A Saint’s Verdict

  ?“Blade… my name is Blade?”

  ?“Yes. Like it?”

  ?Blade nodded once. It was a small act, but it showed that he was somewhat happy with the name.

  ?“Now come on.”

  ?“What do you mean?”

  ?“Oh yeah, I didn't tell you.”

  ?He says before placing the adoption papers.

  ?“You have no family, no friends, and no legal guardian. That means I can adopt you as long as my credibility is high enough. Lucky you, I’m the [Sword Saint].”

  ?He says smugly, only for Blade to shoot it down with.

  ?“Still don't know who you are.”

  ?“You're joking, right? You don't know me? Ryuma? The [Sword Saint]? The one who killed eight dragons with a singular slash? The one who challenged the Sword God and won?”

  ?“Shouldn’t you be called Sword God, then? Isn't a saint worse than a god?”

  ?Not liking how correct Blade was, he ignored his points.

  ?“Not the point. The important part is that you are officially my son, so why don't you try calling me dad?”

  ?“But you aren't my dad.”

  ?“But I adopted you.”

  ?“Still no.”

  ?Ryuma felt his ego bruise more and more by the second.

  ?“Come on now, no more hesitation, we are leaving.”

  ?“Why now?”

  ?“Because you are becoming my student.”

  ?“What do you mean?”

  ?“Well, you have a sword, don't you want to learn how to use it?”

  ?“...Okay.”

  ?Blade said, getting up to follow Ryuma. As Blade had no other things other than his sword, they could pack up quite quickly and leave. As they walked, Blade noticed that a lot of people were turning to watch them. Seems like Ryuma had not been lying when he said he was famous.

  ?Taking a turn, they met another man, one with similar clothing to Ryuma.

  ?“Ah, if it isn't Ryuma… aren't you too old to be leading along little girls?”

  ?“Now, now, Uso. This is my new son, Blade.”

  ?Ryuma answered calmly, patting Blade’s shoulder.

  ?“Son? I'm guessing he is adopted. I can't imagine you getting a wife.”

  ?“I'm a free-spirited man, you know.”

  ?“And to think you are the representative of our school. It is truly ridiculous.”

  ?“What does he mean?”

  ?Blade asked curiously, tugging at Ryuma’s sleeve. It caught his attention as he answered.

  ?“You see, I'm both the world's greatest swordsman and a teacher.”

  ?“You cannot be called a teacher without a singular student.”

  ?This caught Blade’s attention, who looked at Uso, who seemed more than happy to talk badly about Ryuma.

  ?“You see, child, your 'father' here has not accepted a single student since we started our school.”

  ?“But I am his student.”

  ?This took Uso by a shred of surprise before he let out an incredulous laugh.

  ?“I see, so desperate for a student you adopt an orphan and force him to become your student. Tell me, child, how did Ryuma find you?”

  ?“He bumped into me, then took me.”

  ?“No, no, no. I adopted you properly,”

  ?Ryuma says, quickly shutting Blade up before he paints him in an even worse light.

  ?“It was as unique as ever seeing you. Now if you'll excuse me.”

  ?Ryuma said before lifting Blade and sprinting off, not wanting to spend a second longer there.

  ?As they ran, Ryuma led him through the town and people.

  ?“Where are we going?”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  ?Blade asked, though continued to follow despite his lack of direction or destination.

  ?“Well, since you already have a sword, we will be going to get you inspected.”

  ?“What do you mean inspect me?”

  ?“My former teacher was a… granny, but don't tell her I said it. Either way, she has the ability to see the talent in people.”

  ?“I see.”

  ?It did not take long before they were walking through a dense forest, having to track through branches and varying stones. Eventually, they reached an open clearing, though, and in the center stood a tree.

  ?“Ryuma, why are you back this time?”

  ?A voice. Blade looked around, before noticing the weird form of the tree. And just as suddenly, it opened its eyes. Or at least what should be eyes, as it was nothing more than hollow holes mimicking eyes.

  ?“And who is this child?”

  ?“Hello, granny.”

  ?Blade said calmly, to a surprised yelp from Ryuma. His expression darkened by the second, and was wishing he had not told Blade anything.

  ?“Granny, huh? And who told you to call me that, child?”

  ?To the question, Blade simply pointed at Ryuma, who slapped away his finger, controlling his strength to make sure he did not hurt him as he said.

  ?“You said you would not tell her!”

  ?“I didn't, I pointed.”

  ?Ryuma sighed at the unreasonably good arguments this kid had, then felt a shiver as he remembered that she was still here.

  ?“So hear me out, I can explain everything.”

  ?“I do not doubt it, I simply wish to hug you. Won't you come closer?”

  ?Ryuma sensed the trap from a mile away, but there was not much he could do when a vine wrapped around his leg and he was tossed side to side. Blade tilted his head again and again, trying to follow the movements with innocent eyes.

  ?While the vine continued, the tree told Blade.

  ?“Don't mind my unruly apprentice. Now, do you know why he brought you here?”

  ?“He told me you would see my talent.”

  ?“I see… so the brat has an apprentice now? He who was never serious enough to take a singular one of my lectures seriously, is now going to be teaching his own.”

  ?Blade listened, but did not say a word as he continued observing.

  ?“Well then, come closer, child, and let me see.”

  ?At the words, Blade stepped closer until he was right in front of the tree. A flashing light appeared in the hollow eyes before it died down as she said the words.

  ?“You have no talent for swordsmanship. I believe it is better for you to follow any other path, but the path of the sword is dead.”

  ?“I understand.”

  ?Blade says, nodding once before stepping back. Yet at her words, Ryuma wriggled himself free as he landed on the ground and rushed in, holding Blade as he said.

  ?“Wait a minute, Master. Do it again, he must have some talent.”

  ?The tree simply sighed before the glow appeared again, dying down before she said the word again.

  ?“No talent. At best, average.”

  ?“Again!”

  ?She sighs but relents. And yet again the result remains the same. Again and again Ryuma urged her, only for the same answer to be given. Eventually, even her patience ran out as she said.

  ?“The child’s fate will not change over mere perseverance. You cannot expect that either, clinging to a dying ember like that.”

  ?Ryuma flinched a bit from her rebuke, before giving in as he let Blade go, watching him go back to let them talk alone.

  ?“I can see you want the best for that kid, but the fact is it's impossible.”

  ?“Come on, there must be something we can do.”

  ?“There is none.”

  ?“But what if?”

  ?“What if what? Even if the kid has a bit more talent, have you even thought about how you're going to teach him?”

  ?At the words, Ryuma flinched imperceptibly as his shoulders sank.

  ?“Listen. You are a gifted genius. A genius can't teach someone with bare-bones talent. You might not realize it but you will be putting heavy pressure on the kid's shoulders. All the things that have gone easily for you might take days or even weeks for him. You might get mad at his slow progression, it might lead to a fracture in your bond.”

  ?Ryuma, though unwilling, accepted the truth in her words with a lowered head.

  ?“... you have the heart in the right place, but it is impossible for you to help the kid. Believe me, I'm sparring both your bond and the boy from needless pressure.”

  ?“But even if not swordsmanship, there has to be something. Right?”

  ?The tree stayed silent for a few moments, before finally sighing and responding.

  ?“Since you so earnestly wish to help, I'll do you a favor. From what I can sense, the boy has a lot of mana. I'll write the academy a letter, so sign him up for that. His future as a mage seems brighter than your fate as a teacher.”

  ?“Seriously? Though I would prefer teaching him myself, I'm really grateful, Teacher.”

  ?“If you were, you would stop coming only when you need me for something.”

  ?“Don’t worry, Master. I will.”

  ?Ryuma says with a bow as he waves her off. A small smile can be seen on her face as she reverts back to a normal, giant tree.

  ?“Come now, Blade.”

  ?Ryuma says, gesturing for him to follow. Blade, who had been staring up at the rising moon, ran to his side, as he awoke from his trance.

  ?“What now?”

  ?“We will be enrolling you in the mage academy. My master told me you had a lot of mana.”

  ?“Is that good?”

  ?“Mages use mana to cast spells. So to have a lot of it, even at your young age, is probably a sign of sorts.”

  ?“Okay.”

  ?“Now it is to find out what to do with your sword.”

  ?He said, thinking of a few ideas though he stopped when Blade said.

  ?“I'm keeping my sword.”

  ?“But you won't be able to use it when you are a mage.”

  ?“That is fine.”

  ?“...”

  ?He wanted to argue back but decided against it. This was one of the few things where Blade had shown any kind of emotion or possessiveness toward. He chalked it up to him simply being very fond of it.

  ?“Can I ask what the name of your friend is?”

  ?“Name? Why would it have a name?”

  ?“Wait, it doesn't have a name?”

  ?Both of them were clearly confused, but at opposing factors. Blade could not see the need to give a weapon a name. Ryuma, meanwhile, could not see why Blade would not have found out its name or given it a name himself. In the end, they simply decided to continue walking back to Ryuma’s abode.

  ?When they were there, Blade could also see part of the training ground belonging to the school. Ryuma informed him that each division of the school got its own training hall, but since he had no students, it had been left empty. Ryuma gave Blade the permission to use it how he liked if he wanted, something Blade only nodded at.

  ?“Let's cut your hair.”

  ?Ryuma says when they stepped in.

  ?“Why?”

  ?“Because aren't you tired of being mistaken as a girl?”

  ?“... I should be?”

  ?“Yep. And with those loose clothes of yours, it's no wonder people mistake you.”

  ?“The people at the orphanage had not expected me to stay for so long, so they had not prepared clothes that fit my size.”

  ?“Well, now you live with me, so if you need anything, just ask your father here.”

  ?He says, patting Blade's head. A glimmer of light can be seen in his eyes at the touch for just a moment, before it vanishes immediately.

  ?Ryuma moves him to the wash room, as he cuts Blade's hair to a more manageable size before helping him bathe and putting him to sleep.

  ?Since Blade was so quiet the whole time, it was barely noticeable that there was an extra person in the house.

  ?By the time morning rolled around, Blade was fitted in the academy outfit they had been sent. Even Ryuma was surprised at the speed at which they worked, as he planned heading back to his teacher after seeing Blade off, offering an extra thanks.

  ?As Blade walked to the carriage picking him up, Ryuma felt tears stinging in his eyes. He had never imagined having to send a kid off, and though they had only been together for two days, this boy was the closest he had felt like family.

  ?“See you then, Blade.”

  ?“Goodbye, Ryuma.”

  ?And then Blade was off, to an academy, where magic ruled.