While Astraea and Yun were rushing back to the North Blossom Kingdom, King Ren was anxiously waiting for news about the [Rose Sword Saint]. Since he knew that Astraea would not reject his request, he decided to break the news to Hokuto that she would be receiving tutoring. He forcefully made his way into Hokuto's room even though she did not allow anyone to enter when she was still inside.
"Father." Hokuto wore a look of immense disappointment, but King Ren did not show any anger, merely concern.
"I'm sorry for barging into your room like this, but I have to give you some good news," he responded to Hokuto's disappointment in stride. "I've found a very capable expert to become your tutor."
When Hokuto heard the words 'expert' and 'tutor' she was both very excited and very nervous. Had King Ren figured out her true interests? Did he hire a friend of his to teach her the mystic arts? Could she become the first Royal Sorceress of the Kingdom? Unfortunately, having high expectations meant that when they were inevitably shot down, the fall would be much harder.
"I've asked the [Rose Sword Saint] to become your tutor in swordplay."
Hokuto stared at King Ren in amazement. On one hand, she really had no interest in using a sword compared to casting magic. She wanted to enjoy the feeling of moving mountains with her hands, parting the seas with a royal scepter, and to experience such absurd fantasies.
Unfortunately, reality was bound to be cruel. On the other hand, she would become the [Rose Sword Saint]'s only disciple. This was definitely going to cause a stir, and it isn't like she was ignorant of Astraea's legendary stories. Hokuto knew that much.
"You've got to be kidding me." King Ren's daughter spoke in a mocking tone, but he could sense that her emotions were in turmoil. He knew that she could not ignore the appeal of being taught by the number one swordswoman in the world.
"I am not joking. She owes me one favor."
"You could have used that favor for war. Yet you use it to salvage my lack of interest in swordplay?"
"Heh heh, your mother, my lovely Queen Tyris, said something similar to that! I will stop at nothing to ensure you succeed the throne and surpass my own level of skill. You are a highly capable kid, you just need someone to show you that the martial arts can be just as wondrous as the deadly mysticism of sorcery." King Ren snickered.
Hokuto shuddered. "As expected of my wise father," she sputtered. "Did the Custodian sell me out?!"
"He said nothing to me, though now that you mention it, I ought to punish him in some form. He was actually colluding with you to foster your interest in magic."
"Hey, hey, don't punish that poor fella out. He did nothing wrong. I stole those books."
"If you stole those books, what's to say someone more dangerous couldn't do the same? I won't be hard on that guy, he's been our faithful Custodian for over ten years. I know he won't willingly be so neglectful. Alas, who would have known that you would be the first heiress in generations to have little interest in the sword?" King Ren sighed with lament.
"How did you know?" Hokuto was now genuinely curious. She calmed herself down - she was genuinely curious. For so long she was able to hide her tracks, but how could her father suddenly figure things out just as he was getting a tutor for her? It was even the [Rose Sword Saint] at that.
"As of two years ago, I started to harbour suspicions that you really had some preference towards a different form of combat than swordplay. You refused to take training your physical foundations seriously, preferring to practice the dexterity of your hands and wrists - no doubt a way to improve the formation of hand seals and mudras. You should have seen how hard your mother laughed at you - it's obvious you have no aptitude for the magic arts."
Hokuto frowned and glared coldly at King Ren, though she was truly not mad at him. She was simply disappointed in herself. No aptitude in magic arts? That can't be true.
"Dear, our lineage was never known for practicing magic. We have been experts in the sword and dagger, through and through. We became famous because of our
Hokuto's frown softened but she still looked upset, unwilling to rebut or say anything at this point. She knew that now was not the time to argue. She had to hear her father out. Seeing his tall, imposing figure, neither too bulky nor too emasculated, yet brimming with finely toned muscles despite his age, Hokuto inwardly sighed. She had to admit, her father surely must have 'killed' a lot of women in his youth.
"Even the [Rose Sword Saint] couldn't take our techniques lightly. In fact, she was already freakishly talented in the ways of the sword when I met her fifteen years ago. She was barely older than you!" Ren sighed.
"She was my age?!" If Hokuto were drinking something right now, she'd have spat it all out in disbelief. So she gave her favour to her father, a mighty King, when she was literally less than half his age? This was inconceivable!
"Not only that, but she used a rare type of sword only found in the distant East - a tachi, which was not like the straight blades and swords we commonly use, but a slightly curved one with a single edge. Yet, despite using such a rare weapon, she was able to conquer her peers and reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship, maintaining her physique and skill with the use of internal martial arts, something only she has managed to accomplish in over a thousand years."
When Hokuto heard the phrase 'internal martial arts,' she became somewhat interested.
"Seems I've got your attention now, huh? Are you convinced about becoming the [Rose Sword Saint]'s disciple?"
"Humph... I'll think about it. I still refuse to believe I have no magical aptitude!" Hokuto barked, though inwardly she was indeed quite interested in meeting the [Rose Sword Saint] in person. King Ren could sense that she had been swayed slightly. "Besides, it's not like I'm doing this for the sake of tradition. I'm doing this so I have a route in life in case I really don't have a future in magic!"
King Ren grinned and laughed heartily. "That's my daughter." he exhorted.