Morning light had not yet touched the ground, Hakken woke up. After tidying his room and washing up, he grabbed his leather backpack and went headed for a place near the mountains. This area was not too far from the Clan's Mansion Dojo.
Just as Hakken was about to walk out of the Dojo, he was greeted by Gimmy, a member of the clan. Gimmy wore a straw hat, farming clothes, and held a watering can in his left hand.
"The sun isn't even up yet. Where are you going, boy?" asked Gimmy, puzzled.
"Mount Walse. There's a pure water there—I want to get some from it," Hakken answered, while fixing the folded back of his shoe.
His eyes and lips smiled. "You're lying, boy."
Gimmy knew. Mount Walse did have a valley with a very beautiful and pure water, but it was also deadly in some ways.
Hakken turned his face away with a forced smile. "My dad told me to go see Grandpa Phis."
"What do you want, boy? Grandpa Phis is old and weak now. There's no way he can teach you how to fight..."
"Well that's true. But an old man's have experience! I want Gramps Phis teach me not as a tutor, but as a mentor!"
His words moved Gimmy. "Fine, be careful boy... There are many wild animals around the mountain." He went back to watering his plants with the watering can.
"Aight!, keep this secret from my mother, okay!" Hakken ran off, waving his hand at Uncle Gimmy.
His pace turn fast. Soon, the Mansion Dojo grew smaller in the distance.
Twenty minutes later, Hakken's steps slowed. He rested for a moment under a tree and opened his leather backpack to take a drink of water.
From under the tree, he saw a very beautiful view of the Walse mountains. The silhouette of Mount Walse looked huge; Hakken was getting closer to his destination.
After resting enough, Hakken packed his things and put his backpack back on. His steps were relaxed, but his gaze was sharp.
After about 50 minutes of walking, the details of Mount Walse began to appear. Hakken quickened his pace. While running, he saw the path was cut off. He was on a cliff about fifteen meters high.
Hakken put a hand to his brow, looking at a silhouette of buildings at the base of the mountain.
Seeing his goal was near, Hakken jumped from the cliff and slid down the slope before finally touching flat ground. He started running toward the silhouette of the buildings.
...
Near a village made of wooden houses, there was a somewhat large hut nestled close to the base of Mount Walse. This was where Phis lived.
He was highly respected by the people there. Phis was a retired martial arts veteran from the war. His great dedication made him known as a Fighter with a Steel Mind.
...
The sound of footsteps on the fertile soil was heard. Phis, who was sitting quietly on a rocking chair, glanced toward Hakken, who was walking toward him.
Hakken bowed, holding his knees, his breath a bit ragged and tired... Phis closed his eyes again in peace.
"Gramps!!" Hakken shouted, his breath still heavy.
"Lower your voice, kid!" Phis answered firmly.
His body stiffened. "..I— I want to train!" His voice was still breathless.
"Calm yourself first..." Phis stood from his comfortable chair and went inside the hut.
Exhausted, Hakken finally sat on the ground before Phis invited him inside.
Phis prepared a cup of black tea, a specialty of Merell, picked fresh from the plantations of the nearby village.
Hakken saw the black tea placed in the middle of the table. "Ohh! Thank you!" Hakken reached for the cup of black tea.
"Who said this tea is for you !?" Phis snatched the cup and took a sip.
The smile on Hakken's face faded. He pulled his arm back, embarrassed.
After sipping the tea, Phis put down his cup and stood up to get black tea for Hakken.
"Is this for me?" Hakken didn't want that embarrassing incident to happen again.
"Yes." Phis handed the cup to Hakken.
Phis sat back down and sipped his still-warm tea. "Did Gran send you?"
"Yes! My father said you could train me." His face was tense. Hakken fidgeted with his fingers, a sign of nervousness.
"Give up. I don't need a student that isn't fully formed yet!" With a firm tone and the sharp bearing of a veteran, he began to scare Hakken.
"I am formed enough!" Hakken said hesitantly.
"If you are already formed then why you come here?!" Phis answered firmly. He stood up and walked away to put his cup back.
Hakken pondered.
"...I want to surpass him."
Phis's steps stopped. Silence fell...
"Who do you want to surpass?." Phis asked, holding his cup, his back to Hakken, who was sitting in thought.
"My father."
Phis put down his cup and glanced sharply at Hakken.
"You cannot surpass him. Give up."
"I WILL!! So... please—be my mentor gramps!" Hakken's face began to show strong determination. Phis saw it...
"That's what I want. You must have determination and purpose to train with me. If you came here just because your father told you to—then go back to elementary school, kid!"
Phis stepped forward, grabbing Hakken's shoulder with a sharp gaze. "Say it again! What is your goal!"
"To surpass him!" Hakken raised his head and stared back at Phis sharply.
"You're pass." Phis stepped back. "Follow me."
Hakken stood up and followed Phis out of the hut.
...
At the Mansion Dojo,
Sara just woken up from her sleep. With eyes that still bleary, she went to wash her face.
As she was about to enter the living room, Sara smelled the aroma of broth.
"Is Mother cooking soup again?" Her eyes were completely focused on the kitchen, her mouth slightly open and almost drooling.
Gran seeing Sara's strange expression, snapped her out of it with a call. "Hey, go wash your face and hands first before eating."
Sara snapped back to reality and swallowed the drool that was about to fall. She went to the bathroom, her mind still filled with the scent of her mother's soup.
A few minutes later, footsteps were heard from outside the terrace. Gran, who was reading a newspaper, heard the footsteps and turned toward the terrace. He saw the silhouette of two people and heard heavy voices—they were talking.
Curious and feeling it was familiar, Gran put down his newspaper without closing it, as he wanted to read it again later.
Gran stood up and reached for the glass door.
He saw two adults. The first was a mansion guard about to carry a suitcase.
The second was a grown man with black hair, dressed formally with a leather jacket.
"Perfect. I was just about to ring the bell," he said, adjusting his tie slightly.
Gran's pupils widened, his lips rose, his hands couldn't stay still. "Woa! Long time no see, Frankline!?"
They went inside to talk.
After the two sat in the living room, Shera immediately prepared hot tea for them.
"It's been so long since I came here... How's yours kid?" Frankline took the cup and sipped it heartily.
Gran also took his cup. "They are fine. Hakken is undergoing training near Mount Walse. Sara is taking a bath." He sipped his tea before putting it down again.
"So, what brings you here?"
Before answering, Frankline sipped his tea again. "I want to deliver a message from the Cardinals." Frankline handed over a letter still sealed with the Cardinals' stamp.
Gran opened the letter and read it.
Greetings, We invite you to attend a closed meeting in Hoevand...
He immediately closed the contents of the letter, ignoring the rest.
"It seems it has begun..." He folded his hands and brought his face closer to them.
"Yes, in three months... If we leave tomorrow, we might arrive just in time." Frankline placed the now-empty cup back on the table.
Gran sighed before continuing to speak. "Alright, at least I have enough time to say goodbye."
Frankline stood up and straightened his formal clothes. Gran also stood to escort Frankline out.
Sara, who had finished cleaning up, saw Frankline about to leave. She immediately ran over to them.
"Uncle Frank! What are you doing here?" she asked, a bit out of breath.
Frankline turned and smiled. "Just talking about work."
"Tomorrow, he will come back to pick me up for work," Gran added.
"Don't you want to stay here, Uncle?" Sara still hadn't given up.
Frankline raised his lips. "There are a few things I must take care of. Thank you for understanding."
Frankline then left, getting into the horse-drawn carriage.
He looked from the carriage window. Sara waved her hand. Gran smiled and gave a slight nod.
Frankline slowly turned his face away and gave a faint smile.