Chapter 80: A Gift for the Duke's Children
It was a late morning at the Knight Academy, and students were abuzz with whispers and curiosity. A peculiar figure had appeared, carrying an oversized box strapped to his back. His cheerful demeanor and determined steps drew attention as he stopped to ask questions.
"Excuse me, do you know where the Duke's children and Aidan are?" Reyn asked a group of students, who exchanged confused glances before giving him vague directions.
As Reyn made his way to the training grounds, the buzz of activity followed him. Many wondered what was inside the large box and why he looked so determined. When Reyn finally arrived at the grounds, his eyes sparkled at the sight before him.
Elric was sparring against Selene and Aidan simultaneously, their movements fluid and precise. The clash of wooden swords echoed in the air as other students watched in awe.
Reyn grinned, raising a hand in greeting. "Hey, guys!"
The sparring stopped as the three turned toward him, startled by his sudden appearance. Elric wiped sweat from his brow, his expression shifting from surprise to amusement. "Reyn? What are you doing here?"
Selene tilted her head. "And... what's with the box?"
"Just wait," Reyn replied, setting the box down with a dramatic flourish. "I have something special for all of you."
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Unveiling the Swords
Reyn unlatched the box and opened it, revealing three swords resting inside, each gleaming with a faint magical aura. The students gathered around, craning their necks to catch a glimpse.
"These are gifts from my teacher, the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales," Reyn began, his tone serious. "Each sword is unique and has two forms: its base form and a stronger, transformed state. Within each sword resides a spirit, but you'll need their acknowledgment to unlock the sword's full potential. To do that, you must send your consciousness into the blade and converse with the spirit."
Aidan's eyes lit up with excitement. "Spirits? Seriously?"
Selene gently ran her fingers over the hilt of her sword. "They're beautiful, Reyn. Thank you."
Elric examined his sword carefully, his sharp eyes catching the intricate floral designs. "And how exactly do we 'converse' with these spirits?"
Reyn smirked. "That's for you to figure out. Just know that they might have... peculiar requirements."
The three wielders took their swords, and one by one, they followed Reyn's instructions to enter the spiritual realm of their weapons.
Elric was the first to succeed. As his consciousness entered the blade, he was greeted by the regal form of Fiora, the Flower Spirit Queen.
"Well, well," Fiora mused, examining him. "Handsome, confident, and skilled. You might just be worthy of my power."
Elric frowned, unimpressed. "I didn't come here for flattery. Are you going to help me or not?"
Fiora's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Oh, I'll help you, but only because you meet my... aesthetic standards. Try not to disappoint me."
When Elric returned to reality, his sword transformed. The blade scattered into a thousand glowing petals that swirled around him, forming a radiant, deadly storm. He directed the petals toward a training dummy, which was reduced to dust in an instant.
As the petals reformed into his sword, Elric sighed. "Handsome and cool, huh? This spirit has an ego."
Reyn laughed. "Sounds like a perfect match for you."
Selene's experience with her sword was more challenging. The shy Snow Spirit emerged hesitantly, her translucent form shimmering like frost.
"H-hello," the spirit stammered, fidgeting nervously. "I... I want to help... but it's hard for me to trust anyone..."
Selene knelt down, her voice gentle. "It's okay. We'll go at your pace. I'm not in a rush."
The spirit blushed, retreating slightly. "I... I think we can do it. Maybe... maybe tomorrow..."
Despite Selene's patience, the spirit remained hesitant, making it difficult for Selene to unlock the sword's power. Selene didn't mind, but it left her feeling a little left out as she watched the progress of her brothers.
Aidan disappeared into the spiritual realm of his blade, finding himself in a dense jungle. A male snake spirit, Oroven, coiled around a tree, his emerald eyes gleaming with interest. Perched on a nearby branch was a cheerful monkey spirit, Luma, swinging back and forth.
"So," Oroven hissed, "you want power, do you?"
"Yes," Aidan replied confidently. "I'm ready to prove myself."
Luma chattered excitedly, clapping her hands. "Ooh, he's got determination! But wait, wait, wait—we can't just make it easy for him. He has to tell us a secret first!"
Oroven tilted his head. "Indeed. A truth from the heart. Otherwise, no deal."
Aidan hesitated. "A... secret?"
Luma leaned forward, grinning. "Yup! Like, oh, I don't know... who's the girl you're always thinking about?"
Aidan's face reddened. "That's none of your business!"
Oroven's tail twitched with amusement. "Everything about you is our business now, boy. Speak, or leave empty-handed."
After a long pause, Aidan sighed. "Fine. I have a crush on Selene, okay? But I know I can't be with her unless I surpass Elric."
The spirits erupted in laughter, their forms shimmering with approval. "Honesty suits you!" Oroven declared.
"You're fun!" Luma added. "Alright, you've earned it. Let's see what you can do."
When Aidan returned to reality, his sword's first transformation activated. The blade extended into a segmented chain spear, its movements fluid and dangerous. Aidan tested it on a target, the blade slithering like a snake before snapping back together.
As the three tested their new swords, the other students watched in awe, murmuring among themselves about the mysterious blacksmith who had crafted such weapons.
Reyn, leaning casually against the now-empty box, couldn't hide his satisfaction. "You've all got a long way to go with those swords. Don't let me—or their spirits—down."
Elric smirked, twirling his blade. "No promises, but this should make things interesting."
Selene smiled softly, her determination unwavering despite her sword's resistance. "I'll take my time with mine. We'll get there together."
Aidan, still red-faced, held his chain spear confidently. "One step closer to surpassing Elric."
The group laughed, the bonds between them growing stronger as their swords marked the start of a new chapter in their lives. Reyn, watching from the sidelines, felt a quiet pride. His work was far from over, but seeing their progress was reward enough.