Part VI The Southern Clan Leader

The morning sun stung Lazuro's face as soon as he opened the curtains. Realizing that he had been asleep for a while, he stretched to loosen his stiff muscles. Then he opened the curtains and saw Tristan swinging a wooden sword in the front garden. He decided to go downstairs to watch Tristan practice more closely. Tristan's forehead was covered in sweat, and his long red hair was bobbing up and down with the loud noises he was making.

"Ah, you're awake?" Tristan put down his sword when he saw Lazuro.

"Yes, I think I slept very well." Lazuro rubbed the back of his head.

"Eat some milk and bread. Aunt Ginny gave it to me this morning."

Lazuro took a bite of the meat-filled bread and felt the soft, savory taste fill his mouth. He opened the sandwich and found mayonnaise inside.

"So there is mayonnaise in this world." Lazuro smiled.

Satisfied with the bread, Lazuro reached for the milk on the table. Lazuro immediately stood up as the delicious savory and sweet taste filled his mouth.

"This milk is so fresh!" cried Lazuro.

“Don’t scare me like that!” Shouted Tristan back.

“I'm sorry, but this milk is delicious.” Lazuro smiled mischievously.

“It’s obtained from Liger cow. It’s very difficult to hunt and milk them.”

“Obtained? I thought you were breeding cows or something.” Lazuro frowned in disbelief.

“Don’t be an idiot; no beasts are brought to the upper world unless they are horse species, which are easier to tame. All beasts are man-eaters, especially mythbreaker users. The beasts really like the mana of Mythbreaker users.”

“So you all really rely on hunting to find food.”

“Of course, we even look for fruit in the underworld.”

“No fruit grows here either?” Lazuro asked.

“You know… Fruit only grows on plant animals. Okay, stop talking rubbish. When you’re done, come with me to training!” Tristan threw a wooden sword at Lazuro.

“But ... I ... can't handle a sword,” Lazuro said. Tristan narrowed his eyes as if to emphasize that Lazuro should accompany him.

Tristan narrowed his eyes as if to emphasize that Lazuro should accompany him. Reluctantly, Lazuro picked up the wooden sword Tristan had given him. Lazuro’s thoughts drifted to the time he spent eating lunch alone watching the kendo team practice. 

“Why are you smiling like an idiot? Be serious, man! It wouldn’t be fun if you were just messing around.” Lazuro gripped the hilt of his wooden sword tightly, as if praying. 

“Are you sure you want to hold your sword with both hands like that?” Tristan asked. 

“Is there something wrong?” Lazuro Asked.

 Tristan didn’t answer but instead lunged at Lazuro, preparing to strike. Lazuro was surprised but managed to block Tristan’s sword. 

“It’s so heavy.” Lazuro groaned.

Seeing his attack fail, Tristan pulled back and struck Lazuro again. Lazuro unconsciously stepped back, continuing to block Tristan’s sword. Tristan suddenly stopped his attack, planted his wooden sword in the ground, and signaled Lazuro to look behind him. 

“What the…” Lazuro was surprised because behind him there was already a fountain pool.

“Holding a sword with both hands like that will weaken your grip. You’ll be more easily controlled by your opponent. There are two ways to hold a sword. First, you can position your left hand under your right. This will give you more power. Second, you can position your left grip near the bottom of the handle. Even with less power, you’ll have a much easier time controlling your sword and deflecting incoming attacks.” Tristan gave Lazuro an example. 

“That’s true; listen to that loser, and you’ll be able to defeat all the beasts.” Aaron, who appeared with three of his friends, surprised Tristan and Lazuro. 

“Why are you here? This is my residence, and—” 

“We’re just here to deliver a message from Master Paul. You losers have been summoned to the village hall.”

Aaron and his three friends turned around, but Tristan suddenly grabbed Lazuro's wooden sword and threw it at Aaron. It hit Aaron in the back, causing Aaron to turn around mad. Aaron and Tristan exchanged glances as if they could kill each other with it.

"Do you think you're great just because you have a mythbreaker? Try me!" Tristan raised his wooden sword.

"This loser is really arrogant." Aaron twirled his sword.

Aaron charged at Tristan at full speed, slashing the wooden sword he was holding with one hand to the side. Tristan twisted his body toward Aaron's sword, trying to block Aaron's slash. However, Aaron was too strong, and he knocked Tristan to the ground, bewildered.

"Look at this loser, I'm only using one hand. Where's your theory about swords from earlier, idiot!" Aaron taunted.

"You son of..."

Tristan roared and lunged at Aaron once more. However, Aaron easily sent Tristan rolling on the ground repeatedly. After ten attempts, Tristan finally ran out of energy. He lay there, panting, staring up at the cloudless blue sky.

“So this is all you’re capable of? It seems you’re a bastard. You didn’t even inherit a glimmer of your father’s abilities.”

“What did you say!”

With a surge of rage, Tristan gripped his sword and struck Aaron’s leg, causing Aaron to groan in pain.

“You shameless loser. If you really want to die, I’ll grant your wish!”

Aaron drew his wooden sword up and swung it vertically at Tristan’s head. Lazuro suddenly jumped up and grabbed Aaron’s wooden sword with both hands.

“Stop this, Aaron! Are you trying to kill Lazuro?” Lazuro glared at Aaron.

They both exchanged glances for a moment. Aaron immediately let go of his sword after swallowing hard.

“You two fucking losers. You’ll see.”

Lazuro suddenly realized what he had done. His legs were shaking, and cold sweat was dripping down his forehead. Tristan stood up, grabbing Lazuro’s shoulders.

“You know… If you hadn’t helped me, I would have beaten him up. Good job, Lazuro, you saved Aaron from my wrath.” Tristan laughed awkwardly.

“Woah, that was really scary.” Lazuro sat down on the ground. “I would have peed my pants if Aaron hadn’t decided to leave.”

“How could someone who killed a burning T. rex say such embarrassing things?”

They finally made their way to the village hall, which was crowded with people. Upon arrival, Lazuro was shocked to find the T-rex that had been split in half being skinned. Some of the meat also appeared to have been removed.

“That Burning T-rex…”

“Yes, it’s the village’s food source for the next three months. You’ll probably get the biggest share for being the most instrumental in capturing the Burning T-rex.”

After wandering around, Tristan and Lazuro couldn’t find Paul. After asking around, they learned that Paul had returned home to meet with the southern clan leader. Hearing this, Tristan immediately ran, while Lazuro, unaware of anything, followed Tristan. They arrived at the Frost residence, located not far from the town hall. There, they were immediately confronted by the Frost family servants and ordered to wait. Tristan agreed and then pulled Lazuro into the backyard. There, Tristan suddenly pried open the door and quietly entered the Frost family home.

"Are you crazy?" Lazuro asked, his expression puzzled.

"Come on in, we might find something interesting."

Lazuro finally resigned himself and followed Tristan up to the second floor to a door.

"I told you that the Flamebreaker is royal property, and no one except the royal lineage is allowed to touch it."

Lazuro and Tristan tiptoed when they heard Paul shout.

"What do you mean, it's been generations, and the legendary mythbreaker has been left to slumber in vain? I thought you were much more open than Alan. Turns out you're both just as stupid," the southern tribe chief said.

"This guy!" Tristan gripped his hand tighter.

"Keep quiet, or we'll both be found out," Lazuro whispered.

"Anyone who becomes an elder knows that everyone has the right to take the Flamebreaker if they are chosen. That is the message of the hero Ignis. Do you wish to defy the hero's wishes?" asked the southern clan leader.