Genshin Impact: The Origins

The Duel

I spent an entire month training with Isshin style with Electro form. It wasn't hard enough. All I had to do was resonate and use Electro power when performing an Art form. But the result was so high. Each form was a thousand times stronger than normal sword style, but I'm still struggling with using my sword. Whenever I try to perform a form, the sword I'm using always feels uncomfortable. My father said, "It's because I haven't forged my own sword."

"When will I forge my own sword?" I asked.

"When you turn eleven years old. Remember what Akihiko said." Due to my memory loss, I didn't know my exact age. But after meeting my grandfather, Akihiko said based on my body build I'm ten years old. To be honest, I didn't want to trust that muscle head, but Narukami agreed with him so they left me no choice. As for my birthdate, they chose the date I was found.

Back to the present. Without a proper sword, I can't master Isshin style with the electro element anymore. So my father started to teach me about swordsmithing, hand-to-hand combat styles, and war strategies. And of course, I continued honing my skills with Isshin style normal form. My training was intense and hard. I trained alongside shogunate samurais who came to learn under my father. During these days, nothing particularly abnormal happened to me. It started to concern me; I mean, I don't want something bad to happen to me, but I feel like something really bad is coming right up. Whatever...

But tomorrow, my uncle and his family will visit us. So, our entire castle will be livelier than before.

***********

Well, today is just another normal day for me. I woke up, did my morning routine. Uncle and his family will arrive in a few hours. I had to wear a formal attire. It is a beautiful one. A white kimono with purple dragon and lightning-style embroidery. I went around the castle and helped with tasks. Soon after, they arrived.

What can I say? Uncle Musou totally looks like my father. I'm glad they didn't wear the same design kimonos. As for my aunt, she is a normal human. She is a daughter of nobles and is beautiful. I think she is 30 years old, more or less. And as for my nephews, they were smaller female versions of my uncle. Dark purple hair, purple eyes, matching kimonos. They were holding each other's hands.

Alongside them, there was a Tengu, a bird-like youkai. My father told me about him. He is the current general of the shogunate army. I don't remember his name. Beside him, there is a boy and a girl who were also Tengu. I think they're his son and daughter.

"It's been a long time, brother," my father greeted them.

"Same goes for you," Uncle replied. "Thanks to your retirement, I barely sleep these days."

My father chuckled. "Sorry to hear about that. I will help you with the workload. But for now, let's head inside. I'm sure the kids are tired from the long travel.

"We headed inside to our castle and took seats in the hall we prepared for the guests. After we were seated, the feast began. Besides our families, local noble samurais also attended this function, so there was a lot of talk and fun in the hall. Time passed like this.

***********

"So, Raiden Shahasra... is that the name Shinano gave to you?" Uncle asked me.

"Yes, Uncle."

"Promising child. I heard you mastered all the forms of Isshin style despite your age. Is that true?"

Some samurais started to mutter.

"Yes, it is true. I can vouch for it," my father replied for me. "But he is still learning about sword crafting."

Many samurais were amazed by this. As I knew, Isshin style was the hardest sword style in Inazuma. So mastering it at a young age is kind of...

"Amazing. But I want to test it myself. Why don't we do a mock battle?"

Yep, I saw that coming. This month's biggest screw-up. I literally have bad luck. What should I do? I can't reject this because my old man vouched for me. My father taught me about the Musou arts, so I think I can manage somehow. Anyways, we're using wooden swords, so I won't get really hurt after all.

"I will accept that challenge gladly. It is an honour to fight against you."

***********

Why can't I just live five minutes without messing anything up? Curse me. All of us went to the dojo. Yeah, what I need most: an audience. My father assigned as the Match referee.

"You can use any form you like, but no elemental power using. If things get dangerous, I will intervene. The first one who lands a blow will win."

What the heck did he just say? If things start to go dangerous. Okay, calm down Shahasra. You can do this.

"Fighters, are you ready? BEGIN."

I didn't even have time to think. Uncle started to launch deadly blows one after another, but somehow I managed to parry them. But his every blow started to get heavier with time.

So, I started to launch a counter-attack. Every time he tried to land a blow on me, I dodged it and launched a counter-attack. But every time he dodged it too, and after that, he changed his attack pattern. After every blow, he did a follow-up attack. So even if I dodged the first blow, the second follow-up attack would cover that up, and it would block my counter-attack.

His sword nearly missed my chest. I rolled over on the floor and got up.

"I can see you studied well."

"I have a good teacher."

Form after form, blow after blow, counter after counter, dodge after dodge. I can't see the end of our fight. But suddenly, Uncle jumped back.

He chuckled. "You did great, but I can't lose, you know. So, I will end this with my next move." His stance changed. It was a powerful, steady stance. I readied my sword for the incoming attack. My father's eyes widened.

"You're not going to use it on him, right?"

"He'll be alright. I'm using a wooden sword after all," Uncle replied to him. I have no idea what they're talking about, but I'm totally sure I'm going to lose my head.

"Musou style seventh form: Musou no hitotachi - (One Slash of No Conception)," my uncle said.

I can sense it. There is no way I can counter it or dodge it. It's his ultimate form. He aimed for my head. But, I don't want to lose. If I lose here, how the hell am I going to find out my origins?

"BRING IT ON!" I yelled. His sword struck on me like lightning. Time started to flow slowly around me. I can see it coming. I use my sword to parry it and change its direction. After changing its direction, I circled and landed a blow with my sword hilt to my uncle's head.

The whole dojo fell into silence. My uncle looked at me, stunned. Even my father wore the same expression.

"Umm... did I do something wrong?" I asked.