The Knight of the Kraken
The heart of the Empire, the Lucentia Imperial Academy.
More than a mere educational institution, it was a crucible forging the finest talents who would carry the future of the Empire on their shoulders.
Centuries of history and tradition were etched into its stone walls, their majestic presence inspiring awe in all who beheld them.
Among its departments, the Swordsmanship Department was the crown jewel—a cradle nurturing the greatest knights of the Empire.
The knights produced here served as the Empire's shield and sword, their names etched forever in the annals of history.
Ascending the grand stone steps and passing through the antique arched gates, the overwhelming grandeur of the Swordsmanship Department unfolded before one's eyes.
Beneath ancient banners hanging high from the ceiling, whispering of past glories, a commoner student gazed at the countless swords lining the walls with eyes full of reverence.
"Look over there. That's the sword of Lorenz, the Holy Knight, known as the 'Sword of Light.'"
"Whoa, you're right. And the one next to it is the ceremonial sword of the Red Moon Knights."
The students' whispers continued, their voices thick with respect and longing.
A commoner student let out a deep sigh and muttered to himself.
"One day, my name will be carved up there too... and then I'll finally be able to give my family a comfortable life..."
His murmurs were quickly drowned out by the clashing of various weapons.
In the training grounds, students wielding all kinds of weapons were practicing with burning passion.
Countless schools of swordsmanship and secret family techniques coexisted within the academy, and the students utilized weapons that suited their unique styles.
From flashy magic swords to crude but powerful greatswords, the variety was immense.
"Hey, look over there. The style he's using is the Silver Moon Style."
"Amazing. I heard that family's swordsmanship is notoriously difficult to learn."
For the commoner students, this place was their beacon of hope.
They believed that as long as they had talent and put in relentless effort, they could prove their strength and achieve high grades at the academy.
If they did, they could secure positions in prestigious knight orders, famous guilds, or key posts within the military.
It was the only ladder available to them to transcend their social status.
"If we work hard, we can do it too. Once we're recognized here, any path will open up for us."
"Yeah, let's not give up. For the sake of our dreams."
However, all of this began to change when the Empire's top luxury magic weapon brand, Mystic Arts, opened a branch inside the academy.
Magic weapons—specifically, magic swords—began to sweep through the Swordsmanship Department.
"Whoa, look at that! It's the new 'Skybreaker' series!"
"Heavens, that price tag... It's easily ten times my monthly allowance..."
"Still, I'm so jealous they can just buy it. Even if my dad saved his entire salary for his whole life..."
Unlike the excited chatter of the noble students, the expressions of the commoner students darkened.
To them, a magic sword was nothing but an unreachable dream.
Anxiety began to take root in the hearts of the commoner students.
The fear that sheer skill might no longer be enough suffocated them.
The Lucentia Imperial Academy's annual swordsmanship tournament was now only a week away.
This tournament was a crucial event that evaluated the students' skills.
Recruiters from prestigious knight orders also attended the finals, making it a prime opportunity to scout outstanding talent.
For the students, this tournament could be a major turning point that decided their entire future.
With the tournament looming, the students were holding mock duels for their final preparations.
In principle, any weapon was permitted in the tournament to accommodate the students' individual styles.
The original intent was to evaluate pure, unadulterated strength.
However, the atmosphere this year was starkly different from the past.
Making a mockery of the tournament's original purpose, the mock duels had devolved into a showcase for boasting about new weapons.
"Next mock duel: Tom versus Alex."
Tom, a commoner student, stepped forward with a trembling hand gripping his worn-out sword.
His blade was dull with age, and the hilt barely held together, wrapped in layers of tattered cloth.
Opposite him, Alex brandished a magic sword that glowed with shifting colors, wearing a relaxed smirk.
"Alright, are both of you ready? Begin!"
At the professor's signal, the mock duel between Tom and Alex commenced.
The moment steel clashed with the magic sword, despair bloomed in Tom's heart.
Alex's magic sword moved as if it were a living creature, rendering all of Tom's attacks completely useless.
I can't win like this... If I go into the tournament like this...
The mock duel ended in an overwhelming victory for Alex.
As the duel concluded, the students dispersed one by one, leaving a melancholy chill in the training hall.
Tom remained slumped on the floor, drenched in sweat.
He was a youth who had once been hailed as a "prodigy of the sword" and spotlighted as one of the academy's brightest prospects.
Without any secret family techniques, he had forged his own unique style through sheer effort, earning praise from everyone for his raw talent.
"Tom, are you okay?"
His friend Mark approached Tom, who was staring blankly at the floor with his head hung low.
"Ah... Yeah, I'm fine. I just had a reality check, that's all."
Tom's voice trembled.
It felt as though all the effort and passion he had poured into his training had crumbled to dust before the might of a magic weapon.
Anger, frustration, and a profound sense of loss squeezed his chest painfully.
Contrary to his words, the rims of his eyes were turning red.
Tears welled up and slowly rolled down his cheeks.
He quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand, but his trembling shoulders betrayed his true feelings.
Mark looked at his friend with pity and said, "But your skills were clearly superior to Alex's. He was just borrowing the power of a magic weapon. We all know how incredibly talented you are."
Tom let out a bitter laugh.
A mix of anger and defeat swirled in his eyes.
"Forget it... Don't say another word. I guess there's nothing commoners like us can do anymore. We live in a world where wealth is a skill. I finally realized that there's a wall I can never climb, no matter how hard I try."
His voice carried a deep wound alongside his resignation.
Seeing the talent that once illuminated the academy break down like this was heartbreaking.
Mark wanted to offer some words of comfort, but he swallowed them back down.
He knew that what Tom needed right now wasn't empty platitudes.
After a moment of hesitation, Mark spoke up.
"Hey, have you heard about it? The new Kraken's Sword."
"Kraken? What's that?"
"They say it's as good as Mystic Arts products, but it only costs a third of the price. Students in our position might actually be able to afford it."
Tom's eyes flickered.
"Really? There's something like that?"
"Yeah. From what I've gathered, it's ninety-nine gold. Of course, that's still expensive for us... but it's not completely out of reach, right?"
Tom fell into deep thought.
Ninety-nine gold.
It was by no means a small sum.
But if his family pooled their resources, somehow...
"Thanks, Mark. I'll talk to my parents about it."
That night, an unusual tension hung over Tom's house.
Gathered around the small dining table, the expressions of his family members were solemn.
"Son, ninety-nine gold is no small amount for a family of our means, but..."
His father spoke.
His mother chimed in.
"But if it's for your dream, we'll find a way to scrape it together."
Tom's eyes grew hot. The deep love and support of his parents resonated in his chest.
"Thank you so much, Father, Mother."
The next morning, Tom stood before the Song of Steel with a resolute expression.
Inside his pocket lay the money representing his family's love and sacrifice.
I will achieve my dream with this money. I must succeed and repay my parents.
Steeling his resolve, Tom pushed open the shop door.
"Welcome! How can I help you today?"
The clerk asked warmly.
Tom took a deep breath and spoke.
"I'd like to purchase a Kraken's Sword, please."
After purchasing the Kraken's Sword, Tom stayed late in the training hall every single night, striving to become one with his new weapon.
Although adapting to the unfamiliar flow of mana was difficult at first, his outstanding talent and relentless effort allowed him to make rapid progress.
By the eve of the tournament, Tom had successfully unlocked the sword's latent potential and even developed a unique swordsmanship style of his own.
Time flew, and the day of the tournament finals finally dawned.
The entire academy buzzed with tension, and the spectator stands were packed to the brim with students and distinguished guests.
Tom entered the arena clutching his newly acquired Kraken's Sword.
A fierce determination burned in his eyes.
"Let the finals begin!"
As the referee's booming voice echoed, a brilliant blue light flashed from Tom's sword.
In that instant, the air in the arena seemed to freeze.
The Kraken's Sword moved in perfect harmony with Tom's will.
It was as natural and fluid as if the blade were an extension of his own arm.
A light resembling blue waves rippled along the blade, instantly overwhelming Alex's flashy magic sword.
Alex's strikes were neutralized like waves crashing against a solid cliff, while Tom's counterattacks carried the devastating force of a stormy sea.
The spectators watched the astonishing spectacle with bated breath.
Everyone was struck dumb with shock by the overwhelming aura radiating from a commoner student's sword.
The result was Tom's victory.
"Pant... Pant..."
Tom breathed heavily.
The Kraken's Sword in his hand still emitted a soft, gentle blue glow.
The joy of victory and the hope that he could finally achieve his dreams filled his heart to the brim.
A bright smile spread across Tom's face.
In his eyes shone a newfound confidence and resolve, having overcome all his past frustration and anger.
This was the birth of what would be known as the Kraken Society.
Among the commoner students, the Kraken series weapons became far more than mere tools—they became the symbol of their dreams and hopes.
Following Tom's victory, a new wind began to blow through the Swordsmanship Department.
Once news spread that Tom had won the tournament using the Kraken's Sword, the rumor swept through the academy like wildfire.
It was a particularly earth-shattering event for the commoner students.
To them, the Kraken's Sword was rapidly transforming from a mere weapon into a beacon of hope.
Barely two weeks after its release, the Kraken Society, centered around the graduating senior Tom, rapidly took shape.
Tom's victory breathed courage and confidence into many commoner students, who naturally began to gather around him.
Commoner students who had previously only exchanged tentative glances were now gathering together to talk.
"Hey, you bought a Kraken's Sword too?"
"Yeah, I scraped together everything I had to buy it. You too?"
"Yeah. It feels like we finally have a fighting chance now."
Understanding and empathizing with each other's struggles, they forged an increasingly tight-knit bond.
The Kraken Society became more than just a club; it became a sturdy pillar of support for the commoner students.
One day, the members of the Kraken Society gathered in the training hall.
Mark approached Tom and asked.
"Tom, I've gathered all the society members just like you asked. What's going on?"
"Thanks, Mark."
Tom replied with a grateful smile.
He then turned his gaze toward the assembled members of the Kraken Society.
His eyes swept over each and every one of them.
Confirming that he had everyone's undivided attention, Tom took a deep breath and projected his voice.
"Everyone, lend me your ears!"
His booming voice echoed throughout the training hall.
The eyes of every member locked onto Tom.
"As the leader of the Kraken Society, I plan to teach you all the Kraken Swordsmanship style that I have developed."
At Tom's declaration, the entire training hall buzzed with anticipation.
Tom slowly drew his sword from his waist.
Instantly, a shimmering blue light enveloped the area. The sheer aura and resolve radiating from his stance made the students hold their breath.
"The first technique I will teach you is the Kraken Style, First Form: Wall of Waves."
Tom took his first step.
One step, then two.
With every movement, the very air seemed to vibrate.
His body spun with the fluid grace of flowing water as he raised his sword horizontally.
In an instant, blue flames erupted explosively from the blade.
The flames danced and swirled like a living entity, filling the space around him.
In the blink of an eye, a massive barrier of blue fire materialized in front of Tom.
It was no ordinary wall of fire.
It was a wall of flames that perfectly replicated the motion of constantly churning waves.
It looked as though a segment of the ocean had been torn away and erected right there.
The waves of blue fire looked exactly like the real sea.
The crests and troughs of the waves, and even the sparks of flame splashing like sea spray, were vividly rendered.
This mystical wave of fire surged continuously, painting the training hall in a brilliant blue hue.
The students rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
"Is this really possible?"
One student muttered softly. The others nodded, harboring the same doubts.
Some stood with their mouths agape in shock, while others let out gasps of pure awe.
Everyone held their breath, staring at Tom and the wondrous wall of blue wave-fire he had conjured.
Tom smiled and said.
"This is only a fraction of the Kraken Swordsmanship. Even more astonishing techniques await you."
Suddenly, Tom spun around and swung his sword.
A wave of blue fire swept across the entire training hall.
In an instant, everything was engulfed in blue light before it vanished.
"Once you master this technique, you too will one day be able to control the ocean itself."
The students' eyes filled with wonder and determination.
They focused intently, determined not to miss a single detail of Tom's instruction.
"Now, I will show you the Kraken Style, Second Form: Tempest Counter."
The moment the words left his mouth, his posture shifted dramatically.
The movements that had flowed so smoothly just a second ago sharpened in an instant.
Standing firm and unyielding like a boulder in the eye of a storm, he thrust his sword forward with the speed of lightning.
In that split second, an unbelievable sight unfolded from Tom's blade.
Blue flames erupted in a violent burst, creating a spectacular display that resembled a raging tempest.
The flames swirling around the sword looked like the eye of a real hurricane, with streaks of blue light pouring down like torrential rain.
The fiery tempest felt like a true phenomenon of nature.
The howling winds, the driving rain, and even the lightning splitting the center—every element was perfectly replicated.
The tempest of blue flames churned continuously, enveloping the training hall in an overwhelming aura.
The students stared at the overwhelming spectacle, forgetting to breathe.
"You're telling me this is swordsmanship, not magic?"
One student cried out, unable to hide his shock.
The other students reacted similarly, their eyes wide as they looked at one another.
As Tom brought his movements to a halt, he slowly relaxed his stance and spoke.
"The key to the Tempest Counter lies in mana transmission and fusion. When transitioning from defense to offense, you must instantaneously alter the properties of your mana. From a wave to a storm."
Catching his breath for a moment, Tom continued.
"The most crucial part here is perfectly aligning your own mana with the mana residing within the Kraken's Sword. You must synchronize the vibrations of both manas, just like two waves merging into one. If the frequency is off by even a fraction, the power of the technique will drop drastically."
As Tom finished his explanation, gasps of admiration erupted among the students.
"Wow... I can't believe it."
"How did he devise a swordsmanship style of this caliber in such a short time?"
"He really is incredible..."
Tom smiled and said.
"Now, let's pair up and practice the basic movements. The mastery of this technique depends entirely on your effort."
The students enthusiastically began practicing the new technique.
As blue light filled the training hall, the strength of the Kraken Society members began to improve at a visible rate.
In just two weeks, the Kraken Society was developing into something akin to a minor martial sect rather than a simple gathering.
Their unique method of mana manipulation was now drawing the attention of the entire Swordsmanship Department.
As the Kraken Society's training session drew to a close, a student cautiously approached Tom.
"Senior Tom, may I ask you a question?"
Tom nodded.
"Do you happen to know who made this Kraken's Sword? Did they develop the Kraken Style swordsmanship as well?"
The student's eyes were filled with respect and curiosity.
The other students nearby also pricked up their ears.
Tom fell into thought for a moment, then smiled.
"I developed the Kraken Style swordsmanship myself while studying this blade. But as for the person who forged the sword... I don't know exactly who they are either."
Tom raised his sword, gazing at the blade radiating its soft blue light.
"But one thing is certain: the more I use this sword, the more I realize how incredible they are. It feels as though their genius is drawing out our own latent potential."
Gasps of awe rippled through the students.
"Wow, just what kind of person could they be?"
"Do you think we'll ever get to meet them?"
Tom nodded.
"I want to meet them and express my gratitude in person too. Surely, that opportunity will come one day."
His voice carried a profound respect for the mysterious artisan.
