"I want to commission a sword." Quan said as soon as Master Chiro walked into the forge. Quan was waiting for him on a stool before the area where Chiro normally worked, looking tired from being up all night thinking about his options.

"Excuse me?" Chiro asked in surprise.

"Your sister has declared me ready to start weapon training. I'm not really happy with any of the choices. I left your sister very frustrated last night. I thought the katana was going to be the winner until I realized it can't block no matter what the movies show. Plus no handguards. It's quick on the draw and some cuts, but for that, I give up reach, guard, defence."

"But I don't want to be dead while I'm still drawing my sword, and some guy has already killed me. And let's be honest, it's a beautiful blade." Quan went on. "So Master Chiro, how do I get the best of both worlds? Katana in one hand, longsword in the other? I am hoping we can come up with something that fits me. What's the point of being a blacksmith if we can't be inventive?

Chiro said nothing for a long minute. Then he slowly reached into a pouch he carried and pulled out five claws one at a time.

"What are those?" Quan asked.

"You earned a lot of points with the tiger mother's body. But I saved the five claws from her front right paw to imbue a sword for you. It seemed only fair you got something more than mere points. These will imbue an intense cutting strength."

Quan's eyes lit up. Then he discreetly placed some items on the bench in front of his Master. He said. "Your sister swore me to secrecy, so don't get me in trouble." He then pulled out several metals and binding agents Quan⁰ò suspected could be used at the forge.

"Why would she keep this from me?" Chiro wondered as he looked at the items.

"Not you, everyone. I did something stupid a while back and got some lucky items. Asha took what she could fake as from her. The rest we've been waiting on, so no one just takes it."

"But I've spent a lot of time looking at it all. And I've wanted to show you these for a while." Before him, he lay several metal ingots he couldn’t identify, and some natural treasures he suspected would combine with armour or swords.

"Anything else, or is this it?" The blacksmith asked.

"I'm not sure about this one. You might have better luck figuring it out." He pulled out a bottle with runes and symbols all over it. "The symbols are all related to weapons and spirits. I wonder if this is the key to a spirit weapon." He handed it to Chiro.

Master Chiro looked at the item thoughtfully. "Maybe, if it is. It will bind to its owner and grow in power with you. A lifelong sword at your age is," he shook his head. "I don't even know. If it is what you say, you may not be ready for it."

The items all vanished into his pouch, and Chiro led them to a nearby table. He took out a sheet of paper and some fine charcoal and said. "So not a katana, but a longsword with some inspiration from one maybe." He started sketching. "Double-edged and sturdy yet light and fast. Almost a Jian, really. Do you have an element you want it to use?"

"Lightning, definitely" he nodded as they started imagining his perfect weapon. "Shock them with each strike. Plus, it just looks good.'

~

Asha, I want to take a mission." Quan said as he let loose another arrow. "There's a group mission to check on the border Arrays. It's a five-day trip there and back."

Asha raised an eyebrow. "It also requires a team of four or five, as I recall."

"Qin invited me. It’s his mission."

"This isn't some way to duel away from the sect, is it.?"

"Hardly, it would be good for me to really get to know some more people. I still barely know half the names of people I talk to outside the few I train with." Quan said. "This seems like a good chance for a simple safe mission while maybe making some friends."

"Fine, but you won't be able to use your ring and all the wonderful gear," Asha replied.

"Not a problem. Qin is arranging all the gear we need. I just need my personal items." Quan assured her.

"Did you already agree?" Asha asked suspiciously.

"I already told them I'd ask my master's permission." Quan answered quickly.

"How far have you progressed in clearing your meridians?" Asha asked.

Quan pulled up his status screen from the nanotech.

User name: Hoon Quan

Status:

Physical:

Body Foundation - A- Tier

Status - Healthy

Core:

Foundation - S Tier

Elemental affinity - none

Specials - none

Condition - 80%

Meridian Network

Foundation - developing

Developed -

Primary Channel - 100%

Secondary Channel - 18%

System status: CNE version 678.2342

Nanobot swarm: 100% - Standby

"Primary Meridian is done, right arm Is done, and working on the left now," Quin answered. The system didn't seem to split up the success of a limb, referring to all four as just secondary.

"Will you take Rukh Khan?" She asked.

"He's too young still. I thought you might keep him for a few days."

Asha nodded, "I'll use the time to go consult with Chiro about this weapon he's making for you!"

"I hope you aren't upset. The katana just didn't feel right."

"I told you to find the one that works for you, I didn't think you'd be quite this picky, but we can. I prefer the Jian." Asha patted her side.

~

Quan looked at the group Qin had gathered. QIN himself was the oldest and leader. He wore simple leathers for light combat with a spear over his shoulder. His brown hair was cut military short, and he had the look of a young man proud of his first real taste of responsibility entrusted to him.

Beside him stood a slightly shorter man with hair that ran down into his eyes. Yeo Tram. He wore a scholar's robe and had a few books poking out of his pack. His job was to inspect and adjust the arrays as needed.

Trang Zao and his brother Trang Junjie stood looking identical to one another. Each carried a short bow and a quiver full of arrows. They were the shortest of the group, 5'10 and were dressed in simple leathers fit for blending in the forest. Five packs full of gear rested in the middle of their group as they gathered.

"The mission is simple," Qin began, "we are to head south until we reach the boundary walker. That should take most of the day. Then we will turn east and follow the boundary. We will stop at every marked array point on the map we've been given for three days. Then we head for home.

"Tram here will certify they are working and make any adjustments needed. The Trang Brothers will scout and lead us through the wilds. Quan and I are the guards."

"This border makes the edge of both kingdom and empire limit. It should be simple, no bandits, no soldiers. Just wilderness and camping with the boys! But in each bag is an emergency token you can activate if it goes badly for some reason. An alert will go off here, a rescue will be sent, and we will all be shamed."

"Any questions?" Qin finished. When no one spoke up, he grinned and said, "Let's head out boys!"