Unfortunately, his grandmother's fantasies died with her memory. Although she was still alive, senile dementia had reduced her to a drooling vegetable, locking her in a chair and preventing her from recognizing her own nephew.
A shiver ran through Enatsu's back. On the one hand, the stability of his family and a regular job. On the other, the uncertainty of a tamer career, following the memories of his grandfather Yanatsu.
He took a deep breath, clenching his fists. He looked at Yoichi and thought back to the unfortunate events that that boy, perhaps younger than him, had experienced. That Bronzeforest farmer had woken up on a farm without remembering anything about himself and his past. All he had was the consciousness of being able to live, starting to discover things one step at a time.
Refusing the offer to pursue his dreams would have been an insult to himself, his late grandfather and his friend. While Sora's little winged body gradually shared his courage, Enatu wholeheartedly stated, "I will become the wizard of the Nightblades, Sada-sensei."
After that statement, Yoichi managed with great effort to hold back his enthusiasm. The young tamer merely whispered a 'yes!' of encouragement.
A smile appeared beneath Takamori's moustache, who nodded satisfied. Although he looked insensitive, the guild master understood that Enatsu's response resulted from thoughtful and profound reflection.
"As I did with Yoichi, I need you to show me what you're capable of," the Sensei spoke. "As you may already know, Waromus and all other demons, when they evolve, can develop new talents. They can learn new skills. Your Waromu allows you to see with its own eyes. Tentochu scholars have described its skill as 'translation'," the guild leader affirmed with conviction, exploiting his knowledge.
"That's right," Enatsu confirmed.
"At level 15, the Waromu evolves into Warashi. If until then, it has improved enough the translation ability with its tamer, it learns a second skill. Do you remember its name?" Takamori inquired. Under the interested gaze of Yochi and Rinji, the guild leader was questioning Enatsu as if he were among school desks.
"Clairvoyance, if I'm not mistaken," Enatsu promptly replied. His gaze expressed an unusual determination.
"Excellent. Using clairvoyance, the tamer not only takes advantage of his demon pet's eyes but can go further. The Warashis' ability allows them to predict the future for a split second," Takamori added, continuing the explanation.
"What?" Rinji mumbled. The Nightblades giant, who was not an expert on demonology, shared his amazement with Yoichi.
"I know what you're hinting at, Sada-sensei. Such a skill could be handy during all the war phases and beyond... by managing to predict little bits of the immediate future, our guild could benefit on several fronts," Enatsu acknowledged, using his insight. "But still I miss a detail."
"What, exactly?"
"Why me? I mean... Waromus are not rare demons nor particularly difficult to tame. Why do you think Sora and I are so special?" the merchant insisted. In his determined gaze, the fear of expressing all his perplexities seemed to have disappeared.
"I don't think so, indeed. That's why we're here, Enatsu. If I were already sure of your abilities, I wouldn't ask you to show them to me, right?" Takamori chuckled. "I would never dare to tell you what you can and can't do, but I can decide whether you're worthy of staying in my guild or not."
After Sensei's harsh words, Yoichi felt drawn. Stating that he still had to 'choose' the fate of his friend, Takamori had hinted that he was not sure he could accept an inexperienced aspiring mage like Enatsu among his warriors.
"Sada-sensei" Yoichi interrupted. When he had won the attention of his interlocutor, he stepped forward. "Remember, we made a deal. If he leaves the Nightblades, I'm going with him and..."
"It doesn't matter, Yoichi. You said you could enter any guild you please just by showing the Imperial Family symbol, right? I guess you'll have no problem to leave," the guild master interrupted.
Yoichi was speechless. He did not imagine that the reaction of the man who had formally invited him to enter the guild could be so severe and intransigent. Takamori Sada knew that the Nightblades guild was one of the least numerous and important among Goldhaven's guilds, but he considered it a hidden gem of inestimable value.
On this principle, he was surrounded by incredible warriors of the caliber of Rinji, the titan. All his guild members seemed to have a unique nature, and each of them was special in his own way.
At that moment, Yoichi could simply turn around and leave, but he decided to follow his instincts, merely uttering an unexpected phrase: "I beg your pardon, Sada-sensei. I'm sure Enatsu will stand the test."
With a slightly annoyed expression, Takamori pulled a white cloth from the pocket of his leather jacket. The short moustached man handed it to Yoichi, "clean the blood on your face, for God's sake" he sighed.
Yoichi grabbed the cloth and obeyed orders with remission.
"Let's go back to us, Enatsu. The challenge I'm proposing to you today is pretty simple, and, as I was explaining to you before, it won't require any kind of combat," Takamori spoke.
"I'm ready, Sensei."
"So... this morning, like most mornings, Shioko left the tower and ran errands out in the city. To pass the test, you will have to tell me where she is using the skill of your demon pet", the guild master explained. His hands crossed behind his back.
"Um... maybe I didn't get it right, Sensei. Do I have to look for Shioko all over Goldhaven?" Enatsu panicked. The merchant began to sweat cold again.
"That's what I said, yes. I ordered her to buy a specific item. I can't tell you anything else. If you are brilliant as your partner claims, you will have no problem completing the test in less than ten minutes. Starting now," Takamori commanded. His eyes smiled mockingly along with his mouth.
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