Journey of the Sword Hero

Chapter 3

Introductions and Tutorial

The Heroes' Guest Room

After being given a meal and a bath, the four heroes rest in a large guest room that had been set aside for their use while in Melromarc. The room faces a window overlooking the night sky with a view of the city below. The room is well furnished with beds for all guests, a couch, and a table with tea and snacks complete with seats for four. The four heroes now have a chance to speak to each other with some semblance of privacy.

The heroes are spread comfortably around the room discussing what the have seen so far and have done. "The food was really good even though it tasted a little weird" Itsuki comments.

Shirou responds "A little too rich compared to what I prefer but you could tell everything was well made. They used different ingredients but served them in similar ways to how we are used to, I wonder if they will let me observe them cook the next meal. At the very least I would like to be able to identify what is safe to eat and what mixes well with other ingredients."

Itsuki asks Shirou "You cook?"

Shirou simply responds "For most of my life, if I did not cook then no one else around the house was going to. I did not mind; it is nice to see someone enjoy something you personally made. If we have the time, I would not mind cooking something for everyone to try after I learn the local ingredients. How about you Itsuki. Do you cook at all?"

Itsuki responds "I hardly know anything, my mom did most of the cooking, I'm still in high school and she told me I could worry about that kind of stuff until later. How about you Motoyasu?"

Motoyasu, seemingly embarrassed, responds "I can cook a little… simple stuff you know?"

Itsuki teases him "Let me guess, nothing but instant ramen and carryout?"

Motoyasu, with a flushed face, responds "Not all the time! Sometimes my girlfriend would make something really good!"

Shirou questions Motoyasu "Girlfriend? Which one? Did they both cook for you? Did one girl know you were eating the food made by another woman? Is that how they ended up your exes?"

Motoyasu tries to defend himself "It wasn't like that! I was going to tell them eventually. I just couldn't find the right words to say that wouldn't hurt the other."

Shirou concludes "And then they caught you before you could explain. If I may offer some advice, if you are going to date multiple people at the same time, you should be upfront with everyone involved."

Motoyasu brushes aside his advice "Oh yah? Well, how many people have you dated at the same time?"

Shirou bluntly responds "Three, but only two semi-regularly. Everyone involved knew the relationship probably would not be permanent. We all had different schedules and lives. It was more of an agreement that we would only see certain people and to see each other when we were close by."

Itsuki, Naofumi, and Motoyasu stare at Shirou for a moment in silence while trying to imagine how he ended up in that kind of relationship.

Motoyasu turns the spotlight on Naofumi "And what about you Naofumi? You leave behind a harem of your own?"

Naofumi, mildly embarrassed, states "I've never even had a single regular girlfriend, forget about having multiple at the same time. There was never really any time to pursue one. I never found one while at school and I spent most of my time with games, novels, and anime in addition to taking care of my little brother. My only girlfriend was in a dating sim."

Naofumi, bring up his status screens again, "You know, all of this is almost like a video game."

Motoyasu smirks as he responds "What do you mean like a game? It is a game. It is exactly like Emerald Online."

Naofumi expresses his confusion "Huh? What kind of game is that?"

Motoyasu is surprised "What do you mean? Its only the most popular online game out there right now. How have you not heard of it?"

Itsuki is now confused "What are you talking about? This is obviously a console game called Dimensional Web."

Naofumi shares his confusion "I've never heard of either of those, this does seem similar to a book I read "The Weapons of the Four Saints.""

The three heroes now look towards Shirou for his point of view. "I have never played or heard of any of those stories, and trust me, I have heard a lot of them out there."

Motoyasu asks Shirou "Now that I think about it Shirou, you said you've used similar but different status magic before, right? Where did you learn that?"

Itsuki asks Shirou "Are you an ESPer too?"

"ESPer? I am not familiar with that term." Shirou responds.

Itsuki explains "You know, people born with psychic or supernatural abilities."

Shirou decides to open up just a little "I can use basic magecraft but I would not call myself a good Magus."

"Magecraft?" Itsuki continues.

"Basically, using unnatural means to replicate natural phenomena, it is "magic" but grounded within reason. I am by no means an expert to explain it well. How about you? You asked if I was an "ESPer" too?"

Itsuki happily states "Oh yeah, I have the ability called "Accuracy" which lets me always hit distant objects or targets I am aiming at."

Shirou responds "A useful ability in the right hands and with the right equipment. Does it have a maximum range? Does "as far as the eye can see" still apply when using optics or magnification?"

Itsuki embarrassingly responds "Um… I didn't get the chance to see how far it could go. I kind of got told a lot by my classmates that it was a weak skill. *sigh* No girl wanted to date a "weak" boy like me."

Shirou tries to reassure him "Don't listen to them. You would be surprised how often people underestimate the usefulness of basic skills and abilities. Their pride usually ends in them losing to someone of "inferior" skill."

Itsuki quietly asks "You really mean that?" to which Shirou reassures "Absolutely, never underestimate a good pair of eyes and steady aim."

Before Itsuki can continue their conversation Motoyasu interrupts them "Ok wait, so magic and psychics are real? This is such a well-known fact that there are even schools for it?"

Itsuki replies "yes" while Shirou answers "It is usually more of a family practice or apprenticeship style training but there are a few private schools for it hidden away for those who really want to pursue it." 'No need to get really in depth about why magus prefer it that way' Shirou thinks to himself.

Motoyasu turns to Naofumi "You know anything about that?"

Naofumi responds "No, nothing. It only exists in games and novels as far as I am aware."

Motoyasu asks the group "So some of us have magical backgrounds and some of us do not. Are they even the same place? I have never heard of a magic school before. There would be magical girls everywhere if that were true."

Naofumi suggests "Maybe we can ask some questions about our worlds history and go from there?"

Everyone seemed open to the idea, Naofumi asks the group "So who's the person on the thousand Yen bill? 3…2…1…go"

"Yawara Gotaro" "Yuda Masato" Noguchi Hideyo" "Kodaka Enichi"

Everyone collectively "Who?"

After a series of questions and answers it became very clear that each hero may have been from Japan but they were from very different worlds.

Naofumi asks the group "So there are parallel world Japans out there too?"

Shirou responds "There is magic capable of not only seeing into but also traversing parallel worlds however it is extremely rare and everyone, except for one person, attempting to acquire it has died in the process."

Naofumi asks Shirou "You think someone would try to rescue you? Otherwise, surely the magic that brought us here can also send us back or grant us a wish?

Shirou's blunt response is "There would be an infinite number of worlds to go searching through and that is assuming that man can even be convinced to care enough to try. Although… maybe… no, it will not end well to hang onto such a small chance. I have also learned to never trust wish granting devices" Shirou places his hand on his sapphire pendant.

Motoyasu notices *Whistles* "Now that's a pretty necklace. A gift from one of your girlfriends?"

Shirou expression softens slightly "I am not normally a jewelry person but I will admit this has brought me out of a bad situation several times in the past. I might not be able to ever return it."

Naofumi is curious about it "What is it?" Shirou responds "Think of it like a spare magic battery. I can charge it with mana and later on, I can tap into it in an emergency. It is very useful for surviving the supernatural world."

Motoyasu asks Shirou "Wait, so you were serious about how you got all bloody? You're an actual Vampire Hunter?"

Shirou clarifies "Vampire hunter, Exorcist, Enforcer, basically I hunted monsters and criminals who are dangerous to the public while trying to protect as many innocent lives as possible. I honestly thought I would not make it back from my last mission. In a way I guess that prediction is still true."

Naofumi decides to ask everyone about their previous life "So Itsuki, how did you end up here? You see yourself being transported into another world and decided why not?"

Itsuki replies "I don't have the gift of foresight otherwise I'm pretty sure I wouldn't walk out in front of a speeding truck that came out of nowhere."

Motoyasu laughs "Seriously? How cliché can you get? You got isekai'd by Truck-kun? How about you Naofumi?"

Naofumi answers "I was reading a book about the four saints and the last page glowed with light and the next thing I know I'm here in this world. Speaking of cliché's, you get stabbed by your crazy yandere ex-girlfriends? You try to two-time them both?"

Motoyasu defends himself "I already said it wasn't like that! Well, I mean… I was trying to talk to them when they found me and one of them pulled out a kitchen knife and then…" 'and then you got stabbed in the chest by one and from the back by the other ex' Shirou finished from his mind after remembering the state of Motoyasu's clothes when he arrived.

A frown forms on Naofumi's face "Crap, I just realized. What are our families going to think about all this? Did we just suddenly disappear on them? How long have we been gone for them? Are they going to think we ran away or were abducted?"

Itsuki contemplates "I was on my way to school before I came here. As far as my family knows I'm ditching school for a day or two but I wonder how long it will be until she realizes I'm never coming home? Did the driver of that truck think he ran over a kid but there was no body to find afterwards? Did I even leave a dent as evidence I was even there?"

Motoyasu nervously says "My exes went a little crazy at the end but if my body disappeared and the police check my room then they might genuinely think my girlfriends went crazy and murdered me and then hid my body. They would go to jail for a long time."

Shirou states "I will probably be listed as "Missing in Action" but I have a reputation for surviving situations I should not have. I hope no one thinks I got turned and then went into hiding. There should have been enough evidence that I got my last job done at least. Depending on how much magic was used to summon us here it might have showed up on our radar to at least point an investigation team to my last known location. I hope no one wastes too much time trying to look for me."

Before anyone can comment on Shirou's seeming lack of care for his disappearance Shirou says to the other heroes "Maybe we should not worry about how we got here but instead focus on what we will do from here on out."

Naofumi complains "I can't believe you guys played games like this world or already had cool magical powers I don't have experience with anything like this."

Itsuki and Motoyasu give Naofumi a look of pity again. "Well, we just thought it was because of… you know?"

"Because of what?" Naofumi asks.

Itsuki tries to break it to Naofumi gently "Well the thing is… no one really uses the shield class because…" Motoyasu decides to cut to the chase "The shield class is only used by newbies, no one uses them at higher levels. They are kind of useless at that point."

Naofumi falls to the ground in despair "Wait seriously?! That can't be true!"

Itsuki adds to his downward spiral "I'm afraid it is, you're also kind of stuck with that shield too. Sorry."

Shirou interjects "Now I have no experience with these video games of yours but anyone who says a shield is no good has never had their face smashed with the edge of one. Concussions, blunt force trauma, broken bones, these will take someone out of a fight just as well as a blade or a point can."

Motoyasu clarifies "I'm not saying they are completely useless but they do lose their value at higher player levels and parties. They will never able to contribute to damage dealing and are kind of cursed to low level positions. Most players will abandon their shield characters to re-spec as something better."

Shirou tries co console Naofumi "It will be alright. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. If you know what aspects you struggle with, then you can either improve your self in those areas or find some friends and allies to cover your weaknesses. I am sure you will find someone who will be willing help you."

Itsuki says "We should probably head out to the hunting grounds tomorrow. We can each take a different area that's suits our strengths best and then level our parties from there."

Motoyasu finishes the conversation "We should probably sleep for the night. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

Shirou replies as he steps onto the balcony outside their room "You all go ahead; I am going to enjoy the night sky for just a little longer."

Naofumi gathers his resolve and pulls himself off the floor before going to bed along with the spear and bow heroes.

Melromarc castle rooftop

Shirou takes the time to admire the city below him. The homes below emit flickering lights from multiple windows underneath a pale moon. The city houses are densely packed together with winding and crossing streets. Larger buildings emerge from time to time marking businesses and workshops and large sections are cleared with a single large home seen presumedly for noble houses.

Shirou sits on the castle rooftop with the last pot of tea provided for them and looks at the night sky. 'The stars are all wrong. If there was any doubt that I was far from home, this would confirm it.' *sigh* 'What am I going to do with my life now? Should I try to find a way back? Do I want to go back?'

Shirou thinks about the role he served in his old world. He traveled from job to job going after high priority targets that were either causing mass chaos or were too "inconvenient" to cover up. Even clocktower had limits to what was considered "acceptable" research. Sometimes he would join up with familiar faces from the clocktower Enforcers or the Church Executors to take down more powerful threats. He was useful but he was not the only one capable of taking down dangerous targets.

'I probably would have been running around the world going from one hellhole to another if I was not talked out of it. Trying to do something useful with my life after Fuyuki.' Shirou remembers when he almost abandoned his idea of being a hero completely only to be given a new direction to pursue it.

"Shirou, you don't have to pull someone away from immediate danger to save them. Preventative action saves them just as well. You saved far more people than have died. They may never know the lengths we go to safeguard humanity but we know and we will remember you. Focus your time and strength on the battles that truly matter."

Shirou thinks about the world he was summoned into 'Magic is common knowledge here, monsters roam the world, people have already died to these "Waves of Calamity" and these are historically bad enough that they had to summon special "heroes" from another world to fight it. Apparently only us four heroes are capable of stopping it.'

'Is it wrong that I feel I am more needed in this world than in my original world? There are a few people that might miss me but I am not special enough that they will not eventually get over my absence.'

Shirou looks at the sword he appeared in this world with "Why was I even chosen?" he says out loud.

A voice that is now growing more and more familiar responds as the blue gem on his sword lights up.

*Help function activated*

"You are the Sword Hero Candidate"

Shirou asks "What does that mean?"

"You were selected as someone capable of wielding the Legendary Sword"

"How is that decided?" Shirou continues.

"When the Waves of Calamity are detected, summoning of the Legendary Weapons may be performed. A list of potential candidates is generated and matchmaking begins for an appropriate wielder."

"And I was selected because?"

"Analysis confirmed you were to be given priority selection if available."

"You can only summon someone in specific circumstances? What would have happened if I was not available?"

"If primary candidates cannot be summoned, then required qualifications are lowered until a candidate can be found."

"What are the qualifications for preferred summoning?"

"Preference is granted to positive personality and character traits. Possessing virtues, selflessness, kindness, honesty, the desire to do good, protection of others. The desire to be a Hero is preferred."

"I am not sure I possess all those traits; Not sure I deserve the title of hero either. I am sure you could have found someone better."

"Your compatibility as the Sword Hero is rated excellent. There is no mistake."

'Did I just get complimented by a sword? That is a first.' Shirou thinks to himself.

"And what about you? What is your purpose? Why were you created? Trying to look at your creation just gives me headaches with contradictory information. You were just created today for the first time but you have also been created several times before. It is like you were broken and reforged multiple times over but I am unable to see your previous forms."

"I am the Legendary Sword. I was created for the Sword Hero. My purpose is to serve the Sword Hero. I will only work for the Sword Hero. I will only work for you Shirou. I will stay by your side until the day you die."

Shirou felt like the sword in his hands was focusing on something he could not see but could feel somewhere in his soul. Mildly embarrassed, Shirou scratches the back of his head and says "Well, I hope to prove worthy of your devotion in the times to come. By the way, do you have another name I can call you besides the "Legendary Sword"? It seems kind of impersonal for my future partner."

There is a moment of silence before Shirou feels a warmth emanate from his chest and spread to the sword in his hand.

"I believe the name "Vivian" would be appropriate."

"The lady of the lake who gave Artoria her sword? Yes, I can see the similarities of the situation as well except for you being the sword itself. It is a beautiful name. Vivian, will you help me understand how you work?"

*Tutorial of basic functions enabled*

"I will always assist you to the best of my abilities."

Shirou listened to the Legendary Sword "Vivian" explain the basics of copying other swords, absorbing materials and items to acquire new sword transformations and abilities, the use of his new "SP" energy source, item storage function and management, crafting ability, weapon strengthening and translation functions.

"So, if you can copy swords, can you copy projections?" Shirou asked.

"I am sorry, I have no knowledge of the "projection" skill." Vivian answered.

"Let me try something, please try to absorb this, trace on." Shirou activates his circuits and focuses on a familiar blade he has traced many times by this point. The white sword of Kanshou and Bakuya appearing in his free hand.

*Otherworld skill Projection analyzed*

*New sword skill Doppelganger acquired*

Vivian's blue gem glowed as he held the two swords close together and Bakuya dispersed just as quickly as it appeared.

"Sword copying incomplete, please provide missing sword of pair"

Shirou smiles "Even you will not allow those two to be apart huh?" Shirou projects the missing black sword Kanshou which is also quickly absorbed. Shirou can feel the strain of both projections far greater than before. A quick look at his "MP" bar shows it is back to nearly empty 'Is it because of this world or because I am "Level 1"? I will have to wait and see how it progresses."

*Sword form unlocked*

"Kanshou and Bakuya"

Rarity: Noble Phantasm rank: C

Level requirement: 40

Ability: Attraction

Equip Bonus: Attack Bonus +30, Damage vs Monsters +30

"Level 40? So, I cannot use them yet but when I am lv 40 I can use them infinitely?" Shirou asks.

"Correct, there are no MP or SP costs to change sword forms." Vivian responds.

Shirou thinks what he will be weakened for a unknown amount of time but eventually he might be capable of more than he was before.

"We will have to talk about the new skills I have another time" Shirou stifles a yawn "Now that I am drained again, I think this is enough explanation for tonight. We better get to sleep." Shirou then returns to the Heroes Guest Room and wishes Vivian goodnight before he goes to sleep on his own bed.

The next day will be full of surprises for Shirou to learn.

Unlimited Blade Works

In a small section of a dry world illuminated by a setting sun. A change begins to take place. A decorated sheath anchored into the ground glows with a soft golden light. Green grass begins to emerge from the cracked earth and a ring of deep water begins to form around the grassland creating a small island.

A sword disperses from its spot holstered in the golden sheath. The particles reform on the soft grass in the shape of a standing young woman.

The lady is fair of skin, with long white hair, pointed ears and blue eyes set on a pretty face. Translucent wings resembling that of a fairy sprout from her back, the wings are colored like a blue night sky shimmering with stars. She wore a dress of white and gold.

The lady looks upon the world seeing the countless weapons and equipment all around her. All kinds of weapons and artifacts can be seen. The lady frowns once she sees the many spears, bows, guns, staves, shields, and many other types of weapons.

The lady lifts a hand out towards the expanse of weapons. "The Sword Hero has no need of you. It is better for you all to simply disappear." The earth then begins to shake, the opposing weapons vibrate as they resist being moved. The lady glares at their defiance "I am the Legendary Sword, all of you will just get in the way." The ground shakes more violently, weaker weapons begin to groan as their materials begin to give under the stress exerted on them. A high pitch keening sound can be heard from multiple locations around her.

As the lady takes a step forward, her foot brushes against a pair of black and white swords at her feet. The lady looks the two as they emit a gentle hum. "The married swords… to be so devoted to your partner that you would willingly sacrifice yourself for the other." She recalls the words just recently promised to her 'I hope to prove worthy of your devotion in the times to come.' "Should I really tear apart something that belongs to my partner?"

The lady lowers her hand and the noise and rumbles begin to settle down. "No, that would not be acceptable of a life partner, it would not be appropriate of "Vivian". However, I do wish Shirou to have access to you." She lifts a hand again towards the expanse. Water begins to burst from the cracks in the earth and swiftly floods the ground. As the water level begins to rise so too does the small amount of land every sword and anything not a weapon rested on. Soon, the entire world as far as the eye can see had turned into an ocean with many small islands that hold a single sword or item each.

Vivian looks into the waters below, every weapon that is not a sword can barely be seen submerged under the water's surface "You are out of reach but not forgotten.". She then looks at all the other miscellaneous items, clothes, armors, and tools "You all are no threat to me". Lastly, she looks towards the scattered sword islands around her. "For all of you, Shirou might need you at some point and then you may join me here but eventually… All he ever will need is me."

Authors notes: (Possible spoilers)

*Dropped Shirou's age in previous chapter from 26 to 24* I decided 5 years of active service was experienced enough.

Tried to make the Heroes share some of their history together early on so that some early comradery may form. They could bond a little over shared histories and lifestyles. Might make the world feel a little more "Real" to Itsuki and Motoyasu.

Unlike all the other weapon heroes, Shirou gets a tutorial. Why? Because Motoyasu and Itsuki skipped their tutorials entirely because they already know "everything". Naofumi might have been able to get one more in depth but he lacks the "affection of shields" personal skill.

Shirou will learn the downsides of having a sentient weapon bound to your soul but they are not without their benefits as well.