Swordsman Chronicles: Art of the Sword

CHAPTER 4

5 days have passed since the incident and is now the for the burial of the 6 people who died in the battle. Kendrick is now standing in front of the graves of his family as they are being lowered beneath them. There were a lot of people who attended the interment of his family. And most of them are normal people that is saying their respects for the priest. But some of them made Kendrick’s blood boil. Because some of those who attended were the people who shunned Father Edgar and was the sole reason why the church closed. The ones who stole the donations for the church and used it for their own gain. They blamed it all to Father Edgar, that’s why as punishment, the government shut the church down and labeled Father Edgar as a corrupt priest. It just makes Kendrick’s skin crawl by the fact that they had the nerve to show up in front of the man they betrayed and tarnished. But he must stay calm as he doesn’t want to make it worse since confronting them is not what Father Edgar wants. As the family reached the bottom, the people handling them then began to pour dirt to fill the holes. There were no tears coming from Kendrick anymore, as for some reason, he can’t feel anything but anger, hatred, revenge, and despair. Due to the trauma, he received from that incident, his blond hair became white. And based on the findings of a certain doctor, Kendrick has suffered from a lot which led him to a certain illness which is called Marie Antoinette Syndrome. The immense trauma he got; it will not be the same for Kendrick anymore as it was if his emotions were robbed from him. The crowd slowly dispersed as Kendrick was left alone. The burial ended and the men handling the burial then left and said their condolences to Kendrick who insisted on staying besides his family one more time before he sets off a journey that would probably lead to his death someday, but he won’t let himself die as he will wipe out all the demons on this world.  As he sat by his family’s graves, some people wearing formal attires approached him,

“Kendrick Griffin, right?” asked an old woman who wears a black business attire dress.

 Kendrick stood up as he nodded and the people who approached him immediately saw the emptiness in this boy’s eyes. At such a young age, he lost everything dear to him, how heartbreaking.

“We’re from the Sword’s Academy. I’m Mrs. Hilty, and I am the headmistress of the said academy.” Greeted the old lady as she and Kendrick shook hands.

The Sword’s Academy is a prestigious school that only accepts teenagers who are skilled with a sword or has a lot of money to get in it. And them being here only means one thing. The headmistress cut to the chase as things like this shouldn’t kept long. She told Kendrick that the swordsmen and women who fought that night told her that Kendrick was indeed a skilled swordsman because he managed to defeat an outsider demon which can only be defeated by the slayers or the red berets.

“I think you got the wrong guy, I may have defeated that demon, but that doesn’t mean I’m a skilled swordsman. I intend to pursue swordsmanship once I—”

“Only a true swordman can lift a sword of one. Normal people don’t have the ability to lift and use the swords of swordsmen or women even if they possess insane strength. That’s what separates a swordsman from the rest. And why bother training alone when you can attend the academy and become strong at the same time?” The headmistress claimed.

She the said her condolences to Kendrick and asked him to consider the deal. And as the academy folks were about to leave to give Kendrick some time think about their proposal as the headmistress also told him that it is not every day that the head of the academy comes to visit a potential swordsman. Mrs. Hilty have developed a strange feeling for Kendrick. The fact that this kid was able to defeat two demons that is stronger than him just by improvising and without proper training is indeed something to be amazed about. Another thing that caught her attention was because she has read the documents of Kendrick from his high school. And it says there that he is the absolute worst guy when it comes to swordsmanship, and it also says there that he can’t even swing his sword properly and will just randomly without any planning. But one day, he suddenly defeated the strongest swordsman at his school and was able to kill 2 demons stronger than him. This kid is no joke, he has talent, rare talent. And based on her years o f experience and the thousands of swordsmen and women she encountered, she can see that Kendrick is one of the few people who has the potential to become great and that is without a doubt. Without any more thinking, Kendrick called the headmistress back as he now has a decision.

“I’ll attend your school, fine. When will I start?” Kendrick asked as it put a smile on the headmistress’ face.

She then invited Kendrick to come inside her car so they can discuss everything, Kendrick told them to wait just a minute as he wants to look at his family’s graves one last time before going into a whole new world of becoming a swordsman, the dream profession every single human being wants, except for those who doesn’t approve of them. After making promises in front his loved ones that until he reaches his goals, he will never lose, Kendrick said his temporary goodbyes as he then went to ride the car of the headmistress. She immediately discussed what will happen. The school year of the academy starts the day after tomorrow and Kendrick will be enrolled now as part of the treatment the academy will give to him. He will one of the 3 scholars of the headmistress and he will be provided everything he needs. The campus has dorms since it is a boarding school, and there will no doubt that Kendrick might get into a room with mixed people as some people are given the chance to share the same room with different sexes. Kendrick will for now stay at an apartment and that’s where his school supplies and uniform will arrive The car then drove off as Kendrick told them that he needs to get his clothes from their church. Mrs. Hilty told him not to worry as some of her men are now in their church and will get the clothes for him. But since he has something different and private to get from the church that only he can find, Mrs. Hilty eventually agreed as they then drove towards the church. As they arrived, some of her men were there and have Kendrick’s clothes in bags outside already. Kendrick hopped out of the vehicle as he then went quickly into the church to find that thing. He arrived at the kitchen as he then took one of the woods of the walls and then he reached for something. It was this small, dusty box. He blew at it, and he then opened it. The box contains the silver necklace that has this sword emblem as the pendant. It was the same necklace the guy in his past gave him. He then wore the necklace around his neck as then went outside and looked at the rundown church that he once treated as his home. He then promised that once he gets enough money, he will renovate this church and use it as a church again to honor the wish of Father Edgar to reopen the church. Kendrick nodded as he then went back the car and they drove away from the church and headed towards the apartment that Kendrick will temporarily stay. They arrived at the apartment as the headmistress told Kendrick to wait for them and they will pick them up, but his uniforms and supplies will arrive tomorrow. The headmistress thanked Kendrick for trusting her as she then drove away. Kendrick nodded as he went into the apartment, he will stay for 3 days. He laid on the bed as he looked up in the ceiling. And just by doing that, he fell a dreamless sleep.

** *

2 days have passed, and Kendrick is now getting ready to go to school. He wears this uniform that the academy provided him. It’s this fancy green and white uniform with a green beret. The uniform has a sword emblem imprinted on the back as there is also this small pin that is supposed to be placed at the left chest where the heart is as based on the instructions, sword arts are meant to be loved and taken to the heart. Quite a heartwarming quote but swords are meant to kill, that’s all. Even if you have pure intentions, swords are designed to kill at the end of the day. As Kendrick is now prepared, he flung this shoulder bag that the headmistress gave him, and he then went out the apartment to wait for the vehicle that will pick him up. After waiting for a few minutes, a white school bus suddenly arrived, and it stopped and opened its door in front of Kendrick. Kendrick went on board the bus as the door closes behind him and they then started to drive away. Kendrick walked down the bus as the students on it continues their antics and is just in conversation. He did not pay any attention to them, but he clearly saw that they all differ on uniforms. It must be a class thing, but he just walked forward as he then sat on the back and is trying to avoid socializing with other people as he does not intend to become all chummy when his goal is all about vengeance. He just stayed quiet until they arrive the academy. All students went down the bus as everyone came in the academy running. There are a lot of students going in the school. Kendrick was surprised on what he is seeing, even though he is not actually feeling it. The school was massive, and at the point of each tower of this castle-like school were flapping green flags. The students are instructed to go to the academy’s grounds as the orientation and introduction of the freshmen is about to begin. It turns out that the freshmen are to introduce themselves on stage and in front of hundreds of students and then they are supposed to state their goal in front of them also. The academy has approximately 15 freshmen this year, which is a lot since the normal freshmen per year is just 5 to 7 students. Since this school only accepts those who are extraordinary and has the ability on both money and skills, the academy is very picky on choosing students that will enter. So, it was just a good thing that Kendrick was invited to join as a scholar because based on the information he gained, this academy has an expensive tuition which costs 200 thousand JEKS per month. And that’s a lot. As everyone is now gathered, some of the teachers then came and fetched Kendrick who is at the back of the line and they told him to go behind the stage along with the other freshmen. Then the orientation started.

“Welcome, old, and new students of the Sword’s Academy! It is once again another year of studying and becoming strong! I and the rest of the staffs of this academy, welcomes you back! And without further ado, let us know our freshmen this year!” Mrs. Hilty announced as the students produced thunderous cheering.

The teachers then called the 15 new students as they then introduced themselves, one by one. A busty girl who has pink hair stepped forward the podium first.

“My name is Eleanor, but you can call me Elle. I’m from New Tyson and my goal is to become an accomplished swordswoman, thank you!” Elle announced as the students clapped at her.

As she walks back at their line of freshmen, she suddenly looked at Kendrick and then suddenly smiled at him. The introduction went on as it was finally Kendrick’s turn. He stepped up the podium as he took a deep breath.

“The name’s Kendrick Griffin. And I will tell you this right now. I only intend to use this school as a steppingstone to become strong and be out the walls. And I have no time being friendly with you all because some of you might die in battle, someday. That’s all, thank you.” Says Kendrick as he stepped down the podium.

The students booed and cursed at him because it sounds like an insult to the students and the academy. He is clearly underestimating the students. Mrs. Hilty sighed as Kendrick did great on making the entire school his enemy in just his first day. Kendrick went back in line as he clearly started an unpleasant life on the campus. But this is the day where Kendrick will now start to pursue swordsmanship.