Genesis of Arcadia

The orc let out a deafening roar as it prepared to charge at Sakaguchi again, its cleaver raised high, ready to deliver a devastating blow. The ground trembled beneath its massive frame as it barreled forward, its bloodlust evident in every step.

But Sakaguchi remained unfazed. His katana began to emit a faint glow, the steel slowly turning into a pristine shade of white, as if imbued with an otherworldly energy. Arc, still watching from the window, could only stare in awe.

Sakaguchi closed his eyes, his breathing steady and calm amidst the chaos. His entire presence seemed to shift, becoming as still and immovable as a mountain. With a fluid motion, he raised his glowing blade, its tip aligned perfectly with his elbow, and pointed it directly at the charging orc.

The stance was precise, almost serene, yet it radiated an overwhelming sense of danger. The air around Sakaguchi seemed to hum with tension.

The orc, undeterred, roared louder and pushed forward, its cleaver poised to strike.

Clang!

The orc's cleaver came crashing down toward Sakaguchi with a bone-shaking force, but just as the massive weapon should have met its target, something impossible happened. The cleaver split in two with a resounding crack, the blade falling to the ground in two pieces, as though it had been severed by an invisible force. The orc's eyes widened in disbelief.

"DAMN HUMAN! WHAT DID YOU DO?!" the orc bellowed, its rage boiling over as it stared at the wreckage of its weapon. It quickly spun to face Sakaguchi, but before it could even react, it saw the flash of a blade hurtling toward its head with terrifying speed.

Fwoosh!

In an instant, the orc's world turned to darkness. The last thing it saw was the face of the human it had underestimated—his eyes cold and empty as a flash of white steel came down with deadly precision.

The orc's head fell to the ground with a sickening thud, its body following a split second later, collapsing to the earth in a heap. Sakaguchi stood motionless for a moment, his katana now gleaming white as it was returned to its sheath with a fluid, almost graceful motion. The air was still, save for the faint rustling of the grass, as if the world itself had held its breath.

Arc, watching from the window, felt his stomach churn as the scene unfolded. He could scarcely believe what he had just witnessed. The orc, once an overwhelming force, was now nothing more than a lifeless corpse.

Sakaguchi turned toward the cabin. Arc could feel the weight of the moment settle over him, the enormity of what had just happened pressing down on him like a heavy fog.

"Hey kid, help me bury this thing" Sakaguchi shouted, his voice blunt and commanding.

"What? No way, I'm not touching that!" Arc recoiled, his stomach churning at the sight of the orc's decapitated body. The idea of coming anywhere near it was enough to make him shudder.

"Go here, or you're next," Sakaguchi snapped, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Yes, Sir, I'm coming!" Arc hurriedly responded, his mind racing with the dread of what was about to happen. He wasn't about to test Sakaguchi's patience, not after witnessing the man's overwhelming skill and cold demeanor.

"Also, bring the shovel. It's under the table," Sakaguchi added nonchalantly, as if digging graves for orcs was an everyday task.

Arc quickly ran to the cabin, grabbed the shovel, and made his way back to the scene. He stood near the lifeless body, feeling a strange mix of fear, disbelief, and unease as he looked at Sakaguchi, who was already preparing the burial site with grim efficiency.

"Why did it even attack you?" Arc asked, his voice hesitant, as he tried to make sense of the whole situation.

Sakaguchi paused for a moment, glancing at the orc's corpse with a calm, almost indifferent expression. "It's probably an orc from a nearby tribe," he explained. "I once killed some of them to save a caravan, and this is likely an Orc Warrior sent by its chieftain to avenge its kin."

"I fear more will come" Sakaguchi said, his tone grave as he studied the bloodied ground where the orc had fallen. He glanced over at Arc, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "I think it would be better if I train you for the coming days."

Arc blinked in surprise, the weight of those words sinking in quickly. "Train me? Wait, you mean—"

"But first," Sakaguchi interrupted, gesturing at the lifeless orc sprawled before them, "help me bury this corpse. We'll handle this mess first. Then, tomorrow morning, we'll start with a basic lesson."

Arc hesitated, his gaze shifting uneasily between the massive orc body and Sakaguchi's calm expression. The idea of training seemed daunting, but the alternative—being helpless in a world like this—was far worse.

"Fine," Arc muttered, gripping the shovel tightly and trying not to gag as he stepped closer to the corpse. "But this better be worth it."

Sakaguchi smirked faintly, his sharp features softening just a little. "Trust me, kid. You'll thank me later."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Sakaguchi and Arc ventured into Lydel Grassfield, a serene expanse of rolling green meadows bordered by the dense trees of Lydel Forest. The air was crisp, and the distant chirping of birds provided a deceptive sense of peace.

"Alright" Sakaguchi said, his voice breaking the calm. "We will start here."

Without further explanation, he lowered himself to the ground and sat in a lotus position, the grass brushing lightly against his kimono. He gestured for Arc to do the same.

"Sit down" Sakaguchi commanded, his tone firm but not harsh.

Arc hesitated, glancing around nervously. The tranquil surroundings didn't ease his unease. "Uh... okay," he muttered, mimicking Sakaguchi's position as best as he could. The ground was damp and cool beneath him, adding to his discomfort.

Once Arc settled, Sakaguchi closed his eyes briefly, his voice calm but heavy with significance. "First, we will open your Soul Gem. This will unlock your Soul gem and grant you access to mana."

Arc blinked, staring at him in confusion. "Soul Gem? Wait, what does that even mean?"

Sakaguchi opened one eye, giving Arc an impatient look. "Every being in Arcadia possesses a Soul Gem—a core of their very essence. By opening it, you'll awaken the unique ability that lies dormant within you and gain the ability to manipulate mana, the energy that fuels all things in this world. Without it, you're defenseless here."

"Alright" Arc replied