Age of Strife Book 0: The Path of War

Chapter 5: Welcome to the Ninth School

As Hiryu and Kazuma puts distance between them and the trading outpost, there was tense atmosphere between the two. Hiryu still in shock as to how he beat the poor enforcer within inch of his life begins to remember a little bit as to what happened back at his home in the valley. Though blurry he recalls the feeling of wanting to spill blood, and wanting to revel in carnage. Sensing that Hiryu is deep in grim thought Kazuma says "You aren't the first person that I've seen to be overcome by battle frenzy." Catching Hiryu's attention he asks "What do you mean?" "The feeling of wanting to let loose, feeling invincible, and wanting to spill blood. Some would say it's the person's first fight, and adrenaline goes to fight or flight. But I see a differencein you, it's killer instinct left unchecked and it wants to come out." Kazuma answers. "How- How do I stop it?" Hiryu asks hopefully. "You can't, all you can do is temper it and maintain control." Kazuma answers honestly. Hiryu looks away in grimace as it feels impossible to try and contain something so... primal. "I know it seems like a tall order to ask, but that's only for this moment. With my guidance you will have control of that instinct, I promise." Kazuma says assuredly while placing a hand on Hiryu's shoulder. Hiryu looks at Kazuma for a moment before breathing a sigh of comfort, and simply says "Then I place my trust in you... teacher." Kazuma smiles before nodding and looks in a direction before saying "Come, this way... we are close to the school." Kazuma walks west off the road, Hiryu though staying still for a moment begins to catch up with him. After a walk through a forest Hiryu arrives with Kazuma at the dirt path to school, and in sight is a large structure. A monastery to be precise as it has a large heavy door with stone walls surrounding the towering building, Hiryu is agape at the sight being in the forest. "Uncanny to see something so large in the forest, eh?" said Kazuma. Hiryu simply taking in the sight can only say "Uncanny is certainly a word I would use." The two walk the dirt path until they arrive at the doors, Hiryu uncertain how to enter looks to Kazuma who simply smiles. "Knock on the door." he said. Unsure on how he'd even make a sound through this large door, Hiryu gave his best knock on the door. Silence takes hold for moment before the doors slowly opens to reveal a courtyard with people waiting in formation. Hiryu surprised at the number of people in the courtyard walks in to see more of the school; however he is ambushed by an unknown assailant from the side and pin to the wall. "Who are you interloper!? How did you find this place!" verbose male voice asks. Hiryu struggling for a moment breaks free of the hold and readies his sword against the assailant's throat. Getting a good look at the assailant he sees a man with scalypatterns on his face and arms along with lizard-like eyes. "I could ask you the same thing for attacking me!" Hiryu says in rising anger. The sound of footsteps and weapons pointed at Hiryu causes him to look and see he is surrounded by other fighters. A tense silence permeates before Kazuma says "Enough! Students lower your weapons, you too Hiryu." The various students that came at the ready lower their weapons blades slightly as Hiryu too relaxes his weapon away from his assailant. "Let him go, Hiryu." Kazuma ordered. Though reluctant Hiryu obeyed and let his attacker go, the attacker rubbing his throat then asks Kazuma in an angered tone "Teacher, who is this... man?" Kazuma rubbing his chin says matter-of-factly "Our newest addition to the school." "What?" the young man asked dumbfound. "Yes, a new disciple for the school. What is there to not understand?" Kazuma asks. "I thought...." the young man looks aside embarrassed as he clearly wasn't expecting this. "You though I was being forced to bring a burglar within our walls?" Kazuma says clearly amused. "I wouldn't take that so lightly teacher... Ry'ar's heart was in the right place for being concerned." a woman's voice calls from behind Kazuma. Kazuma turning around reveals a tall thin woman with sharp ears, sharp features, and white hair. "Ah MeYu, your right... I am getting old. Thus, I thought it necessary to take on one final student." Hiryu looking around him sees that the students are dressed in a particular uniform consisted of grey robes, and sashes of different colors. Noting Ry'ar's and Me-Yu's uniforms clearly theirs are more personalized as Ry'ar's sleeves are ripped off and Me-Yu is without the top. "Teacher I mean not to question your judgement, but why this one? He's much older than we were and most of the others that started here." Ry'ar asks. "Yes I'm curious... the mandate clearly states we are take those of certain age, so what makes this one so special?" asked Me-Yu. "This one has a spark that I've not seen in any other disciple before, at least not in a long time. Even more so the boy holds something more that I must watch for myself." Kazuma answers. Ry'ar gives a simple nod, whilst Me-Yu gives a look of doubt. "Now then, Hiryu if you would follow me I will give a tour of the monastery." Kazuma says while beckoning. Hiryu looking around sees the other students move out of his way, as he begins to walk toward Kazuma. Uneasiness fills Hiryu as he looks at the faces of the students as they watch his moves intently, before long he is following Kazuma who is now point at building. "Let's start there, come on now keep up." Hiryu follows though looks back at Ry'ar and Me-Yu before focusing on what Kazuma is saying. "A new student... can you believe that?" said Ry'ar. "Hmmm... yes, but to what end?" Me-Yu answers. The various students behind them whisper and gossip catching the attention of Me-Yu who says aloud "Alright, back to your training all of you!" The various students mutter to each other as they begin walking back to their respective sections of the courtyard to continue their routine. "I'll go to tell the others seniors; you do the same for the adepts." Me-Yu tells Ry'ar before walking to the eastern side of the monastery. "And so this place is where you will be sparing your fellow students, it's spacious and padded so injuries will be minimal from the environment. But if you feel this to be too closespaced then you can always use the main courtyard." monologues Kazuma. Hiryu listened at key intervals as his mind was on watching the student's day-to-day lives. From living quarters to the lecture hall, from the training room to being here in the sparring room Hiryu found it all fascinating as life here was not too dissimilar as it was in the Exiled Valley. "I believe we covered everything that is on need to know. There are more places such as the library, and the armory but I think that's up to you to explore. Have you any questions Hiryu?" Kazuma finishes. Attention returning to Kazuma, Hiryu replies "Uh... no. I don't think so." Kazuma looks at Hiryu intently and says "Your mind is wandering Hiryu. I see it in your eyes, so ask." Hiryu fixing his posture he asks "Who are Ry'ar and Me-Yu to the school?" Kazuma smirking at the question answers "They are my students too, much like you and everyone else here. But they are seniors above all, along with six others too. I have a feeling you may be my ninth senior, should you dedicate yourself to make it that far." Hiryu nods at the answer as he walks beside Kazuma. "Worry not Hiryu, for there will be plenty of time for you to meet and learn about your fellows soon enough." Kazuma patting on Hiryu's shoulder the two eventually stop in the main hall."Hmmm... when do I begin?" Hiryu mused aloud. "Tomorrow to get you properly introduced to the school, but for martial training that will be a ways off. It's clear that you must be taught a bit more extensively on the state of the world as it stands, but that aside... when you pass the knowledge portion we will begin the other half." Kazuma answers. As Hiryu converse further with Kazuma they both see the eight seniors approaching them, and bowing to Kazuma. "Teacher, it's good to see you return." said an anthropomorphic wolf-man. "Indeed, Me-Yun told us that a new student has been taken aboard. Is this him?" a golden haired, gold eye woman asks. "He is much older than what the mandate demands." a green-skinned man gruffly says. "Aye, but perhaps our teacher has a good reason." a stout short accented man retorts. "I don't know... maybe he's looking for an assistant?" an even shorter woman adds. "When he has us? Not likely." a human woman remarks. "That's enough... all of you, and stand up." Kazuma commands. The eight disciples stand tall as Hiryu sees Ry'ar and Me-Yu as the last two in line. "Hiryu meet your seniors. The wolf-kin is Balyek, the aasimar is Kalyd, the orc Uruiz, the dwarf is Hark-Ban, with the halfling being Felicia, and the human is Lucille. You, of course know Ry'ar and Me-Yun whom are respectively Drake-Kin and Elvish." Kazuma introduces. "As to reintroduce myself, I am Kazuma Sato the Grandmaster of the Ninth School. I hereby welcome you to the ninth school!" Hiryu looking around the hall is surprise to see students watching his induction. Hiryu only responses "Honored for you to have me, Grandmaster!" and bows. From then on Hiryu became a student of the Ninth Monastic School, and would both learn more about the world he had become a part of and train in martial combat.