Abode

"Ouch! It hurts," Yoichi trembled, narrowing his eyes and waiting for that torture to end. Within minutes, all the needles were pulled out of his body and placed on the nightstand next to the bed.

Ryutaro's safe and precise gestures made the young tamer realize that that old guardian was a prodigious healer. Perhaps his ominous appearance was just a mask useful not to draw unwanted attention.

Yoichi began to move his wrists and arms, then his legs and lower body. Every point subjected to the healing power of needles returned in perfect shape. Three days off and Ryutaro's ancient acupuncture technique was enough to get him back at his strongest.

"My wounds... they don't hurt me anymore. How..."

"When you fight hundreds of battles, you learn to heal your body with alternative methods. I was taught the acupuncture by my first master, a monk from the mountains of the far north", the gatekeeper spoke, resting the last needle on the bedside table.

Soon after, he grabbed all the needles and tied them with a cotton lace. He opened the drawer of the small cabinet next to the bed and slipped them into a wooden box, neatly.

"Thank you for saving me, supreme Ryutaro," Yoichi affirmed with conviction, hanging his head out of respect. After an intense stretching phase, he finally managed to get out of bed.

Creaking his sore bones, he regained full control of his body. Although Ryutaro's bed was very similar to that of his farm, his long sleep allowed him to recover his strength fully.

I'm not sure, but... I think this room is the place that Sensei talked about. Takamori said Ryutaro's private room is at the top of the Dojo and that no one without his permission can is allowed in there. Yoichi pondered, being able to admire the room from a better perspective.

"Where are we?" he inquired, pretending not to know the answer.

"We are in the most sacred room of the Dojo of Goldhaven, boy. Welcome to my humble abode," Ryutaro replied, crossing his hands behind his back and walking away from the bed. "I witnessed your duel against Kato," he added.

"Well, it wasn't my best fight. I ran out of energy against Rinji, so I just tried to survive as long as I could. I couldn't let Sada-sensei face Yozo, the head of Emperor's Heralds" Yoichi reported, scratching his head.

"You could have done it, but you still chose to fight for him. You acted like a true warrior and honourable man, boy. That's one of the reasons I brought you here," Ryutaro stated, turning to him.

Yoichi continued to look at his face veil, not saying a word.

"When I saw you face the mighty Rinji, I proposed to you to become my student, and you accepted. In so many years living in this place, I have never seen an inexperienced warrior like you behave with such tenacity," the old guardian complimented. "However, there's another reason you're here, boy."

"Another reason?" Yoichi astonishedly asked, bending his neck and crossing his arms.

Ryutaro approached the stone sink in the centre of the room. Inside of it, clear, motionless water occupied its space.

"If I may ask... why is there water in here, in the middle of the room?" Yoichi continued, overindulging in curiosity. Taking a careful look inside the sink, the young tamer noticed no drains or special hydraulic systems below the water surface.

The stone sink was a simple container.

"The name of your Oracle, Yoichi. That's why I chose to train you," Ryutaro acknowledged. The smoke of incense from his shoulders gave him a particularly solemn aura.

"Kenji? I don't understand... what does its name have to do with it?"

"I'm not talking about that one. I'm referring to its real name. You don't have to summon it now; let me explain," the gatekeeper continued, pointing a hand at his interlocutor and suggesting not to say that word. "Ildriss is not a name suitable for a Nekage" he explained.

Yoichi narrowed his eyes, unable to figure out what was his point.

"Tell me, boy. Where exactly do you come from?"

"Uh? I... I'm from Bronzeforest. I am a farmer", replied the young tamer with conviction. "When I met my friend Entasu, I decided to leave with him for Goldhaven, hoping to cultivate my dream of becoming a tamer", he added, trying to make his story credible.

"If you are a farmer, you will be able to tell me what the wheat harvest period is. When do you sow, and when do you harvest?" Ryutaro questioned, subjecting Yoichi to an unusual interrogation.

What kind of question is that? What does this weird man want from me? I thought he wanted to teach me his meditation techniques... Yoichi pondered, hesitating before answering. "Um... wheat harvesting takes place in the summer months when the sun is warmer," he answered.

"July. Wheat is harvested only in July. The ears of the wheat bend under their weight, ready to give us food and ensure prosperity for us human beings. You've never been a farmer, Yoichi," the gatekeeper disputed. With that statement, the old man cornered the young tamer.

"Yes, July! I knew it, I just wasn't ready to ask the question," Yoichi stammered, struggling to correct his wrong answer. Trying to make sense of those words, he thought that question was part of some admission test to become Ryutaro's student.

"Maybe the people around you have never noticed, but the way you behave betrays your words. I realized you weren't from this world from the first moment I saw you, boy," Ryutaro spoke, leaving his young interlocutor speechless.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about, supreme Ryutaro!"

"Never mind, Yoichi. This is just an unnecessary detail. What matters is that you find out who you really are. What I'm going to tell you could change your life forever, so please pay attention to my words and prepare your mind and body for the truth."

A flash of cold ran through Yoichi's back, and goosebumps appeared on his arms.