The Four Wheel Saga Book 1: THE LEGACY TRIALS

Illumi: “What is a monster like him, teaching in the Daigaku? I am grateful that he saved our lives, but I am horrified that he is allowed in our midst.”

Akako: “Hold your tongue, Illumi. He’s our teacher. Warriors live to kill, and to die. Isn't that something from the warrior code? Who cares about the number of lives taken? I’m sure all our elders who have been in the military, have killed a few. That is an undeniable truth. And who believes in curses these days?”

Kafu wanted to offer a rebuttal, but Daigo spoke over him.

Daigo: “Nonsense. Demons and curses don’t exist. Warriors have to fight with blades and kitsu. And in dire situations, with their bare hands. The weak will perish and the strong will live on. But I am curious to know, Shigeo- where do you think Keiji-sensei’s powers come from? I am outright sure that you have a theory.”

Nadeko: “Tell us, please!”

Shigeo: “I do have a theory. Ginko-sensei, in an appendix to the book, mentioned rare humans, born during a certain alignment of the stars, who, when awakened, gain passage to a transitional world between ours and Meido. Mugen-sekai, the world without an end. It is said to be brimming with kokyu-mugen, the anti-matter. And those cursed with the affliction, can do incredible feats without kitsu.”

Chiyo: “But how does it work? Those lamias exploded as he touched them. And, beyond doubt, he ran on water.”

Shigeo: “That was not explained in the book. Ginko sensei himself, never met a mugen user. It is rumored that there are, at best, five mugen users in the entire continent of Kinheni.”

Kento can be a mugen user

mugen users are rare- perhaps, one in a hundred thousand people. And most of the cursed ones never awaken their abilities. Those who do, live very short lives. Mugen is corrosive to the human soul, writes Ginko-sensei. It is not malleable energy like kitsu, but a miasma that undoes

Kafu had a vein throbbing on his forehead. He finally broke character and voiced

was a fool who did

Sadly, Ginko was dragged through the streets, beaten and then sent to the temple to be subjected to an exorcism. The priests claimed demons possessed

instructed since they were old enough to understand, to not speak against the Shibai Sharin for fear of retribution from the

Karasuma, she was revered and feared. Religion and politics had mixed amicably. Even the Overlord and the other kin-lords paid

forest cover parted, and the canoes entered a creek segment, which expanded on either side to form a vast circular bank. About half a mile onwards, the circle closed to create a linear stream again. About two dozen floating houses were anchored to the banks, away from the creek current. It served as the home of the Wajin tribe, which Karasuma governed. The village-nation’s territory extended to any

The preceptor and sub-squad canoes closed in from

will set soon. It is ill-advised to sail in these parts after dark. We will be staying

halt, but the location of their temporary sanctuary was entirely unexpected. The Wajin tribe was not a very friendly group. They had frequent tussles with the Kin-Council (the

was made of hollow logs, and the entire structures were tethered to the bank with oiled, hemp rope. The larger ones had ambulatory space around the houses for clothes-lines, children to play, and lounges. The Wajin people peeked at the outsiders- from their windows, open doors and sun-decks. They wore necklaces made from claws and colourful dresses with headbands made of feather. Some painted their faces. It was a new experience for someone like Kento, who had had restrictions on travelling since he was a child, on account of

house that was the largest and most elaborate, with a small tower and seemingly twenty or more rooms. The enormous weight of such a large establishment was evidently displaced with kitsu. Dahlias and fire lilies grew in vases on the gyre that surrounded it. Glade vines hung down like streamers from the roof. Children frolicked around, engaged in games; women and men went about their daily chores. A few aged people rested in the

house is