Power of Zero

Cipher woke the next morning to an unexpected sight—someone sitting silently in the chair next to his bed. A woman.

She had pale skin, pointed ears, piercing dark green eyes, and flowing brown hair. She was stunning, like a character plucked straight from a fantasy epic. Cipher stared for a moment, lost in how impossibly beautiful she looked, her features delicate yet sharp, the kind of beauty that seemed both elegant and dangerous. He guessed she was probably in her thirties, but there was an ageless quality to her, as though she belonged to a different time entirely.

The woman, however, was studying him just as intently, though her gaze held none of his awe—only quiet calculation.

Yuri had arrived before dawn, summoned by Axel. When Axel called for someone, it meant only one thing—a new Knight of Light had been chosen. Upon arriving, he had briefed her about Cipher's past, his weapons, and, more importantly, his complete lack of combat experience.

She had been... baffled.

Why would the Goddess of the Void grant the Twin Stars—a weapon of such extraordinary potential—to a boy who had never held a blade in his life? It made no sense. Yet, Yuri had long since learned that questioning the Goddess was pointless. If She had chosen Cipher, there was a reason, even if it remained a mystery.

So Yuri made a choice—she would turn this clueless boy into the finest swordsman the Land of Dreams and Legends had ever seen.

She'd arrived around 5 a.m., quietly entering his room. Cipher had been sound asleep, his expression peaceful in a way that didn't quite match the tragic life Axel had described. Seeing how calm he looked, she couldn't bring herself to wake him just yet.

But as the minutes passed and the sun threatened to rise, she knew it was time.

Cipher stirred, blinking awake to find her still watching him. He jolted upright, rubbing his eyes, confusion and nervousness plain on his face.

"Hello, Cipher," she said, voice calm but commanding. "I'm Yuri. Starting today, I'll be handling your morning and noon training. I gave you a pass today, but tomorrow I expect you up at 5:30 sharp, waiting in the courtyard. Do I make myself clear?"

Cipher nodded hastily, blurting, "Yes, ma'am!"

Yuri allowed a faint smirk. Good. Respect was a foundation she could work with.

Standing, she made her way to the door, pausing just long enough to call over her shoulder, "Five minutes. Courtyard. If you're late, I will double the exercises."

The door shut with a decisive click.

Cipher scrambled out of bed, threw on his training clothes, and sprinted toward the courtyard. He had no idea if he made it in time, but from the stern look Yuri gave him as he arrived—arms crossed, foot tapping, gaze unwavering—he guessed he hadn't.

Her tone was ice.

"Let's begin your training, shall we?"

Yuri produced a length of black fabric, holding it up for Cipher to see.

"Turn around," she ordered.

Cipher obeyed, and she tied the blindfold securely around his head, ensuring it was tight enough to block his vision entirely.

"This blindfold stays on during all training," Yuri stated firmly. "You will eat, sleep, train, and walk these halls blindfolded unless you are showering or working directly with Axel. If I find out you removed it for any other reason, the consequences will be severe. Do you understand me?"

Cipher hesitated. "...Why?"

Yuri's expression remained cold, but there was a glint of something deeper in her eyes.

"You need to learn how to feel the world around you. The Twin Stars demand more than skill—they demand precision, agility, and control beyond what sight alone can offer. There will be times when you enter places of complete darkness, where your survival will depend on more than just your eyes. You will learn to react on instinct, to sense threats before they strike. The Goddess entrusted you with these blades for a reason, and I will make sure you are worthy of them."

She knelt slightly, voice dropping to a near whisper.

"This training will push you to your limits, Cipher. But if you commit... truly commit... you will become one of the strongest swordsmen in this land."

Cipher's heart pounded. He clenched his fists and answered with all the strength he could muster.

"Yes, ma'am! I'll commit!"

Yuri's nod was curt.

"Good. Now, drop into a stance. We begin with the basics."

Cipher's days under Yuri's instruction were brutal.

The physical training was relentless—hundreds of push-ups, squats, balance drills, laps, and core exercises, all while blindfolded. His body ached constantly, but the pain wasn't as sharp as his determination.

The combat training, however, was even worse.

Yuri drilled him endlessly on footwork and weapon stances, often forcing him to fight with his non-dominant hand. She would hand him practice swords and make him stop his swings just short of striking the training dummies, punishing even the smallest miscalculation.

"Control, Cipher!" she barked. "A sword is not just a weapon. It's an extension of your will. If you can't stop your blade, you don't control it."

Navigating the church blindfolded was its own challenge. The vast halls seemed to shift and blur when he couldn't see, and he lost count of how many walls he walked into during the first week alone.

Cipher had one small mercy: DEM.

While forbidden from using the map function the Goddess had granted him (Yuri had called it 'cheating'), DEM had taken it upon themselves to become Cipher's personal alarm clock. Each morning, without fail, DEM would emit a sharp, piercing whistle until Cipher jolted awake.

"I did not sign up to be your personal wake-up call," DEM grumbled after the first week. "I am a sophisticated construct, not a glorified rooster."

Cipher only chuckled, grateful for the help.

Time passed strangely in the church. Days stretched endlessly under the influence of the LODAL time dilation, yet his progress was undeniable.

Though progress was slow at first, Cipher pushed through the frustration. The endless drills began to feel natural—steps fell into rhythm, strikes became precise, and balance improved despite the blindfold.

And then, one day, everything shifted.

For the first time, Yuri handed him the Twin Stars.

The blades felt different from the practice swords—alive, almost humming with energy in his hands. Their weight was perfect, like they belonged to him and no one else.

Yuri watched carefully as he fell into stance, her expression unreadable.

"Today, Cipher, we test if you're ready for real combat."

Cipher felt his heartbeat quicken beneath the blindfold. The weight of the Twin Stars was reassuring—but it also carried a promise.

He was no longer a boy struggling to survive.

He was training to become a Knight of Light.