Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to this game.

"Brilliant!"

Note: Separate timeline from my other Karel fic.

Succession

Chapter 1

"Y-you…!"

That was the first word, almost stumbling out of the star-struck Sacaen youth known as Guy, when his path of life trailed to the shaky mind of a famous… no… infamous swordmaster.

And yet the recipient merely gazed passively to his left, towards an open creek that gushed like velvet around marble-like pebbles, streaked with flecks of white, revealing the simple flowing water's age. His hair trailed down to his shoulders, a messy, unkempt style that covered one eye, and his face appeared young, but weathered, giving the illusion of elderliness.

"……"

Karel swept around, almost as if floating, a cape of wind following closely, an earthy powder in its wake – a blanket, changing and persuading the direction of his sight. All Karel could see outlined the sun, hoisting itself upon the horizon, a myriad of splendorous color and majesty. That is, until a certain "guy" jumped up in front, his head neatly taking the shape of the aurulent orb, the rays coruscating giving a halo-like appearance to the young Sacaen native.

Karel simply held one hand above his sunken eyes, shielding him from the aggravating object before him that stopped his hasty pace back towards the camp.

"Hold on!" shouted Guy, as if trying to collect his thoughts, "You're Karel, aren't you? You're the Sword Demon…"

Radiating a surge of bloodlust, Karel narrowed his eyes at the mention of his better-known name and glared darkly at Guy, the way a god might look at an ant.

"Oh, forgive me! I am Guy, a warrior from Sacae. I would like you to teach me the art of the sword!" rapidly blurted out Guy, clapping his hands above his head and bowing.

"……"

Karel treaded straight around him, without saying a word. His ronin sandals clipped the earth lightly, yet landed with a distinct accent with each step.

Guy thought this to be blatantly rude, spinning around and pointing at Karel's figure, rapidly disappearing into the woods, "Hm? What's with you? Why don't you-"

Karel interrupted deliberately,

"Be grateful for your inexperience. If you were stronger…" he paused ominously, "I would cut you down where you stand."

Karel kept on walking, as though he didn't notice the chills going down Guy's spine.

"I… I don't… What's your problem?"

But Karel had already slipped into the labyrinth of the forest that meandered towards camp.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"What's with that guy?" pondered Guy.

Guy was training – his usual midday exercise and sword forms.

"Haaaa! Hiyaa!"

Slash, slash, parry, thrust, slash, slash…

In the thick canopy of trees, Karel observed Guy practicing, his face absolutely still, discerning and analyzing the Sacaen's form.

Slash, slash, parry, thrust, slash, slash…

"Hm… This boy has great potential, but is starting to develop bad habits…"

Slash, slash, parry, thrust, slash…

CLANG

"Ah!"

Karel, faster than the eye could follow, lunged from the canopy above and neatly parried Guy's slash, the iron sword being practiced with flew back more than 20 meters.

Karel stood over Guy, sword raised and pointing at his throat, completely relaxed as he glanced downwards towards the younger boy's frightened figure.

"M-my… sword…"

Guy spared a look backwards where a dulled ringing reverberated from his sword - clattered away when Karel struck.

"How…?"

As if debating how to respond, Karel took a small pause for declaring,

"Immediately before your second slash… there is a small pause where you adjust your footing and grip. I exploited this weakness."

"!"

"Overall, your footing is poor, but your speed has allowed you to compensate for the loss in time produced from it… until now. You cannot expect any well-trained swordsman to not defeat you."

Shameful, Guy would've hung his head, but he realized that Karel still held him at sword point.

"Look at me when I talk! Though what I said was true, it is amazing that you have so few errors, considering that you have no training partner or mentor," observed Karel. "If I am correct, then your potential is infinite. And it makes my sword… thirsty."

Guy shuddered at that thought while Karel took away his sword and sheathed it.

"Why are you telling me these things, Sword Dem…" Guy paused to recall what happened last time he said that, "…Karel? Why are you telling me this unless…" The youth's eyes lit up like a child receiving a birthday gift, "You're going to teach me?"

"…"

With just the slightest bit of hesitation, once again, the swordmaster Karel casually made a 180-degree turn and started to walk away.

Before he could go any farther, Guy stopped him.

"Master! Wait for me! Master Karel!"

"……"

Karel stopped indeed, but to Guy, it seemed as if he could vanish with each passing moment. Desperately, Guy cried out,

"Please, I implore you! Teach me the art of the sword! I want my name to be known far and wide in Sacae!"

Karel wheeled around to face Guy and looked him straight in the eye, as if saying 'I'm only going to say this once.'

"When my fame first spread in this land, many worthless dogs aspired to my swordsmanship. Then they all fell, one by one… Forget it, pup. Leave my sight."

Before Karel could even move, Guy burst out,

"D-don't go! You want someone to fight, don't you?"

Karel barely moved his head to acknowledge the fact.

"Then make me your opponent!"

That wasn't a bad idea; Karel was slightly surprised – not that he showed it.

"……"

Guy was trembling as he continued his monologue, his face obviously stricken with emotion,

"I know I'm not good enough to fight you now. So just train me in the sword. In one year's time, I swear I will master the art. Enough to match you-"

Karel was caught unawares by the finisher.

"-enough to best you!"

Karel had but to glimpse the boy's eyes to realize the determination there.

"…You seem to mean it, don't you?" Karel whispered quietly.

Amazed that he was getting a response, Guy quickly exclaimed,

"Y-yes!"

"Very well. From tonight, we begin your training. You will learn the sword."