Kai returned to the Blackthorn Village School with a sense of accomplishment. The journey to the forest had been arduous, but the medicinal herb he had retrieved was worth the effort. As he walked through the school gates, he felt a mix of anticipation and determination. He knew that this herb would secure his place at the top, and he was eager to see Master Yuvi's reaction.
Kai made his way to Master Yuvi's room, the herb carefully wrapped in a cloth. He knocked on the door and waited for the familiar voice to invite him in. When he entered, Master Yuvi looked up from his desk, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"Master Yuvi, I have brought the herb," Kai said, presenting the bundle.
Master Yuvi took the herb and examined it closely. "Well done, Kai. I will send this to the local herbal master for verification. You may go now."
Kai nodded and left the room, feeling a sense of relief. The next day, the results came back, confirming that Kai had indeed found the most valuable herb. As usual, he stood at the top, his name echoing through the halls of the school as the winner of the competition.
Master Yuvi called Kai to his room once more. "Kai, as the winner, you have earned the right to learn the Blackthorn Village Sword Arts. Here is the book," he said, handing over a thick, leather-bound tome.
Kai accepted the book with reverence. "Thank you, Master Yuvi. I will not disappoint you."
With the book in hand, Kai retreated to his room. He knew that memorizing the entire book would be a daunting task, but he was determined. He spent the next thirteen hours in intense concentration, absorbing every detail, every technique, and every nuance of the Blackthorn Village Sword Arts. His mind was a steel trap, and he committed the entire book to memory.
Once he was confident that he had memorized everything, Kai made a decision. He could not risk anyone stealing the knowledge he had worked so hard to obtain. He took the book outside and set it ablaze, watching as the flames consumed the pages. The knowledge was now his alone.
With the book destroyed, Kai felt a sense of finality. He had taken another step towards his goal. However, he knew that he could not isolate himself completely. He needed to maintain his connections with important figures from both villages. With this in mind, he sought out Yung and Meon, who lived in the dorms of the school.
Yung and Meon were surprised to see Kai. "Kai! It's been a while. How have you been?" Yung asked, his face lighting up with a smile.
"I've been busy," Kai replied, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I wanted to catch up with you both."
The three of them spent the evening talking and sharing stories. Kai knew that maintaining these relationships was crucial. Yung and Meon were important figures in their respective villages, and having their support could prove invaluable in the future.
As the night wore on, Kai's thoughts drifted back to the Blackthorn Village Sword Arts. He had memorized the techniques, but as he began to practice them, he realized that his small, six-year-old body was not yet capable of executing them perfectly. The movements required strength and precision that he had not yet developed.
Kai took these words to heart. He focused on refining his techniques, making small adjustments to accommodate his current abilities. He knew that with time, his body would grow, and he would be able to fully master the Blackthorn Village Sword Arts.
Days turned into weeks, and Kai's progress was steady. He continued to train rigorously, his determination unwavering. He knew that the path he had chosen was not an easy one, but he was prepared to face any challenge that came his way.
With renewed determination, Kai continued his training. He knew that the road ahead was long, but he was ready to face it head-on. The Blackthorn Village Sword Arts were now a part of him, and he would not rest until he had mastered them completely.
As he stood in the courtyard, the moonlight casting a silver glow on his surroundings, Kai felt a sense of purpose. He was no longer the abandoned child from months ago. He was a warrior in the making, and he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.