It seems to be another ordinary day here at home for me; since the death of my grandfather or so they say. The truth is that he disappeared somewhere a few years ago. Besides that, so far, nothing unusual has happened; then again when you're at home in an annoying neighborhood like me. There is really never anything to do; just the thought of the boredom makes me want to scream. Most people would go to the library or to the park. That would be perfect for me if I had a car or better yet a license, but all I have is a bike. I want to say I have friends that could take me, but I would be lying to you. Because of lack of money I am homeschooled through secondary grades. On the other hand, it's completely a bore; I mean I have younger siblings and both parents. My dad works, and my mom stays at home; as for my brother's well, I'm the eldest out of the three of us. So for me, they are twice as much trouble. Thus my day is not a complete dud.
Handling them is enough for me during the day, but even then they could tell you just how boring it really is here at home. Oh, I forgot to tell you my name, it is Xeonix. I'm a proud graduate of Aero High School, with honors of course. I'm seventeen years old; going on eighteen in July; at any rate, my days are usually like this. I wake up in the morning and clean myself up, eat, then go outside and carve things out of wood to pass the time occasionally selling them for extra money.
Though even that gets old; so now I'm looking for a job to better myself. So far my luck hasn't changed. Anyway, my family has this thing about doing nothing and it being completely disgraceful, among other things. Like for one, not helping the elderly or being kind to women. Especially, fighting without a valid cause. They think that if there is no cause or reason for doing something.
It is entirely dumb or out of place in my opinion. Unfortunately, I'm the one in the family that's truly out of place no matter what it is. I try to please them; I always fail. Saying I should be able to do better. Now I live in a house on the outskirts of the city of Sacar in the Orion lands. The Orion lands are a mass group of mountain ranges on the eastern side of the continent of Picodesh.
There is a total of fifteen mountains in the city and five outside hills. In sequential order; I live on the last small hill. No, we are not farmers or anything close to it. My dad works for a big industrial company in the city, but my mom does, however, have a garden. Either way, the only reason we live so far from the city is due to my father's reasoning.
He told us he did not want us to become reckless like the children that lived in the city. Though I do not think we would become like them or that the children there are really that bad. I still do what my father tells me regardless. I think the only reason he does not like the city is due to the guy that is currently running it. His name is Mr. Eon Pax. He is a dirty low life that benefits on others misfortune or so I've heard.
A lot of rumors go around about this guy. Personally, I think they are a load of hogwash. Then again the only time I see him is on the news; he is always rallying the troops for war. It makes me wonder what war he is fighting or better yet who he is preparing to fight. The only war I know we fought was the Congo War four to five years ago. The same year my grandfather disappeared.
I always wanted to be like him. My grandfather was an amazing swordsman. But schools cost too much; so I can't really learn it, and all I have left is a dagger my grandfather gave me when I was ten years old. Oh well, I think maybe later today or tomorrow I'll go buy a newspaper and see what is current; for now, I think I will go lay down for a bit.
The next day I told my mom I was heading to the store in town to buy a newspaper, and like most moms, she said, "ok, but can you also pick up a couple of extra things." Of course knowing the kind of mom I have I said yes and received a list of items she needed. So I got my bike and rode to town. The road is often bumpy or narrow depending on when it rained or how hard it rained. When I finally reached the store the first thing I saw was a newspaper rack; so like I said, I picked up a newspaper, then went inside the store to get the rest of the items on my mom's list.
As I was getting the last item I bumped into this tall, well-built man in a thick tan coat with black pants and shoes. He also had twin swords on his back. Of course, you cannot just bump into someone like that and not say something.
So I got up, dusted myself off and apologized to the guy. The man just glared at me for a few minutes, then said, "Hey, it's ok, I should probably be focused on why I'm even here myself." "Hey wait, what's that on your side?" He said. When I looked at my side, I saw my dagger on my side.
So I replied," Oh, this, it's my dagger I use it to carve things out of wood when I'm bored." "Oh, and why do you do that; instead of something more practical?" He asked. "I wanted to be a swordsman one day, but I cannot afford the classes or a weapon," I explained, "… but jobs now of days are really hard to find." The guy looked at me again. Then said, "Why do you want to be a swordsman?" I told him, "My grandfather was a great swordsman back during the Congo War.
Sadly, he had died in that war due to his age and was never able to teach me. At the time was only thirteen and too young to learn." Then the guy said, "Oh, and what is your grandfather's name? "His name was Xeon Clerics. He looked at me surprised and said, "The Xeon Clerics? Also known as the Whistling Swordsmen?" I replied, "Uh, yes!?". "Ha-ha, I was one of his students back when he was a master swordsman teacher. The school after that war was long since lost, yet his students are still around teaching those who wish to learn or simply practicing what he taught us and perfecting it. If they were not caught and killed", he said. "That's cool," I said. "Hey, I have an idea; since your grandfather can't teach you. But I am one of his loyal disciples how about I teach you? What do you say?" he asked. "That would be great; except, I don't have money to pay you or a weapon," I answered back.
He looked at me once more then said," Since your grandfather was a well-known man; plus, a renowned swordsman. I'll teach you for free; but on one condition, that you get your own blade. How about that?" he said back.
I thought for a minute about the offer, then said, "I'm sorry sir, but I can't do that to you; neither can I ride on my grandfather's fame either." He looked at me once again and smiled. "Boy, I don't want to do it because you are his grandson; I want to do it because I promised him I would not let his teachings die. And what better way to do that than to teach his own grandson." He laughed, then said, "I owe your grandfather that much and 567,000 crystals."
Listening to him I knew he would not give up till he kept his word and repaid his debt. So I agreed. Oh, and on that note, my grandfather was also what they called a loan shark; that and crystals are our national currency. "Oh, wonderful but don't think I'll go easy on you because you're the grandson of Xeon."
"Don't worry I don't expect special treatment," I replied. "Great, so all you have to do is find or buy a blade, then meet me on Shaman Hill that is my dojo, ok?" "Yes Sir," I replied. "By the way, sir, what was your name?" "Oh, sorry, just call me Kenshin Sensei," he said. I replied ok; then left the store and rode home.