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03 The Resolve

Takeshi makes his way, following Kenichii from the public baths on the left side of the academy to the main hall, where Kanroji currently is.

"So this is the assembly hall. If you walk straight ahead from the bath, you'll reach the armory. And if you walk south from the main hall, you'll reach the training hall. We have an internal training hall for when the weather is bad, and an external hall, the one you saw when you came into the academy. That's the main place where we spar and learn different things.

To get to the kitchen, you have to enter the corridor but don't turn at the first right, as that leads to the bath from which we just came. If you go straight ahead, you'll find it. And to the left, right before the kitchen, is the infirmary.

You got all these? Even if you don't, you'll get used to it in a few days, so don't worry."

"Umm..."

"Yeah?"

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"Uhh, because you will have to know all this from now? Duh, what kinda question is that? Also, don't forget to run with all your might when the bell for lunch and dinner rings, or you won't get anything haha."

"Why would I have to know all this right away? I'm not a student here yet."

"But you will be."

"Not until I clear the trial."

"Oh, I don't think you need to worry about that, you are most likely gonna be admitted without the trial."

"No, I won't get in that way."

"Whaa-? But why?"

"This wasn't how my grandfather wanted me to get in.

He wanted me to clear the trial and then get into the academy."

"B-But you are the grandson of the legendary Takahiro Tachibana, not to mention he's our Master's friend. I doubt he'll make you do the trial, especially given the current state of affairs."

"Given the current state of affairs?"

"Umm..."

"So you want me to use my grandfather's death as an excuse and get into the academy? Is that what you are saying?"

"No, no, I didn't intend it that way.

I'm sorry if it felt like that.

But what I mean is, I don't think Master will even conduct a trial this year since he's mourning."

"Ahh, I apologize for getting angry and shouting at you. I am really sorry."

"No, no, it's fine. I should have worded what I said better, so it's my fault.

Also, please, stop being this formal with me. Regardless of whether you will be a student here right away or not, you will eventually join, right? So please."

"Okay."

"You can stop being cold too; that doesn't suit you humph."

"Heh."

Kenichii was surprised and happy that he got to see Takeshi's smile that day. He was happy that, despite being grief-stricken, he was able to put a smile on Takeshi's face.

"So, what are you going to do with the other sword?"

"Ahh, I'm gonna hand over both to Kanroji Sensei."

"Wait, both? Why? You can keep your grandfather's sword to yourself, right?"

"No, I made a vow to myself, I have to see it through."

Both of them had reached the front door of the left side of the main hall.

"Kanroji Sensei, it's Kenichii.

I have brought Takeshi Kun."

"Ahh, come in, both of you."

"Takeshi Kun, how are you feeling right now?

I assume you took a bath and got some rest?"

"Yes Sensei, I did, I'm feeling better now."

"Ahh, good, that's good to hear.

Kenichii, can you give the both of us a moment here?"

"Yes Sensei, I'll be leaving now."

Kenichii leaves, closing the door as he exits the main hall.

"Takeshi Kun...

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that this happened. If only I had placed more guards and had monitored the outskirts of the village and the forest a bit more, this wouldn't have happened.

It's my fault to begin with that I never tried to seek out Tachibana after he left this place. Although he told me not to go after him, I should have still gone. All of this, it's all because of him that all of this exists today.

We would occasionally send letters, telling each other what's going on, and he would always make fun of me by telling me not to come after him like the old days.

Hahh, a fool I was... Back then and I still am.

Anyways, these are all... Matters of the past.

Your grandfather brought you here, so that you can master the Ancient Emperor Style Swordsmanship and surpass everyone.

And that, I personally will make sure that it becomes a reality.

The Sword Apprentice Trial for this year is cancelled, and I'm directly taking you in as the sole student for the year.

We will start your training from next week, so I want you to be mentally prepared for it."

"Sensei, I thank you for this, but I cannot accept this."

"What? Why?"

"Sensei, my grandfather wanted me to take part in the trial. He wanted me to know what it feels like to compete with other talents and know where I currently stand.

He told me, 'You are obviously weaker compared to children your age who had taken up sword training way before you. Not to mention, you have the physical prowess of a toddler. So you should know, or rather you must know, where you stand amongst talents of your age...

It's fine if you fail, and like I said, you are most certain to fail, but that doesn't mean you are weak or you should give up. You can use that experience, that failure, to know more about yourself and push yourself further.

That's what life is all about.'

And I... Want to honor his wishes..." Takeshi tells as tears start falling from his eyes.

"Oh my boy... I'm sorry about what I said..."

Kanroji felt very sad, as he could imagine himself being in Takeshi's position a few decades back when Tachibana motivated him to work harder, despite him being weak.

Tachibana never gave up on him, and he realized that it was his turn to stand in front of this young boy and to help him reach his destiny, to push him forward and to support him, even if he fails.

"All right, I will conduct the Trial, and you can join the academy the day you pass the trial.

But I should warn you, it will not be easy. Not to mention, it'll be even harder for you since you don't have any sword prowess or the physical strength."

"That's fine, I will train. I'm ready to work for this."

"Good, good, that's the spirit. You may leave now, you can stay here while you participate in the trial. There will be quarters for the other students who come here for the trial to stay, but I want you to remain here. It's my request."

"Yes Sensei, I will stay here."

"I'll tell Kenichii to show you the dorms."

"One other thing, Sensei...."

"Hmm? What is it Takeshi Kun?"

Takeshi hands over the swords which were tied to his waist to Kanroji.

"Ahh, Mizuko, this brings back memories.

Hmm..?"

Kanroji couldn't believe his eyes, for he saw something that he thought he would never again see in his life.

"Wait, Kageki?? How did you get this?

This should be in the possession of the 2nd Prince of the Ming Empire."

"Sensei, the bandits who attacked us had this with them, there was a young man who was using this."

"Using this? Do you mean he was able to use the sword's abilities?"

"I'm not sure Sensei, but I think so. Even grandpa was surprised at this."

'Of course, he was. There aren't a lot of people in history who are able to wield the Kageki.

Me and Tachibana were both witnesses to how much Iwao had to train just to use this properly.

But Iwao was a genius among geniuses, not only did he awaken the blade in 10 years, but soon after, he forged his own techniques into his blade, which is an incredible feat.

Even I, after spending decades with Hibiki, can't imprint my own technique onto her. And now I'm hearing there was someone who was able to awaken the blade and use the ability?

This doesn't bode well.' thought Kanroji.

"Tell me what all occurred at that time."

Takeshi tells him all that he saw, the bandit leader unsheathing the sword, the young man suddenly attacking Tachibana, how he was able to hold his footing with him. And when the Kageki user was injured along with the leader after Tachibana using one of his abilities, how the crossbow user shot him from behind.

The thought of what happened angered Kanroji, but he suppressed it.

He thought, 'they could've never touched a hair on his body, had it been a proper one-on-one without sneak attacks.'

But life isn't a duel, and Kanroji is well aware of that. He regained his composure, and while listening to the rest of it, he was rather surprised by how a young man amongst a group of bandits was able to do this.

'Hmm, there does exist the possibility of none of them actually being bandits. It could be that they are skilled assassins under the guise of bandits, whose only intention was to obtain the sword. Tachibana did tell me in that letter that there could come a threat for all the legendary sword wielders. Could this too be his work?'

"So did this young man flee?"

"I'm not sure, Sensei. I don't remember anything after I picked up Mizuko."

"Hmm, so was it Tachibana who used the Lunar Blossom?"

"Lunar Blossom?"

"Ahh never mind the name, did you happen to see that brilliant moonlight? It flooded the forest?"

"No, Sensei, I didn't see anything like that."

'Hmm, it is strange... Wait, could it be?'

Kanroji looks at Takeshi after thinking to himself.

'Could it be that he awakened Mizuko?'

'It shouldn't be possible technically, in order to clear the trial, he must know basic sword techniques and have quite the physical strength.

The other boy awakening Kageki would still be valid as he was able to fight one-on-one with Tachibana, it would require a certain amount of sword mastery to be able to stand while sustaining injuries from him.

Or could it be that Mizuko was the responsible one?

Hmm, guess I will have to wait to know about this."

"And then what happened?"

"They mentioned that they were only after the sword and that they were the ones who burned my village down and killed both my parents because my grandfather had refused to hand over the sword to them. They also mentioned something about grandpa humiliating some Lord."

'Hmm, as I thought, he is the one behind all this...

I don't know why he's doing this, but I do regret letting him live that day...

Considering the power he possesses, it's dangerous to let him do as he wishes, but there is none left who has the ability to keep him in check.

The future is looking bleak, I'm afraid.'

"Hmm, well, I'll do some checking on that matter. Don't you worry about this for now. You just focus on your training and the trial."

"Ahh Sensei, please keep this for me."

"Okay, I'll keep the Kageki."

"No Sensei, I want you to keep both. I'm not ready to wield my grandfather's sword.

Once I finish the trial, enroll here, and master the Ancient Emperor Style Swordsmanship and prove my worth to you, then you can return it to me."

Kanroji saw the determination in his eyes, which reminded him of a young Tachibana. He couldn't say no to someone with that kind of vigor.

"Okay, I'll hold onto it for you. You have to promise me that you'll keep the word you just made."

"Yes Sensei, I will."

"All right then, off you go."

Takeshi bows to his Sensei and leaves the main hall.

Kanroji looks at him with fondness and smiles.

"Hmm, I wonder how this child's future will unfold.

It'll be interesting to see how it turns out.

I'm glad Tachibana, I have the honor of watching over your grandson."

To be Continued.

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