Chapter 16 - All Mastery Begins With Effort

Leader and I are with the Silas Family in the Labyrinth today, visiting a natural spring. The water’s so clear it looks dry, reflecting the skyline’s endless glow. Around us, Beast Hares hop through the field, their hulking forms easily ten times the size of regular rabbits. They’d be cute if not for their unnerving, beady red eyes that bore like we’re a bundle of juicy carrots.

“Do we have to defend against those?” Leader asks, nodding toward the most significant one grazing near the edge of the field.

Bela waves off worry. “They may be called Beasts, but it doesn’t mean they’re hostile,” she explains. “Those bunnies look intimidating, but they’re harmless… unless you provoke them. Then it’s a different story, like any animal.”

Silas, Bela, Skoll, and I strip down to dive into the water, its coolness an instant relief. Leader stays perched on the edge, dipping just his calves in. I swim over, the water lapping against my chest. “The water feels amazing. Aren’t you coming in?”

Leader hesitates, his face tinged with embarrassment. “I, uh… don’t know how to swim.”

“Wait, seriously?”

“Yes,” he admits. “Never learned.”

“Huh. I was certain you knew everything. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you how. One adventure at a time, right?”

He smiles, but before he can respond, an arrow hisses through the air.

I whip around just in time to see Leon’s arrow sink into one of the Beast Hares. It staggers but doesn’t fall. Then Skoll moves.

A sharp bark shears through the spring, cutting the air like a blade. A blur of silver fur and deadly precision, she charges -- her unicorn-like horn gleaming wickedly in the glow. She weaves between the scattering hares, herding the aggressive ones before locking onto her target.

With a single, fluid strike, her horn pierces deep. The Beast Hare lets out a strangled cry before collapsing, and I can’t help but gape.

“Good girl, Skoll!” Silas calls out, clapping his hands. Skoll’s tail wags fiercely as she drags the hare back to camp.

The pot bubbles over the fire, sending up waves of thick, savory steam.

The meat is richer than chicken, slightly gamier, but honestly? I devour it between breaths.

A shadow passes overhead. I look up and -- the strangest thing -- an enormous pigeon, easily with the wingspan of a falcon, descending toward us.

Leader startles. “What in the world--”

The giant bird lands gracefully, talons gripping the dirt near the fire.

Leon doesn’t miss a beat mid-chew. “Oh, that’s our Beast Bird.”

Leader stares, clearly torn between intrigue and suspicion. “A Beast Bird? I think Omine mentioned about them once.”

Leon smacks his forehead, remembering that we can’t follow. “Right! Think of them as homing pigeons, but way cooler. They’re faster, smarter, and they know the Labyrinth by heart. We use them to send messages across the world.”

“Anywhere?” I ask, my mouth stuffed.

“Yup,” Leon beams. “We and Nation Elite use them for tactical stuff, and you can use them to send prank messages too. Keeps life interesting.”

“It’s okay,” Silas smirks, ruffling Leon’s hair. “You’ll outgrow that nonsense someday.”

“Not you too, Silas!”

A thought occurs. The idea of reaching out to her -- Sensei. “So, uh… could I send a letter to an old friend?”

Silas’s expression softens. “If our Bird knows, knows them, it’ll deliver. If not, it comes back untouched.”

“Then,”

But… what would I write to her? It would’ve been great if Sensei had diagnosed Omine, but she’s practically in top shape again.

Sensei hasn’t written back in years. Maybe she wants me to wait. Maybe she anticipates me to find my own way before coming to her again. I think that’s why she hasn’t contacted me, that’s what I prefer to believe anyhow.

I sit back. “Actually, there’s nothing I could write in a letter that wouldn’t feel half-finished. When I see her again, I’ll tell her everything in person. It’s what she’d want.”

Bela tilts her head, watching me curiously. “She sounds special.”

“She is. She gave me this.” I smile, tapping my chestplate. “An old teacher of mine. When the Brawler Family makes enough of a name, our paths will cross again. I’m sure of it.”

Bela smiles knowingly. “Then I guess we’d better make sure you get famous.”

“Damn right,” I say, raising my bowl of stew. “To the future -- To all the adventures waiting for us!”

The others raise their bowls, cheers joining mine across the grassy field. For a moment, the upper floor of the Labyrinth feels less like a maze and more like home. Edward didn’t raise his bowl though.

“A teacher gave you something special.” He deflates. “How does my training compare?”

Silas kneels down. “Edward, Edward. Leader hasn’t gotten anything like that.”

“I mean, how do I know if mine is any better?”

Bela nudges him playfully. “You’re finally starting to sound like a real instructor. Keep it up, and they might even call you Master Edward someday.”

He snorts, shaking his head. “Edward does just fine.”

Silas pulls out two intricately wrapped bundles.

“Cats out of the bag,” he says, handing one to me and the other to Leader. “A token of gratitude from the Silas Family. You’ve earned this.”

I unwrap mine. It’s a parrying dagger unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The blade gleams like starlight, the hilt wrapped in soft leather. The guard is engraved with swirling patterns that seem to ripple as I turn it in my hand. It’s perfect.

Leader holds his own dagger, fingers brushing over the fine point, his expression unreadable -- reverent. The fine point, the feel of it… like a favorite writing utensil used to pierce future goals, it’s the real deal. “This… This is incredible.”

Silas nods. “A master bladesmith from Terrapax crafted those. Mixed with Beast materials from the Third House of Fengaru. Far west, far north, back to the center of the world. Real works of art.”

I swallow, my grip tightening. “This is too much.”

Leader shakes his head. “The scarves we gave you don’t even come close. These must be worth a thousand times as much.”

Uriel just laughs. “Hehehe~. You’re missing the point. Gifts aren’t about price.”

“But hey,” Leon chimes in. “If you feel guilty, you can always carry the Silas Family flag into battle. That’ll even the score.”

Edward seems to have been pumped with air again. “So, is the present I suggested better?”

A grin plays on Silas’s lips. “Not bad. Trained with rapiers, and daggers to spare. Looks like you two are finally packing some bite. If I lend you our spare steads, you’re Conquerors already. The two of you are ready for a trip solo back to Rosebell.”

“Are we?”

“Still, don’t go getting cocky. You might be geared up, but that doesn’t mean you’re invincible. If you run into trouble, try using those legs of yours before your swords. Fighting’s most fun when you get to walk away from it.”

…

As the two of us journey to Rosebell, my dagger feels substantial at my hip -- not because of its physical weight, but because of what it represents.

Once back in the city, taking a detour to celebrate our first successful run, I catch Leader glancing at me, his expression pensive. We had strolled past a certain storefront. Finally, he prods, “I know what you’re thinking, Brawler. But even if we find a willing pawnbroker, they’ll never pay what these daggers are really worth.”

“Yeah… I hate to admit it, but the thought crossed my mind.” I sigh, running my thumb along the leather-wrapped hilt. “She’s perfect now, the last fever was more of a surprise than anything but…”

Leader gives me a small, understanding smile. “I get it. It crossed my mind too. But it wouldn’t be right. A gift like this isn’t meant to be traded away.”

“You’re right. Honestly, the fact both of us considered it shows that Omine’s been in good hands all these years.”

“Thanks,” Leader says, steadily but constricted. He isn’t sure if the thought had already been there or if Brawler’s larger-than-life presence had nudged it into existence. Either way, he is happy to keep his Bro in check before being overhasty. Once again, he is reminded of why Brawler earns admiration from the Omine Family, much in a way Omine has, and Omine and Brawler each other.

Leader isn’t Brawler. And Brawler isn’t him. But that’s exactly why they make such a good pair, he thinks, much like their matching daggers. He holds his up, the sheath catching the light. “We’ll have the money for her final treatment soon enough. Until then, I’ll treasure this gift as much as I do my crimson scarf.”

We pass by the armory with the Fang of Eborus on display. Compared to our new daggers, it appears little more than a relic. The contrast is stark -- diamonds compared to coal. Diamonds at our hips and pearly whites on our faces.

“The obstacle in the path becomes the path.”

I firmly grip my dagger. “Yeah. Totally worth the wait.”

…

That very night, Leader and I begin sparring with blunt parrying daggers in addition to the training rapier we’ve been using. We practice against one another at the Children’s Village, all our siblings cheering our showdown. Omine, healthier than I’ve seen in weeks, is also greatly entertained by it.

Leader’s dagger catches my slash, nearly landing a jab on me with his sword in return.

“Woah!!” “I thought that Brawler was dominating this match, but Leader almost got a hidden quick strike!”

I grit my teeth, pushing him back to gain some distance. “Khhh! So that’s your newest move?”

“I wanna try next! I wanna try!”

“Hehe~, let them finish their match. You’ll get your turn soon enough.”

The blunt rapier in my right hand is familiar -- an extension of my arm after all this practice. Its weight is just right for quick slashes and lunges. I’ve learned to kick off hard with the balls of my feet, keeping my shoulders level for balance. But now, with a parrying dagger in my left hand, everything changes.

The extra blade throws off my rhythm, my balance needs readjustment. I’m accustomed to focusing on one weapon, but now I have to juggle the heavier rapier in my dominant hand and the lighter dagger in my left. The shift in weight and timing messes with my footing, forcing me to adjust during the dance of blades.

After our bout ends in a draw, I hand the blunt weapons to our younger siblings vibrating with excitement to have their turn. Wiping the sweat from my face, I glance at Leader. “Compared to dual-wielding, I think I was better with a single sword.”

Leader, breathing just as hard, nods. “It’s the learning curve Silas warned us about… Relapses like this.”

“But that doesn’t matter to us. Right, Leader?”

“We purely have to practice enough to master this style.”

“Then… We’ll finally land a hit on Master Ed for sure!”