Chapter 5: Swordmaster’s Secret & Sister’s Sin

The scale was sharp, cold in my hand. I didn't hesitate. Not this time.

That's the rule. "Those who aren't loyal must die!"

Finally. The merman's heart blood soaked the entire locket, and I entered the secret space.

The locket pulsed in my hand, growing warm as the blood seeped into its seams. I felt a surge of energy, dizzying and fierce.

This was it. The barrier to the inheritance vault broke, and a vast, ancient force surged toward me, nearly forcing me to my knees.

It was like standing in the path of a hurricane—raw power, wild and uncontrollable. I braced myself, refusing to back down.

One step at a time. My legs felt as heavy as lead, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself forward, step by step.

Every step was agony, but I kept moving. I wouldn't let anyone steal this from me again.

Not this time. This should have been my opportunity, but in my previous life, it was stolen by Savannah.

She took everything I'd worked for, left me with nothing but regret.

I had talent and a bright future—twenty years of hard training and dozens of brutal competitions before I made varsity.

I remembered every early morning, every late night, every sacrifice. None of it had mattered in the end.

Savannah joined the team just three years ago. She made varsity, became captain—over my defeat.

She breezed through, always the favorite, always the star. It wasn't fair.

For what? I devoted myself to the team, sacrificing my own training time to help Coach and support the younger players.

I put everyone else first, thinking it would pay off. It didn't.

But what did I get in return?

Nothing but pain, betrayal, and loss. Story of my life.

All the misery of my previous life flashed through my mind, and I clenched my fists.

I let the anger fuel me, driving me forward.

In this life, I'm living for myself! No more for them.

No more second chances. No more self-sacrifice. This time, it's my turn.

The door to the inheritance vault opened, and the pressure faded.

The air grew still, the weight lifting from my shoulders. I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

I felt light. Hurried inside.

My footsteps echoed on the stone floor as I crossed the threshold, heart pounding with anticipation.

There were eight closed chambers inside the vault. In the center floated a dull bronze sword, and below it stood a statue also cast in bronze.

The chambers glowed faintly, their doors covered in ancient runes. The sword hovered above the statue's outstretched hands, radiating quiet power.

This was the vault of the Ancient Swordmaster, the greatest fencer in a hundred years. Legend.

His legend was the stuff of Maple Heights lore—stories whispered in locker rooms and told at midnight sleepovers. I never thought I'd see it for myself.

In my previous life, Graham Sinclair only managed to find half a fragment of the Swordmaster's journal. That was enough to make him captain.

He bragged about it for months, waving the battered notebook around like it was a trophy.

It was waiting. The bronze sword floated before me and stopped on its own.

It hovered inches from my hand, humming with energy. I reached out, fingers trembling.

I grasped it, and a brilliant light exploded before my eyes. I blinked, blinded. A white-robed phantom with a blurred face appeared, his voice deep and resonant:

"I've waited so many years, and finally someone barely acceptable has come."

He sounded ancient. His presence filled the chamber, ancient and commanding. I felt small, but unafraid.

In front of a true master, everyone's a student.

I lowered my gaze, feeling the truth of his words settle over me.

Under his pressure, I was drenched in sweat, barely able to stand straight.

My legs shook, my palms slick. But I refused to bow. Not this time.

Was that a compliment? "You're braver than the last one."

The Ancient Swordmaster continued:

"I actually thought highly of you before, but a parasite ruined everything. Now I'm giving you a chance to start over—don't let me down again."

His words hit hard, but I nodded, determined not to waste this second chance.

He flicked his finger, and suddenly memories flooded my mind. Only then did I understand the truth of my past life.

Images flashed behind my eyes—memories I'd buried, secrets I'd never guessed. The truth was uglier than I imagined.

I thought it was my words that caused the disaster, but I never realized that from the very beginning, Savannah harbored malice toward me. I never saw it.

She wasn't the innocent little sister I thought she was. She'd been plotting from the start.

She was a ringer, had some secret advantage. Every time she won over a teammate, she took something from me.

She fed off my success, draining me dry. I never stood a chance.

I was sabotaged for her sake, felt guilty. But I never knew she'd already convinced that rival coach to ruin her reputation—just to get more sympathy.

She played the victim, turning everyone against me. I was just a stepping stone.

She got the others to do her bidding, torment me without mercy.

She used them like pawns, and I was the sacrifice.

She drained me dry. Left nothing. I thought little Savannah was innocent, but she was actually a leech, clinging to me. I treated her sincerely, but she drained me dry, leaving nothing behind.

It was a hard pill to swallow, but I forced myself to face it. No more lies.

I was so angry I nearly lost control, but the Swordmaster's voice snapped me out of it.

His tone was sharp, commanding. "Focus."

"Calm your mind."

His words settled me, grounding me in the moment.

Challenge accepted. "You may use everything in this vault, but only after winning nationals will you be qualified to be my student."

I nodded, determination burning in my chest. I wouldn't let him down.