Ash looked at Stacy, curious of what happened after.
"What happened after that?"
"Things went exactly as he said. I returned and got an early retirement, and it was a generous one at that."
Stacy then stood up, and slowly walked out of the room.
Ash already somewhat understood what she was going for so he just waited there.
Soon enough Stacy returned, now her hand richer with a battered old notebook.
"Since the story has ended, I suppose it's time I teach you these moves."
Then she simply handed the old notebook to Ash.
"Is what I'd like to say, but my mastery over these skills is barely enough to teach you. It'd be better if you just take it."
"Are you sure? Isn't this thing precious to you?"
Stacy's mouth moved into a small smile before answering.
"It sure is, but I feel like it's better if you have it."
"Also not to brag or anything, but I know what's written there by heart, it's not of much use to me anyways."
Ash's hold on the notebook strengthened before he looked Stacy in the eyes.
"Thank you."
"It's nothing really, just keeping up a promise."
Then Stacy pointed at the notebook.
"Well, aren't you gonna read it?"
Ash wanted to ask back if he really should, but felt it was redundant.
Opening the notebook he was welcomed by the many moves noted within.
-Cleave D Rank Art, Quick high burst energy slash.
-Tear C Rank Art, Volatile agressive, relentless, penetrates most defenses.
-Decimation B Rank Art, A quick succession of slashes.
-Monsoon A Rank Art, Evolution of Decimation, higher coverage, longer stronger strikes.
-Concentrated Slash S Rank Art, The art of compressing all the slashes into one singular one.
-Slash
Looking through the entries Ash was able to find the skills and their short description.
What he found strangest was the fact that the art listed last seemed to be just a normal slash with nothing else written.
"You'll find more precise descriptions on the latter pages."
"I figured that out."
Ash figured he had already seen enough and closed the notebook before looking at Stacy.
"Ma'am, I fee—"
"Stop, enough with the "Ma'am" it's hurting my ears. Since I've given you the book just call me Master alright?"
"Sure... then Master I feel like I should tell you this, but I'll be leaving in a few days to go to an academy."
Hearing this Stacy nodded.
"Umm, which academy are you going to exactly?"
"I'm gonna try going to Icarus."
"Ahh, so you are going to Icarus."
"So anyways this might be the last time I'm here depending on how things go."
"Thanks for atleast telling me. You can look forward to a surprise in return."
'A surprise?'
There wasn't much training done that day, as the two just continued to chat on a while longer before Ash eventually departed.
"Then Ash till we meet again."
"Till we meet again Master."
...
Standing by the room closest to his own, Ash was ready to knock when the door unexpectedly opened before he could do so.
"Oh, you are here. Come, we have some things to discuss."
Ash quickly entered the lawish room, before being seated at the only table in it.
"So the entrance exam will actually take place in four days, so you should depart tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"You didn't expect it?"
"...No, I did it's just a bit early regardless if I expected it or not."
"Anyways, taking that into account, I'll take the liberty of giving you a quick rundown of the process right now."
Ash expression changed as he became more focused so he wouldn't miss any of the details.
"So there is both a theory and physical department. You are obviously going to the physical."
"As such the most important thing is doing well on you physical exams, while atleast passing the theory part. Don't worry too much though from what I've heard the theory part for the physical examines isn't too difficult, you'll... probably pass."
Ash audibly gulped hearing the probably part, but continued listening.
"The physical exam will be split into two parts. The first one is a basic examination, think strength dummies, endurance tests and so on. After that you will go into the qualifiers which will then tie into a tournament similar to the one you just took part in here. You don't have to win the tournament, but placing well will guarantee your place in the Academy."
"Everything clear so far?"
Ash nodded signaling that he was still following.
"Okay next let's talk about living. The school will provide you with a dorm room, while I'll give you a card you can use for spending. It will have a cap on it so don't spend like crazy. Also if you ever need something you can just give me a call on the phone I gave you a few days ago."
'Right, he gave me one of those recently, since they actually work within the city.'
"I think that about covers it, it wasn't as much as I thought. I think you'll be able to remember this much."
'Do I really look that unreliable?'
"Any other questions kiddo?"
Ash didn't want to be downer, but still felt like he had to ask the question.
"And what if I don't pass?"
"Then, we go somewhere else. Or if you'd like you can just stay here and I'll give you something to do and since now I'm your parent I certainly won't abandon you, if that was your worry. Though I will expect you to work if you do decide to not study."
Hearing Caesar's words Ash's mind was put at ease, as he still wasn't sure how strong that family bond they recently built really was, but I guess it was stronger than he expected.
"Anyways for now it's best if you start packing, just so you don't have to do it tomorrow. It's always better to get these things done early."
"Right, you said I'd be departing tomorrow, but when exactly?"
"Oh right, I forgot about that. Yeah, your train will depart at 10 in the morning. I felt that was the best time for it since by then you would have probably woken up anyways and since the train ride is around 10 hours long it would also allow you to arrive at an okayish time."
Then Caesar quickly remembered something else and took a small ticket out from his coat.
"Here is the train ticket and here are the reservation details for the hotel you'll be staying at while the exams go, since you won't get the dorm room before being admitted."
Ash simply took the two items from Caesar's hand before speaking up.
"Thank you."
'I'm saying a lot of thank yous today, but I can't help it.'
"You're welcome, so yeah just pack up then sleep, don't drag it out."
...
Ash was now standing in a part of town he has never been to before and by his side stood none other than Caesar.
"Let's find your train, it's supposed to depart in a few minutes."
As they moved Ash's luggage followed them behind as Ash drew the small suitcase.
Moving through the station they looked at the numbers on the walls, searching for where Ash's train could be.
And there it was the train sitting in Terminal 34.
With the size of the station it made sense that it took them so long to find it.
"Train departing for Inner Primus Golden Town will depart in five minutes."
"That's your train."
Caesar looked at Ash unsure of the expression he should be making.
Should he feel sad or maybe proud. He didn't know, but he didn't have to as what he wanted to say came to him naturally.
"Did you pack everything?"
"Yes."
"You still have the ticket and reservation info?"
"...Yes."
"You still remember what you'll have to do once there?"
"Yes."
Caesar could see that Ash was starting to get tired of the endless questions so he simply gave Ash a warm smile, before lightly tapping his shoulder.
"Take care Kiddo."
"You too Ca—"
Then Ash paused for a moment, feeling like this was maybe the best opportunity he had to say it.
"Dad."
"Bye Kiddo."
Soon Ash moved to board the train, there looking out of the window he could still see Caesar waving at him.
'Maybe it was a bit forced, but I kind of wanted to say it, I feel like he deserved it.'
Ash lightly waved back at him before leaving the window.
"Please everyone go to your designated seats."
Hearing the announcement Ash followed what was written on his ticket and arrived at an lone cabin at the end of the train.
The cabin was empty for now, he was the only one in it.
Would this last? Probably not, since the train would pick up more passengers as it went on, but for now it was his and his only.
Looking out of the large window that the cabin had Ash was surprised to see Caesar waving at him from the terminal.
'Did he really go around for this?'
Ash couldn't hide his amusement, he was happy.
As such amidst their waveing the trains signiture whistle sounded signaling the beginning of it's journey.