Master Sada Yoshida was a presence that dominated a room even before he stepped into it. Towering like a mountain, his broad shoulders carried the weight of countless battles, and his eyes were as sharp and unyielding as a honed blade. There was an intensity about him, a silent command that demanded respect. Even the air seemed to grow colder when he was near, as if bowing to his will. Rumors spoke of him as second only to the Grandmaster, an intimidating legend who was revered by the noble houses of Ei'en and whispered about in the farthest reaches of the empire's villages.
A former military captain, Master Sada had carved his own path through sheer grit and tenacity, cultivating his power in the harshest conditions without a mentor. His hands, scarred and calloused from years of wielding a blade, were a testament to the countless battles he'd fought and won. His manner was blunt, his speech curt, shaped by a life where there was no room for pretense or ceremony. And it was this relentless drive, this refusal to bend, that made him the perfect mentor for Ezio—a boy who needed the best if he was to stand tall within his family’s empire.
As they walked through the academy’s winding courtyards, Ezio couldn’t help but reflect on the burden he carried. His father was the empire’s de facto ruler, the Eternal Emperor having long withdrawn into the depths of cultivation. For nearly two decades, his father had held the empire together, a pillar of strength and resolve. Ezio’s older siblings were already stepping into their roles as leaders, but he was still far from ready. The weight of expectation was heavy on his shoulders, a pressure that made his breath catch whenever he thought about it for too long.
The courtyard they entered was a place of quiet elegance, the kind that spoke of discipline and restraint. Slender bamboo stalks swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves whispering secrets to one another. Stones paved the ground in neat, precise lines, each step a testament to the meticulous nature of its keeper. Ezio found his gaze drawn to the way Master Sada moved—each step deliberate, as if he was marching into battle. The air here was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat of midday, and Ezio took a deep breath, feeling it invigorate his spirit.
“Master Sada, I appreciate you taking me in. It is an honor,” Ezio said, trying to keep the quiver of eagerness from his voice. “I am truly thankful, as will be my father.”
Master Sada’s brow furrowed, his gaze never breaking from the path ahead. “I didn’t do it for you or your father,” he replied, his voice gruff, each word like a hammer striking iron. “I took you on because you were the most capable among this year’s initiates. Your lineage means nothing to me.” He turned to look at Ezio, his eyes like chips of granite. “If you fail to meet my standards, you’ll be replaced. Do you understand?”
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Ezio nodded, swallowing hard. There was a coldness to Master Sada that Ezio found unsettling yet oddly comforting. It reminded him of his father’s harsh expectations. Failure was not an option. He had to become strong, to prove himself, not just to his father, but to the empire that rested on his family's shoulders. His siblings would not easily yield their places at their father’s side, especially not to the youngest child.
The silence between them stretched, broken only by the crunch of gravel beneath their feet. As they rounded a corner, Ezio caught sight of a familiar figure moving with an effortless grace—the girl from earlier, her steps light and silent like a shadow trailing after Elder Umi Nagisa. She was almost ghostly in her presence, her sapphire eyes catching the light as she glanced his way. There was something unsettling in her gaze, a confidence that defied her humble appearance.
A flicker of irritation sparked in Ezio. How could someone like her—a nobody, as far as he knew—have caught the attention of Elder Umi, the academy’s youngest and most enigmatic master? A surge of jealousy gripped him, unexpected and unwelcome. He was here to prove himself, to stand above all others, not to be outshined by some unknown girl.
Ezio’s foot caught on a loose stone, and he stumbled, quickly catching himself. The humiliation burned hotter than the midday sun. Keep it together, Ezio, he scolded himself, forcing his composure back into place.
Master Sada’s eyes narrowed as he followed Ezio’s line of sight to the girl and her master. His jaw clenched, the tension in his frame palpable. “That girl,” he muttered, voice low and laced with disdain, “is not to be underestimated.” There was an edge to his tone that sent a chill down Ezio’s spine. “Elder Umi Nagisa,” he continued, each word heavy with unspoken meaning, “is a dangerous figure to become entangled with. If you face her disciple in the upcoming showcase, you do whatever it takes to crush her. Am I clear?”
The weight of the command pressed down on Ezio like the blade of a guillotine. He nodded, his mind spinning with questions he dared not voice. Who was Umi Nagisa, really, that even Master Sada, a man revered across the academy, would speak of her with such wary contempt? His gaze flicked back to the girl, who was now disappearing into the shadows of a distant archway. There was a quiet strength in the set of her shoulders.
He clenched his fists, the nails biting into his palms. No, he would not let this girl—or her master—stand in his way. He had a future to claim, a destiny that demanded he be stronger, faster, better than anyone else. If it meant crushing her to prove himself, then so be it.
As they turned the final bend into Master Sada’s courtyard, Ezio took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. The path before him was treacherous, but he would walk it unflinchingly. After all, greatness was not given—it was taken, and he would take it with both hands, no matter the cost.
The courtyard gate closed behind them with a heavy clang, sealing Ezio into a new chapter of his training. The sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the stones, and in that fleeting moment between day and night, Ezio vowed to himself: he would not fail.