My mentor, Johan Willcraft, was one of those people who seemed like they had everything figured out. Tall, thin, the sort of guy whose every move seemed to carry a hidden depth, like he’d spent decades absorbing the world’s secrets. His white beard? It wasn’t just facial hair. It was a flag for wisdom. No joke, you could tell just by looking at him he had something to teach if you were patient enough to listen.

“Arianna,” he said, his voice a little too serious. “I’m glad you came. I didn’t think you’d show up before I leave for good.”

My eyes squinted at him. “What makes you think that? You know I wouldn’t miss this.”

That got a smile out of him. We were both grinning like fools now, but it was as if we knew something the world didn’t. I tried again to talk him into sticking around, to stay longer and teach me more about the mysteries of swordsmanship, but he wasn’t having it. He was set on leaving. This was going to be our last time sparring, and he made it clear it wasn’t about me improving. It was about watching how far I’d come.

Before long, we faced each other in the training yard, getting ready for a showdown. I felt pretty damn good, my body ready to execute the “Beginner’s Dance,” the seven steps every swordsman had to learn. I wasn’t a beginner anymore, though. I’d added my own little flair to it.

We started moving together like a well-choreographed fight scene. I pushed for any opening, trying to catch him slipping. He, of course, was on top of every little mistake I made. The few minutes of battle felt like an hour-long dance of death. Metal clashed, the sound sharp in the air, blending with the distant calls of birds. And my old master? Never broke a sweat.

When it ended, he actually seemed enthralled. “That’s impressive, Arianna,” he said, as if he was watching something important happen. “You’ve taken the Beginner’s Dance and made it your own. Now, show me the Seven.”

Ah, the Seven. The Elemental Seven, to be exact. It was the ultimate technique, the one my master said could only be grasped by the truly great. It was more than a fight. An expression of nature itself. Each step was tied to an element such as air, earth, water… you get the idea. My master just stood back, watching quietly as I began.

First came “Dawnstrike,” my sword slicing through the air like the sun breaking the night. In my head, I imagine everything glowing golden, like I’m channeling the first light of day. Hope, rebirth, all that.

Then came “Whirling Wind,” all fluid movements, like I’m dancing with the breeze. You could almost feel the wind on your skin, light, breezy, effortless.

Next, I grounded myself with “Stoneguard.” My feet connected to the earth, and I felt like I could stand there forever, immovable. No matter how much the world tried to knock me down, I was strong enough to stay upright.

From there, I moved into my favorite, “Dragon’s Wrath.” I let loose everything, the raw power coursing through me as I struck. This one felt like pure force, like I could smash through anything. This, I thought, could be my finisher, my ultimate move.

Then, “Shimmering Cascade.” A quick flurry of steps, flowing like water. Smooth, precise, beautiful. It was all about technique, not power, and I made every movement count.

After that came “Silent Shadow,” my footfalls quiet, the air around me still. I struck with stealth, hitting from angles my opponent wouldn’t expect.

And finally, the last one, “Blade of the Phoenix.” I’d built to this. As a game-changer, it was all about resilience. Rising from the ashes, like a phoenix. No matter what happened, I was always going to come back.

When it was all over, I saw it in my master’s face. Pride. Recognition. It signified the juncture where the hermit and the warrior converged. Their fates were forever linked within the continuum of time. Those steps were me now. Every swing of the blade, every shift in my stance, felt like a piece of my soul was carved into the air.

But even with all that, something didn’t feel complete. There was something missing. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but it plagued my thoughts, this feeling that I hadn’t fully unlocked the Seven.

“Master?” I asked, catching my breath. “I think there’s something lacking in the Seven. Like… a skill, maybe?”

He sighed. Not like it was a bad thing, but more like he was carrying some kind of burden. “Arianna,” he said slowly, “what you’re talking about isn’t something you can learn. It’s in your blood. You’ll understand it when the time comes. But listen to me. Don’t use the Seven unless you have no other choice. Only when your life is at stake.”

I looked at him, trying to read between the lines of what he was saying. I can tell there’s more to this than he’s letting on, but some things just take time. Some answers don’t come until you’ve earned them.

We were back in the hut, and the sun was just starting to climb when we fell into a deep conversation about swordsmanship. I was hanging on every word my master said, especially when he started explaining the Aura Blade one last time. This technique wasn’t just about swinging a sword; it was about channeling your mana, your spiritual energy, into the weapon itself. My lips shut tight, and my ears perked up as he explained how it required a lot of mana to pull off and how a single misstep could drain you faster than you’d ever expect, especially in the middle of a fight. Sounds dangerous, right? But also incredibly powerful, even though I’d never witnessed this myself. I once asked my master whether he could wield the skill himself. But he just shrugged his shoulders and gave me that look, telling me that the technique wasn’t meant for everyone. Anyway, if I got admitted into the academy, no doubt their instructors would impart the knowledge I needed.

Then, I couldn’t help myself. I had to ask about the Elemental Swordmasters. These legends weren’t just skilled fighters; they could actually tap into the forces of nature, turning them into weapons. You weren’t just wielding a sword; you were becoming part of nature itself. My master had stories about them, sure, but one name stuck with me. Holden Gruelcraft. He was the headmaster of Heincraft, blessed by the wind element, and someone who could bend the very air to his will. Only about one in ten thousand people is even considered worthy of becoming an Elemental Swordmaster. It’s like being chosen by the elements themselves.

My master’s tone then changed. With a soft and solemn voice, he told me there was this one mysterious figure who was rumored to be just as strong, maybe even stronger than the Heincraft headmaster. My master didn’t know where they stood, but he knew their power was on another level.

Eventually, after what felt like hours, I left my master’s hut. I was grateful, more than words could really say, but I didn’t linger. There was still much to learn. I had to keep pushing myself. I’d taken the first steps toward something greater, and now there was no turning back.

By midday, the sun poured through the windows of my mother’s herbalist shop, streaming light into the room and making it feel alive with energy. A mild breeze drifted through, swirling dust particles around the shelves packed with herbs and potions. It was a place that could make you feel calm just by being there.

When I walked into the shop, my mom noticed right away. Her eyes lit up, as if she knew everything was about to change for me. I was halfway through loosening my sword belt when I heard it, a hard knock at the door. It wasn’t a knock that meant anything ordinary. My heart skipped. It was like the entire room held its breath.

I opened the door and saw a courier standing there, holding out a sealed envelope. My hands were shaking when I took it. I knew what it was before I even broke the seal.

The letter unfolded in my hands, and my breath caught. “Heincraft Welcomes You!” it practically shouted from the paper, a declaration. The entrance exam I had taken at the town Sword’s Guild had led to this. I was in. The academy had accepted me. Aegis Island, a floating island of knowledge and power, was calling my name.

A shout of joy burst out of me. People outside the shop peeked through the windows, no doubt wondering what had caused such an outburst. But I didn’t care. The path ahead would be full of challenges, sure, but I was ready. This was it. The start of something big, and I was going to make my mark, alongside the chosen few.