In the manor of the Reshin clan, located in Dragonspire Village, Kazuki had just finished lunch and was reading a book leisurely on the sofa. Suddenly, Renji and Draven barged into the manor; both were obviously excited by the rapid journey back from Solara Kingdom City. From some distance, Renji called out, "Father, I'm back!" Equally elated, Draven greeted him with "Lord Kazuki.".
Kazuki looked up; when he saw exuberant expressions on Renji and Draven, his heart swelled with hope. Immediately standing, he asked in a trembling voice, "How did the magus assessment go?" Years had passed since the Reshin clan began to decline, and they would have dearly needed a strong person to regain its old glory.
Barely able to contain his excitement, Draven announced, "Lord Kazuki, it's the Keito Institute! Renji has been accepted into the Keito Institute!" The look on Kazuki's face was that of shock. His mind went blank as he digested the news. "Keito…lord? Lord?" Draven tried repeating to get Kazuki's attention. Rushing toward them, Kazuki regained his composure, incredulous. "Keito, did you say the Keito Institute?
Renji handed his father the acceptance letter of Keito Institute. Kazuki was stunned as he took the red envelope to read the letter it contained with great care. Only the names "Keito Institute" and "Renji" conspicuously highlighted.
Emotions suddenly overflowing, Kazuki started to guffaw and cry with happiness, even his body shaking with elation. "There's hope for our Reshin clan again!" His loud laughter and crying tears of happiness was something that left Renji in shock. "Father…" Renji said softly, not wanting to disturb his father. Kazuki's reaction was so intense it moved Renji's heart.
The housekeeper, Haruto, came forward and was also flummoxed by Kazuki's emotional reaction. Kazuki caught his breath and turned to Renji with undefeated excitement in his eyes. "Good, good."
Kazuki then turned to Draven and Haruto. "Tonight, I'm having a big banquet. Prepare everything fast! I am so happy. With such a son, I could face the elders of the Reshin clan with my head held high, even if I were to die." Both Draven and Haruto nodded in agreement.
At that exact moment, little Umbramouse Echo popped out of Renji's clothes, looking quite annoyed. He had been awakened by Kazuki's thunderous guffaw and was very irate about being disturbed from his nap. Renji was both amused and apologetic for the interruption.
Kazuki's expression changed as he finally saw the Umbramouse. "Father," Renji said, "The Umbramouse and I are joined in a soulbinding pact." Kazuki was floored. He wouldn't have believed that this boy—this Renji child—in front of him had tamed a magical beast. "You, you tamed this Umbramouse?" Kazuki asked, his meaning being that it was hard to do something that required either great strength or large skill.
"Yes, father, I have tamed him," Renji said seriously. Kazuki was quite surprised at his son's prowess. Then Draven added in, "Lord Kazuki, I personally saw Renji tame the Umbramouse. It also is what Renji has been doing to catch wild animals recently." Kazuki was both amazed and amused at this new information: that it was in fact a magical beast for a 'cute pet'.
"Enough of that, Uncle Haruto, Draven. Set the guards and make preparations for tonight's festivities. I'm throwing quite the banquet!" Kazuki's laughter was light-hearted and free. Renji watched his father, realizing that he'd never seen him so happy.
That evening, there was gaiety and revelry in the manor of the Reshin clan. The whole manor laughed as they held a sumptuous feast that included the bodyguards and their families. There were five tables set in the main courtyard; the atmosphere was festive.
Little Kenji cheered with the feast, and a clan guard toasted Renji for his confirmation in the Keito Institute. It was highly exciting, for it was clear to all that Renji's life was now guaranteed to amount to something outside of Dragonspire Village.
"Big brother, everyone is toasting you. I want to toast too!" Little Kenji said as he held up his juice cup. Renji smiled and clinked his cup with Kenji's.
That night, inside the Reshin family ancestral hall, Kazuki and Renji sat alone. Dim candle lights softly illuminated the dimness of the hall as Kazuki thought about his clan's decline and the loss of their ancestral heirloom. "Renji, since that fifth Dragonfire Warrior was born, our tribe has weakened, and we lost our heirloom. That is shameful to us. We're supposed to be the proud Dragonblood Clan!
Renji stood quietly, feeling all that his father had said—the weight of the words, sharing in pride and shame. Then Kazuki turned to him; his face was grave. "From now on, I will not see you as a child but as our clan's cornerstone for the future. All our hopes rely on you now.".
"Yes, father," Renji replied with determination. So Kazuki disappeared into one of his hidden rooms and returned with a very thick book. "Take this and study it well. Memorize everything," he said.
Renji took the book and looked it over. The cover was blank, but the first page read: "Secret Dragonblood Training Tome."