Worthy

Leandre watched Yumiko pick up the blade and heaved a sigh of relief before nodding at her. "I'll agree." She spoke up before turning to face Leandre. "You were endowed at birth with the soul of a hero. In comparison to other warriors I've encountered in the past, you definitely are a different kind. Knightess, I guess it's time to begin. Should we start the second and final phase of your test now?"

Yumiko focused more intently on the blade in front of her, viewing both from various angles. "I'm interested, Leandre. These swords are famous; how did you manage to take possession of them?"

Leandre clarified everything, paying close attention to the nuances. "These were fashioned by my grandfather, a "Sukeru Samurai," who previously lived. These blades were specially designed with him in mind and are only intended to be carried by him. He once received a deadly wound from Takame and having the cursed sword became a real problem.

"You carried out exactly what my grandfather did. You took a chance by letting the sword come dangerously close to cutting off your arm, but unlike him, you avoided injury. You might be the only person who has ever been able to harness Takame's full power. Even my grandfather struggled and ultimately lost an arm as a result."

Yumiko looked at the sword while continuing to feel the core's sudden pressure vibrations. She questioned, "How was he able to use these swords if he lost one of his arms?" Leandre relaxedly closed his eyes. "He committed his life to the sword after having his arm amputated in order to demonstrate to others that it is possible to own a cursed weapon.

"He came to the conclusion that he would still employ Takame even if it meant risking his life. It was a daring and gallant deed, and after his death, rumors began to circulate that my grandfather's ghost was still connected to Takame and that that's why the sword became cursed."

Yumiko cocked her head up. "Am I reading the story incorrectly? Does it imply your grandfather's ghost was the reason the sword was thought to be cursed?"

"Yes, it's just a rumor, but many people think it's true. Most people believe that Takame was simply cursed as a result of my grandfather's ghost and that his arm being amputated was just bad luck."

Yumiko experienced an odd chill moving through her entire body. "The rumors could be genuine, but I'm not sure. The blade has a peculiar aura around it that doesn't feel good. This perplexing energy flow that never stops troubling your spirit is unsettling." Leandre was surprised to find himself fascinated by Yumiko's response.

"You can sense its aura?"

Yumiko blinked and displayed bewilderment. "Yeah? You mean to tell me you don't sense this ominous aura?" Leandre gulped his words and was immediately enthralled. "Unbelievable. The majority of those who held Takame was unable to sense anything, not even its aura. Because of this, it was only a rumor. Yet you appear to sense it. I don't understand."

Yumiko raised the sword's tip and briefly startled Leandre. "You're telling me you can't feel that purple energy when I do this?" Leandre could just see a black blade with no unusual deeds from his perspective, however, she could see purple trails swaying from the sword.

In disbelief, he shook his head. "I am sorry, knightess. I have no feeling of it at all." Yumiko turned to face the sword and her eyes widened in shock. "Are you sure? I'm not crazy, am I?" Only she was able to sense how terrifying it was to consider it.

"There's no use in attempting to explain it to you." She said. "As you suggested, how about we go on to the major point?" Leandre nodded and raised his katana in the air. "We'll move on."

Yumiko prepared her brand new swords she would be able to use once passing the test. "I changed my mind. I want to only use Takame. I need to learn more about it, if you don't mind, Leandre."

He agreed to her decision and prepared for a one-on-one duel. Yumiko grabbed Takame's handle with both hands and looked from the corner of its steel. For a few seconds, both of them circled in the room, until Leandre started.

He slashed the sword over his head and down toward Yumiko. She raised the sword and defended. She slipped back, seeing that Leandre slashed obliquely.

In order for her sword and Leandre's sword to connect, she took a step to the side, bringing both feet closer.

She bowed her torso forward, bending her right knee, and then circled behind Leandre, expertly circling her sword.

When she caught him off guard, she turned around and cut Leandre's back with the sword. The moment he took a stride forward, whirled around, and slashed the sword out from beneath his shoulders up at the ceiling, the two metals slammed into one another.

They collided once again as they simultaneously stepped back and stabbed forward. She was thrown off balance when Leandre raised his right foot and slammed it into her kneecap.

As she turned to leave, she saw Leandre slash at her with the sword, missing by a millimeter. Leandre lost control of the blade when Yumiko raised it and slammed it into his hand.

She slashed at Leandre's head in a second, stopping the blade just next to his head as she drew the sword behind her back and spiraled her body.

Yumiko straightened herself, drew the blade back, and took two steps at once. Leandre quietly closed his eyes and kept grooming his beard. "Fascinating. You took care of disarming me swiftly. I guess you're good to go."

She yelled, "Hold on!" She gave him a serious look while raising her left arm in front of her face. "I expected more from you. I took less than a minute to disarm you. Why?"

"This was solely meant to evaluate your proficiency with curved blades, which are very different from swords. The primary goal of this meeting, though, was to determine whether these swords are appropriate for you. They end up being ideal for you after all. Your sword skills, however, aren't the best, I have to say. How so?"

The sword was put to the side by Yumiko. "I wasn't training like a knight or a samurai. I never really studied any of the formal arts; I was only taught how to fight. My sword movement isn't accurate because of this."

Leandre smiled while nodding. "You don't hesitate to accept your own limitations. Knightess, you had good training." She stroked the back of her head while sighing. "I had no choice. But after I got those swords, I made the decision to train on my own in my spare time in an effort to deter Muro from ruining the entire island."

"Very well. The tests were both passed by you. As I promised, I'll give you these two blades as compensation. Both should have their respective scabbards in the suitcase. Thank you, knightess. I kindly request your and your friends' assistance in supporting our island."

Yumiko placed both arms onto her hips and bowed forward. "Thank you. We promise that we'll destroy this slavery."

"I appreciate. Please, take good care of the blades." Nicole finally returned to the room and placed the empty suitcase in the backroom. Yumiko attached both of her scabbards to her belt and inserted both swords inside.

"Wooh! This is far better. I don't have to worry about feeling deprived of being empty-handed. When you have your swords back in your hands, it feels fantastic. Leandre, I swear I'll take good care of these blades."

"I have no doubt, knightess. I want to let you know that one of your friends was seen on the Athvan Town hillside. I think you should go find him and aid him."

Yumiko nodded solemnly and said, "I'll be on my way," without pausing for a second. She started to run out the door but stopped short. "One final thought. Thank you, and please don't call me a "knightess." Call me Yumiko!"

To be continued...