you do what you think is right for you.¡± A beat of silence passed before he nodded toward the street ahead. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Now look alive¡ªwe¡¯re at the core of the city.¡±
(Important Places in Mizukaza) Zetsubo led him through different parts of town, pointing things out as they went. The Market District is packed with vendors selling everything from weapons to magical artifacts. ¡°Some of these are scams. Don¡¯t believe everything a merchant tells you,¡± Zetsubo warned. The Training Grounds ¨C A large open area where warriors and mercenaries practiced. ¡°You¡¯ll be spending a lot of time here,¡± Zetsubo said, smirking. ¡°Hope you¡¯re ready.¡± The Blacksmith¡¯s Forge ¨C The air was thick with smoke and heat. Sparks flew as a blacksmith hammered away at molten metal. ¡°You¡¯ll need a real weapon one day. When you¡¯re ready, this is where you¡¯ll get it.¡± The Town Square ¨C A massive circular plaza where announcements were made, and people gathered for festivals. There was a large stone statue of a warrior in the center, but Zetsubo didn¡¯t stop to explain who it was. Arata took in everything, committing as much as he could to memory. This was his new home now.
As Zetsubo led Arata through the quieter section of town, he stopped outside a blacksmith¡¯s forge. The air was thick with heat and the scent of burning metal. Sparks flew as a hammer slammed against glowing steel, ringing through the shop like a battle drum. Zetsubo pushed open the door, stepping inside. ¡°Hey, Cal. You have what I need?¡± A man turned from his workstation, wiping sweat from his brow. His bald head gleamed under the lantern light, and his thick beard¡ªwild and unkempt¡ªlooked like it belonged to a Viking warlord. He wasn¡¯t tall, only about 5¡¯5¡±, but the sheer bulk of his arms and chest made up for it. ¡°Zetsubo, you bastard. ¡¯Course I got it for you!¡± He bent down, rummaging through a crate, then glanced at Arata. His bear-like brown eyes narrowed with curiosity. ¡°Well, now. Who¡¯s this?¡± Zetsubo¡¯s expression remained unreadable. ¡°My nephew.¡± Cal raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t press further. Instead, he grinned. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re family, I suppose I can give ya a little something. Come up here, kid.¡± Arata hesitated, glancing at Zetsubo, who gave him a small nod. Slowly, he stepped forward. Cal reached under the counter, pulling out a small but well-crafted blade. The hilt was simple, wrapped in leather for grip, and the steel¡ªthough not ornate¡ªlooked sharp enough to cut bone. ¡°Here,¡± Cal said, holding it out. ¡°First blade¡¯s free. Consider it a welcome gift.¡± Arata reached for it, fingers brushing over the cool metal. The weight felt... right. ¡°Well?¡± Cal chuckled. ¡°Gonna take it, or just stare at it all day?¡± Arata nodded, gripping the weapon tighter. ¡°Thank you.¡± Cal smirked. ¡°A polite one, huh? You¡¯re already better than half the idiots I sell to.¡± Shifting back to business, he pulled out Zetsubo¡¯s order¡ªa sword, reforged with new enchantments. ¡°I reinforced the mana resistance like you asked,¡± Cal said, setting it down. ¡°Should hold up no matter how much energy you push through it.¡± Zetsubo took the weapon, testing its balance before pouring a faint trace of mana into it. The blade pulsed slightly, absorbing the energy smoothly. A slow smirk formed on his lips. ¡°Yeah. This will do.¡± ¡°Told ya,¡± Cal said proudly. ¡°I do my best work.¡± Arata¡¯s gaze flickered to the two-star insignia on Cal¡¯s arm. His mind turned. What did that mean? Was it a ranking? A measure of strength? He made a mental note to ask Zetsubo later.

(Library-A Mages hideaway)

After leaving the forge, Arata drifted slightly away from Zetsubo, letting his feet carry him down the street. That¡¯s when he saw it. The Library of Mizukaza. A massive stone building, its ancient architecture contrasts the lively town around it. As he stepped closer, the air changed. A weight settled in his chest. Magic. Not like the faint traces he¡¯d felt in the market¡ªthe kind that clung to enchanted trinkets or runes. This was different. Stronger. Overwhelming. The space around the library felt dense, and suffocating, as if raw mana pressed against reality. For a brief moment, it felt like something was watching him, testing him. He swallowed hard and stepped forward. The massive doors were carved with old symbols he didn¡¯t recognize. The closer he got, the more his fingers tingled with an odd sensation¡ªlike the magic was brushing against his skin, whispering to him. Then, the pressure vanished. Arata took a breath and stepped inside.
(Inside the Library) The moment he entered, the noise of the outside world faded into silence. Rows upon rows of books stretched across endless shelves, towering like ancient guardians. Some were ordinary, their covers worn by age. Others... pulsed faintly with arcane energy, some even floating slightly, their pages flipping on their own. The air smelled of old parchment and dust, but it wasn¡¯t unpleasant. There was a strange warmth in his chest, something familiar as if he was meant to be here. A few mages sat at long tables, hunched over texts. Some barely glanced at him. Others frowned, eyeing him as if wondering why a child had wandered in alone. Arata ignored them. Something was pulling him forward. His eyes drifted along the shelves, skimming over the titles. ?? ¡°The History of Divine Artifacts¡± ?? ¡°Elemental Mastery: Theories of Advanced Magic¡± ?? ¡°The Lost War of the Outer Gods¡± (This one pulsed faintly, making his fingers tingle as he passed it.) ?? ¡°The Forbidden Schools of Magic¡± (A thick chain was wrapped around this one, sealed with heavy runes.) His footsteps slowed. Then, he saw it. A door at the far end of the library, different from the others. It was sealed. Heavy enchantments layered over it, glowing with faint golden runes. Above it, a sign read: ¡°RESTRICTED SECTION ¨C ENTRY FORBIDDEN.¡± Arata stared. His chest tightened¡ªa strange pull in the back of his mind. He took a step forward. ¡°Hey, kid!¡± The sharp voice snapped him out of his trance. Arata turned to see a stern-faced librarian approaching. A middle-aged man''s robes are pristine, his gaze sharp. ¡°This is no place for a child. If you¡¯re not here to study, you should leave.¡± Arata hesitated. Then, reluctantly, he nodded and turned away. Still, as he left the library, he stole one last glance at the forbidden section. Something told him... He¡¯d be back.
By the time Arata returned to Zetsubo, he immediately noticed something. ¡°You find something interesting?¡± Zetsubo asked, raising an eyebrow. Arata kept his expression neutral. ¡°Just looking around.¡± Zetsubo didn¡¯t look convinced, but he didn¡¯t push. Instead, he just smirked. ¡°Alright, kid. Hope you got a good look.¡± His golden eyes gleamed slightly. ¡°Because starting tomorrow, you won¡¯t have time to wander.¡± Arata swallowed hard, glancing back toward the direction of the library. Something told him he¡¯d be back there sooner than later. Chapter 8 – The Meaning of Stars The walk back home was calm. The lanterns along Mizukaza¡¯s streets flickered gently as merchants packed their stalls. The sky above was tinged with soft orange and fading purple, while the air carried the warm scent of roasted meat and fresh bread. Arata walked beside Zetsubo, quiet, still processing the new world he was part of¡ªthe sights, the people¡­ and the stars. Everyone in that house had them. As they approached the estate, its large frame stood sturdy and still. Lanternlight glowed through the windows. It looked more like a fortress than a home. Zetsubo opened the door, and warmth spilled out¡ªthe smell of stew and burning firewood, the low hum of laughter and clinking plates. Kate leaned in the kitchen doorway as they stepped in. ¡°Back already?¡± she asked with a smirk. ¡°Thought you two got lost.¡± ¡°Nah,¡± Zetsubo replied, stepping inside. ¡°Kid just needed a proper tour.¡± At the table, Grundor and Omega were mid-conversation, while Beatrix sat off to the side flipping through a book. Spiffy was, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, expression unreadable. As Arata walked in, his eyes naturally drifted to the glowing marks on everyone¡¯s bodies¡ªthe stars. He¡¯d seen them before but never thought to ask. ¡°¡­Hey,¡± Arata said, hesitating. ¡°What do those stars on your bodies mean?¡± Grundor leaned back in his chair, smirking. ¡°So you finally noticed, huh?¡± Kate waved Arata over to the table. ¡°C¡¯mon. Sit. It¡¯s nothing complicated.¡± Zetsubo stayed standing nearby, arms crossed but relaxed. Grundor tapped his temple. ¡°They¡¯re called star ranks. A system the gods made to measure your overall power¡ªmagic, combat skill, even potential.¡± ¡°The more stars you have, the stronger you are,¡± Omega grinned. Kate nodded. ¡°Most people are born with two. That¡¯s normal. Three¡¯s above average.¡± Arata glanced down at his arm, where three faint stars rested. ¡°So there''s pretty good, then?¡± Omega gave a short laugh. ¡°Better than most. But climbing higher? That¡¯s where it gets rough.¡± Arata blinked. ¡°How long does it take to go up?¡± ¡°For regular folks?¡± Omega leaned back. ¡°Ten years if they¡¯re lucky. You have to train constantly and break yourself over and over. It¡¯s pure agony.¡± Arata tilted his head. ¡°So¡­ how did you guys get to four stars?¡± Kate smiled. ¡°Same way you will¡ªtraining, missions, life experience. Some of us were born closer to it. Some had to claw their way up.¡± Arata nodded slowly, eyes drifting around the room. ¡°And¡­ Zetsubo has five?¡± The group fell quiet for a beat. Zetsubo just shrugged. ¡°Yeah.¡± Grundor chimed in. ¡°Five stars are rare. Nobles, war generals, kings, that kind of thing.¡± ¡°But also,¡± Kate added, ¡°the higher your star count, the more eyes you attract. Good and bad.¡± Arata leaned forward on the table. ¡°Do stars ever change how you act? Or how people treat you?¡± Spiffy finally spoke, his voice dry. ¡°Yeah. People treat you like a threat. Or a tool.¡± Kate rolled her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t scare the kid.¡± Arata smiled faintly. ¡°So if I keep training, I could go higher too?¡± Omega smirked. ¡°Yeah. But don¡¯t expect to jump ranks overnight.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± Arata said. Then he added, half-grinning, ¡°...but one day, I¡¯ll surpass all of you.¡± Beatrix laughed from across the room. ¡°Bold.¡± Omega laughed too. ¡°I like this kid.¡± Spiffy just grunted. ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± Zetsubo finally stood upright. ¡°Alright, enough chit-chat. Get some rest. Training starts tomorrow.¡± Grundor stretched, grabbing the book from Beatrix¡¯s hand. ¡°Discipline builds strength.¡± As the group slowly scattered, Arata sat for a moment longer, looking at each of them. Five. Four. Four. Four. Four. He looked at his own. Three. Just for now. Chapter 9 – The Calm Before the Burn The scent of roasted meat and simmering broth filled the house, warm and inviting. The dining hall, though simple, held a quiet charm. A long wooden table stretched across the center, worn at the edges from years of use. Dim lanterns flickered above, casting golden light across the room, while the distant crackle of the fireplace made the air feel cozy. Alive. Arata followed Kate inside, the wooden floor cool against his bare feet. He froze momentarily at the sight of the feast laid out¡ªsteaming cuts of herb-seasoned venison, bowls of root vegetable stew, freshly baked brown bread, and small plates of caramelized fruit. There was more food than he had ever seen on a single table. ¡°Take a seat, kid,¡± Kate said, patting the chair beside her. Arata hesitated. It felt strange. Sitting at a table like this¡ªsurrounded by people, sharing a meal. For five years, it had just been him and his mother. Now¡­ this. Zetsubo sat at the head of the table, arms crossed, silently watching the group. Beatrix was already halfway through her meal, chewing loudly. Omega, unsurprisingly, had the largest plate and was tearing into a thick slab of venison, juices dripping down his fingers. Grundor sipped calmly from a cup of dark tea, occasionally glancing Arata¡¯s way. Spiffy sat furthest from the group, eating quietly, his face unreadable. Arata finally picked up his spoon and took a hesitant bite of the stew. Then he froze. It was good. Not just good¡ªincredible. The broth was rich and layered, filled with the deep earthiness of long-simmered bones and spices. The vegetables melted in his mouth. The meat was so tender it practically fell apart on his tongue. Kate noticed and chuckled. ¡°Tastes better than what you¡¯re used to, huh?¡± Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Arata gave a small nod. Kate smiled. ¡°Guess we¡¯re doing something right.¡± Zetsubo cleared his throat, setting his cup down. The sound was quiet but drew everyone¡¯s attention like a command. ¡°We start training tomorrow,¡± he said. His tone left no room for discussion. Arata straightened. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to learn everything overnight,¡± Zetsubo continued. ¡°But starting now, everything you do is about survival.¡± The room went still. Grundor set down his cup. ¡°Meaning?¡± Zetsubo met his gaze. ¡°If he wants to grow stronger, he must be ready to kill.¡± Arata¡¯s fingers tightened around his spoon. Kill. That word landed heavier than anything else. It echoed in his chest. Kate frowned. ¡°He¡¯s five. Isn¡¯t that a little soon?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not just any five-year-old,¡± Zetsubo said. ¡°You know that.¡± No one argued. Beatrix stabbed another piece of meat. ¡°So what¡¯s the first lesson?¡± ¡°Basic combat,¡± Zetsubo replied. ¡°We¡¯ll test him. Find his weaknesses. Build from there.¡± Omega grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll break him in.¡± Kate gave him a look. ¡°No, you¡¯ll break his bones.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll hold back.¡± ¡°That¡¯s still not comforting.¡± Arata stayed quiet, listening. Grundor tapped his fingers against the table. ¡°He¡¯ll need more than strength. He¡¯ll need discipline. And strategy. If he¡¯s smart, he¡¯ll learn how to fight with his mind¡ªnot just his fists.¡± Arata looked down at his hands. He didn¡¯t just want to hit harder. He wanted control. Spiffy, silent until now, finally spoke. ¡°Even if you train him, there¡¯s no guarantee he¡¯ll be strong enough.¡± The air shifted slightly. Spiffy leaned back. ¡°Strength doesn¡¯t just appear. It takes years. From what I¡¯ve seen... he¡¯s nothing special.¡± Kate¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°That¡¯s uncalled for.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the truth.¡± Arata clenched his jaw but said nothing. Spiffy wasn¡¯t wrong. But he wasn¡¯t right, either. Zetsubo stood. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Rest while you can. Tomorrow, we begin.¡± Arata placed his spoon down and stared at his arm. Three stars. Tomorrow, I will start changing that. Chapter 10 – The First Day of Training The morning air carried the sharp chill of dawn, the ground beneath Arata''s bare feet cool and rough. He shifted slightly, feeling the uneven terrain press into his skin. The training grounds stretched wide before him¡ªa mix of packed dirt, stray patches of grass, and scattered stone, all worn down from countless battles fought here before. Zetsubo stood at the center, arms crossed, his five-star insignia barely visible beneath his sleeve. His sharp gaze swept over the group, lingering on Arata for a moment longer than the rest. "Today marks the start of your training," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You need to understand where you stand¡ªand what it means to fight at this level. Each of us will spar with you. Two of us today. The rest will be later. Three minutes per round. No favors. You fall, you get back up. If you lose, you learn. Understood?" Arata swallowed, then nodded. "Understood." Zetsubo''s eyes flicked to Omega. "You''re first." The First Spar ¨C Omega (The Unmovable Force) Omega cracked his knuckles, each motion slow and deliberate, like a man who knew he never needed to rush. He rolled his shoulders, his massive frame casting a long shadow over Arata. "You get the first hit, kid," Omega said, his tone more amused than serious. "Make it count." Arata clenched his fists and dashed forward, fast. His bare feet barely made a sound against the dirt as he launched a sharp punch at Omega¡¯s midsection¡ª The moment his fist connected, it felt like he had punched a mountain. Omega didn¡¯t even flinch. "That all you got?" Arata barely had time to process his failure before Omega''s arm moved. Fast. A massive fist swung toward him like a battering ram. Arata twisted his body, barely dodging, but the sheer force of the air pressure made his stomach lurch. Then¡ªthe real hit came. Omega¡¯s palm slammed into Arata¡¯s chest. It wasn¡¯t even a punch. Just a shove. But it sent Arata skidding backward, his body bouncing against the dirt. His vision blurred as he struggled to catch his breath. The impact felt like a sledgehammer against his ribs. "You¡¯re sturdy," Omega said, watching him calmly. "But in a real fight? You won¡¯t get a second chance to breathe." Arata forced himself up, his arms trembling, but determination burned in his chest. This wasn¡¯t over. As Omega left the field, another entered. The Second Spar ¨C Beatrix (The Speed Demon) Arata had barely caught his breath before Beatrix was already standing in front of him. Unlike Omega, whose sheer presence was crushing, Beatrix felt like a blur. Her four-star insignia glowed faintly on her wrist as she spun her twin sais lazily between her fingers. "You ready, kid?" she teased, bouncing lightly on her feet. ¡°Try to hit me~¡± Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Arata didn¡¯t hesitate. He lunged forward¡ªand punched at nothing. A sharp breeze brushed past his cheek. Then¡ª A jab to his ribs. Then his side. Then his shoulder. Beatrix was gone before he could see her. "You¡¯re slow," she teased, her voice coming from everywhere and nowhere. Arata gritted his teeth. She was toying with him. He swung again¡ªand she ducked. "Swing and a miss," she giggled, tapping his forehead before vanishing. Arata growled in frustration, eyes darting around, trying to predict where she¡¯d strike next. And then¡ªshe got serious. The teasing vanished. In an instant, Beatrix shifted gears. One moment, she was flickering in and out of view¡ªthe next, she was right in front of him, her speed turning into pure offense. A kick slammed into his side. Arata staggered, barely keeping his balance. Beatrix didn¡¯t let up. She twisted mid-air, following with another strike, forcing Arata to dodge clumsily. "Lesson one," she said, landing gracefully, her sais gleaming. ¡°Speed kills.¡± Arata wiped the sweat from his brow. This wasn¡¯t just about strength. He had to think. As Beatrix dashed away from the training ground, leaving a gust of wind behind, Zetsubo stepped forward. The Five-Star Lesson ¨C Zetsubo vs. Beatrix and Omega Arata lay in the dirt, his lungs burning, muscles shaking from the brutal sparring. He could barely lift his head, but something kept him from collapsing completely. Pride. Grit. That flicker of resolve was still burning. Zetsubo walked toward the center of the field, hands in his coat pockets. "Stay down," Kate started, moving toward him. ¡°You¡¯ve done enough¡ª¡± "No," Zetsubo said, voice calm but commanding. "He needs to see this." He turned to the group. "Beatrix. Omega. Step forward. One at a time." Beatrix raised an eyebrow, spinning her sais. "You want us to go again?" "No," Zetsubo said. "I want him to understand what mastery looks like." Zetsubo vs. Beatrix ¨C Clean Precision Beatrix blurred, vanishing into thin air as she shot toward Zetsubo from the side. But Zetsubo was already behind her. She gasped. ¡°How¡ª?!¡± He answered her¡ªand Arata¡ªwith a smooth voice: "Speed is useless if you announce your movements." A palm to Beatrix¡¯s back halted her mid-air. She landed, blinked, and twisted to strike. Her sais flashed¡ª CLANG. Zetsubo caught both blades between two fingers. ¡°You¡¯re fast,¡± he said. ¡°But speed without control is noise." He released her, and with one final glance, said, ¡°Done.¡± Beatrix slowly lowered her sais, nodding with quiet awe. Zetsubo vs. Omega ¨C Strength Redefined Omega cracked his neck. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s see it.¡± He charged¡ªmassive, overwhelming. The ground quaked. Zetsubo stepped aside like he was gliding. Omega¡¯s fist missed by an inch. Zetsubo didn¡¯t counter. Not yet. ¡°Strength without timing,¡± he said aloud, ¡°is like swinging a tree in the wind. Impressive¡ªbut ineffective.¡± Omega growled and launched a second, thunderous blow. Zetsubo leaned in¡ªjust enough¡ªand redirected it with a flick of his wrist. He slipped inside Omega¡¯s guard¡ª ¡ªand tapped Omega¡¯s chin. A soft strike. But Omega stumbled. ¡°Precision wins wars,¡± Zetsubo said. Omega steadied himself, chuckled, and nodded. ¡°Yeah. You got it.¡± The Lesson Ends Zetsubo turned back to Arata, still lying on the ground, wide-eyed. He crouched beside him. ¡°You fought hard. You lost. And that¡¯s perfect.¡± Arata blinked. ¡°Perfect?¡± ¡°You can¡¯t grow if you think you¡¯re already strong.¡± Zetsubo stood, voice steady. ¡°You saw what control looks like. What clarity feels like. That¡¯s your path.¡± He looked toward the others. ¡°Training continues tomorrow.¡± And to Arata, with a faint smile¡ª ¡°Rest. You¡¯ve earned it.¡± Chapter 11: The Foundation of Combat The sun barely shifted in the sky, yet Arata''s body screamed in protest. Every muscle in his arms and legs burned, his breath felt shallow, and his fingers twitched with exhaustion. He sat on the cool grass, drenched in sweat, as the aches from his sparring matches with Grundor, Omega, and Beatrix pulsed through his limbs. His body felt like a battered training dummy, his bones heavy, his lungs begging for rest. Kate knelt beside him, her expression a mix of concern and approval as she held out a water flask. "You lasted longer than I thought you would," she said with a gentle smile, brushing some damp hair from his forehead. Arata took the flask, shaking his hands, and gulped down the water, the cold liquid soothing his parched throat. But his mind was elsewhere¡ªtrapped in the mistakes he had made, the blows he had taken, the complete lack of control he had in the fights. "You''re overthinking," Zetsubo''s voice cut through the fog of his thoughts. His uncle stood a few steps away, arms crossed, eyes sharp. "That''s a good thing. It means you''re trying to improve." Arata looked up at him, his breathing still ragged. "I wasn''t strong enough." Zetsubo sighed. "Strength isn''t just about how hard you hit, Arata. It''s about knowing when to strike, where to strike, and how to move before the enemy does." Arata clenched his fists, his knuckles still raw from earlier. "I couldn''t land a single hit. I was completely useless." Zetsubo chuckled, shaking his head. "You weren''t useless. You were just inexperienced. And that, Arata, is something we can fix." He stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. "Get up." Arata groaned but forced himself to his feet. His legs trembled beneath him. His shoulders felt like they had lead weights strapped to them. "I can barely move¡­" he muttered under his breath. Zetsubo smirked. "Then this will be fun. Follow me." Lesson 1: The Basics of Stance & Footwork They moved to a clear, shaded patch of land where the dirt was packed firm, evidence of years of training. The cool breeze brushed against Arata''s skin, but it did nothing to ease the heat radiating from his aching muscles. Zetsubo positioned himself a few feet ahead and assumed a stance¡ªfeet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, arms raised but loose. His entire body seemed anchored to the ground, yet he looked as if he could move in any direction immediately. "Before you throw a single punch, before you even think about attacking, you need to learn how to stand." Arata mimicked his stance, though his balance wavered slightly. Zetsubo stepped forward and shoved him lightly. Arata stumbled, nearly toppling over. "Too stiff." Zetsubo adjusted Arata''s legs with his foot. "A stance needs to be solid but flexible. If you plant your feet too hard, you''ll get knocked over. If you''re too loose, you''ll get thrown around. Find the middle ground." Arata adjusted his feet, steadying himself. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. "Again." Zetsubo shoved him once more. This time, Arata stayed on his feet. "Better. Now move." Zetsubo started circling, forcing Arata to keep his stance while shifting his position. The dirt shifted under Arata''s weight, and each step required focus to stay balanced. "Your footwork needs to be clean. If you stumble, you''re dead. If you hesitate, you''re dead. The moment you trip over yourself, you''re finished." Arata tried to match his uncle''s movements, but as soon as Zetsubo lunged forward, Arata instinctively tried to dodge¡ªonly for his footing to fail him. He fell backward, landing hard on his hands. "Too slow," Zetsubo said, standing over him. "Your body needs to react before your mind does. That takes training." Arata groaned as he pushed himself up, his arms trembling. Lesson 2: The Art of the Punch "Now, let''s talk about strikes." Zetsubo raised his fist. The air around them stirred slightly as if sensing the shift in energy. Arata blinked. "What the¡ª?" Before he could finish, Zetsubo threw a punch. The force sent a gust of wind past Arata''s face, rattling his hair and clothes. His uncle hadn''t even hit anything, but the sheer speed of the strike had left a pressure in the air. "A real punch isn''t just your arm. It starts from your feet, moves through your hips, then into your fist. Power comes from the whole body, not just the muscles." Arata swallowed hard and tried to copy the motion. His punch was weak in comparison. Zetsubo clicked his tongue. "Relax your shoulders. You''re putting too much tension into it. Let the power flow." Arata reset and threw another punch. "Again." Punch. "Again." Punch. His knuckles stung, his arms ached, but he kept going. "Good." Zetsubo nodded. "Now, let''s add speed." Arata narrowed his eyes. "Speed?" Zetsubo suddenly lashed out with a quick jab. The wind pressure alone knocked Arata off balance. "If you can''t strike fast, you''re leaving yourself open." Zetsubo cracked his knuckles. "Let''s fix that." Lesson 3: Kicks & Power Generation Zetsubo raised his leg and threw a clean, powerful kick. The air exploded outward from the force, sending dust flying. The impact left a faint mark in the dirt where his foot had passed. Arata''s jaw clenched. "How do I do that?" Zetsubo smirked. "Start by not falling over." Arata attempted a front kick. His balance wavered, and he nearly tripped. Zetsubo sighed. "You''re relying too much on your upper body. Kicks start from the core." They repeated the motion repeatedly. Arata felt the force build each time, but his body ached beyond belief. "This is hell¡­" he muttered. Zetsubo grinned. "You''ll thank me later." Lesson 4: Blocking & Dodging Zetsubo''s voice lowered. "Defense." Arata barely had time to react before a fist flew straight at his face. Instinct kicked in¡ªhe raised his arms, barely blocking the strike. The impact rattled his bones, sending a painful shock through his arms. "You think that was strong? That was me holding back." Zetsubo lashed out again¡ªthis time faster. Arata flinched, his feet skidding across the dirt. "If you hesitate, you die." A third attack came¡ªArata ducked, barely missing the hit. "Good," Zetsubo muttered. "Now do that every time." Arata groaned. "You''re insane." Zetsubo smirked. "Welcome to real combat."