Chapter 6: The Test

"So, let's begin." Sam casually withdrew his hands from his pockets. Raising a single finger, he traced a swift line through the empty air. The space tore open instantly, unraveling into a swirling, pitch-black dimensional portal. "Arise, NEN." With a smooth, practiced motion, Sam drew a gleaming longsword from the rift. The tip of the blade lowered until it made soft contact with the earth. A faint metallic chime rang through the training grounds. "Dvaram narakashya urdhvastartam prati..." The whispered incantation echoed across the designated training space. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The air grew heavy—oppressive and thick with malice. Within the boundaries of the barrier, dark shadows began to coalesce, twisting and gathering as though the darkness itself were taking shape. Dozens... No, scores of low-tier devils materialized across the arena. Their glowing crimson eyes immediately locked onto their lone target. Kirito. "Let's go!" Kirito roared and charged. He didn't hesitate. With a thought, he commanded the slime clinging to his arm, forcing the strange substance to fluidly reshape itself into a keen, razor-sharp edge. Seeing the boy ready, Sam lifted the tip of his blade from the ground. He rotated the weapon a full 360 degrees before allowing it to sink back into the ether. "Sleep, NEN." The moment the portal closed, the horde surged forward. A chorus of guttural shrieks shattered the silence as the creatures charged in a chaotic frenzy. One devil leaped high into the air, claws outstretched, aiming straight for Kirito's throat. Kirito's blade moved like liquid mercury. With effortless precision, he sliced the airborne monster cleanly in half, sending black mist scattering into the wind. He didn't pause to watch it fall. Kirito plunged directly into the swarm. He stepped, pivoted, and swung with terrifying grace. Every motion flowed seamlessly into the next, as though he weren't cutting through flesh at all, but slicing through water. From outside the translucent barrier, Sam watched calmly. It's clear from this that he didn't just waste his time at the dojo for the past five years. His sharp eyes analyzed every shift in Kirito's weight, every subtle twitch of his muscles, every adjustment of his footing. But this test isn't meant to gauge his refined form or quick reflexes. It's a test of pure stamina—and how well he copes when pushed into a corner under a relentless barrage. Unconcerned, Sam wandered over to a nearby oak tree and settled beneath its broad shade. A slight smile touched his lips as he leaned back against the trunk. He was here to watch the show. Inside the arena, the tempo shifted. Kirito cut down three devils in a single sweeping arc. But as he lunged forward to deal with a fourth, his attention drifted toward the wrong direction for a fraction of a second. That was all it took. A hulking beast struck him from behind. The impact shattered Kirito's center of gravity, sending him skidding violently across the dirt. "Shit!" The air was ripped from his lungs. Kirito slammed both palms against the ground, scrambling to roll away just as a heavy claw smashed into the dirt where his head had been a moment before. Outside the barrier, Sam tilted his head back against the tree trunk. He pulled his coat over his face, shielding himself from the sunlight. "And so, your real test begins now," he muttered lazily. Before Kirito could fully regain his footing, a heavy demonic foot slammed into his ribs. "Aagh!" The brutal kick sent him tumbling through the dust. Kirito rolled onto his back, gasping for air, only to find another devil looming over him. Its massive fists were raised high, preparing to crush him. "Sorry... but not today!" Kirito spat. "Sea Dragon's Roar!" A violent surge of pressurized water erupted from him, engulfing the monster's upper body. The sheer force tore through the creature, vaporizing it on the spot and leaving nothing behind but fading ash. Without missing a beat, Kirito gathered a bead of liquid slime at his fingertips. The substance stretched between his fingers, forming a makeshift, high-tension slingshot. He released it. Three rapid shots streaked through the air, striking the eyes of the nearest attackers. The devils shrieked in agony, clutching their faces. Kirito used the brief distraction to push himself upright. The slime instantly flowed back into his hand, reforming into a longsword. "I know a trick like that won't kill you," Kirito panted, wiping a mixture of sweat and grime from his forehead. "...But it buys me enough time to catch my breath." More than half the horde remained. Their snarls echoed from every direction. Kirito inhaled deeply. His right leg moved forward. He raised his blade horizontally, bringing the flat of the steel level with his eyes. Then, something familiar stirred within his mind. The stance. The movement. The memory of the person who had taught it to him. Years ago... "Oh my, look at your face! It's all puffed up like a ripe tomato." Hina giggled gently as she knelt down and wiped the dirt from ten-year-old Kirito's cheeks. Kirito had just trudged home from his afternoon sword classes, looking thoroughly defeated. "Mom! Are you making fun of me too?" Kirito pouted, his cheeks flushing even redder. "No, no, I'm just asking," Hina replied with a warm, comforting smile as she neatly placed his dirt-caked shoes beside the entrance. "You were sparring with Sherry at the dojo again, weren't you?" Before Kirito could answer, a familiar voice rang out from the living room. "Kiri! You're back!" Little Allya darted out, her eyes lighting up. She grabbed Kirito's hand without waiting for an answer and tugged him toward the television. "Come look at this!" "Kirito, wash your hands and face first, please," Hina called softly, shaking her head with a fond smile. Later that evening, over a warm dinner, Kirito couldn't stop talking about his defeat. "Mom, she's just way too strong," he mumbled, poking at his food with a dramatic sigh. "She even came up with her own special secret move!" "Is that so?" Hina hummed thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "Then how about I teach you a move of my own?" Kirito blinked. "Wait... you know how to use a sword, Mom?" "Of course," Hina chuckled softly. "Your grandmother used to send me to the dojo every single day when I was a child." The very next morning, before the sun had fully risen, Hina led Kirito into the dew-kissed garden. "Mom... was it really necessary to wake me up this early?" Kirito groaned, rubbing his sleep-heavy eyes. "Yes! There's no better time to train the mind than at dawn." Hina gestured toward the weapon rack. "Fetch us a wooden sword, sweetie." Kirito handed it over. Hina walked to the center of the lawn. The moment she settled into position, something changed. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.The gentle, motherly air surrounding her disappeared, replaced by a quiet, absolute composure. "Watch closely," Hina instructed, her voice crisp in the morning air. "Since you're left-handed like me, step forward with your right leg. Align the blade horizontally, right at eye level. The moment your opponent steps into your reach—release your rear hand. Thrust straight forward with everything you have, just like driving a sharp pin through silk." Her wooden sword cut cleanly through the morning air. "Then, follow through with a diagonal downward cut, pivot fully to your right for an upward strike, and finish the flow with a left-to-right sweep—like this!" Her movements were seamless. A breathtaking dance of motion and form. Kirito stood frozen, his eyes wide with unadulterated awe. "Mom... that was amazing!" A brilliant sparkle shone in his eyes. Hina blushed slightly and rested the wooden sword against her shoulder. "Oh, it's nothing special. Here, give it a try." As Kirito took the heavy wooden practice weapon, he looked up eagerly. "Mom, what's it called? Sherry gave her move a super cool name!" "Hmm... why don't you name it?" Hina offered. "No way, this is your move," Kirito insisted stubbornly. "I'll name mine when I make one from scratch!" "Fair enough." Hina smiled, her gaze drifting toward the surrounding flora. "How about... Aqua Poppy?" Kirito's shoulders dropped with a groan. "Mom! Why are you always so obsessed with plants and flowers?" "What's wrong with that? They're lovely." She giggled. "Yeah, but does everything have to be named after a tree or a blossom?" "Because I love them," Hina said softly. Her expression grew tender. Kirito quieted for a moment as he looked at her. "Then... what's your absolute favorite flower? I'll go find one and bring it home for you today!" Hina paused. Her gaze drifted toward the clear blue sky, as though searching through old memories. "My favorite flower..." Her voice softened. "A water lily." "Got it! A water lily!" Kirito beamed, flashing a confident, toothy grin. "I'll bring a huge one back after practice!" "Thank you, Kirito." Hina reached out and gently ruffled his messy hair. "Just watch, Mom! I'm gonna master this move in no time!" Kirito turned toward the center of the garden and dropped into his stance. "Alright... right leg forward, sword at eye level, and then—" Reality slammed back into place. Kirito's blade drove straight through the skull of an attacking devil. Black fluid splattered across the dirt. "Aqua Poppy!" Kirito moved like a whirlwind. He carved through the frontline, his steps following the precise rhythm his mother had shown him years ago. Step. Thrust. Pivot. Slash. His innate water manipulation flowed alongside every movement, merging with the rhythm of his blade. Yet the horde seemed endless. This isn't working... I've fused the stance of Aqua Poppy with my magic, but they aren't slowing down fast enough! A momentary lapse in concentration was all it took. A devil's razor-sharp claw raked across Kirito's forearm. A jagged cut opened across his skin. "Tch—I've had enough of this!" Kirito spun on his heel and cleaved the offending beast in two. "Sea Dragon's Roar!" He unleashed spell after spell, transforming the arena into a storm of torrential water and flashing steel. For fifteen minutes, the battle raged without pause. Then— Silence. The scorched, muddy battlefield lay still. Kirito stood in the center of the faded barrier, gasping heavily. His sword hung at his side, his clothes torn and dirt-streaked, his body worn down by the relentless assault. Yet his eyes were bright. The remains of more than a hundred monsters slowly dissipated around him. The glowing barrier hummed softly before vanishing entirely. Then came applause. Sam sauntered over, lazily clapping his hands together. "Excellent work. It took you exactly two hours and forty-nine minutes to clear out one hundred and twelve E-rank devils. Not bad... though you definitely could do better." Kirito immediately collapsed onto his back in the dirt, staring up at the clouds. "You're talking... as if you would've killed them all in ten minutes..." he wheezed. Sam sat down cross-legged beside him. "Nah. It would've taken me maybe ten seconds to wipe out these little runts." Kirito let out a breathless laugh, covering his eyes with one arm. "Right. Why do I even bother asking?" "Alright, jokes aside—let's talk business." Sam's tone leveled out, becoming surprisingly serious. "Yeah... go ahead," Kirito muttered, slowly sitting up. "The devils you fought today were absolute bottom-feeders. The Dark Knights wouldn't even spare them a second glance," Sam explained coldly. "Starting tomorrow, when you begin taking real missions, you might end up face-to-face with a creature whose single strength dwarfs everything you fought today combined." Kirito wiped the dirt from his cheek and sat upright. A determined look settled over his features. "Then make sure the next test is at least D-rank level." "Deal." Sam stood and extended a hand. Kirito grasped it, allowing Sam to pull him to his feet. By the time the pair finally made it back to the house, night had long since fallen. The moment they stepped through the front gate, the door burst open. "You two are SO late!" Allya stood there with her arms crossed, glaring daggers at them. "Do you have any idea how much work Reno and I had to do to make dinner by ourselves?!" Sam immediately put his hands behind his head and pinched his own ears, bowing dramatically. "We are deeply, terribly sorry, Ma'am!" "Wait... you guys actually managed to cook dinner tonight, Reno?" Kirito stared at him in disbelief. Kicking off his scuffed boots, he trudged into the living room and threw himself face-first onto the sofa with a muffled groan. "Kiri! Don't you dare fall asleep on that couch! Go wash your hands and come to the table!" Allya yelled over her shoulder as she marched back toward the kitchen. A short while later, the four of them sat around the dining table, enjoying the warm meal. "Hey, Big Bro." Allya looked up at Sam with big, hopeful eyes. "You promised we'd go to the amusement park tomorrow!" Sam picked up his glass of water and took a slow sip. "When did I ever say no? Of course we're going tomorrow." "Wait, really? We're going to the amusement park?!" Kirito and Reno blurted out the words simultaneously, their eyes lighting up. Sam set his glass down with a soft click. A sly smirk spread across his face. "Don't get too excited, boys. You two have a formal mission assigned for first thing tomorrow morning." The excitement vanished from Kirito and Reno's faces in an instant. "What the hell?!" Their voices rang out together. And just like that, their peaceful amusement-park plans had been destroyed before they had even begun.