Tigris's mother was curious about his Warriorship as soon as he reached home. He opened his locket to reveal the power source he had obtained earlier. His mother didn't know much about crystals, but was happy for her son anyways. 'I am going to Ferrarius Ferdinand with Fini later. I need some camping gear too.' 'You two make a good pair', replied his mother. 'There is no such thing!' Tigris declared. His mother simply giggled.
Teresa Tanssen walked over to the storeroom in the backyard. She opened the gate and found Tigris's father's old camping kit. 'Back when your pa was still with us, he bought this to use on missions.', she said as she gently wiped the dust off it. 'Thanks ma. I'm hungry.' That was the trigger for his mother to immediately rush to the kitchen and serve lunch.
Fini came over to Tigris's house after lunch. 'Let's go to Mister Ferdinand!' Fini announced outside the door. She seemed excited for a change. Her voice made Tigris's mother come to the door and greet Fini. 'Fini dear, Tigris is just getting his swords. How has your father been?' She began. 'He's been great. I'll just wait here.' Fini replied. 'Fini, your mission with Tigris begins tomorrow. Promise to me, you'll protect him.' Fini just found it strange that Tigris's mother thought he needed protection. 'I'll protect him forever.' Fini reassuringly told Tigris's mother. Tigris came out just then and, together, they rushed over to the smithy.
Ferrarius Ferdinand was a blacksmith. His smithy was close to Tigris's house. His family was famous for his ancestors, who had forged the Royal Blade used by the King.
'Good afternoon, Mister Ferdinand!' The blacksmith asked them how he could help them. Both Tigris and Fini showed the token they had received from the King. 'These seem real. Very well. What can this man forge for you today, lady?' Fini blushed at the fact that he called her a lady. 'I need a strong bow.' She showed him her old bow. 'I also have a crystal here. Could you attach it to the bow?' 'Hmm… that's a good-looking crystal. I believe this is the Flamingo's Stride? I'll craft you something to match that.'
'And what about you, boy?' Tigris was quick to reply with his weapon of choice. 'Two swords.' 'What kind of swords?' 'They shouldn't be too short, or too long.' He showed him his old pair of weaponry as a reference. 'You have come to the right person for swords. Do you have a crystal?' Tigris opened his locket to show the Eye of the Tiger. 'That, is incredible.' The blacksmith was in awe. 'But I don't want to attach it to the swords.' Fini was curious about this decision, and asked for the reason he made it. 'I want to keep it in this locket. Close to me.'
The blacksmith and Fini understood his choice. 'Alright then, I think these two will be ready by tonight.' 'Thank you, Mister Ferdinand,' they said together and turned around to walk home.
Though they both ridiculed each other at every chance they got, they also deeply cared about each other. On the way back home, they stopped by Fini's father's restaurant to grab a bite.
'Pa!' Fini screamed as she entered the shop with Tigris by her side. 'Oh Fini, and Tigris too, what a surprise. What do you two want to eat?' Mr. Allise was quite fond of Tigris. 'I'll have a…' 'Betyr Bun' they said simultaneously. Mr. Allise giggled a bit and said 'You two sure are close for people who pretend to hate each other.' Fini was infuriated at this conclusion, but also blushed a bit. 'Here you go, your Betyr Buns.'
Fini walked out to the washroom, and Fini's father began a conversation with Tigris. 'You and my daughter begin your mission tomorrow, right?' He asked. 'Yes, we do.' Tigris replied, a bit confused. 'Promise me, you will protect her.' The father asked with a straight face. 'I will protect her.' Was the only think Tigris could speak in the moment.
Fini and Tigris practiced a bit at their own houses before parting ways with their old wooden weapons. It was finally night, and Fini was in the front of Tigris's house, waiting for him. He emerged from the door with a loud thud followed by Teresa Tanssen's scolding. Tigris didn't think much of it and regrouped with Fini. They swiftly reached the smithy.
'You two showed up just on time, I was just about to close the shop.' 'We are always on time!' Tigris said in a way which Fini didn't find funny. 'Anyways, can we have our weapons?' Fini got to the point. 'Yes, they are ready.' Ferrarius Ferdinand went to the back and brought with him two brand new looking cases. They had Fini's and Tigris's name on them, so distributed them accordingly.
Fini unlocked her case to be greeted by a stunning piece of handcraft. The pink tinted arch of the bow was as beautiful as it gets. The Bow's groove had a pattern resembling a Flamingo. The string was much sturdier that her previous Bow. She instantly fell in love with the weapon. 'I have one more thing for you.' Mister Ferdinand hovered his hand below the table and pulled out an equally well-crafted Quiver.
Tigris opened his case and found two shining swords. The looked too sharp to not be fatal. Tigris's eyes widened upon seeing the handle of the sword. There was a detailed sculpture of a Tiger. 'I have a little practice range in the back for the two of you.' That's just what they wanted to hear.
Tigris and Fini entered the back and looked around. It was a rusty old metal edifice, with disorganised papers and metals lying all around. Fire sizzled all around them and the warm lights comforted Tigris and Fini in a way. They went through and entered the practice range, and to their surprise it was far bigger than they had imagined. It was built of concrete that had been chipped in several places, most probably due to swords. A lone sword remained right at the center of the range, yearning to be removed from its embedded position.
'That dummy right there. Go ahead test your sword on that.' Mister Ferdinand said while looking at Tigris and pointing at a humanoid dummy. He suggested Fini use the archery range.
The moment Tigris touched the handles of his swords, he knew they were meant for him. 'These are incredible.' Tigris said in utter awe. 'Thank you. Why don't you try out a few swings?' Mister Ferdinand said as he adjusted the dummy. Tigris seemed ready to strike. Fini slowly walked far enough from Tigris to be safe. From 10 meters away, Tigris ran towards the target, with two swords, one in each hand. He brushed past the dummy before swinging the sword in his right hand in one smooth movement. The dummy was cut in half at once. 'These…are quite powerful.' Mister Ferdinand took that as a compliment and looked over to Fini.
Fini was preparing her bow for a shot. 'Here you go' Mister Ferdinand said as he tossed an arrow towards Fini. 'You make these too?' Mister Ferdinand told Fini that the arrows were made at a workhouse, and were really cheap. She placed the arrow in the bow and stood. Tigris was always impressed by how focused Fini looked when she was about to take a shot. She stretched the bow's string to its limit and quickly let go. The arrow travelled though air at a speed which one could have miss with the blink of an eye. The arrow pierced though the dummy and remained hanging inside it in an awkward position.
Fini was starstruck by the power of the arrow. 'I need some of those by tomorrow morning' Fini demanded. Mister Ferdinand told Fini that he could order some and they would arrive by then. Fini was all for it. 'They even make different types of arrows. There are ones with dynamite and poison too.' Fini, with gleaming eyes, placed and order for 15 regular arrows, 5 poison arrows, and 5 dynamite arrows. 'Really? Are you planning to be that useful on this mission?', Tigris said, mockingly. Fini glared at him, and thumped out of the arena. 'Thank you, Mister Ferdinand.', Tigris said as he went behind Fini.
They packed up their weapons and headed home. 'Tomorrow's the big day. We finally begin our first mission as Warriors.' Tigris said, rather honestly. 'It sure is' replied Fini on the way back. 'I will protect you every step of the way' Tigris said jokingly. 'I don't need your protection!'. Just as Fini said that, she tripped and almost fell into a well, but Tigris caught her in time. 'Sure, Sure'.
On the way, they saw Clyde practicing his skills on a dummy at the Vetusan Dojo. 'Hey Clyde!' Clyde noticed Tigris's scream and invited them in. The dojo looked rustic. There was minimal lighting, which made practice difficult. 'Where are you two coming from?' Fini explained how they got the new swords and bow from Ferrarius Ferdinand. Clyde showed them his weapon. It was a metal glove, with sharp daggers protruding from the back of the hand. 'These can land some serious punches.' Clyde also advised them on what to carry for the mission the next morning. He waved them goodbye as they left the dojo.
Clyde packed up his belongings and returned to the dorm he was staying in at the dojo. 'I am going to be their platoon leader from tomorrow onwards.' He thought to himself. It was definitely not an easy task. But Clyde had to prove himself to the dojo and to the empire, and to himself as well. That kept him motivated to keep going and be a senior to Tigris and Fini. 'They'll be difficult…but I'll have to manage.' Clyde spoke to himself as he closed his eyes to fall asleep. 'I am supposed to be a Warrior dux, after all.'