Chapter 20

Arthur stood in the centre of an open field in the virtual training ground, the grass beneath his feet damp with morning dew. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers. Before him stood the Peerless Sword Instructor, a formidable figure with a tall, lean frame. His long black, flowing hair was tied back, revealing a face etched with the wisdom of countless battles. His eyes were sharp and focused, and his movements carried the fluid grace of a seasoned warrior. The instructor wore a traditional hanfu with gold edges and a charm on the hilt of his sword. A charm of a myosotis, Arthur wondered who gave him that charm. "Arthur," the instructor's voice was calm yet commanding, "Today, we begin your training in the Peerless Sword Art. This path is not for the faint of heart. It demands discipline, precision, and unwavering dedication. Are you prepared?"Arthur nodded, feeling ready. He had spent countless hours studying, strategizing, and conditioning his body, but physical combat was a new frontier for him. "I am ready, sensei."The instructor's eyes narrowed, assessing Arthur's resolve. "Very well. We shall start with the basics. Draw your sword."Arthur reached for the sword at his side, its weight still unfamiliar. He drew it from its sheath, the blade glinting in the morning light. He held it before him, mirroring the instructor's stance."Good," the instructor said, "now, watch closely."With a fluid motion, the instructor demonstrated the first technique. His movements were a blur, a seamless blend of speed and precision. The blade cut through the air with a sharp, almost musical sound. Arthur watched, mesmerised by the display of skill."Now, you try," the instructor commanded.Arthur took a deep breath, focusing on the movements he had just witnessed. He raised his sword, feeling the weight of the blade, and attempted to replicate the technique. His movements were slower, less precise, but he executed the form to the best of his ability.The instructor nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Not bad for a first attempt. But you lack fluidity and control. Your mind is too rigid. To master the sword, you must let go of your inhibitions. Understand that the Peerless Sword Technique can cut through the heavens and the earth in the name of protecting the one you love."Arthur nodded, absorbing the advice. He adjusted his stance, relaxing his grip on the sword. He tried again, this time allowing his movements to flow more naturally. The blade moved with more grace, slicing through the air with a smoother arc."Better," the instructor said, "let me show you what this technique is capable of."The instructor took a deep breath, stepping into the first stance of the Peerless Sword Style. He held the sword with a serene expression, as if he was one with the blade and the world around him. Then, with a swift, fluid motion, he cut through the air.At first, nothing seemed to happen. Arthur watched closely, his eyes following the path of the blade. Then he noticed it—a split in the clouds above, a clean, precise line that carved through the sky. His eyes widened in shock. This was what the instructor meant by cutting through the heavens and the earth."Is this what you meant?" Arthur asked, his voice filled with awe. "Something like that can't exist in real life!"The instructor noticed his doubt and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let go of your modern ideas of what power looks like. This is power—pure and unmatched. The Peerless Sword Technique transcends the boundaries of ordinary understanding. It is a manifestation of one's will and intent."Arthur looked back at the split in the clouds, feeling a renewed sense of determination. He had a long way to go, but now he understood the true potential of the technique he was learning. He bowed to his instructor, his resolve strengthened."Thank you, sensei. I will dedicate myself to mastering this technique."The instructor nodded, a proud smile on his face. "Remember, Arthur, the Peerless Sword is not just about physical strength. It is about how badly you want to protect her."Arthur pondered on his words; he felt his tone and voice were strangely familiar. "Sensei, how do you know about her?"The conversation that transpired deeply moved the boy, pushing him to complete the task set out for him by his master. ·͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙The next morning, Amaya walked into school with her usual confidence dimmed somewhat, she at first was in her own world, her mind blank at she moved through the halls. But soon enough she realised the whispering. She noticed something was wrong when she saw the multiple eyes on her, and then she heard snickering. There was enough evidence to conclude she was the topic of jest for many of the students today. Her heart pounded in her chest as she rushed to her class. Chiyo was sat in her seat, despite taking some time off school she was back, she didn't look too different, perhaps she looked more beautiful than before. She paid no attention to Amaya, chosing to focus on the open book in front of her."Well look who it is." It was Ichiko, somehow despite the last debacle she still had the gall to parade herself in frontof Amaya. Amaya frowned, "didn't you learn your lesson last time?" She asked. Ichiko merely laughed, "how absurd, don't you know your position right now?" "What do you mean?"Ichiko threw her phone to Amaya who caught it with ease. "See for yourself, she said smugly." Amaya's heart sank, her grip on the phone tightening. "Where did you get this?" She spat, her gaze shifting to Chiyo, as it her? Or did more people have that picture? Ichiko snickered, revellingin Amaya's reaction. Whispers followed her down the hall, and she could feel eyes on her. Her unease grew as she approached her locker and saw a group of students snickering, pointing at her and murmuring "Did you see those pictures? I can't believe it!""Who knew she was like that?""What a slut."Amaya's vision blurred with tears. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She was completely alone in that moment, the ridicule and humiliation crashing down on her like a tidal wave. She took a step back, trying to steady herself, when she noticed Lucas watching her from across the hall. His face was filled with concern, she really did not want to see him. Ever. Shit. This wasn't how it was meant to go. ·͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙Kenji walked into school as usual, a path clearing for him as he walked, the collar on his neck jingling with each step. He exuded an air of confidence and intimidation, his presence demanded respect. Students whispered and glanced his way, but no one dared to cross him.Riku ran up to him, panic evident on his face. Kenji frowned, noting the urgency in Riku's expression. It seemed like he had some bad news."What is it?" Kenji asked, swinging his bag over his shoulder, his tone carrying a mixture of annoyance and curiosity."We are so screwed," Riku replied in a panic, glancing around as if someone might overhear them.Kenji's frown deepened. "Calm down and tell me what's going on," he demanded, his voice low and controlled.·͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙Amaya saw a smirk form on Chiyo's face. She probably thought she had won, having humiliated Amaya again without question. This time, Amaya realized she didn't care who had spread the pictures; for the mere fact of laughing at her situation, she was ready to beat that bitch up."You think this is funny?" Amaya shouted, her voice trembling with rage.Chiyo barely had time to react before Amaya was upon her. The room fell silent as Amaya tackled Chiyo, the force of her anger propelling them both to the ground. Fists flew, and the smirk was wiped off Chiyo's face as she struggled beneath Amaya's onslaught."Amaya, stop!" someone shouted, rushing after her.Lucas, who had been watching in shock, finally snapped into action.Amaya didn't stop. Her fists continued to fly, fueled by the anger and betrayal that had been simmering for so long. Chiyo's cries for help fell on deaf ears as the crowd watched in stunned silence. Blood mixed with tears on Chiyo's face, but Amaya's rage wouldn't allow her to stop."Amaya, stop it!" Lucas shouted, rushing forward. He forcefully grabbed her, pulling her off Chiyo. "What the hell are you doing?"In that moment, through her tears and fury, Amaya looked at Lucas and saw an unfamiliar emotion in his eyes. It wasn't just shock or concern, heck - it wasn't even love —it was pure disgust. He thought she was gross, beating up someone seemingly innocent and losing control like a common tyrant.The betrayal stung worse than any insult or slap."You're overreacting," Lucas said, his voice harsh and condemning.Her heart turned to stone at his words. The fire in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a cold emptiness. She stopped struggling, her body going limp in Lucas's grip. Silence fell over the room as the students watched the scene unfold, their expressions ranging from shock to morbid curiosity.Lucas helped Chiyo to her feet, his touch gentle and concerned. Chiyo leaned into him, her face a mixture of pain and smug satisfaction, knowing she had won in the eyes of their peers. Amaya watched them, her mind racing with thoughts of betrayal and injustice.'Is it impossible to win without being a white lotus?' she thought bitterly. She thought she was the one standing on top, but now look at her, alone and humiliated. She hated that she cared what people thought of her, she hated that she felt so awful in this moment, she hated that she was comparing herself to a kid two years younger.Amaya stepped back, her eyes dry and her expression blank. She felt detached, as if she were watching the scene from a distance. She turned away from Lucas and Chiyo."Amaya," Lucas called after her, his voice softening. "Let's talk about this."'Talk about what? Why are you looking at me like that? Why are you holding her like she is the victim? Why? Why! Why!'[Marianne.]The call of the system snapped her out of it. That's right, she wasn't Amaya; she was Marianne, her name was Marianne.Marianne.She was getting lost in someone else's identity, but she really hated these people.Right then, she missed him more than ever before, someone who would give her the benefit of the doubt, and would trust her.Was she really this upset over a world that wasn't even hers?How pathetic.But she didn't respond. She walked out of the classroom, her steps echoing in the silent hall. The students parted to let her through, their whispers following her like a shadow. She ignored them, her mind focused on one thing: she needed a new strategy.The walk to the principal's office felt like a blur. She didn't care about the consequences anymore. She had a new plan, and it didn't involve relying on anyone else. She would find a way to win, with or without others, with or without her sanity, she decided. This would be the last day someone would ever humiliate her, in this lifetime or the next.The game had changed, and she was ready to play by her own rules.