Chapter 15 - The Blade Master And The Healer

Riyugi's training in controlling his power was still lacking, and he was struggling to return the destructive and dangerous power he had unleashed back into his katana.

Several times, he was thrown back by the force of his own power as he tried to approach the colossal energy that was rising into the sky.

He sustained several cuts and bruises on his body due to the intense voltage and lightning surrounding his power.

"Leader, it's best if we leave now. There's nothing more we can do to stop your power. We'll be in grave danger if we don't leave here." pleaded Banki to Riyugi.

"I—I cannot just give up. I need to prove to the Great King that I am worthy of the life he bestowed upon me, that he did not make a mistake in choosing me as the leader of his Venera." Riyugi said with difficulty.

Once again, he tried to approach his power and control it, but his katana almost flew out of his hand due to the immense force emanating from his power.

The energy of Riyugi's power grew stronger. His lightning thunderstorm began to draw in the seawater and even the fish in the ocean. Slowly, it started pulling both of them towards Riyugi's power.

Banki was filled with intense fear as he, too, was being pulled by the increasingly powerful energy of Riyugi. Until they heard the sound of a motorized boat approaching. They saw an old man, with a long white beard due to age and a thin frame, approaching them in a boat.

"Old man, you should leave here if you want to live. You can see the destructive power around us." Riyugi warned the old man sternly.

Instead of heeding Riyugi's words, the old man suddenly flew and floated in the air. What kind of being is this? Riyugi wondered to himself, certain that this was no ordinary Ronoru and that he possessed some kind of power.

The old man clasped his hands together while floating in the air and closed his eyes. Riyugi and Banki looked at the old man with curiosity.

"Leader, who is that old man? What is he doing?" Banki asked repeatedly.

"I don't know either. He just appeared out of nowhere. He doesn't seem to be an ordinary Ronoru and appears to possess strong and unique powers." Riyugi replied.

A moment later, the old man drew two blade swords from behind him. He swung them in the air and pointed them at Riyugi's uncontrollable power that was continuously rising into the sky and growing stronger.

"What is he trying to do?" Banki asked in shock.

"I don't know." Riyugi said cluelessly.

Moments later, it seemed that the old man's blade swords were slowly absorbing Riyugi's power. The force and energy began to weaken gradually.

"The old man's blade swords are absorbing your power, Leader." Banki said in amazement and shock.

Riyugi was secretly amazed at what he witnessed. It was the first time he had seen another Ronoru able to control his power. This was a sign that the old man was indeed powerful.

Until finally, Riyugi's powerful lightning thunderstorm in the sky disappeared, completely absorbed by the old man's blade swords. A few moments after the old man controlled Riyugi's power, peace returned to the ocean.

The waves calmed, the dark clouds parted, and they once again saw the rays of the sun. They saw birds flying in the sky again.

Then the old man descended from the air and returned to his boat. He brought his motorized boat closer to Riyugi and Banki.

"Who are you, old man?" Riyugi asked boldly.

"I'm a Blade Master. For decades, I've been teaching about katanas and other types of blade swords. My mastery lies in teaching how to control the power of various swords. From my cradle, while I was lying down, I saw the powerful force of energy in the sky. At first glance, I knew that power was destructive and difficult to control. So, I hurried here to help because disaster was inevitable if I didn't do something to control and stop it." the old man said.

"Blade Master?" Riyugi asked in disbelief. In his training to strengthen his power and his katana, no Blade Master had ever taught him.

The Great King had only selected powerful Ronoru to train him. So, the concept of a Blade Master skilled in teaching about the powers of katanas or other swords was new to him.

"Indeed, your power is extremely strong. But you struggle to control it. If you could control your power, you have great potential to become a Katana Master." the old man said further.

Riyugi secretly became interested in the old man's words. He wanted training in controlling his power, not to become a Katana Master, but to be more useful to the Great King and to maintain his value in the King's eyes. Riyugi didn't want to lose his worth to the Great King.

"Where are you from?" Riyugi asked.

"I come from the Island of Azure." the old man replied, pointing westward. That was also the island Riyugi and his companion were headed to. So, Riyugi saw it as a good opportunity to travel with the old man to the Island of Azure.

"Can you take us to that island? We have business there." Riyugi said to the old Blade Master.

"You have wounds and scratches. It's better if you come with me. Get on my boat." the old man said.

Without hesitation, Riyugi and Banki boarded the old man's motorized boat. Their boat had been damaged earlier, and their oars were broken.

The motorized boat moved quickly as they headed to the Island of Azure.

"What business do you have there? You are the powerful leader of the Venera of the Great King. Did the King order you?" the old man asked.

"Yes, the King gave us a mission, and our trip to the island is part of that mission." Riyugi replied.

"What is your business on the island?"

"We are looking for a skilled healer. One of our companions is under the influence of the Enchanted Elixir brew. Her behavior has been strange, and we need to remove the effects of the Enchanted Elixir brew that she drank." Riyugi explained.

The old man nodded.

"Hmmm, that healer is renowned. I can take you to her home." the old man said.

"Really? That's very kind of you." Banki said with joy.

"That is if you treat me to lunch and some drinks at the Tavern on the Island of Azure." the old man said slyly.

Riyugi frowned at the old man's cunning.

"No problem." Riyugi said, and the old man laughed with joy, feeling victorious.

Banki looked at his leader. He was sure that his leader agreed to the old man's request because Riyugi was eager to find the healer and bring him to the town to heal Yana.

A short while later, their boat docked on the shores of the island. They arrived quickly because of the old Blade Master's fast motorized boat.

"Welcome to the Island of Azure. We are here." the Blade Master said.

The Blade Master briefly tied the boat to a nearby coconut tree, and they started walking.

"It's better if you take us to the Tavern where you will have lunch and drinks, so afterward, you can take us to the healer's location." Riyugi said impatiently to the old man.

So, they went to the island's only Tavern. The Island of Azure was small. The old man immediately ordered the food he wanted to eat and some drinks. Meanwhile, Riyugi and Banki waited for him to finish eating and drinking.

"Hey, old man! Don't get too drunk. Remember, you still need to take us to the healer. You better hurry up." Riyugi said impatiently and with a hint of irritation to the old man who was enjoying his lunch and drink.

The old man took his time drinking, so Riyugi drew his katana and pointed it at the old man's neck. The old man noticed this and quickly stood up.

"I'd better take you to the healer's location now. Calm down, Venera leader, and put away your katana." the old man said calmly and led the way out of the Tavern, followed by Riyugi and Banki.

They walked quite a distance since there were no horses to ride on the island, nor any carriages. They eventually arrived at a rice field. At the end of the field was a small hut.

"The hut you see over there is the healer's residence." said the Blade Master.

"Enough talking, old man. You better hurry up." Riyugi replied gruffly.

When they reached the hut of the old healer, the door was closed and seemed deserted. The Blade Master immediately called out to the Healer from outside the door of the hut. After a few moments, the door of the hut opened, revealing an elderly woman.

"What do you need and why have you come here?" the old woman asked.

"Come with us right now." Riyugi commanded authoritatively.

"I do not appreciate the disrespect in your tone." the old woman replied with annoyance, furrowing her brows as she looked at Riyugi.

Riyugi struggled to contain his anger. He realized that no matter how much anger he felt, he needed to remain calm and convince the old healer to accompany them to the town to treat Yana.

"Do not speak to the Leader of Venera that way. If you do not recognize who stands before you, know that he is the most powerful leader of Venera under the High King, and we are here on an important mission assigned to us by the High King himself." Banki intervened.

Due to the old healer's advanced age, and blurred vision she did not immediately recognize the leader of Venera, so she didn't realize that it was Riyugi who stood before her.

"What should I do?" the healer asked calmly.

Riyugi explained the situation regarding Yana and emphasized the urgency of the healer accompanying them back to town to immediately counteract the effects of the Enchanted Elixir brew she had consumed.

"Wait a moment. I will prepare the antidotes, medicinal herbs, and my tools for prayers and rituals." said the healer. So Riyugi and Banki had no choice but to wait alongside the Blade Master.

The healer offered Riyugi and Banki to treat the wounds and bruises they sustained from Riyugi's earlier powerful outburst at sea. However, Riyugi declined, saying they could manage and it was insignificant.

He didn't want to waste time treating their injuries that he didn't particularly care about. What mattered more was getting the healer to the town as soon as possible. Therefore, the healer did not insist anymore and did not force them to treat their injuries.

After almost thirty minutes, the old healer returned carrying a basket containing the tools and supplies needed for the treatment. They then proceeded towards the shoreline.

The Blade Master volunteered to escort them to the town's dock using his motorized boat, as a gesture of solidarity and assistance in the mission assigned by the great King to the leader of the Venera, Riyugi.