Aliana stared at the rundown remains of her once-majestic home. She sighed heavily, realizing that her plan had fallen apart before her eyes.

"Well, it seems we're in a bit of a jam," Aliana admitted with frustration. She glanced up at the sky, noting that they still had some daylight left, but it was getting late.

After a moment of contemplation, Aliana's eyes settled on a possible solution. She turned to Gaiza and Elena, determination in her gaze.

"There's one place we can go where we might find relatable people," Aliana suggested. "The Eastern Sword God School. It's not too far from here. I used to train there before I ended up on the Mystical Island. Perhaps they can offer us assistance or information."

Aliana and her companions approached the Eastern Sword God School. They could see people training outside, practicing their martial skills with precision and dedication. Memories of her time here flooded back to Aliana. She then came upon a familiar sight: a stack of unconscious students piled up to the side. These were individuals who had challenged the Eastern Sword God Master and had been defeated, just as she had been multiple times.

Aliana decided to make her approach and scan upon the practitioners. She was searching for the Master, but to her surprise, it wasn't him who stepped forward to confront her. Instead, a tall and muscular man with long black hair tied in a thick ponytail, cascading down to his shoulder blades, emerged from the group. His small, dark eyes and prominent eyebrows gave him an intimidating presence.

He wore white trousers with tattered waist and ankles, held up by a black belt, and a white shirt paired with black wristbands on his wrists.

Recognition flickered in his gaze. "You! I remember you. You were one of those who challenged the Eastern Sword God Master. Draw your sword."

Aliana's eyes widened. She remembered this guy from her past. Her past encounters with this man had been far from pleasant. Aliana sighed deeply and drew her blade, 'Tengoku,' the name slipped from her lips while unsheathing it. The man responded by drawing his own sword, 'Lapis.' Their auras briefly flared around them, creating a striking display of colors – the man’s aura was a deep, ominous purple, while Aliana's was a cool, calming blue.

Without warning, the man lunged forward with a powerful overhead strike. Aliana nimbly sidestepped. She countered with a swift, precise slash aimed at his side, but he blocked it with his thick blade.

The man grinned. "You're quick, but can you handle this?" He swung Lapis in a wide arc, aiming to overpower Aliana with sheer force. She danced back, narrowly avoiding the deadly swing.

Aliana darted in and out, delivering quick, precise strikes that kept the man on his toes. Each of her attacks was met with a powerful block despite his lack of speed compared to her.He brought Lapis down in a crushing vertical slash. The force of the blow was enough to shatter the ground beneath their feet. Aliana twisted to the side with her blade flicking out to tap his wrist, forcing him to try and retaliate. She took advantage of the opening, her blade flashing towards his exposed shoulder.

The man recovered quickly. "Not bad, but…”

In an instant, his stance shifted. His movements became lighter, quicker, and more agile. Aliana's eyes widened in surprise. "He changed so fast," she thought to herself, barely managing to adjust her own stance in response.

The man's new style was a whirlwind of rapid strikes and feints. Aliana struggled to keep up. She parried and dodged as best as she could, but his speed and precision began to push her to her limit.

Beads of sweat formed on Aliana's brow. Each of his strikes seemed to come from nowhere. He lunged at her with a series of rapid thrusts, forcing her to backpedal. Aliana's breaths came faster and faster.

In a desperate bid to regain control, she feigned a stumble, drawing the man's next attack. Just when he moved in for what he thought was the finishing blow, Aliana spun on her heel, Tengoku flashing in a wide arc.

Their blades clashed in a shower of sparks. For a moment, both fighters were locked in a fierce struggle. Then, with a final, decisive push, they broke apart, ending up on opposite sides.

Aliana fell to her knees. She clutched Tengoku tightly.

The Man’s fierce face softened while he looked back at Aliana. “I am Okun. It seem’s you have forgotten that, but you've also forgotten many things," he stated with disappointment. "One of them being the teachings of the Master. The sword and the Master must be in sync. If they're not, even the most skilled fighter is just a beginner."

Aliana's gaze fell to her blade, 'Tengoku,' and her hand trembled slightly.

Okun's gaze remained on Aliana. "Your Master would be very disappointed to see you in this state," he remarked solemnly. "You're lucky he's in North Jancito at the moment."

"What's he doing all the way up there?" Aliana asked with curiousity.

However, Okun didn't answer her question. Instead, he turned his attention to Aliana's friends. He observed them for a moment and noticed the glaring face in the one with blue hair. Okun called her over.

Gaiza was somewhat intimidated by Okun's presence, but she gathered the courage to approach him. He simply said “wait here”.

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Okun disappeared into the sword school building for a brief moment, and when he returned, he placed a sheathed sword in Gaiza's hands. She was suprised and stammered, "I-I can't accept this, sir. What are you doing?"

Okun looked at her with a slight smile. "I can see your interest in Sword Magic," he replied. “I’m temporarily in charge while our master, Gustavian, is up in the North. Consider this a token of encouragement. If you're serious about it, you'll find your way here."

Okun then turned his attention back to Aliana. "The other Sword Gods have been looking for you for a while now," he began. "Many assumed you had died, given how many years have passed since your disappearance. They believed that your overconfident attitude had finally gotten you killed. Now that you're back, you should meet with the other six Sword Gods."

Aliana remained composed, but inwardly, she struggled with the idea of facing the other Sword Gods. She realized that she had disgraced them by following every command of the headmaster on the mystical island, even if it was under duress. However, she couldn't let Okun see her hesitation. She replied swiftly, "Of course, I'll pay them a visit soon. It's good to know they still remember me."

"Actually, I came here for another reason," Aliana said

Okun, however, simply shook his head. "No need to say it," he responded calmly. "I already know. An encounter with the sword is more than just a clash between two souls; there are those who can feel the emotions of others within the strikes."

Aliana's eyes widened slightly.

"I can sense that you're under stress, not just in combat but also financially. You have no money, though I don't know why. You used to walk around like a princess, flaunting your new attires so casually every day, attracting a lot of attention. Now, this is what you've been reduced to. It's a lesson we all have to learn at some point."

Aliana felt the feeling of embarrassment coming upon her.

Okun looked at Aliana with a stern yet compassionate gaze. “Aliana, financial situations can change, just like the flow of a battle. The sword is a reflection of one's inner self, and so is your ability to manage your life."

With a measured tone, he concluded, "Train your mind, body, and soul, just as the Master would put it. In the end, it's not the wealth you possess, but the strength of character and the wisdom to navigate life's trials that truly matter."

Okun's stern face softened further while looking at Aliana. "Despite the weakness in your heart, you made the right choice not to run away from battle," he said with a small smile coming to his face. "You’ve shown courage, and for that, I will extend a generous offer to you and your companions. You can stay at one of my mansions for as long as you need."

His words triggered a flashback in Aliana's mind.

Years ago, a teenage Aliana confidently defeated a younger Okun in a similar duel. She stood over him with an air of superiority, her luxurious attire gleaming in the sunlight. Okun, then a young boy with nothing but a dream, lay on the ground breathing heavily.

"You fought well," teen Aliana had said while laughing. "But why did you bring a wooden stick to a sword fight? You were just asking to get hurt!"

"What was this, attempt 147?" Teen Aliana said with a smirk. "At this rate, you won't have a shot at me."

The young Okun looked up at her. Tears welled up in his eyes. "My parents threw me out," he said. "I have nowhere to go. I can't afford a real sword. The sword is all I know. I... I have nothing else..."

Past Aliana felt a twinge of annoyance. Okun started to walk away while adding, "I don't expect you to pity me, and I don't expect anything from you. But I want you to know why I fight. I want to survive, just like everyone else."

Hearing his goals, past Aliana’s face softened slightly. "Wait," she called out, stopping him. She extended a hand, surprising both herself and Okun. "You can live at our mansion. Someone of your talent deserves to rise to the top."

Momentarily, their hands locked. Young Okun looked shocked, while past Aliana blushed and turned her head to the side. "This doesn't mean we have any relationship," she added quickly.

Back in the present, Aliana stood with Okun with their hands locked together. The memory of her past actions, both arrogant and compassionate, mingled in her mind. "Times have truly changed, Okun. You're the rich one now, and I'm the one in need."

Okun chuckled softly. "This wealth I've gained, Aliana, it came from my own struggles as a swordsman. I've faced many near encounters and run-ins with the 'Western Scum,' as they call them. Fending them off was part of my duties, even though the Sword Magic Academy doesn't officially work for the Kingdom's army. We provide the weapons, armor, and sometimes are called upon to protect the kingdom."

He continued, "One’s circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. Never underestimate the value of support from friends and allies during tough times."

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Okun led Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena through the vibrant streets of the tournament district in Eastern Jancito. The area was alive with the hustle and bustle of people preparing for the upcoming matches. Brightly colored stalls lined the streets which had an array of souvenirs, snacks, and even special tournament-themed merchandise.

Okun explained, "I usually stay near the action during the tournament season. This place is convenient for me. However, the guards around here can be quite strict, and they might get suspicious if they see unfamiliar faces. So, I'll give you a note that grants you a pass to stay here without any trouble."

He handed them a neatly folded piece of parchment with an official-looking seal on it. "This will keep you out of any unnecessary confrontations with the guards. Just show it if they question you."

Aliana nodded appreciatively, taking the note. "Thank you, Okun. This is a big help."

Okun gave her a nod. "Before you go in, though, I should let you know that this arrangement is not entirely free. I'll need you to do me a favor, but we can discuss the details tomorrow morning. Get some rest for now."

With that, he led them to a grand mansion nestled among the bustling activity of the tournament district.

The grand mansion stood as a building adorned with intricate carvings and elegant architectural details. Twin marble staircases led up to a massive double-door entrance. The mansion was surrounded by lush, well-maintained gardens filled with vibrant flowers and serene water features.

Okun led Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena to the entrance and instructed, "Go on in. You'll find everything you need for a comfortable stay. I'll be heading to my main residence now."

They entered the mansion, and Okun took a step back, preparing to leave. He gave them a respectful nod. "Take care, and get a good night's rest. We'll talk about the favor tomorrow morning."

With those parting words, Okun turned and made his way down the marble steps, disappearing into the night.

A sense of grandeur and elegance enveloped the group. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings. The floors were adorned with rugs that felt plush underfoot. The living room was also adorned with more artwork, depicting scenes of ancient battles and heroic swordsmen.

"All of this is very convenient, Aliana. It's like you have some kind of 'princess luck' or something,” Elena said with her jaw dropping to the ground.

Aliana gave a faint smile and replied, "There's no such thing as 'princess luck,' Elena. Sometimes, life presents us with unexpected opportunities, and we must make the most of them."

Aliana took a seat down with a smirk. “Now then, let's make ourselves at home, girls."