[Eliora] Reika and I grew up together in the castle. When I had no one else to play with, she was there with me. So headstrong and brave. She became my eyes, always being patient and catching me when I'd fall.
Sakyo listens attentively, but he can't stop himself from asking.
[Sakyo] If you were such good friends, what happened?
She doesn't answer right away, the memory too painful for her to face right away.
[Eliora] I saw a vision regarding her future... and we haven't spoken since.
[Sakyo] What was the vision?
[Eliora] It was almost thirteen years ago, the one time I regretted my ability with all my heart.
Sakyo doesn't say anything. He can't. He doesn't want to force the answer out of her, and he doesn't have to.
[Eliora] I foresaw how her pregnancy would end... A stillborn... I told her what I saw. My visions had never been wrong before. I couldn't understand why she couldn't accept the truth.
[Sakyo] But, how is that possible? I'm right here.
[Eliora] I don't know, and I still don't. No matter how many times I looked, I saw the same future. That day, she told me she never wanted to see me again...
Tears begin falling down her face, soaking her blindfold with salty streaks. Sakyo tries to comfort her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She flinches at first, but relaxes, letting him embrace her.
[Sakyo] I'm sorry.
[Eliora] I must've seemed cruel to her, even if I didn't mean it. I kept looking to a future where we had moved past it. Where we were friends again. It's no wonder she thought I didn't care. Even though it's what I saw, I was wrong. Only a few months later, you were born, healthy as could be.
[Sakyo] (Was that because of my reincarnation?)
[Eliora] I couldn't face her, not after being so wrong. I shouldn't have said anything. Maybe then I wouldn't have hurt her so much.
[Sakyo] You couldn't have known you'd be wrong. You did what you though was best, even if it hurt her.
[Eliora] I suppose you're right, but that doesn't erase my regrets.
For the next few minutes, they just stay still. Eliora let's Sakyo hold her in his arms, allowing herself to let out the emotions she'd kept inside for so long. When she finally pulls away, she takes her blindfold off.
[Eliora] I'm sorry you had to see me being so unsightly. I'll need to have this washed.
Sakyo lifts her head to meet his. Their eyes meet, his gray eyes looking deep into her magenta gaze.
[Sakyo] I know why you wear it, but it's such a shame you hide such beautiful eyes. I could spend all day getting lost in them.
Eliora can't even speak. The words keep getting caught in her mouth before she can make a sound. All she can do is turn away and try walking back to her seat, though not before tripping on that third step again.
[Eliora] T-thank you, but you should save those words for your wives. Please leave before I embarrass myself further.
[Sakyo] Ok, I'll leave. I hope you won't mind me coming back once in a while if I have any questions.
[Eliora] I won't, you're always welcome here.
As he leaves her room, he can't stop his intrusive thoughts from taking over for a bit.
[Sakyo] (A clumsy and awkward MILF type with an adorable pout.) (sigh) (She's perfect. I'd totally marry her.)
As he closes the door, Reika stands there waiting.
[Reika] How'd it go?
[Sakyo] It went well. I got as much as I could.
[Reika] Good.
She begins walking away quickly, the memories of their past still too hurtful for her to stay too long. Before she can walk away, Sakyo hugs her tightly from behind.
[Sakyo] I love you, Mom.
She holds his arms around her, not wanting to let go of this moment.
[Reika] She told you, didn't she?
[Sakyo] Yeah, she did.
She turns around to hug him back just as tightly.
[Reika] I love you too, Sakyo.
Eliora can only listen to their voices from the other side of the door. She wants to open it more than anything, but can't. She knows neither of them are ready yet.
[Eliora] I'm so sorry, my dearest friend.
As she hears their footsteps walking away, she returns to her seat, clinging onto her blindfold still soaked with her tears.
[Eliora] He listened, just as I foresaw.
She can't stop remembering how Sakyo had listened to her story. How he looked at her without judgement, and had embraced her when he saw her pain. She blushes, remembering his kind words.
[Eliora] "Save those words for your wives." I wonder if I'm allowed to say that. I suppose that vision may not be as far from reality as I thought.
...
It's been a few days since my talk with Eliora, and I'm still no closer to getting Uramasa to talk again. Even though I've been training with using the sword, she still won't answer when I try talking to her. I'm must sound insane talking to a sword.
That being said, my training hasn't been for nothing. I did learn a few interesting details about handling Uramasa's unique design. The sectioned serrations on the inner spine offer a semi easy way to hold the blade with my fingers. This could be useful since I don't have many defensive options with it.
Due to the reversed blade, I can't use my arm to reinforce the spine for more traditional defensive techniques, and it's completely awkward trying to do it the other way. I've tested out a few different cutting techniques with the reversed blade, but I keep running into a slight problem.
Uramasa doesn't cut very well. Due to the physics, it's got more power in the initial force of the swing, but the curve doesn't give the same smooth slicing motion as a normal katana. That along with the serrations make it more suited for tearing an opponent apart instead of slicing them cleanly.
I've also noticed that it cuts harder materials better than softer ones. I've been working on a new style that should be able to take advantage of its unique build, but it's still a work in progress. It seems to work in practice, but I want to see how well it'll hold up in real combat. Maybe I can find a monster to test it against at the guild. I wanted to sell some of my filled mana stones anyway.
...
The adventurer's guild is bustling like always. The smells of old parchment, steel, and sweat fill the air like always. All around, adventurers of every class and caliber are checking job boards, drinking, boasting about quests, or arguing over loot splits.
Sakyo steps inside wearing us usual equipment, Uramasa wrapped in cloth and tied to his back.
[Sakyo] (This isn't very practical, but it'll at least keep some attention off Uramasa's unique design. I really need to get a proper scabbard made for it.)
He heads to the front counter where a young half-elf receptionist is sorting through stacks of quest papers.
[Receptionist] Welcome, my name is Marien. Are you registering with our guild today?
[Sakyo] (Every time, this happens.) No, I'm already registered. I'm here to take on a quest.
She looks surprised. Not many people so young are already registered with the guild. Most people his age are just starting out.
[Marien] I see, then may I see your guild card.
He hands her his guild card. She stares at it for a minute, making sure what she's seeing is real.
[Marien] C-rank?! How could you possibly have such a rank when you're so young?
[Sakyo] I got an early start. (I hate when this happens.)
Her outburst caught the attention of a few nearby adventurers. They glance his way, taking interest in the young kid who's seemingly at the peak of mid-rank adventurers.
[Marien] I-I see. I suppose there are some talented individuals who start earlier than others. (ahem) What kind of quests are you looking for?
[Sakyo] I'd like something that involves hunting monsters.
[Marien] I see. Judging by your equipment, you probably want something you can use a sword against. Let's see.
She rummages through her stack of papers, eventually pulling out three requests.
[Marien] Here, we have three quests in your rank that should be appropriate. A Stonehide Troll was recently spotted in the southern ruins. A request to clear some out Ironback Boars plaguing the merchant roads. There has also been a sighting of the rare Manavore Beast around an eastern village.
[Sakyo] Hmm. (The first two would probably be the easiest to test Uramasa, but something about this third one.) Can I ask for more information about the Manavore beast?
[Marien] Of course. The Manavore Beast is a rare sighting. They usually only leave their caves once or twice a year. We recently received this request, and the village is about a three day carriage trip east of the capital. What makes this beast special is its ability to absorb mana through the crystals on their backs. This can make it difficult for mages to handle, but perfect for melee combatants.
[Sakyo] I see. Would it be possible for me to take on multiple requests at once? (Garm might like to test his strength against the troll, and Naja could bring back the boars for the village. Besides, they could use a break from each other.)
[Marien] Um, it is possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. Based on the rankings of these monsters, you likely wouldn't finish them in the required time. If that happens, you would be fined and possibly demoted a rank.
[Sakyo] There's no problem with that. I have some acquaintances who specialize in hunting and travel, so it can meet the time requirements.
[Marien] Well, I suppose that would be acceptable if they're registered with the guild already. In that case, you can accept these requests. Will that be all?
[Sakyo] I also wanted to sell a few mana stones I happened to come across.