CCM 01 – The Sword Saint’s Son’s Banishment

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Skill.

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A power that everyone possess and is unique amongst anyone.

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Everyone who possesses skills related to a sword saint is called ‘Sword Saint’.

Everyone who possesses skills related to a sage is called ‘Sage’.

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With this being the case, one’s life is greatly influenced by the skill one possess.

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Everyone’s skill manifests on their 18th birthday and it is the day where one standouts to the rest of the world.

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I, Arios Makuba, is one of the people who is celebrating their 18th birthday today.

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[This day has finally come, oh Arios.]

[Yes… It is as you say.]

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I nodded lightly in response to my father’s words.

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[Fufu. It makes me curious what skill will you manifest. You’re my son so it can’t be anything but a high grade one.]

[Haha… It would be great if that’s the case.]

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My father, Lion Makuba, has no doubts that my skill will belong to the highest grade.

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That is to be expected from the Makuba family which has carried on the skill of sword saints for generations.

It is the same for my father who is a renowned as a sword saint. The power of this skill allowed the Makubas to directly serve the royal family.

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That’s the reason why I have undergone hardships everyday.

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There’s no room for doubts on his mind that the skill I’ll be manifesting is a strong one.

I’ve been polishing my swordsmanship until my 18th birthday so I can be the strongest swordsman at the shortest amount of time as my father wants me to be.

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Well, the only reason for our Makuba family to be recognized by the royal family is our swordsmanship. It is not a place for a weak swordsman that would instead lead to suspicions of our family’s credibility.

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[Look, isn’t that person the sword saint Lion-sama?]

[How gorgeous…!]

[What’s more is that the child beside him has already come to an age for him to manifest his skill… He’s now a grown up.]

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We’re currently in the city’s church.

Before I knew it, a lot of people had already gathered in our surroundings. 

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After all, it is the day where the heir of the renowned Makuba family of sword saints will manifest his skill.

Although I find this topic hard to understand why it has got into a big deal if I say so myself.

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[Arios-sama-!]

[Goodluck!]

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I can hear as well the cheerful encouragement coming from the women around. It makes me glad but it’s kind of embarrassing. 

I immersed myself into the sword for all of the days of my life so I am rather unfamiliar with interactions between the opposite sex.

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Well, Makuba family is rather famous in the county. Marrying into the house guarantees a bright future.

I believe it is the case but it is not that easy.

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[…Here we go then, Arios-dono.]

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Onto the church’s podium.

The priest sitting on my opposite side asks me with a solemn look.

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[Yes. …I’ll leave it to you.]

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It is kind of making me nervous.

Doubts of the heart leads to the hesitation of the sword.

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I always hear this saying from my father but it isn’t a mentally that until now I have fully adapted. 

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[Arios. I know you’ll make me proud.]

[Ye-yes…!]

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My father is looking over me a few steps away from the podium. Perhaps he is pretty confident over the result as he stands firm with his arms cross.

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[Mumumuu…!]

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The priest stretches out both of his hands to the crystal above the desk with his expression starting to distort. Colorful beams spread out from the crystal engulfing the surroundings and seeing these mysterious lights, I can’t help but be mesmerized. 

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Then.

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[It is finally revealed! Arios-dono. Your skill is—]

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The priest’s words got cut off to that point as his eyes seemingly widened from shock.

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[Mumu? Weird. This is…]

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My instincts are telling me that an unpleasant thing is bound to happen upon seeing his reaction.

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[E-excuse me. How is it…?]

[…Arios-dono. Heed these words into your heart. Your skill is– <<Cheat Code Manipulation>>.]

[…eh?]

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The surrounding people started to stir. 

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[Chi-cheat code? Ever heard of that?]

[No no no no, I don’t know that… What the heck’s that…]

[Don’t tell me… a <FailSkill>…?]

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Even I have to agree with their words.

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Cheat Code.

I have not heard of such a thing before.

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[That’s impossible! How can such a thing happen!]

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My father goes onto the podium with his face red all over.

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[Priest-dono! What is that skill all about!]

[I-I don’t know. Arios-dono, why don’t you try activating your skill for the to be sure?]

[Ye-yes…!]

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I activated my skill as I was told.

The activating condition is pretty simple.

I just have to whisper the name of the skill. 

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Then, a series of character strings appear right in front of me.

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—————————

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List of currently available cheat codes:

-Attack Powers Up (Low)

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[Attack Powers Up (Low)…]

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I recited the characters as a chant feeling empty inside.

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[It appears that is a skill that increases offensive powers… father…]

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[Wh-what…]

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Even my own father can’t close his wide open mouth.

Attack Powers Up (Low).

If I am not mistaken, the increase should be around 20% elevating one’s total offensive ability up to 120%.

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–It’s a failure of a skill. A failskill.

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[This… This must be a lie…]

[The sword saint’s child… Is a failskill?]

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The murmurs from the surroundings start to change into contempt.

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[What the heck. How are we supposed to rely on their family then.]

[How boring. He looks so plain I was thinking he can be such an easy prey. But now that it’s come to this then there’s no more use to him isn’t it.]

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Even the cheerful women earlier have now changed their tones. Even though when our met eyes earlier they’ve been screaming like crazy…

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Just what is this.

What the hell is this.

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Even though just yesterday, I’ve been pushing and giving my everything just to be the sword saint everyone wanted me to be.

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After enduring the days where I almost wanted to quit.

But I persisted in hope of a dreamful and hopeful future.

Are all the painful days I gritted my teeth – are really just meaningless… ?

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[Father…Ah – I…]

[….]

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My father’s attitude has taken a complete turn. He is not just giving me complete cold shoulder but I notice the changes immediately being his own son.

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[N. Ehe-ehem.].

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The priest clears his throat in an attempt to clear the awkward atmosphere.

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[I don’t mean to interrupt but it is now the next participant’s turn. I’d appreciate it if you can please move to the side.].

[Ye-yes….]

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And now even the priest’s tone became blunt.

I moved away from the podium as the priest said successfully stopping my tears from falling down.

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The next participant is an orphan.

People who seems to have been from the same orphanage are holding their breaths in anticipation of the orphan’s skill manifestation.

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He must have grown up as well from a difficult environment. But then the orphan emitted a power that is clearly different from mine. 

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[Mumumu… Thi-this is!!]

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The priest then once again widens his eyes.

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[It has appeared! The <<Silver Sword Saint>>!]

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Ooohh. Damn.

The atmosphere has changed once again to a complete opposite direction from earlier with my own manifestation. Cheers and shouts have erupted.

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[Waaaa! Silver Sword Saint they said!]

[So badass! It sounds like a higher grade than just the title <Sword Saint>!]

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[Oh wait a minute. Isn’t that boy quite handsome?]

[You’re right! He seems like someone who’s successfully survived adversaries!!]

[It is as you say! Unlike from a certain rich kid somewhere!!]

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What the…

Just what…

Just what the hell is this!

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[Eh… Sword Saint? I am? Really?]

[Umu. Henceforth you should now live a life devoted to the sword. And your path shall be bright and will not go astray.]

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The young man who is still confuse receives the warm smile of the priest. 

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I can feel something boiling inside me seeing the firsthand difference in treatment.

However, this is not the right place for me to lose myself. Somebody else has manifested a strong skill so I should be sincere and provide an honest praise.

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[Haha. Father, it’s amazing isn’t it? That person is a sword saint it seems…]

[Marvelous!]

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Yet, my father’s eyes doesn’t longer recognize me. He walks towards the orphan’s direction with his head up high.

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[Silver Sword Saint! You will probably be the one who will surpass me in the future with such a high grade skill! Young man, what is your name!?]

[E…? I am called Dadori but… You are?]

[I am Lion. The Sword Saint Lion Makuba.]

[Eh!? You’re that Sword Saint-sama!?]

[Umu. Now listen, if you want to, why don’t you stay by my side? You’ll be able to leave your name as well as a renowned sword saint!]

[Eh… Me? I am a sword saint… ? Is that really okay!?]

[Ofcourse. I am sure that your strength that allowed you to bloom even in such a challenging and poor environment will be a great source of your power!]

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Eh.

Just what are you saying, father?

Me.

How about me…?

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[Fa-father…?]

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I’m scared. I have to confirm it to my beloved father.

But then.

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[What now, Arios. I see you are still here.]

[Eh….]

[Let it be. Perhaps you can at least be Dadori’s training dummy¹. You shall serve and do the chores from now on.]

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How cruel.

How can he do this to me.

Is this is how I will be living after all the things I have done…!?

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[What is up with that attitude? Perhaps you are dissatisfied with the chores? Or perhaps you can do more than chores with the skill of yours?]

[No…]

[If you are not satisfied then it’s better for you to leave. You are already 18. The time has come for you to stand alone.]

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So this is how I am getting banished from the sword saint Makuba’s house.

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Translator’s Note:

1. I used the term scarecrow as it is the most similar translation I found on to the purpose/role being given. Being a scarecrow is to defend and receive attacks from the swordsman without fighting back. You either stand up to receive damage and assess the swordsman’s attack sometimes or defend for the swordsman’s attacks to improve.

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