There was the dry sound of a wooden sword clattering against the ground.
I stared at my own empty hand, dumbfounded.
“I’ve seen enough.”
The voice announcing the end of the battle sounded like it was coming from miles away. I had needed to win this duel no matter what. I’d staked everything I had built up for the past thirteen years on this fight, and yet I’d lost miserably. Just one blow from my opponent had sent my wooden sword tumbling across the floor.
This had been a trial for me, a rite of passage. Boys were considered young men when they reached the age of thirteen, and this was a test that any young man who dreamed of properly pursuing the path of the Illusory Blade had to overcome.
My opponent had been a Dragon Fang Soldier, a skeleton swordsman created by magic, but by no means was it a weak foe. In fact, even a soldier of the empire would likely struggle in a one-on-one fight against the creature. Normally, it would be unreasonable to ask a boy or girl who had only just come of age to defeat it. Yet no one present found it strange. Anyone studying the Illusory Blade was expected to defeat such an opponent easily enough. In fact, all seven of my peers had won their own bouts. I was the only one who’d failed.
Wordlessly, I hung my head as my father’s voice sounded from above, dignified and harsh like ice.
“Sora.”
“Y-Yes, father!” I responded.
“Three hundred years ago, the history of the esteemed Mitsurugi family began when the first Sword Saint sealed the Demon God away. Ever since, our family has dedicated their lives to forming and mastering the path of the Illusory Blade, the sword that crushes evil underfoot. Dragons, giants, and spirits—aberrant illusions akin to natural disasters—have all fallen under the might of our blade as we protect the world from the evil that seeps through the Demonic Gate. Thus, the members of our family have a noble duty to ward off this evil threat to the empire. I trust you know all this?”
“Y-Yes, sir! I’m aware!”
“Those born into the Mitsurugi family have a duty to inherit the sword of their ancestors, as well as a responsibility to pass that sword on to the next generation. One who cannot fulfill those obligations has no right to remain in this family.”
“Father...”
“You have failed to overcome your trial. Thus, you are unqualified to walk the path of the Illusory Blade. One who cannot even master the blade is in no way fit to succeed the family. As of today, you are no longer a part of this bloodline and are no longer permitted to bear the surname of Mitsurugi. Gather your belongings by the end of the day and leave the island by tomorrow. We have no need for weaklings here.”