"Are you planning on taking the adventurer's exam next month?" Franco asked Paolo as the ship behind them prepared to leave the harbor of Lutas Island.
Paolo adjusted the straps of his cargo bag. "Yeah, but the requirements need me to get four crew members, so I'm in a hurry to gather them."
"Did you have a game plan when you boarded?"
Paolo nodded, pulling a picture of a boy about seventeen. His black hair fell elegantly at his back, his eyes almond brown. In essence, he was a pure pretty boy. One would think was too beautiful to be a man.
"Tanaka Shinzo, one of the five anima masters in the world," Paolo said. "He is said to be extremely skilled in all the Artem's Clan four anima forms. I realized I wanted him right away when I saw him on the newspaper last month."
"Anima?"
"It's the special power of members of the Artem Clan that allows them channel their souls," Paolo explained. "There are four forms, but most people can't use all four, that's where anima masters come in."
"Would such an amazing person really join you?"
"Probably not, there are rumors he doesn't allow people recruit him." He smiled. "But I have a way with his kind, I'll be able to get him on my ship."
The captain laughed. "Then I guess I'll be on my way if you have everything figured out."
The captain tipped his hat, making his way back to his ship. Curtis who had been listening quietly tugged at Paolo's shirt.
"M-Mister Rigards. I was inspired by you yesterday," he said. "The way you are so confident in your dreams makes me want to do my best."
Paolo smiled. "Does that mean you'll live out your dream of getting your own ship?"
He blushed. "H-how did you-"
"I overheard you yesterday." Paolo ruffled his hair. "Work hard, Curtis. It always pays off."
Curtis nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you."
"Curtis!" shouted the captain from the ship.
"Goodbye Mr. Rigards," Curtis said as he ran back to the ship. Paolo watched the boy as he got on the ship, his back taller and more confident.
He then looked back at the picture in his hand,
.....
Paolo stood in front of a two story building with a blue cloth attached to front of the door that said 'Tanaka Dojo.' He climbed the two wooden stairs up and placed his slippers where shoes were neatly arranged at the side on a shelf, each varying in size.
People of all ages in black karate uniforms sparred at different areas of the dojo. Paolo easily identified Shinzo, his hair pulled up by a rose hair tie. He stood facing another member of the dojo, bowing to start their sparring match.
The boy bolted towards Shinzo, his eyes focused on his opponent's chest. He tensed his muscles to tackle Shinzo but in the blink of an eye, Shinzo was gone. The boy staggered, struggling to regain his balance and sense of direction. Before he had the chance to do so, Shinzo kicked him in the back, sending the boy skidding across the arena grounds.
A boy identical to Shinzo, but with his hair cropped and an older more mature stature stood in between the two fighters. "Winner Shinzo."
People cheered and went to congratulate him. The anima master smirked obviously enjoying the attention with a little pinch of arrogance that acknowledged him as better than everyone in the room.
Paolo stepped towards Shinzo and the boy that looked just like him. "You must be Shinzo, I'm Paolo and I want to make an offer to you."
Shinzo appraised him, his eyes relentless. "If you're here to recruit me for whatever, I refuse. I don't work under people who are clearly weaker than me."
Paolo smiled, having expected that reply. "Then why don't I prove it?"
Shinzo narrowed his eyes at the audacity of the statement, but had to ask to clarify his obvious bluff. "Prove what?"
"That I'm not weaker than you."
Shinzo's head elevated, this time obviously looking down on him. "You must be either brave or stupid." He punched his palm. "But since you're looking for a beating, I'll indulge you."
.....
"Are you sure you want to fight my brother?" Tanaka Shoto, Shinzo's older brother who had been talking to Shinzo earlier asked Paolo.
Paolo nodded, cracking the knuckles in his fingers. "I'm pretty strong myself."
Shoto sighed. "Alright, but be careful."
Paolo moved to the middle of room where Shinzo waited, his arms crossed in a very threatening manner. Paolo held in his laughter, true to most people he probably would be threatening, but since Paolo understood his kind, he found him as adorable as a puppy.
At the side of the room, the students of the dojo were excited to watch the fight, the incessant chatting filling the room.
"Who do you think will win?" one asked.
"Shinzo of course, he is the youngest anima master after all. He'll probably end it in one minute like he usually does."
"I won't hold back," Shinzo said.
"Right back at you."
"Okay, take your positions," Shoto announced, the two boys moving into sparring position. "Now start."
Like he did to his former partner, Shinzo tried getting Paolo from behind, but Paolo had other plans by grabbing his leg and flipping him to the ground. The audience gasped as Shinzo lay on the ground, pain biting through his back.
Shinzo stood on shaky feet, frowning at Paolo. "You're stronger than I expected."
"I know a little martial arts," Paolo said, a seemingly innocent smile on his face.
Shinzo scoffed,
Without any warning, Paolo's foot ended up in his face. Shinzo's eyes widened as his body got flung to the wall. He coughed on the ground, his neck stinging as he held on to it.
"Be wary of your surroundings," Paolo said.
The whole room paused, Shinzo rising to his feet. Everyone expected a tantrum, not a rare occurrence for the entitled king, a scowl or even him angrily punching the wall, but his reaction differed from his usual self.
His laugh filled the room, his brown eyes gleaming for the first time in years. "It's been so long since I've had a decent opponent." He removed a head tie on his arm, pulled his hair up into a pony tail. "This is fun, but this time I won't let you touch me since I'm getting serious."
Paolo grinned, crossing his arm. "That's what I like to hear."
Shinzo took a deep breath, closing his eyes,