For the rest of the night, Fausto kept the lights closed as he was training himself within and outside the shadows. This was all done while also remaining in the dark. Most people would think that he is sleeping, but in that dark night, he was moving without a hint of suspicion. That was until sunrise. Getting out of the shadow, Faust got out as he was already sweating in exhaustion as he changed places with Fausto.

  “Dam, I hate when he trains. I can’t even stand.” Faust said as he crawled to the sink. They share a body, but when they change, it goes from the body of a shadow dweller to a diviner. So if Fausto is exhausted….that means Faust is extremely dead. He quickly crawled to get some water, as he had something inside his pocket that was left by Fausto. Opening it…it was some type of black liquid dose. Drinking all of it, he soon found that all of his strength was coming back. His body, which was crumbling in pain, was rejuvenated.

  Getting out of the shower, he finally felt like a new man. But as he got out, he felt something that was quite unusual. He sighed as he then went to an empty closet. Although it was empty when he arrived, after showering, there were clothes that magically appeared. Clothes that were white with fading blue along the draped coat. Underneath it was also a metal sword with a strange crest like the emblem he had received earlier. The sword and water swirling around it.

  Not knowing who placed it here, he felt like it was meant for him. Trying on perfectly fitted clothes, Faust then went out to leave his room as he headed out quietly. After exiting the backdoor, it seems he was meeting a rather interesting fellow. Outside in a garden, there was a statue of a knight holding a sword, just like what he was wearing. Under it was a writing he didn’t understand with a hole in there. Seeing the emblem he received yesterday, he noticed it fitted perfectly in place. Grabbing the emblem, he put it together like a puzzle. Soon, the knight with its sword soon shot up and light surrounded the area. Everything was surrounded by some illusion of light as an old man was walking by.

  “It has been quite some time since someone was going to use it.” The old man said as he was walking with his sword. Looking at him this time, the old man had a better appearance cleaning himself up. Though he still looks old… actually he does look aged with the wrinkles. Yet the face showed that this man was a veteran in battle despite having no scars. Just looking at him you felt like you were talking to a man amongst men.

  “Hmmm…what is this?? How is it that this thing is being used without a diviner present?” Faust said as he was surprised. But the old man laughed as he remembered the feeling of teaching.

  “This barrier is a field that was our private arena to make sure that no one would watch us during training. It was made by our first ancestor. He somehow found this stone that could store his remaining energy and in secret, made sure to house it here so that we could teach the next generation his sword techniques.” Feeling happy, he couldn’t help but be overjoyed to see it. But this raises the question that Faust was wondering.

  “Then why did you bring me here?” This is the secret. Why would he show something that has been in the family for so long? He then smiled as he stood up.

  “Because I have been after a long time…I found the successor to my technique?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Yes I have found my student!” Pointing his sword at Faust, the old man made it obvious who the student was.

  “Can I refuse?”

  “I’m the only one who knows how to leave this place. So if you want me to help you then you have to…...” Hitting the barrier with a rock from the floor, it bounced right off the invisible wall, showing that it was hard to get out of. Fortunately, Faust already could see through the supposed jail he was in.

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  “….isn't that just pulling the crest off.” Faust said as it was the most obvious thing in the world.

  “……Anyways why not be my student.” Hearing that, he thought that Faust was going to be fooled. But he was very level-headed about it.

  “Isn’t this supposed to be your family thing??” Faust said as he was pointing at the house. “You have Leo and Leonardo. Maybe even Leonora??”

  “Leo has already inherited our techniques. While Leonardo, like the other younger ones, seemed to not follow a different path. Even if he chose the sword, I wouldn’t teach them due to his lack of interest to learn it. Leonora, well, you know her unfortunate situation. Which leaves me to find someone else. That someone is of course, you.” The old man sighs as he talks about his disappointments along with the new generations.

  “But I’m not part of the family?”

  “As long as you are a Diviner, you are part of the families.”

  “But why? You don’t even know me? In fact, the techniques might be used to kill you and your family.” However, the old man didn’t seem to care about it at all.

  “If our technique carries on with you. Then if we die, you will still have the technique right?” The old man reasoned. “Only the best should wield our secrets.”

  “I swear you guys are so fixtured on old culture. Why don’t you just teach a bunch of them?”

  “I did.” The old man looked down in disappointment. He sighs as he felt like he had let many of his students down. “Everyone, until recently, has been taught the way of the sword in the family. All of them have devoted themselves to the sword. However, none have been able to beat me.”

  “Beat you?? Can they really not beat you when you are this old?” Faust jokes.

  “Haha, and yet you were about to be killed by me?” Taunting Faust, the old man was intentionally trying to pick a fight. A fight that Faust gladly accepted.

  “hmmm..weren’t you the same?” Faust jokes. Both of them then laughed as for some reason their blood was boiling. An itch for victory both want to scratch. The old man looked weak and feeble just from his appearance. Beneath that cloak, however you could tell that the memories of his skill never left.

  “I see that you are a man of action. So how about it? How about we fight to see who is better?” Unsheathing the sword, the old man stood straight in his stance showing that he was not as weak as he seem.

  “I guess, so how about the victor decides their position?” Faust said as he was already prepared to swing his sword around. Popping some bones, the old man seemed to feel a bit rusty over the years. Stretching his arms, cracks could be heard as though they hadn’t been moved in ages. Literally.

  “Hmm, that seems like a good plan. Then I hope you don’t mind, but I intend to make this quick."

  “Then we are of the same mind.” Both then got into stance as Faust stance with the sword was more freestyled and was adjustable. While the old man was structured as he looked like he was in that pose for most of his life. Wielding the sword with his hands positioned, he looked like a god that was about to smite any foe he came across. Truly intimidating.

  As both were about to face each other, they were taking deep breaths. But in a flash, they exert themselves. They both in an instant were exchanging swift strikes back and forth. With every motion, the floors were being carved despite the blades being dull. Yet all strikes were sharp, carving everything they made contact with. In speed beyond human recognition, those two could see everything as they were moving in a constant flux of attack and defense, as they were always a hair's breadth from killing each other. Woosh, both then distance themselves as they exert all the air they breathe in. Within a single breath, a total of two hundred exchanges were made.

  “I never was wrong about you after all.” The old man smiled as he was satisfied. However, this was the opposite for Faust as his hands were shaking as he had to let go of his sword. Not to mention, he noticed it for a split second as there was a hole right at where his heart is.

  “Damn, to think I would meet a master at such a time. The world sure is a big place.” Saying it with a smile, it felt like he was happier to be defeated than the other way around. Meeting someone who eclipsed even him was someone he hadn’t met in a while. So the fact that he met one was a refreshing one.

  “Well well you admit your defeat?” he asked. Faust, though reluctant, then grabbed the sword as he then went on his knees. For a man who doesn't like being ordered or being under someone, he had to admit that the old man was the better fighter. Knowing he lost, he had to suck up his pride and honor the deal.

  “This disciple pays his respect to the master.” Hearing that, the old man was satisfied.

  “Very well you are my newest and my last disciple. I will impart all my knowledge to you.” And with that was the day when Faust was teaching and being taught by another. This was all happening unknowingly by order. But then again, things were already moving without the order's notice.