Volume 1: The Boy the World Ignored
๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ-๐ฐ
๐ธ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐
The inside of the small wooden house smelled of warm soup and burning firewood.
Kaito stood awkwardly near the door, unsure where to step.
The room was simple but comfortable. Wooden shelves lined the walls, holding books, tools, and small jars filled with herbs. A fireplace crackled softly in the center of the room.
The girl, Aiko, walked past him with light steps.
"Sit down," she said cheerfully.
Kaito hesitated before slowly lowering himself onto a wooden chair.
The old man placed a bowl of steaming soup in front of him.
"Eat," he said calmly.
Kaito stared at the bowl.
Hot food.
Prepared for him.
His hands trembled slightly as he picked up the spoon.
The first bite filled his mouth with warmth.
He hadn't realized how hungry he was.
Aiko watched him with a small smile.
"You really were lost, huh?"
Kaito nodded quietly.
The old man sat across from him.
"My name is Daizen."
His voice carried the calm authority of someone who had lived a long life.
"And you are?"
"Kaito."
Daizen nodded once.
"Tell me, Kaitoโฆ why does a boy your age wander alone in the forest?"
Kaito looked down.
For a moment he didn't answer.
Then quietly he said:
"No one noticed when I left."
Silence filled the room.
Aiko's expression changed slightly.
Daizen studied the boy carefully.
He saw the tiredness in Kaito's eyes.
The loneliness.
The quiet pain that young people should never carry.
Finally, the old man spoke again.
"You may stay here tonight."
Kaito looked up in surprise.
"Tomorrow we will decide what comes next."
Aiko clapped her hands lightly.
"Great! We have a guest!"
Kaito blinked.
Guest.
No one had ever called him that before.
That night he slept on a simple bed near the fireplace.
The warmth of the fire flickered softly across the ceiling.
For the first time in many yearsโฆ
Kaito fell asleep without feeling alone.
๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ-๐ฑ
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ค๐ฅ ๐๐๐ค๐ค๐ ๐
Morning sunlight streamed through the window.
Kaito woke to the sound of wood striking wood.
CLACK.
CLACK.
He stepped outside.
In the clearing beside the house, Daizen stood holding a wooden sword.
His movements were slow but incredibly precise.
Each swing cut cleanly through the air.
Aiko sat nearby watching.
"Good morning," she said when she noticed Kaito.
Daizen stopped his movement and looked at the boy.
"Come here."
Kaito approached carefully.
Daizen tossed him a wooden sword.
"Show me how you fight."
Kaito blinked.
"You want me toโฆ fight you?"
"Yes."
Kaito hesitated.
But something inside him stirred.
He gripped the wooden sword and stepped forward.
His stance was rough but determined.
He charged.
CLACK!
Before Kaito could even complete his strike, Daizen's sword lightly tapped his shoulder.
"Too slow," the old man said.
Kaito frowned and attacked again.
CLACK.
Another strike stopped him instantly.
"Too predictable."
Again.
And again.
Every attack was blocked effortlessly.
Within seconds Kaito was breathing heavily.
Daizen lowered his sword.
"You have spirit," he said calmly.
"But your anger controls your movement."
Kaito stared at him.
"Anger?"
Daizen pointed at the wooden sword.
"A sword is not meant for rage."
Then he tapped his chest.
"It is meant to protect."
Kaito looked down at the weapon in his hand.
Protectโฆ
He had never thought about fighting that way.
Daizen turned and walked toward the house.
"If you wish to stay here," he said without looking back,
"You will learn properly."
Kaito stood there silently.
For the first time in his lifeโฆ
Someone was offering to teach him.
๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ-๐ฒ
๐ป๐๐ช๐ค ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฅย
Life in the forest became something Kaito had never experienced before.
Peaceful.
Every morning began the same way.
Training with Daizen.
The old man taught him balance, patience, and control.
"Speed comes from calmness," Daizen often said.
"If your mind is chaotic, your sword will be too."
Afternoons were quieter.
Kaito helped gather firewood.
Aiko collected herbs and berries.
Sometimes the three of them cooked together.
Other times they simply sat outside watching the sunset.
Aiko was always talking.
"You're too serious, Kaito," she laughed one evening.
He glanced at her.
"Someone has to be."
She stuck her tongue out playfully.
"You should smile more."
Kaito didn't answer.
But slowlyโฆ
He began to.
Days turned into months.
Months turned into years.
Kaito grew taller.
Stronger.
His sword skills improved rapidly under Daizen's guidance.
But more importantlyโ
Something inside him began to change.
The quiet bitterness he once carried slowly faded.
Because for the first time in his lifeโฆ
He had something he never thought possible.
A home.
And a family.
Chapter 7
Five Years Later
The boy who once arrived in the forest had become a young man.
At eighteen years old, Kaito moved with the confidence of a trained warrior.
His sword strikes were fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
Daizen watched proudly as their wooden swords clashed one morning.
CLACK.
Kaito spun and struck again.
CLACK.
The old master blocked smoothly.
Then suddenlyโ
Kaito changed direction mid-swing.
CRACK.
Daizen's sword flew from his hand.
Silence filled the clearing.
Aiko gasped.
Kaito froze.
"Iโฆ I'm sorry."
Daizen looked down at the fallen sword.
Then he began to laugh.
A deep, satisfied laugh.
"Well done."
Kaito blinked.
"You've surpassed what I can teach you."
Aiko ran over excitedly.
"My hero!"
She hugged Kaito tightly.
His face turned slightly red.
Daizen watched them with a small smile.
But deep in his eyesโฆ
A shadow passed.
Because he knew something Kaito did not.
Peace like thisโฆ
Never lasted forever.