Patriarch Kimura Daigo's heart bled. He had lost two challenges in a row, embarrassing himself in front of his entire sect. Perhaps many would see his actions as giving Guild Invictus face, challenging them in areas of their expertise...
But Daigo had no idea that Invictus Tycon could sunder the earth with a casual swing of a sword! And he hadn't an inkling that he'd be so soundly defeated in a board game by Invictus Dragan! What was next? Could the child with the pointed ears beat him in escaping an Illusory Formation?
Daigo couldn't risk it. He requested Elder Kakui to retrieve his personal stock: dozens of large ceramic jugs of rice wine, expertly brewed by his beautiful wife with a Kagehisa family recipe. They were reserved for special occasions, like an important marriage or saving the patriarch's face.
"I must warn you," the patriarch declared. "I have NEVER been defeated in drinking!!"
Tycon made several gestures with his hands and a number of Guild Invictus returned to their seats.
The boy left-- he was a bit young to drink. The Patriarch liked the boy's calm demeanor. If his daughter chose the boy instead of the arrogant, green-haired youth, he might be more accepting of the pair.
The two horses walked off. "They're designated drivers," Tycon explained.
Two massive men walked up.
Invictus Maximus was a silent, dark-haired man, easily over 6-fulms tall, parts of his revealed chest and neck covered in blue scales. Invictus Dragan towered over him, over 8-fulms tall, sporting a mane of red hair, massive naked calves revealed by a too-short kimono.
Daigo began to sweat. He was confident in his drinking ability. But against the two behemoths of Guild Invictus? He might as well challenge his wife to an archery contest.
The patriarch's confidence began to recover with the approach of Invictus Tycon. Tycon was the average height of a sect Martialist, a few ilms shorter than Daigo, himself. His build was average, not bulky at all. And the youth didn't look even 20-years of age.
A lanky-blue haired boy, Invictus Wroe, and a youth with a scar on his nose, Invictus Lone, also stood with him. Even those two looked like they could outdrink their leader.
All he had to do was defeat the boy.
Betting it all on this final fight, Patriarch Kimura Daigo would reclaim his honor.
...
Several rounds later, the patriarch was passed out on the table. Maximus was giggling like a maniac. Wroe was rubbing his hands on his cheeks, in a lonely corner of the massive courtyard, facing the wall.
Tycon had lost track of Barza but assumed he was soiling himself in a dark corner of the Kimura estate.
Festivities had continued, even with the patriarch's unfortunate show. Tycon had to accept a few drinks from the other sect families and had to politely rebuff their friendly offers. Unless the sect opened its doors to the Outside world, offering trade and services, working intimately with any other sect family was a waste of time for Tycon.
As the evening wound down further, Dragan and Tycon had collected with Elder Kakui and were sharing a jug of some of Yumiko's fruit wine.
"What were those contests about, Elder?" Tycon asked.
"Well, Warrior Tycon. It seems that the patriarch was worried that you had designs on his young daughter," Kakui responded, nursing his drink.
"The silver-haired brat? How ridiculous. As if I would be interested in such a rude girl. I've assigned the boy to entertain her."
Kakui nodded with a hiccupping smile, "Ah, yes, of course. The Young Mistress has always spoken highly of Young Master Pale."
"Second question!" Dragan draped his arm over Tycon as he slurred, "Elder Cockatoo! Where's-- where's the good drink? The strong stuff!"
Kakui contemplated for a moment, "Well, I can go and--"
Tycon raised a hand, "Elder, wait a moment. Mister Dragan."
"Yeah, Boss?"
"Can you still taste the drink?"
"Whaaaat? Nah... Nah! It's like water, Boss!"
Tycon smiled to Kakui, "Mister Dragan will be fine with the current libations-- Thank you, Elder."
Dragan laughed, sucking in air with an odd laugh-groan, "Cheers! I'll drink to that, bro!"
Tycon poured Kakui another drink as the elder nodded in understanding.
"Elder Kakui... Do you know the whereabouts of Korr and Madam Yumiko?"
The elder smiled and looked past Tycon. Slowly and suspiciously, Tycon turned his body to face the threat.
The gorgeous woman had Korr's dark-red hair. Her hair was styled up, the minimal amount of makeup she used only added to her charm, and an incredibly subtle fragrance about her smelled of sweet, summer flowers. Her fiery orange robe accentuated what curves she had and she nervously held a fan she used to hide her face.
Tycon stood and placed a finger on the woman's wrist, moving the fan away, so he could gaze upon her face. Korr kept her scarred eye closed but she looked away, unwilling to look straight at him.
"H-how do I look, Leader?"
Tycon shut his mouth. He had been gawking, "You look... good."
Over the woman's shoulder, he saw the angry glare of Kagehisa Yumiko as she drew back her warbow. What. Why?
"Y-you look GREAT, Korr! Wow! Much cute. Such beautiful!" Tycon babbled until Yumiko lowered her bow.
Korr revealed a shy smile, "Oh, alright."
Tycon gave a sigh of relief, "Korr, would you like to go out with me tomorrow?"
...
In the morning, Tycon had Pale escort him and Korr to one of the sect's training grounds.
"I'm sorry for kidnapping you, Mister Pale."
"It's okay! I won't be kidnapped next time. I'm really strong now!"
The two seemed to make amends easily enough.
Tycon and Korr had much in common with physical training knowledge, so morning exercise was a must.
"Bucket."
"Yes, Sir?" Pale replied.
"Are you joking with me, you little turd?" Tycon crossed his arms.
"Sir?" Pale didn't answer, confused.
Pale had led them to the most ridiculous obstacle course Tycon had ever seen. There were spinning logs to jump from, bars to hang from, a swimming portion-- the obstacle variety was making Tycon's head ache.
"So this is the obstacle course part of the training ground. Let's move on," Tycon tried to drag Korr away.
He had used a reasonable amount of strength, but Korr hadn't budged in the slightest. He looked to her with wary eyes-- she was staring at the course with sparkles in her eye.
"D-did... you want to do the obstacle course?"
Korr nodded rapidly like a bird.
Tycon cursed inwardly. How in the seven hells was he going to not look like a fool in front of Seldin Korr?