Sooooo...I rewrote this, again. Why? Because I wasn't satisfied with the chaptr I posted a few days ago. I hope you enjoy this new version. Special thanks to Avatar Lui for proofreading and editing this. Peace.
I don't own The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Stee
l2/14 S.1203 - Morning - Nortia Province - Train - Laura
Laura had been really looking forward to their trip to Ymir. Since her father told her that the adopted son of Baron Schwarzer was an official disciple of the famed Sword Hermit, Yun Ka-fai, she'd been dying to spar with him. The fact that, according to her father, he was around her age and skill level, only served to deepen her excitement.
"You seem quite eager, Laura." A firm voice came from behind her. It was none other than the Viscount of Legram, Victor S. Arseid, one of the most powerful swordsmen in all of Erebonoa, but more importantly, her father.
"Yes." She replied. "I've long heard the fame of the Eight Leaves One Blade school. I'm certain that learning from a disciple of the current master will be a great experience."
"I'm glad that you're eager. And from what I've heard of this young man, a fellow disciple of the sword his age might be able to help him greatly." Victor replied.
"What do you mean, father?" She asked quizzically.
"Don't worry about it, you'll find out when we get there." He said as he stood up, leaving the train car. Leaving a confused Laura behind.
Afternoon - Ymir - Baron Schwarzer's Mansion - Laura
Ymir was far more beautiful than what Laura thought it'd be. It was a small town resort located at the foot of the Eisengard mountain range that was famous for its hot springs and as a travel destination for the winter holidays. Ymir was managed by a very kind and gentle looking Baron and his family. It would sure make for a good place to call home.
"Welcome, Viscount Arseid. You and your daughter honor us with your visit." Baron Schwarzer welcomed them, followed closely by his wife, and two people, a boy and a girl, who looked to be her age whom she assumed to be Baron Schwarzer's children.
"I assure you, Baron Schwarzer, the honor is all mine. I've been longing to come back ever since my last visit. Ymir is truly a spectacular place." He said with a smile, but he soon changed his expression to a serious face. "But I'm afraid I don't have the luxury to appreciate your territory, as there are far more pressing matters that we must discuss. Before that, however, I've heard that your son will be attending Thors soon. It just so happens that my daughter Laura will be attending the academy as well. Perhaps they could get acquainted while we discuss our business?" Victor asked.
Baron Schwarzer's gaze dimmed at the Viscount's words, remembering his son's rather distant behavior of the past several years, but that look vanished as soon as it had appeared.
"That would be a wonderful idea. I'm sure Rean would benefit greatly from making a new friend for the academy ahead of time." He said, as both men headed towards the main study of the mansion.
Baron Schwarzer's daughter looked like she wanted to say something, but she was quickly led away by her mother, leaving Laura and Rean by themselves.
"It's nice to meet you." Laura offered a hand. "My name is Laura S. Arseid."
Rean glanced down to Laura's hand and took it shaking it firmly. "Rean Schwarzer. Am I correct in assuming you study under your family's sword school?"
She nodded. "And I've heard you study under the famous Eight Leaves One Blade School. Perhaps you would like to spar?"
"I'd like that. I hope I don't disappoint you too much. I'm really only a novice" He said with a slight tinge of bitterness in his tone, which Laura managed to notice. "I'll lead you to the training grounds."
Laura quickly followed, wondering what happened to make Rean so bitter.
The pair stood front to front, weapons raised for what seemed like ages, until Laura decided to break the stalemate. She moved far too quickly for someone carrying a sword almost her entire size. Rean dodged, the lightness of his tachi allowed him far quicker movements. He blocked the strike from Laura, but she noticed how he didn't attempt to follow up with a strike of his own, so she continued, and this went on for a few minutes until Rean was left panting, leaning on his tachi which was stabbed onto the ground. Not once during their battle did he attempt to attack her.
"Rean." He heard Laura's voice. "Why are you holding back?"
"What makes you say that?" He flinched, wondering how she was able to see through him like that.
"I sense hesitation in your swordsmanship, almost as if you're afraid of wielding your sword."
Well, damn, she was able to see that with only a few minutes of sparring? He wondered inwardly, not sure how to respond to the abrupt question.
"Well… I'm really nothing special, just a dropout that never made it past beginner level." He smiled bitterly. "I did train under Master Ka-fai for a while, but I started to feel like I couldn't go further with my abilities, so he cut my training short".
"...W-What?" Rean wondered why the look of shock and disappointment she gave him hurt as much as it did, as if a needle was being stabbed into his heart.
"So I'm really not holding back, honestly. I actually feel like I'm dirtying the name of the eight leaves with my meager abilities." He paused. "But, this is my limit...sorry for not being able to live up to your expectations."
She went silent, every passing second making Rean more and more guilty and anxious over such a blatant lie...not that she'd know, of course.
Then, she just turned around, grabbed her sword and was ready to leave.
"There's no need to apologize to me. This is a matter you must come to terms with on your own." She said, her back facing him. "Though I'll admit I feel a little disappointed. I thought you'd make a good sparring partner."
Not waiting for his reply, she left, leaving Rean with a guilty look on his face.
Soon enough, nightfall arrived, and Baron Schwarzer's wife, Lucia, had prepared dinner for her family and their guests, both Viscount Arseid and Baron Schwarzer said they had an important announcement to make over dinner.
"This looks like a sumptuous meal, Lady Lucia, I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for you and Baron Schwarzer's hospitality during our visit with such short notice." Victor smiled, but his face then took a more serious turn. "But I'm afraid I will keep my visit short, Baron Schwarzer and I are leaving on rather important business for a month or so."
The announcement shocked the entire table, as neither the Viscount or the Baron ever mention anything about a business trip to their families, meaning that such trip must be due to some pressing matters.
"Now, I will not bore you with the reasoning behind our leave." He turned to Baron Schwarzer. "But I'm afraid I must ask if you'd allow my daughter, Laura, to remain behind here in Ymir".
"But, father, I would like to accompany you." Laura protested.
"I'm afraid not, Laura, there is no need for you to be concerned with such things yet. I had originally planned on sending you back to Legram, but I'm sure you will have much to gain with your stay here….only if Baron Schwarzer allows it, of course." Victor concluded.
"We would be honored to have her stay with us, Viscount Arseid." Laura looked like she was about to say something, but was cut off by Baron Schwarzer's words. "I'm sure Rean and Elise would very much enjoy the company of a friend their age."
Rean visibly winced at the statement, which did not escape the sight of the two nobles.
"Alright, father." She nodded.
"It's decided, then. We'll be leaving in the morning."
And so, dinner continued with Baron Schwarzer and the Radiant Blademaster chatting about different things surrounding their territories. Lucia also intervened from time to time, while the three younger ones had kept to themselves for the most part.
2/15- Morning
The next morning, Rean found Laura sitting by herself inspecting her sword. He hesitated on whether to approach her or just walk away, but after some thought, he decided to speak to her about the previous day's conversation.
"...Hey, Laura?" She stopped and looked at him. "I…wanted to apologize for the things I said yesterday."
"As I mentioned, this is something you must figure out on your own, there is no need for an apology." Laura stated in a matter-of-fact way.
"That's not really what I mean." Rean hesitated, trying hard to find the words. "I wanted to apologize for mocking the way of the sword in such a manner."
Rean's words surprised her, her eyes opening in visible surprise.
"What I said yesterday about being a dropout was disrespectful. As Master Ka-fai, who trained me, the school he created and the way of the sword itself. So I feel it was inappropriate for me to say what I said. For that, I apologize." He said while slightly bowing his head.
"If that's the case, you don't owe me an apology, Rean." Rean looked shocked at the statement. "I can't pretend to know about the circumstances which led to such hesitation, but regardless of your background, I believe a person should walk their life with pride… Thus, if you make light of yourself and your abilities, the only one you should apologize to is yourself." Laura concluded.
He stayed silent, thinking deeply about her words.
"Let me ask you this, Rean. What does the path of the sword mean to you?" Laura asked.
"It's an essential part of my very being, something inseparable from myself, that has accompanied me through my darkest moments." Rean replied instantly.
Then, she smiled, a smile so bright that left Rean dazed.
"Then, that's all I wanted to hear. And I want to let you know that I feel the same way." She grabbed her sword. "Now, would you accompany me for a spar?" Laura asked.
He smiled too, and grabbed his tachi.
Meanwhile, the Viscount Arseid and Baron Schwarzer watched on from afar with warm smiles on their faces.
"I must admit." Viscount Arseid said. "Laura was so excited at meeting a follower of the Eight Leaves that seeing them so distant had me worried."
"It does comfort me to know that Rean has found a friend who shares his passion." Baron Schwarzer added. "I hope those two grow to be good friends in the time Laura spends here."
"So do I, my friend. I'm afraid that Laura's lack of people she can truly call friends has been a big worry of mine for quite some time. Perhaps having her attend Thors instead of St. Astraia was the wiser choice."
Baron Schwarzer nodded, finishing his preparations to leave.
Afternoon- Ymir Valley- Laura
After bidding farewell to their fathers, Rean and Laura went to fight some monsters in the valley of Ymir. Laura noticed that Rean was not hesitating as much as the previous day, it seemed that their conversation had greatly helped him start feeling a bit more confident, though she knew getting rid of his hesitation and fear would not happen overnight.
With such thoughts, she decided to challenge him to another duel.
They stood at an appropriate distance from each other, each entered their stance. "We may begin when you're ready, Rean."
He took a deep breath, he looked at his reflection in the blade of his tachi, seeming afraid of something happening, when nothing did, Laura noticed the fear in his eyes lessen, she figured there was still something he hadn't told her yet, but she didn't mind, Rean would tell her when he was ready.
Then, he sheathed his sword, and seemingly vanished into thin air. Laura quickly put up her sword to parry the blow, which she managed to do, as Rean appeared seconds later, their swords meeting in a clang of metal. But that didn't last as Rean stepped back, raised his tachi, enveloped in flames, above his head and swung it downward in a mighty blow, which she parried with great difficulty, her arms left feeling slightly numb.
But she didn't plan on remaining on the defensive forever. Spinning with all her might, she slashed her sword, their blades met once again, but this time, Rean was sent backward from the force of the blow.
"You did well, Rean. I was on the defensive for the majority of the battle. You truly are a force to be reckoned with. I hope we can continue to push each other to greater heights in the future."
Laura walked over to Rean and offered him her hand, which Rean gladly took.