Robin was running as fast as his legs could carry him, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum.
The sound of his own ragged breaths filled his ears, but it was nothing compared to the enraged screams of Piko behind him.
He could hear her sword slicing through the air, the sharp "whoosh" of the blade growing louder with every step she took.
He dared not look back, knowing she was only moments away from catching up to him. His mind raced, filled with fear and regret. 'Why did I do it? Why did I let my anger take control?'
Suddenly, he felt a shift in the air, a subtle change that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
A glimmer of light reflected from Piko's blade as it swung downward, aiming directly for his neck.
Robin instinctively raised his arms in a feeble attempt to shield himself, but he knew it was futile. He braced himself for the impact, his eyes squeezing shut as he prepared for the worst.
Just as the blade was about to strike, another sword intercepted it with a loud "clang", sparks flying in all directions.
The force of the collision sent a shockwave through the air, and Robin stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock. His father,
Jack, stood between them, his sword firmly blocking Piko's furious attack. The sight of his father's stern face brought a mix of relief and dread to Robin's heart.
"Enough!" Jack's voice roared, filled with authority and anger. The sheer power of his command seemed to freeze both Robin and Piko in place. The tension in the air was palpable, and for a moment, no one moved.
Piko's breathing was ragged, her chest heaving as she struggled to contain her rage. Her grip on her sword trembled, the blade still glowing faintly with the remnants of her aura.
Her fiery eyes locked onto Robin, but the presence of their father prevented her from making another move. Slowly, she lowered her weapon, though the fury in her gaze remained. It was clear that she wasn't done—not yet.
Jack looked at both of his children with visible disappointment. His piercing glare silenced the chaos as he demanded an explanation. Piko, still fuming, wasted no time in telling him everything.
"He killed my parrot!" she shouted, her voice breaking with emotion. "The one you gave me! He had no right!" Her words were filled with pain and anger, and Robin could see the tears welling up in her eyes. It was a side of Piko he hadn't seen in a long time—vulnerable, hurt, and betrayed.
Robin's stomach sank as he watched his father's expression harden further. Whatever respect Jack had left for him seemed to crumble in that moment.
Robin couldn't bring himself to argue or defend his actions. His shame was overwhelming, and he lowered his head, unable to meet his father's gaze.
---
As a result of this incident, Jack made a difficult decision. Robin was to be reassigned far from the family, stationed as a surveillance officer near the outskirts of Adam village, on the edge of the clan's territory.
It was a punishment meant to separate him from Piko and give him time to reflect on his actions. The news hit Robin like a punch to the gut, but he knew he had no choice but to accept it.
The memory of that day burned in Robin's mind as he stood in the present, his breaths steadying after moments of deep concentration.
Present time -
He clenched his fists, staring at the ground as he muttered to himself, "No… I'm a member of the main family. I can't give up like this." His voice was low but filled with determination.
He had spent years trying to prove himself, to regain the respect he had lost. He couldn't let it all be for nothing.
Renewed determination surged through him as he turned to face the battle ahead.
But his focus shifted to Adam, who stood a short distance away, holding the glowing, spinning "Suryakan" in his hand. The weapon was unlike anything Robin had ever seen, its energy pulsating with a strange, otherworldly power.
Robin watched closely as the vibrant blue energy surrounding the weapon began to fade, dissipating like smoke in the air.
Within seconds, the "Suryakan" stopped spinning and floated back into Adam's palm, where it came to an abrupt halt. The sight left Robin both impressed and unnerved. 'What kind of power is this?' he wondered, his mind racing with questions.
"Store in inventory," Adam commanded, his voice calm and unwavering. At his words, a faint glow appeared on his wrist in the shape of an English letter "I" .
The "Suryakan" vanished instantly, as though it had never been there. Robin's eyes widened in awe and confusion. "What… what was that?" he whispered to himself, feeling a mix of fear and curiosity.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Adam lowered his hand and rested it casually on his sword, his demeanor unshaken.
He didn't seem the least bit concerned about the battle or the chaos around him. His calmness only added to Robin's unease. 'Who is this guy?' Robin thought, his heart pounding as he tried to make sense of the situation.
Robin glanced around the battlefield, scanning for any remaining samurai.
To his relief, he spotted one of his underling, Sinu, frozen in a peculiar crouched position, as if caught mid-run. Sinu's face was pale, his eyes wide with fear, but at least he was alive. "Sinu…" Robin muttered, a small sense of relief washing over him. At least he wasn't entirely alone. Seeing Sinu alive gave him a sliver of hope.
But Robin's attention quickly snapped back to Adam, who was no longer standing in his previous position. A chill ran down Robin's spine as he realized Adam was now directly in front of him, just inches away. The man had moved so quickly that Robin hadn't even seen him take a step.
For the first time, Robin got a close look at Adam. The man was taller, broader, and exuded an intimidating presence that made Robin feel small.
Despite being older than Adam, Robin couldn't shake the eerie sense of dread that overtook him. It was the same feeling he'd experienced when Piko had chased him with her sword, consumed by rage and power.
Adam's calm yet commanding presence was suffocating, and Robin felt the weight of his failure pressing down on him once more. His mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, but he was paralyzed by fear. 'What do I do? How do I fight someone like this?'
Robin standing face-to-face with Adam, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, as the tension thickened between them.
Robin stared at Adam in utter disbelief, his breath shallow and his hands trembling. The sheer confidence in Adam's stance, coupled with the intensity in his eyes, made Robin take a hesitant step back.
His heart pounded in his chest, and his mind raced with a mix of fear and anger. 'How can he be so calm? How can he make me feel so small?' Robin thought, his pride stinging with every passing second.
Adam tilted his head slightly, his voice deep and serious as he spoke. “I thought you were a good warrior, but seeing how much you talk, I’ve realized you’re all words and no action.”
The words hit Robin like a hammer. Anger and humiliation surged through him, boiling his blood. How dare this low class village boy, insult him like this? His fists clenched tightly as his mind raced with bitter thoughts. 'I’ve trained for years. I’ve fought battles. I’m not just words!'
'How could I sit here and take this insult? I’d rather cut my ears off with my own sword than listen to this! This shame… this isn’t who I am.'
Robin gritted his teeth, gripping his sword so tightly his knuckles turned white. His pride burned, pushing him into action.
He let out a sharp breath and turned toward Adam, his eyes blazing with fury. Without a word, Robin lunged forward, swinging his sword in a horizontal slash aimed at Adam’s chest.
The blade cut through the air with a sharp "whoosh", but Adam, standing just inches away, barely shifted. He bent slightly to his left, effortlessly avoiding the strike.
Robin didn’t stop. He roared, spinning his body and slashing again, this time aiming for Adam’s right side.
Yet once more, Adam moved fluidly, leaning to his right with the same ease. The air grew tense as Robin realized both of his attacks had failed. His frustration mounted, but he refused to back down.
With a loud yell, he gripped his sword with both hands, raising it high above his head. He charged at Adam, slamming the blade downward with all his strength, aiming for Adam’s head.
Adam watched calmly, his expression unfazed. As the blade descended, he spoke, his voice cool and unwavering. “You’ve just shown me your weakness.”
Before Robin could comprehend the words, Adam spun his body gracefully, lifting his leg and striking Robin’s hand with a powerful kick.
The impact sent Robin’s sword flying out of his grip, clattering to the side. Robin gasped in shock, barely processing what had happened, when Adam followed through. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he spun again, his momentum carrying him forward. This time, his leg lashed out, connecting with Robin’s face.
The force of the kick sent Robin stumbling back, crashing onto the ground with a loud thud. His ears rang, and his vision blurred for a moment.
Pain shot through his jaw, and he tasted blood in his mouth. He tried to push himself up, but his arms felt weak, his body trembling from the impact.
Adam stood over him, calm and composed, his sword still sheathed at his side. Not once had Adam drawn his weapon or used his hands.
The disparity between them was clear, and the realization stung Robin’s pride like a thousand needles. 'How is this possible? How can he be so strong without even trying?' Robin thought, his mind swirling with frustration and disbelief.
Robin gritted his teeth, his anger reaching its boiling point. His pride and frustration blinded him, fueling a desperate rage.
He slammed his fist into the dirt, clawing at the ground before pushing himself back onto his feet. His body ached, but he refused to stay down. 'I won’t lose. I can’t lose. Not like this.'
“No!” he roared, clenching his fist tightly. “I won’t lose to someone like you!”
Without hesitation, Robin charged again, this time aiming to punch Adam with all his strength. His movements were wild, driven by pure emotion rather than strategy or technique.
He swung his fist with everything he had, but Adam remained calm, stepping forward to meet Robin’s charge.
Just as Robin’s fist neared, Adam ducked low, his movements swift and precise. With one quick motion, Adam delivered a solid punch to Robin’s stomach.
The impact forced the air from Robin’s lungs, and he doubled over in pain, clutching his abdomen. But Adam didn’t stop there. He stepped back slightly, then used the same arm to deliver an uppercut to Robin’s chin.
The blow sent Robin flying backward, landing flat on his back. His body ached, and the searing pain coursing through him left him unable to move for a moment.
He stared up at the sky, his vision swimming as he struggled to catch his breath. His pride, once his driving force, now felt like a heavy weight crushing him.
Adam stood tall, his expression calm as ever. His hands returned to his sides, and his sword remained untouched.
Robin lay on the ground, writhing in pain, the harsh reality of his defeat sinking in. 'I’ve lost. I’ve lost to someone who didn’t even draw his sword.' The thought was unbearable, and Robin’s chest tightened with a mix of shame and anger.
Adam looked down at Robin, his gaze steady and unyielding. “You rely too much on your emotions,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “Anger and pride can make you strong, but they can also blind you. Until you learn to control them, you’ll never be a true warrior.”
Robin’s eyes widened at Adam’s words. They cut deeper than any blade, forcing him to confront the truth he had been avoiding. 'Is he right? Have I been blind all this time?' Robin thought, his mind racing with self-doubt.
But before he could process the thought, Adam turned and walked away, leaving Robin lying on the ground, defeated and humiliated.
The battlefield was silent, the air heavy with the weight of Robin’s failure. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he struggled to come to terms with what had just happened.