"Lorenzo, I…"
He expected a heartfelt reunion. Instead… Bang! Lorenzo ran up and delivered a full force punch right into his chest. It was so sudden and unexpected that Benedict did not think to block it. It landed its mark perfectly, as the air was forced from his lungs. He dropped to his knees and buckled over in pain. Freon was shocked by the 'attack' and quickly moved away. He grabbed his wand, and prepared to cast a spell, when Shirley stepped in. She shook her head.
"What… was that for?" Benedict groaned.
"I'm the one who should be saying that!" Lorenzo yelled. "Where were you?" He was furious, yet Benedict answered with a stupefied look. "What's that face for? Don't tell me… you really don't understand?" A dangerous glint emerged from him.
"Wait, wait! Calm down! What did I do?" Benedict raised his arms in panic.
"What did you do?" His eyes twitched. "I'll tell you. Last year, we were escorting Her Highness back to Castle Reinhard when we were attacked by the Second Hand. I took a heavy injury and fell in battle. By the time I recovered, long after the Lannisail explosion, our father disowned you and you vanished. Where did you go? No matter how much I searched, I couldn't find you. The war on the Whispering Shadow was beginning too. I couldn't search anymore. Ultimately, we thought you died."
"I…"
"So, you can imagine my surprise when I heard the rumors coming from the frontlines. Talking birds, flying ships, Martial Energy, the Sword King… It sounded ridiculous until I heard your name. They said that a monster of a swordsman by the name of Benedict swept through the battlefields like a demon! I thought it was mere coincidence, but I couldn't verify it myself, because I was deployed to the southern front. Months passed before I got the chance to join Her Majesty's army. Do you have… any idea how I felt?" Lorenzo carefully enunciated every word.
Benedict felt sweat dripping down his back. "I… I thought I sent a letter."
"Well, I didn't get anything. And besides, even if I did get a letter, did you think that would make it okay to disappear for a year?"
"…Damn it, Hidek and Lanar," he cursed under his breath. His senior martial brothers either forgot to send his letters, or more than likely, they did not care. It was his mistake for trusting them in the first place. "Let me explain everything."
"You have a lot to explain. After that, you'll come with me and apologize to everyone."
"Yes, I understand…"
"Um…" Freon felt awkward being left out.
"Sorry you had to see that. It's been a long time since we saw each other. I'm glad everyone is in good health."
Shirley tilted her head. "Who are you?"
Lorenzo chuckled. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised you forgot me. I am Sir Lorenzo Hawken, Benedict's older brother."
"Oh, no wonder you look like him!" she exclaimed. "But where did we meet before?"
"It was in Port Silic, when Her Highness…" He choked on his words. He would rather not relive that embarrassment. "Anyways, it's a pleasure to meet you two again, Shirley, Freon. Thank you for supporting my foolish little brother. On my honor as a Great Knight and a Grand Lord, I, Sir Lorenzo Hawken, promise to repay this debt. Just say the word, and I'll be there."
"You don't have to go that far. We're friends," Shirley replied.
"She's right. He helped us, and we helped him. We can call it even," Freon added.
"Is that so…" It was rare that someone would turn his favor down. He immediately held Shirley and Freon in a better light. "Now then, Benedict, would you care to explain everything? Where did you go, and why are you here?"
"It's like this…" Benedict talked about what happened after he went to the Lannisail Household, how he was saved by the Sword King, and later forced to become his disciple. Then, through his master's tutelage, he grasped Martial Energy and learned the Cloud Sea Style. When he finally had the chance to return home, he heard that the war was starting again, and that Elizabeth was going to the frontlines. That was why he decided to change plans and join her. The rest was history.
Hearing this, Lorenzo crossed his arms and frowned, skepticism written across his face. "You're talking about the Sword King? That legendary swordsman, who's allegedly an Instinct Realm? That Sword King? He's your master? You're sure about that?"
"Yes, I am."
"Benedict… neither you or I have the talent nor the skill to attract the Sword King's attention. I think he would be far more interested in swordsmen like our father, Sir Sebastian, or Lady Valentina. They're the true experts."
"Of course, I know that…" he answered bitterly.
It was natural for his brother to doubt him. After all, Lorenzo had seen firsthand how he struggled to master the Hawken Style's first three stances, or how he remained a Fundamental Realm Novice for all those years. His growth was pitiful compared to a talented swordsman like his brother, or true experts like his father. To attract the Sword King's gaze would have normally been out of the question and yet…
"My master said there was a hint of Sword Intent in me."
"What? Sword Intent?" Lorenzo repeated in shock.
Sword Intent. This was an extremely rare state of understanding, far rarer than Perception Realm. Only a handful of people throughout history had ever reached it. For example, he was a Major Sword Form, which classified him as an 'expert swordsman'. Their father, Sir Roland, was a Perfect Sword Form or a 'master swordsman'. Sir Roland could already call himself one of the top swordsmen in the world. Half-Sword Intent was above that and approaching the realm of legends. One step further was the legendary, almost mythical, Sword Intent! That spoke of the titanic difficulty in reaching it.
"Would you mind sparring with me, Benedict? I need to see it for myself," Lorenzo concluded.
"I… I don't think that's a good idea." He scratched his head. While he held his brother in the utmost regard, his current strength had eclipsed his brother's. He did not want to embarrass or endanger Lorenzo.
"Relax, you don't need to hold back. Show me what you can do," Lorenzo drew his sword; confident that it would be okay. How much could Benedict possibly change in a single year?
"I understand…"
Benedict contemplated surrendering or holding back, but that would be an insult to his brother. He could not do that so he would honor the request. He would spar at full strength! Resolved, Benedict kicked off the ground with Martial Energy and somersaulted thirty paces back. This was an appropriate distance for their spar. Little did he know that this casual act was enough to almost convince Lorenzo. A normal person could not move like that! Benedict then landed, reached for his sword, and narrowed his eyes. The moment the blade left its sheath, a powerful Martial Aura erupted from him and soared to the sky. Martial Energy, Perception Realm, and a hint of Sword Intent… The combination meant the entire area was drowned in his overwhelming pressure! It crashed into Lorenzo like a tsunami, shaking him to his core. He was a Half-Perception Realm, so he knew… Benedict's strength was the real deal!
Lorenzo smirked as his curiosity burned. How would he do? Without hesitation, he took up a Hawken Style stance. He would fight seriously too! His fighting intent was clearly conveyed to Benedict, who nodded. The two brothers raised their swords. Lorenzo kept his senses focused. He would not let anything slip from his sight. He decided that yet… when the spar finally started, Benedict instantly closed the distance. This was his high-speed movement technique, Moon Flash! This scared Lorenzo, who instinctively defended. Boom! It was over in an instant. Lorenzo gulped, as he looked at Benedict's sword, a mere hair away from his face. Death never felt closer.
"I yield," he shakily declared. "You win."
Nodding, Benedict quickly retreated and sheathed his sword. The great pressure emanating from him disappeared as he returned to his normal, unassuming self. It was like nothing happened! However, Lorenzo was left trembling in fear. Despite repeating the scene in his head, he could not understand what happened, much less how to defend against it. He was utterly helpless! He never felt this way before, even against their father, who was a Royal Guard, Perception Realm Master, and Perfect Sword Form. Had Benedict surpassed their father already? But that was impossible, given Benedict's talents one year ago! Lorenzo could not believe anything anymore.