I was riding in a modest carriage under a clear sky, the road stretching endlessly ahead. A merchant had kindly allowed me to travel with him. I was headed for the capital of Honoo to take the university entrance exam. I felt a little nervous, but I trusted my abilities.

  I’d grown up in Honoo, yet I’d never been to the capital. That was where the feudal lord lived, along with the finest citizens. It wasn’t exactly a place for someone like me, but I couldn’t deny my curiosity.

  “So your name is Daike, right?” the merchant asked.

  “Yes, sir. And you’re Dan.”

  “That’s right. If you want something to drink, there’s some wine in the crate at the back.”

  “No, thank you. I don’t really drink alcohol. But if you don’t mind, there’s something I’d like to ask. We’ll be traveling together for two weeks.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Why did you let me travel with you? I’m not particularly strong, and I don’t even have a mage’s license yet.”

  Dan smiled faintly. “I think it’s important to support the young. You said you were headed to the university, so lending a hand felt right. Besides, for old men like me, company is always welcome. It’s better to have someone to talk to.”

  “I see,” Daike said. “Well then, if you need help with anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  As they talked, the sun began to sink, painting the sky in warm shades of orange. It felt like the right time to stop and spend the night. Unfortunately, it didn’t look like that would be possible.

  “Daike,” Dan said, tense. “Get ready. Two suspicious people are approaching fast. I think they’re bandits.”

  “What? Damn it… those bastards.”

  Daike grabbed his sword and activated his tarmo detection. They have a lot of tarmo, he thought. They’re strong. I don’t think I can beat both of them—maybe not even one.

  “I’m ready,” he said. “If they get any closer, let me know.”

  Dan was clearly frightened. The horses were restless too. The figures closed in rapidly. As they passed alongside the carriage, there was a sharp crack of splintering wood. The carriage lurched and overturned. Dan and Daike were thrown around inside, stunned. Outside, the horses lay collapsed on the ground.

  Daike leaned close and whispered, trying to sound brave, “Stay here. I’ll handle it.”

  He burst out of the carriage, sword in hand. Two men sat astride their horses—one carrying a bow, the other a sword. They wore plain tunics, but their hairstyles were flamboyant, and both had purple earrings. Their auras were deeply unsettling.

  I’ve seen those earrings before… Daike thought. Where was it? Ah—those are the ones worn by the men who attacked my village. The most infamous bandits in Honoo: the Rotten Blades.

  “Hey, kid,” both bandits said with a chilling chuckle. “Tell us what’s in the carriage before we kill you. Though it doesn’t really matter—we’ll kill you anyway.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Damn it. Damn it. What do I do? If I don’t think of something fast, we’re both dead. If I run, the archer will shoot me—or they’ll kill Dan. Think, Daike. Think.

  An idea came to him. It might work, given how proud bandits tended to be. Maybe.

  He lifted his chin and spoke arrogantly. “You, the one with the sword. How about this? We duel. If I manage to make you bleed or knock you down, you let us leave alive and take the goods. If you win, you kill us both. Surely a kid doesn’t scare you.”

  The archer laughed. “Barry, listen to this brat. He really thinks he has a chance against you. Go on, teach him a lesson and end his life. Though you won’t absorb much tarmo—he’s weak.”

  Absorb tarmo? What is he talking about? Daike wondered.

  “Larry, that’s a waste of time,” Barry said. “Just help me finish him quickly.”

  “Huh?” Larry scoffed. “I didn’t know my partner was a coward. What, scared of a little kid? Don’t be pathetic. Accept his offer.”

  “Tch. Whatever.”

  Barry raised his voice. “Fine, brat. I accept your deal. You should be grateful—I’m doing you a favor.”

  Daike looked up, clenched his fists, and forced himself to face him despite the fear clawing at his chest.

  “Then let’s begin.”

  He took a fighting stance. He was nervous, but he stood his ground. Barry lunged forward, fast as lightning. Daike barely reacted in time, leaping just high enough to pass over him.

  Barry swung his sword upward. “Are you stupid? Jumping is the most predictable move there is.”

  Daike reinforced his arm with tarmo, pushing his speed to the limit. He pulled a hidden dagger and hurled it in an instant, aiming for Barry’s hand.

  Barry was startled, but confident he could dodge. He pressed his attack as Daike began to fall. Daike managed to block the strike, but the effort drained him. His tarmo felt thin, unstable.

  Barry smirked, convinced the fight was over. That brief moment of overconfidence was all Daike needed. He surged his tarmo again and threw another dagger—this time straight at Barry’s face.

  Barry reacted at the last second, snapping his head aside. The blade grazed his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. One drop fell.

  Silence followed.

  “Yes!” Daike shouted.

  “Looks like you lost,” Larry said with a mocking laugh.

  “Tsk. Damn brat,” Barry spat. “Fine. We’ll check your damn carriage. Like I promised, we won’t kill you. Bandits keep their word.”

  Both of them walked toward the overturned carriage.

  “Dan, come out,” Daike called. “As you heard, they’re going to search it. But they’ll let us live.”

  Dan emerged, trembling. “I’m only carrying liquor. Some bottles broke when the carriage fell.”

  The bandits searched in silence. After a while, they found that the merchant was telling the truth.

  “Old man,” they said, “give us your best liquor. If we like it, we’ll let you keep the rest.”

  Why are they suddenly being nice? Dan wondered.

  He handed each of them a bottle. They took a sip—and froze.

  “Whoa, old man, this is incredible!” they exclaimed. “What’s it called?”

  “It’s a new drink made by the artisans where I’m from,” Dan said. “Ozero, the City of Water. It’s called shōchū.”

  “For this masterpiece,” the bandits said, “we’ll forgive the rest of your goods. We’ve never tasted anything like it. Make sure you always carry a few bottles—just in case we meet again. Goodbye, idiots.”

  Night had fully fallen. A full moon hung in the sky.

  Minutes passed in silence as Daike and Dan righted the carriage and worked to fix a damaged wheel.

  Dan sighed. “You did well, kid. Go get some rest. I’ll finish this.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Daike lay down, trying to sleep, but his heart was still racing. Even though they’d survived, his mind wouldn’t settle.

  This time I could do it… Why could I do it now? Why did they spare us? I thought they were monsters. I was just trying to buy time. I’m scared.

  After an hour, exhaustion finally pulled him into sleep.

  Dan finished repairing the wheel and thought to himself, For a fifteen-year-old, Daike did remarkably well. I’m surprised those bandits accepted his proposal. Maybe it’s because neither of us has much tarmo. Well, I should sleep too. Tomorrow we continue to Honoo. I don’t have much merchandise left to sell, but it’s still worth the trip.