Tohgi began training with the masters, they explained to him that the basics for all battle mages is reinforcement magic.
Somver: This is used to amplify the caster's physical attributes like speed, strength and the durability of themselves, it can be extended to weapons
Tohgi remembered the movement of the first bandit he encountered and how difficult it was to perceive.
Somver: To learn to wield the sword you must first learn to control your body, I would teach you what I know if you first master the very foundations of martial arts
Groggy: I guess that's my cue, learning reinforcement is about channelling you reiki into your body, think of it like the blood that flows through your veins. There is reiki flowing through your channels and you can control the flow. It is a skill that doesn't require any spells
Tohgi: I understand that much
Groggy: Good, control that flow out of the channel and into your body, as long as you can do that, it would naturally distribute through your body
Tohgi: Okay, I'll give it a try
Groggy: Before you do, punch me as hard as you can
Tohgi: Okay?
Groggy: Don't be shy
Tohgi: Here goes
Tohgi attempted punching Master Groggy as hard as he could. Master Groggy bursted out laughing at his attempt.
Groggy: It's been so long since someone so weak punched me
Tohgi frowned from the displeasure of being mocked for his weakness
Tohgi: I am 14 years old, let's not forget that
Groggy: Now try to reinforce yourself and punch me again
Tohgi: Alright, here goes, ready?
Groggy: Like I'd need to be.
Tohgi, annoyed by the continuous mockery from Master Groggy out all he had into the next punch. Master Groggy gave a nod of approval.
Groggy: Hmm, still weak, but it worked, there was a significant difference, so that's a success.
Tohgi: I see, how much better can I get.
Groggy: Hmm, specialists are able to reinforce up to five times their strength, that's the maximal limit you can normally reach. Right now you are barely above your normal strength, you have a long way to go.
Tohgi: Is there anything else to it I might need to learn?
Groggy: There are other ways to augment how you reinforce your body, in a single moment you can focus most of your reinforcement at one point allowing you to go beyond five times your normal strength. Certain parts of your body and your weapon are capable of handling that stress, but if you focus your reiki anywhere, you do it at a risk of making other parts of your body weaker.
Tohgi: How much stronger can an attack be?
Groggy: when your reinforcement is distributed, it is around fifty to sixty percent its maximum potential so your attack if done properly can be eight to nine times stronger if you master reinforcement magic.
Tohgi: I see, let's continue.
Tohgi and the martial arts master trained for days to accustom his body to reinforcement magic and to ensure his movements were relevant to increase his advantage in battle. Somver started his lessons later on and taught him how to use the blade effectively.
3 Years Later, October, 1263
The mock trial for the entrance examination in the southern district took place not too far from Padure village. Tohgi sparred with his trainers for the last time before the test, after which they went to a local pub for a celebratory meal leading to Tohgi's departure.
Tohgi: Thank you very much, our contract ended two years ago and yet you agreed to continue sparring with me for this long.
Somver: no need for gratitude, this is the most fun I have had in years.
Groggy: Likewise I never knew there could be anyone talented enough to learn both the sword and the way of the fist.
They had been drinking for sometime and Master Groggy was one to get easily influenced by the consumption of alcohol. He began speaking uninhibited, and his speech was beginning to slur.
Groggy: I initially thought your father was crazy and it would just be a waste of my time, but then he offered a sum I couldn't refuse so I decided to exploi… I mean accept his offer, you thought that too right?
Somver: The way of a true samurai is one that has been passed on for generations, I merely did what my forefathers did
Groggy: Oi, you didn't answer the question, no one asked for your generic words of wisdom
Somver sipped his drink and ignored the persistence of Groggy. Tohgi began laughing, when he understood the situation.
Tohgi: I would exploit my dad too if I were in your situation, for someone who made it clear that I was trying to achieve the impossible, he really did the most.
Tohgi smiled affectionately at the gesture his father had made towards his ridiculous quest.
Groggy: You know he once told us….. "I am 1000% sure he would fail and come back home" and I thought to myself this man must be mad, who spends 90 gold coins on something that had a 1000% chance of failure
He had given 35 gold coins to each trainer and spent 20 gold coins on the blade
Groggy: he must be mad...
Groggy slept off in-between his speech.
Tohgi: Such amazing faith in his son
Tohgi sarcastically responded.
Somver: Obviously like this ranting idiot, your father was drunk, because there is no such thing as 1000% but he said this after "if anyone can do it, it's going to be my son"
Tohgi: such amazing faith in his son huh?
Somver: it is almost blind
Tohgi: almost?
Somver: If I may borrow his words, if anyone can do it, you can
Tohgi: Thank you
Groggy woke up from his slumber and continued his rant
Groggy: so I said to him, you are mad aren't you?
Somver swiftly knocked out Groggy and shared a laugh with Tohgi
Tohgi: I have to prepare for my journey, thank you very much. Waiter, may I get the bill
Somver: this is your sending off, allow these old extortionists take care of the bill
Tohgi bowed at Master Somver in appreciation for the gesture and care they had shown him. Tohgi went home and prepared to leave for the mock centre. The next morning his family sent him off, he journeyed to the centre and found that there weren't many contenders. The examiner asked the contestants to measure their reiki by infusing a reiki ball with it. He announced that the mock test would be a single round battle royal, the last contender standing would earn the right to partake in the entrance examination. Other contenders laughed after witnessing Tohgi's reiki level.
Contender: What does an E rank actual hope to accomplish by coming here?
Examiner: start!
The other 4 contenders were dispatched in a matter of minutes. As Tohgi approached the examiner to collect his entrance slip, he asked the examiner why there are so few contenders.
Examiner: hoping for the impossible is a strenuous task not many are stupid enough to partake in.
Annoyed by the condescending tone of the examiner and the insult hurled at him for his efforts responded in kind.
Tohgi: Avoiding a task others think is impossible is a weakness that too many possess.
Examiner: weakness? Are you referring to me?
Tohgi: I simply highlighted a different quality of those you consider smart, I never directed the comment at you.
The examiner released the volume of his reiki he was suppressing.
Examiner: Do you still feel comfortable running your mouth?
Tohgi: I suppose this was meant to be an intimidation tact? Compared to his, your reiki is a breath of fresh air (how do they do that, hide their reiki)
The examiner laughed in disbelief and anger whilst handing the entrance slip to Tohgi.
Examiner: You should rejoice, at least you would get to see the glory you can never attain, see you soon
Tohgi collected the entrance slip and departed slightly irritated, but he didn't let that ruin his victory. He had legitimately gotten the chance to become a knight and start his journey. Upon reaching home, his family were shocked about the test ending so quickly and he explained what had happened. They celebrated his victory and his mother started preparing a feast. The village heard of the news and partied for the next few days. December came and it was time for Tohgi to depart to the capital city for the entrance examination, there was a big heartfelt goodbye as he would not be coming back for a month. Willow had not yet fully accepted the next step her brother was about to take and couldn't help the build up of tears in her eyes.
Willow: I know it's just a month, but if you pass we wouldn't see you as much any more, would we?
Tohgi: If i do pass the test, I would be making way for you to become a musician so you can come live with me and Dad can open up a better trading route and stop straining himself with construction. Mum can also share her knowledge and practise with other villages and cities.
Wendy: my practise isn't of any relevance, you should focus on yourself, and then your sister.
Tohgi: we don't have any doctors and everyone in this village has such good health, your practice isn't irrelevant.
Denver: Here I have been keeping this for you
Tohgi's dad handed him a small pouch of coins
Tohgi: How do you have 10 gold coins, did you really keep these for 3 years?
Denver: you were going to be journeying to the city, who knows how expensive life would be there for a whole month.
Tohgi: but the examination council provides for their participants, I wouldn't need this, you guys do.
Denver: Just keep it, think of it as an emergency source, when your done for the month, you can bring back whatever remains and I would happily accept it then.
Tohgi: Thank you very much
END!