Acclimating to a New Life

Yuji’s body moved like water experiencing no difficulty avoiding Mirk or dodging his movements, which were all surprisingly fast for such a small animal. He had no idea how he was achieving it. It was as though the body was moving on its own and he was incapable of going against its innate will.

“Very good.” Mirk sat on a wooden practice dummy that was within the training grounds of Bastion Fortress.

“I don’t get how I’m doing it though.” Yuji found the weight of the practice sword in his grasp an oddly welcome sensation.

“Muscle memory and intuition are innate to a human body. Elemental magic on the other hand is connected to the soul. My master was not gifted in elements, and though Lord Halius and Lord Dain showed some promise they were not able to achieve much with it themselves. I imagine it is a lack of potential stemming from the margrave’s bloodline. But though my master contained no elemental magic, it is possible, that you might.”

“You’re talking like I’ll be throwing fireballs and creating ice spears?”

This is insane.

Haruto would be jealous. Yuji’s smile quickly faded. Thinking about his family was difficult, especially when he thought that Till, the previous owner of this body, would be enjoying them while he was fighting for his life in the middle of his internecine family conflict. Yuji’s own family was loving and close and if there was a change in his personality after his recovery they would probably just attribute it to the trauma from the accident.

“Yes, something like that. In Eventide it is common for those who possess magic to be capable of producing and collecting water from the air, though to utilize it for something so valuable as a spear is a talent reserved for only the very best and most diligent students in elemental magic. Wind is also possible here though less common and often is displayed in weaker forms. Earth is almost never found among the population of this kingdom and fire is considered an impossibility.”

“Why?”

“Because this land is blessed by water. I believe it has even been associated with the Centauri Seren herself. But I know little more than that.”

Yuji leaned the sword against the dummy. “How would I discover my element or figure out if I even have one?”

“It must be awakened. Usually this is done at puberty, but it has been known to be ignited by circumstances, or emotional states.”

“I see, then I imagine if I’m given anything it will be water.”

“Why do you assume that?”

Yuji grimaced, “Well it’s common here. Also, I possess the unfortunate quality of being passive like water. That’s what got me here in the first place.”

“Water also rages.”

“Yes, but it doesn’t climb mountains, it fills in gaps.”

“The elements in and of themselves all display a level of passivity and yet also display the power on their own to cause great destruction. None of them are to be looked at with such disrespect for their strength or over estimations of their weaknesses. Each should be provided respect.”

“I guess I just see things differently then you.”

Mirk snorted, “That might be so. But there is no time for pity or worrying about if you have elemental magic. Even if we discovered you had a gift there would not be time to cultivate it. What matters is that you own my master’s skills and make them yours. If you do not master them and learn how to use them thoughtfully you will end up killing yourself or worse hurting an ally. Such things cannot be allowed.”

He was right. Yuji knew he was right. The idea of killing someone was unsavory to him, but he didn’t want to die himself and he didn’t want to be the cause of others who he was to rely on perishing for his lack of skill. Till had responsibilities not so easily gotten out of with a resignation letter. Mirk had made it very clear that he stood on a tightrope. Continue to walk and live, or try to get off, fall and die. Lord Halius and Lord Dain wouldn’t be satisfied until he was out of their reach or dead, and a common life, even with assurances, wasn’t enough to satisfy their red-eyed hatred.

One day followed, and then another. Mirk worked him from dawn until dusk. When he wasn’t physically at work the chiding mongoose was forcing him to study military strategies from books he had no idea how he was able to read, going over maps, and exerting himself to memorize the names and positions of those who had identifiable roles within Till Bastion’s life and so would expect to be remembered and recognized by him.

One evening two months after fully waking Yuji stated conversationally to Mirk as he dressed down for bed, “You said your master was right-handed, but the more I get used to his body the more I realize he’s actually ambidextrous.”

“He’s what?”

“He can use his left hand the same as his right.”

“Oh that.” Mirk jumped onto his usual spot on the chest. “When he was still a boy the margrave punished my master for daring to insult the margravine by hitting her when she had provoked him. Taking his primary wife’s side on the matter he had the offending hand, my master’s dominant, strapped behind his back for three months. In that time my master turned his punishment into an advantage.”

“Wow, this family is more messed up then I had even originally dared to dream. Tell me that at least his mother loved him.”

Mirk shifted uneasily. “The margrave’s consort died when my master was a little over age five.”

“Of course she died. Don’t look at me like that, I don’t lack sympathy for your master. This world just seems to have given him a fairly typical rising misfit backstory.”

“I do not understand to what you are referring, but I find your language offensive.”

Yuji sighed getting into bed, “Was the woman who Till hit sitting beside the margrave that day we went to confess my sins?”

“Yes, that was the margravine. She is called Lady Claudia, and she is the margrave’s first wife. She is the one who produced Lord Halius and Lord Dain, the banes of my master’s existence. She shows no curtesy to my master and does all within her power to see that he is kept in a position to pose no threat to her own heirs.”

Folding the coverlet, Yuji rested his hands on his lap looking absentmindedly into the pattern on its surface. “So why does everyone hate Lord Till Bastion so much? What did he ever do?”

“It is for some to create their own shadows, and it is for others to stand in those cast for them. My master is the latter. So, in answer, his sin was being born. A crime many commit but few are pardoned from.”

The mongoose jumped to the floor and stretched, a large yawn emphasizing his frighteningly sharp teeth.

“Mirk, where do you go at night? Where do you sleep?”

“Here and there, why?”

“You know we had a cat when I was growing up and it used to sleep with me at night.” Yuji smiled at the recollection, remembering the fat Persian and her unending snoring. “You’re a lot smaller than she was so I doubt you’d take up more room than her, and I really wouldn’t mind you staying here if you wanted.”

Was it surprise that brought that strange look to the creature’s face? He couldn’t tell, but whether it was or wasn’t it took a long time for Mirk to respond. “I have business to attend to before I rest. It would not be convenient for me to sleep in your bed.”

Best to keep me at arm’s length I suppose.

“Suit yourself, but the invitation is an open one if you ever change your mind.”

“Like I would ever demean myself in such a manner, and you shouldn’t be concerning yourself with my well-being. You should be attending my master’s body and seeing it remains in peak physical health.”

“Hey, before you get all snotty with me, I would have you know I do more for his body then I ever did for mine.”

Not that the food here encourages anything other than eating to live.

“I think the last two months has proven that well enough, and I would appreciate if you started recognizing my hard work.” Yuji was being playful, even so, other than his family it was the first time he had ever talked to anyone like that.

Again, there was that look on Mirk’s face that was difficult to interpret. “You are right. I offer my apologies. It seems I have forgotten that praise is a valid form of encouragement. Now if you will excuse me, I have business to attend.”

“One more thing.”

The mongoose stopped near the door.

“I just wanted to say that your knowledge has been invaluable. Thanks, for helping me.”

There was that look again. Mirk shifted from foot to foot a few times.

“It is always a pleasure and has always been a pleasure to be at my master’s disposal. As long as you reside in his body I am at your service as well. Goodnight Yuji Valentinov, pleasant dreams.”