Nord's Home, The Town of Merca

Returning home and freshening up, Today was Drake's turn on the stove. Nord retrieved one of his Heirloom Adamantium swords from storage and headed out into the backyard where the garden was.

Since the kitchen window faces the garden, Drake can clearly see Nord's intricate movements with the sword as he flourished it. All drake saw was a Blur that would halt to reveal a teal flamberge blade that appeared translucent in the light of the setting sun, and then slash away again

As Drake was done with the preparations, He just set the pot full of broth to simmer and watched his master's dance.

This was a daily routine for Nord. He would Dance with one of his most prized swords, Coating it with the magic of one of his Four elements. Today it was lightning. Drake could see the trails of cackling whips form as the blade cut through the air. Nord was now fully immersed in his own world. He twisted and turned in a graceful manner as he began to twirl the heavy sword around his body.

He kept his eyes closed, Nord has claimed that Practising Flourishing was an important aspect of sword arts as it allows you to feel the Sword you wield as an extension of yourself. Drake watched on in awe as Nord now kicked off the ground like a Ballet of death, Twirling his weapon as if it weighed nothing. The aura of Lightning became more intense as Nord's Movements became Sharper and Faster

The air crackled around the lightning coated blade as Nord Twirled it up, spun around, Dropped to one knee and slashed downward in one beautiful fluid motion. The lightning dissipated and Nord stood up and bowed as if he was thanking an invisible audience for witnessing his performance

Drake shut off the Flame that he was using to cook and washed his hands. He went downstairs to his room to retrieve the Sword Nord had gifted him. He then proceeded out through the back door into the back yard.

"I want to join you today." He said to Nord as he stabbed the tip of his sword into the ground

"Drake..." Nord Turned his head to look at Drake's smiling face

"Come"

And so Master and student put on an Encore performance for the invisible audience. Their Completely improvised movements and Flourishes complimenting each other perfectly. One could say it resembled the intricate performance of a Ballet duet using the flare of Magic as an eyecatcher. Nord spun into the air, Twirling his sword. as he landed he raised his sword and Let loose a bolt of Lightning into the air

The bolt cracked with a loud bang as it branched and Disappeared in a flash. Signalling the end of their performance.

"Drake" Nord called, short of breath

"It's been 18 long years since I took on the responsibility of raising you, Boy. Your mother's last request still sounds in my ears to this day."

He said pointing to the metallic blue pendant on Drake's neck, something he wore all his life

“"Protect My Son”. Those were the last words she uttered and the only words she said to me as she died. Cold and Alone"

Nord looked forlorn in his Reminiscence

"Looking back on it now, I thought of you as nothing but a Burden to me. But in Hindsight you were the best thing that could have possibly happened to me then. I lost my position as captain and was Imprisoned for a year. I came back into society with nothing for myself. I have no family- no, Not ones I consider Family anyway..."

Nord Continued, A stern expression creeping onto his face

" You were like the light at the end of my dark tunnel, Kid. Without you I probably would have never recovered from being a dead drunkard. I was Nurturing life. with these hands who I had deemed only found their value in battle."

Nord Made a fist with each of his hands and raised them as he spoke

Drake stood in complete silence as he bore witness to Nord's Melancholy

" -And now, You, the Life I have nurtured will be finding its own purpose in this world. I know you have been treated like an Outcast your whole life, Kid. But don't let that stop you from finding your purpose in life. Right now your goal is to earn respect and merit right? then don't wait for it to be handed to you, Ascend through all hardships and Snatch them with your own two hands!"

Nord stared into Drake's eyes as he spoke

" I'm sorry if I couldn't be a better Guardian- a Better father to you... "

"Son"

Drake raised his head to see Nord's eyes glisten as he spoke. He finally broke his silence

"No"

Nord straightened up

"If it weren't for you, I'd probably be alone in this world too. These people see that I'm different and treat me as if I were less than them! Except for you, master! I could have led an easy life had I let you raise me normally, Yes. But I chose to take this path, and you myTrailblazer!"

Nord's face quivered as he tightly embraced Drake

"I love you, Kid"

"I love you too, Old man"

Their master student- no, Parent and Child heart to heart came to a close. Nord peeled Drake away from his bear hug

"Now then, Let's go eat dinner. Tomorrow afternoon a Corps Carriage will come to escort you to the Royal Capital where you will enroll as a Mage."

Nord said, starting toward the hut

"Yes"

Drake followed behind him

Dinnertime in Nord's hut seemed more lively than usual as Laughter can be heard emanating from the rundown Town home