On the Way

"Master, do you want to see my improvements? I have been practicing pretty hard these days," one kid said to Leo while swinging a sword that Leo gifted to them.

"Me first!"

"Hey, don't step in line! Master said he wanted to see me show first!"

After getting on this island, he had been teaching the kids, who are now orphans, how to properly hunt for a living and find food for themselves.

"Orpheus and Vincent, you two come up first," Leo said with a bright smile. "I'll get to everyone today and teach you how to wield the sword."

The kids were all excited to learn sword forms from Leo, since they have only learned the basics from him, without getting into his sword style.

In the morning, he trains them in physical strength, carrying large rocks up and down the mountain, or other forms of calisthenics. He's not against the idea of teaching others, since it can also raise the experience points for his swordsmanship.

"Try moving your sword this way," he instructed the children in front of him. Watching them with care to make sure each of their movement is correct.

"Like this, Master?"

"Yes, that's correct, now try swinging it diagonal to your shoulder."

"Master, when are you going to be teaching us more advanced skills," Vincent asked, while beads of sweat that were formed on his face flowed down.

"There's no need to hurry, you will soon get it," Leo said to him while laying down on a tree, watching the glazing sun in the between the clouds of the sky.

Hearing his answer, Orpheus finally couldn't stand it anymore and threw his sword on the ground in anger. "Master, you have been telling us that every day already."

Seeing all them stop their practice, he still continues to lazily watch them sitting down and leaning upon the tree.

"At this rate, I'm not even sure we will be able to get the revenge we want for our parents," Orpheus said with a sad face, picking the sword back up from the ground. "It just feels like I'm walking on the stable ground without moving a single point while the pirates that raided the village continue their onslaught on innocent people elsewhere."

Breathing out a sigh, Leo finally stood up from the ground, he put his hand on the boy's head. And the two of them exchange eye contacts, while Leo didn't say anything. He has a complex feeling inside his chest right now. Yes, he can take revenge for them, but there's a limit to the reach of one person. As they say, you catch a fish for a man or can teach a man to fish.

"Do you two really know what it means to be powerful?"

Orpheus and Vincent exchanged eye contacts with each other, as though they were engaged in a silent telepathy. They are the oldest of the entire group and also the most mature. Yet, the desire for revenge against the group of pirates that raped their mothers and stolen all of their village's glory still haunts like an infinite shadow in their heart.

The two of them kneeled on the grassy floor and bowed their heads at the feed of Leo, Vincent said, "Master, please allow us to learn from you. We want nothing else but to seek the revenge we want for ourselves. Grant us the power."

He looked at the two of them with a complex expression, and he wasn't sure whether this was the right thing to do. But he couldn't deny them any longer, instead he truly wishes to allow them to learn his swordsmanship and inherit his vision. The two of them doesn't lack in talent, but instead, what they lack is the right teaching.

In the past months, he had relentlessly trained their physiques to an unbelievable level in comparison to before. And now the next most important step after the foundation is laid is to build the walls and rooftop. Their eyes shined with a red gleam in them when they speak the word of revenge, and it wasn't the hopeless loss of the desolated villagers.

"As you wish," Leo took out his sword again before all of them, "move away, now I'm going to teach you the true form of my swordsmanship."

When they looked from afar, their eyes were shocked at the scene of his powers, and in that instant there came an intense sharpness like a fierce sharp wind blowing the surrounding trees from a tiny fling of the sword. The barks of the trees had blade cuts around them, and as he continued to wield his sword form to form, all the trees were cut down by an invisible sword.

"So that's the true swordsmanship that Master wants to teach us," both Vincent and Orpheus could no longer hold their excitement. In their hearts, they know that if they mastered those techniques, they would for sure be able to overpower any enemy before their paths.

As their hearts beat with excitement, there was also a dedication and determination that could be seen. They know the difficulty that will come from trying to master such advanced movements. But they are not afraid of failures or obstacles if that is the only price to pay to repay the ones for their shed of blood.

Finally, when Leo finished the last movement of his sword technique, he put the blade back to its place. He turned his head to look at the children from afar, "Have you the dedication to learn this? There's no turning back once you take the first step, or else I will cut you down myself for your lack of determination."

Vincent and Orpheus both had smiles on their cheeks, saying, "We are not afraid!! Trust upon us Master!"

Leo grinned with a warm smile as he put his hand on the two's head, "If that is what you want, I'll teach you what you need right now."