Ash leaned against the counter at the Adventurer’s Guild Association, his fingers tapping a steady rhythm on the polished wood. Mirelle, the sharp-eyed clerk, glanced up from her stack of papers and raised an eyebrow.

  “What is it this time, Ash?” she asked, her tone dry but not unfriendly.

  Ash hesitated, searching for the right words. “I’m looking for someone who can teach me how to use a katana.”

  Mirelle’s eyebrow arched higher, and she set down her quill. “A katana? You’re finally upgrading that clunky sword of yours?”

  “It’s not clunky,” Ash muttered, though the truth of her observation stung. “It’s just… not the right fit for me anymore.”

  Mirelle’s expression softened. “Good. Recognizing that is the first step. Katanas aren’t like traditional swords, you know. They’re all about precision and fluidity. Every movement needs to flow, like water. If you’re too stiff or forceful, you’ll be fighting the weapon instead of your opponent.”

  Ash nodded, her words echoing the critiques he’d heard from Tess and Grant. Had I really been fighting the wrong way all this time? The thought unsettled him. The longsword had been his weapon for years—Brighthollow had fought beside him when he wielded it. Letting go of it felt like letting go of a part of himself. “Do you know anyone who can teach me?”

  Mirelle leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing in thought. “There is someone. A swordmaster named Ren Kaidan. He’s affiliated with Scarlet Enclave. If you’re serious about this, I can send a letter of introduction.”

  “Scarlet Enclave?” Ash asked, his brow furrowing. He’d heard of the elite guild, known for its powerful members and strict standards.

  Mirelle smirked. “Don’t let their reputation scare you. Kaidan’s one of the best, and he’ll know if you’re worth his time. Do you want me to send the letter?”

  Ash took a deep breath. “Yes. Let’s do it.”

  With a flick of her wrist, Mirelle summoned a small, glowing envelope. She scribbled a quick note with her quill, muttering under her breath, and sealed the letter with a burst of magic. The envelope fluttered into the air and zipped out of the guild, disappearing into the horizon.

  “There. Give it a day. If Kaidan is willing to see you, you’ll receive an answer,” Mirelle said.

  Ash nodded, thanking her before stepping out into the bustling streets of Valmaris.

  The next morning, Ash found a small, glowing bird perched on the windowsill of his room at the inn. The creature chirped and unfolded itself into a letter, hovering in the air as it read aloud in a deep, commanding voice.

  “To Ash Vale,

  Your request to meet Master Kaidan has been accepted. Report to Scarlet Enclave Guild House by midday. Do not be late.

  Signed, Zane Valiant, Guild Leader—Scarlet Enclave.”

  Ash dressed quickly, his heart pounding. He had heard of Zane Valiant—a fiery and imposing figure who led Scarlet Enclave with an iron will. The prospect of stepping into such a prestigious guild made his stomach churn, but he pushed the nerves aside and made his way to the guild house.

  The Scarlet Enclave Guild House was as grand as Ash had imagined. The towering spires of crimson stone loomed over the city like sentinels, their surfaces etched with runes that pulsed faintly under the midday sun. A faint hum of magic lingered in the air, almost imperceptible, but present enough to make the hairs on Ash’s arms stand on end. Towering spires of crimson stone loomed over the city, and banners bearing the guild’s phoenix emblem fluttered in the wind. The air around the entrance buzzed with energy, as adventurers clad in ornate armor and robes came and went.

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  Ash stepped inside, his boots striking against the pristine marble, the sound swallowed by the sheer vastness of the hall. A massive emblem of a phoenix, forged in shimmering gold, adorned the far wall, its eyes crafted from rubies that gleamed under the ambient torchlight. The scent of polished steel and burning incense filled the halls, mixing with the rhythmic clashing of weapons from the training grounds beyond. Every footstep carried weight, as though the very air inside the guild judged those who dared walk its halls. A receptionist directed him to the training grounds, where a group of Scarlet Enclave members sparred under the watchful eyes of an older man with a stern expression and a long katana at his hip.

  “You must be Ash Vale,” the man said, his voice even but firm. “I am Sword Master, Ren Kaidan. Mirelle’s letter said you seek to learn the way of the katana.”

  Ash bowed slightly, his nerves returning. “Yes, Master Kaidan. I want to learn.”

  Kaidan studied him for a long moment, then gestured to a rack of practice weapons. “Show me what you know. Take a katana and attack that dummy.”

  Ash selected a practice katana, its weight lighter than he expected. It doesn’t feel right, he thought, adjusting his grip. It lacked the familiar heft of his longsword, the solid weight that had always made him feel grounded in battle. Instead, the katana felt almost… elusive, as if it were waiting for him to understand it rather than forcing his will upon it. He squared his stance, raised the blade, and swung. The strike landed, but the weapon jarred in his grip, the motion feeling awkward and forced.

  Kaidan sighed, shaking his head. "You swing like you're still carrying the weight of a longsword. The katana is not about power—it's about control, precision, and flow. If you cannot unlearn your habits, you will never master this weapon. Again.". A katana is not about brute strength. It is about precision and control. Again.”

  Ash tried again, focusing on adjusting his movements. Too much force. Too much tension. He could hear Kaidan’s critique before the sword even struck the dummy. He gritted his teeth. Why is this so difficult? I've fought for years—why does this feel like I'm starting over? The strike was smoother this time, but far from perfect.

  “Better,” Kaidan said, nodding slightly. “But you have much to unlearn. If you wish to train under me, you must first pass a simple test.”

  “What kind of test?” Ash asked, straightening.

  Kaidan retrieved a piece of silk from a nearby table and held it up between two fingers. "A blade is an extension of intent, not brute force. If you think before you swing, you will always be too late. Cut this as it falls." His voice was even, but his gaze sharp, watching Ash not just as a student, but as if he were measuring his very worth.. You may try as many times as you like, but until you succeed, you will not progress.”

  Ash stared at the delicate fabric, doubt creeping into his mind. “That’s it? Just cut the silk?”

  “If it were easy, you wouldn’t be here,” Ren Kaidan replied, stepping back.

  Taking a deep breath, Ash held the katana ready as Kaidan released the silk. The fabric floated downward, and Ash swung, his blade slicing cleanly through… the air. The silk landed, untouched, on the ground.

  Kaidan said nothing, retrieving the silk and tossing it again. Ash swung and missed once more, his frustration mounting.

  “Your strikes are too forceful,” Kaidan observed, stepping forward. He didn’t raise his voice, but his presence alone felt commanding. “You treat the blade like a weapon to be controlled, but a katana is a conversation—it speaks with movement, and you must listen to it.” He held the silk again, letting it drop without breaking eye contact. "Flow, Ash Vale. Feel the cut before you make it.". “The katana is an extension of your intent. Not a hammer. Let the blade do the work.”

  Ash tried again and again, each failure gnawing at his confidence. By the time the sun began to set, his arms ached, and his mind swirled with doubt.

  “We’ll continue tomorrow, you may keep that sword for practice. Just remember to bring it with you.” Kaidan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Lastly, remember what I tell you. Relax your grip. Let the blade flow.”

  Ash nodded, though the sting of failure weighed heavily on him as he left the guild house. This was just the first lesson, and already I feel like I’m drowning. He exhaled slowly, gripping the practice katana tightly. But Maybe Tess was right. I need to let go of my old habits—before they get me killed. The path to mastery was proving to be more daunting than he’d imagined, but as he tightened his grip on the practice sword, a flicker of determination sparked within him. He would return tomorrow, ready to face the challenge anew.