The morning sun had barely risen above the rooftops of Valmaris when Ash found himself leading Emberlight through the city’s bustling streets. Their latest quest was a simple one: escort a merchant caravan to the city’s southern outskirts. Though not the most glamorous of tasks, it was a steady source of income and a way to keep the party’s skills sharp.

  “Remind me again why we’re guarding carts of cabbage?” Nel muttered, walking at the rear of the caravan. His staff tapped against the cobblestones with each step.

  “Because cabbages pay,” Ash replied, scanning the road ahead. “And because we’re not exactly in a position to turn down work.”

  Grant chuckled, his broad shoulders bouncing slightly under his armor. “Fair enough. But I was hoping for something a little more exciting. Maybe some bandits or a stray monster to spice things up.”

  Leona gave him a pointed look. “You’re hoping for trouble? Really?”

  “Trouble keeps us sharp,” Grant said with a grin. “Not that I’m complaining about an easy payday, but… you know. A little action wouldn’t hurt.”

  Ash smirked but didn’t comment. His mind was already drifting to the afternoon, where Master Kaidan awaited him at the Scarlet Enclave Guild House. Balancing his role as Emberlight’s leader and his training with Kaidan was proving more challenging than he’d anticipated, but he couldn’t afford to neglect either.

  The caravan arrived at its destination without incident, much to Nel’s relief and Grant’s disappointment. After collecting their payment from the merchant, Ash turned to his party.

  “Good work today,” he said. “Take the rest of the day to rest or do whatever you need. I’ll see you all at the inn this evening.”

  Leona gave him a curious look. “Heading back to training?”

  Ash nodded. “I’ve got a lot to learn.”

  Leona studied him for a moment before speaking. "Just don’t lose sight of why you’re doing this," she said softly. "Training is important, but so is knowing when to rest, when to rely on others. A leader who tries to bear everything alone eventually breaks."

  Grant clapped him on the shoulder with enough force to make Ash stumble slightly. "Don't overdo it. We’ll need you in one piece for the next job. Unless, of course, you plan on becoming a legendary sword saint overnight." He smirked. "Maybe then you can take me on in a proper duel instead of letting that old master beat you up all day."

  Ash chuckled, then made his way toward the Scarlet Enclave Guild House.

  By the time Ash arrived at the training grounds, the sun was high overhead. Master Kaidan was waiting, his arms crossed and his expression as stern as ever.

  “You’re late,” Kaidan said.

  Ash blinked. “I’m not. It’s exactly midday.”

  Kaidan’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile. “Exactly on time is late. Keep that in mind. Now, take your position.”

  Ash moved to the center of the training grounds, gripping the practice katana Kaidan had given him. The earth beneath him was firm, its surface worn smooth from years of training. The scent of damp soil and sweat mixed with the crisp tang of oiled steel from the nearby weapon racks. The distant clang of sparring swords echoed through the air, a steady rhythm of discipline and practice. The moment his fingers curled around the hilt, Kaidan’s sharp gaze locked onto him, scrutinizing his every movement like a predator studying prey. The exercises began as they always did: cutting the silk. Kaidan tossed the delicate fabric into the air, and Ash swung, missing the mark entirely.

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  “Too forceful,” Kaidan snapped, stepping closer. His voice cut through the air like a blade, cold and unyielding. “You hesitate. You doubt. That is why you fail.” His eyes bore into Ash’s, daring him to argue. “You’re trying to dominate the blade. Let it move with you. Again.”

  Ash adjusted his stance, his grip loosening slightly on the hilt. This time, the blade grazed the edge of the silk, but it wasn’t a clean cut.

  “Better,” Kaidan admitted, though his tone remained flat. “But still not good enough.” He suddenly stepped forward, striking Ash’s practice katana with his own. The impact sent a sharp vibration up Ash’s arm. “You think an enemy will wait for you to perfect your form? Again.”. You need precision, not power. Stop trying to force it.”

  The hours passed in a cycle of strikes, corrections, and critiques. Ash’s muscles ached, and sweat dripped from his brow, but he refused to give up. Kaidan’s relentless demands were frustrating, but Ash could feel himself improving, bit by bit.

  As the session drew to a close, Kaidan gestured for Ash to sit. “You’re improving,” he said. “But you’re distracted. Something’s pulling your focus.”

  Ash hesitated before nodding. “My party. I’m trying to balance leading them with learning from you. It feels like I’m being pulled in two directions.”

  Kaidan’s expression remained hard, but there was something unreadable in his gaze. "Balance is not about comfort, Ash. It is about control. Right now, your mind is in two places at once, and it makes you weak. Weakness gets you killed." He gestured toward the silk, his expression unrelenting. "Again. And this time, stop thinking like an adventurer. Think like a swordsman.". It’s about being fully present in whatever you’re doing. When you’re leading your party, focus entirely on them. When you’re here, focus entirely on the blade. Do that, and you’ll find balance.”

  Ash nodded, Kaidan’s words sinking in. Leona’s words from earlier echoed in his mind as well. A leader who tries to bear everything alone eventually breaks. He exhaled slowly. "I’ll do my best."

  That evening, as Ash returned to the inn, he found Emberlight gathered in the common room. Grant was regaling a group of patrons with an exaggerated tale of their recent adventures, while Leona and Nel sat at a nearby table, sharing a quiet conversation.

  Ash joined them, his smile faltering slightly at Nel’s jab but choosing to let it slide. “How was the rest of your day?”

  “Quiet,” Leona said. “But productive. Nel found some herbs to make Mana Potions. Though from the way he’s been talking, you’d think he discovered an entirely new branch of magic.””

  Nel smirked, stretching his arms behind his head. "Look, some of us are naturally gifted. I don’t need to train for hours swinging at thin air. Magic requires intelligence, precision—not endless repetition with a blade." “Not that I need them, but it never hurts to be prepared. Unlike some people, I don’t need a new sword style to keep up in a fight.”

  Grant’s voice boomed from across the room. “Ash! Get over here and back me up. These people don’t believe we took out a pack of dire wolves last week!” He threw an arm around Ash’s shoulders as soon as he arrived. "You should've seen him—charging into the fight like some warrior out of legend! Or, well, trying to. Took him three swings to land a proper hit!". These people don’t believe we took out a pack of dire wolves last week!”

  Ash laughed, shaking his head at Grant’s embellishments. “If I recall correctly, you were too busy wrestling one of them to notice anything else.”

  Grant grinned, unfazed. "Hey, that's called adapting to the battlefield. Besides, it worked, didn't it?" For the first time in a while, he felt like he was starting to find his rhythm. The balance between his duty to Emberlight and his training with Kaidan was delicate, but it was a challenge he was determined to overcome.

  Later that night, Ash stood outside the inn, practicing a kata Kaidan had taught him. The warm glow of the hearth inside flickered through the windows, casting elongated shadows across the cobblestone street. The air smelled of roasted meat and spiced ale, mingling with the faint traces of burning wood. Inside, laughter and the clinking of mugs created a comforting hum, a stark contrast to the quiet focus of his training. The moonlight cast long shadows on the ground as he moved through the motions, his blade slicing through the air with growing precision. Each strike felt smoother, more controlled, and he could see the path forward—not just with the katana, but as a leader and an adventurer.

  As he finished the kata, Ash exhaled deeply, his resolve solidifying. Nel’s arrogance grated on him, but he knew arguing wouldn’t change anything. Instead, he focused on his training. He would prove his skill not with words, but through action. He wasn’t there yet, but he was getting closer. One step at a time, he would become the adventurer his party needed and the swordsman he aspired to be.