4 – Ken Sei No Michi

Hours, or at least what seemed like hours, passed. It was hard to tell without some kind of reference. Ren focused and unfocused on the hundreds of different constellations across the three galaxies. Try as he might, he could not get Juliette to provide any additional information beyond the name and frustratingly short description of the various constellations. There was one for just about everything.

“[Record Keeping… Attune?]”

“[Archery… Attune?]”

“[Military Strategy… Attune?]”

“[Frost… Attune?]”

“[Basket Weaving… Attune?]”

And so on. After a while, a loose pattern emerged in how the constellations were arranged. The Martial cluster had two distinct groupings: one for weapons and skills that required range, and another for close quarters. The Artisan, was loosely arranged by how materials were used. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but at least it provided a semblance of order to the overwhelming chaos.

As he studied the myriad of constellations, it became clear that what he had initially taken for random variations in their brightness actually corresponded to his own familiarity with the skill, area, thing in question. For example, never having even the slightest desire to make his own clothing, the Tailor constellation sat filled with stars that were barely lit, contrasted with something like the Focus constellation, which glowed brightly. It also had more stars in it, especially as it branched upwards.

In the midst of hundreds of choices, two clusters stood out among the others, shining brilliantly. The first was in the Martial galaxy, nestled within a collection of sword-adjacent constellations.

“Who knew there were so many kinds of blades?” he muttered.

As he examined it, the voice of his old French culinary instructor sounded from within him: “[The Single-Edged Longsword constellation, deadly wielder of the blade. Attune?]”

Not only did the stars shine brighter, there were dozens more of them as they fanned upward across the sky. He focused back and forth with several other sword-based star clusters just to make sure.

“[Rapier Dueling… Attune?]”

“[Dual-Edged Greatsword… Attune?]”

He focused back on the first option. Beyond the brightness, something about it resonated within him. Like his chest was next to a low, deep subwoofer, vibrating softly.

“Well, I hope it works. Now, how do I do this?” He concentrated on the constellation, willing it forward. A thin tendril of light drifted out from his torso, floating toward the lower stars.

“[Core attunement commencing.]”

The stream of light thickened—Can light thicken?—as it grew brighter; warmth, not unpleasant, blossomed within him.

“[Skill requirements met. Cluster specialization available.]”

“Uhhh… okay? Yes, do that. Julie, specialize the cluster.” Nothing happened. “Ahh, right. No voice commands. Got it.”

He willed his agreement and the crimson stars shifted and twirled, rearranging into a new complex pattern. Once the celestial bodies settled, Ren focused his attention and, again, Juliette spoke.

“[Specialization complete. Attuning to Ken Sei No Michi. Path of the Sword Saint.]”

The light flared, blinding him, and the warmth turned hot, though still not painful. All around him, the other deep red stars disappeared. Without warning, the light sped back into him, leaving the glowing tower of stars above.

“[Primary core attunement complete.]” She, paused. “[Second core refined. Please align secondary core to skill cluster.]”

“Well, that has to be a good thing, right? Okay. Double swords it is.” When he tried to focus on the Marital stars, however, the ruby galaxy had disappeared, fully replaced by the Sword Saint constellation. “How does a galaxy vanish?” Ren sighed. “Man, I didn’t think I would ever say those words.” After hours of standing in the liminal space, he had come to simply accept that star focusing was just a thing now.

“[Please align secondary core to skill cluster.]”

“Yeah, yeah, I hear you, Julie. Okay…” He shifted his focus to the two remaining collections of stars. Magic was like the obvious option to pair with a sword, yet the Artisan cluster glowed with a brilliance that eclipsed the Arcane. Focusing in on the deep blue collection of stars, Ren realized that it was not all of the constellations, but a singular one shining like a chaotic strand of lights in darkness.

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“[The Culinary constellation, working with, finding, infusing, and forming delectable dishes. Attune?]”

“You sound a little excited there, way to lead the witness, Julie.” Though even as he said it, the thrumming returned. It resonated within him and he knew at an instinctive level that this was the best—the only—option.

He concentrated. A second strand of light flowed out of him, reaching for the constellation. As with the first core, warmth flooded through him, filling and swirling through his veins.

“[Skill requirements met. Cluster specialization available.]”

“Yes, yes. That.” He willed agreement and watched, entranced as the glowing pinpricks rearranged themselves as with the first one.

“[Specialization complete. Attuning to Fusion Chef of the Single Dish. May all of your bites satisfy.]”

Again, the light flared, bringing with it the intensifying heat. In a moment, the warmth faded and the process appeared complete. Energy coursed through his body, tingles of electricity looping endlessly, looking for a means of escape. The violet cluster had disappeared as the remaining two constellations towered over him, side by side.