45 Days have passed since your first day in training with Ryouta. It's become much easier, and your attacks have improved tremendously, your mana not becoming as much of an issue anymore. Ashanti still tries to kill you, and you're still debating on whether to just kill her or try and get her to join you. The latter would cause the happenings regarding DEATH to happen more often, but it's fine with you....you guess.
You lean against the tree, sweating, your built torso destroyed to sunburn and cuts. You have a few scars now. Your muscle only exposes the scars further, but you like them how they are either way, adds a bit of flair.
"I think you just might be ready kid. I just need to teach you one final thing about your power." says Ryouta.
You nod slowly.
"You have been caged to only using a singular element in your sword, that being fire. I want to blossom your potential today, and teach you how to use all other basic elements. This being Water, Earth, and Wind." says Ryouta.
He continues, "First, let's start with water."
You nod once again.
"Close your eyes and imagine a cascading waterfall. Imagine how cold the water is, the patterns of its' flow. The sound of its' rush."
You do so, and slowly feel a cold sensation creep up in your chest.
"Continue to think of it, before it blooms throughout your body."
As soon as Ryouta says body, the cold sensation quickly Spreads through your arms, your legs, your torso, before finally resting at your head.
"I think it worked." you say.
The air goes silent for a moment, before you look up.
Ryouta looks at you with a stone cold face.
"What's the matter?"
"Mikado, you're not just any sword mage. You're a hybrid elemental sword mage." He says, pointing at your chest, which radiates a red-orange and blue..
"What does that mean, exactly?" your respond.
"It means you're extremely proficient in 2 or more elements. Just about all Sword Mages....ok I have to be honest, ALL sword mages are only proficient in one element, and only use other elements when possible, for certain situations. Mikado, you're the first Sword Mage to be a Hybrid Elemental since...I believe it's Sword God Benimaru, the holy savior of Rokado, a legendary figure that single-handedly killed Dalmaroth, the eater of worlds. This must mean there's a new catastrophe coming, and you'll be the one to have to stop it." says Ryouta, in a low, shaken voice, clearly disturbed.
"I see." you say, a slight fear creeping through your voice.
"Mikado, take my words seriously. You must never show anyone that mark, unless it's someone you trust 100% to not tell others. If released, this could seriously endanger your life. We must keep it secret for the time being." he says again.
"Got it."
Ryouta motions for you to put on your shirt and white cloak before he walks off. You look at your clothes for a moment. This White Cloak is one that you bought for yourself roughly a week after meeting Ashanti after the fight. You find it to be quite nice, even if dirt and grime shows up on it rather easily.
Everything else you wear is rather normal. Shirt, dress pants, and a hidden sheath for your sword on your hip, concealed by the cape well, allowing for secretive kill if and when needed.
You go ahead and head back to Cestia City. You might not ever get tired of this place really, the food, music, alcohol, and people is something you may never get tired of. Wait, weren't you supposedly sober?
You sigh, knowing you're too tired to go much of anywhere and walk slowly down the bustling road to the nearby inn. The people go silent when you walk inside. Many heard of your exploit facing Ashanti and her crew face to face, killing everyone but Ashanti.
The bartender speaks up first. "Afternoon, Mikado. What'll you have?"
You think for a half second. "Scotch over ice, a room and bath, and the best food you have." you say with a grin.
The bartender gives you a smile and nods. You continue to think of a way to stop these inn goers from looking at you weird.
"You know what, I have the coin, Drinks on the house for everyone in the inn." you say, chuckling.
One cheer turns into the whole inn cheering for a moment.
"Ah, so that's what did it. Well, there's my reason for not entirely liking this place..." you think.
It may sound risky to pay for an inn full of people, but you have the coin saved up for your work you did for the inn for a short period, and you'll be going into bodyguard work here soon anyway.
Or maybe become an adventurer? You still don't know yet.
"Here your scotch and food. The room key is there next to your plate, and someone will be up to ready the bath for you soon."
"My thanks." you say.
You look to your right at the entrance. Your senses tingle that there's something coming. You watch as Asha- "Oh for gods sakes, kill me now." you mumble.
The inn once again, falls silent as they see her walk in.
"Are you here to try and stab me once again and fail while I'm eating this time? Pretty childish if you ask me." you say, flatly.
"It's not that." she says, frowning.
"So, what is it then?" you say, sipping your scotch, looking away, waiting for the inevitable.
"I want to....join you." she says.
The words work their way through your brain as you process what you've just heard.
When you finally process those 5 words, you nearly spit out your scotch, but avoid doing so, before downing the rest of the glass in a glug, and slam the glass down on the countertop loudly, giving an apologetic look to the bartender who responds with a soft smile.
"Ha.....you must be joking. For why would I allow someone that caused me to destroy my door....what is it now? 8 times? to join me?"
She corrects you "10 actually."
You give her a fiery glare before saying "Why would or why should I even think about letting you on my side? And you aren't going to charm me either."
Just 12 minutes later: She charmed me. God save my soul, or just kill me now, either works.