Two days passed since the sparring session. Kain's body still ached, but he welcomed the pain. His mornings started before sunrise, when the world was quiet and cold — the only sound being his steady breathing and the soft crunch of dirt under his boots.
He trained alone. Always alone.
His swings were smoother now. More fluid. He still lacked strength, but there was something else growing — control, precision. Quiet resolve.
That morning, the academy felt off. Most students were at a noble ceremony, and teachers had relaxed supervision. While others celebrated, Kain wandered the academy's eastern wing — a place students were warned not to go.
At the end of a long corridor stood a golden door, untouched by time. Its surface was flawless, glowing faintly with divine energy. Above it, engraved in ancient script, were the words:
"By blood of royals or might of gods may this door open."
Kain blinked. "That's… not for me."
He turned to leave, but suddenly—
[System Notification: Hidden Room Detected]
[Access Denied: Clearance Required — Royal Lineage or Divine Rank Equivalent]
[Override Requested…]
A familiar voice echoed inside his mind.
"Tch. It's too early… but needed."
That was all Inventor said.
The door pulsed.
A surge of divine force exploded from within Kain's body — and the door opened slowly, revealing a dark, circular chamber lit by faint blue runes along the wall. The air inside was heavy — ancient, foreign, dangerous.
Kain stepped in.
At the room's center floated a black stone inscribed with a jagged sword symbol. The moment he stepped closer, everything froze. The walls, the runes, even the air felt like it held its breath.
Then — a wind stirred.
And from the shadows emerged a soul.
Cloaked in gray, face hidden beneath a worn hood, the being's presence was overwhelming. Not like a god from this world — no. This was something else. Something beyond the fabric of this land.
"So this is where I've been called," the soul muttered.
Kain took a step back. "Who… are you?"
The soul ignored his question.
"This world is soft. Its swords dull. Its warriors slow. But you—" the soul raised a single finger, pointing directly at Kain. "You will learn. Not because you're special… but because you have to."
The room dimmed further as a long, ethereal blade materialized beside the figure — glowing faintly like moonlight on a black ocean.
"My name does not matter. You may call me what they once did — Horizon Cutter."
The blade slashed once through the air. Kain didn't see it move — he only saw the wall behind him split in half, perfectly clean.
"This is the sword that cuts the edge of the world," Horizon Cutter said. "You will learn the Horizon Sword. Not a technique. A way of existing."
[Skill Acquired: Horizon Sword – Spirit Bond (Dormant)]
[Effect: You are now bonded to the soul of Horizon Cutter, a being not of this world. The bond activates during moments of high combat focus. He will train you — if you survive.]
[Warning: This soul may act independently. Do not attempt control.]
Kain dropped to one knee, sweating, heart pounding.
Horizon Cutter stared. "We begin when you're ready. You'll know when it's time." And like smoke in wind, he vanished.
---
Later that day, training resumed at the academy.
Malvek barked instructions, his presence like a storm. "Weapons up! Forms! Stance!"
Kain held his sword — the same plain steel blade — but now… his hands felt different. His stance naturally corrected. His swings were slower, but exact.
"Hmm." Malvek paused as he walked past him. "Better."
Kai whispered, "You're freakin' me out, man. You look possessed."
"Not possessed," Elira said softly, "but guided."
Anna didn't say anything — just kept her eyes on him, curious and cautious.
---
That night, as the world slept, Kain sat by his dorm window, sword resting beside him.
Inside his thoughts, in the deep part of his soul, Horizon Cutter stood — silent, unmoving.
Waiting.
Kain looked at the blade, and a single thought ran through his mind:
"The edge of the world, huh…?"
In the quiet, something had begun.
And far in the distance, Inventor's voice echoed again — but this time, quieter than ever before.
Not amused.
Not mocking.
Just watching.
---