Chapter 5:Parents Pov

The morning sun poured warm light through the tiny bar, casting a golden glowover the unadorned decor. Shakuyaku flowed around the room with practiced ease, putting bottles out and wiping down the counter. The smell of old wood and the faint tang of alcohol enveloped her, comforting, but today it was not the same. Today was a new start.

She stopped for a moment, looking toward the door of the small bedroom where her son, Jason, was asleep. There was something so deeply satisfying about being a mother, yet it came with worries of its own. She, the ex-pirate and current bar owner, had exchanged the excitement of adventure for the tranquility of a settledlife, yet that did not make her heart worry-free. Jason was coming of age quickly, and the burden of responsibility fellincreasingly on her shoulders with each passing day.

The soft rustle of sheets pulled her out of her daydream. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart full of anticipation. "Ah, Jason, you're up early today," she said, her voice husky but with a motherly softness.

Jason staggered into the room, eyes still blurry with sleep. He scrubbed his facewith fists clenched, his brow creased in concentration as he struggled to clear the vestiges of sleep. He was different—smaller, it appeared, his actions tentative. Shakuyaku's heart swelled with nostalgia, recalling his childhood when he would runafter her with a wooden sword, pretendingto be one of the mighty sea pirates oflegend his father told him stories of.

"Are you okay, Jason?" she asked, concern etched in her voice. She sensed his confusion and it swept over her in a wave of worry.

"Yeah, Mom," he said, though his tone wasinsincere. Shakuyaku's heart stung; she knew that something was wrong, but she wanted to believe that he would tell herwhat was wrong when he was willing.

The door creaked as it swung open, and a well-known figure appeared in the doorway, his presence immediatelychanging the atmosphere of the room. The Dark King himself, Rayleigh, stood there, a sly smile spreading across his face. His silver-gray hair framed his face, and his eyes twinkled with a roguish glint that had not diminished with age.

"Hey, kid!" Rayleigh boomed in his bold,warm voice. He fell onto one knee, meeting Jason eye to eye. Seeing his father sparkeda flare of excitement in Jason, and Shakuyaku couldn't help but smile at howclose they stood.

"Glad to see you on your feet," Rayleigh continued, his expression softening. "Sword practice today, perhaps?"

Shakuyaku couldn't help the surge of pride as she saw Rayleigh talking to their son, but it was mixed with a thread of worry. She walked over to them, her hips drawnback in hands folded together and a softsmile on her face. "Just don't rush it, Jason," she warned, her voice tinged with worry. "Your father expects a lot of you, but you're still too young."

Rayleigh smiled softly, looking up at Shakuyaku with a knowing grin. "Don't worry, Shaky. I'll let him learn at his own pace." The affection in his tone was undeniable. He had ever been protective of their son, even as he tried to instruct him in the ways of the sword.

Jason's expression lightened at hearing the word training, but Shakuyaku sensed a flash of tension behind the excitement. She knelt down next to him, cupping his face with her hands. "You don't have to impress anyone, Jason. It's all about learning and growing. Your father just wants to teach you what he knows so he can ease off on you, not push you too hard."

Rayleigh nodded, a glimmer of comprehension crossing his features. He knew well the burden of his legacy, the pressure that hung over Jason like a specter. "That's right, Jason. Mastery doesn't happen overnight. All the great swordsmen begin as novices. You'll get there," he stated, his voice reassuring butfirm.

Jason gulped, his enthusiasm diluted by the magnitude of things. He was not just practicing with any swordsman; he was practicing with the Dark King, one of the greatest swordsmen of his era. Pride swelled through him, but it was accompanied by the frightening prospectof matching that legend.

"Okay, let's do it!" Rayleigh shouted, his excitement catching on. He called for Jason to come along with him outside, his heart pounding in anticipation.

Shakuyaku watched as they stepped out into the sunlight, her heart swelling with bittersweet feelings. On the one hand, she was proud of Jason's potential and the bond he was forming with Rayleigh. On the other, a protective instinct welled up in her. She'd witnessed the harsh side of the world outside their little bar, and the thought of her son having to face it tore at her heart.

Outside, Rayleigh guided Jason to a small practice area in the rear of the bar. It was small, with some wooden practice dummies erected, but it would be ideal for what they required. Rayleigh picked up a wooden sword, its wood worn and weathered from years of training. He passed another to Jason, his eyes steadybut supportive.

"Start with your stance first," Rayleigh directed, showing him how to grip the sword properly. His movements were smooth and exact, each a result of many years of training. Jason watched intently, noting each movement.

"Good, now you try," Rayleigh said, movingback to watch.

Jason raised the sword, mimicking his father's stance, but his hand shook. Rayleigh noticed the doubt in Jason's eyes. "Relax your shoulders. You have to be confident in your stance," he said, stepping closer to gently adjust Jason's grip. "Feel the weight of the sword. It's a part of you."

As they trained, Shakuyaku hung around nearby, her chest burgeoning with pride asshe watched father and son train together. The sound of Rayleigh's laughter echoedthrough the air, teasing Jason along as he stumbled through the simple movements. But despite his jovial nature, beneath the surface Rayleigh couldn't help but feel the gravity of the moment. This wasn't asimple training exercise; this was anopportunity to share knowledge, to conveya bond that had been tempered in the firesof experience.

At last, Rayleigh stopped, his face solemn. "Listen, Jason," he said, kneeling oncemore to look into his son's eyes. "It's not somuch about learning to fight. It's about learning to know yourself. You're going to have defeats, and sometimes you're going to lose. But the trick is to get back up and keep moving."

Jason nodded, absorbing his father's words. Rayleigh's candor struck him; he understood this training wasn't merelyabout sword combat but also about building character.

Rayleigh put a hand on Jason's shoulder, his pride swelling in his chest. "I have faith in you, kid. You've got the stuff."

As the sun started setting, covering thetraining field with its golden glow, Shakuyaku looked on with relief. She knewthat Jason was in good hands, and her anxiety faded. Rayleigh's affection for their son could be seen in every word and move he made, and she was sure he would foster Jason's abilities.

She smiled softly and came closer to them, joining in the practice session. "Mind if I join?" she playfully asked, producing a small wooden sword of her own.

Rayleigh chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Proceed, but don't spare me!"

The three of them worked together, their laughter and joy echoing through the air. Shakuyaku's heart was warm with theknowledge that these moments were creating a foundation for Jason's future—afuture in which he would come to accepthis heritage but forge his own way.

As night fell, Shakuyaku glanced at Rayleigh, and their eyes met in silent understanding. They were not only parentsbut partners, and their interest was notonly in raising their son to his highest potential but in helping him grow up to bewho he was supposed to be.

And when the stars started twinkling in the evening sky, their bond was strengthenedby love, faith, and common experience of bringing up a child who was going to be great.