Royuki wiped the sweat from his forehead as he swung his wooden sword at the dummy. He had been practicing for hours, trying to perfect his technique and speed. He knew he had to be ready for the selection test, which was only a week away. He wanted to be one of the chosen ones, the elite warriors who would represent his country in the Endless Battle of Hell.
The Endless Battle of Hell was a brutal and bloody war that had been raging for decades. It was a conflict between two rival nations, each claiming to be the rightful heir of the ancient empire that once ruled the continent. The war had no end in sight, as both sides were equally matched in strength and resources. The only way to break the stalemate was to send the best of the best to fight in a special arena, where the rules were simple: kill or be killed.
Royuki had always dreamed of being a part of the Endless Battle of Hell. He had grown up hearing stories of the legendary heroes who had fought and died in the arena, their names and deeds immortalized in history. He admired their courage, skill, and honor. He wanted to prove himself worthy of their legacy, and to bring glory and pride to his country.
But he also had another reason, a more personal one. He wanted to find his father, who had disappeared in the Endless Battle of Hell ten years ago. Royuki was only five years old when his father left, promising to return soon. He never did. Royuki had no idea if his father was alive or dead, but he hoped that he was still fighting in the arena, waiting for his son to join him.
Royuki had no one else in his life. His mother had died when he was born, and he had no siblings or relatives. He lived alone in a small hut near the edge of the forest, where he trained by himself every day. He had no friends, no mentors, no teachers. He learned everything he could from books, scrolls, and old recordings. He taught himself how to read, write, and speak. He studied the history, culture, and geography of the world. He learned the art of war, strategy, and tactics. He mastered the basics of swordsmanship, archery, and martial arts. He was a self-made prodigy, a genius in the making.
But he also knew that he was not enough. He knew that he lacked the experience, the guidance, and the feedback that only a real teacher could provide. He knew that he had many flaws, weaknesses, and gaps in his knowledge. He knew that he was not ready for the Endless Battle of Hell, not yet. But he had no choice. He had to try. He had to take the risk. He had to face the challenge.
He had to find his father.
He slashed at the dummy again, imagining that it was an enemy soldier. He felt a surge of adrenaline, a rush of excitement. He felt alive.
He heard a loud clap, followed by a voice.
"Bravo, bravo. That was quite a performance. You have some talent, kid. But talent is not enough. You need more than that. You need skill, discipline, and wisdom. You need a teacher. And I'm here to offer you that."
Royuki turned around, startled. He saw a man standing behind him, clapping his hands. The man was tall and muscular, with long black hair and a beard. He wore a leather jacket, jeans, and boots. He had a scar across his left eye, and a metal band around his right wrist. He had a smirk on his face, and a gleam in his eye.
Royuki felt a chill run down his spine. He recognized the man. He was one of the chosen ones, one of the elite warriors who had fought in the Endless Battle of Hell. He was a legend, a hero, a legend.
He was Royuki's father.
