Chapter 89: Hiro

The morning sun shimmered on the yards of the Takeda Dojo while dozens of youths practised their sword, spreading throughout in rows. It was just the same for the kids, four-hour-long morning practice from mediation, the morning run to the sword practising.

Hiro practised the kata for the thousandth time for today, before sheathing his Katana. Sweat dripped from all over his body, wetting his white robes entirely on his back. A dozen more kids half a decade younger than him practised their kata in the yards, making a shout in unison chorus.

"Sensei," a voice called as a boy of twelve brought a white towel to wipe his sweat. He had a glass of water as well. 

Hiro took it without a word, looking at the kids practising. "Tanaka, set your shoulder straight," he yelled towards the youth on the side. "So do you, Maki. Sasaki put more strength into it. If you cannot, you can go back home. There is no place for slackers."

The kids that Hiro named had not uttered a word and strengthened up, practising harder. Only then Hiro notice the boy that brought her towels had not left yet. 

"Is something the matter?" Hiro asked, knitting his brows. His mood never been good in the morning.

"Master Mori has shown up," the boy said. "He wanted to talk to you."

Hiro raised his eyebrow. "Tell the old man to wait and give him tea or something," Hiro said. "Say, I will be there."

The boy left instantly, with the curt bowing, While Hiro sat on the wooden barricade, looking at his students. A few of them had managed to become Guardian Apprentice, but for none, he had high hopes for. Hoping will only get him disappointed, so Hiro stopped hoping, wishing, and expecting from the last four years.

If hopes and wishes work, the world will be a better place already. He will not have to waste a couple of years in bed, nor will he have to see his countryman dying in the hands of the chaos fiends.

Unlike the people who stayed in the rings, the rest of the world was not so secure. Death and destruction were every day's business, and if there was some news of dungeon break, it would only put them into far more misery. A settlement of a few thousand people got destroyed just a couple of days ago, and the things that did that were only some low graded chaos fiends of first-order or below.

It happened so quickly and abruptly that they had no way of sending the men to deal with it, though considering the fact, they barely have a few men free. Even people who have no support for the mother system put their life on the line for the sake of humanity.

Hiro had not turned twenty, yet he had seen so far. From the death of his family to the close friends—he had suffered too many scars in these few years. He had a chance of giving up, a couple of years ago, when he got into some trouble, but he did not. All he took was a big long break. 

Well, even if he stops, what would it be for? It's not like he would have his family, or anything to look after. Apart from this dojo, he has nothing. 

Hiro could not help but sigh, looking at the ever glory of the morning sun. 

"I thought you would be here," an elderly voice said and a man in a black suit appeared in the corridor of the room.

Hiro looked back at the elderly man. Master Mori in his sixties and one of the few pillars of the country. For a guardian of fourth-order, keeping some part of his youth was not difficult, but seeing Old man Mori's face, Hiro could only guess of the fine lines of youth this man once was. Even standing straight was difficult with the things Master Mori have to take care of, yet he was here. Perhaps something important occurred.

"I had some important business back," Master Mori said and threw an envelope on his lap. He took a stand beside him, leaning against the barricade.

"What is this?" Hiro asked, taking the envelope letter.

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Master Mori took a seat beside him and looked at the youth practising. He could not help but sigh, too. In a few years, he had to send these kids to battle, with barely any experience in actual combat. A few might live through a decade if they were lucky, while all turned to earth within a couple of years of their appointment. 

"It's an invitation letter," Master Mori said, looking to find Hiro reading through the letter. "From the association. They are holding a small tournament before the incoming trial and invited people from all over the earth, including you and a few others of our ranks."

"Have you sent them a reply yet?" Hiro asked sceptically. He threw away the envelope as if it was just another piece of junk, and looked at the elderly man. "I am actually flabbergasted again at their intelligence. They actually think the few people we have, actually have time to attend this circus." 

Master Mori let out a breath. "It's not just for the tournament," he said. "If they want to attract their facilities to attract the few we have, they have taken a separate direction. Seems like they were holding a conference, and the representative of all over the earth was invited."

"Then why me?" Hiro asked. "I am not a representative."

"Perhaps because of what happened. After all, you were once a student of the institute." Master Mori turned silent after that. 

"Tanaka if you cannot move anymore, go back home. This place has no space for lazy muggers," Hiro yelled at his student again. Few of them were actually listening to them rather than practising their kata. "If you get distracted by only this, go home. Swordsmanship is not for you." 

The youths shouted in unison again, practising their kata. 

Hiro looked at Master Mori again. "Do they really think I will go there ever again?" he said, narrowing his eyes. "Or are they showing their grandeur to a cripple? Or perhaps they were feeling pity for me? Yes, that is it. Other than pity what else would it be?"

Master Mori shook his head. Perhaps it was something entirely different, but how could he explain it to Hiro? "Either way, you will leave for the rings for the trials. It would not matter if you go a week in advance."

"It wouldn't matter?" Hiro snorted. "Do you think it's easy for me to go there? Every second there is like hell. I'd rather spend time in a dungeon full of chaos fiends than in the ring. I had the nagging to vomit the moment I saw the faces of those self-important imbeciles. If it's not for the trial, I'll never even think about going there." 

"Hiro," Master Mori said in a loud tone, eyes shimmering with anger. But the anger left immediately and the old man sighed. The kid before him was his old friend, his dead friend. He had high hopes for him. Out of many, Hiro was the only one who could have broken their curse of misery, if only he was . . . Master Mori did not know what to say. He could not even blame the kid, as it was not his fault, but he could not help but be disappointed, either. If only Hiro was a bit more cautious. 

"It had been two years since I left the place, and you still can't get over it," Hiro said, looking at the ants on the earth, carrying a dead fly joining together. "How can I get over it?" 

Master Mori sighed again for the third time. "Let's not talk about it," he said. "If you don't want to go, fine. Looks like I have to go alone." He paused again and looked at the kids practising. "They asked about any seeds that like to attend the institute. I have given no answer yet." 

Master Mori looked at Hori again, as if asking for his thoughts. 

"Why are you looking at me?" Hori said and stood up, bringing his Katana. "If any of them wants to go, you can send them." 

Mori shook his head. "Do you think any of them will agree to go?" he asked, standing up as well. "They look at you as their hero, and knowing what happened to their hero, will any one of them agree to go?" 

Hiro frowned. "Does it matter, though?" he asked, unsheathing his sword and readying to practice again. "Maybe not agreeing the best choice they ever made in their lives."

"You don't think that," Master Mori said, but got no reply. In the end, he can only leave. There were a lot of works left at the office.. "Call me if you change your mind, and for the trial, if you need any help, don't forget to mention it to me."

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