The atmosphere was eerie as I entered his office. The look in his eye told me that I was in trouble, okay, right, trouble isn't quite the word, walking into my doom was more like it.
" You wanted to talk to me, father?", I asked, sounding causal which awakened a light feel of self satisfaction.
" Mikomi, I understand you want to join our mercenary hall..." yep knew it, he found my application form, "...may I ask When you were planning on discussing this"
" As soon as you found out, which is pretty much now, I'm guessing", yeah wrong move, wrong move, damn it.
"Don't you get cocky, young lady!", saying he raised his voice would be bit of an understatement. He shouted...almost screamed if you like. I could see his face growing more and more tense by the time. Even the scare on his face seemed to be affected by his emotions. Hah, it seems he is human after all. I thought as I fought an urge to smile. My father, the Commander of the Temple Mercenaries was a man that didn't loose his cool very easily, yet I always seemed to succeed in simple seconds, it must be one of my hidden talents. He was a mercenary for just a bout 30 years and even though when I was born he said he would give up his sword and provide a normal life for his family, quitting the so called "crimson path" didn't seem all that easy. After a couple of months of my birth, assassins attacked our home, killing my mother and leaving my dad with an unforgiving reminder across his forehead reaching from just the middle of his hair line to the edge of his right eyebrow.
I knew from the moment, I thought of becoming a mercenary he would oppose, considering that it took away the love of his life. It wasn't easy but I made up my mind and I knew exactly how to prove myself to him, or rather what he will want me to do to prove myself. There was already a recruiting of soldiers going on even right at this minute. If I can just persuade him to let me take part no matter under what condition, I won my way in.
He sat down with a pained look. I knew what I was doing to him but I wanted this, badly. I took a deep breath.
"Father, I kno..."
"I didn't train you, so you could be like me. The crimson path isn't for you"
" Dad, you trained me to use just about 17 different weapons, each on a level equivalent to a master's. I'm sorry if I mistook your message."
"I taught you, so you can defend yourself in all situations."
" I know," I pleaded, " but dad. I can use these skills to help people and to understand the word more. Being a mercenary isn't my life plan. However it's a good way to gain experience, to see places and to make connections I might need later in life; also its easy money. When I think I seen enough I'll retire and concentrate on less violent issues that might come my way, like finding a handsome husband" this made him think. A half smile started crawling its way to my face. He looked up, and I could almost hear his brain working, wow I have to admit, its almost fascinating. As if to decide my sincerity, he examined my face, looked me up and down, his eyes fierce but in the very moment he decided to speak I was certain that I won.
" Your recruiting test isn't going to be like anyone else's." I figured as much, " You will fight an A-rank of my choice, be ready in an hour you'll be fighting after the last fighter." My story is starting now.