The original rabbit moved with startling agility, darting and weaving as it evaded the mercenaries' strikes. But Yoshirata could feel the strange power in him stirring again, a pull that guided his focus. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, reaching out with his senses, and he felt the rabbit's instinct to escape, its fear. For just a second, he managed to stall its movement, freezing it in place.
That brief hesitation was all the scarred mercenary needed. He lunged forward, his sword cutting through the air with precision. The blade struck true, and the rabbit let out a blood-curdling shriek before it collapsed. Instantly, the copies surrounding them dissolved into wisps of smoke, disappearing into the air.
The forest fell into silence. Yoshirata swayed, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him as the adrenaline faded, leaving him aware of the throbbing pain in his arm. Blood stained his sleeve, but a strange sense of pride and relief filled him, softening the pain.
The mercenaries regrouped, a few nursing minor injuries, while two of their comrades lay motionless on the ground, casualties of the fierce battle. The scarred mercenary approached Yoshirata, clapping him on the shoulder. "Not bad, kid. You've got guts."
Yoshirata managed a faint smile, his mind racing with what had just happened. He looked over at Eiko, who stared at him with awe and curiosity.
"You… you stopped that rabbit somehow," she said, her voice filled with wonder. "That wasn't just luck, was it?"
"I… I'm not sure, but it might be connected to my family's powers," Yoshirata admitted, feeling a thrill of realization as he recalled his grandfather's stories. "I think… it's the beast-tamer ability. It was like I could feel its thoughts, control it somehow."
Eiko's face lit up with understanding. "My dad told me stories about beast tamers. They say the power has been lost for centuries. You're really lucky to have it."
Yoshirata nodded, a newfound determination filling him. "I promised my dad I'd become the strongest in the world… and that's exactly what I'm going to do."
Eiko blushed slightly, her gaze lingering on him for a moment too long. Yoshirata noticed her expression and tilted his head in confusion. "Are you okay? You're staring at me, and… your face is getting kind of red. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Shut up!" Eiko stammered, quickly turning away as she covered her face with her hands and darted ahead, her footsteps quickening.
Yoshirata turned to Taro, still puzzled. "Did I say something wrong? I think she's upset with me. If I did, could you help me apologize to her? It looks like she doesn't want to talk to me."
Taro sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile. "Yoshirata, you're really something else. Sometimes I feel bad for Eiko; she's got a long road ahead of her with you."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Yoshirata looked genuinely confused, furrowing his brows as he trailed behind Taro, determined to get an answer. "Hey, don't just walk away ,tell me what you mean!"
Taro chuckled to himself, ignoring Yoshirata's pleading look. As they rejoined the others, the mercenaries were checking on their fallen comrades, their faces somber. The battle had come at a cost, and the mood among the group had shifted. While some mercenaries wrapped wounds and muttered to each other in low voices, others knelt beside their fallen, a quiet respect passing through the group as they acknowledged the sacrifices made.
The scarred mercenary, their leader, took a deep breath and addressed the caravan. "We've lost good men today. But they did their duty, and we'll honor them by making it through this journey alive. Stay alert. Those demonic creatures are the least of what lurks in these woods." His gaze landed on Yoshirata and the students. "You three stick close. Today was a lucky day for you. Keep your eyes sharp and listen to your instincts."
Yoshirata swallowed, nodding solemnly as he glanced at the others. Taro's usual cheerfulness had faded, and even Eiko, though usually composed, looked shaken. She brushed a strand of hair from her face, casting a quick, unreadable glance toward Yoshirata before turning her attention back to the forest.
"Alright, let's continue our journey to get these kids to the academy," said the scarred mercenary, his voice rough but steady. He scanned the faces of the group, giving a nod to the other mercenaries as they began to reform the line around the caravan.
The group began moving again, the horses' hooves crunching against the forest floor as the carts rolled forward. The air felt heavier now, filled with the lingering tension from the recent fight. Yoshirata could still feel the sting of his injury, but he pushed it aside, determined to stay alert. The memory of his strange connection with the rabbit lingered in his mind, and he wondered what other hidden strengths might come to light in moments of crisis.
Taro, trying to lift the mood, gave Yoshirata a playful nudge. "Hey, hero, you sure made an impression back there. But next time, try not to hog all the excitement for yourself, alright?"
Yoshirata chuckled, wincing slightly at the pain in his arm. "I'll try to keep that in mind. But it wasn't just me. Without Eiko pointing out the original rabbit, we'd still be out there chasing shadows."
Eiko raised an eyebrow, her cheeks slightly pink. "It was a team effort," she said simply, though her voice softened as she glanced at Yoshirata. "Besides, I don't think any of us expected you to have… abilities like that."
"Even I didn't believe I would unlock the power of beast taming, a power that has remained dormant in my family for generations," Yoshirata murmured, his gaze fixed out the window of the carriage, his voice carrying a distant tone.
Eiko and Taro exchanged a look, a heaviness settling between them. They could sense that this discovery stirred up memories Yoshirata might rather leave buried, shadows of a past he didn't want to revisit.
"Sorry—" Eiko began, her voice soft with concern. But before she could finish, Yoshirata turned to face them, a wide grin lighting up his face. He spoke with a sudden burst of energy, his tone warm and bright. "With this power, I'm going to be the strongest in this world! And best of all, I've got my two friends right beside me."
Taro and Eiko couldn't help but smile, a spark of lightness breaking through. "Who told you we were friends?" they teased in unison, playful grins on their faces.
For a moment, the carriage filled with their laughter, echoing into the thick forest outside, carrying their voices far into the shadows. The three of them felt a bond deeper than words, and for just a while, the dangers lurking around them seemed far away.