In the Nexus, it was not uncommon for someone to be given a weapon by a friend or acquaintance. But for people like Hatsyoudo, who didn’t have anyone to give him a sword, he would be one of the lucky few who were allowed to pick their weapon. Or, even have the weapon choose them.

The person who escorted Hatsyoudo to the swordsmith was not who you would expect, not in the slightest. Because that person was a five-year-old boy, carrying a Wakizashi Katana. The boy in question, Isami, was nothing short of a genius. During his blissful five years on earth, he learned how to use the sacred katana, become the best warrior of his village, and write 500 books on every genre you can think of.

Of course, Hatsyoudo didn’t know this, and he wasn’t about to either. Isamu was a very modest boy, the type of modest you could never find out how smart this boy was unless you deliberately asked him, or started a conversation with him on one of those subjects.

“Come this way,” Isamu politely said, as Hatsyoudo waved by to Aoi. “I think you would be best suited with a one-handed longsword, but that’s just me.”

***

When Isamu and Hatsyoudo finally arrived at the store, they were greeted well with a homey, familiar, yet mysterious feeling from the old shop. Cobwebs covered each side of the wood walls, and swords, whips, bows, and even a bamboo stick were hung up neatly behind a small counter, with an old man, sporting a kind face and a cane, sitting calmly behind it in a small, wooden chair.

“Ah, Isamu!” The old man exclaimed. “Who have you brought today.”

“A very kind one,” Isamu answered. “I think a one-handed longsword would do him some good.”

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

The old man spent a good second looking at Hatsyoudo before agreeing with Isamu.

“Ah, so you are right!” The old man answered. “We shall get him one immediately.”

As if he had rehearsed this very moment 200 times, He disappeared into the back of his shop, and came out a few seconds later, holding out possibly the most beautiful thing that Hatsyoudo had ever seen. A beautiful, almost godlike sword. It had a shiny, silver grip with beautiful carvings on it, that seemed to feel like it was a new world of art and literature, waiting to be explored. These carvings followed into a blood-red cross-guard, all the way through to the almost perfect point it sported.

“It’s…It’s…It’s…” How could Hatsyoudo even find the words? Well, he’d try…

“It’s simply the most beautiful, most graceful, most clean thing I’ve ever seen.”

The old man laughed. “Well then,” he started, still chuckling. “I think we have a winner.”

Hatsyoudo could not express his gratitude.

***

As Hatsyoudo and Isamu made their way back to Hatsyoudo’s dorm, Hatsyoudo couldn’t help but stare at the awesome sword he’d been given.

“It’s a nice one, isn’t it?” Isamu remarked, still walking up the flight of stairs to Hatsyoudo’s dorm.

“Yes…”

“Well, don’t get too attached to it,” Isamu said. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re acting like Gollum from Lord of the Rings!

Both Hatsyoudo and Isamu allowed themselves a chuckle. Hatsyoudo had to admit, it was a pretty funny joke…Wait, how did a five-year-old know about the Lord of the Rings?

Before Hatsyoudo could ask, Isamu had already led him to his dorm.

“Well, there you are,” Isamu said. “Try to get some sleep.”

Hatsyoudo turned around, to find that Isamu had already disappeared.