Kogane no Yume Academy

Sunshine Ranch

Two years after my father enlightened me with his philosophy, I entered Kyukyoku warriors academy. This particular academy valued strength above all else. I don't just mean physical strength either most of the students who attend this school are either well known or are specialized in several different fields. There are so many celebrities and nobles that an average guy like me can't help but feel pressured. They shine bright like diamonds and gold; while I appear to be less than copper.  

The main reason I was allowed to attend such a prodigious school is due to my foster parents nobility. My father, Viscount Takaida Toyotomi, is the son of some great warrior, though he himself isn't much of a fighter. However, he is a decent negotiator and politician. My mother, Yukima Toyotomi, is an excellent housewife and foster mother. Unfortunately, she is incapable of having her own children. Her longing to be a mother led them to adopt me from Sunshine Ranch.

Despite the warm welcoming name, my time at Sunshine Ranch was like a dreary dream. I was conflicted by the lingering feelings of dread and confusion. After all my family became a sacrifice for my father’s metamorphosis. The optimistic caretakers had long given up on trying to help me adapt to my new situation. I should probably rephrase that, since they never really tried to help me in the first place. To be honest I should thank them, for their help me loosen my grasp on happiness. Well to be fair the constant bullying played a big part in my awakening. In order to combat their torment I relinquished my pesky emotions completely. Then, I built up strength, that way I could deal with the little vermin. My tolerance to pain became almost inhuman due to the constant attacks from older boys. Since I banished my emotions to the farthest and coldest part of my heart, the younger kids insults didn't even bother. Their usual sting felt more like gentle breeze trying to knock down a great oak. I soon became a tyrant among mere commoners at Sunshine Ranch. At first I felt a tinge of loneliness and doubt. Could I really keep the barbarians at bay, and more importantly did I really want to be all alone on my throne? The thoughts quickly left my mind, for there was no longer any room for doubt.

A few months later the Toyotomi's came to the orphanage. They asked Ms.Takenashi, the head caretaker, to see the most promising child. She brought out some of the older boys most of which tried to bully me. From their appearance alone they did seem very promising. They were definitely physically fit and gave off an almost regal aura. However, Ms.Toyotomi saw through their tough bravado.

She asked Ms.Takenashi if she was sure they were the top children. Ms.Takenashi started to give off a radiance of malice and irritation, for no one, as far as she knew, had ever questioned her judgement. She asked asked Ms.Toyotomi what was wrong with the marvelous specimens in front of her. She responded without any hesitation and began to pick the boys apart, from their bad posture to their feeble will. Ms.Takenashi grew more and more enraged, but Ms.Toyotomi did not falter at the site of her anger. Ms.Takenashi, trying to remain civilized, decided it would be better to just line up all the boys. Of course all the boys did not include me.

Ms.Toyotomi walked the lines analyzing the boys. The scene looked liked a drill sergeant inspecting his cadets, or perhaps, it was more like a goddess deciding who truly deserved her grace. After merely two minutes she evaluated all 152 boys. Most of the boys collapsed from either the pressure or from being rejected. Ms.Takenashi, who manage to contain her rage until the end, finally had enough. She told Ms.Toyotomi that she just doesn't know a quality boy when she sees one. She responded to Ms.Takenashi by asking to see what she would call her worse child.

With surprising swiftness she came marching in my direction. She seized my hand with great force. In a normal situation I would have let her insolence slide. However, I had all the boys watching me, and more importantly, Ms.Toyotomi was watching me. I snatched my hand back with superior force. The shock of being overpowered by a child that she thought was incapable of even swatting a fly made her burst with intense flames. In her rage she charged at me like a bull, so I did the natural thing and simply dodge frenzy with grace of a professional bullfighter. As her rage increased her strength followed. Lucky I was light on my feet, for I had a feeling that if one of those wild bullets even grazed me I would be more than a little numb. Ms.Toyotomi, who had made herself comfortably, called out from her chair asking if all I could do was dodge.

To be honest, I was still unsure of whether I could really attack this woman. She may have started to attack me first, but still I wasn't sure if attacking back was the answer. Unfortunately, I didn't have to think of another way I was running out of space and stamina. I slowed my pace abruptly and made a face of absolute exhaustion. She began to accelerate trying to move in on what she assumed to be easy prey. She didn't realize that I was the one baiting her the whole time. I tested her to see if she would attack a defenseless boy if given the chance. Of course she had no problems with the thoughts of hurting me. Her resolve to actually hurt me gave me resolve to put an end all this an increase. I to a deep breathe and for a moment everything just paused. In the next moment Ms.Takenashi was on her knees while I remained standing obviously victorious.    

When Ms.Takenashi finally woke up the following hour, my adoption into the Toyotomi household was finalized. Ms.Takenashi’s expression upon seeing me was seasoned with distaste, hesitation, and a hint of respect. I gave her my thanks for the time she let me stay at Sunshine Ranch. Although, my time was filled with torment I was grateful for a place to live. She responded to my words with a simple hmph, her pride wouldn't let her say more. I went on my way with Toyotomi’s and their driver. In the car Ms.Toyotomi told me some things: From here on you will be our son, though your time with us maybe difficult, in the end you will most likely thank me. Also, as you know you are not related to me by blood, however I will love you as if you were my own flesh and blood, and I will never force you to fight a battle I know for certain you can't win. Finally, I won't force you to love me, but know I will always be on your side no matter what path you choose to follow, as long as you choose to follow your own will.

Even after all this time I haven't forgotten her words. Although, at the time her words merely washed over me. The week after I started living with the Toyotomi's I started my training to enter Kyukyoku. The training was intense, but it helped me become as strong as I am.  Although, after seeing my competition today, I am not sure if I am strong enough.