Chapter 3: Training with Riya

"Let's head home! Kyle," Grace called.

'Finally!'

"We would go to the market to purchase some stuff before we go home," Grace said to him after having traveled some meters.

Soon, they arrived at the marketplace; it looked like your typical supermarket, split into different sections. They headed to the food section.

Arriving at a store they met a tan middle-aged woman sitting before a table, cultivating.

"I'd want a kilogram of meat, Martha," requested Grace.

"Greetings madam Grace!" said Martha as she opened her eyes before arising from the chair which she sat on. "Of which tier, madam?"

"900 grams of tier 0 meat, and 100 of tier 1," Grace quickly replied.

"Okay, that'll be 19 silver coins."

After paying Grace took the meat and handed it over to Kyle, they were coated in a nylon-like material which felt cool on Kyle's hand.

"What's that?" Kyle asked.

"It's a magic material, that helps to keep the meat cold, preventing spoilage," said Grace.

Before they could take their leave, Martha called out, "Who's the kid?"

"Uhh... A friend of mine passed away. This is her kid, he'll be staying with me in the meantime." Grace answered before asking, "Is there a problem?"

"No madam, I was just curious," Martha said while raising her hands. She turned to Kyle and asked, "What's your name little one?"

"Kyle, Kyle Lin."

"Sorry for the loss of your mum, Kyle," Martha said with sympathy, she could imagine how hard it was on the poor boy.

"No problem ma'am, I've gotten over it," Kyle replied, pretending to wipe his eyes.

Soon, they left the place and bought other food items, as they walked past the food section, they went through the weapon section. Kyle's eyes were fixated on the training swords hung at a store.

Grace upon noticing this asked:

"Do you want me to buy anything for you?"

"No ma'am, I'm okay," though he wanted a katana to practice with, how could he bother Grace for his selfish interests.

"Sorry Kyle, but you don't have a choice, I've decided to buy you something so what do you want," she replied with a smirk.

"But..."

"No buts, Kyle. Now let's head over to the sword store I saw you staring at. When Riya wanted a bow, she dragged me to a store, and made me purchase a real bow for her," she quickly cut him off while dragging his arm to the store.

"Nate! My boy here wants a sword,"

"Greetings Madam Grace! Little one which sword would you want?" asked Nate.

"I'd want this katana, sir!" Kyle answered while pointing at a katana hung on the wall.

"Sure, that'd be 50 silver coins," Nate said, already packaging the katana.

"What??!"

'That crap is made of wood! Is this guy alright?' Kyle said internally while gritting his teeth.

"Thanks for your time. We'll be going," Kyle said with a wry smile.

"Says who, Kyle?" Grace questioned before turning her head to Nate and saying, "We'll be taking it, Nate."

"Thank you, ma'am! This your boy is a funny one." Nate said with a wide laugh as he accepted the money from Grace.

'He's probably laughing at us for being scammed.'

After purchasing the items, they went home.

"Welcome to your new home, Kyle!" Grace said to Kyle after they arrived.

The house was…well not as Kyle imagined. It seemed to be a bungalow, those long types found in the villages. It stood firm despite being made of mud! Compared to other houses at Frulia, it didn't seem so bad.

"Riya!" Grace called out as she brought Kyle into the house.

"Yes, mu... Hold it! What are you doing here?" Riya who came in from the back door turned towards Kyle upon noticing him.

"Cough, cough. Is this how you welcome a guest, I'll be staying here for the meantime." Kyle said with a smile.

"On whose permission?!!" Riya asked with an angry expression.

"I allowed him to stay here, Riya. Did you forget he has nowhere to stay??" Grace pointed out. "Help me show him around the house, he shall stay in the guest room."

"Follow me," Riya called out to Kyle, she still seemed annoyed.

'What's up with her? Ohh! Probably due to the morning incident. No wonder she's so grumpy.'

As they walked Riya observed the the item he held in his hand.

"What's that?"

"It's a training sword. Your mum got it for me!" Kyle replied.

"You can use a sword?" Riya asked, her mood changing instantly.

"Of course! Back at Yurigur, I was identified as a sword master," Kyle said with a smug look on his face.

"Ha ha ha! You jest. Since you claim to be good, entertain a spar?" Riya asked Kyle expectantly.

"Sure. But I think it would be better after I'm done refreshing," Kyle replied while already walking. "Where was the guest room again?"

"No! We'll spar now," Riya said already dragging Kyle's hand away.

'I've been hauled away against my wishes twice today!! What have I gotten myself into?'

They went through the back door where Kyle saw a cleared field.

"Though I'm more trained with a bow, I can still beat you up with a sword. The problem is where I'll get an extra sword from." Riya said to Kyle upon arrival.

"I don't mind you using your bow," Kyle said with a smile.

"That won't make sense."

"How about this? We'll keep a distance of 100m apart, then you can fire at me. I aim to avoid the arrows from hitting me without moving out of your range."

"If any of that happens it's your win, but if after 2 minutes you don't hit me It's my win."

"Ha! You overrate yourself. Sure, but don't cry to me about fairness after you lose. I'll go get my bow."

'I can't lose. No, I won't lose.' Kyle said to himself.

"Ok, ready?" Riya said after arriving.

Begin!

Riya shot an arrow while observing his actions. As the arrow flew, Kyle observed it whilst positioned in the best way to parry it.

He had to hit it with enough force to make it change trajectory and not too much for his Katana to handle without breaking. After all, it was a wooden one.

Upon the arrow's arrival, Kyle parried it seamlessly. "Let's get serious, shall we?" Riya said with a smirk.

Immediately she shot two arrows in rapid succession, Kyle's blood seemed to boil as he parried them with ease. S~eaʀᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

An arrow seemed to be coming every 2 seconds but they all littered the floor around Kyle.

Just before the 2 minutes were almost up, Riya was already exhausted from overexerting herself. She decided to put her all into her final attack making her bow lie horizontally and nocking 5 arrows into it, she fired it at Kyle giving him no room to dodge.

"I guess it's game over, Kyle," Riya said whilst dropping her bow. The shot put a toll on her.

'No I can't lose! I can block this one!'

Kyle didn't try to run as Riya expected but stood firm and prepared to face the incoming arrows.

"SHATTER!!!" Kyle screamed.

A white line came out from Kyle's katana as the arrows were cleanly cut in half upon contact.

Kyle's hair swayed and his eyes shone a white light as was overflowing with power.

Soon enough, the effect seemed to die down.

[Congratulations!]

[You have learned Aura: Sword intent!]

[Sword intent mastery: 1%]

Sword intent?! What's that? System?

[….]

Before Kyle could say anything else he felt like his energy was taken away from him after which he fell unconscious.