Part II - Water God Dojo
"So… this is the city of Roa, huh?" I muttered to myself, the walled city appearing over the hill as Helios trotted down the road.
It had been a little over two months since I left the Sword Sanctum, and after weeks of constant travel, most of it through poor conditions due to the weather, I had finally arrived at my first destination.
But objectively, the trip didn't take too long.
Normally, it would have taken an extra month or so, but with me healing Helios and rejuvenating his stamina during the days, we were eventually able to run for the entire day, cutting our overall travel time down significantly.
And so, having gone east after crossing the mountain pass into the Asura Kingdom, it was finally time to finish my quick detour… and also to confirm whether this world's loop was the one I was familiar with.
The process of getting into the city was quite simple.
While I haven't registered as an adventurer, since I didn't plan on adventuring yet, I still had a piece of identification that Gal had given me before I left in the form of a small medallion.
After all, it would be quite awkward to be turned away at the border before I could even reach the Water God dojo.
But I was a bit confused on how it worked, since it didn't have anything unique to me… I mean, couldn't someone just take it from me?
Well, not that I cared.
After showing them the medallion, I was easily able to pass through the main gate, where I was immediately directed towards the stable, where I could leave Helios in their care for a small fee.
I was a bit worried, since it had been the first time Helios and I were separated for our journey thus far… but I could just chase down anyone who tried anything.
With it being mid-afternoon, the cobbled streets were bustling with activity, the main road lined with stalls as the chatter of people bartering and conversing echoed through the city.
From my journey here, I had learned that the Fittoa Region consisted of mostly farmlands and pastures, with small villages scattered throughout the plains and rolling hills.
So, with Roa being the biggest and most central major city in the region, not only did it act as the administrative hub, but also the economic one, as evident from the bustling market before me.
And looking towards the centre of the city… there it was.
Looming tall over the rest of the houses, there was the large stone castle that acted as the manor for the local lord, Sir Sauros Boreas Greyrat, as well as the mayor of Roa, his son Philip.
And if everything was as I hoped… it was also the place of employment of one Rudeus Greyrat.
But as I continued staring at the impressive medieval fortress… I noticed it.
A floating red orb hovering over the centre of the city, close to one of the castle towers.
And if I focused my battle aura to enhance my senses… I felt it.
That seemingly benign orb was absolutely filled with mana, condensed tighter than I had ever seen mana condensed before.
To others, it would seem like an odd but harmless anomaly. An interesting quirk among many in this fantasy world.
But I knew the truth… in a couple of years, that thing would explode, causing a disaster that would devastate this entire region and its people.
I looked back down at the street I was walking through, watching the people go about their everyday lives.
A newlywed couple purchasing a set of dishes for their home.
A grandmother handing out pastries to a set of children.
A family with a young child, a teenager, and a new baby going through the stalls, the young child tightly holding onto her big brother's hand as they did so.
I immediately looked away.
I felt sick. Sick with guilt.
These people… soon enough, their lives would be destroyed.
The teleportation would have no mercy.
Some would die from how they are teleported, being sent high into the sky to fall to their deaths.
Or, they would die shortly after from the situation they would find themselves in, such as being torn apart by a horde of monsters or starving in an uninhabited wasteland.
Others would be captured and sold into slavery, or end up dying in an unfamiliar land.
And the lucky ones would survive it all and return to this place, only to find out that their homes were gone, their families scattered or killed, and their lives as they knew it… changed forever.
But what could I even do?
I couldn't tell them the truth and ask for them to evacuate the entire region based on nothing but a hunch.
And even if I somehow convinced them to do it, the teleportation disaster would still happen, completely destroying the land here, and leaving me as the sole person to see this coming… and the sole person to blame.
With such a devastating result of the disaster… well, it was obvious what would happen to me.
No… I couldn't do anything, no matter how much guilt I felt.
I shook my head to clear my mind, taking in a deep breath as I caught a whiff of the pleasant scents of the street food being sold.
Anyway… that red orb.
The signal and source of the teleportation disaster… it was here.
And if that was here, then that meant…
Scanning the street, it was as if fate had decided to confirm my deduction, as I spotted a young boy with light brown hair bartering with one of the merchants, a detailed figure held in his hand.
Rudeus Greyrat… approximately eight years old, if my memory served me right.
So indeed… this was the loop with him in it.
That was good.
Even if that meant the teleportation disaster ended up happening, it at least meant that I knew what was going on, and arguably more importantly, it meant that this should be the loop that Orsted succeeded in his mission.
I would be dead before that ended up being a concern, but my grandchildren would still be alive.
And the thought of dooming them to a failed timeline, and my own life amounting to nothing… it didn't leave me with a good feeling.
But ignoring all of that existential stuff, now that I had confirmed my knowledge of the future, it was time to get going.
I was still unsure what the butterfly effect of my birth and actions would bring into the world, and I didn't want to risk causing even more trouble by interacting with him.
And so… it was time for this little trip to come to an end, and time to head towards my actual destination.
—
A giant city spread out before me, with houses lined up tightly together with multiple stories, as a giant palace sat on the hill to the west, its towers overlooking the entire area.
It was truly a grand city, just as it had been described in books.
The biggest city in this world, and the capital of the strongest nation… this was Ars.
The home of the royal family of Asura, and more importantly, the home of the Water God Style dojo.
Like with Roa, I was able to enter the city with no complications thanks to my medallion, and after asking the guard where the Water God Style home was, he directed me to go into the noble district to the south, where I would quickly see it.
From how easily he answered, he must have gotten asked that question quite a bit.
As Helios and I trotted slowly down the road, following the other carriages and travellers, I looked around the city that I would be calling home for the foreseeable future.
While most of the city was protected by the large wall surrounding it, there were still houses that spread on the outside of it near the entrances.
From what I could guess, these houses were for those less fortunate, acting more as peasants that tended the farmland that surrounded the city, with the houses inside the walls coming as a premium.
Although, considering where they were in the nation, even those outside the walls probably had a better life than most farmers.
The main area of the city, which I was currently walking in, was dedicated to the commoners and merchants.
Children ran freely along the streets where merchants traded their wares and shops sold their products, while commoner housing was hidden behind the street-facing buildings, accessible by the many alleyways that lined the area.
It was similar to the bustling nature of Roa when I had visited, but just… more.
More people, more noise, and as I quickly noticed… more smells.
I knew that this was a medieval setting, so I could only assume that the sanitation and garbage management was just as outdated… but I had hoped that magic would somewhat mitigate it.
Let's just hope I got used to… whatever that smell was.
Yeah, don't think about it.
Looking towards the raised centre of the city, I noticed that there was another wall, and behind that, I could spot taller, grander houses, with much more space between them.
Actually, it was more accurate to call them manors rather than simple houses.
That must be the noble district the guard mentioned, restricted to those of higher status or power, yet not to the level of the royal family… like the Water God Style dojo.
From what I could see, this district formed a ring around the main royal palace, which was directly in the centre, likely to provide a protective buffer for the royal family while also creating a clear tiered system of status within the city.
Interesting… and what intrigued me even more, was the fact that there didn't seem to be slums around here.
Maybe the public security didn't allow it?
Or, more likely, they didn't have anywhere dedicated for them to go, limited to the alleys and streets, or kicked out of the city outright.
I guess I would learn more eventually.
Eventually, I reached the south of the city and entered the noble district, where my medallion helped me once again.
I really wonder what the hell it was… I should ask the Water God once I meet her.
Here in the noble district, as I already saw, the housing was much less dense, with manors having their own walls and gardens, and larger public buildings like a church and a guardhouse near the inner wall.
But more importantly, just a few houses down from the wall gate… there was a giant complex of houses, surrounded by an enclosed wall.
That must be it. The home of the Water God Style.
The muffled sounds of wooden swords clacking as I got closer only further confirmed it.
But still… I was surprised by how large this place was.
Walking up to the front gate, there was a single man standing guard with knight armour covering his body.
I could tell he was strong. Probably a bit stronger than me, if I analyzed correctly.
"You… who are you? Do you have business with us?" he asked, halting me.
I dismounted from Helios, once again bringing out the only piece of identification I had.
He looked it over, eyes widening, before he returned his gaze to me.
"I see… so you're the one Master told me about. We've been expecting you," he said, nodding his head towards the complex. "Go towards the main house. I can take your steed to the stables, and you can gather your things later."
Wait… she's been expecting me?
"Okay… thank you," I said, handing him Helios' reins. "Is it just the main building up ahead?"
"Yes. Master should be in the first door to the left," he said.
Giving Helios a soft pat, I then began walking through the gate, looking around at the giant complex before me.
There were quite a few buildings, but unlike the main dojo of the Sword Sanctum, they had more of a western style than a Japanese one.
People were mostly practicing outside in the sizeable field behind them, where there was also a garden, and… was that a pool?
I know it was the Water God Style, but still… that was quite something.
I decided to explore the complex further once I settled in, and headed into the main three-story building directly facing the entrance.
On the inside, it had an impressive red carpet sprawled across the floor, with a large wooden staircase in the middle of the main entrance.
It seemed to be a residential building, and there was even a maid, who was currently sweeping the floor.
I mean, that made sense. The Water God Style was the one that most nobles and knights used, and this was located in the noble district of the city, so it was natural for it to be… more refined.
Turning towards the left, I walked up to the first door just as the guard described, and gently knocked.
"Huh? Were you… expecting someone, Grandmother?" a girl's muffled voice said from inside.
A young girl, if I guessed correctly… a student, I presume?
"Hmm… Oh, right! It should be around that time… go open the door, will you?" an older woman's voice said.
A moment passed, and then, the door suddenly opened, revealing a young girl with long, straight dark blue hair, dark blue eyes, and a refined yet cute face.
But her attire didn't match her refined presence, as she was wearing light plate armour, and had a sword attached to her hip.
"Hello…" I said, not quite sure what to say.
The girl simply furrowed her eyebrows, giving me a nod in return.
"Hello… Grandmother, is this who you were expecting?" she asked, turning back into the room.
I followed her gaze, and sitting behind the large wooden desk, there was an old woman with grey hair, wearing a gentle expression that turned into one of intrigue as she looked at me.
But I couldn't find myself caring about her looks.
No… it was the sheer presence that radiated off of her.
It was less intense than Gal's, but in exchange, it was more refined and controlled, which more than made up for the intensity.
"Well, come in and introduce yourself," she said, gesturing to the couch before her.
I did as she asked, walking inside as the girl closed the door behind me.
I wasn't knowledgeable about the proper etiquette… so might as well just keep it simple.
"I am Vincent, and I came from the Sword Sanctum by Gal Farion's instruction," I said, lightly bowing my head in greeting. "And I can assume that you are the Water God?"
Her lips quirked up in a smile.
"That would be right, but no need for that title here. I am Reida Reia, though you'll be calling me 'Master Reida' while you're here," she said, nodding over to the girl beside me. "And that is my beloved granddaughter, Isolte Cruel. If you're everything you've been described as, then she will be your main sparring partner while you train here."
Ah, so this was Isolte.
She hadn't been introduced in the anime, so I didn't have a good reference for her looks, only the descriptions from the novels.
To think my training partner would be the future Water God… I suppose I was quite lucky.
Wait, 'everything you've been described as'…
"Did Gal tell you about me?" I asked, turning back to Reida.
"Oh yeah. A year ago, I received a letter from him, bragging about his new pupil, and asking if I could teach him a few things," she said, smiling sharply. "Of course, I happily obliged. Not only was it the first time he asked me of something, but I was also interested myself… after all, it's not every day you see a kid become a Sword Saint before their second birthday."
"Wait, a Sword Saint!?" Isolte said in surprise, her face snapping onto me, but this time with much more intensity. "This kid… he's a Sword Saint?"
I know I was a kid, but it didn't feel right to be called that by a girl who was probably only a year or two older than me.
"According to Gal, he is," Reida replied, narrowing her eyes at me. "I was shocked too, but seeing you now… I can already tell that he wasn't lying."
Isolte stared harder at me, her eyes narrowing much like her grandmother's as she gazed down at the sword at my belt.
But after a few seconds, she shook her head, regaining her previous dignified aura.
"Ahem… well, I should introduce myself as well. As Grandmother said, I am Isolte Cruel, granddaughter of Water God Reida Reia… although I am only a humble Advanced rank swordswoman at the moment," she said as she lightly curtsied, though it was awkward as she was wearing armour. "I have heard that the Sword Sanctum is quite far north. How was your travel?"
"Ah, it was good. It was the first time I left the Sword Sanctum, so it was interesting to see other places," I replied before taking out the medallion. "And by the way, uh, Master Reida… Gal gave me this before I left to act as identification. It worked, but I'm not sure why… do you know what it is?"
"Hm? Ah, that's the symbol of the Sword God. The one you see on the world power monuments," she replied. "Only he can give them out, so it shows that you're trusted by him. The average guard won't understand exactly what it is, but those representing nobles have the same thing."
I see… so that's why I had no issues getting in to places. They probably thought that I was either a noble, or acting under one.
"Well, we'll get you settled into your room with your things, and I'll be sure to show you around, but first…" she said, slowly standing up. "I want to see just exactly what you're made of, and whether Gal was just hyping you up… Isolte, you two will be sparring outside."
"Understood, Grandmother," Isolte replied.
I followed them outside as we headed towards the back door of the main hall, finding ourselves in a small patch of grass surrounded by bushes.
Casting aside my coat, I unsheathed my sword as Isolte walked over to stand opposite me.
"You both ready?" Reida said.
The two of us nodded as we set our stances.
Isolte… she was strong.
I enhanced my senses as I focused deeper on the slightly taller girl before me.
Her battle aura… it was beautiful.
In terms of potency, it was not stronger than Nina's had been by the time I left, but in terms of flow and control… she was even better than my father.
So what Gal said about the Water God Style using battle aura differently… that definitely seemed to be the case.
But in terms of strength… no, she didn't seem stronger than me.
A couple of moments passed as I waited to see any movement from her, but… nothing happened.
Well, I guess it was only natural for the Sword God Style to go first.
So, after crouching lower… I suddenly launched forward.
The world's colours faded away as my blade raced forward, my aim centred at the bottom of her sword.
It seemed that my speed had surprised her, as she barely shifted her stance in time to direct my blade… but I had expected that reaction.
Gal had told me that the Water God Style was the perfect counter to the Sword God Style, so even if I was a rank stronger, the result of our fight wasn't easy to determine.
And so, just before our swords connected, I suddenly came to a stop, a gust blowing past me from the speed.
The Water God Style couldn't catch up to the Sword God Style in speed, but it was able to react by anticipating attacks.
And with Isolte anticipating a straightforward strike, and not having the speed to react to my sudden change… she had already prepared to counter, leaving herself wide open.
My strike was swift, a sudden slash that was aimed at the tip of her sword to break her flow, followed by a follow-up attack that targeted the bottom of her blade, the force enhanced by battle aura being too much to handle as her sword was flung from her hand.
"I win," I said, placing my blade in front of her chest.
A simple battle, and one that probably lacked excitement… but that was how a proper sword fight went.
"Yes… I concede," Isolte said, quickly calming her surprised expression as she bowed her head. "You are quite skilled, Vincent. It will be a pleasure to train with you."
"Same here," I replied, kicking up her dropped sword into my hand before handing it over to her.
We both shared a small smile before the sound of clapping interrupted us, and turning to the source, I was met with the Water God's pleased expression.
"Would you look at that… you really are a Sword Saint. And not a weak one either," she said, narrowing her eyes at me. "But tell me, kid… you could have won with one strike. That's the entire point of the Longsword of Light… so why didn't you?"
"I didn't want to risk it," I answered smoothly. "I noticed that Isolte was prepared to take my direct attack, so I decided to divert my strike."
"I see… so you're cautious and smart… I like it," she said, nodding to herself with a satisfied expression. "Just as Gal said, you definitely fit the Water God Style with that mindset. And he even said you know healing magic… is that true?"
I simply raised my hand and generated a small ball of water, a flame, and a piece of stone to hover above my palm.
"I also know the other elements, but I can only use them sparingly. I was taught healing magic up to the Advanced rank by my mother," I answered her.
Both Reida and Isolte looked at me with wide eyes.
"Huh… well, I'm glad you aren't a dumb brute like most of those Sword God Style users," Reida said, quickly getting over her shock as she nodded her head my way. "I accept you as my student, so… welcome to the Water God Style dojo. Now, let's get you settled in."
—
"Here is your room. It's simple, but you'll be spending too much time training to care," Master Reida said, having guided me through the dorms after I gathered my things.
While she called it 'simple', compared to my room at my home, this was like a mansion.
There was a large desk and chair placed in front of the window, with a double-sized bed against the wall, and a wardrobe against the other one. There was even an armour stand in the corner, and a storage chest at the foot of the bed.
Well, I guess this was the capital, and many of the people who trained here were nobles and soon to be knights, so it made sense that the living space had to be worthy of such status.
"No, it's… amazing. Thank you," I said, dropping my two bags onto the floor. "Are there any rules I should know about?"
"Just clean up after yourself the best you can. The maids handle the cooking and cleaning, so they're too busy to baby every student," she said, chuckling to herself. "Of course, that's more of a worry for the stuck-up noble brats who haven't had their pride beat out of them yet, and not guys like you."
Ah… I see.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," I replied, feeling a smile form on my face.
On the way to my room, I had passed a couple of the Water God students, and both of them gave me quite a look.
As one might assume, it was not a very pleasant look.
I was guessing it was the mix of my obvious commoner attire, and the preferential treatment of having the Water God herself guide me around and declaring me her student.
For now, it was just looks, but I knew how these things went with Asuran nobles in this world.
Once we met in training, I was sure that I would be targeted for a few spars… but I would just need to put them in their place when that happened.
Unlike my previous world, violence was almost always the answer, at least when it came to things like this.
"Now, unfortunately, I have some business to attend to. So for now, I'll have Isolte show you around the school," Reida said, turning to walk down the hallway. "No need for training today. We'll start tomorrow at first bell, so meet me in my office after getting some breakfast."
"Understood, Master," I replied, lightly bowing my head.
"Leave it to me, Grandmother," Isolte added, standing at my side.
As the older woman walked away, Isolte turned to face me.
"Then… I suppose I shall show you around," she said, a calm smile settling on her face.
She then proceeded to do just that.
The Water God Style dojo, just as I had noticed when I first arrived, was a large complex of buildings, similar to the main hall at the Sword Sanctum, but bigger.
The main house, where I had first met Reida and Isolte, contained the Water God's personal quarters as well as Isolte's, and also held the communal library. It was also where meetings with other important individuals were held and, most importantly, where the indoor training rooms were located.
After that, there were three dormitories for students: one each for boys and girls, and a final one reserved for higher-class individuals of both genders.
Though, since very few high-class nobles ever took up swordsmanship seriously enough to stay at the Water God dojo, the high class dorm was quite small.
Of course, I was placed in the regular male dorm.
Overall, there wasn't as much student housing as I had expected. Then again, many practitioners likely lived within the city, or their families owned noble mansions here, leaving little need to make use of the Water God Style dojo's dorms.
Lastly, there was the building that housed most of the utilities, such as the cafeteria and kitchen, the bathhouses, the equipment room, and general storage. The upper floor of this building was also where all the maids who tended the dojo lived.
Outside, there was a large open field dotted with a few trees that stretched all the way to the inner city wall.
This was where most of the training took place, including a pool used for swimming and underwater training.
I wondered what exactly 'underwater training' entailed, but Isolte merely told me that I would understand in time.
And finally, as the tour came to an end, there was the last part of the Water God dojo… the small stable near the entrance, where four steeds stood calmly, including my very own Helios.
"And that's the end of it. Gate duty is switched between the students here, and I'm sure that Grandmother will ask you to guard it once you get used to being here," Isolte said, briefly glancing over to the entrance. "Do you have any other questions?"
"No… I think I'm good, thank you," I replied, walking over to my partner to pat his head. "By the way, this is my horse, Helios. We came all the way here from the Sword Sanctum together, so I'd say we're quite close."
Helios pressed against my hand, as if responding.
"He is quite the beautiful one," she said, walking next to me with a small smile. "I've only recently learned to ride last year, but I did enjoy it quite a lot."
She then hesitantly reached out to pet him, and Helios didn't seem to mind.
"Is that so? Then… would you like to ride with me tomorrow night?" I asked the girl. "He's probably too tired for today, but I don't want Helios to stay here and get bored, so I plan to go out every night for a run around the city. I would be more than happy if you joined, if you would like to keep practicing."
I looked over to her, seeing her eyes widen in surprise.
"That… would be most acceptable, Vincent," she eventually replied with a smile.
And so, that concluded my first day at the Water God Style dojo.