The following morning, Kito was even more excited than usual. Not only was he eager to get his first sword, but he was also curious to meet the villagers his mother had told him about. Strangely, he knew very little about them, just trivialities, but his mother had never wanted to go into detail.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, the family set off for the village. They walked for about ten minutes before finally catching sight of the town. Contrary to what Kito had imagined, the village wasn't very large. The streets were not crowded, but everything was impeccably clean and well-maintained. The wooden houses were neatly lined up, and their roofs were astonishingly clean. Gardens were in bloom, adding a bright touch of color to the scene.
Kito looked in wonder at the few market stalls, children playing in the streets, and artisans working on their crafts.
After crossing the village, they finally arrived at the forge. A burly blacksmith, his muscular arms covered in sweat, hammered away at a glowing piece of metal. Seeing Darius and his family approach, he put down his hammer and greeted them warmly.
"Ah, Darius, my old friend! How are you? And who is this energetic young man?" asked the blacksmith, ruffling Kito's hair.
"Hi Regi, I'm doing great, thanks! This is my son, don't you recognize him?" replied Darius, laughing.
"Wow, he's grown a lot in 2 years! If he keeps this up, he'll outgrow me!" exclaimed Regi.
"Haha, yes, it's been a while since you last saw him," replied his father. "We're here to choose a sword; Kito just mastered the basics of combat."
"Oh, that's impressive! You mastered the basics at only 6 years old? Usually, it's around 10! I'll give you a discount on the sword you'll buy, and I'll make some higher-quality ones available to you. Think of it as a little boost."
Kito was overjoyed. He couldn't have dreamt of a better start for his first sword.
Regi led them inside the shop, where a wide variety of shiny weapons were displayed on the walls and stands. Kito wandered among rows of swords, daggers, and bows, marveling at the incredible selection before him. His father accompanied him, sharing his expert advice on the qualities and features to look for in a sword suited to his age and size.
Meanwhile, Kaliana, Kito's mother chatted with the blacksmith, catching up on village news and sharing the latest gossip. Their conversation was punctuated with laughter and expressions of surprise, as if they were reuniting after a long separation. After much deliberation and trying out several swords, Kito finally chose a lightweight, perfectly balanced blade with a braided leather handle that fit his hand perfectly. The gleaming metal bore the marks of Regi's careful craftsmanship, and Kito knew he had found the perfect sword to begin his adventure. As they prepared to leave the forge, the blacksmith addressed Kito one last time.
"Don't hesitate to come to the village from time to time, my boy, we'll be happy to welcome you and follow your progress!"
Kito, his eyes shining with gratitude, thanked Regi and promised to return soon. With his new sword in hand and the support of his family and the villagers, he felt ready to face any challenges that lay ahead on the path to mastering the martial arts. After leaving the forge, Kito and his family decided to spend the day exploring the village and meeting its inhabitants. They first visited the market, where Kito was fascinated by the variety of goods on offer: juicy fruits and vegetables, colorful clothing, sparkling jewelry, and handmade crafts. His parents bought some supplies for their return home, while Kito familiarized himself with the merchants and listened to their stories about the products they sold.
By late afternoon, after having explored every corner of the village and met many of its inhabitants, Kito and his family started their journey home. The sun was about to set. Kito was delighted with his day and eager to test his new sword.
Once they arrived home, Kito could no longer contain his excitement. He turned to his father, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Dad, can we try out my sword now?"
Darius smiled and nodded. "Of course, my boy. Let's go to the yard, there's enough space for us to train without risking injuring anyone."
In the yard, Darius taught Kito how to hold his sword correctly and adopt a stable stance to prepare for combat. They started with simple exercises so Kito could familiarize himself with the weight and balance of his new weapon. He already felt more comfortable and confident with each movement he made. The weight was different from the wooden sword he had trained with up to that point, but surprisingly, the adjustment was quick.
After a few minutes of basic exercises, Darius invited Kito to face him in a battle. The young boy was a bit nervous, but he knew it was the perfect opportunity to test his skills and learn from his father. Up until now, he had only faced training dummies. They exchanged a few blows, with Darius guiding Kito to correct his mistakes.
As the battle progressed, Kito became more and more comfortable with his sword. He managed to block most of his father's attacks. Darius, impressed by his son's rapid progress, smile with pride. He obviously wasn't at his full strength, far from it, but he knew how to recognize talent, and his son seemed to possess it.
Finally, exhausted but satisfied, they decided to end their training session. Kito, catching his breath, thanked his father for the practice and promised to continue working hard to become an excellent fighter.
That evening, the family gathered around a hearty meal and shared their adventures of the day. Kito's parents listened attentively to their son's stories, happy to see him so fulfilled and passionate about his training. They knew Kito still had a long way to go, but they were convinced that with his determination and talent, he would become very strong one day.
As night fell, Kito fell asleep peacefully, his new sword resting beside him. He needed to rest. After getting his sword, the next part of his plan – venturing into the forest and starting to fight monsters – could finally begin. Tomorrow morning would be the big day.