After their encounter in the woods, Kaiser followed the mysterious swordsman, Vanfred, out of the dense forest. They made their way along a winding path, the canopy of trees overhead thinning until the sky stretched above them, painted in hues of orange and pink. The air was filled with the crisp scent of pine and damp earth. As they walked, the silence between them was thick, but not uncomfortable—Kaiser's mind was spinning with questions, while Vanfred seemed lost in his own musings.
They eventually reached a small roadside food stall. Lanterns dangled from the awning, casting a warm glow on the wooden tables scattered about. The scent of grilled meat and roasted vegetables wafted through the air. Vanfred motioned for them to sit. They each ordered something—Kaiser went for a simple meat skewer, while Vanfred chose a steaming bowl of stew.
As they ate, Vanfred finally broke the silence. "I am a recruiter from the Sword City, Nandaka," he said, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "I've been tasked with finding individuals who I deem worthy of becoming disciples of Nandaka."
Kaiser, his mouth full, paused mid-bite. "Disciples? Why me?"
Vanfred's eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't know it yet, but you're one of the chosen."
Kaiser blinked. "Chosen one? What do you mean by that?"
With a low, almost wistful sigh, Vanfred leaned back against the stall. "Long ago, there was a sage. A brilliant but paranoid man. He feared a war he believed would come to pass, so he took a single man's immense power and split it into seven factors—each representing a unique force of the world. One of those factors is the Qi Factor—the ability to contain vast reserves of Qi within one's body. That's what you have."
Kaiser's eyes widened in astonishment. He'd always known there was something… different about him, but hearing it spoken aloud made his heart race. "You mean… I can hold more Qi than anyone else?"
Vanfred nodded. "That's exactly what makes you special. You're the chosen one. And with proper training, you could become something far greater than you are now."
Kaiser's initial shock gave way to determination. "Fine. I'll come with you to Nandaka."
Vanfred smirked, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Mostly, we search for exceptional people. Swordmasters, prodigies, natural talents. You're... well, a little better than ordinary, I suppose."
Kaiser's brows knit together. First he was the chosen one, and now he was just "a little better than ordinary"? He bit his tongue, holding back the frustration. Is this guy playing me, or is he just blunt?
Inside his mind, Vanfred's thoughts were far more pragmatic. I just need to bring back someone who can use at least five sword forms, he mused. But this boy's got the Qi Factor. That's rare enough to make him worth the trouble.
After finishing their meals, Vanfred stood. "We leave for Nandaka at dawn. Meet me at the eastern gate."
Kaiser nodded. "I'll be ready."
That night, back at the inn, Kaiser packed his few belongings into a worn leather bag. He glanced around the small room that had been his refuge for the past month. Tomorrow everything changes. As dawn's light crept through the window, he made his way to the eastern gate, where Vanfred was already waiting, his sword strapped to his back.
"Ready?" Vanfred asked, without turning.
"Yeah," Kaiser said.
They set off into the wilderness. The journey was long and treacherous. They traveled through dense forests, over rolling hills, and across shallow streams. Magical beasts lurked in the shadows—some watching with gleaming eyes, others charging from the underbrush. When they attacked, Vanfred did nothing. It was left to Kaiser to fend them off, his sword flashing through fur and scales. He deliberately avoided using sorcery. I don't trust him yet, he thought grimly. No reason to show him everything I can do.
While Kaiser battled the beasts, Vanfred remained calm and aloof, his mind elsewhere. When will I finally reach Nandaka and resume my own training? he wondered. He hadn't wanted to be a recruiter. His true desire was to train, to perfect his swordsmanship, but duty had forced him into this role. Still, he couldn't return without at least one disciple—and though Kaiser didn't meet all the criteria, his Qi Factor made him valuable.
After three months of grueling travel, they finally reached a region shrouded in thick mist. The air was damp and cold, and the ground beneath them grew soft with moss. The visibility was so poor that Kaiser could barely see a few steps ahead. His footfalls slowed, his hands tightening on his bag.
"I can't see a thing," he muttered.
Vanfred, however, moved confidently, as if the mist were nothing. "Stay close. We're nearly there."
Kaiser focused on the faint silhouette of Vanfred's figure, using it as a guide. Suddenly, more silhouettes appeared through the haze—several figures standing tall and imposing. Voices echoed through the fog.
"So, Vanfred," one voice said, "you've returned with your disciple."
Vanfred stopped. "Yes. He possesses the Qi Factor."
A second voice, sharper and more skeptical, asked, "And what about the five forms of sword technique? Has he mastered them?"
Vanfred's tone didn't change. "He's learned two."
A murmur of disapproval rippled through the mist. "That's not enough to be qualified."
Vanfred's voice hardened. "It's not your decision. The Patriarch will decide."
A pause, then the voice relented. "Fine. Come in."
A massive wooden door loomed ahead, carved with intricate symbols of swords and dragons. It creaked open, and as they passed through, the thick mist dissipated like a veil being lifted. Before them stretched a sprawling city of stone and steel.
This was Nandaka.
The city was a spectacle of swordsmanship. Everywhere Kaiser looked, people wore blades at their waists—men and women, young and old. Some sparred in the streets, their blades clashing with musical precision, while others conversed with sharp, assessing eyes. Even the shopkeepers had the bearing of warriors.
Kaiser felt a thrill of both fear and excitement. This isn't an ordinary city. This… this could be the key to becoming stronger.