Bab 77: The Holy Land of Swords
***** Eris' POV *****
I stood outside the main entrance to the Sword God Style Dojo. The day had finally come. Today I will meet the Sword God.
*Knock Knock Knock*
I impatiently clanged the at the door knocker. Why is it taking so long to let me in? Don't they know it's cold out here?
Eventually the door flew open and a girl my age stared angrily at me.
"Who are you!? What business do you have with the Sword God Style Dojo?"
"I'm Eris Boreas Greyrat. I've come here to improve my skills with the blade."
The girl crossed her arms as she looked me over from head to toe unapprovingly.
'Her fur coat is barely holding together, having been torn in several places. She's not wearing gloves and her hands are dried and cracked from the cold. She should be half frozen considering the state of her garb but she stands here determined and unshaken', Nina thought as she looked Eris over.
"What is your rank? Only those who have achieved the rank of Sword Saint or above are permitted to enter this Dojo."
"My rank? Ghislaine had given me the Advanced Rank in Sword God Style, but that was a long time ago. I've gotten much, much stronger since then. I should be at least as strong as a Sword Saint by now."
"Ghislaine!? You mean Sword King Ghislaine? She was your master?"
"Yes."
"I see. Unfortunately I still can't let you pass since you haven't officially earned the title of Sword Saint..."
As she said this I clenched my teeth and fist in anger. I didn't come all this way just to turn back now. I'm going to meet the Sword God even if I have to pummel every one of his students first!
"...but I can try to get you an appointment to speak with the Sword God. I'm sure he would be interested to meet a student of Ghislaine's. She was always a favorite pupil of his."
I unclenched my fist when I heard those words. Maybe I was being a little hasty this time after all.
"Fine. Do that."
"Where are you staying at so I can let you know the time of your appointment?"
"Where am I staying? I don't know. I just got here."
"You don't have a place to stay? There are a couple Inns here to pick from."
"I don't have any money."
Nina shook her head in disappointment. 'Figures. Considering the way she's dressed that shouldn't have surprised me. I guess she really is Ghislaine's student.'
"Come with me. I can take you to the Dojo I trained at before I became a Sword Saint. I'm sure they'd let you stay there if you help out around the Dojo."
"Grr...", I grumbled. Despite my annoyances, however, I followed the girl back into town.
"How do I become a Sword Saint?", I asked her while we walked.
"Typically by demonstrating that you have mastered the Sword God Style's ultimate technique, the Longsword of Light."
"The Longsword of Light?"
"You don't even know that? What has Ghislaine been teaching you?"
"She taught me plenty! In fact, I think I've seen her use that move you're talking about."
"Well, I should hope so. Otherwise how are you meant to learn it?"
It took everything I had not to punch her in the face. I'm getting quite tired of her talking like she's better than me.
"Can't I just beat a Sword Saint in a fight?"
"Well, it's not quite so simple. You will need to be given the rank of Sword Saint by someone with the rank of Sword King or higher. Typically this is done after you demonstrate your mastery of the Longsword of Light, like I said earlier. I suppose there has been the rare case here and there where someone rose to the rank of Sword Saint before mastering the technique, but that's not for me to decide."
"Ugh... This is so stupid. I just want to get stronger. I don't care about some stupid rank."
"Well the Dojo I'm bringing you to is a good place to start. It's run by my uncle, Timothy Britts. He's a sword Emperor."
"A Sword Emperor?"
"Yes. He's even stronger than your master, Ghislaine."
"Hmph! I doubt it. Even if he is, he's definitely not stronger than Rudeus or Ruijerd!"
"What? I have no idea who those people even are."
"They are my other teachers."
"Ok, well anyways, he's definitely someone who can help you get stronger. He's also someone who can grant you the title of Sword Saint should he find you worthy."
"Fine. I guess he'll do for now."
Nina couldn't help but grimace at Eris' rudeness but she held in her anger attributing Eris' poor manners to Ghislaine's teaching.
We arrived at her dojo. While much smaller and humble than the Sword God Style's main dojo that we had just left, this one was probably the next biggest in town.
As we walked into the large building, the scene of dozens of students all practicing downward swings in unison is what greeted us. The instructor in the middle of the room raised his hand to motion for his disciples to stop and they all obeyed.
"Nina, is that you? What a pleasure to have you visit us again. I see you've brought a friend. Another prospective disciple, I take it?"
"Greetings uncle", Nina said as she bowed. "This is Eris. She is a disciple of Ghislaine's and she's come to the Holy Land of Swords to get stronger."
"A disciple of Ghislaine's?", Timothy's warm smile morphed into a sneer. "No wonder she's come here then. It will be a struggle, but I don't mind teaching her. We'll have to start from scratch though so I can overwrite all the bad habits I'm sure she learned from that Mad Beast she calls a teacher."
"What!? Who do you think you are insulting Ghislaine? She's strong and kind! Her name is far too good to be uttered by a fool like you!"
Several gasps could be heard among the students who all turned to look at their teacher to see how he'd respond.
"Oh? You think I'm a fool?"
"Of course! Only a jealous fool would insult Ghislaine like that!"
"Jealous am I?"
"Obviously!"
"Eris, what are you doing!?", Nina chided. "I thought you wanted to get stronger? You don't even have a place to stay!"
"I'll just beat this guy and take his rank so I can train with you in the Sword God's dojo."
As I said this I drew my sword from its worn out scabbard.
"Eris! What are you thinking!?", Nina yelled out fearing for her new friend.
"Very well. I accept your challenge", Timothy said as a conceited smile overtook his face.
Timothy stepped forward into the center of the combat training ring while all of his students moved out of the way and stood on the two sides of the ring. I walked further into the dojo and stepped into the ring, facing the Sword Emperor down from the opposite side.
"Nina. I'll let you judge the fight. Give the starting signal when you're ready."
Despite disagreeing with the circumstances, Nina understood that Eris had readily accepted the match and wouldn't presume to intervene.
"Very well", she acknowledged as she walked up to the side of the combat ring and prepared to signal the start of the match.
"If you manage to defeat me, I shall officially grant you the rank of 'Sword Saint'", he said in a mocking voice. "However, if I make you admit defeat, you must forsake your former teacher and do whatever I say from here on out."
"Hmph! Whatever", I said in an annoyed tone. There was no way I would ever admit defeat to a loser like this guy.
***** Narrator's POV ****
Timothy reached out his hand indicating he wanted one of his students to toss him a training sword. He caught it without even glancing away from Eris.
As soon as he caught the blade, Eris charged at him, taking a wild swing at his torso.
Timothy's eyes widened at the sudden attack, but he wasn't caught completely off guard. He managed to parry Eris' blow and sidestep out of the way. Eris turned around and went for another swing, but he easily evaded. His speed was far surpassing that of Eris. Even she acknowledged that.
After evading Eris' second attack, Timothy swung his blade horizontally at incredible speed sending Eris flying back out of the ring and out the doors to the dojo. She landed with a thud in a pile of snow outside.
Nina sighed and raised her hand ready to signal Timothy's victory before she was interrupted.
"Wait... ha... ha... ha...", Eris called out as she gasped for air.
Eris stood up using her sword to help prop her up from the pile of snow outside and slowly walked back towards the dojo.
"Haven't had enough?", Timothy said with a smirk.
"I'll never admit defeat to someone as weak as you."
"Weak? Say that again once you manage to land a single blow on me."
Eris picked up her pace and started running back towards the combat ring only to be sent flying out the doors once again.
Everyone stared outside in wonder as slowly but surely, Eris began to rise again. Battered and bruised, she began to make her way back towards Timothy in the combat ring.
"You need to learn when to give up, girl. If you keep this up you're going to end up getting seriously hurt."
"This is nothing... ha.. ha. If I can't endure this much then I don't deserve to stand by his side."
"By his side? Who are you talking about?"
"Hmph! None of your business. Someone who is far stronger than you!"
"Do you mean the Sword God?"
"No! Stronger even than him!"
"Hahaha! Stronger than the Sword God? I don't think you know who you're talking about. He's one of the Seven Great Powers you know!"
"I know that!", Eris said defiantly. "Rudeus already beat the North God when he was only eleven years old! Now that he's older I'm sure he could beat the Sword God easily!"
"Beat the North God!? Wait... you don't mean... do you know the Magic God!?"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone