Haruhiro was the first person to take his share of silver coins, earning a small pendant that identified him as a volunteer soldier. It didn't come with any benefits though, to get a full red moon badge, he would have to pay twenty silver. Renji took several strong-looking people into his group, such as Ron, Adachi, Sassa and Chibi to form a party. The happy-go-lucky Kikkawa decided to join a random party and Moguzo, a massive man was led away by another party altogether. That only left Haruhiro, Yume, an extremely cute red head, Shihoru, a shy beauty, Manato, a cool headed young man and of course Ranta, the self-proclaimed king of the cave.
The group agreed to meet up after their respective training to form a party at the north gate. Ranta would become a dread knight, Yume a hunter, Shihoru a mage and Manato a priest. Haruhiro would become a warrior, since he had a lot of experience with swordplay. It took Haruhiro no more than an hour to locate the warriors guild, asking several men and women in medieval armour about where he could find it. The guild-house was massive, easily spanning a size that could rival his fathers mansion. He knocked on the guilds wooden and steel door, it only took a second for the door to open. A black haired beauty stood before him, clad in metal chainmail with gold plate armor covering her vitals. The armor was extremely flashy. She led him through the guilds fair sized halls and introduced herself as Akko and she would be in charge of training him for one week. After the training was completed, he would have to pay a silver coin to learn new skills.
The woman led him to a decent sized room, the natural light bursting from the windows, wooden blades resting on shelves. "... Pick one up," he hastily grabbed a one-handed wooden long sword that was similar to a Shinai while Akko picked up massive one-and-a-half bastard sword- wooden of course. He had no doubt he could wield it after she picked it up with one of her delicate-looking hands. "Your training starts now... take a stance." Haruhiro indeed took a stance, blade at one hundred and ten degrees, his feet rotated for faster movement and his eyes never leaving his trainer, or should it be sensei now? "This training is to prepare you to eventually fight for your life... so I will not be taking it easy... I ask that you do the same."
Akko moved fast, faster than most would be able to see or comprehend. Fortunately, Haruhiro had reflexes better than the majority, he moved his slab of wood to block the massive blade. The woman's wooden bastard sword gave an almighty crack as it hit and pure pain moved up the young man's arms. He had faced countless swordsman in his past life, many that had hit like a freight train, but none hit as hard as this woman, it felt like he was being hit by a fighter jet. Akko's beautiful black eyes never left his, the blank stare that resided on her delicate face sent shivers down his spine. Twisting his blade to release the bastard sword, he gracefully gained some much needed distance by jumping backwards.
Akko is fast, strong and obviously experienced... even though this is a spar, I feel the pressure of her stare... of her strokes... it's just like facing my sensei for the first time. Shaking his head, Haruhiro had been able to clear the thoughts of his deceased sensei and begun to go on the offensive, moving with excellent coordination, control and unpredictability that was needed in a sword fight, it would be hard to block even one of the strikes. Akko however blocked his series of strokes and jabs like he moved in molasses. After a failed offence, Haruhiro jumped back to gain distance once again. The black haired beauty just gave him a blank stare as she moved forward, closing the distance with two giant leaps. Haruhiro felt a slight breeze at his neck and instantly knew that he had lost.
"Well done... your stance is good... although your speed is somewhat lacking... your strength as well." Akko released the wooden sword at his neck, she reverted to her previous spot before the spar begun, an unseen smile on her face.
"... Take your stance once more."
The mess hall wasn't the grand area that Haruhiro had expected of the warrior guild. A few wooden tables were placed about a metre apart, a blazing fire in the corner, most young man were basking in the heat. The food wasn't half bad, although it could use some more spices. Haruhiro however didn't notice this at all as he sat down, eating his ration. His entire body throbbed with pain, the brunet could only groan with each movement as he slowly spooked his food. This alone cause curious glances from other trainees and knowing trainers.
Who knew that the black haired beauty could be so... cold! She didn't smile once, only housing a blank stare. Haruhiro took another bite of his food. Akko more than a little weirded him out, but he held high respect for her. The kendo champion hadn't been taught like that for years, not since the one sided beatings from his sensei. The warrior trainer had drilled techniques and attack skills into him since he had signed up for training. If it continued like this, he wouldn't last the designated week training period.
Taking one last bite of his food, Haruhiro turned to leave for his quarters (which was shown to him by a helpful stranger). Which was a small room with a small bed, a lamp and a desk. He wouldn't be staying long, so it didn't really matter. Jumping onto the bed, the young man closed his eyes, dreaming of the adventures he'll have, who he'll eventually met. But as his mind did this, he couldn't get the past out of his head.
"Haruhiro!"
The way the name was spoken would scare just about anyone, it was filled with the deepest disgust and freezing coldness. Although Haruhiro wasn't fazed in the slightest, instead he held an easy going smirk. A man sat in his leather seat, behind his Blackwood desk where a computer rested. The man was young, but yet old looking, his brown eyes showed the wisdom and pain of his thirty-six years of life. Black bags rested under his eyes from countless later nights and he already had wrinkles forming on his forehead.
This man was Haruhiro's father and the third richest man in the world.
"I hear you have been smoking at school again."
"What's wrong with a little smoke, father." There was arrogance, the kind that could only be breed with a sheltered life. A life that hadn't experienced any reality. The man sighed, tapping his desk anxiously, sending his son to a rehabilitation facility would only be bad press. The third richest man was clam and calculative, he would need a way to deal with Haruhiro, since neither him or his mother would dare punish him. Thus leading Haruhiro to his entitled complex.
Haruhiro knew this, he smiled as his father sighed once more. "Give me the smokes." The man held out his rough hand, expecting to be given the drug. Haruhiro answered honestly, well, as honestly as a rich kid could be."I'm afraid I don't have them on my person, father."
"Stop with the bullshit, where are they?" Smiling arrogantly, Haruhiro shook his head, while his father was indeed cunning, the boy was more so. He had hidden them in his older brothers wardrobes, hidden underneath piles of old clothes. "I don't have them." The father could only sigh, disappointed in what his son had become.
"Next week, you'll be taught manners by a close friend."
"I doubt it." The boy scoffed, turning his head rudely. The father could only smirk before he waved him off. Akane would deal with Haruhiro in a weeks time. Whether his son like it or not, he would change, for better or for worse. Although the man doubt his son could get any worse.