AFTERNOON – SWORD TRIALS CONTINUE
The dueling platform stands in the center of the village field. Sword users clash in fast-paced battles while villagers cheer.
Shin-Ri sits beneath a tree on a hill above the arena. His sword rests beside him. In his hands: a worn notebook filled with diagrams, arrows, and marks.
His expression is unreadable. But his eyes... are calculating.
SHIN-RI (V.O.):
Maen the Swift — dual blades, footwork driven by rhythm.
She skips slightly before she pivots. Three steps, then overextends.
Toru the Red — brute strength, no guard on his left.
Slow hips. Slow mind.
A match below ends. One fighter drops his sword. The other raises his arms to cheering.
NEAR THE ARENA – SPECTATORS TALK
A few other Swordsboys whisper behind Shin-Ri's back.
RIVAL 1:
He's not fighting again today?
RIVAL 2:
He just sits there. Staring. Scribbling. Like a ghost.
RIVAL 1:
Maybe he's scared.
TRAINING HUT – NIGHT
Shin-Ri is alone again. He mimics the footwork of today's duelists—light on his feet, copying Maen's pace, then Toru's stance. Over and over.
He moves like them. Then corrects their flaws.
SHIN-RI (V.O.):
A sword can break.
But habits cut deeper.
If I know your rhythm...
I own your fight.
He stops. Breathes. Then resumes.
NEXT DAY – TRIALS CONTINUE
Shin-Ri stands at the edge of the field. The wind is soft. He watches Maen sparring again—this time with a cockier fighter wielding a hooked sword.
A blur of movement. Maen wins, but barely.
SHIN-RI (V.O.):
She's slipping. Fatigue shortens her fourth dodge.
She'll lose in four more matches. Maybe less.
TRAINING GROUNDS – LATER
A boy around Shin-Ri's age approaches. Spiked blue hair. A lazy smirk. His chain blade rattles behind him like a tail.
KAZU:
Hey, Notebook Boy.
You got notes on me too?
Shin-Ri turns, saying nothing. Just watching.
KAZU:
(leans in)
You know what happens to little scribblers who act big, right?
Kazu kicks the notebook from Shin-Ri's lap. It lands open. Pages flutter.
Shin-Ri calmly picks it up.
SHIN-RI:
Page 14.
You drag your chain before you strike.
Page 17. You fake high, but your weight drops low.
Page 21... you blink before you feint.
Kazu pauses. The smirk cracks.
SHIN-RI:
I don't need to fight you to beat you.
I already did.
Kazu snarls, then walks off in silence.
From a distance, Gojiro watches with a small nod.
SUNSET – EDGE OF THE VILLAGE
Shin-Ri stands at the edge of the cliff, watching the horizon. Distant towers pierce the clouds—tall, sacred places where the higher-ranked sword users dwell.
SHIN-RI (V.O.):
This world worships strength.
But strength without direction is just noise.
I'll become the blade that never rusts—
the sword that sees everything...
and cuts only once.
He lowers his eyes. The wind howls around him.
TO BE CONTINUED...