Chapter 1: You Want to Be a Hero?

Ryu suddenly woke up to Megami and Chinmoku screaming as he quickly reached for his weapon. He frustratingly exhaled as his eyes adjusted, and he saw them staring out the window of the carriage. They had squealed in excitement because they had finally arrived at the Crosswind Inn in Shinjitsu. As they clattered out of the wagon, Ryu glanced up to the sky to see the sun slowly descending behind the mountains. If they got checked in quick enough, he could still make it to the guild before nightfall. Megami eagerly ran up to the door and held it open for them as she patiently waited for them to get up the steps. As Ryu glanced around, he was surprised by the sheer size of the entire place. There was a gigantic barn to the left of the lodging for horses and carriages of people staying overnight. The hot springs were about a quarter mile long sprawling across the entire property behind the inn. Everything was so very well maintained, painted, and buffed that he could not help but to admire it. As they made their way inside, a lady with pigtails in a blue samue with a small patch of a black dragon spackled with gold bits near her shoulder ran up to them.

She politely bowed before saying, "Thank you for visiting our humble business today travelers. My name is Brisa, and I am here to assist you with getting checked in. Will you be staying overnight with us today?" Megami was beaming ear to ear as she said, "We will. It is nice to meet you Brisa. My name is Megami, his is Ryu, and lastly the emo looking one over there is Chinmoku. We were recommended here by the Marchioness Bureina." Chinmoku suddenly leapt toward Megami to beat her up forcing Ryu to hold her back as he said, "Please save it for later when you guys are at the hot springs, we haven't even checked in yet." She frustratingly stopped and crossed her arms as he exhaled a sigh of relief. Brisa softly smiled as she said, "Aw, yes. The Mistress told me to keep an eye out for you guys. Please follow me." She turned and started leading them down a hallway behind a beautiful white fountain in the middle of the grand entrance. Ryu narrowly avoided a pillar as he distractedly looked around. The roof was three stories high with staircases on each side of the corridors. The entire building was made with a gorgeous chocolate mahogany with paintings hanging everywhere on the walls. He was excited to admire all of them the next time he had some free time.

As they came to a stop, Brisa started knocking on a double door entrance at the end of the hallway. There was a brief pause before it swung open and a cheery girl emerged and happily said, "Hey Brisa! I didn't know you were coming over today. Mom has been a bit of a scatterbrain lately though, so she may have forgot to tell me." As Ryu got a closer look at her, she appeared to be around twelve years old. She had curly golden hair and blue eyes as he watched Brisa say, "Not today Josie. These are special guest next to me that your mother told me to bring straight to her when they arrived. Can you fetch her for me?" The girl nodded as she turned around and ran away leaving the door slightly cracked. A few seconds passed before a woman pushed it back open and said, "Welcome to the Crossing Winds Shadowflare. I am excited to have you stay here with us while you are in the capital." She motioned for them to come in as she continued, "Thank you Brisa for bringing them to me. You are free to head back." She nodded before walking away as Ryu started to check out Bureina's cousin.

They looked very similar to each other except for the brilliant golden hair. Her whole demeanor was gentle as her jade colored eyes locked with his and she said, "My name is Yasashi Tachibana, and I am glad that you three have finally arrived. My cousin Bureina explained to me how amazing you guys were and how the city would have been lost without your assistance." She bowed as she continued, "Thank you for helping a part of my family during their most dire times. Please feel free to ask my staff for anything while you are here." Megami quickly spoke up before Ryu could say anything as she said, "Allowing us to stay at such an amazing place is payment enough for our help back in Matsubayashi. We are so grateful to have this opportunity for maximum rest and recovery between our trainings." Ryu nodded in agreement as he continued for her, "We feel it would be rude if we did not pay you something for providing us lodging while we are living in the capital, so what do you believe is a fair rate Ma'am Yasashi?" She giggled as he finished before saying, "You do not have to be so formal with me Ryu. We charge ten gold coins a night for our normal patrons but for you guys, I was thinking three in total. One for each of you. How does that sound?"

Ryu quickly thought about how much money they had at the moment as he tried to figure out how long they could stay without running out of funds. They had made two hundred and fifty gold pieces from completing the urgent quest to slay the cursed beast on their way to the capital. Luckily, all three of them had some change stashed away outside of the reward they had received as well. As he added it all up in his head, it came out to be a little over four hundred coins in total as he nodded and said, "That is more than fair. Can we pay the fee weekly instead of daily?" Yasashi motioned for them to follow her as she opened the front door while saying, "You most certainly can. If you go back toward the entrance, you will see a counter. You may have missed it because Brisa brought you to me before taking you over to it. That is where your payments can be made. Now come with me, and I will show you to your rooms." It was a brief walk back down the hallway before she came to a stop and pointed at three doors on her left while saying, "You guys will be twenty six, seven, and eight. If I have not mentioned it yet, everything like meals, bathing, and exclusive access to the hot springs is all a part of your payment. You can request a meal or anything you may need whenever you want via the bell inside your room. It notifies the staff, so they can come and assist you." She paused as she turned toward them before continuing, "Please get settled in and explore the grounds. I am available if you ever need me. A friend of Bureina is a friend of mine so never feel you are imposing."

They all nodded as Ryu quickly said, "I call twenty seven, it is my lucky number." Megami shook her head as she walked over to twenty six while Chinmoku took twenty eight. Yasashi giggled to herself as she remembered what Bureina told her in the letter. Even though they are powerful warriors, they are still children and can be pretty goofy sometimes. She smiled as she walked away while Ryu hurried into his room and threw his stuff down on a luxurious king size bed. It had white satin sheets with four pillows to match as he hurriedly exited back to the hallway. He swiftly knocked on both of their doors and asked them if they wanted to go with him into the city to visit the guild, but they both declined his offer. They were going to have a soak in the hot springs, so he took off on his own. As he stood outside, he glanced around before using the wind to carry himself quickly to the closest gate to the inn. The capital was much different than the two cities he had stayed in before now. It had a sprawling urban area with three entrances into it with farms for as far as the eye could see on the outside of the walls. The castle though was a different story as he grew closer to the portcullis. It was separated from the lively hub below it and sat slightly uphill with only one entry point to it. There was eight mansions outside of the fortress with a gigantic circular open area separating them.

As he landed back on the ground at the entrance to the metropolis, a guard walked up to him and said, "Evening traveler. Do you have your papers?" Ryu nodded as he pulled his adventurer card out and showed it to him. The man studied it for a second before handing it back and saying, "It is impressive you have reached Rank A, you must be something special because you don't look a day over eighteen." Ryu awkwardly smiled as he said, "Thank you sir. I was hoping you could assist me with finding the guild here in the city. My party and I just arrived in town, and I am supposed to notify them that we are available." He nodded as he pointed down the road at a small structure on the left side of the street while saying, "That building there is what you are looking for. We don't get a lot of you guys nowadays because the heroes army takes most of the work in this area. They have tryouts tomorrow morning if you are interested in joining them." Ryu bowed and thanked him for the info and his time before quickly taking off down the street. As he entered the hall, he immediately noticed how much smaller it was compared to the one back in Unemi. There was only three tables for adventurers to sit at to his left and one board with every quest available on it hanging to his right.

As he approached the counter, he finally noticed the clerk behind it leaning back in his chair taking a nap. He was an older gentleman a little taller than Ryu with some white peeking through his black hair and wrinkles on his face. If he had to have guessed his age, his answer would have been in the forties as he loudly went, "Uhm!" The guy slowly opened one of his eyes and sighed before sitting up. He ruffled his shaggy hair before saying, "What is it kid, are you lost?" Ryu shook his head no as he said, "I am here to inform the guild leader that my party and I are in town for the foreseeable future." As he finished speaking, he retrieved his card and held it out for the man to grab it. The receptionist slowly exhaled before standing up and taking his ID. He then walked over to a door to his right and knocked on it before sitting back down again. As he put his feet up on the counter, he suddenly whistled before saying, "Rank A, at your age, must mean you are crazy strong. Let me guess, you are here to join the heroes army aren't you?" Ryu nodded as the guy gave it back to him and continued, "That is a smart decision kid because adventurers around here don't get any of the high paying jobs. Those self-appointed defenders against demons take all the good work within the capital."

Just as he finished speaking, the door he had knocked on smashed open as an orc lady emerged from the office. Her skin was light green, and she had a deep emerald streak in her chestnut colored hair. She was almost the same height as Ryu, but he had her beat by an inch or two. She was definitely about ten years younger than the man because her features were still soft. She was wearing dark leather armor interlaced together across her body with shorts to match that were similar to daisy dukes from his old world. Ryu started blushing as he watched her stomp over to the man and knock his feet off the counter before angrily saying, "Would you show a little more class when we have a patron Taikutsu." He sighed as he said, "What is the point Nibui. This place is a joke." She furiously grabbed a fistful of his shirt while saying, "The only thing that is funny around here is how I ended up having to manage a washed up hero who is lazier than a dead clock." Ryu chuckled at her insult which was a mistake as her amber colored eyes turned toward him. Taikutsu grinned as he tried to pawn her anger off onto him as he said, "If it wasn't for this kid Nibui, I wouldn't have needed to disturb you while you were working on your paperwork. The twerp insisted he meet with you." She let go of his shirt as she focused her full attention on Ryu.

He quickly tried to defuse her as he nervously said, "The guild leader in Unemi strictly told me to check in here when I arrived in the capital. He said he had written ahead to inform you guys." She snappily asked, "Souatari instructed you to get me and told you he sent us a letter?" He gulped as he nodded and waited to see what she was going to do to him. She stared at him for several seconds before blushing and twirling her hair as she said, "My huggy bear is as sweet as ever thinking about lonely little me so far away." She smacked Taikutsu on the arm knocking him into the wall as she said, "Get our mail you degenerate. I may have known my lover wrote me if someone did their job around here besides me." He slowly pulled himself up and sighed before walking past Ryu to go outside while murmuring to himself, "Why does she have to be such a brute." She suddenly extended her hand toward him while saying, "My name is Nibui Naomasa." He quickly grabbed her hand in fear of re-angering her as he said, "My name is Ryu Seki, and it is a pleasure to meet you. I just wanted to let you know my party and I will be in the city for the foreseeable future if you need us. We are staying at the Crosswind Inns if you have to send for us."

Her jaw dropped to the floor as she said, "That place is exclusive even for the elites around here. How did you get a room there?" Before he could answer, Taikutsu slammed a box of letters down on the counter. He grabbed an envelope from the top and handed it to her while saying, "Here is your mail from Souatari. I am going to the bathroom if you need me." As he slowly walked away, she squealed and ripped the top of the package open. As she pulled the paper out, she sat down and started to play with her hair again as she read it. Several minutes passed before she suddenly slammed her hand down on the counter and yelled, "Taikutsu get out here now!" He emerged from a door to Ryu's left and frustratingly said, "Ughhh! What now. Can a guy not get a break around here." She pointed at Ryu while saying, "He was a student of Jinsoku's, and get this, he was told by him to come to the capital. I wonder if he wanted him to meet you?" The man's entire demeanor grew stiff and icy as he stood still. Ryu felt a shiver down his spine for some reason before he was suddenly lifted off of the ground by his neck. Taikutsu's face was emotionless as he menacingly said, "I heard his whereabouts have been unknown as of late. Some are saying the last person to see him alive was his student. Did you kill him when his back was turned fighting? Are you one of Nezumi's little lap dogs here for me now?"

Ryu instinctively grabbed his arm and casted Inferno Cloak to try to force him to release his hold. Taikutsu was immediately engulfed in flames, but his grip only grew stronger as he refused to release him. Ryu was close to losing consciousness as he quickly grabbed his dagger and swung it upward. A loud "Clang" echoed off of the walls as he jarred himself free and fell to the ground. He swiftly scrambled across the floor while morphing his weapon into a short sword and switching it into his left hand. For some reason, his right was still vibrating from the impact. As his spell dissipated away, Taikutsu stood unfazed. Ryu was shocked to see his skin had turned to metal as Nibui suddenly jumped between them and said, "Whoa, you two stop this now! What has gotten into you Taikutsu!?" His voice was dripping with callous as he asked, "Why are you really here kid?" Ryu was still dumbfounded on how things had turned south so quickly as he roughly said, "I am here to join the heroes army because it was my teachers final instructions to me before he was taken. I don't know who Nezumi is or why you would think I was here to kill you." Nibui sighed before smacking Taikutsu on the chest and saying, "Souatari explained everything in his letter if you had given me a second to read it to you before going berserk."

She spent the next several minutes letting him know about Jinsoku's sacrifice as well as all the events that led to Ryu being in the capital. Taikutsu's skin went back to normal as he rubbed the back of his head and said, "Man, I really made a fool of myself this time. I am sorry for hassling you kid." Ryu waved it off while eagerly asking, "How did you know Jinsoku? Are you a former hero?" Nibui laughed while saying, "This lazy sack of bones wishes he had been one." Taikutsu sighed as he plopped back down in his chair before saying, "I was his Vice Captain, and once upon a time, I followed him everywhere. The better question is how you survived his training. I remember every soldier who he took an interest in quitting the army shortly after." Ryu smiled as he said, "I am not sure myself to be honest. He was always threatening to kill me and was constantly beating me into the dirt, but I wouldn't have had it any different. As for this Nezumi, who is he and why would he want you and my teacher dead?" Taikutsu suddenly got up from his chair and started walking toward the exit as he said, "That is a story for a different day kid. I am beat." He stopped at the door for a moment before saying, "Be careful who you tell that you were Jinsoku's student. It isn't safe to be tied to him." He left before Ryu could say anything. As he turned back to Nibui, he said, "I should take off as well. I have to try out for the heroes army tomorrow with my friends, and it is getting pretty late." She nodded as they said their goodbyes to each other before he started to walk back toward the gate.

It did not take him long to get back to the inn. As he walked into the lobby, he looked down at his right hand. He opened and closed it several times before shaking his head surprised to see that he still had a slight tremble in it. He had never seen anything like what Taikutsu did earlier with his skin. As he entered his room, he quickly kicked his shoes off and undressed before flopping down on his bed. As he drifted off to sleep, he was certain that he would be bugging Taikutsu as much as possible in his free time to learn more about his abilities and Jinsoku's past. He slept peacefully through the night before waking up early in the morning. As he exited his room, he found Chinmoku and Megami waiting for him. He sighed as he shut the door before saying, "What should we do guys? We don't really have a place to train here. Should we just go ahead and see if we can try out for the heroes army?" Chinmoku yawned before quietly saying, "Sounds good to me."

They quickly made their way out of the inn and across the countryside to the city entrance. Without realizing it, they had silently snuck up on the guards on post. As they came to a stop, Ryu went "Uhm" startling the porter standing nearby. He tried to pull his sword out but lost his grip on it as it fell to the ground. Ryu awkwardly picked it up for him while saying, "I am sorry we scared you sir. We are just adventurers trying to enter." The man looked at them before embarrassingly snatching his blade back and clearing his throat as he boldly said, "For the record, you guys didn't spook me. My glove got stuck in the hilt yanking it out of its sheathe thank you very much. Do you have your IDs?" They nodded before giving them their cards. He studied them for a minute or so before handing them back and saying, "Welcome to Matsubayashi travelers. You are free to pass." They all graciously bowed before continuing on the cobblestone path toward the castle. As they neared the walls surrounding the palace, Ryu noticed that there was four barracks on each side of the inner gate with some small fields for training between them and the rest of the city. A tent was setup right past the last building before the quarters with a line of three people already standing at it.

As they walked up, the person at the back of the group turned around toward them. He smiled as he enthusiastically said, "Are you guys here for the tryouts to?" Ryu nodded while saying, "We are. I am guessing this is the line." The man shook his head yes before closely studying them. He was a peculiar person as Ryu looked him over. He was certain that he was around eighteen, but his hands begged to differ. They were extremely callused, and he had multiple faded scars all over his arms. His hair was split right down the middle with each half a different color. One side was a metallic silver while the other was sapphire blue. He was slightly shorter than him, and his eyes were light green but forest green around the irises. Ryu struggled to figure out how the man would stand a chance with no gear. The guy was wearing an outfit similar to what he had on underneath his armor, but his pants were black with two burnt orange lines on the sides of them. As he finished measuring them up, he said, "You guys are adventurers aren't you? Y'all have some pretty neat equipment on." Ryu nodded while saying, "We are. My name is Ryu, this is Megami, and the ninja over there is Chinmoku."

His jaw almost hit the floor as he stared at Chinmoku before finally saying, "The heiress of The Blood Clan is here in front of me? I can't believe it." She uncomfortably glanced away as the man continued, "You are definitely the coolest person I have ever met in my life. I can't believe how cute you are in person. The stories they tell about you do not do you justice at all." She started blushing when he suddenly grabbed her hand and got down on one knee. He was beaming ear to ear as he said, "Will a beautiful woman as yourself please marry me?" She was completely red now as Megami stepped in and slapped his hand away while saying, "What is wrong with you? We don't even know your name yet and you're asking her for her hand in marriage." The guy fell to all fours mortified as he said, "You are right. I forgot to introduce myself, and I dared to speak to a goddess. I am the worse person alive." Ryu was unsure if he should laugh or comfort him as he said, "How about we rewind back to when I told you our names and start over from there. How does that sound?"

The man instantly jumped up seeming to have regained his pep as he said, "That is a great idea. My name is Baka Uchimura, and my best ability is hand to hand combat. How about you guys?" Megami frustratingly said, "Why would you tell people you don't even know if you can trust yet what your biggest strength is? You know that means we would know how to counter you now right?" He smacked himself on the forehead while saying, "You are so right again." He shook his head as he continued, "I need to think before I speak." As he glanced up, he smiled and said, "Well you guys don't look like the type to screw someone over, so I think I will be fine." Ryu quickly grabbed Megami who was ready to fight Baka for being so ridiculously stupid as a small man walked up to the table under the tarp. He had crazy blonde hair almost like a yellow mop on his head. He was shirtless, and his upper body was covered in all kinds of unique tattoos. He was holding one of the longest yawns Ryu had ever seen before finally sitting down. Everyone eagerly waited to see what he was going to do as he loudly said, "Alright, you wannabes let's see if there are any heroes amongst y'all. When you step up, be ready to provide your ID. If it hasn't been a year since your last tryout, please leave. Everyone must wait the designated period after being denied." He paused to see if anyone would take off, but no one did. He sighed before continuing, "This is a pretty fast process. After I collect your info, you will move to the training field behind me where you will spar with Vice Captain Hakushiki. Does everyone understand?"

They all nodded as the first guy stepped forward and provided his identification card. The man jotted down his details before motioning for him to continue to the combat zone. As Ryu studied the commander, he could sense that he was very strong. He was tall and lanky with a pair of circular lensed glasses pushed up on his face. His white hair was combed back and wavey in appearance. Ryu was confused by his clothing though. It was a little nippy in the early autumn morning sun, but winter was still a few more weeks away. Hakushiki was fully covered up with a red long sleeve shirt under a black hoodie with matching earmuffs and wool pants as if it was going to snow today. He was rubbing his hands together like he was freezing even with all of his layers on as he chatteringly said, "You can use whatever fighting style you are accustomed to for our sparring session so don't hold back. Hopefully, one of you will be able to warm me up a bit." The first guy nodded before charging toward him with his sword. The vice-captain remained still as the man swung his blade. Ryu watched closely as Hakushiki made a slight movement in the blink of an eye. He pushed his hand into the chest of the first challenger and slightly pushed off. The guy suddenly launched over their heads back onto the street. He barreled across the cobblestone like a tumbleweed before coming to a stop in a heap on the ground.

The short man taking their info whistled before saying, "The vice-captain is not in the mood today." As he finished documenting the next person in line, Hakushiki loudly said, "Come on Jax. Send them through faster. Breakfast will be done soon." He nodded as he sent the next challenger to the field for his turn before quickly motioning for Baka to step up. The second man up did not last long either as he flew over them similar to the first guy just as Jax said, "Sir, this one should get your blood going. He is a rank A adventurer." They all watched as Baka came to a stop a few feet away from Hakushiki and started stretching while asking, "We don't have to hold back right?" The vice-captain nodded as Baka suddenly vanished. Ryu was shocked to see he had such incredibly speed as he launched a flying knee upward at Hakushiki's chin. The commander swiftly crossed his arms as they made contact. The impact sent him several feet into the air as Baka followed in pursuit. He swung his right leg into the side of the vice-captain, but Ryu was able to catch at the last second that he dropped his arm and blocked the hit again as they landed back on the ground.

As Baka slid inside his guard, he started to throw punches, knees, and elbows at Hakushiki who responded with his own flurry of strikes. They all watched from the sidelines as the wind whipped around the two of them. Ryu was closely following their movements to see if he could get any helpful information for his sparring session with the commander. He quickly noticed that his agility could possibly rival Jinsoku's as he continued to weave the majority of Baka's blows while slipping the ones he could not avoid. Everything he threw back on the other hand was landing with astonishing force as Ryu finally realized what he was doing. Hakushiki was compressing the air and making it explode when his hands made contact with Baka's body. Unlike the first two contenders though, he was somehow able to stand his ground and absorb everyone of the vice-captains shots. Hakushiki suddenly disengaged and leapt backwards while saying, "Our sparring session is over. You pass. You are one crazy guy for fighting with just your body, but you are a descendant of the Uchimura name, so I shouldn't expect anything different."

Baka started to rub the back of his head as he smiled and said, "My uncle says the same thing. Thank you for allowing me to join the heroes army. Is it okay if I watch my friends spar with you next?" The vice-captain nodded as Baka ran back over to the table and said, "I can't wait to see you guys in action. This is going to be awesome!" Jax shook his head as he handed Ryu his ID back before loudly saying, "We have three more A rank adventurers sir. You might break into a sweat today." Hakushiki motioned for the next one to step up unfazed by the info from his soldier as Chinmoku swiftly walked over before Megami or Ryu could move. The commander suddenly held his hand up and said, "Jax, is this girls name Chinmoku?" The man quickly looked at his sheet before saying, "Yes." Hakushiki sighed as he said, "You pass. We can skip the fight. I know how talented you are firsthand." Baka groaned in sadness as he said, "Dang. I was hoping to see her in action." She smiled before skipping back to the table and saying, "Your next Megami." She frustratingly shook her head as she walked over to the field. As she came to a stop, the vice-captain waved for her to begin.

She quickly conjured three warrior spirits while buffing their strength, speed, and protection before sending them at Hakushiki. She had them attacking in a pattern that prevented him from countering without making himself vulnerable to a hit. As he maneuvered around the field, she made sure to launch rods of light at him as well to keep him on his toes. As her wraiths continued to press forward, she came to a stop and quickly summoned two archers as well as something Ryu had never seen before. It looked like an angel as it hovered in the air with its palms together. She suddenly changed her tactics as she had her swordsmen attack with no discernable rhythm. She also added herself into the fold as she jumped in and out swinging her scythe at him. The archers were protecting her blind spots from any potential strikes from the vice-captain as he continued to run from her. He suddenly started stepping through the air forcing her to leap into the sky after him. He effortlessly ducked her scythe before launching a kick into her side when they suddenly swapped positions. Her spirits were waiting for him as their blades swung toward him.

A light green aura wisped off of his body as he shot through them back to the ground. A magical white cloud descended upon the field in his wake as the three wraiths exploded behind him. As Megami landed on the grass, she swung around as he held up his hand and said, "You pass. Not many people can make me use my fairy power. You have a high Clairvoyance don't you?" She proudly smiled while shaking her head yes. As he started to take his windbreaker off, Jax suddenly slammed his hand on the table as he stood up and said, "Are you actually taking off your jacket captain!? Are these guys that good?" Hakushiki laughed before saying, "Those first two were nothing, but the last three have all been capable fighters, but I am taking my coat off for this one. What is your name?" Ryu confusingly glanced around before pointing at himself. Megami smacked her forehead as she frustratingly said, "Who else would he be talking about. You are the last person waiting to tryout." Ryu blushed in embarrassment as he said, "My name is Ryu sir. Why do you think I am special?" The commander shrugged as Ryu made his way onto the field before grinning and saying, "Just a hunch."

As they both nodded that they were ready, Hakushiki suddenly went on the offensive. Ryu quickly casted several buffs on himself as he dodged his punches. The wind violently thrashed around as the captain continued to rapidly attack him. Ryu remained unfazed as he weaved and retreated away. He swiftly started using elemental magic as he tried to strike the vice-captain. The earth shifted under their feet as he casted Burial Chamber causing the dirt and rock to engulf Hakushiki. As it solidified, he said, "Inferno Cyclone." The dome trapping him was suddenly wrapped in raging flames. Ryu knew that the prison was not going to hold the commander for long as he conjured two clones and levitated into the sky just as the earth coffin exploded. A tornado blasted the soil away and dashed the blaze into nothing more than embers. His light green aura was now lapping several inches off of his body and his eyes were glowing as he launched himself into the air. A loud "Boom" echoed down the street as the ground smashed inward from the force of his push off. Ryu's copies quickly jumped in front of the vice-captain, but his power was to much as he punched right through their barriers. The two replicas suddenly detonated into a brilliant white radiance that illuminated the entire area blinding everyone.

Ryu vanished in the confusion and appeared behind Hakushiki with his dagger at his neck. As the commanders aura faded, he slowly put his hands up as they went back to the ground and said, "I concede. You pass. I knew their was something special about you." Ryu sheathed his blade as Jax yelled, "No way! My eyes must be deceiving. Captain did he just beat you in fairy mode!?" Hakushiki nodded as he said, "He did." He turned to Ryu as he continued, "Please be back here tomorrow morning. I will have my leader here, so he can meet you guys." Ryu nodded as they shook hands before he walked back over to the tarp. Baka was genuinely shocked that he had beat the commander so quickly as he excitedly said, "Since you guys are adventurers to, you have to let me join your party." Megami instantly said, "No. Negative. Not happening." He fail to his knees and started to beg as he said, "Pleaseeeeeee. I swear I will not slow you guys down." Ryu suddenly stepped in and said, "I mean as party leader of our group, I think we should give him a shot Megami. I think he has interesting abilities and could help us cover up any holes that we may have as a whole." She annoyingly crossed her arms while saying, "But he is so stupid though." Chinmoku giggled as Ryu patted Megami on the head and said, "If I take you out to explore the city would you reconsider for me?" She turned red and looked away as she flusteredly said, "I guess we can take him in then."

Baka exploded back to his feet and hugged him while saying, "Thank you so much. I won't let you down." Ryu smiled as he looked over at Chinmoku and said, "Can you go with him to get his stuff and show him to the inn? If we can't get another room, he can lodge with me." Ryu paused as he pushed Baka off of him before continuing, "We will meet you guys back their later this afternoon." She nodded as the two of them took off down the street toward his place. Ryu watched as he yapped to her the whole way till they disappeared around the corner. As he shook his head, he turned back to Megami while holding out his arm and saying, "Now that it is just us, do you want to go get something to eat?" She nodded while grabbing his hand as they made their way back into the city. As they walked away, Hakushiki scoffed as he stared at Ryu and said under his breath, "Disgusting touched human." He quickly bundled back up before heading toward the inner gate. Meanwhile, Ryu and Megami had a wonderful day together unaware of what awaited them tomorrow.