Chapter 45- Day 7- Pairing Laws

Chapter 45: Chapter 45- Day 7- Pairing Laws

The walk up the mountain was silent, while Zerkan used the steps, Alaric used Sky, yet he felt a little embarrassed in the back of his head since he wasn’t sure if this was acceptable... Was he already showing him how reliant on his system he was? Considering he hasn’t said anything about it just yet, he decided to keep going... hoping that this was really okay... Once at the top, they walked along the peak, passing by a few smaller buildings and the waterfall. Up ahead was a large standing dojo, which had Alaric staring in awe a little bit.

He glanced towards Zerkan beside him, and honestly he had a question eating at him. Why choose to train him? He hardly knew him, and yet after a single battle, he wants to train him?

He wondered if this guy trains people all of the time... Maybe he should ask once they reach the dojo. He turned back to look towards the dojo. It looked like any modern Dojo that Alaric has seen online, yet it gave off that presence, like only the best training here. He was fiddling with his thumbs, the constant movement keeping him from getting too excited. Before he came here, he’s never had a proper teacher before, since he still never had a mentor class. But, that’s in the past, doesn’t matter at all. Growing up, he literally had to teach himself everything, since as a kid there wasn’t any way to learn fighting without getting in trouble. Sure, he could’ve taken fighting classes, though he wasn’t sure how his parents would react... so in a way, it was never an option. So for once, he was learning what someone else could teach him! Excuse him for being so excited.

Eventually they reached the front of the building, and Zerkan pushed open the door, stepping inside with Alaric following behind. He climbed off Sky and decided to walk the rest of the way.

He sighed and tilted his head, "I have to ask. Why did you choose to train me?" He asked softly as Zerkan kept his gaze ahead.

"Easy. I can see it within you."

Alaric blinked, "...See... what?"

Zerkan finally turned towards him, "You’re a system user, that much is obvious. But, I also see you wanting to train beyond it."

Alaric’s eyes widened just a bit and blinked. He looked towards his own hand and clenched it. He does go the extra mile, huh?

Zerkan then turned ahead to keep moving, "You told me, didn’t you? You do regular training, even when people with systems don’t usually do so. I can see you’re willing to better your own combat ability separate from that system of yours."

Alaric nodded softly, he did mention that. Just off that small interaction huh? Fascinating... He looked off, his eyes tracking the walls of the dojo.

Zerkan’s eyebrows rose and turned, "Ah, I forgot to mention." This gained Alaric’s attention. "I have two other students here currently. I hope that’s not an issue."

Alaric looked off, and shook his head, "No, it’s no issue at all."

He nodded, whispering a quick ’Good’, before continuing down the Dojo. "I want you to meet them, since I’ll be training you all at the same time." Alaric simply nodded as he watched Zerkan pull open a door at the center of the dojo, "Ah, if you may, could you remove your shoes?"

Alaric looked over and down at his shoes. With a short nod, he pulled his shoes off and sat them next to the door, along with two other pairs of shoes. He stood up straight and rushed to catch up as they passed into the training hall.

Once inside, there were sounds of fighting coming from inside. Zerkan walked up and closed his eyes, "Attention!" He yelled, causing Alaric to jump suddenly.

The sounds suddenly stopped and two people came into view. Alaric looked towards them.

Zerkan looked towards them as they bowed at just his gaze. "...Sugita... Fujisawa... I have a new trainee." He looked towards Alaric, "Go ahead and introduce yourself."

He nodded and bowed, "Um, hello. My name is Alaric Vandale, it’s nice to meet you...!" He introduced, standing up straight as the other two stood up as well.

"Nice to meet you too!" One of them shouted, the girl on the left, waving at him. She had short dark brown hair and brown eyes, bandages lining her cheeks and eyebrows. She was dressed in a white kimono-style top with a obi holding it together with black hakama style trousers.

"This is Fujisawa Mizuk, and she’s here for the same reason as you, wanting to better her hand to hand combat." Zerkan explained as Fujisawa held up her arm, holding her bicep with her hand, her muscles evident, "Hell yeah! Looks like we’re partners huh?"

A beat of sweat fell from his head, "I-I guess so..."

His eyes then looked towards the right of her, which stood a boy. He had short blackish-blue hair and rose colored eyes. Next to his hip, secured by the same Obi was a wooden sword.

"And this Sugita Katsuo. His reasons for being here are different... He’s training to be a sword master."

Alaric nodded to himself, that would obviously explain the sword at his hip.

"And I hope it’s not too much trouble, but in accordance with my teachings, I include everyone in everything. So, you will be learning a sword alongside him." He explained as Alaric frowned to himself. Learning a sword? He didn’t expect it... but he does have a weapon Mastery skill. You would think that would mean learning a new weapon would be easy.

But not really... in a way it’s not mastery in the true sense of the word. No, if he picks up a weapon, he only learns the basics, like the right way to swing a sword and how to handle it. So in a way, he’s only mastering the bare minimum. So, it won’t be as easy as it sounds... which makes him excited, it would be a little boring if it was the other way, even if a little convenient.

Sugita looked Alaric up and down, "...Pleasure to meet you." He said quietly as Alaric nodded silently to him.

Zerkan walked forward, "And so, Alaric, this will be your home until you finish your training."

Alaric nodded and smiled softly, "Thanks for having me... I won’t disappoint."

The man nodded and looked towards the other two students, "I trust you two to show him where he’ll be sleeping. And get acquainted with each other." He explained before looking towards Alaric, "Training will begin tomorrow. Get some rest and be ready."

Alaric tilted his chin down as Zerkan walked off. Alaric jumped as he felt an arm sling around his shoulders, turning to find out Fujisawa had flanked his side, "Alright Alaric! Come with us, and we’ll show you where you’re staying." She exclaimed, pulling him along towards the left, making his trip over his own feet slightly, as Sugita followed behind.

The trio moved through the building as Alaris lifted his eyes, "...I didn’t know dojo’s had areas for trainees to stay..." he whispered softly as Fujisawa glanced over, "Unusual isn’t it?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips, "Well, master Zerkan apparently requested it when he had the dojo built."

Sugita had spoken up, "People around say it’s because he’s not just about physical training." Alaric looked over and waved his hand, "Like, immersion or something like that? Maybe so students and trainees don’t get distracted...?"

"I was told it was because some students didn’t have places to stay when training." Fujisawa chimed in as Alaric lowered his head and rubbed his head.

That kinda applies to him doesn’t it...? He sighed softly, "I think I understand..." he whispered as he lifted his head and noticed they were approaching the destination.

There weren’t many rooms honestly, only about five next to each other. "And here we are!" Fujisawa exclaimed, waving her arms out as if displaying a masterpiece.

Alaric stepped up and noticed outside three of the rooms, there was a key card. He walked up and grabbed the first one and flipped it over, "Is this the key?"

"Yup!" She swatted at his back, "Go ahead and get settled in! And we’ll see you tomorrow!" She waved and walked off alongside Sugita. Alaric blinked as his body was leaning forward, his face slumped.

What did he agree too... he glanced back and Sky floated towards him. He unlocked the door and stepped inside looking. It was a very Japanese style room, from the decor to the layout.

But overall, it was nice. It had a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living room... a clear step up from the inn room he rented for a single day. He walked further inside and took a seat on the couch, leaning back to unwind.

Honestly, today was a little insane. He went from planning to stay for one day and leave the next... to staying for who knows how long to training in martial arts. But, in all honesty, he couldn’t wish for a better outcome. If it was going to help him, there was no harm in it. So for now... he let his eyes drift close, the aftermath of the fights he had wearing on him.

His breath slowed and he eventually fell asleep.