They walked through the quiet streets, heading toward the district Gerald governed. They didn’t know the exact location of his house, but it wasn’t hard to figure out. It wasn’t a large area, and the houses were all similar in their simplicity, but one stood out, just slightly.

  "We'll start at the valley, and from there, we'll head to the area he rules," Hikari said, walking beside Mirai.

  "It won't be complicated," Mirai replied calmly. "The biggest house will be his. We won't have to search much."

  Entering the small town, they noted the narrow roads and simple stone buildings, some with weathered edges, their walls bearing the marks of time. There were no signs of wealth or luxury, just a place where people lived with what they had.

  After a few minutes of walking, they stopped at a house that seemed a little larger than the rest. It wasn't a mansion, but it had a low stone wall and a wooden gate showing signs of wear. The paint was faded in corners, and the lamps hanging by the entrance were barely lit, as if they hadn’t been replaced in a long time.

  Hikari reached out and knocked gently on the door. A few moments later, Julian opened it. When he saw them, he knew they were adventurers. "Welcome. You must be the adventurers my father invited. Please, come in."

  As they entered, Hikari noticed the furniture was simple but sturdy. There were no decorations or luxuries, only what a home needed to be functional. The wooden table in the center of the room had a few scratches, and the chairs around it didn't match, as if they had been collected over the years rather than bought as a set.

  Julian led them to the living room, where Gerald was sitting in a chair. He stood to welcome them. Before he could say anything, his eyes settled on Hikari. A smile spread across his face as if everything had just clicked into place. "Welcome. I'm glad you accepted my invitation. Please, have a seat."

  Hikari introduced them. "I'm Hikari, and this is my teammate, Mirai."

  After they sat, Hikari asked directly, "Why did you want to see us, Mr. Gerald?"

  Gerald raised a hand to scratch his cheek with a finger, a soft chuckle escaping him. "Heh... no particular reason. I was just... excited," he said, his tone suggesting it was the most obvious thing in the world.

  Mirai and Hikari exchanged a baffled glance.

  Sensing their confusion, Gerald added, "My apologies for confusing you." Then, turning to Hikari, he said, "Let me introduce myself properly. I am Gerald, also known as the Lotus Swordsman."

  Hikari’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, while Mirai showed no reaction. "Oh," Hikari said. "I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Gerald, but I never expected you to be the Lotus Swordsman."

  "It's alright," Gerald said with a faint smile. "Many people don't know my real name. As I said, the reason I wanted to meet you was simply excitement. You're Seijirou's son, aren't you, Hikari?"

  "Yes," Hikari replied. "Seijirou is my father." He frowned slightly. "But this is the first time we've met. How did you know?"

  Gerald answered with the same smile. "I saw the wyvern carcasses. They were cut down by the Master's Blade. Since the sword’s sharpness is tied to spiritual energy, it leaves a unique trace when it slices something in two. So, either Seijirou killed the wyverns, or someone he entrusted the sword to did. And here you are, a spitting image of Seijirou in his youth."

  "Oh... well," Hikari said, a little flustered. He paused for a moment, then raised a hand to scratch his cheek, a slight smile on his face. "I am Seijirou's son, but I wasn't the one who killed the wyverns. My partner, Mirai, did. She's the one who carries the Master's Blade."

  A brief silence fell over the room. Gerald looked at Mirai, then back at Hikari, as if trying to process the information. His faint smile remained, but his eyes held a hint of surprise, or perhaps curiosity.

  "Hmm…" Gerald murmured, his gaze shifting between them. "So, you were the one who used the sword?"

  Mirai didn't answer immediately, merely staring at him with a calm, unreadable expression, as if the question didn't concern her. After a moment, she gave a slow nod. "Yes."

  Gerald let out a soft laugh. "Interesting… I didn't expect that. You must be incredibly skilled. Seijirou never let that sword out of his sight." He added, his smiling gaze fixed on Mirai, "For Seijirou to have given you his sword means you must be on a level beyond imagination."

  Mirai seemed indifferent to the praise, but Hikari turned to her and said, "By the way, Mirai, Mr. Gerald—the Lotus Swordsman—is considered the fourth-best swordsman."

  Mirai's eyebrows rose for a fraction of a second, a flicker of interest, but she remained composed.

  Hikari turned back to Gerald. "Excuse me, Mr. Gerald, when did you meet my father?"

  A moment of silence passed as Gerald seemed to drift into memory. Then, a faint smile touched his lips.

  "I first met him about thirty years ago. I was an adventurer back then, on a protection job for a merchant. Seijirou was part of the team, just an 18-year-old rookie. My first impression wasn't great; he didn't seem to have any real strength."

  Hikari smiled faintly but said nothing. Mirai remained silent, her eyes locked on Gerald, listening intently.

  "He carried a bunch of light swords, not a single distinctive one," Gerald continued. "He looked like an amateur who couldn't stick to one blade, which made me doubt his skills." He paused, as if recalling the night with greater clarity. "It didn't take long for me to realize how wrong I was."

  He took a deep breath.

  "That night, we were ambushed. An army of goblins attacked, their glowing red eyes filling the darkness, their murderous shrieks splitting the air. It wasn't just a random assault… it was led by a formidable creature, the Goblin King himself. He was massive, wielding a giant warhammer and possessing a deadly intelligence far beyond any normal beast."

  Mirai leaned forward slightly, clearly captivated.

  "The Goblin King was stronger and faster than we'd anticipated," Gerald went on. "With a single smash of his hammer against the ground, a shockwave erupted, knocking half our men down. We tried to fight back, but the goblins were too numerous, and their king led them with unmatched ferocity." He paused again, his voice growing quieter. "Everyone was fighting for their lives, but no one could stand against that king. At the time, I was an A-rank adventurer. I tried to face him, fought him with everything I had, but he crushed my arm with that giant hammer. I was sure we were finished. But Seijirou… he just stood there calmly, as if he didn't even see the army in front of him."

  Mirai listened in complete silence, but her fingers were clenched slightly, as if she were picturing the scene.

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  "Then, he drew one of his swords… and charged. I'd never seen anything like it. Every strike cleaved a goblin in two, but every few swings, the sword would shatter. He didn't stop. Each time a sword broke, he'd draw another, like it was nothing. Finally, he was down to his last one. He was standing right in front of the Goblin King, and I thought it was over for him. But he raised that final sword, enveloping it completely in his spiritual aura. Then, with a single strike… he split the Goblin King in half."

  Gerald paused, his eyes gleaming with the memory. A quiet smile formed on his lips. "That day, I realized Seijirou wasn't just an ordinary man… or even just a strong fighter. He was something else entirely."

  He tilted his head, as if still seeing the ghost of that scene. "He even watched my moves during the fight and later gave me pointers on how to improve my rapier technique. I couldn't believe he wasn't just a duelist, but a true master of weapons—excelling with every single type. And once he obtained the Master's Blade, he never let it go. It was the only sword that wouldn't shatter when he swung it."

  His hand traced a slow pattern on the table, as if feeling the weight of the past. "After that, we formed a team. We went on countless adventures together, until the king of this realm granted us nobility as a reward for a difficult mission. He gave us this land. It was a poor, rundown area. I chose to stay and develop it, but Seijirou refused the title entirely, saying he wouldn't let anything tie him down. He wanted to keep adventuring, refusing to be anyone's subordinate. Then he left the kingdom, and I haven't seen him since."

  Gerald took a calm breath. "Tell me, Hikari, how is Seijirou? Is he well?"

  Hikari smiled gently. "Yes, Dad is doing great. He still trains every single day, without fail."

  Gerald chuckled softly. "I was sure of it. For him, training is as essential as water. But there's something I'm curious about. Who is your mother? I remember your father never even looked at women; he loved his swords more than anything. Frankly, I thought he'd stay single forever."

  "My mother's name is Rin," Hikari replied with a smile.

  Gerald's eyebrows shot up. "Rin?" He placed a hand on his chin, thinking. Something clicked. He covered his face for a second, processing it, then looked at Hikari. "By any small, crazy, little chance… does your mother use Gray Lightning?"

  "Yes," Hikari said, smiling and scratching his head. "Do you know my mother?"

  "I do," Gerald answered. "Although I've never met her, her reputation spread far and wide years ago. But then she vanished without a trace. I can't believe they got married." He let out another soft laugh, this one a mix of shock and admiration, and nodded. "Rin and Seijirou… I couldn't have imagined that in my wildest dreams. They were like two separate legends that should never have met. No wonder they both disappeared completely; any army would kill to have their power."

  "Actually," Hikari said, "I heard from my father that he was once offered a position as a queen's personal guard, but my parents turned it down."

  "That sounds just like Seijirou," Gerald said. "Being forced to stay in one place and do something he doesn't want to? Impossible. He worships absolute freedom."

  A brief silence settled over the room.

  Mirai broke it. "Well? What now? I mean, do you need something specific from us?"

  "Oh… I'm sorry," Gerald said. "I told you, I only asked to see you because I was excited. There was no other reason. I apologize for wasting your time."

  "There's no need to apologize, Mr. Gerald," Hikari said with a slight smile. "We enjoyed talking with you." He glanced at Mirai, who sat quietly, looking indifferent and clearly ready to leave.

  An idea sparked in Hikari's mind. He turned back to Gerald. "I apologize if this sounds rude, Mr. Gerald, but would you be willing to have a rapier duel with Mirai?"

  A sudden silence filled the space. Both Mirai and Gerald looked at Hikari in surprise.

  Realizing their astonishment, Hikari continued, "I know it's a direct request, but curiosity got the better of me. Mirai is a skilled fighter, and I think this would be a great opportunity for everyone. Mirai gets to test her skills, I get to see her level against a strong opponent, and you, Mr. Gerald, can see for yourself the results of my father's training."

  Mirai and Gerald exchanged a brief, silent look before Gerald broke into a small smile. "I don't see why not, as long as Mirai agrees."

  A thrill went through Mirai, but her expression remained placid. "I accept the challenge," she said, her voice firm.

  "Alright then," Gerald said, standing up. "Let's go to the training grounds."

  The three of them went outside. Gerald stood on one side of the training yard, Mirai on the other. Hikari sat down to watch.

  "Fight me with your full strength," Mirai said quietly. "Don't hold back."

  "Are you sure?" Gerald asked, handing her a practice rapier.

  Mirai nodded without a word, taking the sword. Gerald smiled. "Very well."

  He stood a short distance from her, then closed his eyes for a few seconds. A faint aura shimmered around his feet. It was magical energy; Hikari felt it immediately. Gerald was using wind magic to boost his speed and lightning magic to enhance his reflexes.

  Mirai's eyes widened in surprise. For a fleeting moment, it was like seeing Lars standing before her.

  The duel began. Mirai lunged at Gerald with a powerful attack. He parried it easily, but his eyebrows suddenly shot up. Mirai's physical strength was uncanny, especially for a girl with no magic. A small smile played on Gerald's lips.

  They exchanged blows, Gerald using his wind and lightning magic while Mirai relied solely on her physical speed and power.

  Minutes passed, and Gerald's superiority was glaringly obvious. Mirai didn't stand a chance. The years of experience with a rapier, combined with the magical enhancement, put him on a completely different level.

  Suddenly, in the middle of the fight, Mirai's expression changed. The smile and excitement were gone. She was feeling something strange, something for the first time. She threw her full strength and speed at him, but it was useless.

  As Hikari watched, he noticed a shift. Mirai's movements became imprecise, as if something was distracting her. He watched in silence as the clash of swords echoed through the yard.

  Suddenly, Gerald caught something out of the corner of his eye, coming from the house. He focused for a second, then stepped back and called out, "Stop."

  Mirai froze, breathing heavily. She followed his gaze and saw Rosaline running toward them.

  Rosaline reached them, her face tense, her eyes darting between her father and Mirai. "Father! Are you alright? Who are these people?"

  Gerald raised a reassuring hand. "I'm fine, don't worry. They're my guests."

  Rosaline took a deep breath and, without a word, handed her father an envelope sealed with a royal crest.

  Gerald took the letter, opened it, and read it quietly. A clear change came over his features—a mix of concern and seriousness. He closed the letter with a soft sigh and turned to Mirai. "I've enjoyed the duel, but it seems I've been summoned to the capital for an emergency council of nobles. I have to leave at once."

  He looked at Rosaline. "Get ready. We leave in half an hour."

  Rosaline nodded silently and went to prepare.

  Then he turned to Hikari. "If you see your parents again, give them my regards." He looked one last time at Mirai, took a deep breath, and said, "Let me offer you some advice, Mirai. First, in any fight, empty your mind of all thoughts. And second… when you face someone seriously, trust that they will know… that you are not human."

  Mirai showed no reaction, and Hikari didn't seem surprised. It was obvious that someone like Gerald would have noticed.

  Gerald began to walk away. "I hope to see you both again someday," he said in his usual calm voice. He disappeared from sight with steady steps, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

  Hikari looked at Mirai and saw her staring at the ground with a strange expression he had never seen on her face before. He walked over to her. "What's wrong, Mirai?"

  Her grip on the sword tightened until her knuckles turned white. She felt something inside her, a feeling she had never experienced.

  "This is… frustrating," Mirai said quietly. "I was no match for him… He wasn't even using his full strength… but I… I really fought with everything I had and couldn't even get close…"

  She placed a hand on her heart. "This feeling… it's annoying. I was supposed to be excited. But the gap between us is just… so disheartening. Even if I had been fighting with my own spiritual sword, I couldn't have beaten him."

  Hikari was surprised by her reaction; he had also assumed she would enjoy the fight. He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I understand your frustration. I trained with my father for years and never managed to land a single scratch on him. I used to be excited for training and sparring with my parents, but… at one point, I reached a stage where I felt like there was no point in training, no matter what I did."

  "No point in training, no matter what I did?" Mirai repeated his words, a memory stirring. She stood motionless, a strange stillness settling on her shoulders, her gaze fixed on the ground as she was lost in thought.

  For a moment, she saw an image of her twin brother, Lars, kneeling on the ground, tears streaming silently down his face, drowning in a frustration she had never understood. She hadn't thought of him in a long time, but his image appeared now, unbidden. A heavy feeling began to creep inside her—not sadness, not anger, but something else, strange and confusing. Something she had never known.

  But she shook her head fiercely, pushing the thoughts away. She started walking, speaking more to herself than to Hikari. "I won't let this break my spirit. I'll double my training. I'll never stop. I'll make this frustration the reason I grow stronger."

  Hikari just smiled faintly at her words, then began walking with her, leaving Gerald's district behind. With new feelings stirring, Mirai was more determined than ever to improve.

  Thank you for reading.

  Mirai’s Shatter Index: 10% — the first crack.

  This volume will follow Mirai as the pressure builds, and these cracks begin to spread.