Novis was nervous, the look Daiki was currently giving him was the same as if he had just asked for his daughter's hand in marriage. No one watching from the outside would think all Novis did, was ask if Ashley could play a video game with him.

Daiki then looked at his daughter, Ashley had a look on her face like she was hoping for her Dad to give the right answer.

Daiki let out a big old sigh.

"It seems I have been stubborn on you for no reason," Daiki said. "If the boy can grow this strong playing games, then I see no reason why my daughter can't."

The biggest smile started to appear on Ashley's face. this made Daiki's heart melt. He felt like he had wronged his daughter. Originally Daiki never planned to teach his daughter Kendo but when she grew up, she naturally started to grow an interest in her father's job.

Daiki seeing this and her talent for the sword started to get carried away. He thought he was doing what she wanted but now he could see that he wasn't.

Ashley then ran other to Novis and gave him a big hug, squeezing him as tight as she could.

"You're the best, thank you so much!" Ashley said while her hands were wrapped around Novis's midsection.

Novis face started to shine bright red and was getting slightly hotter.

"It's okay don't worry about it."

Then Novis managed to catch a glimpse of Daiki looking at him. His eyes were burning with a desire to murder Novis all of a sudden. Novis gently moved away from Ashley.

As Ashley turned around, she ran up to her father and gave him a big hug and kiss too.

"Thank you, dad." She said as she kissed him on the cheek.

The kiss seemed to calm down Daiki's rage. Daiki then remembered that he wanted to ask Novis something.

"Before you go, there's one thing I want you to do," Daiki said. "Can you come with me?"

With Daiki already agreeing to let Ashley play, Novis was wondering what would he still need him for? but Novis was too afraid to get on Daiki's bad side and agreed to follow.

The students were told to resume training while Ashley and Novis followed Daiki into the main house. After walking through many rooms Daiki eventually stopped outside a room with a plain black door.

"This room is my father's praying room. I've never been allowed in here before." Ashley whispered.

Daiki took out a key and unlocked the door. He stepped in first then gave a hand signal for the other two to follow him in afterwards.

The room wasn't very big but it didn't need to be. There was a single table with a bunch photos on top of it. Just in front of the photos were incense sticks and food offerings. Behind the photos was a bamboo sword framed up on the wall.

Daiki Knelt down and started to pray at the photos.

Ashley and Novis followed Daiki's actions, making sure not to disrespect anyone.

"These people here are photos of the people I most cared about," Daiki said. "And that includes my late teacher."

Daiki then stood up and walked over to the bamboo sword hanging on the wall.

"This sword was my teachers and he was given this by his teachers. It has been passed down for many generations now and I too planned to give it to my daughter."

Daiki stared at the sword for a while before continuing.

"The bamboo sword was made from the legendary 1000-year-old bamboo shoot. It is said that on top of mount Fuji were nothing is meant to grow, there is a single patch of Bamboo. No flames, no wind, no ice can damage it. One day the mountain was covered in lightning strikes and a particular strike managed to hit a piece of bamboo, causing it to fall. This I what you see here today." Daiki said as he took the sword of the wall.

Daiki then went over and handed the sword to Novice.

Novis was flustered

"What you're giving it to me? But this isn't right it, Ashley should be the one to receive it not me."

Novis could see that Ashley was stunned by what she had just heard from her father. She knew about the sword but had never even seen it before today and suddenly he was handing it to Novis, who he had just met for the first time, it didn't make any sense.

"Calm down." Daiki said, "I'm not giving it to you, I just want you to take a look."

Suddenly, Novis heart started to beat slower. He wanted to get along with Ashley and he felt like if he was to receive something so precious, then she would resent him for it.

Novis happily took the sword from Daiki's hand. Novis didn't know much about Bamboo swords. Just a few minutes ago was the first time he had ever held one but this one did feel special. It was as if certain energy was emitting from it.

"Do you feel anything boy?" Daiki asked.

"It feels strong," Novis said as he continued to inspect the sword.

Daiki was suddenly a little disappointed. It was as if he was expecting something to happen.

Then Novis felt a marking near the hilt of the bamboo sword. As he turned it around, he could see the carving of a dragon. Not only that though, but it was also exactly the same carving that was on the sword that Arthur came from.

"Sir, do you know what this marking is?" Novis asked Daiki.

Daiki looked at where Novis was pointing but he couldn't see anything.

"What are you talking about boy?"

"Right here, there's an image of a dragon that's been carved inside."

Ashley then stood, up

"Let me take a look. My dad's eyes are probably getting old.

When Ashley went to look at the carving, she couldn't see anything either.

"Uhh, where is it?" Ashley asked thinking that Novis might have gone crazy.

"Right here, can't any of you see it?"

Novis then had an odd feeling of deja vu happen to him. As if he had experienced this exact same scenario before. It hit him. When he first met Arthur, Scarlett wasn't able to see the carving either. Just what did this mean?

*****

Hi, guys here there is a discord link where artwork and any questions you have can be answered. Also, we can build a community, play games together ect.. https://discord.gg/huTJG43