After Daniel left he quickly dried himself using a towel and then proceeded to put on the robes. Once done, he headed over to the gathering room.
When he arrived he looked around and spotted absolutely no one, it was completely empty.
'Ehh, is thirty minutes really that early?' Daniel chose a far off corner to sit at as he closed his eyes and waited.
After a few minutes passed by, he grew incredibly bored.
'Sigh, I really miss my phone.' Daniel reminisced the times where he would read and code on his phone quietly during loading times in games and real life.
Ten minutes later, he heard foot steps. Daniel instinctively turned around to look at who was coming into the room.
Daniel quickly recognized the person walking through the doors. "So, it seems you've remembered this young one, eh? Perhaps you're here to give me a pep talk?"
Enfred shook his head, smiling. "Boy, do you know how busy I am?"
"No, I don't."
"Hmph, very!" Enfred chuckled as he sat down next to Daniel.
"I'm hear to give you a mask, which will change your hair and eye color, it also has a mask which covers your mouth during combat." Enfred placed a translucent mask in Daniel's hands.
The mask was paper thin, and had blue vein like ripples that would glow from moment to moment.
"Why would you give me this? And why do I need to hide my hair and eye color?" Daniel asked with a frown.
"I will explain in due time, you must trust me for now. When you are stronger I will tell you everything I know." Enfred placed his hand on Daniel's shoulder as he spoke softly.
Daniel continued to stare at Enfred with a frown. He eyes never shifting in anyway.
"Fine. But when the time comes, I can only hope that you will keep your promise, Teacher. I do not take these promises lightly."
Daniel palmed the mask and placed it over his face. Very rapidly his eye and hair color changed to silver as the mask melted and fused with his face. His facial features excluding his eye and hair color, didn't change.
"The Silver Blades." Enfred smiled with complex emotions.
"What?"
"Your appearance took on that of the Silver Blades, a noble clan which has been almost extinguished." Enfred spoke softly, his gaze full of unspoken emotions.
"Why would the mask change my appearance to that of the Silver Blades?"
"I do not know. These masks came from the Tower and are ancient. No one can forge them. But what I do know, is that the masks take into consideration your character, personality traits and temperament as well as talents."
"Which is to say, I'm somewhat similar to those of the Silverblades?" Daniel raised an eyebrow as he questioned Enfred.
"To some extent, the only exception to the adaption rule is those.." Enfred stopped speaking.
"Those whooo?" Daniel squinted.
"I spoke too much haha..." Enfred nervously laughed and quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, make us proud! Us teachers pride ourselves in the disciples we choose. Your honor is our honor as much your dishonor." Enfred smiled with his ugly mug(face).
Daniel nodded. A soft warmth spread from his chest as he listened to Enfreds heart felt words.
'Why am I even feeling like this?...'
Daniel chose to confide in his teacher. 'Since I'm already here, might as well try something new.'
"Teacher, I'm fearful.. Of the fight.. I've never fought humans before, only animals." Daniel lowered his head, refusing to look up.
"Ah, I see." Enfred held his chin with his thum and pointer finger while he thought about what to say.
"Don't worry, you have great battle instincts. There are systems in place to protect the life of the participants." Enfred spoke softly.
As he turned to look at Daniel, he noticed his words weren't very effective. He didn't yet understand his disciple very much, so he chose a different way to approach the conversation.
"This a great opportunity to get comfortable with fighting humans, Daniel. Take it as a learning experience for future purposes. The fear in your heart is simply due to inexperience. Trust in yourself, and you'll find your own way to fight them."
Daniel looked up and nodded his head. 'That's right. Could my fear have really blinded me to this extent? That I could not see this simple truth?' Daniel chuckled to himself.
"Thank you, you've helped me understand."
Enfred smiled and padded Daniel's shoulder as he stood up.
"That's good, I'll be on my way. This is the fight that earns you your moniker. Fight well and maybe you'll recieve a good one."
"Tch." Daniel leaned back against the wall, crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
Daniel began to simulate fights in his head, scenarios where his opponents were faster, stronger and smarter than he was.
Scientists say that those who visualize their practice are just as effective as those who physically practice.
Enfred nodded, and with a puff of black smoke, dissappeared from where he stood.
After moments passed by, people began to fill the room. Everyone casting their eyes towards the only bright silver haired boy in the room.
"Woah, a silverblade!"
"Shh, he must be meditating. I've heard that if you disturb a silverblade whilst they meditate they'll knee your left nut."
The other boy looked at him with his eyebrow raised.
"What? You don't believe me?"
...
At some point, Anise and Adora sat next to Daniel as they waited for the instructor who would inform them of the ceremonial events.
Anise had no special expression when she saw Daniel's change in appearance. Adora on the other hand was bamboozled and even grabbed some of Daniel's hair.
'It feels like normal hair but why is it silver.. SILVER?!'
Adora quickly retracted his hand and simply sat in silence.