Age of Strife Book 0: The Path of War

Chapter 20: A Hopeful Horizon

Hajime is stunned as to what he was told and tries to digest all the information given, he was an Adept of the Ninth School training to prepare himself for a journey he was uncertain where'd he end up to then becoming the Avatar of War and being foretold to usher in a new age. Hajime's thoughts then begin filling with the armored figure's voice as he can hear the echoes 'When you awaken your responsibilities will be known and by approximation your ultimate destiny will be decided' 'Merely by the end of the path usher in the new age of the world' 'Live the life you wish to lead'. Shaking his head Hajime focuses once more on the present as Kazuma, Irene, Ikumi, Zeryas, and Geneva look at Hajime with some sort of expectation of an answer, unsure of what to say to the revelation before Hajime says "I... cannot accept the title of Avatar of War." The grandmasters before him look at him in shock and then look to each other before Kazuma says "Hajime... this is not something you can reject, this something that is already fulfilled and your actions-" Hajime interrupts "Will invariably affect and change the world in the end, Grandmasters if I may be so bold and say that what may happen has not come to pass today. Make not the mistake that I shirk from the title and responsibility but... I've not lived my life truly and have not made a choice that was my own." Zeryas wanted to raise objections but Kazuma and surprisingly Irene motioned for him to stay silent, Irene says to Hajime "Very well Hajime... what is it you want before you accept the mantle?" Hajime at a loss of words at the question thought to himself deeply once more, since he had left the exiled valley he had wanted to join the Imperial Army and fight the Beast-Kin tribes for the sake of the valley and by approximation his family. But since that time he had detracted from the path as he trained with the Ninth School to improve himself, and now he had colluded himself with the monasteriespolicies further detracting him from the path he had initially started. Hajime finding the answer within him says "I will go to the Imperial Capital, and fulfill the path I had originally sought out when I was exiled from my home. To push back the Beast-Kin invaders, to save the future of my family, and since I've become an official citizen of the human empire... I too will fight for them." The grandmasters in the room look at Hajime with varying expressions on their faces but tentatively an air of respect and approval is evident for Hajime. Looking at each other for confirmation of their decisions Irene answers for the grandmaster "Hajime, though you have fulfilled the requirement for the role and station of Avatar of War... ultimately the decision is yours to make as no other person we can think of nor know of can fulfill the role to the letter. So as per your initiative you can properly assume the title whenever you wish, but do keep in mind ordained by this council you will be treated still as the Avatar of War and you will be held to the same scrutiny the other monastic avatars are held to. Do you understand and agree to these terms the grandmasters present give you?" Hajime looking at Kazuma, Irene, Ikumi, Zeryas, and Geneva sees anticipation in their expressions as they hope for an agreeance to the terms. "Very well, I accept these terms and will adhere to the councils ruling." Hajime says before then bowing in respect. After much discussion of what's next for Hajime, finally he leaves the arboretum with Kasumi by his side who seems quite as to what she's witnessed and heard. The two settles down by the front courtyard and sit in silence for a moment to take in serenity before Kasumi breaks the silence "So... Avatar of War now, and you going to the imperial capital to fulfill the path you originally sought." "Yeah... a lot on my plate, and unintentionally on yours cause you wanted to stick with me." Hajime says with regret in voice. Picking up on the tone Kasumi says "Hajime since we were young you were always there for me when I was down on life, and the way I paid you back was by leaving without saying goodbye. Don't you think for a moment you are burdening me as now it's time for me to return the favor, and besides... I think it's time we properly got together again. Like old times." Hajime looks at Kasumi who gives him a small smile that filled him with resolve and he says "Old times huh? Alright then, for old times' sake let's shake things up together." Hajime raises his hand to Kasumi before saying "Then let's reintroduce ourselves to each other, I'm Hajime Ryuuzaki and you are?" Kasumi lets out a soft giggle before saying "Hello Hajime, I'm Kasumi Tsukiko a pleasure to meet you." She then takes Hajime's hand and shakes it. The two then spent what time they had together in the clockwork monastery to get to know each other, before eventually parting ways to tend to their respective responsibilities. In the days to follow Hajime would return to both Centura and the Ninth School which respectively greeted him with open arms, for Centura though the tournament was interrupted they were still considered one of four winners for the tourney. This granted them some fame as traction came to the town to prosper further in both trading and farming, even to some extent new residents to stay. As for the Ninth School they too shared the new-found fame of being one of four winners in the tournament and though their numbers did not swell as Centura did, it did give the adepts and novices hope that someday they can carve out their own stories to tell.A week proceeded the events since Hajime's unofficial acknowledgement as Avatar of War, he had finished packing his things and was about to leave until he hears energetic woman's voice yells "Wait up Hajime!" Looking behind him, Hajime sees that the eight seniors and even Kazuma had come to bid him farewell. Felicia hugs Hajime from his waist and says "Were you trying to leave without say goodbye!? How could you, after all the time we spent with each other!" Hajime pats Felicia's shoulder before peeling her off and saying "Well, I didn't want to bother as you all seemed busy." "Nonsense, you are both our pupil and friend. So we would have time to bid you goodbye on your new path." Balyek says assuredly. "Yeah, we always can make time for you and other student who are about to make their own journey. It's just courtesy and a bid of good luck to the one leaving." Uruiz added on. Hajime is then grabbed into a bear hug by both Ry'ar and Hark-Ban, Ry'ar going first says "I'm gonna miss you man, it's been interesting to work alongside with you and to know you better. Good luck on your path." "Aye lad, I won't bother with the semantics but you were a good student and even better person to call friend." Hark-Ban added. Finally breaking the hug Me-Yun, Lucille, and Kalyd approach Hajime and awkwardly stand in silence for a moment before Kalyd rolling her eyes at Me-Yun and Lucille begins by saying "Hajime, it's been a pleasure to have you by our side for the last four years, and hope that when your path is finished that you come and pay us a visit." "Of course Kalyd, I'll come back to visit when I can." Hajime says assuredly. Lucille and Me-Yun look at each other for a moment before Lucille goes first by saying "Hajime, though your time dedicated here as a student has been... wonderful, I do bid you good luck on your path and I will... miss you." Hajime let's out a short laugh before saying "I'll miss you too Lucille." Giving a curt nod Lucillelooks at Me-Yun and notions for her to finish off the rest. "Hajime... though when you first arrived, I was skeptical of your intentions and your origins you have proven time and time again that you were to be trusted. Though admittedly you have stirred some trouble for us in the past and recently with the arena, I can say without a shadow of doubt that I'd have you as a student and friend again. So goodbye Hajime and good luck on the path." Me-Yun says before stepping back for Kazuma to see Hajime. Walking forward Kazuma looks at Hajime with pride in his eyes and a small smile on his face, and says "Hajime, since you came to this school you've had an effect like no other. Some I can see, others I cannot, but ultimately what I can say is that I'm proud to have taken you in as a student and teaching you everything you know. Though your path will be burdened of this no there is doubt, I want to let you know that you have a home here in the school still. Just let us know and we can accommodate." Kazuma says. Hajime raises his fists together and bows before Kazuma and says "Thank you, Kazuma. I will remember what you taught me and will do you proud." "I know you will, now get on out there! You've a long walk to the capital and there's plenty of sun right now." Kazuma says. Hajime now leaving the monastery for the Imperial Capital he looks back to see Kazuma and the seniors wave him goodbye, in turn he to waves back before walking the path to the main road where he would begin his long walk. For the first time in a long time Hajime is alone again with the road as his only companion, he thinks back to where it first started as he was forced out of his home. Lost and unsure where to go he'd wander the roads for a destination with doubt filling his mind, only to meet Kazuma and become his student. Since then he had trained to become a warrior of discipline and had unknowingly became more in the time he spent at the school. Now his goal is clear, the destination is set, and the path is for him to take as he saw fit. The future is for him to take.