[March 3, Year 380, Human Era Calendar | North Centoria District Seven, in Front of Sadore's Metalworking Shop]

Early the next day, Kirito and Eugeo went to Sadore's shop at District 7th, the man to who they were told by Garitta to take the branch of the Gigas Cedar. Yami was busying working in his scared arts. The previous year, they had left the branch with him to make it into a sword, and since that day, Sadore had completed the one-handed straight-sword at Kirito's request.

Sadore is an old man with gray-colored hair, eyebrow, mustache, and beard. He had brown-colored eyes. For some reason, the blacksmith glared at Kirito furiously and groaned as he clattered several rectangular stone plates before the two boys' eyes.

Sadore: Look at this! These black brick grindstones are supposed to last three years, but that's six demolished in one year!!!

Kirito: I'm sorry.

Sadore: You can only shave a sliver off that branch, no matter how hard you grind! Do you know how much time I spent on this sword? Especially trying to get the exact length you had requested for. You know, I'm supposed to be crafting metal as my Calling.

Kirito: S-So... did you finish the sword?

He said, cutting through the blacksmith's grumbling. Sadore then crouched down and reached something under the counter but not before glared at the white-haired boy for cutting his words.

The blacksmith then pulled out a long, narrow cloth and put it on the counter.

Sadore: Young man. We still haven't discussed the matter of payment.

Kirito: Oh no!

He looked at Sadore nervously because the cost for the craftsman's fee in this world was very expensive and Kirito already used half of the shia he earned by winning the tournament. He doesn't know whether he can afford to pay for the craftsman's fee or not.

Seeing his friend's panic face, Eugeo leaned closer to him and whispered into his ear.

Eugeo: Don't worry, Kirito. I brought along all my money too, just in case.

Sadore: I might consider letting you have it free of charge.

Kirito and Eugeo: HUH!?

Surprised and confused expressions plastered on the two's faces when they heard that. There is no way something like this ever exist and they knew it. Sadore must want something in return making the two gulped nervously.

Sadore: However! That's only if you can swing this monster of a sword, all right? The second I was done forging this thing into a sword, it actually got heavier.

Kirito: A monster, is it?

He murmured, looking down at the cloth. Without hesitation, Kirito picked up the whole bundle and stood it on the counter. Since they weren't tied on the cloth, they easily fell loose when Kirito stood it up, exposing the sword to its full glory. The sword was a one-handed longsword that was less than 120 centimeters long. The sword was pitch black.

Kirito: Pretty... This sword has to be the most beautiful sword I ever lay my eyes on. Better not let Rika heard it.

While his left hand support the sword, Kirito reached out his right hand and was about to grab the grip but stopped a few inches from touching it. Eugeo looked at him in confusion.

Eugeo: What's wrong, Kirito?

Kirito: No... It's nothing.

With his left hand on the black leather sheath, Kirito grabbed the grip of the sword with his right hand and position the sword on his left waist. He exhaled and slowly unsheathed the black sword from its black leather sheath.

Kirito held his breath and gazed at the blade. With his left hand at the sheath, Kiritoraised the black sword high before brought it down. Although it is just a simple vertical slice, the expanding force of the swing caused the board around the shop to creak.

Although it wasn't his sword, Eugeo beamed and applauded at his best friend's performance, while Sadore snorted ferociously.

Eugeo: That was amazing, Kirito.

Sadore: Hmph! So a trainee from the academy can swing it, huh?

Kirito: It's a fine sword.

Sadore: You bet your ass it is! And like I promised, that sword is yours.

Kirito: Thank you very much!!

He said with gratitude at the blacksmith as he bowed his head with Eugeo joined in. After a few seconds, Kirito and Eugeo straightened up and were about to leave the shop if not for Sadore who suddenly throw them a random task.

Sadore: You've got to think of a name now. And remember, my place is associated with it, so don't go givin' it some weird title.

Eugeo: Since it was your sword, you should give it a proper name, Kirito.

Kirito nodded and looked at the sword and saw his reflection on it.

Kirito: Night... Night Sky Blade... That's the name of this sword.

Sadore smiled and tugged his beard, like the name of the sword he created.

Sadore: Night Sky Blade! I like it! Young man, I don't expect you to be good at naming things!

Eugeo: Yeah. However, how you got that name?

A warm smile slowly worked its way to Kirito's face as he replied to Eugeo's question.

Kirito: Sparkling in the darkness, just like the stars. The star in the sky I looked up at night from the Rulid Village... That was the feeling I get when I saw this sword at first. Thus, I named it Night Sky Blade. How was it?

Eugeo: It's a great name.

Sadore: Yeah. Anyway, you better sheathed back the sword or its life starts to drop.

Eugeo chuckled when Kirito become panic and hurriedly sheathed Night Sky Blade on its scabbard.

Kiriyo: A-Anyway, if its life starts to drop, I'll be back to get it sharpened again.

Sadore: Sure thing. And it won't be free, I'll tell you that!

Kirito; I'll be sure to remember that.

With his new blade, Night Sky Blade, on his side, Kirito happily walked out of the shop and made their way to the academy with Eugeo trailed behind him with a happy smile. Once the two entered the academy area, Kirito  split off with Eugeo.

While Eugeo visit Golgorosso for something, Kirito headed to the primary trainee dorm's office to registered the Night Sky Blade as his personal belonging.

——

Time Skip

Later that day, Kirito currently traveling to a secluded area in the woods near the school while letting out a long, deep breath.

Kirito: Honestly, why did that woman have to ask me so many questions? I'm so tired already...

After he applied the Night Sky Blade as his personal belonging, Azurica started to throw question after question at the white-haired boy.

The reason for her curiosity was because Night Sky Blade was one class higher than the divine Blue Rose Sword. The fact that a commoner had a sword that exceed the divine object, she can't help but be suspicious of him.

For an hour, Kiriyl had to convince the storm dorm manager before she let him go. However, Kirito's mind pondered over the words Azurica said to him before he left.

——

Azurica: Do you have that sword's memory?

——

Kirito: What did she mean by that? What did she see in this black sword?

With thoughts and questions swirling in his head, Kirito continue walking through the forest in search of a secluded area to see how many consecutive strikes he could manage. Since his meeting with Sortiliena was at five, Kirito got about six hours before the appointed time.

A few minutes later, Kiritk had found a secluded area in the woods near the school. The short, fine grass was as thick as a soccer pitch, the perfect ground to avoid tripping on.

Kirito: This should do it.

????: so you finally gotten your sword Kirito?

He turns around to see his boyfriend, Yami with smile on his face.

Kirito: oh, didn't know you would be here.

Yami: well you were getting your new sword.

He exhaled and drew the Night Sky Blade from its scabbard. After he put down the leather scabbard to the ground, Kirito took a normal stance and began swung his sword from right to left. Then, he repeats the action once again for a while while in his thought.

Kirito: For some reason, sword skills exist in this world, too. I could only manage 2 hit strikes with my wooden practice sword. But if I use this sword...

Kirito closed his eyes for a second and envisioned the Sword Skill <<Vertical Square>> in his mind. When Kirito opened his eyes again, the Night Sky Blade was now covered in a glow vivid light-blue glow.

Firstly, Kirito vertically swung the sword from an overhead position and followed by two upward vertical slashes.

Lastly, Kirito brought down the sword with a full-power downward slash from an overhead position again, a square, drawn with the four hits of this skill, continues to spin as it dissipates.

After performing <<Vertical Square>>, Kirito relaxed his body and smiled at himself.

Kirito: Looks like I'll be able to keep out promise to Liena. Come to think of it actually, I couldn't unleash the five-hit strike, even with the Blue Rose Sword. I wonder if this one can?

Yami: hey Kirito can I test it?

Kirito: y-yeah sure.

He grabs it, he slid his right foot forward, pulled the Night Sky Blade back to his left shoulder. Before Yami can unleash the five-hit strike Sword Skill, he loosens the grip of the Night Sky Blade when he saw the sword started flickering in orange.

Yami: I don't what was that but only an idiot would use that Sword Skill when it is still unstable. Alright, let try Hissatsu Waza Style, then.
(Means "Sure-Killing Arts")

Still, in a ready stance, Yami closed his eyes and took a deep breath, controlling his breathing technique.

Yami concentrated on the mental image of a move he seen in any anime he seen.

After a few seconds, Yami opened his eyes and muttered one of the techniques.

Yami: Hissatsu Waza Style, Shippuuga.

Yami perform a large, twirling slash with a pink blade, hitting up to three times in a row while he was dashing around and unconsciously causing small destruction in a small area.

Kirito: Oh no...

He can only mutter with a disbelief look. He knew Yami he was irregular and his power far exceeded the students on this academy and possibly on par with the integrity knight but he didn't expect the impact of Yami's power will be this bad.

Kirito: At this point, I didn't whether to be happy, impressed or scare of Yami.

He let out a relieved sigh when he looked around. Aside from the slightly shattered ground, the tree and the flower were fine. Luckily, he doesn't use his full power because if used it, who knows what will happen to the poor green area.

Kirito: Anyway, let's repair the area before someone might come.

Yami: Generate Luminous Element, Divine Light.

With a blinding light, the surrounding area slowly returns to its original state. However, Kirito's relief turned into horror when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching him from behind.

Mustered his courage, both boys slowly turned around and saw someone they didn't want to see at this moment, Volo Levantein. Volo had dull blond, close-cropped hair and steel-blue eyes. He is also very tall and can be mistaken for an adult.

Yami:...

After 15 seconds of a staredown between Volo and Yami, the white-haired boy calmly took a knee and placed Night Sky Blade on the ground, and bowed.

Yami: Pardon me, Elite Disciple Levantein! Please forgive my rudeness!

Volo: ...you two are Elite Disciple Serlut's page, right?

Kirito: Yes. I'm Primary Trainee Kirito.

Yami: and I'm Primary Trainee Yami.

Volo: I see... According to school rules, training the sword is forbidden on days of rest.

Kirito: N-No, First seat! This is not practice. You see, Yamk was just trying out my new sword. A weapon I had commissioned in District Seven finally arrived today and I couldn't wait until tomorrow...

He slowly realized something was wrong.

Kirito: Wait a minute... This is a secluded area, what was he even doing here in the first place? There's no way a First-Seat like him busy himself with a commoner like me except... This is a trap.

While on the outside he kept a straight face, he inwardly glared at Volo when he saw the faint smirked on the First-Seat's face.

Volo: You seemed to be quite fired up for someone merely taking test swings. Or should I say someone destroyed the area around the forest?

Yamk:...

Volo: But... you aren't the only one out here trying every which way to contrive a reason for wielding a sword, even on a day of rest.

Kirito: Then...

Volo: Yes. I'll overlook the fact that you were swinging your sword on a day of rest.

Kirito: I am grateful for your generosity!

Volo: Don't be so quick to thank me, Trainee Kirito.

Kirito: S-Sorry?

Volo: I never said that I'd forgive Yamk for that. Under normal circumstances, I would bring you to the superior dorm to estimate your punishment for destroying the green area of the school and break the rule.

Yami:...

Volo: Primary Trainee Yami, your punishment shall be a duel with me. Not with wooden swords—you may use that one and I will use my sword.

Kirito: such misfortune!!

Later evening, many students were sitting around the main training hall of the campus to watch the duel between the First-Seat, Volo Levantein, and the Primary Trainee, Yami. News of their duel quickly spread, attracting a significant number of people.

Yami: What a pain... What a pain... What a pain...

???: Yami!

Yami snapped from his grumbling and turned to his right and saw Eugeo, Kirito and Sortiliena approached him.

Eugeo: What did you do this time?

Yami: hehehe...

Eugeo: Well... I guess the fact you stayed out of trouble for a whole year is a miracle in itself.

Kirito: As expected from my partner! I knew you'd understand.

Eugeo: That's not a compliment, you idiot...

While Yami, Kirito and Eugeo talking with each other, Sortiliena staring fiercely at Volo.

Sortiliena: Lord Levantein! What's the meaning of this?

Volo: Your page was a bit disrespectful to me. Since I didn't feel that it warranted a serious punishment, I intend to settle things by sparring with real swords.

Sortiliena: What did you say!?

Before Sortiliena was about to complain to Volo her dissatisfaction, Yami grabbed her left hand with his right hand. Sortiliena then found herself blushing at the sudden skin skip.

Sortiliena: W-W-What are you doing, Yami?

Yami: I'm sorry for making you worry, Liena. I'll be fine! In fact, I'm honored to get a chance to spar with the first seat... Are you okay senpai? Your face is red.

Since this is an emergency, Yami leaned his face closer to Sortiliena and press their forehead together, check her temperature.

Yami: You don't seem to have a fever.

*ba-dump* *ba-dump*

Sortiliena held her breath and hoped her heartbeat wasn't as loud to Yami as it was to her. Slowly, Sortiliena composed herself and stepped back from Yami with a small blush.

Sortiliena: I-I'm fine. A-Anyway, Yami. What are the rules of your duel?

Yami: Since we're using real swords, wouldn't that be stop-short?

Volo: Ah, yes, I forgot to mention.

He interjected, making Yami, Kirito, Sortilinea and Eugeo looked at the first seat with raised eyebrows.

Volo: I don't do stop-short fights. All of my personal matches end when one side takes the first strike.

Suddenly, the constant muttering of the crowd around the group went silent. Sortiliena then narrowed her eyes at Volo in dissatisfaction.

Sortiliena: Are you kidding me!? Yami has never fought a match with real swords!

Volo: Yes. Of course, this match can't happen without the consent of both of us. If you refuse, we'll have no choice but to go with stop-short. I'm going to let you choose, Trainee Yami.

Sortiliena: Don't do it, Yami. Volo's powerful. It's too dangerous.

Although Yami wants to oblige to Sortiliena's words, his swordsman's pride got the best of him.

Yami: I'll leave the method up to you, Lord Levantein. After all, I'm the one being punished.

Volo narrowed his eyes at Yami while the white-haired boy just smiled confidently at him. Behind the white-haired boy, Eugeo shook his head in disbelief and Sortiliena gasped and held her breath in shock. Kirito he smirks has Volo's pride will be crushed.

End of Volune