Over the course of the next few hours, Lorn was dragging Hatsumi and me around the city. We went through the merchants' square where nearly any manner of good was up for sale. Through the Farmers Market, where people from the cities outskirts were still off-loading their fresh produce. And along the lines of the shops that were actually located within buildings. The construction felt so exotic compared to what I’d experienced before. It gave off a feeling that the city was far older than it necessarily was, even for fantastical standards. For a frontier city, almost all the roads were paved either with some strange sandstone or bricks. Passing all kinds of building as we walked, we were headed for the city walls.
As we walked, Hatsumi had been pointing out key routes to and from the Adventurers guild, so I’d at least always be able to get home. From there, she pointed out the route to leave the city and enter its outskirts and the forested area just beyond. Where I would be safe, where I was to avoid, and areas we may go to eventually to practice our hunting together. We ended up taking a walk along the length of the walls from atop it, where there were guards every fifty meters or so. Apparently, the Guild master also was a position working along with the cities guard. Lorn was only called up in emergencies, however. She said it was as to make co-operation between adventurers and the guard streamlined and to keep the guard from overstepping its boundary by conscripting adventurers.
Before I had even known, we had come out one of the entrances. The lapses in time seemed so strange. I had felt them a few times throughout the day. To be a kid again, I didn’t think hearing about this place, and small things about this world as we went, would have passed the time so quickly. We were never able to get too far into anything, though. Both Hatsumi and Lorn were adamant about not going too in-depth until they could teach me one-on-one; they wanted my full attention to ensure nothing was missed or misunderstood. In Hatsumi’s words, “We do not want you to suddenly miss something that could mean the difference between your life and the worst possible outcome.” So, we agreed if I’d had questions, I’d do my best to remember them later.
Walking along the side street next to the exit, Lorn explained where we were headed next; To the city blacksmith. We were going to meet Callum rather than waiting for him at the guild since we were nearby. Apparently, it was a building that constantly expanded upon already surveyed set of land. When a new blacksmith came along, or an apprentice had become a blacksmith themselves, they simply expanded. The Building supposedly was entirely for working on the lower floor with storage and temporary quarters above each of the shops for their respective smiths. Growing up, Hatsumi had known him in another place when he was just a smithy’s apprentice. However, upon completing his training, he cast it aside. He had found a passion in the sword. So much so that he’d taken up adventurer work specifically so he could have a profession that allowed him to hone it without being bound to orders had he been a guard or a soldier. He often would spend time at one of the vacant smithy’s set aside for temporary use, rather than occupying himself with another job. He used the free time to maintain the team’s equipment and constantly train on his sword.
How they describe Callum…I can empathize with him. From my time on earth, I had constantly skirted any work that could be reasonably avoided. I chose to spend what time I had from when the war began practicing my marksmanship or committing to drills. Switching to my sidearm, reloading, clearing malfunctions, and firing from nearly every position I could put myself in. I can’t count how many rounds that I’d expended-. Haaah, this isn't good; my nerves just started acting up. While it's good to know that this body feels those signals, that it feels ready to move, It's concerning that with those signals, the nervous twitch has followed. Just thinking about that time had me smelling the fresh air mixed with carbon, gun oil, and the faint feeling of humidity early in the morning. Feeling my fingers twitch and my eyes already scanning, that isn't something a kid should be exhibiting, even if it's me in here. It had been six years of training to try and stay alive through it. It feels like a complete waste considering the last thing I remember was getting in my truck. I had made it through, just to die to something I never saw coming. But I can’t look back and say I still wouldn’t have done it. I probably would have tried harder, even If it wouldn’t save me. After all, I was scared. Really scared.
“Kiyomi. Hey Kiyomi.”
“Hmm?”
Hatsumi was trying to get my attention for a moment.
“We’re here!”
When Hatsumi said that we’d arrived, she pointed to the corner of a building. Turning the corner, the Smithy’s area was within view. A rather spacious leveled grassy field enclosed, on all sides by other buildings of the city. There was the occasional tree but nothing more. And within the center, a stone building with clay tiles. Chimneys lining its length, smoke billowing forth at a steady pace and dispersing. Signaling that the forges were nearly all in use. The closer we got, Hatsumi directed us along the side. Lorn had taken to the back, becoming silent compared to her behavior earlier. As if she felt she was out of place.
“Just on the other side of the building, Callum should be at his forge right now. I can already hear him.”
You can hear him from here?
I gave Hatsumi a sidelong glance.
To be able to hear someone from this distance? It could be her ears. From here, all I can make out is the growing sounds of workers communicating, hammers on metal, and fires being stoked.
It wasn’t long before we reached the end of the building. It was long, but width-wise it was maybe comparable to a single warehouse. Its size was deceiving from the front.
Totally not because I shrank and cannot see from the vantage I could before.
It was as we came closer that I could hear it. Separated from the sound of metal slapping metal, the sounds of communication, and the sounds of people simply going about their tasks.
It sounded like a fight. Like swords clashing against each other. Their steel flexing and warping from impacts' managing to make their actions known through clear and reverberating noise. The grunting and yelling of two people could be heard. Throwing their all into their actions to get the edge over each other. As we came around the corner, they were immediately in view. The individual giving ground in the fight seemed to be giving his all just to keep up and not get himself hit. The fast, measured swings were nearly knocking the sword out of the hands of the man on each contact. The movements seemed so very fluid. It wasn’t unnatural; it was simply the swing of someone that looked like they were accustomed to the combat of their arm for years at the least.
The man maintaining the aggression in the duel looked almost my age on earth. He had a light beard and mustache as he’d only gone a week or two without shaving. His hair was disheveled from his sweat and the momentum of his movements. His athletic build spoke to constant activity, and his body flexed almost in a snapping motion with each movement.
The swords they were using looked akin to knightly swords. A short grip yet lengthy double-edged blade. And the only thing the men were wearing looked like pants, a cotton shirt, and a chain shirt just beneath that. The aggressor in the fight began pushing his opponent further and further. The fight was clearly being won and the push looking as if it was to make the opponent capitulate. Suddenly after one last downward swing, the man who was struggling to keep up lost his footing. He was sliced across the stomach where the chain shirt covered. And with that, the winner was decided. The drained man sat there panting as we looked on. On the other hand, his opponent turned around for a bucket and splashed his face with water. Scrubbing it lightly.
“Damnit, Callum, you always push the duels a little farther. If it weren’t the… hah ... sword. Ugh”
The man paused for a breath.
“If it weren’t your damned sword to kill me one day, it’ll sure by the gods be my lungs.”
After that, the man continued to gasp for air.
“Not my fault you don’t know how to run; you need to exercise more.” – Callum
So this hell of a swordsman is Callum? That performance looked like something out of a movie. They were trying pretty damn hard. I could fight well with my fists, but if it came to the old me, I would not been able to beat this guy if I had a sword in my hands. He would’ve run me through in an instant.
“Try and fit some more running into your day, and we can meet again next month to see how you do.”
Callum added as he planted the sword into a fence post close by.
“As for the rest of today, I won’t be able to help you. Got prior business.”
“See you next month.”
At that time, the man that was Callum looked our way with a smirk. I wasn’t paying it any mind, but I was partially hiding behind Hatsumi by this time. I don’t really know why; my body seemed to move instinctively. Was this guy really just trouble?
“So now it's by month? And a man this time? Used to be, you had a different swordswoman here every day Callum.”
Lorn declared.
“Well, I can only be a braggart but so many times to the women in town before it looks bad. “
Trying to show off to a different girl every day already doesn’t look bad?
“Enough about me; it seems Kiyomi’s up and well. How are you, kid?”
Oh great, he just skipped introductions and small talk. Okay, play it cool, Aidan.
“…”
“Is she shy?”
I didn’t say a thing! Why?!
“Hmmm? She hasn’t been like this all day.” – Hatsumi
Hatsumi looked down at me, confused some, before patting my back and nudging me forward some.
“Kiyomi, you should say hi. This is Callum, you already know the deal, but he also really fixed up your sword. You should thank him.”
With the encouraging push, I was able to say something finally.
“Th-Thank you for taking care of my sword, sir. “
Thaaats what that feeling is, now I remember. This was the same as meeting other marksmen and having to prove myself to them, so I didn’t feel out of place. I hadn’t felt it since a few years into the war. I don’t particularly appreciate that it returned. This means I’m probably gonna vie for his approval. I’ve done it before, and it resulted in sleepless nights on the range. Going through range cards one after another or working with the simulated targets to get a score of how few lethal hits we needed per monster.
But aside from that, he reminds me of my seniors from that time. The people who were clearly experienced still depended on me to pull my weight. Why that feeling now?
“What’s with the manners?”
He looked at Hatsumi, confused some.
“She’s a polite child; get used to it. She’ll be with us for a long time.”
“For a long time?”
Callum raised a brow.
“Hatsumi here adopted Kiyomi.” – Lorn
Lorn added to the conversation from out-of-field.
“Adopted?!”
Callum looked to Hatsumi with a face of shock for a moment before nodding and smiling weakly.
“So, the situation was like that, huh.”
Callum paused, looking into his forge for a moment before looking back to me.
“Well, that just means I can teach you how to really wield that thing.”
What?
After a few minutes of talking with Hatsumi, Callum guided us into the forge. It smelled thick with now cooled coals. The ash and soot were still fresh in the air as we entered; he had torches lit and guided us up a set of stairs along the side. There was nothing but some boxes of minerals, a few chairs and a single table with some leather scraps, a set of sharpening stones, and what looked like tiny bottles of oil when we were upstairs. But aside from all that, there it was. The excessively large sword that was supposedly mine, or, more appropriately, the sword that was not fit to my size. It looked as it had come back fresh from the forge. Finally getting a good look at the thing while not being encumbered by status ailments or just sheer confusion afforded me a true second glance. It looked like it was a Claymore. The blade's metal was some strange blackish metal, light marbling throughout its blade. The grip was wrapped in mottled brown leather. The crossguard looked as if it were simply steel. And underneath the sword lay a mahogany leather scabbard of similar length. The whole thing seemed more fanciful than it may be. That was driven home by the sudden reminder that the system was well and present in this world. I really should ask someone.
Apparently, he had prompted me to accept the sword after modification.
Accept modifications to “The Matriarchs Sword (Bonded)(Restored)?
Yes. Wait-
“Uhm, what was that window thing?”
Perfect timing.
Hatsumi proceeded to slap her forehead at my question.
Imperfect timing?
“Sorry, Kiyomi, I should have asked you if you saw anything like that. We can talk about it later.” – Hatsumi
“Oh? You forgetting is a first.” – Callum
“We all have our moments. But enough of that. Thank you for cleaning Kiyomi’s sword up.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Callum shrugged.
“As I said before, by Solah, that thing is a piece of work. It's made of hybrid black steel. I almost broke one of my hammers while working on it. It was interesting. “
“You headed back to the Guild soon, Callum?”
Hatsumi prodded.
“For now, no. Gonna clean up some here, then I’ll be there this evening, so if you’re looking to make yourself scarce here, have at it.”
Wait, that soon?! We just got here!
My distress was on my face apparently, because by the time I had realized we were leaving, he’d placed the sheathed Claymore in my arms and began ruffling my hair.
Stop damnit! I don’t know how to even wash It yet, let alone un-tangle it!
It took Hatsumi nudging me again for me to come back to myself.
“What do you say, Kiyomi?” - Hatsumi
I think she is pressing me to interact as much as she can since she’s done this to me with the maybe ten random strangers I’ve met today.
“Thank you again, Callum!”
“No problem, though can you do me a favor?” – Callum
He had leaned forward, closer to my face.
“Do me a favor and hold that thing up thirty minutes a day minimum.”
With that, he flicked my forehead lightly.
“With that thing, you’ll need to build up the strength to wield it now instead of simply waiting till you’re big enough.”
Huh?
I ended up looking back up to Hatsumi once more. At this point, I’ve been looking to her for confirmation for a lot of things, and she simply nodded at Callum’s suggestion.
“It’s settled, thirty minutes a day.” – Hatsumi
Well, shit, training will start this evening, I guess…Wait, how do I hold this thing for thirty straight minutes!?
Over the course of the next few hours, Lorn was dragging Hatsumi and me around the city. We went through the merchants' square where nearly any manner of good was up for sale. Through the Farmers Market, where people from the cities outskirts were still off-loading their fresh produce. And along the lines of the shops that were actually located within buildings. The construction felt so exotic compared to what I’d experienced before. It gave off a feeling that the city was far older than it necessarily was, even for fantastical standards. For a frontier city, almost all the roads were paved either with some strange sandstone or bricks. Passing all kinds of building as we walked, we were headed for the city walls.
As we walked, Hatsumi had been pointing out key routes to and from the Adventurers guild, so I’d at least always be able to get home. From there, she pointed out the route to leave the city and enter its outskirts and the forested area just beyond. Where I would be safe, where I was to avoid, and areas we may go to eventually to practice our hunting together. We ended up taking a walk along the length of the walls from atop it, where there were guards every fifty meters or so. Apparently, the Guild master also was a position working along with the cities guard. Lorn was only called up in emergencies, however. She said it was as to make co-operation between adventurers and the guard streamlined and to keep the guard from overstepping its boundary by conscripting adventurers.
Before I had even known, we had come out one of the entrances. The lapses in time seemed so strange. I had felt them a few times throughout the day. To be a kid again, I didn’t think hearing about this place, and small things about this world as we went, would have passed the time so quickly. We were never able to get too far into anything, though. Both Hatsumi and Lorn were adamant about not going too in-depth until they could teach me one-on-one; they wanted my full attention to ensure nothing was missed or misunderstood. In Hatsumi’s words, “We do not want you to suddenly miss something that could mean the difference between your life and the worst possible outcome.” So, we agreed if I’d had questions, I’d do my best to remember them later.
Walking along the side street next to the exit, Lorn explained where we were headed next; To the city blacksmith. We were going to meet Callum rather than waiting for him at the guild since we were nearby. Apparently, it was a building that constantly expanded upon already surveyed set of land. When a new blacksmith came along, or an apprentice had become a blacksmith themselves, they simply expanded. The Building supposedly was entirely for working on the lower floor with storage and temporary quarters above each of the shops for their respective smiths. Growing up, Hatsumi had known him in another place when he was just a smithy’s apprentice. However, upon completing his training, he cast it aside. He had found a passion in the sword. So much so that he’d taken up adventurer work specifically so he could have a profession that allowed him to hone it without being bound to orders had he been a guard or a soldier. He often would spend time at one of the vacant smithy’s set aside for temporary use, rather than occupying himself with another job. He used the free time to maintain the team’s equipment and constantly train on his sword.
How they describe Callum…I can empathize with him. From my time on earth, I had constantly skirted any work that could be reasonably avoided. I chose to spend what time I had from when the war began practicing my marksmanship or committing to drills. Switching to my sidearm, reloading, clearing malfunctions, and firing from nearly every position I could put myself in. I can’t count how many rounds that I’d expended-. Haaah, this isn't good; my nerves just started acting up. While it's good to know that this body feels those signals, that it feels ready to move, It's concerning that with those signals, the nervous twitch has followed. Just thinking about that time had me smelling the fresh air mixed with carbon, gun oil, and the faint feeling of humidity early in the morning. Feeling my fingers twitch and my eyes already scanning, that isn't something a kid should be exhibiting, even if it's me in here. It had been six years of training to try and stay alive through it. It feels like a complete waste considering the last thing I remember was getting in my truck. I had made it through, just to die to something I never saw coming. But I can’t look back and say I still wouldn’t have done it. I probably would have tried harder, even If it wouldn’t save me. After all, I was scared. Really scared.
“Kiyomi. Hey Kiyomi.”
“Hmm?”
Hatsumi was trying to get my attention for a moment.
“We’re here!”
When Hatsumi said that we’d arrived, she pointed to the corner of a building. Turning the corner, the Smithy’s area was within view. A rather spacious leveled grassy field enclosed, on all sides by other buildings of the city. There was the occasional tree but nothing more. And within the center, a stone building with clay tiles. Chimneys lining its length, smoke billowing forth at a steady pace and dispersing. Signaling that the forges were nearly all in use. The closer we got, Hatsumi directed us along the side. Lorn had taken to the back, becoming silent compared to her behavior earlier. As if she felt she was out of place.
“Just on the other side of the building, Callum should be at his forge right now. I can already hear him.”
You can hear him from here?
I gave Hatsumi a sidelong glance.
To be able to hear someone from this distance? It could be her ears. From here, all I can make out is the growing sounds of workers communicating, hammers on metal, and fires being stoked.
It wasn’t long before we reached the end of the building. It was long, but width-wise it was maybe comparable to a single warehouse. Its size was deceiving from the front.
Totally not because I shrank and cannot see from the vantage I could before.
It was as we came closer that I could hear it. Separated from the sound of metal slapping metal, the sounds of communication, and the sounds of people simply going about their tasks.
It sounded like a fight. Like swords clashing against each other. Their steel flexing and warping from impacts' managing to make their actions known through clear and reverberating noise. The grunting and yelling of two people could be heard. Throwing their all into their actions to get the edge over each other. As we came around the corner, they were immediately in view. The individual giving ground in the fight seemed to be giving his all just to keep up and not get himself hit. The fast, measured swings were nearly knocking the sword out of the hands of the man on each contact. The movements seemed so very fluid. It wasn’t unnatural; it was simply the swing of someone that looked like they were accustomed to the combat of their arm for years at the least.
The man maintaining the aggression in the duel looked almost my age on earth. He had a light beard and mustache as he’d only gone a week or two without shaving. His hair was disheveled from his sweat and the momentum of his movements. His athletic build spoke to constant activity, and his body flexed almost in a snapping motion with each movement.
The swords they were using looked akin to knightly swords. A short grip yet lengthy double-edged blade. And the only thing the men were wearing looked like pants, a cotton shirt, and a chain shirt just beneath that. The aggressor in the fight began pushing his opponent further and further. The fight was clearly being won and the push looking as if it was to make the opponent capitulate. Suddenly after one last downward swing, the man who was struggling to keep up lost his footing. He was sliced across the stomach where the chain shirt covered. And with that, the winner was decided. The drained man sat there panting as we looked on. On the other hand, his opponent turned around for a bucket and splashed his face with water. Scrubbing it lightly.
“Damnit, Callum, you always push the duels a little farther. If it weren’t the… hah ... sword. Ugh”
The man paused for a breath.
“If it weren’t your damned sword to kill me one day, it’ll sure by the gods be my lungs.”
After that, the man continued to gasp for air.
“Not my fault you don’t know how to run; you need to exercise more.” – Callum
So this hell of a swordsman is Callum? That performance looked like something out of a movie. They were trying pretty damn hard. I could fight well with my fists, but if it came to the old me, I would not been able to beat this guy if I had a sword in my hands. He would’ve run me through in an instant.
“Try and fit some more running into your day, and we can meet again next month to see how you do.”
Callum added as he planted the sword into a fence post close by.
“As for the rest of today, I won’t be able to help you. Got prior business.”
“See you next month.”
At that time, the man that was Callum looked our way with a smirk. I wasn’t paying it any mind, but I was partially hiding behind Hatsumi by this time. I don’t really know why; my body seemed to move instinctively. Was this guy really just trouble?
“So now it's by month? And a man this time? Used to be, you had a different swordswoman here every day Callum.”
Lorn declared.
“Well, I can only be a braggart but so many times to the women in town before it looks bad. “
Trying to show off to a different girl every day already doesn’t look bad?
“Enough about me; it seems Kiyomi’s up and well. How are you, kid?”
Oh great, he just skipped introductions and small talk. Okay, play it cool, Aidan.
“…”
“Is she shy?”
I didn’t say a thing! Why?!
“Hmmm? She hasn’t been like this all day.” – Hatsumi
Hatsumi looked down at me, confused some, before patting my back and nudging me forward some.
“Kiyomi, you should say hi. This is Callum, you already know the deal, but he also really fixed up your sword. You should thank him.”
With the encouraging push, I was able to say something finally.
“Th-Thank you for taking care of my sword, sir. “
Thaaats what that feeling is, now I remember. This was the same as meeting other marksmen and having to prove myself to them, so I didn’t feel out of place. I hadn’t felt it since a few years into the war. I don’t particularly appreciate that it returned. This means I’m probably gonna vie for his approval. I’ve done it before, and it resulted in sleepless nights on the range. Going through range cards one after another or working with the simulated targets to get a score of how few lethal hits we needed per monster.
But aside from that, he reminds me of my seniors from that time. The people who were clearly experienced still depended on me to pull my weight. Why that feeling now?
“What’s with the manners?”
He looked at Hatsumi, confused some.
“She’s a polite child; get used to it. She’ll be with us for a long time.”
“For a long time?”
Callum raised a brow.
“Hatsumi here adopted Kiyomi.” – Lorn
Lorn added to the conversation from out-of-field.
“Adopted?!”
Callum looked to Hatsumi with a face of shock for a moment before nodding and smiling weakly.
“So, the situation was like that, huh.”
Callum paused, looking into his forge for a moment before looking back to me.
“Well, that just means I can teach you how to really wield that thing.”
What?
After a few minutes of talking with Hatsumi, Callum guided us into the forge. It smelled thick with now cooled coals. The ash and soot were still fresh in the air as we entered; he had torches lit and guided us up a set of stairs along the side. There was nothing but some boxes of minerals, a few chairs and a single table with some leather scraps, a set of sharpening stones, and what looked like tiny bottles of oil when we were upstairs. But aside from all that, there it was. The excessively large sword that was supposedly mine, or, more appropriately, the sword that was not fit to my size. It looked as it had come back fresh from the forge. Finally getting a good look at the thing while not being encumbered by status ailments or just sheer confusion afforded me a true second glance. It looked like it was a Claymore. The blade's metal was some strange blackish metal, light marbling throughout its blade. The grip was wrapped in mottled brown leather. The crossguard looked as if it were simply steel. And underneath the sword lay a mahogany leather scabbard of similar length. The whole thing seemed more fanciful than it may be. That was driven home by the sudden reminder that the system was well and present in this world. I really should ask someone.
Apparently, he had prompted me to accept the sword after modification.
Accept modifications to “The Matriarchs Sword (Bonded)(Restored)?
Yes. Wait-
“Uhm, what was that window thing?”
Perfect timing.
Hatsumi proceeded to slap her forehead at my question.
Imperfect timing?
“Sorry, Kiyomi, I should have asked you if you saw anything like that. We can talk about it later.” – Hatsumi
“Oh? You forgetting is a first.” – Callum
“We all have our moments. But enough of that. Thank you for cleaning Kiyomi’s sword up.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Callum shrugged.
“As I said before, by Solah, that thing is a piece of work. It's made of hybrid black steel. I almost broke one of my hammers while working on it. It was interesting. “
“You headed back to the Guild soon, Callum?”
Hatsumi prodded.
“For now, no. Gonna clean up some here, then I’ll be there this evening, so if you’re looking to make yourself scarce here, have at it.”
Wait, that soon?! We just got here!
My distress was on my face apparently, because by the time I had realized we were leaving, he’d placed the sheathed Claymore in my arms and began ruffling my hair.
Stop damnit! I don’t know how to even wash It yet, let alone un-tangle it!
It took Hatsumi nudging me again for me to come back to myself.
“What do you say, Kiyomi?” - Hatsumi
I think she is pressing me to interact as much as she can since she’s done this to me with the maybe ten random strangers I’ve met today.
“Thank you again, Callum!”
“No problem, though can you do me a favor?” – Callum
He had leaned forward, closer to my face.
“Do me a favor and hold that thing up thirty minutes a day minimum.”
With that, he flicked my forehead lightly.
“With that thing, you’ll need to build up the strength to wield it now instead of simply waiting till you’re big enough.”
Huh?
I ended up looking back up to Hatsumi once more. At this point, I’ve been looking to her for confirmation for a lot of things, and she simply nodded at Callum’s suggestion.
“It’s settled, thirty minutes a day.” – Hatsumi
Well, shit, training will start this evening, I guess…Wait, how do I hold this thing for thirty straight minutes!?
