Eventually departing from the vicinity of the ranch, the siblings make their way into a district which seems to be quite bustling and continuously flourishing with life, passion and energy.
But the most notable occurrence is the familial connections everywhere.
There is not a single child with a grudge or even a shred of hatred aimed at their parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles. Only love and trust.
And that tugs at Sirella's heart especially.
Why couldn't we have this? She thinks to herself in wistful longing, yearning even.
Her head tilts downwards as she walks beside her brother, her footsteps getting out of sync all because of remembrance of a better time.
Solaire of course with his uncanny observational skills, notices her wistful demeanor and attempts to lighten the mood.
"Did you know that money grows on trees?" He says, deadpan.
Sirella blinks, taken aback. "Huh? But mom always said money doesn't grow on trees..." She tilts her head in bewilderment at the clashing statements.
"Let's think about it." He grins, It's obvious he's going to explain money's origin.
"So,
When you talk about money we mean one of two,
those are coins and paper cash, we'll set coins aside." He keeps glancing at her to make sure she's still attentive, the boy craves attention it seems.
"So, paper itself, what do you think we get it from?" He asks in a teacher-like manner. A professor of sorts.
"Don't ask me. I'm the one asking you!" Sirella groans at how seriously he's taking the role of this teacher.
"Okay okay" He says in an attempt to satisfy.
"So money comes from paper, paper comes from cellulose, which comes from tree trunks. And you can also make paper from leaves since they have cellulose as well, but that is weaker since leaves are thin." He raises his finger in a nerd-like manner as he adds the finishing touch "Therefore, Money grows on trees." He fixes his non-existent tie as he smiles contently, satisfied with his knowledge that he probably got from a back alley witch.
Sirella narrows her eyes "As convincing as that sounds, why the hell do you know it?" She asks incredulously.
"I snuck into the library a lot back in Halia." He says proudly, as if sneaking isn't naughty behavior.
"Oh my, it seems i have a genius ill-mannered brother, what a blessing." Sirella says as she crosses her arms while rolling her eyes in exasperation.
As they walk besides one another they both stop in front of a school, it's quite clean with its name on the entrance's sign
"Niori?" Sirella mutters as she tilts her head.
"It's Naori, you dummy." Solaire corrects in mild anger, he's not one who tolerates ineptitude in such a blatant manner.
"Hey it's not my fault it's written weirdly!" Sirella retorts, obviously attempting to regain her reputation as intellectual.
"It's called cursive" Solaire says flatly, at this point he's impressed by how ignorant she is.
Sirella groans as her hands grip her head in anger "Nnghhh! more like curse it!"
Solaire sighs slowly "Calm down." he pats her back "You learn something new everyday." He says, bestowing wisdom akin to a scholar.
Sirella blinks, taken aback by such mature words, her hands go back to her sides as she stares at him in confusion "...Where did you learn that sentence?" She asks.
Solaire tilts his head, not thinking the same way like Sirella, he didn't assume what he said was mature.
"I saw it as a quote on the wall in Henry's house." He rubs his chin thoughtfully "It sorta made sense for it to be used now." He adds.
"okay, i guess.." Sirella mutters.
Their gazes go back to the school in front of them, Naori.
As they see the students diligently listen to their teachers in class they both think the same thing.
How can they actually get work if they don't go to school?
They both turn to face each other again with understanding of each other's thoughts they both say quietly in unison.
"We need money."
But just as they say that they see a crowd gathering in a circle around someone.
"Huh?" Sirella mutters, she pulls on Solaire's wrist to make him come "Ok, I'll come! You don't need to pull!"
They bump into a few people as they try to get into the crowd to see, apologizing in the process.
What they see is just a man with spiky gray hair and light gray eyes, an intricate sheathed sword at his waist as he gives off a stern, authoritative aura. Frowning slightly.
"Is that a katana?" Solaire mutters in awe, he's always been a katana lover.
The curve is absolutely magnificent, perfected one might say.
One of the people in the crowd whispers "Yo, that's the concentrated exhale master!" to a friend of his.
Immediately, his friend asks. "His name's Shin Shinazawa, right?"
The man quickly nods in confirmation. "Yeah! they say he can take down ten armed men in one second when he uses concentrated exhale!"
Meanwhile a fangirl is absolutely dazzled by Shin's appearance. Her face getting hot as she mutters quietly, but not quiet enough "So handsome~!"
Sirella flushes when she sees and hears the fangirl "Eek! Why is she like this?!"
Solaire simply says as he shrugs "Obsession, obviously."
Sirella shivers once, praying she never becomes like that.
Meanwhile with a scrutinizing eye, Shin notices the siblings, their tattered clothes, their bloody smell.
They're not wounded... He thinks to himself. what did they fight? He continues.
"You two." Calls shin for the siblings with a firm, stern and oddly cold voice.
The siblings stiffen at the sudden attention, if the crowd's words are any evidence, this man will absolutely hurt them if they don't show manners.
They both immediately bow as they shake slightly
They're not cowardly...this is survival instinct not cowardice. Shin observes immediately.
Solaire glances at Sirella and she glances back at him, a silent conversation passes as if they just told each other to get ready to fight together just in case Shin attacks.
"What are your names?" Asks Shin coldly, his voice like the top of a mountain.
The siblings get up from their bow slowly
Solaire places a hand on his chest as he introduces himself "I'm Solaire Sinclaire Silverhand! I'm 12 years old!" He says proudly, his name is his identity and he will never trivialize his own existence.
Sirella quickly follows with a different gesture of introduction, her hands on her hips with her chest puffed out, her chin held high, like she's declaring rather than introducing. "I'm Sirella Sinclaire Silverhand! 10 years old!"
Shin raises a brow at the resolve it's as if he already knows that their current demeanor is to make him rethink attacking them, even though he never planned to in the first place.
"I'm Shin Shinazawa, 36 years old." He introduces himself normally unlike the siblings.
The siblings pause and glance at each other, realizing their mistake of thinking Shin is a potential enemy.
Wait a minute.... Solaire thinks, his brain going into strategy immediately for the sake of him and his sister. everyone is making this concentrated exhale sound like some great power...which means if he trains us we'll be much safer and we'll....we'll.... he clenches his fists tightly as he continues his thoughts we'll be able to get revenge on that crimson organization...
Sirella places a gentle hand on Solaire's shoulder, Shin simply observes the siblings.
Sirella whispers to him so quietly "I don't know what you're thinking, but i can feel that you're angry.." an expression of concerned, empathetic distress on her face.
"Also shin is scrutinizing you.." Adds Sirella in warning.
Solaire blinks, taken out of his thinking trance he quickly clears his throat.
"Mister Shin Shinazawa, i have a request for myself and my sister." Says Solaire, his voice a mix of firmness and hope. He wants him to agree, no he needs him to agree.
Please accept... thinks Solaire in desperate hope, while still presenting the fundamental point in negotiation and persuasion a strong demeanor.
And his request is none other than
"I kindly ask that you take me and my sister in as your disciples and agree to train and feed us..." A sweat beads at Solaire's forehead as he dreads the reply, yet he dares to hope.
Shin contemplates the request for a moment as he crosses his arms "Hmmm...."
Please agree. Please agree. Please agree. Please agree....
Thinks Solaire, meanwhile Sirella is absolutely shocked by how straightforward the request was, her wide eyes staring at Solaire but she'll follow him nonetheless, even though she never expected this.
After long silence from the man.
Shin finally responds.
"Do you really think you have it in you to train for concentrated exhale?" Asks Shin, this time with a frostbiting cool in his voice.
Solaire clenches his fists, his mismatched eye burning with conviction as he takes a step forward, and Sirella does the same with emerald eyes that reflect only resolve.
They will not waver.
"I won't be Solaire if i didn't!" Says Solaire, his voice dripping with determination, fists clenched, his mismatched eyes still burning with conviction.
Sirella nods beside Solaire "And i won't be Sirella if i didn't!" her fist in front of her chest, her presence exuding the conviction of a seasoned knight in his final battle.
They will remain adamant on getting stronger, and such resolve earns them respect from the concentrated exhale master, Shin.
Shin nods in acceptance. For him, such kids have the potential to become even stronger than him, and if they have harmony in their teamwork then their strength will not be be rivaled.
"Very well." Says Shin, finally.
And with a stern gaze that pierces the siblings, he completely ignores the crowd's murmurs of confusion, and their impressed stares at Solaire and Sirella, no one ever thought Shin would take up disciples.
"Starting from today you will be my apprentices in magic, as it is the fundamental building point to be able to use concentrated exhale." Says Shin firmly.
Then with a mix of sternness and strictness he adds "And training will not be merciful."
The siblings don't flinch, if anything their resolve strengthens.
"And we will not show it mercy either!" They shout in unison, their determination and conviction only getting stronger, never weakening.
Shin nods. "Follow me then" He turns and begins walking, clearly expecting the siblings to follow him"
And indeed they do follow him, closely.
Sirella whispers to Solaire "What made you think it was a good idea for us to become this guy's apprentices?" Sirella waves her hand in frustration "We just found out that magic existed back when that crimson organization destroyed Halia, and you think we can learn magic?!"
Solaire pats her back as they walk "It's okay, Sis." He winks, seemingly proud of successfully getting taken in by Shin "We can learn about this kingdom more with this guy, and it's abilities, magic, and concentrated exhale especially." He rubs his chin as they walk together behind Shin "Think about it, he's an expert, obviously he's got immense knowledge and he's definitely smart too, and he's on our side!" He whispers back quietly.
As they pass by the people staring in awe as they see Shin, while some girls and women stare at Sirella in envy, and other boys and men peer at Solaire with lethal jealousy, they all wish that they were the ones that became Shin's disciples.
Is it a great honor to be Shin's student or something? Everyone is staring at us, and normally this only happens to Royals or High-Ranking nobles... Solaire thinks to himself as he stares back at the envious crowds.
Sirella however, is a little nervous with all these eyes filled with malice aimed at her.
"Do not pay them any mind." Says Shin, his voice still cold, at this point it's just how his voice is. Stern, Strict and Cold is his voice.
"They are parasites, feeding on the country's goods and not contributing to it's growth whatsoever.
A beat and then he adds, his voice tinged with venom "And yet they want everything for themselves, the average person's greed is even more deadly than the all seven deadly sins combined." His eye twitches.
His voice goes back to normal as he addresses the siblings again, even though they're barely comprehending what he just said.
"I know you two fought in a battle. The blood i can smell on the two of you isn't human blood though." He glances back over his shoulder as he walks in front, leading them.
The siblings tense, obviously they don't think they're supposed to tell him what they fought, or how they fought it.
Solaire's sword is literally hidden in his pants.
"I won't ask for details." Says Shin. "Only confirmation."
Beads of sweat form on both of the sibling's foreheads, then Solaire asks "Confirmation of what?" Trying his best to keep his tone normal, but it shakes slightly.
"Did you fight a Tilin?" Asks Shin bluntly, his voice still as cold as always.
The siblings swallow anxiously and they glance at each other, worried about what he'd do with confirmation or denial.
A few moments pass, and Shin remains patient as he awaits the response.
"...Yes, we did.." Says Solaire quietly.
However Shin isn't a threat. "I see, so you two have Tenil instead of magic then." he says.
The siblings breathe in relief, they were absolutely expecting the worst, and what they met was just a simple statement, but they pause.
"Wait we don't have magic?" They ask in unison, alarmed, because how else would they learn concentrated exhale?
"...Tenil is better actually." Says Shin with his remaining cold tone. "It is like magic but in simple terms, you have infinite mana." A beat. "However it's extremely hard to control." He adds.
The siblings sigh in relief, glad they can still learn.
Solaire's curiosity though is aching to know something and he lets himself ask, knowledge is power after all.
"How hard exactly?" he asks, the wonder visible on his face. Sirella nods also wanting to know.
"...In physical terms, it'd be as hard as carrying a huge boulder on your back." Says Shin flatly, He waits for a moment then continues "In mental terms however, it's as hard as overcoming a constant screeching in the back of your head."
The siblings shiver, they obviously can't carry a boulder, and they won't be able to overcome such a mental challenge if it came.
"However Tenil can still be learned, it's not hopeless." Says Shin, but how can the siblings believe him after he gave such an analogy?
"to carry a huge boulder on your back you'd train your muscles, to overcome the mental pain i mentioned you'd need specific life experience or you'd need assistance from those you trust."
a beat.
"For Tenil however, you need consistent everyday training. The discipline needed is what's hard, not the learning of Tenil itself. You don't have to worry about causing destruction on accident with your use of Tenil once you learn how to use it, I'll be there." Says Shin reassuringly. "And i can have my student assist as well."
The siblings blink, not expecting Shin to have students other than the two of them.
"Who's the student?" Asks Sirella curiously.
"His name is Zerox, he finished training with me, but he's always of assistance."
A pause but after a few moments Shin adds "Don't expect emotional reactions out of him, he's practically emotionless, but his actions will tell you what he is like."
Sirella nods, pondering how Zerox is like before she meets him.
Meanwhile Solaire thinks Emotionless? How come? What trauma did that guy go through for him to become emotionless? He ponders like his sister, just with a different train of thought.
They tread through the roads of Nitsilvania in silence, passing by stores, food stalls, clothe stores and the like, but what piques Solaire's attention isn't those
It's the magic artifact shops, and then he asks Shin the burning question
"Can a Tenil user use magic artifacts?"
Shin quickly replies, as if the question is the simplest thing in the world.
"Yes." He says. A moment and then he adds "Artifacts will also be much more efficient in the hands of a Tenil user.
For normal magic users they usually have one affinity, rare cases can have two.
The affinities are simply Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. I have Wind and Water."
He glances back over his shoulder to gauge their attentiveness.
"For Tenil users they have all four plus two others, Dark and Light." He places his left hand in his pocket slowly. "And if a Tenil user, for example, wears a Wind amplification ring that strengthens the affinity by 5%, they would be strengthened by 10% instead, due to how efficient the body processes what flows through it to amplify said affinity."
Solaire and Sirella gaze at Shin's back in awe, He's definitely knowledgeable and he willingly gave them such information, in a detailed explanation no less.
Perhaps he's far kinder than they initially thought.
"Anyhow, we have reached my home." Says Shin as they finally reach the house "This is where we will all reside. We will train in the open area behind the house, it's surrounded by a forest and is objectively beautiful, I'm sure you won't be bored during training at all." He takes out his keys and swiftly opens the door "Close it behind you." He addresses the siblings.
Solaire gestures for Sirella to go in before him "Thanks." She says as she gets inside, Solaire following behind her and closing the door behind him.
"Your room is on the second floor, third room to the right." Says Shin as he sets his bag down and precisely places his katana down next to him as he begins to dine on already prepared food, it seems he prepared it for himself before he left his house today.
"First lesson." Says Shin "Patience."
A beat.
"You will not fulfill your stomach's desires tonight."
Sirella blinks, confused "Not fulfill your stomach's desires?" She mutters.
Solaire quickly replies, whispering "I think he means we won't eat."
Shin continues "It is currently 8:30 pm, i suggest you sleep early."
The siblings glance at each other, but they nod, agreeing that they probably should hit the hay early, tonight.
"We will" Say the siblings in unison as they proceed to walk upstairs together.
Solaire opens the door for Sirella, what a gentleman. "Such manners." She rolls her eyes as she steps inside, clearly not believing he's doing this out of good intentions.
"Wow, politeness is rewarded with rudeness." Solaire says flatly.
The siblings get inside the room, looking around they notice how well off Shin is, and how well kept the house is, it's quite pristine and spotless.
"Let's sleep" Says Sirella.
Solaire nods and they both hop onto bed next to each other.
What training will they be given?
How will they overcome it?
How will it affect them?
And most importantly,
What will they do with the result of their training?