I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on my door "Yes?". As soon as I answered Finn opened my door and walked in followed by Riveria. "Good morning Hanabi, did you sleep ok?" Riveria asked, I then noticed the amused grins on both their faces and looked at myself. At some point in the night I must've pulled my tail between my legs because I was currently curled up hugging it. As soon as I noticed my cheeks turned the same shade of red as my tail. I quickly stood up and said "Umm, good morning Riveria, Finn." I was too embarrassed to look them in the eye so I couldn't see their faces as they started chuckling. "Ahem, did you need me for something? can we start training now?" I asked attempting to calm down. "First lets get some breakfast, then we can talk about training." Finn said. I nodded and followed them out of my room.
We soon arrived at the cafeteria but it was almost empty, it seems I slept in a bit. We grabbed some food and sat down, as we started eating Finn asked "Are you sure you want to start training so soon? No one will be upset if you want to take some time to get used to living here.". I looked up from my food, looked Finn in the eye and said "I need to start now.". Finn and Riveria both sighed for some reason, but didn't say anything else. I still wasn't very hungry so there was still a lot of food on my plate when they finished. Finn stood up and said "Alright then, follow me and I'll show you to the armory. First you'll pick a weapon and then I'll teach you the basics.". I nodded and followed him. Riveria took a glance at my plate and frowned but didn't comment.
After leaving the cafeteria Riveria said she'd find me later to start my studies. Finn led me past the training field to a building separate from the many towers that Twilight Manor is comprised of. "This is the armory, take a look around and see if anything stands out to you. You may also try several if you'd like, take your time." he said. My eyes went wide as soon as I walked in, I've never seen so many weapons in one place. Not only that but there were so many different kinds, short swords, great swords, axes, spears, shields, and so much more. after a few minutes of looking around I found something familiar, a Katana. "Oh, an interesting choice. Have you used one before?" Finn asked. "No but back home I saw a lot of people using these, it reminds me of home a bit." I replied. "I assumed as much based on how you're dressed, but I guess you really are from the Far East huh." Finn seemed interested in my clothes and choice of weapon. I looked down at myself, I was wearing my usual clothes, a hakama with a black bottom and a red top. It's the same as mom wore "Yes, we had been traveling for a few months by the time you found us.". "If you don't mind me asking, why did you leave?" Finn asked. I shook my head to tell him I didn't mind "Papa couldn't find work, he called Orario the land of new beginnings and said we should come here.". Finn just hummed in acknowledgement.
After choosing my weapon, a regular looking katana with a steel blade and black hilt, we walked out to the training grounds. "Alright, since you don't have any experience or training, just come at me however feels best and we'll go from there". What followed was four hours of Finn hitting me with the blunt end of his spear every time I made a mistake, then explaining exactly what I did wrong. I never realized fighting was so complicated, footwork, balance, stance, grip, and so many other things went into it.
"Ready to call it a day Hanabi?" Finn asked standing over me as I struggled to catch my breath. Everything hurt, but I knew it wouldn't be easy. Finn hasn't even broken a sweat but I can't even stand up on my own, now I see how he was able to kill that monster, Finn's a monster himself. "One mo-" "Finn!" I was interrupted by Riveria as she ran out to the training ground. "What are you doing to her!? It's her first day of training and she's only a child!" Riveria yelled at Finn. I didn't really like being called a child, but there's nothing I can do about that. I mean she's right. "Relax mama, I needed to see how serious she is about getting stronger, and I was careful to avoid actually hurting her." Finn said with a wry smile. So it was a test? Well that's fine, I feel like I learned a lot. Though it'll be a long time until I can go even with someone like Finn. "Who are you calling mama!" Riveria huffed as she turned away from Finn and towards me "Let's get you cleaned up, then if you're feeling ok we can start your studies.". Riveria walked over and picked me up, I tried to struggle a bit but it was useless, seems Riveria is a monster too.
After a quick bath Riveria asked if I wanted to go to the cafeteria but I'm still not hungry so I just shook my head. She looked concerned but just told me to follow her, before long we were at her room. When she opened the door I was surprised at how many books were here, I mean full book cases lining every wall floor to ceiling. She pointed to a chair at a desk and told me to sit while she pulled a few books from the shelves. What followed was four hours of lecture, I actually found it rather interesting. Magic isn't some vague power that one pulls out of thin air, but a sort of art that one weaves together from "Mind", the fuel for spells. Magic is complicated and I only get a little of it but Riveria is a good teacher. She also taught me about other things, like math and history, As well as the current situation in Orario. Apparently there's some group of bad guys running around the city called "Evilus". They were doing bad things and making trouble for everyone, It was our Familia's job, along with Ganesha, Astrea and a few other Familias, to fight them. I've never really thought about fighting other people but if they have people as strong as Finn and Riveria I bet they're just as bad as monsters.
The next day I spent the morning training with Finn again, but in the afternoon Riveria had me stay at the training ground and said "Today we'll see how your magic works. Better to test it for the first time in a safe environment than in the dungeon.". I smiled and nodded, ever since I got Loki's blessing I've really wanted to try it but Riveria said it was dangerous and not to do it until she said it was ok. "Alright I taught you the very basics of magic yesterday, not nearly enough to call yourself a mage but it's a start, think you can do it?" she asked me. I nodded and started concentrating, magic works by channeling the mind inside me into an incantation. Once I felt I had it I said aloud "Rage, Surtr. Immolation Raiment.". As soon as the words left my mouth my whole body burst into flame. I panicked for a second but soon realized it wasn't burning me, It was warm but comfortable. As I looked down I realized it looked like I was wearing a shrine maiden outfit from back home, I noticed my sword was also covered in fire. That was... SO COOL! "Focus Hanabi, how long do you think you can hold it for?" Riveria asked me. I focused on the mind inside me and felt how it was slowly being burned up "Hmmm maybe ten minutes? Probably less if I start moving around." I replied. "I see, that's pretty good for a starting point. Start sparring with Finn again, from now on use it as often as you can when training to grow your magic stat." she said. I just nodded and went straight for Finn.
And just like that three months passed. I spent the mornings training with Finn, sometimes others and sometimes alone when he was busy. Then I spent the afternoons studying with Riveria and sometimes the other elves when she was busy. Finn told me I wasn't allowed into the dungeon until all my base stats were at least G rank, or over 200. I was on my way to Loki's office to get my status updated, hopefully I'll reach that goal today.
As I entered Loki's office she looked up and smiled "Heya lil fox, here for a status update?". I nodded and smiled a little, I can't help it ok I'm excited! I sat down on a stool and took off my top. I felt that same tingling and then Loki handed me a sheet of paper.
Hanabi Hino
7 Years Old
Level 1
Strength G200
Defense F301
Dexterity G235
Agility F317
Magic F337
Magic
Immolation Raiment- Enchantment magic that cloaks the user's body and weapon in flame
Chant "Rage, Surtr."
Skills
Spirit blood of Surtr- Immune to all fire, physical and magical. All fire magic greatly enhanced.
Partial Elemental Transformation- User's body becomes partially comprised of flame. Eyes, ears, hair, and tail. Hands and feet become claws of hyper condensed flame. Consumes mind to stay active.
Full Beastification- Can turn into a fox, size of fox depends on magic stat. Can be used concurrently with Partial Elemental Transformation.
My strength took the longest to get to G, I think that's because I'm still a child. Magic and Agility went up the most from sparring every day. Dexterity went up mostly from learning how to properly use the Katana, and Defense went up from Finn beating on me. The others said not to mess with Partial Elemental Transformation and Full Beastification because they've never seen skills like them before. Better to have a solid foundation first or something like that, I think It's a bit of a waste but I'll trust them. They haven't lied to me yet after all.
"Congrats Fox! Seems you're dungeon ready." Loki said. I just smiled and nodded. After putting my top back on I ran to find Finn to show him. I can't wait to start diving into the dungeon!