Souma

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Souma (素马)
Alias(es)	Elder Souma; Master Souma; Wind Swordsman 1 4 22
Gender	Male
Affiliation	His dojo; Ionia
Occupation/Role	Elder, swordsman, and master of the Wind Technique 1 4
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Souma took Li Ke in after the woodcutter who had found the infant never returned. Li Ke became both his disciple and a laborer at the dojo, maintaining the grounds and performing household work. 1

In his youth, Souma traveled alone as a Wind Swordsman. By the present, age has made him prioritize the safety and future of his disciples over martial glory. 4

Souma recognizes Yasuo as the only disciple capable of inheriting the Wind Technique, but worries about Yasuo's recklessness. He also values Li Ke's diligence and calm temperament despite Li Ke's frail body and total lack of magical aptitude. 1 2 4

When Noxian invasion becomes imminent, Souma refuses a request to lead resistance forces. He believes starting a conflict without cause contradicts the Wind Technique, and fears that taking up arms would send his disciples to their deaths. 4

To remove Li Ke from the coming danger, Souma assigns him and Yone to investigate magical-beast attacks near Shon-Xan. He entrusts Li Ke with a letter and the secret scrolls of the Wind Technique for safekeeping. 4 5

Appearance

Souma is an elderly man whose voice is described as aged. 2

• Carries himself as a calm, respected elder. 2 4
• His age prevents him from being the passionate lone traveler he once was, though his Wind Technique remains formidable. 4 8

Personality

Souma is benevolent and deeply protective of his disciples. He treats Li Ke's collapse seriously, provides medicine, orders him to rest, and worries that Li Ke's lack of magic will prevent him from surviving as a swordsman. 2

He is restrained rather than cowardly. Although he understands Noxus intends to invade, he refuses to begin hostilities and measures war by the lives it would cost his students, not by the glory it could bring them. 4

Souma believes strongly in fate. Li Ke fears that directly warning him of a predicted death would make Souma submit to that fate rather than take precautions. 8

Abilities & Skills

Wind Technique

Souma is one of only two known wielders of the Wind Technique, alongside Yasuo. The art is wind-manipulating magic rather than ordinary swordsmanship. 1 5

• His Wind Technique has reached perfection. 8
• When used at full strength, it forms a defensive mass of wind around the wielder that can block nearby blades and attacks. 8
• Li Ke believes Souma's all-out wind defense should withstand even crossbow bolts, blade fragments, and siege ballistae. 8
• Souma preserved the technique's secret scrolls and placed them in Li Ke's care. 4 5

Swordsmanship and Teaching

Souma is a master swordsman and dojo elder whose disciples include Yasuo, Yone, and Li Ke. 1 2

• He regards Yasuo as his most gifted disciple and the likely inheritor of the Wind Technique. 1 4
• He raised and trained Li Ke despite Li Ke's inability to use magic. 1 2
• His dojo's disciples are known to protect local peace rather than participate in outside affairs. 24

Equipment / Items

• Secret scrolls of the Wind Technique — Entrusted to Li Ke for safekeeping before his mission to Shon-Xan. 4 5
• Letter to Shon-Xan — Given to Li Ke alongside the scrolls and the magical-beast assignment. 5
• Dojo emblem — Identifies Li Ke as Souma's disciple. 11 22

Relationships

• Li Ke — Adopted disciple. Souma took him in as an infant, provides for him, and remains concerned about his health and lack of magical aptitude. 1 2
• Yasuo — Disciple and sole promising successor to the Wind Technique; Souma values his talent but worries about his impulsive temperament. 1 4
• Yone — Senior disciple. Souma considers Yone's presence necessary to restrain Yasuo's recklessness. 4
• Riven — In Li Ke's knowledge of a possible future, Riven asks Souma to sever her runic sword; its explosion fatally wounds him and leads to Yasuo being blamed. 5 7

Story Role / Major Arcs

Noxian Invasion and the Shon-Xan Mission

Souma rejects the call to lead Ionian resistance against Noxus, choosing not to endanger his disciples. He then sends Li Ke away under the pretext of a Shon-Xan mission and gives him the Wind Technique scrolls. 4 5

Foretold Death

Li Ke knows of a possible tragedy in which Souma attempts to break Riven's runic sword, only for the weapon's fragments and violent wind to strike his throat. Yasuo is subsequently blamed because he is the only other known wielder of wind power. 5

Unable to protect Souma himself, Li Ke asks Yone to remain at Souma's side and watch Yasuo. Yone accepts the responsibility despite uncertainty over Li Ke's warning. 7 8

Trivia

• Souma's combination of Yasuo's talent and Li Ke's temperament is something he wishes existed in a single disciple. 4
• Li Ke considers Souma's favor a plausible explanation for knowing information that ordinary people should not possess. 49