Okay, here's the new Chapter! I'll be thanking supernae as usual, and a big welcome back to Starrnight who returned just in time for a Chapter she helped inspire! It would be neat if some of the other reviewers returned, but what can you do? -sigh- Anyway, here we go!

Chapter 8: An Uncalled for Destiny

The following morning, the earnest farmer received an urgent letter from Saibara the blacksmith to see him right away. Despite not knowing exactly why, she still proceeded to meet with.

The cautious, yet curious Claire slowly opened the door to see the aged man himself standing right by the counter.

"Ah, Miss Claire Kafka! So good of you to comply!" he greeted.

"…Thanks?" Claire said back. "So, what is it you wanted to see me for, Mr. Saibara? I already got all my tools in order."

The old blacksmith gave a hearty laugh, amused by the farmer's initial doubt.

"No, my dear! This has nothing to do with your precious farming tools!" he stated.

"Then… what is it? Is this about your grandson? Because if it is, I could just stop bothering Gray if I'm distracting him from his work and--"

"This isn't about Gray, either." Saibara interrupted.

"Then… then what?"

The wizened man walked slowly and surely towards blonde farmer, then placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Claire, I have decided… since Gray doesn't seem at all interested in learning a treasured family tradition, and you have the perfect drive to perfect it, I decided that I shall tutor you in the ways of Hokuto Shinken." Saibara announced.

"WHAT?!"

Do not be afraid, Claire. Hokuto Shinken is a special art passed down only to the worthy, and I can tell from what I see that you are quite worthy." The blacksmith assured her.

"H-h-h-Hokuto Shinken? I-isn't that the thing that Gray keeps complaining about while never getting the name right?" Claire thought to herself.

"Trust me," Saibara chuckled, "you will grow to love Hokuto Shinken. It is among the ultimate martial arts, so its allure is irresistible."

This sudden news brought the nervous farmer great distress.

"But I've never trained in martial arts! I'm not even that physically fit! And how am I suppose to handle something as violent as that when blood makes me squeamish?!" she thought.

"Do not deny your potential, Claire. I can feel it quite clearly. Accept, and I shall make you a Mary-Sue: one of the most powerful beings in existence."

Somehow, this promise of omnipotent power only made Claire even more unwilling to accept Saibara's proposal.

"I can teach you many great things, and the results will be substantial. After undergoing the proper training, that child-like, underdeveloped body of yours shall transform into that of a radiant goddess'! I shall teach you marvelous techniques, such as being able to punch multiple times at once at lighting-fast speeds, and making heads explode! Your opponents will be dead before they even realize it! You shall be an invincible kung-fu mistress!" Saibara ranted.

Claire's body quaked with fear and uncertainty after hearing Saibara's intense speech. Hesitation and Anticipation flooded the girl's heart and mind as she contemplated the offer and its promises. Part of her could not deny the elderly blacksmith's powerful, authoritative presence that seemingly loomed over her despite his short stature; however, her relative sanity thought otherwise.

"I CAN'T DO IT!!" she cried in a panic as she swiftly fled from the house.

After the farmer's response, Saibara snatched a cup of tea on his desk and sipped it calmly.

"A shame, for now. But that girl will realize the truth, eventually. She cannot escape her destiny forever, and when the time comes when she is ready, I will be here waiting…" he said aloud.

"YOUR GRANDPA IS SCARY!!"

At the local Inn, Claire was preoccupied bawling streams in the presence of Gray.

"I warned you never to go near Grandpa when his senility is at its highest, didn't I?" he groaned.

Next Chapter: Claire, with only the minimal tools, her beginning stamina, and lots of Black Grass, attempts to make it to the bottom floor of the Spring Mine! Can her unrealized potential help her see through her goal? Will she actually make it? Or should she have waited for Gray to join her as she originally planned? Find out next time!