Yasuo wasn't daydreaming. He was just surprised. The third trial had triggered a new quest.
"Bonus Quest: My Way of the Wind has been activated."
"My Way of the Wind: The third phase of the Wind Trial is not only a test but a choice. Through your performance, show the Elder the path of the wind you have chosen."
Show the Elder my chosen path of the wind?
Reading through the quest details again, Yasuo finally stood up, clear on what he had to do.
As Yasuo rose, the Sword Guard nodded with mild approval. Despite Yasuo's usual carefree attitude, there was something steady in his manner—unhurried and calm, not at all like a typical youth.
What sort of path will this little wind prodigy take? the guard wondered, still a bit skeptical of this so-called "wind prodigy."
The Sword Guard understood that this trial was more than a simple test of following the wind. They were surrounded by wandering wind spirits, each a guide of sorts, meant to lead each disciple down a path that matched their inner nature. The trial allowed each youth to identify with a spirit, subtly guiding them to explore their own, unique "way of the wind."
Though Yasuo was already surrounded by an unusual abundance of wind spirits, he didn't follow any of their directions. Instead, he took a step in the opposite direction—into an area where no wind spirits lingered.
The Sword Guard was confused.
Did he sense a wind spirit I can't see? Impossible—he hasn't even officially begun training, so there's no way he could sense more than I can.
Then, just as the guard began to question everything, Yasuo took another step—this time, toward the Spirit of Freedom.
Perhaps it was instinct? He does have a bit of the free spirit in him, the guard thought, trying to make sense of the situation.
Yet, just as soon as he'd thought that, Yasuo turned and stepped toward the Spirit of Blossoming.
What? He's sensing the spring breeze at his age? That's… premature.
The Sword Guard watched Yasuo zigzag aimlessly, weaving between spirit directions, eventually ending up back where he started without following any particular path. A thought occurred to the guard: Maybe Elder Suma misjudged him? Perhaps this Yasuo isn't a prodigy after all—maybe his "connection" to the wind was just a coincidence.
Just as the guard sighed at his realization, Yasuo scratched his head and approached him.
"Excuse me, sir," Yasuo said, looking up, "the Way of the Wind and the Way of the Sword are one and the same. I don't have my own sword, so could I borrow yours?"
Borrow his sword?
The Sword Guard instinctively wanted to refuse, but, somehow, he found himself reaching down, drawing his blade, and placing the hilt in Yasuo's hand.
Taking the sword, Yasuo carried it to a small open area. The blade was heavy—he was only thirteen, still growing, and holding the guard's sword took considerable effort. But he clenched his jaw, took the sword in both hands, and raised it in front of him.
Yasuo hadn't been randomly wandering. When he received the bonus quest, he instantly sensed the presence of the wind spirits around him. They swirled about him, eager to guide him.
But he realized something: none of these spirits embodied the path he sought.
In all of Ionia, only Yasuo knew that a great storm was gathering. Across the sea, Noxus was sharpening its blades.
These wind spirits each represented a path that had long been passed down through the ages by the Wind School. They embodied traditions—beautiful and ancient, yes, but Yasuo knew that they were too gentle for the storm looming on the horizon.
And so, Yasuo had circled back, seeking a spirit that matched his needs. But he found none.
With that, he had decided to borrow the guard's sword.
As he gripped the sword, memories of his time in Ionia flooded him—every blooming of the spirit trees, every vibrant summer, the mystical Vastaya, the peaceful rhythms of his village.
But along with those memories came visions of war, bloodshed, struggle—and the endless, starless void he'd glimpsed in his past life.
Each memory and image wove into a storm in his mind, stirring within him an undeniable truth.
This… this is my path.
He raised the sword high, hands tight on the hilt. In a single sweeping motion, he brought the sword down.
Suddenly, the wind in the forest stilled. Every leaf, every branch fell silent, and even the Sword Guard couldn't move, his voice caught in his throat.
Before their eyes, the air seemed to bend. Energy gathered along the edge of the sword, forming a brilliant, three-inch aura of wind. As Yasuo completed his swing, a wave of powerful air burst from the sword's tip, crashing forward like a violent storm.
With a final shout, "Hasaki!"
The gale surged forward, carving a wide path through the trees.
Leaves, rocks, and dust whirled away in its wake, leaving a clear, straight path. With the sword lowered, Yasuo walked calmly down the newly opened trail, the remnants of the sword crumbling in his hands.
When he reached the end of the path, he collapsed, drained of all strength.
"This boy…" Elder Suma appeared at his side, catching him before he hit the ground. "Why go this far?"
"Couldn't help it," Yasuo replied with a faint, exhausted smile. "I'm terrible with directions, and… even with all the wind spirits, I still couldn't find the path."
With that, his vision faded to red, and he fell into a deep sleep.