This is going to be a blast, I have so many ideas.
Seperating him entirely from the main cast is the best idea.
Rin, as it turned out, was a Koi fish made into the body of a woman via a spell. She wore a lovely reddish kimono and looked at him with a tenderness that few ever had. Tobi was the same, only he was a crab, and dressed in samurai armor. He looked ready to kick serious ass.
Both bowed to their Goddess. "How may we serve you, my Lady?" They said as one.
The goddess nodded toward them. "I have an request for you both. This boy is from a fallen land, without access to magic or the sacredness of the gods." They both looked at him wide eyed. "He has come to us as he is of the proper faith in the gods, my lingering power in that realm answered his prayers, sending him here. However, now he is in a world of power, of magic, of demons. He needs to be safe, to be secure. I will not, cannot expect him to just endure as any other would. Touched by my magic, even in slight, would make him a target for those demons seeking my power.
I want you, Tobi, to teach him combat and to put him in the realm of power as a warrior. Rin, I want you to inform of him of the state of our world, and to pass onto him the powers of magic. Can you do this?"
They both bowed again, with Rin looking at him with greater warmth. "I had wondered why I sensed your power on him... I will gladly teach the craft to him."
"As will I, my lady, pass on my skills." Tobi uttered.
"Good... now, Rin, he will be serving you as an assistant. Cleaning, organizing and taking care of this place. I will allow him to remain until he gains mastery, but until he does so he will serve our household." She turned to Damien. "Start with Tobi, it is better to start your physical journey now. We will speak later."
As she went away, he found himself following Tobi when he waved him toward a distant room. "We will start with a basic assessment of physicality."
Needless to say the nearly three hundred, out of shape Damien failed the test... but he was okay with that. "I have a long way to go, but I can go there."
That made Tobi smile. "A great way to consider it... we will start you a basic regime, and some swordplay."
After three hours of training, getting familiar with a wooden katana, he moved to the Great Library where Rin was waiting for him.
"Magic is an entirely intellectual art, emotions mean little. Do not rely in instinct, beyond a means to focus your power. We we will start with the basics, reviving a dead flower. It will show you how to channel your powers most effectively, and draw on not only your lifeforce for power but the essence of the Earth which is key to all magic." She looked on seriously. "You will end up studying herbs, the formation of spells and many other things to cast spells.
It will take you years to gain mastery, no mere months, are you prepared?"
He nodded, eyes wide. "More than you can ever understand, this is all I have ever wanted."
She smirked. "Then so be it." She grabbed a small flower from a vase, wilted and worn. "Utter this spell, and watch as life returns to the flower. Inochinoibuki! " Then, to his shock, a soft silvery green energy filled the flower before it fully and entirely restored itself, growing roots of all things. "Our craft is pure sorcery, not using the essence of the Soul or Demonic energy. It is pure and can do anything, it specializes in healing and elemental powers. Never forget that.
Now, begin, and remember, focus and awareness are key."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.