Chapter 8 - Master and his disciple

Life... What's the point when you just travel alone, all my friends have moved on from the life of an adventurer leaving me all alone.

Thomas is now a Baron governing his own territory, with a wife and kids.

Jack works at the academy, where he helps aspiring mages work on their craft.

And even Colby, who we all made fun of to be single for life, has found his special someone and now lives happily in the capital.

Then there's me, it's been around fifteen years since we all split up... I'm still wandering from town to town taking odd jobs just to have money to eat.

Life feels empty, I wish my friends would come back. I wish I would of done something other then dedicate my whole life to the sword...

But today, today I have hope. I just received some symbol of hope, I saw a poster on the adventurers quest board.

Supposedly Thomas is looking for a cheap tutor for his son, food and living expenses will be covered with an average income of 2 silver a month.

But I don't care about any of that, this means I get to finally reconnect with an old friend. And even better yet, help his son go on the right path.

"....Alright Thomas you got a deal" I rip the paper off the board and immediately head towards Ms. Caitlyn

"Oh you picked a good one Chad, this kid he's got some potential" Said Caitlyn joyfully

"Potential? You've met the kid ma'am?" Said Chad confused

What kind of kid comes to an adventurers guild

"I have Chad, you wont be disappointed. Here's the address be there in five days. I will notify Lord Quill you are on your way, I'm sure he will be excited to see you." Caitlyn hands me a paper with the address on it

What kind of potential can a six year old kid have, he's barely old enough to go to school...

As the days pass, I finally reach Thomas's house and to my surprise he was waiting for me by the gate

I don't see his son with him... strange

"Thomas how have you been?"

"Haha I never thought I would see the day, Chad bring it in!" Thomas walks up and hugs me

"Hey don't be getting sappy on me, ya'll are the ones who left me..." Chad said clearly still upset over the split of their party

"Nonsense, we just chose another path in life Chad. We really hoped you would settle down as well, life as an adventurer is hard as you age." Thomas looks to the sky before talking again

"Chad whatever you feel against me, just know I'm truly happy now. And I'm excited to see an old friend, just know you are always welcome around here." Thomas looks at Chad smiling

".........." Chad doesn't reply just looks up and smile at Thomas

Damnit, I really wish I could just punch him right now. But he does look happier then he's ever been while adventuring with us.

"You know Thomas, I haven't been the best friend to you guys. After the break of our party, I went to a very dark dark place. I don't want to ever go back there..." Chad caught in thought

Thomas sees this and put his hand on Chads shoulder to comfort him

"I'm glad you're here buddy. Now come on in, I want to introduce you to Onyx he's been so excited for this day." Thomas releases his grip and heads inside

{Onyx huh, well lets see what this kids got...} Chad follows Thomas inside and to the garden

"Before we meet him, I just want to tell you one thing Chad" Thomas's tone got serious

"What is it Tom" Chad taken aback by the sudden change in mood

"My kid, Onyx he isn't normal. He hasn't been since the very beginning, even though he's only six years old..." Thomas looks down before continuing

"This kid, he will gladly die for the ones he loves. He already has that resolve at such a young age, So I'm telling you this now before I even let you meet him." Thomas grabs Chads shoulder

"If and when he gets attached to you, If you abandon him or do something to hurt that smile of his... You will be dead to me. Do you understand Chad?" Thomas is staring daggers into Chads eyes right now

*Gulp* Thomas has never been this serious, but I would never hurt him or his family.

Without breaking eye contact Chad find his resolve and answers

"I understand, now lets go I want to meet this Onyx"

Thomas smiles and continues out the door to the garden. They stay next to the house and observe Onyx training

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After about two minutes of watching Onyx, Chad is in disbelief...

He sees Onyx lost in thought for just a moment, this is my chance to step in...

"You are too distracted when wielding the sword, Do you wish to settle for mediocracy swordsmanship?" As I place my hand on this kids shoulder

"N-no sir... I promise to not get distracted during out training master." said the poor boy pleading

I ended up taking his sword from him, and sent him to get ready for dinner. I just sit there and stare at the sky for a moment

{This child, he showing skill way beyond the elite swordsman.} Chad still in disbelief, as Swordsmanship is one of the hardest skills to level. It takes decades to just reach a C rank in swords, and people will be lucky to become a sword master at rank A in their life time.

So how, how is this child showing this kind of skill. *Gulp* He's going to outgrow me soon, very soon.

Chad is still only rank B in Swordsmanship, he has lived by the sword his entire life. While he has the real world experience and higher levels over most Swordsman, you can't just dismiss this kind of talent

"Thomas... is my eyes deceiving me right now?" Chad said still shocked

"No that's our Onyx, he has been training every day since he was three-years old." Thomas not sure why Chad is all choked up, to Thomas this is just normal Swordsmanship he is use to seeing.

"I don't think you fully understand Thomas, this kid is a prodigy among all prodigies"

"He is definitely talented, I will give him that. But he still has a long ways to go" Thomas said chuckling at Chad for overreacting

"Oh Thomas, you have no idea do you. I can teach him, but heed my warning Thomas." Chad turns and looks Thomas in the eyes

"This kid of yours, he will surpass me in three no maybe even two years. That's how much potential he is showing right now" Chads voice is shuddering at this.

I've been living by the sword my whole life, was that really the right move? Could I even call myself a sword master after seeing this? Chads resolve breaks

As he is stunned, he has to get his act together or he will be replaced by another to train this prodigy

"Okay, I'm going to my room to get washed up. I'll call for you when dinner is ready" Thomas waved at Chad as he headed inside

As I head out to the dining table Thomas was waiting by my room. That's when he told me the news, that Emily and Onyx heard our conversation from earlier

"Fuck are you serious?" said Chad

"I don't want them to be worried, so now is the last chance. Do you still wish to train Onyx?" Thomas said seriously

"Yes I believe I can still train him, despite his monstrous potential" Chad said full of resolve

"Good now lets go eat, this wife of mine is one hell of a cook" Thomas laughed and punched my arm

Dinner was deathly quiet, no one said a word throughout the entirety of it.

As I saw Onyx heading to his room, I quickly caught back up to him

"Hey kid here" I hand him his wooden sword

"I overreacted earlier, you are more then worthy to wield it. Lets start off on a good note, Your training starts Monday you understand!"

"Y-yes sir, thank you very much!" Onyx yelled

The kid bowed to me and went into his room, I clench my teeth to shake the nerves and head to my room

Tonight I was restless, I'm happy I told him we start Monday as I don't see myself getting any sleep tonight. How can I when I feel like I'm going to be passed by my disciple already

I grab my sword and head to the garden

*Swoosh* *Swoosh* *Swoosh* I swing and swing my sword for what feels like hours

The sun is starting to come up, as the light starts to burn my eyes. I turn to head inside to wash up and Thomas was just standing there watching me

"I've never seen you like this Chad, are you okay" He said worryingly

"I'm just honing my skills, so that kid monster of yours doesn't surpass me"

"Hahaha, that's the spirit Chad. But he still has a long ways to go, you should get some sleep you know. You look terrible" He said laughing

I cant wait for the day Thomas really sees this kids potential

"You are right Tom, I'm off to bed" I wave at him and head to my room and instantly lose consciousness.

Day one of training quickly came

Although Onyx is showing unbelievable skill and accuracy he is still slow and week

I almost keep forgetting he is only level two. This kind of makes me happy inside, unless he levels up I may be able to keep training him until he's at least Rank A.

"You keep letting your guard down kid, what's distracting you?" I said mockingly to increase his battle spirit

"Am I not good enough of a master for you kid? Do you think you can afford to be lost in thought while fighting me?" I said with anger in my voice

"N-no that's not it sir, it's just... my friend Sophy. I hope she's okay in the capital, usually she trains with me" He stops moving and looks at the ground

"I appreciate you for training me master, it just feels weird not having her here with me..." Onyx kicks the ground and readies his sword

"But I have to get stronger, if I want to continue to protect her and the ones I love" Onyx grips the handle of his wooden sword to the point of blood flowing from his hands and splashing on the ground

{What kind of resolve does this kid have...} Chad saw then what Thomas had warned him when he arrived. *Gulp*

"I will make you strong boy, do you hear me!" Yelled Chad

"Y-yes master... Please do, lets continue" Onyx charges at Chad

This is the first time Chad has been on the defensive, Onyx's movements are flawless. He understands he lacks the stats to compete with me, so he is compensating with perfect timing.

Everything he does... It's perfect, from the way he cuts the space between us to the way he reflects my sword just before it makes contact. I feel like I am the one being pushed back at this point

Chad looks at Onyx as he's swinging.... Onyx's eyes they aren't even looking at me, he's fighting me on pure instinct. I have to finish this soon or I will be the one to be defeated

"Listen Onyx, I have to go all out now I hope you understand" I said loudly

No reply, Onyx didn't even acknowledge me and just continued swinging.

I grip my sword and waited for him to come at me, I blocked the sword and swept his legs out from under him. That seemed to do the trick as Onyx eyes were refilled with life

*Gasp* That was getting scary, this kid there's only one word I can use to describe him.... Monster

"Sorry master, I was lost in thought again. It wont happen again, please lets continue" Onyx pleaded while getting back to his feet

Lost in thought? Lost in Thought? He did that while not paying attention, Chad realized something then... This whole time, Onyx has been restricting himself to match me as I'm training him

Damnit, Damnit all... From today onward, there will be no more holding back. I will make you a sword master Onyx, you best be ready for me!

"Ready your sword boy, from today onward you will be on the backfoot" I charged him

Using the difference in our stats, I completely overpowered him pushing him all around the yard

What scares me is he doesn't seem to mind at all, if anything he has had that smile on his face since the beginning

What's so funny! I increase the intensity and go even harder

"I win" I point my sword to his neck

"It's my defeat master, I will do better next time" Onyx just chuckled

Although I won, I can't even think about claiming this a win. He's only six-years old making me go all out like that... I was wrong, he may surpass me within the next year on skill alone. If he were to add levels to that, I would be the one risking my life fighting him...

"Dinners ready! Come eat boys" Emily yelled from the kitchen

Saved by the bell, honestly I'm exhausted right now. I haven't had to go all out like that in years, how I miss this

"Coming mom!" Onyx yelled while running inside

"This is going to be hell, but at least the food is good" I chuckle to myself and head inside