Some Unexpected Encounters

     It's been a week since I arrived. Other than addition of magic, everything was normal. My mom was a basic level wind mage. Gramps probably didn't wanna involve her into this shit and so didn't train her much. I also figured out mom doesn't know he's a forbidden curse mage.

   Then next information was that no information of Mo Fan Or anything relevant in China. That means either the story doesn't happen in this world or it didn't start yet. If it's the latter, I'm guessing the time difference between us is not too big. But The Black Vertican is real. But they haven't been doing much to our country. I'm guessing it's because we won't attract much attention for them or they don't want their hunt for the Shastras(weapons) be noticed by everyone. And I still have two years left for me to start my high school and have my awakening. I tried working on this eye grandpa gave, but no use. I have no idea how to do it.

   But till date, I got no Intel on that friend. Grandpa said he would meet me when I arrive and yet I got no clue. And I have no idea how to carry Asi around. Seriously, how was a 14 year old supposed to carry a one handed long sword. I actually never drawn it out though. More like, it wouldn't budge. Grandpa said only Guardians could draw it out. Does that mean I'm not a guardian. Where the heck is the frigging plot armour when you need it.

    I tried drawing every single day, even did research on Asi but couldn't find anything that could give me an answer. How the heck did they wield this sword back in those days?

     I walk up to the sword and try again. No use, the sword seem to be stuck to the sheath.

      I tried everything on the sword but no use. Lets rewind a bit. The sword can be considered a treasure, the Gaurdians are the safe keepers of this treasure, then what is missing. The vault! and the vault here should be...

     My eyes fell in the sword again. I am thinking of every single idea for this and you are just lying there. Don't you pity me, oh great sword Asi? Why do you love that sheath so.. much....

   That's it, sheath! Eureka, I found the vault! Lets hope this works. I started examining the sheath now. Not surprisingly I couldn't find a 'keyhole'. What could it be, think, think. I ran my finger on the smooth sheath but result was the same. What am I missing here?

   I am gradually running out of patients here. Asi, the sword is said to be a creature that destroys evil back in my world. In that case, does that mean Asi has intelligence? If this sword is meant to restore dharma, doesn't that mean Gaurdian is someone who upholds dharma. I'm taking things too literally here.....

   "Uugh, what the-?", all of a sudden, my blood fell on the sheath from a wound on the thumb, and I got no idea how that happened or why. The few drops blood stretched thin and formed  a sanskrit sentence. I'm not well versed in sanskrit but I could make it out as:

  'Asi, the being that will restore dharma

   *click*, I heard as if a lock was opened  and the sword came out of the sheath, just a bit. I noticed this. This sword, actually drew out on its own after I dropped few drops of my blood?

  I proceeded to draw it out. But half way, my vision changed and I was in, what seemed like, a throne room. With a throne above about ten steps. There, on that throne, sat a creature, a  dreadful creature. It was as though a moon had arisen in the midst of the stars. He was coloured like a deep-blue lotus. His teeth were sharp and terrible, stomach lean and skinny and stature very tall and slim. He was of exceeding energy and power. A being that symbolizes destruction. To think I'd actually meet that being!

   "Who are you, you are not a Guardian, then why did you dare me pick up", that being, the monstrous form of Asi, asked. Its voice was high pitched and eerie. All of a sudden, I was filled with a feeling of dread, as if my very being was about to crumble right there the next instant. I guess this is called bloodlust? " My grandfather was a gaurdian, and during his last moment in this world, he passed the sword to me?", I struggled as I spoke. "Oh, are you telling me, a gaurdian was stupid enough to pass me on, without bothering to make him a Gaurdian?", he questioned me, intensifying the feeling of destruction. That geezer forgot such an important detail?!

   "Yes....", I answered again,still struggling, "I'd really appreciate it if you would take away that aura of yours. It really getting difficult to talk". Is this guy for real, he wants me to talk and tortures me with his bloodlust making me unable to speak! Well, atleast he lowered it a bit.

   "Now, talk. I only wanna hear the truth", it, or rather, he said. And with that, I proceeded to tell him my story. At the end, Asi just sighed, "if you're not lying, that guy was an idiot". I know right! But I don't think I like someone else talking about him like that other than myself. "Of course I'm not lying, this is my Dharma(duty) passed down to me by my grand father, and id appreciate it if you don't insult him", never in my life did I imagined I'd use the word Dharma in an actual conversation. And I'm rather surprised my legs aren't shaking when I spoke the last part. Because Asi could kill me like Sukuna killed Yuji during their contract!

   "I guess I'll believe you", he said. Well, it's better than nothing. "So, if you don't want to be with me, I could just pass you on to some temple, ya'know, close to your creator", I said. As much I'd love to use a super cool sword, I would rather keep my life than go through that shit again. "Do you take me for offering or something. I'm a great sword created by the God's and you're saying you are gonna donate me?!", he seems pissed, why is he so pissed?! Didn't he say I'm not a Guardian. "Weren't you the one who said I'm not a Guardian?", I asked. "A guardian is simply a title you mortals call yourself when I choose you. That means if I allow you, you'd be this 'Gaurdian' too", he said, " now get out of here, I'm gonna sleep"

   That's it, he's gonna sleep without giving me a proper explanation?! "Hey, if you sleep, how am I supposed to use you?". "Oh, do know how to use a sword?", he raised an eyebrow. "Um...no", I replied sheepishly. "Then get out of here and learn that first!"

    With that i was kicked out and found myself in my room again. I looked at my hand and saw Asi fully drawn out. It sure feels great to hold a sword! Except,  it's damn heavy!

    "Seems like you got the approval", I heard someone speak. What the, I was sure I am alone. I turned around and see an old man, who seemed to be in his 70s, standing behind me. I would love to describe his dressing and all, but I'm too freaked out for that right now!

   "Who are you?!", I quickly put forward Asi and got ready for a fight, pretty sure I'd lose badly. I took a stance from one of the anime, because that is the only thing I know!

    "Good instinct, bad posture. What are you even doing holding that sword with those shaky hand", he pointed out. Is this guy giving me sword lessons after barging into my room?

    "Just answer the question!", I yelled. This is crazy! I really don't wanna fight him. "Easy kid, I won't fight you. I don't wanna hurt that old geezer's grandson", he said calmly. Wait, did he mean he's the guy grandpa asked me to find?

     "As for you question, I a friend of your grandpa's. After he disappeared two years ago, now was the first time I sensed the legendary sword's aura, I thought he's back. But guess he gave it to you huh", the old man seemed to get some idea of what happened, I'm willing to bet he thinks grandpa is dead, and that's completely off the mark.

     "That guy, he always wanted to have a life in peace with his daughter, and family. Well atleast he got to meet you", he said. So, does that mean, he was desperate to send me here back then because he wanted a chance to live with mom? Although it was selfish, at least he was willing to go that far for mom. And who knows, maybe I could enjoy this life as an isekai protagonist.

     "So, what did that geezer tell you?", he asked. "Well, first thing he did was slash my eye out. Then he replaced it with his eye, saying he stored a part of his magic in it and that I could use it if I could integrate it with my spiritual realm ", I said. The thought of him cutting out my eye still gives me the chills.

     "So he passed his innate talent to you huh. The world would be chaos if they find out a forbidden curse mage passed down his innate talent to his grandson", he laughed. This going on about all these stuff yet he never told me his name. But actually, to think I'm the grandson of a forbidden class mage sure feels great.

     "He then told me to find you and I should keep the Shastas safe from his enemies, which I'm guessing, is the Black Vatican", I said. He nodded.

    "So I've been thinking, since you are able to sense Asi's presence, doesn't that mean others could do too? Or is it just the Gaurdians?", this was bugging me for a while now. I really hope it's the latter.

     "It's the latter", he replied. Phew! Dodged a bullet. "So, tell your mom, that you're leaving. You need to train", he said.

     "How am I supposed to tell her that? Do you think ma would allow me to go with someone who didn't even say his name", I practically yelled. What is up with this geezer? He barged and is now asking me to go with him to train out of the blue!

    "Kid, think about it, a half step forbidden curse mage is asking you to train under him. Do you think anyone would get such a chance? Also, you can call me Drona, guru if you feel like being respectful", he said.

     "This isn't a role-playing! Also, you are not a forbidden mage?", I thought he was since he was grandpa's friend. "Yeah, yeah, I'm not as talented as your grand father. Happy? now go and make some excuse", he pouted, is he some grade schooler?

      "Well since you are gonna train me, shouldn't you at least meet my mother?", I asked.

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  "So you're saying my son has the potential to become a talented mage and you wanna train him some basics before he even awakens?", my mom, although was being respectful towards a super mage, she didn't hide her sharp tone. Seriously,  mothers was sca~ry!

    " Yes, they are basic techniques that could give him a boost during his cultivation. It would only take two years. And you don't have to worry, I would take care of his basic education and make sure he enters a Magic Academy in the future", he said. His sincerity is off the charts! Is he for real or is he a natural actor?

      "But why him. Surely there are other talented kid out there?", my mom asked, and I could tell she was moved.

    'Drona', took a deep breath and spoke, " That's the least I could do for his grandson". He took out the big gun!

    "You knew my father?", mom asked, with shaky voice. The old man nodded. That was a critical blow!

    "How..", mom started but got interrupted, "that's all I could tell you. He made me promise not tell you everything", he lowered his head.

     A drop of tear rolled down my mother's cheek, but she regained her composure. She probably doesn't want me to see her weak side. That's my maa, stubborn as hell. "Alright, two years. I'll take you up on that. I hope you don't go back on your word".