The journey to the capital of Jambudweep was long and tiring, but I had made it halfway. My mind was racing with thoughts after receiving a letter yesterday from the Prince of Pushkaradweep. Instructor Sosa had delivered it to me personally.
"Help them," the letter had read. The words were simple, yet they carried a heavy weight. I couldn't ignore a request from another kingdom and that hidden message, but first, I needed to meet King Aryarama Dweep.
And I had never met prince of Pushkaradweep, Prince Paraksh. Even though, he would know about me was shock for me. I did not suspected that someone from here would know about me and my powers too otherwise one could never thought that I was the one who manipulated the summoning Ritual.
Sosa and I stopped at a small village along the way. It was bustling with life—children running around, shopkeepers calling out to customers, and the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. We decided to grab something to eat before continuing our journey.
As we sat down at a modest roadside inn, I couldn't help but notice Sosa's calm demeanor. Despite everything happening around us, she seemed unfazed.
"You've been quiet," Sosa said, breaking the silence.
"I've just been thinking," I replied, staring at the cup of tea in front of me. "Why would the Prince of Pushkaradweep ask for my help? I don't have magic. I'm not even a hero."
Sosa leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes studying me. "You underestimate yourself, Uzu. Magic isn't everything. You have skills and a mind sharper than most. Sometimes, that's all you need."
I nodded, though her words didn't fully ease my doubts because the question was still in my mind how did prince know me?
The food arrived—simple dishes of steamed rice, vegetables, and spicy curry. As we ate, Sosa brought up another topic.
"Do you trust King Aryarama?" she asked suddenly.
"Of course," I said. "He is been nothing but kind and fair. Why?"
Yeah,I lied.
Sosa shrugged, her expression neutral. "Kings have their reasons for everything they do. Just be careful. Your journey is just beginning, and alliances can shift."
I was sure what she meant, but I filed her words away for later. And pretended I did not understand a thing.
After finishing our meal, we left the village and resumed our journey to the capital. The road stretched ahead, surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests. The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over everything, and the sound of birds filled the air.
Sosa walked slightly ahead, her pace steady and purposeful. I followed behind, my mind still turning over the letter from Pushkaradweep and the conversation we'd just had.
"What do you think the King will say?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"He'll listen," Sosa replied. "He always does. But whether he'll let you go to Pushkaradweep... that's another matter."
"Why wouldn't he?" I asked, confused.
Sosa glanced back at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "Because you're more important to Jambudweep than you realize. The King may have plans for you that don't include other kingdoms."
Her words unsettled me, but I didn't press further. For now, all I could do was focus on reaching the capital and delivering the letter. What came next would be up to fate—or the King. Yeah I had my own doubts, from outside view he was a comrade of heros, And from inside view like how just Instructor mentioned now, he was thinking that making a hero 'king' of the land of Jambu would be good idea to protect the kingdom. That's my view point. It might be different though.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in shades of orange and purple, I felt a strange sense of anticipation. This journey was leading me somewhere, not just physically but in my role in this strange Because I was living peacefully by doing just farming.
The Prince of Pushkaradweep needed my help. The King of Jambudweep had his own plans. And I was caught in the middle, unsure of where my path would take me and even I had my own plan. Everything was colliding with each other.
But one thing was certain: my journey was far from over.
Well then let's back to first of my training with Master Maki to cover time, because time skip was boring.
___
The first day of my training with Master Maki was unforgettable. After arriving at his home, I didn't realize how rigorous and disciplined his teaching style would be.
Master Maki, a stern but calm man with piercing eyes that seemed to see through every flaw, led me through his modest house to a hidden training hall beneath it. The entrance was concealed beneath a trapdoor in the wooden floor, and as we descended the narrow staircase, I couldn't help but feel both nervous and excited.
The hall was simple—stone walls lined with shelves holding training swords, scrolls, and a few lanterns providing dim light. Despite its simplicity, there was an air of intensity in the room, as though it carried the weight of countless lessons and battles.
Master Maki wasted no time. He handed me a wooden practice sword and watched as I instinctively wrapped my fingers around the hilt.
"Stop," he said sharply, shaking his head. "That grip is weak. If this were a real sword, it would slip from your hand the moment you struck."
I looked down at my hands, confused. "How should I hold it, then?"
He walked over, his movements precise and deliberate. "First, your grip must be firm but not tense. Hold the sword like this."
He adjusted my hands, making me place my dominant hand just below the guard and my other hand near the end of the hilt.
"The grip isn't about strength; it's about control. Too tight, and you lose flexibility. Too loose, and you lose power. Balance is key."
I nodded, focusing on the feel of the sword in my hands. "Is this right?"
"Better," he said, stepping back. "But holding the sword is just the beginning."
He began pacing the room, his voice firm but calm. "Before you can fight, you must understand the foundation of fencing. There are three key terms you need to remember: guard, parry, and strike."
I straightened up, listening intently.
"Guard," he continued, "is your stance. Without a proper stance, you're already defeated. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and keep your weight balanced. Like this."
He demonstrated, his body perfectly aligned. I mimicked his stance, feeling a bit awkward at first.
"Good. Now, the parry. This is your defense. When your opponent strikes, you deflect their blade, not with brute force but with precision." He picked up another wooden sword and demonstrated a simple parry, his movements smooth and efficient.
I tried to copy him, but my parry was clumsy. "It's harder than it looks," I admitted.
"It always is," he replied, a faint smile breaking through his stern expression. "But that's why we practice. Now, the strike—this is your offense. A proper strike isn't just about power; it's about speed and accuracy. You aim for the openings in your opponent's guard."
He showed me a basic overhead strike, his sword cutting through the air with a sharp whistle. Then he handed me the practice sword again.
"Your turn," he said.
I practiced for what felt like hours. My strikes were uneven, my parries slow, and my stance shaky. Master Maki corrected me constantly, his voice sharp but never cruel.
"Your feet are too close together. Widen them."
"Don't lean forward—you'll lose your balance."
"Again. Do it again."
By the end of the session, my arms felt like lead, and my legs ached from maintaining the stance. I dropped the practice sword, panting.
"This is... harder than I thought," I admitted, wiping sweat from my forehead.
Master Maki chuckled, a rare sound. "Of course it is. Swordsmanship isn't just about swinging a blade. It's about discipline, patience, and understanding your limits."
As we sat down to rest, Master Maki spoke again, his tone softer now. "Uzu, swordsmanship isn't just a skill. It's a mindset. You must approach every fight with focus and respect—for your opponent, for your blade, and for yourself. Remember that."
I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. This wasn't just about learning how to fight. It was about becoming someone stronger, someone capable.
"Tomorrow, we'll continue," he said, standing up. "But for now, get some rest. You'll need it."
As I left the training hall that night, my body sore and my mind racing, I couldn't help but feel a small spark of determination. This was just the beginning, but I was ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Thankfully, I reached safely home, I mean where heros were allowed to sleep.
___
I, Uzu Hiko had already noticed that what king was thinking that making me the Next King of Jambudweep. That's why I had left the capital and other reason was ....
"We are about to enter in the Royal Palace." Said Instructor Sosa.