"Arthur! Listen to me. I'm happy you can hunt a C-class monster all by yourself now, but you have to let me know before you go running off on your own!" Sedah, with mixed feelings of anxiousness and pride, tells off Arthur.
"Anyways how long did it take for you to hunt down this Berauin?"
"Just a few minutes", Arthur said ecstatically, full of smugness on his face.
"Well, at least your training is paying off! Remember, just because you're a natural-born talent doesn't mean you get off easy; now, let's work on your sword - Arthur, get inside the cave; there is something.... no .. someone dangerous is out there... quickly!"
"But - "
"No buts! Now!"
Arthur runs hurriedly inside the cave with a thought of concern. "What could make master so on edge?"
Sedah. Undoubtedly is the strongest. However, there is another person. One man, who has rivalled and at one point had bested him in terms of swordsmanship. A tenacious aura had overwhelmed Arthur and made him fall to his knees as he went into the cave.
"I can't move...I can't speak" Fear had utterly and completely overwhelmed Arthur. Trying to turn his eyes towards Sedah and this unknown man. But his body just wouldn't allow it! Sweat had dripped from his face! Arthur fell to his knees in dread.
Arthur was frustrated at his cowardness.
Sedah's face lit up with ecstasy once the dark-robed man came into sight! Long, crimson hair and an eye patch on his right. A bag under his other eye. His left eye was white as if it were blank, but he was nothing if not focused.
"Sedah...so this is where you've been hiding for all these years."
"Hiding? Hah! From what? You? This world, including you had bored me! You're not even worthy to put up a decent challenge!"
Aura exuded the man with an even greater intensity than before. Stretching outward with his right arm, out of nothing, a katana had formed, and he clenched it with a tight grip.
"A katana, huh? Great! It'll be a good toothpick for me!"
A clash of spirits shook the very land beneath! No monster dared to be anywhere near, monsters had spread, running away from their habitat; they all fled from their great big forest.
Arthur was gasping for air, breathing in and out continuously as if he was going to suffocate. Arthur, with clenched teeth, managed to muster the strength to turn towards the direction of his master and this unknown enemy. It took all his might and willpower to do so. This was Arthur's first sight of what it truly means to be strong!
Swiftly, the man charged at Sedah with his katana; Arthur had seen eight different slashes with one swing from the man. However, just as swiftly, Sedah had dodged all seemingly eight fast slashes.
"Hold on a second!" Sedah raised his hands, a playful smirk had formed on his face. "Time out, alright? I don't even have my sword! We can't call this a fair fight, can we?" In an instant, Sedah vanished, reappearing by Arthur's side.
The tension dissolved slightly, but the air still expressed a sense of seriousness.
"Arthur." Sedah's voice softened as he glanced down at him, still pinned by the overwhelming aura. "Just now, how many slashes did you count?"
The swordsman looked annoyed.
"E-eight!" Arthur replied still trying to catch his breath. Both Sedah and the man looked surprised.
"Sedah, you found yourself a real talent, how interesting. Boy! How old are you?"
"I'm six...I think?" replied Arthur confused. The intense atmosphere and pressure had completely disappeared and Arthur stood back up.
"You're six years old and could perceive eight of my slashes. Haha! You truly are impressive; I can see why you decided to keep him, Sedah."
"Enough you damm swordsman, just who the hell are you?! And what business do you have fighting with my master!"
"Spirit too! What a great kid! You have the potential to become a strong warrior. Your eyes have great perception. However! You did not perceive all my slashes. I had swung fifteen different kinds of slashes. Quite impressive, no?"
"That just means I dodged fifteen swings, which is even more impressive!" Sedah replied with a competitive spirit.
"Anyways! I did not come to fight you Sedah. That past is behind us, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."
"Oh? What's this, you came to me to just ta -"
"- Another contract is being formed as we speak."
"...I'll hear you out."