11 Chapter 10: New Beginnings
Noctis sauntered into Shimotsuki Village, a grin on his face and a spring in his step. He'd read tales of this place, of the legendary swordsmen it had produced Roronoa Zoro, and he was ready to add his name to that list. He figured learning the way of the sword would be a piece of cake. After all, how hard could it be?
As he made his way through the village, he couldn't help but chuckle at the serious expressions on the faces of the locals. "Why so serious?" he called out to a particularly grumpy-looking old man. "You'd think this was a funeral, not a village of badass swordsmen!"
The old man just shook his head and muttered something about "disrespectful youngsters" before shuffling away.
Undeterred, Noct made his way to the village dojo, the supposed epicenter of all this sword-wielding awesomeness. He barged in without knocking, a cocky grin on his face. "All right, who's ready to teach me how to be a master swordsman?"
[System Prompt]
New Quest: The Way of the Sword
Objective: Enroll in the Shimotsuki Village Dojo and begin your training as a swordsman.
Reward: 500 XP, Increased Reputation with Shimotsuki Village
The dojo went silent, and a dozen pairs of eyes turned to stare at him. At the front of the room, an older man with graying hair and a serious expression stepped forward. "I am Shimotsuki Koushirou," he said, his voice stern. "And who, exactly, are you?"
Noct struck a pose, his thumb jabbing at his own chest. "The name's Noctis D. Stryfe, but you can call me the future greatest swordsman in the world!"
Koushirou raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well then, let's see what you're made of." He tossed Noct a wooden practice sword. "Face me."
Noct caught the sword, spinning it in his hand. "Bring it on, old man! I'll have you know I'm pretty handy with a blade."
The words had barely left his mouth when Koushirou moved, a blur of speed and precision. In a heartbeat, Noct found himself disarmed, his sword clattering to the floor, and a gentle tap on his head from Koushirou's weapon.
"Ow!" Noct rubbed his head, pouting. "No fair! I wasn't ready!"
Koushirou shook his head, a hint of a smile on his lips. "The first lesson, is that a true swordsman is always ready."
[System Prompt]
Quest Updated: The Way of the Sword
Objective: Survive your first training session with Koushirou.
Noct, not one to back down from a challenge, grinned and picked up the wooden sword. "All right, old man, let's see what you've got!"
He charged forward, sword raised, ready to show off his self-proclaimed skills. But Koushirou simply sidestepped the attack, letting Noct's momentum carry him past.
"Too slow," Koushirou commented, tapping Noct on the back with his own sword. "And your form is sloppy."
Noct spun around, his face flushed with embarrassment and frustration. "Oh yeah? Try this on for size!"
He launched into a series of wild swings, his sword cutting through the air with more enthusiasm than skill. Koushirou parried each blow effortlessly, his own sword moving in a blur of precise strikes and blocks.
"You're relying too much on brute force," Koushirou said, his voice calm despite the rapid exchange of blows. "A true swordsman uses technique, not just strength."
Noct gritted his teeth, trying to find an opening in Koushirou's defenses. But the old master was like a wall, unyielding and unbreakable.
Suddenly, Koushirou shifted his stance, his sword sliding under Noct's guard. With a flick of his wrist, he disarmed Noct, sending his wooden blade clattering across the dojo floor.
Noct stood there, panting and wide-eyed, as Koushirou leveled his sword at his chest.
"Dead," Koushirou said simply.
[System Prompt]
Quest Failed: The Way of the Sword
The user was unable to survive their first training session with Koushirou. Try again and focus on your technique.
Noct's mouth fell open. "But... but how? I was giving it my all!"
Koushirou lowered his sword, his expression serious. "That's the problem, Noctis. You think that 'giving it your all' means flailing around like a madman. But the way of the sword is about control, about precision and technique."
He stepped back, assuming a ready stance. "Again. This time, focus on your form, on the flow of your movements."
Noct retrieved his sword, his face set in determination. "All right, let's do this."
[System Prompt]
Quest Restarted: The Way of the Sword
Objective: Survive your first training session with Koushirou.
They clashed again, wooden blades cracking against each other. This time, Noct tried to remember what Koushirou had said, tried to focus on his technique rather than just his strength.
It was hard, going against his instincts, but slowly, he began to see the difference. His swings became more controlled, his footwork more deliberate.
Of course, he was still no match for Koushirou, who seemed to anticipate his every move. But he was lasting longer in their exchanges, managing to block a few strikes before inevitably being disarmed.
"Better," Koushirou said after their fifth bout, a hint of approval in his voice. "You're starting to understand."
[System Prompt]
Quest Completed: The Way of the Sword
The user survived their first training session with Koushirou. Well done!
Reward: 500 XP, Increased Reputation with Shimotsuki Village
Current XP: 500/1000
Noct, despite his exhaustion and the numerous new bruises he could feel forming, grinned. "So, does this mean I'm ready for the advanced stuff?"
Koushirou snorted, shaking his head. "Hardly. But it's a start. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and you, Noctis D. Stryfe, have just taken your first step on the path of the sword."
Noct's grin widened. "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's keep walking!"
And with that, he readied his sword, eager for the next lesson. He had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt like he was on the right path.
So began Noct's training, a grueling regimen of basic stances, strikes, and footwork. He stumbled and fumbled, his moves more akin to a drunken dancer than a skilled warrior.
[System Prompt]
New Quest: Sword Basics Mastery
Objective: Master the fundamental stances, strikes, and footwork of swordsmanship.
Reward: 1000 XP, Increased Sword Skill, Koushirou's Approval
Days turned into weeks, and Noct slowly began to improve, despite his constant complaints and wisecracks. His muscles ached, his hands were covered in blisters, but he kept at it, driven by the desire to be the best..
[System Prompt]
Sword Mastery Increased: Level 2
The user's sword skills have improved through diligent training. Basic sword techniques are now easier to execute.
Stamina Increased: +10
[System Prompt]
Sword Mastery Increased: Level 3
The user's sword skills continue to improve. He can now maintain proper form during basic drills.
Stamina Increased: +15
Noct adjusted his position, grumbling under his breath. "I thought swords were supposed to be an extension of your arm. This feels more like an extension of my grandma's walking stick."
Koushirou pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. "The sword is an extension of your arm, yes, but it's not a magic wand. It requires control, precision, and most importantly, proper form. Now, let's try this again."
And try they did, over and over, until Noct's muscles screamed in protest and his brain felt like it was turning to mush.
"This is boring!" Noct whined after a particularly repetitive drill. "When do we get to the cool stuff, like slicing up bad guys and looking awesome doing it?"
Koushirou sighed, rubbing his temples. "The 'cool stuff', as you put it, comes after you master the fundamentals. You can't run before you learn to walk, and you certainly can't be a master swordsman before you learn how to hold a sword properly. Now, again!"
Noct groaned but got back into position. He'd never admit it, but there was something satisfying about the feel of the sword in his hand, the way his body was slowly learning to move in harmony with the weapon.
As the days turned into weeks, Noct's skills began to improve, albeit slowly and with plenty of mishaps along the way. There was the time he accidentally let go of his sword mid-swing, sending it flying across the dojo and narrowly missing Koushirou's head. Then there was the incident with the rice paper screens, which ended with Noct tangled up in torn paper and Koushirou questioning his life choices.
But despite the struggles and the setbacks, Noct kept at it. He trained from sunrise to sunset, ignoring the aches in his muscles and the blisters on his hands. He even started day dreaming about sword techniques, much to Koushirous annoyance.
[System Prompt]
Sword Mastery Increased: Level 4
The user's sword skills have significantly improved. He can now execute basic techniques with consistency and precision.
Stamina Increased: +20
"I never thought I'd say this," he confided to Koushirou one day, "but I think I'm actually starting to enjoy this whole sword training thing."
Koushirou smiled, a rare sight that made him look years younger. "That's because you're starting to understand, Noctis. The way of the sword isn't just about fighting, it's about discipline, about pushing yourself to be better than you were yesterday."
[System Prompt]
Quest Completed: Sword Basics Mastery
The user has mastered the fundamental stances, strikes, and footwork of swordsmanship.
Reward: 1000 XP, Sword Skill Increased to Level 5, Koushirou's Approval
Stamina Increased: +25
Current XP: 1500/1500
[System Prompt]
Level Up!
Noctis D. Stryfe has reached Level 16.
Health: 380/380
Stamina: 405/405
Noct considered this, absently rubbing a particularly nasty blister on his palm. "I guess you're right. But I still think it would be cooler if I could shoot lasers from my sword or something."
Koushirou laughed, shaking his head. "One step at a time, young Noctis. Let's focus on getting you to a point where you can swing a sword without hitting yourself in the face first."
And so the training continued, day after day, week after week. Noct complained and whined, but he also worked harder than he ever had in his life. Slowly but surely, his movements became more fluid, his strikes more precise. He was far from a master, but he was no longer the clumsy novice he had been when he first arrived.
It was progress, slow and steady, and for Noct, that was enough. With every drop of sweat, every blister and bruise, Noct was one step closer to his goal. And that, in the end, was what mattered.
[System Prompt]
Character Profile
Name: Noctis D. Stryfe
Nickname: Hellfire Noct (Jigoku no Hi Nokuto)
Level: 16
Experience: 0/1600
Health: 380/380
Stamina: 405/405
Affiliation: Pirate
Crew: None
Bounty: 30,000,000 Beli
Devil Fruit: Mera Mera no Mi
Devil Fruit Level: 5
Sword Mastery: Level 5
Sword Style: None
Skill Tree:
Devil Fruit Abilities:
- Higan (Active)
- Logia Body (Passive)
- Kagero (Active)
- Enjomo (Active)
Sword Skill Abilities:
None
