In a courtyard that was surrounded by a luxurious house, a young boy was practicing basic sword moves. His sword was shining from the first rays of the sun, casting dancing reflections against the cobblestone ground. He was using basic moves with quite accuracy: uppercut, undercut, thrust, middle slash, and several others that flowed together in practiced sequences. His bare chest was drenched in sweat, droplets trailing down his lean frame. He was only wearing a black trouser that hung loose around his waist. His long shoulder length brown hair were tied in the back with a simple leather cord, his eyes were brown with thin sword like eyebrows, he was handsome in appearance. Although he was lean in figure, his biceps and chest muscles were quite developed, showing the results of countless hours of training.
While the young boy was practicing sword moves with focused intensity, a man in his thirties entered the courtyard through the arched gateway. He had short brown hair and sword like eyebrows and black eyes, he also had very short beard and mustache that gave him a distinguished appearance. He was wearing black and blue clothes of fine quality. He was also wearing black colored armor that gleamed dully in the morning light. He stopped at the edge of the courtyard and observed the moves of the young boy, his experienced eyes noting every stance and strike. He smiled from satisfaction from time to time, particularly when the boy executed a difficult transition. Looking towards the sun that was climbing higher in the sky, he called out to the young boy "Nox."
The young boy named Nox didn't stop. His concentration remained unbroken as his sword continued its methodical pattern through the air. The man smiled and shook his head knowingly and yelled "NOX!"
Nox, hearing his name spoken quite loud, he stopped moving mid-strike. He looked in the direction of the man with wide eyes, his sword still held in ready position. "When did you come, brother?"
The man smiled warmly at the surprised expression. "I was here for quite some time, looks like you were not aware of your surroundings."
Nox smiled back, lowering his sword to his side. "Oh, I was engrossed in my sword moves."
The man came closer to the boy, his footsteps deliberate against the stone. "That sounds good on the surface, but it is not. You need to be aware of your surroundings all the time, even when you are in your own house surrounded by family members. You can't be careless even in your own house. A true swordsman maintains awareness at all times."
Nox smiled with a hint of mischief. "Oh come on, when the mighty Jason is around me, who could harm me?"
The man named Jason snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "Think whatever you want, but this habit of yours needs to be changed. I won't always be here to watch your back."
Nox nodded while wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "Okay."
Jason was astonished when he noticed that Nox wasn't even breathing a little bit hard. His breathing was relaxed, like he was just taking a stroll in the courtyard and was not training for an hour in the rising heat. "You turned fifteen yesterday, now its time for you to be serious about your training and your future."
Nox nodded his head and placed his sword in the weapon rack at the corner of the courtyard. The weapon rack was filled with all kinds of swords: greatswords, bastard swords, short swords, one edged swords, and even a few curved blades from distant lands. Each weapon was carefully maintained and positioned.
Jason looked at Nox up and down, taking in his disheveled appearance. "Father is expecting you in his study."
Nox nodded, pushing a strand of loose hair from his face. "Okay, I will be there in ten minutes."
Jason turned around and walked away while saying over his shoulder, "Take a shower first."
Nox smiled at his brother's retreating back. "Of course, I will be taking a shower, do you think I would go there like this, covered in sweat?"
Jason didn't reply back, his form disappearing through the archway. Nox walked in the opposite direction with big strides, his bare feet making soft sounds on the warm stone. At the entrance of the corridor, two guards stood opposite each other in perfect symmetry. The guards were wearing full body armor of black and red color that caught the light. Seeing Nox, they bowed a little in respect, their armor clinking softly. Nox nodded back in acknowledgment. He walked deeper into the corridor that connected courtyard and other rooms. Lamps on both sides illuminated the corridor with a steady golden glow. The whole corridor was decorated with swords of various origins, paintings of the warriors from his family's history, and other markings that told stories of battles and honor. Along the way he walked past a couple of maids who were cleaning the corridor with quiet efficiency. They also bowed seeing Nox, stepping aside to let him pass. He entered a room at the very end of the corridor. After entering the room he turned on the switch on the wall beside the doors. The four lamps on each corner lit up, illuminating the room with warm light that pushed back the shadows. The room was quite large and luxurious, befitting his station. There was also a short weapon rack at the side of the room holding his personal collection. The room was also decorated with all kinds of swords and paintings of the warriors, creating an atmosphere of martial tradition.
Nox picked his clothes from the cabinet, selecting them carefully, and entered the shower. The water was refreshingly cool against his heated skin. After getting ready, he stood in front of the mirror mounted on the wall. He wore a blue tunic of soft fabric and khaki trouser. His hair was now loose, reaching his shoulders in damp waves.
'I look perfect in every way, if only I could produce it,' Nox clenched his fist while thinking, his reflection staring back with frustration in his eyes. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. 'Father is expecting me, I should hurry.'
After checking himself in the mirror one final time, he walked in the direction of his father's study. His father's study was in the opposite direction to his corridor, in the older part of the house. He crossed the courtyard, went inside the opposite corridor. Inside the corridor, two guards with full body armors were standing on both sides like statues. As Nox went past them, they also bowed in respect. Nox nodded back, he then went inside a different corridor to the right that branched off from the main passage. There also stood guards with full body armor in front of a heavy wooden door leading to his father's study. The guards, like the previous ones, bowed a little in respect. Nox nodded back, then knocked on the door three times.
"Come in," he heard a heavy voice from inside, granting him permission for entry.
Nox inhaled sharply, steadying his nerves, then opened the door and entered the room. Inside the room, Nox saw two rows of bookshelves on both sides, filled with leather bound volumes. At the center of the room was a desk of dark polished wood. In front of the desk stood Jason with his hands clasped behind his back in a formal stance. Behind the desk sat a man, he looked in his early forties with short brown hairs with some gray streaks running through them. His brown black eyes were focused on a book, he was writing something in it with a pen, his hand moving with practiced precision. His well defined shape could be imagined behind his dark blue suit of expensive material. Even though he gave permission to Nox to enter the office, he didn't even acknowledge his presence. He kept writing something in the book, never even once glancing at his and Jason's direction. Nox stood side by side to his brother Jason. Both kept silent out of respect for their father, the only sound being the scratching of pen on paper. Nox glanced at the table which was filled with many kinds of books: some were open, some were closed, and some stacked in neat piles. Besides the table lamp there was a name slate that read 'Godric Silverblade' in elegant lettering.
'What is he even writing about that he didn't even acknowledge me?' Nox thought while looking at the books, trying to read their titles.
Nox was pulled out of his thoughts by his father's voice. "Sit down."
Both Nox and Jason sat down at the chairs in front of the desk, the leather creaking slightly under their weight. Nox looked at his father who closed the book with a soft thud.
Godric closed the book and looked at his older son, then looked at Nox with a flat expression that revealed nothing. "How is your training going?"
Nox smiled, trying to sound confident. "I am doing great."
Godric looked at Jason for confirmation, his gaze expectant. Jason nodded back in agreement.
"How are you doing in the sword style that I taught you?" Godric asked again, leaning back slightly in his chair.
"The Divine Flow style?" Nox questioned back, wanting to be certain.
Godric frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. "Is there any other style that I taught you?"
Nox felt embarrassed, heat rising to his cheeks. "Well, I have mastered it fully."
Godric frowned even more, his expression skeptical. Even Jason looked at him with a questionable glance, surprise evident in his features.
"Really?" Jason asked skeptically, doubt coloring his tone.
"Of course I have mastered it fully, I can show you right now if you wish," Nox said with pride, straightening in his chair.
"No need, its to be expected, its a foundational sword style of our family. Its flexible in nature. All the other sword styles you will learn in the future will integrate into it, no matter what nature they are," Godric explained with a flat face, his tone matter of fact.
Nox nodded but felt disappointed. 'He should've praised me for it, I have mastered it fully at such a young age, why is he like that all the time. All he has to say is "good, very good, keep it up" but no, he has to ruin it with his stone face.' Nox complained in his mind, his jaw tightening.
"How is your progress in ki?" Godric asked Nox, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
"I can control it a lot better than before," answered Nox carefully.
"Did your ki increase?" asked Godric again, leaning forward with interest.
Hearing this, Nox became silent. His shoulders dropped slightly and he became serious and he answered with a pained expression, his voice barely above a whisper. "No."
Nox lowered his head after this, unable to meet his father's eyes. This conversation reminded him of the fact that he can't produce ki. Although he can control the ki his father gave him through their unique family technique, he couldn't deny the fact that he is a cripple in the eyes of their world.
Jason placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him, squeezing gently. "Don't worry, we will find a way."
Hearing this, Nox smiled weakly, appreciating the gesture even if he didn't quite believe the words.
Jason turned to his father, his expression hopeful. "We can test him in wizard arts."