-TWO DAYS LATER-
Today was the day of the 'Ceremony of the Clan Heir' . Kaito got up early in the morning . The ceremony was at the evening but he had to train himself . In these two days , he raided three B-Rank and one A-Rank dungeon of the Sakura Family and raised his level . He was just a few stats away from reaching the threshold of S-Rank .
Kaito was having breakfast as the maids informed him that the Patriarch has summoned him . He wasn't sure of the summon but he completed his breakfast as fast as he could and went to the Patriarch's Private Study . He knocked before entering . His grandfather was looking out of the window as he entered and greeted him .
Kiyoshi turned towards his grandson . He could tell by looking at his physique that he had trained quite a bit in these last few days . He felt relieved and proud that Kaito had become as hard-working as his father .
'Kazui Sakura'
Kiyoshi Sakura's eldest son and the previous Patriarch of 'Sakura Family' . He had gained the title of 'Blue Sword' . He was among the strongest within the previous generations . He was able to awaken the 'Formless Sword Body' which even Kiyoshi couldn't . He reached the level of swordmaster at the age of 18 marking him the youngest to do that . He was only one step away from the level of grandmaster when he died .
Kiyoshi came back and sat in front of Kaito . They both were served tea as the servants exited the room . Kaito was just sitting quietly and was waiting for his grandfather to speak . Kiyoshi took a sip from his tea as he started .
"Have you been well , Kaito ?"
"Yes , Patriarch"
"Ha..Ha..Ha , Kaito , you know , you are just like your father"
"I didn't quite understand what you were trying to say , Patriarch"
"Your father was always hardworking , he never called me Father even during our private meetings . Only some rare occasions where he did . I am quite glad you grew up in the same footsteps as your father"
"Thank you for the praise , Patriarch"
"Now , let's get back to business . Kaito , which level are you exactly ?"
"By level you mean ?"
"Your stats and your level in magic and sword"
"I am about to reach the threshold of S-Rank and I have formed 6 circles for magic and is only one step away from becoming a swordmaster"
"Impressive"
"Thank you"
"I suppose I can give you 'that' "
"What do you mean ?"
"Our family has a secret artifact . This artifact couldn't be used by everyone because it relates to the eye . The eye is one of the most delicate parts of the human body and modifying it can be very painful"
"An artifact ? I didn't hear of them"
"Of course , you didn't . Very few people know about the 'Crystal Eye' "
"Patriarch , can you please tell me about these artifact ?"
"Sure . 'Crystal Eye' has certain conditions to be used . First , the weilder needs to be 6th Circle . Second , the weilder has to be below 20 years of age and Final , the weilder needs to have 'Formless Sword Body' "
"I now understand . 'Formless Sword Body' is a physique difficult to acquire even among the family members"
"Correct . The 'Crystal Eye' gives you many powers . You can see the true intentions of people in the form of mana . You can predict the future movements of the opponents during a fight and you can find the weakness of your opponents"
"That sounds exciting"
"It is but there is one problem . This eye can't be deactivated once aquired and thus the user gets drained pretty easily"
"Is there any solution for this problem ?"
"The solution to this problem is to cover your eyes with a blindfold made out of 'Seishin Silk' . It lowers the pressure on your sensory nerves and brain . Even with the blindfold on , the user can see clearly like a normal person . But , when you remove it . You will be able to use the 'Crystal Eye' "
"…."
"Kaito , I am gonna ask you just one question"
"What is it , Patriarch ?"
"Do you wish to obtain this eye ?"
Kaito kept his face on his hand as he entered into deep thought . After thinking some time , he replied .
"Of course , Patriarch"
"Good . I was expecting that answer"
"Thank you"
"But , remember one thing . Fusing of this eye with you will be extremely painful . It will feel like your nerves are bursting but you have to hold on to it . If you are successful in bearing the pain , you will get a new sight to this world"
"I will remember it"
"Good , I will do the transfer today after the ceremony is over"
Kaito came out of Kiyoshi's room as he went towards the main dinning hall . He saw his sister was having breakfast . He smiled a little as he went down . He greeted his sister as she looked towards him .
"Kai ?"
"Yes ?"
"Where were you ?"
"Grandfather called me . So , I went to meet him"
"What did he say ?"
"It's a secret but you will get to know soon enough"
"Okay"
Kaito went out of the house . He scheduled to hang out with Kendo and Akane today . He headed towards their meeting point . Akane was already there as Kendo was nowhere to be seen . Kaito walked up to her .
"Hey , Akane"
"H-Huh ?! Oh , Kaito-kun"
"Why do you look scared ?"
"Not scared . I just got a little surprised when you suddenly called like that"
"Oh , sorry about that"
"Its no problem"
"So , where's Kendo ?"
"I don't know . He told me to wait here"
"Let's wait here just for a bit"
Kendo reached just 5 minutes later . He was coming with another girl which Kaito wasn't able to recognise at first but they both saw that she was Kaori . Kendo came as he took deep breaths .
"What's up Kendo ?"
"Sorry . I came too late . I just went to pick her"
"Oh , I understand"
They all headed towards the shopping district . Kaito and Kendo were a little back from Kaori and Akane . Kaito elbowed Kendo as he asked
"So , what's up ?"
"What's what ?"
"You went to bring Kaori ? Why ? Is she …?"
"Nah , you got it all wrong"
"Oh ? Then , do you have your eyes on someone ?"
"I have a fiance , bro"
"…Ehh ?"
"Yes , it's the truth"
"Who is it ?"
"Rimui Shiroha"
"Shiroha ? One of the 4 great magic families ?"
"That's right"
"Must be tough"
"You don't have one ?"
"Nope . Not even once"
"Lucky for you"
Kaito and Kendo were talking so they didn't notice that Akane and Kaori had gone too ahead of them . Kendo was the first to notice . He asked .
"Oi , Kaito . Where are they ?"
"Dunno"
"Strange . They were here just a minute ago"
"Don't worry . They can take care of themselves"
"But still …."
"Your worry didn't fade , did it ?"
"No"
"Then , just wait a minute"
[Ding]
['Clairvoyance' activated]
Kaito's senses spread throughout the market area as he found both of them 200 meters ahead . He headed in that direction as Kendo followed him . It took them 3 minutes to reach beside both of them . They were casually roaming around the shops without even noticing that Kaito and Kendo were not with them till now . Kaito just laughed off .
"I told you we don't have to worry"
"Yeah , I'm relieved"
"You are too strange"
Suddenly , the alarms on the streets went off . It was the voice of a military soldier on the frontlines . His voice sounded rough as he said
"All citizens , evacuate . There is a monster wave rushing close to the city walls"
They all heard the announcements . Kaito looked towards them as all of them nodded and headed towards the city walls . Kaito called Akari .
"Hello ?"
"Sister . Inform grandfather. There is a wave of monsters attacking the city"
"What ?"
"Yes"
"How many ?"
"I don't know . I'm heading towards the city walls . Inform him"
"Alright . Go ahead . We will join you"
All the others also called their houses and informed about the situation . They reached near the city walls as the guards blocked their roads .
"Kids aren't allowed here"
"Are you referring to us ?"
"Who will be referring to ?"
Kaito left a sigh as he took out the emblem of Sakura Family and showed it to the guard . The others followed the same as they also took out their emblem . The guards surprised looked towards them .
"Sorry sir , I won't dare to block your way"
"Good"
Kaito and the others rushed to the top of the city walls . The soldiers who were present there were preparing the cannons for fire . They all saw a wave of monsters . Atleast , a 1000 . The others had a worrisome look but Kaito was excited .
'So many beasts equals to many much exp'
'I think I can raise my level well enough'
Kaito went towards one of the head officers who were looking towards the wave with binoculars . He saw Kaito as he recognised him . The soldier saluted him .
"Relax , I am here to help"
"Yes , sir"
"How many are there ?"
"Sir , atleast 1000 with my expectations"
"Hmm , a lot less than I imagined"
"What ?"
"Nothing . We will handle it . Refrain from using cannons and take this"
Kaito handed him the Sakura Family emblem . The soldiers hand shaked a little while Kaito gave it to him .
"When the elites from my family arrive . Give it to them"
"Understood , sir"
"Kendo and Kaori come with me . Akane stay here and do whatever it takes to prevent the city .
"Okay" said the three of them
Kaito opened the chain of his jacket as he took out the sword . Kendo and Kaori were also ready .
"I am heading out first"
Kaito jumped off the walls as he landed on the ground . He rushed towards the beasts as they seemed to have seen him .
-6-Star (Ice Magic) : Ice Field
Kaito stepped on the ground as the ground got covered in ice along with the creatures on them around a radius of 100 meters . Kaito's hand got covered in a blue glow as he waved his hand and the ice shattered eliminating all the beasts . He killed around 50 of them . Kaito took out his sword as he rushed inside the herd . The blood of the beasts flew away as their bodies laid on the ground . Kendo and Kaori also came to help him despite being surprised at Kaito's speed .
Kaito can't help but feel the sensation of growing stronger . The three of them eliminated around 300 beasts in the span of 10 minutes but it wasn't over yet . Kaito could feel that the number of beasts had increased instead of decreasing .
'These beasts are never ending'
'I guess a superior being is behind this'
'I have to finish fast'
Kaito's speed increased . Kendo and Kaori watched him as they wondered whether Kaito had infinite stamina . It was at this moment , that the soldiers from the families arrived . Akari who was watching the battlefield from the city walls held Kaito's emblem in her hands . Akari commanded .
"All soldiers . Head to the battle and help Kaito"
"Help 'Young Master' !!!" all of them shouted together .
Akari also jumped up the wall as she also started killing spree . It was a matter of few minutes till she reached Kaito's side . He stopped the elimination for just a few seconds .
"Welcome , Sister"
"You idiot ! Who fights against them alone ?"
"Did you reach SS-Rank ?"
"Yes , thanks to you"
"No problem"
"Kai , let's make a bet"
"What bet ?"
"Whoever kills the maximum beasts is the winner"
"And the reward ?"
"Anything the winner likes"
"Sounds fun . Alright , let's do this"
They both disappeared from beside each other's side as the incoming demons had a wave between them . The places where the waves pass through the beasts are all killed . Kaito and Akari were killing beasts in two different directions but their speed were unmatched by others .
Kaito jumped up in the air as he held his sword tight .
-
Kaito's sword moved from one side to another as a wave of sword intent released from the sword and descended towards the beasts . The monsters those who came in contact with the strike were cut and their bodies dropped . Kaito didn't stop as he started killing other monsters . Akari was also the same as they both cut each beast with precision and strike .
The demons had stopped regenerating around this time and the amount of beasts remaining were coming to an end . The massacre done by Kaito and Akari weren't forgotten by anyone . After about 1 hour of killing beasts , they both stood on two hills made of the beasts they killed . Kaito looked towards Akari .
"Guess we both killed the same number of beasts , huh ?"
"Yeah , I didn't think you would be stronger to match me even when I became SS-Rank"
"That's something I didn't expect either but it did happen"
"Yeah "
"What about the bet ?"
"Let's do one thing . We will both listen to any one request of the other"
"Deal"
They both came down from the top of the hill and landed beside the others . Kaito looked towards the others and said in a calm tone .
"Let's go"
The others were in a daze but they came out of it as Kendo replied .
"Yeah , let's go"
Kaito and Akari were walking in the front as being followed by Kendo and Kaori . Kaori came towards Kendo and said in a surprised tone .
"Kendo-kun , can we ever be as strong as Kaito-kun ?"
"I don't know . He has become so powerful in the last 1 year that its difficult to recognise him"
"Did you know him before the academy ?"
"I didn't . But from the time I saw him I feel like there is something hidden"
"Hidden ?"
"Yes . Some hidden power inside Kaito"
"Is it some kind of dark energy like the one that the demons use ?"
"No , rather , this power is so pure that even the holy power users would be infants in front of him"
"What ?"
"Kaito is someone we always need to have as a friend . If we turn against him , we will get destroyed"
"Was it always like this ?"
"Yes . I don't know how much you know about Sakura Family but the direct descendants of each and every generations are 'monsters' . The amount of talent they have is unmatched"
"This is fearsome"
"No , it's not . The power they have is genetic and to control that power the Sakura Family members trains more than our families combined"
"I understand"
Kaito and Akari reached the gates of the city entrance . The huge metal door is now opened to let them inside the city . The chief was standing there along with many other soldiers . Kaito and Akari went near him and handed him two spatial bags .
"These are the magic crystals of the beasts . Handle them carefully"
"T-Thank you Young Master"
Akari had already taken Kaito's emblem from the soldier he gave so they headed towards the city . The others following them . Kaito turned towards the family elites as he said .
"Good work , you can now go"
"Yes sir"
"Report to the Patriarch at once"
"Understood sir"
The people vanished . Kendo and others came towards Kaito and Akari . The city was in peace once again as they continued their shopping .
-THAT EVENING-
Kaito and others returned around the afternoon as they went to their rooms . Now , was the evening when the ceremony was actually scheduled Kaito was still asleep . Akari went to his room as she knocked . Kaito didn't answer . She knocked again as Kaito opened the door half-asleep .
"You are still sleeping ?"
"Yes , I used up too much stamina"
"Seriously ? Or are you just giving an excuse"
"Um , actually it's the latter"
"Hah , I knew it . Fresh up fast . The banquet will begin in 2 hours"
"On it"
Kaito didn't close the door as he went to the washroom to fresh up . He took a shower and came out . Akari wasn't in his room but he saw that his clothes for the banquet are lying on the bed . Kaito went ahead as he took up the suit and wore it .
It was a blue tuxedo with white shirt . Kaito completed wearing his dress as he went out . He was heading to Akari's room . Kaito went in front of her room but didn't knock . He just stood leaning against the wall next to her room's door . Kaito didn't want to disturb her as she woke him up from sleep and didn't get enough time to get ready .
Kaito waited for 10 minutes before the door opened and Akari came out . Kaito knew his sister was pretty but he didn't exist her to look so beautiful in a blue dress . Her silver hair and blue eyes perfectly blend with the sky blue dress she was wearing . Kaito can't help but stare at her .
"Kai ? Why are you here ?"
"H-Huh ? Oh , I came to pick you"
"Why ?"
"Well , I was ready too early and so I thought"
"I understand"
"Be careful , today"
"Why do you say that ?"
"Are you seriously asking that ?"
"Yes"
"There will be many guests in today's party . Be careful of anyone laying an eye on you"
"Why do you worry ?"
"How could I not ? You do realise that right ?"
"Don't worry . Nobody can lay a hand on me with you by my side , right ?"
"Well , you are right about that atleast . People have to think twice before coming towards you"
"I know that , Kai"
Akari grabbed Kaito's arm . He had controlled himself after seeing her for a long time so he didn't care about her grabbing his arm . Kaito and Akari went towards the banquet hall .