One year had passed since Hiro and Elysia began their training under Rose. Hiro, now seven years old, had grown significantly in both strength and control over his mana. His body had become more resilient, his movements sharper, and though he still couldn't tap into the mysterious power that Rose had sensed within him, he had learned how to harness mana effectively.
Elysia, too, had grown more confident. The once-shy girl had become quick on her feet, and though she still preferred silence, her determination during training spoke volumes. Both of them had formed a bond of mutual respect over time, learning alongside each other.
One afternoon, as they gathered at the training grounds, Rose stood before them with several wooden weapons laid out in front of her. Swords, daggers, spears, and bows rested on the ground, each one representing a different path for the two young trainees.
"You've both come a long way," Rose said, folding her arms with a proud smile. "You've learned how to control your mana and use it to enhance your abilities. Now, it's time for the next step."
Hiro and Elysia stood quietly, waiting for her next words.
Rose pointed to the weapons. "These are your tools. They will become an extension of who you are, your fighting partners for the rest of your life. You must choose carefully. A weapon is more than just an object—it's your lifeline, your defense, and your greatest strength in battle."
Hiro's eyes drifted over the assortment of weapons, but his gaze immediately locked onto one—a sword. His heart raced at the sight of it. A simple wooden training sword, yet in his mind, it symbolized far more. The sword was the symbol of his clan, the very essence of the Amadeus family.
He couldn't help but smirk. What else would he choose? Of course, it would be the sword.
Rose, noticing his reaction, gave a slight smirk herself. "A sword, huh?" she muttered under her breath. "Let's see if you're worthy of it."
Meanwhile, Elysia closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She reached out toward the weapons, her hand hovering over each one as though feeling for something deeper. Suddenly, her hand stopped. Without thinking, she picked up the bow.
Her eyes opened, and a soft smile spread across her face. "This is it," she whispered to herself, as though the bow had chosen her just as much as she had chosen it.
Rose's smile widened. "A bow, huh? It's a difficult weapon to master, but if you have the strength to use it, it can pierce even the toughest armor. You've made a good choice, Elysia."
With their weapons chosen, Rose began to teach them the basics. She showed Elysia how to hold and draw the bow, while she instructed Hiro on the stance and grip of the sword.
As Hiro held the wooden sword, a memory stirred within him. His father's voice echoed in his mind, and his thoughts drifted back to the time when he was younger, barely five years old.
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Flashback - Two Years Ago
Hiro sat in the vast library of his family's estate, surrounded by towering shelves filled with ancient scrolls and books. His father, Harkin Amadeus, stood beside him, pulling a large, worn-out tome from the shelf. The book was heavy, its pages filled with the history of their clan.
"Father," Hiro asked, his young voice filled with curiosity, "what's our sword style like? Can you teach me?"
Harkin chuckled softly and set the book down on the table, looking at his son with pride. "Ah, the Amadeus sword style. Our family's legacy," he said, smiling. "We have nine different sword styles, each one passed down through generations. But they are not something to be learned lightly."
Hiro tilted his head. "Why not?"
"Because," Harkin said, kneeling beside Hiro, "before you can learn our sword style, you need to understand our history and build a strong body. Even though our clan's body has been blessed by the gods, you still need to control your mana and strengthen yourself, or else you won't be able to wield the techniques properly. If used carelessly, your hands could shatter under the pressure."
Harkin opened the tome, revealing an illustration of a man wielding a blade with divine power. "Our first style is a style focused on overwhelming, crushing power, with each strike resembling the wrath of the dragon, but also the foundation of everything. The second style focuses on speed and deception, and can create afterimages that confuse and disorient opponents. It's swift and calculated. These were the only two you can master until you become adult, unless you are the same as Hiryu who can used up to 4th style before he turn adult.
Hiro's eyes widened in awe as his father explained each of the nine styles. "And what about the ninth style, Father?" he asked eagerly. "Has anyone mastered all of them?"
Harkin's face became more serious as he replied, "No one except our great ancestor, Hiryu Amadeus, has ever mastered all nine styles. Even I, one of the strongest in our kingdom, have only unlocked up to the seventh style."
Hiro blinked in disbelief. "But… can't you learn the eighth or ninth?"
Harkin smiled sadly. "Even if I train for the rest of my life, I doubt I will ever unlock the ninth style. The standard is too high, and few are capable of reaching it."
Hiro's eyes sparkled with admiration. "So, only the greatest of the great can master them?"
"That's right," Harkin said, ruffling Hiro's hair. "Our family has a long legacy of swordsmanship, and if you train hard enough, one day you might unlock more than I ever could."
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Back to the Present
Hiro's grip tightened around the wooden sword, the weight of his father's words heavy in his mind. Now that he had control over his mana, he knew what his next goal was. He had to strengthen his body, become worthy of their family's sword style, and bring honor back to the Amadeus name.
"I will master it," he thought to himself. "I'll train my body to the limit. I'll unlock the first and second sword styles or even the third and fourth before becoming adult… and one day, I'll surpass them all."
As the afternoon sun began to set, Hiro and Elysia continued their training under Rose's watchful eye. Every move they made, every technique they practiced, was another step toward their future. But for Hiro, it was more than just training—it was the path to reclaiming his legacy.
With a determined look, Hiro swung the sword once more, feeling the power coursing through him. His father's teachings echoed in his heart, and he vowed to make the Amadeus name live on.
Hiro whispered to himself. "I'm the last Honor of Amadeus. And I will not fail.