Chapter 4

  Once Drakkel and Aurien Wavel returned from So-Ony village, they went to Ty’s bakery to pick up some pastries first. After picking them up, they headed to Sacred Sword Manor.

  As the Sacred Sword Manor came into view, Drakkel’s heartbeat began to quicken in anticipation.

  He didn't know why, but he wanted to skip ahead, rush inside and embrace those who waited. But attempting to make the move evoked a strong headache.

  So, he decided against it, instead opting to wave to the stall keepers along with Aurien Wavel as they slowly made their way to the manor entrance.

  When they entered the manor, Aurien Wavel and Drakkel passed many disciples. As the Sacred Sword Sword's Clan was in the midst of getting revived, unlike with all the other swords clans, most of the current disciples were children.

  Kirora, who was likely put on door duty, was practicing sword moves in the enclosed front courtyard and silently nodded to the two as they passed.

  Leyon was speaking to a group of disciples about sword forms but when he saw the two, he greeted them with an excited smile along with the group.

  Piral Bifa and Mi-Mian were carrying dried herbs somewhere in a hurry. With dried herbs, their master had to be close by. So, Drakkel went up and spoke to them.

  “You two, have you seen Master Fowl?”

  “Seniors, you’re back!” Mi-Mian said with excitement.

  Drakkel nodded.

  Piral Bifa then asked. “How was your journey?”

  “It was fine.” Drakkel answered. “But, we really need to speak to Master about it. The rest of us can all speak about it later. So, please tell us, do you know where he is?”

  With this, Piral Bifa pouted, “We don’t.”

  Mi-Mian placed a hand on Piral Bifa’s shoulder. “Piral, why be like this? Our Seniors have important things to do.”

  “But Senior Mi-Mian! They’ve been gone for a while! And after returning, they can’t even give us a proper greeting!”

  Aurien Wavel stepped forward. “Now Piral Bifa, Master can be particular. Your Senior didn’t mean to come off as rude. But, look.”

  He held out the bag of pastries they brought. “He bought you some sweets. When our business with Master Fowl is done, we can share these pastries and tell you how our journey went while we eat, alright?”

  Piral Bifa, looked down at the ground in sadness for a moment. But after slowly considering what Aurien Wavel said, she looked up and smiled.

  Turning her head to Drakkel, she said, “Sorry for misunderstanding you, Senior Drakkel. Since you’re in a hurry, I’ll wait for your return.”

  Drakkel nodded, appreciative of his Senior Brother for stepping in.

  Aurien Wavel asked Piral Bifa to hold the pastries.

  After this, Mi-Mian told them that their Master was in the Sun Courtyard, picking herbs.

  The two rushed over to their Master's location as they had already delayed their meeting for quite a bit.

  Once they reached the courtyard, their master was indeed picking herbs.

  The Sun Courtyard was named so because it directly faced the sun. Many types of unique herbs would only grow in this condition, so it was one of the courtyards created within the manor. Because of this, it was hot and sunny outside, so their Master wore a hat to shield himself from the burning rays. Meanwhile, Kio was sitting in a shaded area, watching him with boredom.

  Upon catching a glance of Drakkel and Aurien Wavel, he became enlivened, his bored expression lifting to one of exhilaration. He vigorously waved at the two and Drakkel smiled and waved back.

  Meanwhile, Aurien Wavel’s attention was turned to their master.

  In the quiet outside, filled only with the sound of chirping crickets and birds, their master shot a sword-energy enhanced message at the two.

  “You two showed up twenty minutes ago. It only takes eight minutes to get to the sun courtyard and at most three minutes to ask where I was. Why hadn’t you come to greet me earlier?’

  Drakkel looked at Aurien Wavel.

  Their master asked, but if he knew that much, of course he knew what they were doing on their way here.

  “Master… We…”

  Aurien Wavel was about to speak, but their master stopped him. “Aurien, take Kio to get some water. Drakkel, come here and help me pick herbs.”

  Aurien Wavel bowed his head. “Of course, Master.”

  Aurien Wavel exchanged a sorry glance with Drakkel before he went over to Kio and grabbed him by the hand.

  Once he left, Drakkel approached their master and leaned down next to him.

  Picking herbs under heavy heat, he could feel his pale skin turn red and begin to burn.

  As he patted his sweating head down with the back of his hand, Rodius Fowl took off his hat and placed it on his head.

  Drakkel looked at him, concerned.

  “Master!” He said. “You’re older than me. I think you need this more.”

  He took off the hat and attempted to give it back, but Rodius Fowl only grabbed it and placed it back on his head.

  He smiled. “We’re almost done gathering up what we need for the day. I’ve been wearing the hat the whole time. I’ll be fine. But you just got back from traveling outside.”

  Drakkel could only nod, understanding that his Master wouldn’t let him argue anymore.

  He returned his attention to the herbs, continuing to pick the ones his master was focused on.

  As his attention was held by the work in front of him, his master asked, “So, how was your journey?”

  “It was good…” Drakkel answered.

  For who his master was, Drakkel knew that just saying “it was good” would not be enough. So, soon after he said this, he spoke about what happened in greater detail until His Senior Brother returned.

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  All the while, although Rodius Fowl was picking at the herbs, one could still tell he was listening. He responded carefully when prompted and even asked for extra information on certain matters that Drakkel had mentioned.

  However, when Aurien Wavel stepped in, and asked if they needed another set of hands since Kio had already been settled in, Rodius Fowl suddenly stood up.

  He gestured to the basket full of herbs and said to the two, “We’re good for the day. Thank you.”

  He looked at Drakkel, who hadn’t finished his story, “You can continue later. I heard you bought pastries! Why don’t we all enjoy them and listen to you recount your tales together?”

  He knew they bought pastries. So, he knew what they said after all! However, Drakkel couldn’t help but appreciate his master’s personality.

  He smiled brightly. “Yes, Master!”

  After they headed inside, they distributed the pastries between everyone and Drakkel and Aurien Wavel gathered to tell them what happened on their trip. Drakkel, though, didn’t mention that he had met the mysterious boy, not thinking it was appropriate or necessary to bring up.

  Later, when the group dispersed, Rodius Fowl led Drakkel and Aurien Wavel to his room to talk. Once there, he asked how their cultivation progress was.

  Aurien Wavel answered first. “Master, as you heard during the story, Drakkel has already surpassed me. I didn’t have to do much this time around. I don’t think he can spar with me anymore. I’m afraid I would only hinder his progress.”

  Drakkel was saddened by this. He liked to spar with his Senior Brother as it was one of the few times they could be alone together. Hanging out with his Senior Brother alone wasn’t like hanging out with the others. He was more mature and Drakkel could be doted on instead of doting on others. But, maybe he did have a point. Last time they sparred, Drakkel was actually holding back on him.

  Rodius Fowl stroked his beard. “I see.”

  He looked at Drakkel. “Then, Drakkel. How about we have a sparring match now?”

  Drakkel’s eyes widened. Sparring with his master, the man currently known as the strongest Sword Fighter in the world was daunting!

  But, he was also excited. He wanted to know how strong he was.

  Drakkel and Rodius Fowl headed to the training courtyard while Aurien Wavel followed them. As they passed by the many halls, rumors about what they had discussed circulated and curious about what was going on, all the disciples stopped what they were doing and followed behind.

  A large group watched from the sidelines as Drakkel faced his master.

  Rodius Fowl didn’t hold his sword, instead opting to keep it in its sheath. Some might think it odd, but the background of his sword wasn't simple.

  Dragon’s Wrath, with its green hilt decorated with a dragon, and a blade made of the finest meteoric iron and mixed with remnants of a powerful sacred beast, gave off an ethereal glow.

  Swords made of Sacred beast parts were some of the most legendary. Not many parts of sacred beasts could be easily transferred into a blade. The ones that could, usually came from Sacred Beats so powerful, most Sword Fighters couldn’t hope to defeat them. On top of this, such Beasts really only appeared once every 50 years or so. So, if one were to desire a sword like Dragon’s Wrath, first they would have to be powerful enough to be able to defeat a high level sacred beast, then they would have to be in the right place at the right time to be able to fight the beast and collect its parts.

  Rodius Fowl was the only one in over a century to have achieved this.

  So, besides Clear Skies which was given the small remains of the Sacred Beast defeated by Rodius Fowl, Dragon's Wrath was the only sword in a century created with Sacred Beast parts.

  Rodius Fowl put one hand behind his back.

  Drakkel’s eyes drifted to the hand he left out. “Master, what are you doing?”

  Rodius Fowl smiled. “I’m handicapping myself to give you an advantage.”

  Drakkel couldn’t believe his master had underestimated him. “Master, with all due respect, you might regret that later.”

  Rodius Fowl extended his free hand out and gestured at Drakkel. “Will I regret it or will you be grateful? Let’s test it out.”

  Drakkel nodded and drew Sword Wind’s Breeze. Then, without hesitation, he dashed straight at his master.

  As he dashed, he let out a sword energy attack, but Rodius Fowl dispersed it with one palm strike. Then, he intercepted Drakkel’s incoming blade with a finger strike immediately afterwards.

  Waving his fingers, he pushed Drakkel back a small distance, but Drakkel wasn’t done. He dashed again, this time utilizing sword step to get behind his master and attack.

  But his master’s body disappeared the moment his blade hit him.

  He felt a presence appear from behind him and struck at it with his blade, but this attack didn’t land either.

  When he turned around to meet his master’s gaze along with his sword, he found that his sword would not move. And it was because his blade had been caught between two of his master’s fingers!

  Now facing his master, he again tried to move his blade from his grip, but it wouldn’t budge.

  Drakkel then released his hilt and sighed.

  “Alright, master! I understand! I admit defeat.” He said dejectedly.

  Rodius Fowl smiled, flipped the blade into the air, caught it by the hilt, and gave it back to Drakkel.

  “You truly have made progress. With your Sword Energy Strike, I see that you are already at Sword Sworn. Not bad at all.”

  Drakkel’s eyebrows drew in as the corners of his lips turned down. “Not bad, but still not as good as you.”

  Rodius Fowl patted Drakkel on the head. “Don’t worry! You’ll become even more powerful than me someday! No need to rush it!”

  Drakkel frowned. “I hope. Then I can help you support the clan!”

  He felt an itch on his upper back shoulder and scratched it.

  Suddenly, Rodius Fowl said, “Actually, our spar has inspired me to create a new recipe!”

  He looked at the watching disciples. “Would anyone like to try it?!”

  With this, all the disciples silently looked at each other.

  Mi-Mian said, “I have to go…umm.. work on my cultivation!”

  Leyon nodded vigorously. “I have to spar with her!”

  Kirora said, “Yes. I need to practice as well.”

  Following suit, the rest of the disciples quickly came up with excuses. And as swiftly as they showed up, they left, dispersing before another word left Rodius Fowl’s lips.

  In the end, the only one that stayed was Aurien Wavel. But their master looked him up and down and said, “Aurien, go make some medicine. It’s almost the season for sickness to spread. We need to stock up.”

  Aurien Wavel bowed his head and answered, “Yes, Master,” before leaving as well.

  And so, just like that, Drakkel was the only one remaining.

  His Master smiled at him brightly as he said, “I guess you’re the only one willing to try, Drakkel. I really appreciate it!”

  Drakkel shook his head a bit in despair, “Master…”

  Rodius Fowl interjected. “Don’t worry! I'll make it worth your while!”

  Drakkel’s mouth twitched. He said the same sentence every time!

  But he had no choice, it was his master after all. He could only hope that someday when his master said these words, they would actually be true!

  Drakkel’s master sent him to his room to rest while he made the food. After a bit, a smokey noisome scent like burned charcoal drifted through the air and into his nostrils and a few minutes later, his master’s figure appeared in his room with a tray in his hands. On top of this tray was a bowl of soup along with some peaches.

  “The food is ready!” Rodius Fowl excitedly exclaimed.

  He walked up to Drakkel and set the tray on his lap as he was in a lotus position on his bed.

  Drakkel looked down at it, then gave his master a half smile before adjusting his position to make it more comfortable to eat.

  With his legs hanging off the side of the bed, his master was staring down at him expectantly.

  He thanked his master before he took a spoonful of food.

  Eyeing it, the smoky scent drifted into his nostrils. He smelled it earlier in the air, but the scent was much stronger when coming from the food, almost making him gag.

  But his master had worked hard on it and expected him to eat it so of course he had to.

  With his eyes closed, he stuffed the lumpy brown liquid into his mouth.

  Upon contact with his tongue, a slimy yet grainy texture followed up by the odd mixture of salt, sugar, and other spices melded with the flavor of burnt rice spread through him and his whole body rejected it!

  He really wanted to spit it out!

  But he persevered and forcefully swallowed, looking up at his master afterwards.

  “What do you think?” Rodius Fowl asked.

  Drakkel wanted to give a smile, but the unpalatable and nauseating flavor of the food still hung on his tongue and his lip hooked at the end giving his smile a crooked look. “It’s good, Master!”

  Rodius Fowl nodded proudly. “I knew it! I actually tried to improve the recipe from last time and replaced a few of the ingredients. Did you taste the difference?”

  Drakkel nodded. Actually, the only difference was that the food tasted bad in a different way when compared with the others. But in the end, none of them were good.

  Rodius Fowl smiled. “Then go ahead and finish it and have the peaches as a treat afterwards.”

  Mouth trembling a bit, Drakkel could only nod and scarf down the rest of the food before his body forced him to vomit it out.

  Once he was done, he quickly ate the peaches, allowing them to saturate his palette and clear his mouth of the unpleasant taste of his master’s cooking.

  As he did so, Rodius Fowl said, “Actually, you really have progressed a lot. I was thinking that you could attend a Sword Fighting contest with some younger disciples at the Golden Peak Swords Clan. You are the only one here of an appropriate age. Is it something you would like to do?”

  Drakkel finished up his last bite of peach and nodded excitedly.

  He hadn’t attended one of these in a long time and he wasn’t yet old enough to attend a Sword Summit or challenge someone to a duel since the minimum age to compete in both of these was 15. So of course he wanted to test his skills against others.

  “I would, master,” he said.

  Drakkel nodded. Actually, the only difference was that the food tasted bad in a different way when compared with the others. But in the end, none of them were good.