Rain fell over the academy.
The rooftop where Yozaro had fought the assassins was still stained with blood.
Professor Selene remained unconscious in the academy hospital.
No one knew when she would wake.
The name Crimson Cardinal spread only among the Headmaster and a handful of trusted instructors.
To the rest of the students…
It had been “another attack.”
But Team Seven knew better.
The enemy was getting closer.
Just after sunrise, a messenger arrived.
“The Sword Saint is waiting.”
Yozaro followed the messenger to a quiet valley behind the academy.
Raizen stood beside a peaceful lake.
No sword.
No armor.
Only a fishing rod rested beside him.
Yozaro looked around.
“…Aren’t we training today?”
Raizen smiled.
“We are.”
Raizen drew a circle in the sand.
“Step inside.”
Yozaro obeyed.
The old man looked at him calmly.
“I have one question.”
“If you answer honestly…”
“The trial begins.”
Yozaro nodded.
“What is a sword?”
Yozaro answered without hesitation.
“A weapon.”
Raizen shook his head.
“No.”
“A tool?”
“No.”
“A way to protect others?”
Raizen remained silent.
Then he said quietly,
“You still don’t understand.”
Raizen picked up a dry leaf.
He tossed it onto the lake.
The leaf floated peacefully.
“If I cut that leaf…”
“Have I become stronger?”
“No.”
“If I kill a monster…”
“Have I become stronger?”
“…Not necessarily.”
Raizen looked directly into Yozaro’s eyes.
“A sword does not decide who you are.”
“You decide what the sword becomes.”
“The greatest swordsmen in history weren’t remembered because they never lost.”
“They were remembered because they never abandoned their principles.”
Footsteps echoed across the valley.
It was Arden Blackthorn.
The academy champion.
He bowed respectfully to Raizen.
“Master.”
Yozaro blinked.
“Master?”
Raizen smiled.
“Arden has trained under me since he was ten.”
Arden laughed.
Kael would’ve fainted if he’d heard that.
Raizen picked up two wooden swords.
He handed one to Arden.
The other to Yozaro.
“Your last trial is simple.”
“Fight.”
“No mana.”
“No techniques.”
“No killing intent.”
“Only your hearts.”
The wind became still.
Arden smiled.
“I’ve wanted a rematch.”
Yozaro nodded.
“So have I.”
They bowed.
Then—
Clack!
Their wooden swords met.
Unlike their first duel…
Neither rushed.
Every strike carried purpose.
Every step controlled distance.
Minutes passed.
Neither gained an advantage.
Raizen watched quietly.
A faint smile appeared.
Suddenly…
Arden attacked with the same combination that had defeated Yozaro months ago.
Left.
Right.
Overhead strike.
Yozaro remembered it perfectly.
But this time…
He didn’t block.
He stepped forward.
Inside Arden’s reach.
Their shoulders collided.
Arden lost his balance for the first time.
Yozaro’s wooden sword stopped gently against Arden’s chest.
Silence.
Then Arden smiled.
“…You’ve surpassed the old me.”
He lowered his sword.
“I surrender.”
Raizen nodded slowly.
“You finally understand.”
Yozaro frowned.
“…Understand what?”
“You stopped trying to defeat your opponent.”
“You simply chose the correct path.”
Raizen placed a hand on Yozaro’s shoulder.
“Strength isn’t measured by how many enemies you defeat.”
“It’s measured by how many people can stand behind you without fear.”
“You’ve passed.”
For the first time in over forty years…
The Sword Saint accepted a disciple.
Raizen walked to an old wooden chest hidden beneath a tree.
Inside rested a sword wrapped in white cloth.
“This belonged to Gareth.”
Yozaro froze.
“…Father’s sword?”
Raizen nodded.
“He left it with me before returning to the village.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“He said…”
“If my son ever becomes worthy…”
“…give it to him.”
With trembling hands, Yozaro unwrapped the cloth.
A beautiful longsword appeared.
The blade shimmered like silver.
Along its fuller were ancient runes.
Near the guard…
One word was engraved.
Dawnbringer.
Yozaro couldn’t speak.
He gently touched the hilt.
“…Thank you.”
Raizen smiled.
“No.”
“Thank your father.”
Inside the academy infirmary…
Professor Selene slowly opened her eyes.
Headmaster Aldric stood beside her.
She whispered weakly,
“…They’re already searching for the second key.”
Aldric’s expression changed.
“The second key?”
Selene nodded.
“There are…”
“…seven.”
She grabbed his sleeve with surprising strength.
“You must stop them before they reach the Kingdom of Valeria.”
Before Aldric could ask another question…
She fainted again.
That evening…
Yozaro sat beneath the academy’s oldest oak tree, Dawnbringer resting across his knees.
Luna approached first.
“I heard…”
“You became the Sword Saint’s disciple.”
“I was lucky.”
She smiled softly.
“No.”
“You earned it.”
A few minutes later, Elenia arrived with books she’d borrowed for him from the royal library.
She greeted Luna politely.
Luna returned the greeting.
The conversation remained respectful, but both girls noticed how naturally Yozaro spoke to the other.
Neither said anything.
Yet each quietly wondered if there was someone else already occupying the place in Yozaro’s heart.
Yozaro, completely unaware, was busy studying the strange runes on Dawnbringer.
In the Darkness
Far away
The Crimson Cardinal stood before a giant map.
One location began glowing red.
Kingdom of Valeria.
He smiled.
“Move the Fourth Legion.”
“Let the Heir chase us.”
“He’s walking exactly where we want him.”
A black-robed servant asked,
“And if the Sword Saint follows?”
The Cardinal’s smile widened.
“Then…”
“The hunt becomes more interesting.”
Volume 3 will be release on 15th of July
Thanks for reading Volume 2.