"Ahh!", Rean cried out, feeling a hot, searing pain strike the backside of his neck. I made sure not to leave a burn mark, but he felt the attack as if it were real. He felt the wind get knocked out of him, only to find himself collapsed onto his knees.
As for me, I could now be seen behind Rean. No blood was drawn. He was hit with the thin backside of my blade. But the heat he felt was very real. Rean felt his own blood start to boil.
Seeing Rean already on one of his knees, I glanced my eyes downward.
"Is that all you can muster to, Rean Schwarzer? This spar has just begun.", I asked. I said that in a sneer, acting condescending. It was to rile Rean's emotions.
"Cough...", Rean uttered, coughing up some dry air out of his lungs while he tried to catch his breath. The hairs stood upward on his back, coming to a quick realization that I was behind him now. Before doing anything else, Rean suddenly twisted his body around, and moved swiftly. Grabbing a hold of his tachi in both hands, aiming for an upward strike. He now saw me right in front of him. Rean initiated another form of the EIght Leaves One Blade, Helix.
Wooosh!
Slashing upward in a spiral motion, Rean moved swiftly, but it wasn't enough. I dodged the attack with ease. With the force of the impact, the spiral continued its path, and proceeded to hit the ceiling, breaking bits and pieces of hardened wood off of it. I saw Rean's eyes. We glanced at each other with bated breaths.
"Good.", I happily said, seeing Rean be serious about this.
"Rean...", Elise uttered, seeing the spar now underway. It was clear she was worried. After Teo recovered from his previous shock of the name drop I gave him, Teo sighed, and placed one of his hands on Elise's shoulders.
"This fight is nothing but good intentions for Rean. You know he needs this, Elise.", Teo uttered, also keeping his voice soft.
"I know. But just seeing Rean hurt like this...", Elise uttered back. As much as she didn't want this to happen, this was to help Rean grow stronger. She knew the boy she had just met was on the right. And for whatever reason, looking at Naoto was making her feel strangely familiar. Elise didn't know why she was feeling like this. It was as if they had met before. She then went into her own thoughts. 'Why is the name Naoto sounding so familiar? I've come across this name before, but not as Naoto Osborne...'
Seeing Elise enter her own thoughts, Teo didn't push the matter further. He saw his son strike out once more, showcasing yet another form of the Eight Leaves One Blade. A quickdraw strike, and rushed forward right at me.
My Glistening Moonlight became engulfed in a bright light, and I struck out. I activated Piercing Light. Shnggg!
This time around, the tip of our two blades struck each other. A loud bang struck the dojo, creating an echo of clashing metal. Seeing Rean still struggling to push me away, I suddenly rotated my blade. I could do so much easier since my blade is much shorter than his tachi.
"Eh?", Rean tried to say, only to see his eyes suddenly facing the ceiling above him. THUD!
Clank. Clank.
With that single twist, I drove Rean's tachi away from his hand. At the same time, he felt his body collapse on his back. Rean's eyes turned wide after seeing his sword land onto the tatami mats further behind him. Trying to regain his composure, I simply walked up to Rean, and struck out my blade.
Not as an attack. It arrived right underneath Rean's chin. He could no longer move even if he wanted to. Surprise still remained in Rean's eyes as he saw me right before him.
"Your technique is good, but not good enough. Just what have these last few years done to you?", I asked. My eyes slanted down a bit, revealing a serious look.
"J-Just who are you?", Rean tried to respond, remaining still. "It is clear we have not met before. But why do I feel that we have?", Rean continued, and asked me.
"I told you at the start of the match. I am none other than the one and only son of His Excellency, Chancellor Osborne. I am a bit disappointed, but seeing you still at Beginner Level, it makes sense. I couldn't even display the technique Father graciously imparted me with, the Hundred-Form Military Combat. Just so you know, this isn't the only weapon I can wield.", I said, and revealed a smile this time.
"Hundred-Form Military Combat. Even that sounds familiar. It is clear you have learned a lot more than I have. You're stronger.", Rean responded back at me.
"That matters little. In due time, you will come across stronger and stronger opponents. You saw a glimpse of that just now. Hold onto that decisiveness. Hopefully you gained something from this little push of mine.", I happily said. It was then he realized my intentions.
"So you really were teaching me...Thank you.", Rean uttered, still struggling to get back up. He felt a small point in his back that was tingling in pain, while his neck burned from my earlier Crimson Swallow. It was then Master Yun took a few steps forward, and laughed.
"Hoho, it is as the kid says, Rean. This is where your lack of experience comes into play compared to the likes of Shizuna or my granddaughter.", Master Yun said, and shifted his eyes my way. "And unlike Rean here, you have taken a life, have you not?"
"I will not deny it. Sometimes, it can lead to a matter of life and death. if you're left with no other choice. One slightest bit of hesitation could cost you your life.", I responded back, nodding my head.
"Indeed. My school shares a similar sentiment, but it is typically seen as a last resort. Either way, the result of this spar is clear. Thank you for having this bout with Rean.", Master Yun said, thanking me.
"Thank you for the opportunity.", Rean said. Hearing that, I shifted my eyes back toward him, and extended my hand out. He grabbed onto it, and with some effort, he stood back up. He's definitely going to feel sore tomorrow, haha!
"Haha. Accepting one's loss also promotes growth. I won't push you any further than what I have done already for today. I will wrap it up by saying that what you are burdened with may stagnate you, unless you learn to tap into it.", I said, alluding to Rean's Ogre Powers.
"Thank you. I know that this spar did not last long, but I have learned plenty.", Rean said, and smiled back.
"Hehe, and thanks for letting us watch it, Naoto. We should head into the hot springs already!", Angelica called out with a playful smile. Right, she was here. My group of two expanded into a group of three. If you include Rean's group, that's a total of seven of us now.
"Fufu. Things seem to be wrapping up here. You all are Rean's friends. I will help prepare a nice meal for tonight. Master Kafai, you and your disciples are more than welcome to join us this evening. We'll have a big feast!", Lucia happily said. She also glanced toward us as she said that.
"That sounds really pleasant.", Emma responded while nodding.
"I don't mind either. I will apologize in advance for the intrusion.", I said. After saying that, Rean had enough energy to join back up with Shizuna and Anelace. The latter looked at him apathetically, but at the same time, Shizuna acted as if she had anticipated this result. Maybe I should spar against her sometime too. Unlike Rean, I feel Shizuna is a much more worthy opponent.
As if she sensed my intention, Shizuna glanced at me, and winked with one of her eyes. Oi. Lucia started to lead everyone out of the dojo after following Master Yun. Before long, it was just Lord Teo, Emma, and I. I decided to call out to him.
"Lord Teo, may I have a moment of your time?", I questioned. After that, I looked at Emma. "You can stay too, Emma."
"Well, alright.", Emma replied with a nod.
"Very well.", Teo also replied. "You all go on ahead. Before you all head back to Ymir, I will request one thing from you all.", Teo suddenly said, causing the group to pause at the door.
"Oh? It sounds like you have something else to discuss, Lord Husband.", Lucia responded.
"I do. So you all can go ahead first, like I said. Before you do, whatever was discussed by Naoto here will not be spoken of outside of the walls of this dojo. Do I make myself clear?", Teo said, becoming serious as he swept his gaze across everyone.
"So it has come to that.", Master Yun responded with an acknowledging nod. "Everyone, please listen to Lord Teo on this matter, and we will turn a blind eye to it. Nonetheless, after your business here concludes kid, you are more than welcome to enjoy the evening with us."
"Thank you. I'd appreciate that.", I happily replied. Me announcing myself as Chancellor Osborne's son isn't going to leave this dojo, eh? I'm fine with that outcome for now. It isn't widely spread yet. I was tempted to introduce myself as an Auslese, but like I said, we're in Erebonia, not Liberl. Hearing that, Angelica laughed.
"Hehe, don't take too long, you hear me? Otherwise, I'm going to go in first and enjoy those hot springs without you, Naoto!", Angelica replied with a playful smile.
Rean didn't say anything to that comment. Instead his eyes landed on Teo, who remained beside me. Doing a nod, Rean turned around, and started heading out the door. This prompted everyone else to leave. Elise also gave me a smile before she followed behind them.
Before long, it was just Emma, Teo, and I. The door was now closed. With just the three of us now, I laughed, and began to speak.
"Haha, I take it you already know what I want to talk about.", I said, smiling at Teo.
"...I've had my doubts ever since you arrived alongside Master Kafai and his disciples. You're him, aren't you?", Teo asked me.
"Now that is the question of the day, isn't it?", I shot back. Instead, before Teo could say anything, he saw me do a bow. Not a half-assed bow like just tilting my neck forward. A full forty-five degree angle bow. A sign of deep respect. Teo didn't expect me to suddenly see me do this. Even Emma became surprised. "I thank you for looking after Rean in my stead all this while, Lord Teo."
"It really is you...", Teo said, sucking in a cold breath of air. His doubts have now turned clear. "The firstborn son of His Excellency. The very same one who was reported missing several years ago, only to resurface in the land of Liberl. But here you are in Erebonia. Please, raise your head. You needn't bow like that at me."
"Thank you. It is as you say, Lord Teo. What you reported isn't false. You know what happened to Father, yes? Let me take a crack at what he could have said to you. He told you to not speak a single word of what transpired?", I asked, revealing a grin.
"...!", Teo tried to say, but remained shocked at what I asked him. His eyes turned serious. "Just how much do you actually know?"
"More than what you could ever hope to imagine, unfortunately. It's more of a curse. Blessed with knowledge that you don't know whether or not it's even real...", I uttered, and sighed. Hearing that, Teo became confused. After all, I knew many plot points. Some have remained the same, just like in the games, but many characters have already started to interact with one another that shouldn't even happen in the games.
I know there's all that BS about causality and timelines shenanigans. My question right now, am I even in the vanilla timeline? Or am I in a timeline of my own? I'm not sure. Many things are sprouting up when they shouldn't.
Me meeting Tio Schwarzer like this in this instance, for one. Emma meeting Rean way way earlier, another. I digress. Whatever happens, I'll try to handle it accordingly.
But my words to Teo were genuine. I am grateful for everything he has done in both my absence, and Father's absence.
"I'm...not exactly sure what you mean by that. But it sounds like you are plenty aware of your surroundings. I did not expect you to randomly encounter you like this, let alone with Master Kafai. Shouldn't you be back in Liberl? That's your "other" side, is it not?", Teo asked me.
"That's the short answer, but yes. I had some plans to wrap up that prompted me to come here. I did not expect this encounter either, if I'm honestly speaking. Master Yun said it well himself. We are merely crossing paths. Or let it be called, happenstance. Choose it however you see fit.", I happily replied.
"It is as Naoto says, Lord Teo. You may call me Emma. I've known Naoto since we were kids. Given the time, I'd love to show you a photo.", Emma said, introducing herself as well.
"Is that right? Then you should know of the predicament I'm in. Well, I definitely won't call it one. Your Father swore an oath, and I met his expectations. I am treating Rean as if he was my own kin and blood. And I will continue to do so. Elise has already grown quite attached to him, haha!", Teo said, letting out a laugh.
"Heh. Thank you. And for your record, Father and I have already reunited after what went down. We're going about our own plans for the time being, as should you, Lord Teo. That is the main reason why I wanted to converse with you like this. Please continue to act like you don't know who Father is."
"I understand. Once we go past those doors, we will treat this conversation as empty air. And as my wife and Master Kafai said, you two and your friend are welcome to stay the night. A meal should be ready shortly. All reservations to the Phoenix Wing will be free of charge. It's the least I can do. You go and have some fun with Rean and the others.", Teo said, giving us a warm welcome to the inn slash hot springs his family runs in Ymir.
Emma too smiled at that.
"Then we won't stand on ceremony and will take you up on that offer.", Emma said, smiling.
Just like that, we got ourselves a free check-in at the famous Phoenix Wings.
Let's have some more fun, shall we?
It didn't take long for the three of us to depart the Eight Leaves One Blade dojo and meet up with the others back in Ymir. Before we knew it, the sun had already set.