Tohgi's near lifeless body was submerged in the spring, he had stopped absorbin reiki and stabilized, but his injuries were grave. His body began healing slowly and after a few hours his body fully recovered and he regained his consciousness. Tohgi emerged out of the spring, shocked by his near death experience, he released a deep long gasp followed by strained coughs clearing the water that had gone into his airways and laboured breathing.
Tohgi: I recovered, shit that was scary!
His mind remained in a daze for a short while after he regained consciousness, he sat still on the side regulating his breathing, until his mind finally calmed. That was when he finally realized that he did not come out of the experience the same.
Tohgi: Hold on... I feel different. Did it work?
Tohgi noticed his reiki had changed ever so slightly. Although it remained the same, he felt more attuned to his surrounding as he could percieve nature's reiki more clearly, as though it was an extension of his. There was a sense of oneness with nature.
Tohgi: (what if... can I?) Okay let's try this slowly now.
Tohgi sat and meditated, still traumatized by his experience found it difficult to attempt absorbing reiki from nature. However, his determination was greater than his trauma, he pushed through his fear and began absorbing reiki from the environment. After a while absorbing, the adverse reactions he fear was not present.
Tohgi: no reaction... there's pain, but nothing else…
Tohgi became ecstatic from the result of his experiment.
Tohgi: absolutely no reaction...
He became gleeful, his reaction childlike.
Tohgi: it worked... IT WORKED! HA!!!! But still... I can't absorb too much off the bat, my body should get more used to this the more I practise.
Tohgi stopped absorbing nature's reiki and observed his body in detail, checking his breathing and physical state. He noticed that a leaf was growing off his palm.
Tohgi: (it's similar to what happened at the waterfall but less painful and a slower process, I guess that's the draw back for too much absorption... Okay) so this is my current limit.
Tohgi ran home from the forest, his cheerfulness was all too apparent to miss.
Tohgi: What's for dinner?
Wendy: you seem very happy, what happened?
Tohgi: nothing important.
Wendy: Rice and stew, it's almost ready, you can get everyone.
Tohgi: Papa dinner is ready.
Tohgi went to Willow's room and knocked on the door.
Willow: come in.
Tohgi: how was your music practise today?
Willow was shocked by Tohgi's chirpiness.
Willow: It was fine?... Is there a problem, you seem a bit too happy it's creepy.
Tohgi: Am I not always happy?
Willow: not this happy.
Tohgi: Anyway, it's time for dinner, keep working hard.
Willow: okay? (Did he get a girlfriend? He came back quite late as well)
Willow became suspicious of Tohgi
Willow: Tohgi... have you entered the territory of men?
Tohgi: territory of what? (Is that?) Oi, where do you get off asking questions like that, and how do you even know about that?
Willow: Avoiding the question I see, definitely gone into the forbidden territory.
Tohgi: can you stop making random assumptions about your brother.
Willow was smiling, joyous about the mood Tohgi was in.
Tohgi: What are you smiling about now?
Willow: nothing, I'm just happy you're happy again, even though it took committing atrocities to get there.
Tohgi: Oi Oi, I'm starting to think you actually believe that (did I look that unhappy?), anyway let's go.
The next day, Tohgi met with Somver to tell him about his ability to absorb reiki from nature. He was shocked by the discovery and asked to witness it himself. Tohgi took him to the spring and showed him how he could absorb nature's reiki.
Somver: Although very little, this is actually outstanding.
Tohgi: I don't actually need to be in the spring to absorb but I'm still weary of an adverse reaction. With time my body should get used to absorbing more reiki, although I imagine there'll always be a limit to how much I can absorb as the ID of my reiki would never be the same as nature's, but it's close enough now to allow a significant amount in, I imagine.
Somver: I see, if that is the case, then this technique would not work on other people.
Tohgi: that is correct, not unless they decide to go through what I went through.
Somver: What you went through?
Tohgi laughed nervously
Tohgi: I'm not really mentally prepared to talk about that
Somver: okay then, thank you for sharing this knowledge with me.
Tohgi: Actually, there is a favour I wish to ask of you, very unreasonable but please indulge me.
Somver: I imagined there would be a reason, so what is this request?
After conversing with Tohgi, he understood the request that was being made.
Somver: Oh I see, and you think that would work?
Tohgi: I don't see why not, if our ID is the obstacle, it should be easier. Right?
Somver: I wouldn't know, this is all new to me
Tohgi: I don't know how much I would be earning when I become a knight, but I would try my best to compensate you.
Somver: you really sound confident.
Tohgi: needless to say, but things are going to be different (if beating a vice captain is what it takes then so be it, I have a gauge on how strong he is, and I wouldn't be limited to just two squads this time.)
Somver: that much is true, I would explain to that old drunk when you're gone, leave it to us.
Tohgi: Thank you very much (There's one more thing I need to do)
Tohgi went to the bandits base causing a ruckus among it's members.
Bandit: boss
Leader: what is it?
The bandit stood quiet not knowing how to break the news.
Leader: Well?
Bandits: Uhhm.. Tohgi is here
Leader: what?
The leader shocked and panicked to hear about the unexpected visit.
Bandit: Tohgi is here
Leader: I heard you! (I expected this, but not this soon, I guess it's my fault for fleeing like I did)... Invite him to the inner room and call Devon as well.
The three of them sat in the room, an awkward silence filled the air, each party expecting the other to start the conversation.
Tohgi: (he's the one I cut) your tea is very nice.
Leader: (He feels somewhat weaker now, and his reiki is almost non-existent, but I remember very clearly what I saw and felt) There's no need for small talk, let's get to business, I can imagine why you're here.
Tohgi: huh? You can?
Tohgi panicked, the tension in the room was high. If they already knew why he came and remained this hostile, he was bound to fail.
Leader: To take over my group. You would have to kill me, I owe them that much as their leader, but no matter what happens between us, please spare my son. I am not conceited enough to imagine myself the victor in a fight between us. I can only beg that you not kill him, I have drilled all the knowledge I have into him, he's grown up among us and holds my connection with other bandit groups, he is also very creative with his earth magic even though his reiki is small. I am sure there are many ways he can prove useful to you despite losing an arm.
The bandit leader was about to bow but his son stopped him.
Devon: I can go along with anything, but I wouldn't let my dad bow for a mistake I made, if you're not satisfied I am willing to take my own life
Leader: Devon!!
Tohgi: please stop, you both have the wrong idea.
Tohgi got off his seat, went on his knees and bowed his head to the ground.
Tohgi: I am really sorry... I acted in rage and took off your arm. I know your use to this village, claiming it as your territory protects it from other bandits and your treatment of the inhalants have been a bit, fair. I was fully aware of all that and still decided to use you as punching bags for my anger... for that, I truly am sorry.
The bandit leader was thrown into a state of utter confusion.
Leader: (is this kid mentally afflicted? How can someone who clearly has the upper hand prostrate so earnestly to people weaker than him? People who offended him?)
Tohgi: If my apology is not enough, I came here fully prepared to lose my right arm, to even our losses.
Shocked by his statement Devon quickly rose from his seat and interjected.
Devon: There would be no need for that.
Tohgi: Really??
Tohgi released a deep sigh of relief.
Tohgi: I was actually scared I would have to lose an arm.
The leader snicked a little from the reaction Tohgi had to Devon.
Leader: (I guess he's still a kid) I can't imagine the only reason you came here was to apologise.
Tohgi: well I need a job.
Leader: Really? That's perfect, I initially wanted to recruit you, join us.
Tohgi: I have to refuse, sorry.
Leader: you've lost me.
Tohgi: Although I agree you're a necessity due to the lack support from the knights, I still can not agree with how you operate.
Leader: I see, sadly I am a necessary evil, I can't force the bandits to operate the way I want them too, I can only manipulate them into accepting my ideas.
Tohgi: I am guessing one those ideas is not taxing people under 18 years.
Leader: exactly, but I can't stop them from being bandits.
Devon: When I reached for your sister, I wanted to avoid her getting harmed in the process of… persuading you.
Tohgi: I feel even worse, I completely misread the situation, I truly am sorry.
Devon: no need, I should have been able to gauge your strength more accurately.
Leader: So what job are you looking for?
Tohgi: free lance labour until December, I am going back to the capital city
Leader: If it is to become a knight you should give up, accepting southerners isn't something they do anywhere north of here, unless you are going to become a servant.
Tohgi: Oh I have a plan. When the time comes I would find a way to get Devon a mechanical arm, it's might not be the same, but it should make a difference.
Leader: those things are quite expensive forget about it.
Tohgi: I promise you this, Devon, I would put as much resources as I can into it.
Leader: Alright then, that's settled (the outcome was a thousand times better than I expected, whatever higher power there is, thank you) If you ever need anything, our door is always open.
Months went by and Tohgi spent most of his time training and mastering the use of reiki while working part time shifts to earn money. The time had come for Tohgi to retake the examination, he returned home from training to prepare for his departure.
Tohgi: I'm home.
Willow: did you grow taller? And you feel scarier...
Tohgi: scary? (Oh I forgot to turn down my reiki) Better?
Willow hugged him in response
Tohgi: okay?
Willow: just enjoy my hug, you'd be leaving soon (your hug feels the same, it's different from that time)
Willow was happy to feel the gentle warmth of her older brother again.
Denver: oh Tohgi, when are you leaving?
Tohgi: tomorrow morning.
Denver: here you go!
Denver handed Tohgi the coin pouch containing eight gold coins.
Tohgi: huh?
Denver: I told you I was going to keep it, now you can have it back.
Tohgi: by keep, I meant use it for better things than wasting it on a stubborn child.
Denver: It's not a waste, it's an investment, it didn't pay off last time, hopefully it will this time. I expect to be getting 10 gold coins every month when you become a knight.
Tohgi laughed, his eyes tearing up from the appreciation and joy he had for the ridiculous love and faith his father showed.
Tohgi: that depends on my pay but I'll try.
Tohgi set off the next morning to the capital city, ready to start his journey again.
END!