Getting up Helo takes out some paracord. He gets ready to drain and clean the boar before bringing it home. While this is happening both Alli and Hinata are in Japan. They are at the Kashiwagi Clan’s ancestral home. It is a large traditional Japanese style home; it is filled with antiques that they have from all throughout the world’s history. The home is on a large plot of land outside of the Fuji National Park.

  Alli and Hinata and sitting in her room discussing the prospective members for their party. Most parties are five to eight people. With them being two daughters of clan heads their party is going to be larger, most likely numbering 10-12. Consisting of a tank, healer, close and long-range damage dealer, archer, scout, mage, rouge and support. Within their circles the idea of a rouge isn’t as flattening. They are the people you hire with everyone else unaware, not keep close by. There are other positions to fill considering the different professions but someone on the team might fill more than one role. Most of the time you must hire outside help to do things like fix equipment or brew alchemical concoctions.

  The girls have met with 50 individuals in Japan. All of them are people who came to Japan to try out for their team. The individuals are between the ages of 13 and 16. The requirements are that they are under 21 by the time school starts in a year and a half and still tier one. This gives them one year and five months to pick a team.

  Looking at the list, whoever of Hinata’s servants tested everyone was very thorough. Hundreds of people came to Japan to try out. There were people from other families, either looking for new work or spies trying to get close to them. There were also people from some of the small communities that popped up filled with retired awakened that started a family after retiring. For their service they were giving the option to have their children train in the dungeons. There are also apprentice craftsmen and woman who are looking for work and to learn more. It is great to have dedicated craftsmen but if they are going to follow them into the dungeon, they will also need to defend themselves.

  A lot of the men joining are hoping to win the affection of one of the two girls. Once their parents sent out a video stating their desire to let their daughters choose their own futures. Many people started trying to get involved in their lives.

  Most of the final applicants are from their own families. These are other kids whose parents work directly for the Kashiwagi or BrightMoon families. Getting chosen would give their families back home an even better life with more recognition.

  Looking at the final 50 it is easy to split them into groups. One group is filled with the people that hit on them during the interview. This is the trash pile and directly brings the number down to 41. Eight are men and one is a woman. The next piles are sorted into the roles they will perform. All the piles have multiple names except for one. This pile doesn’t even have an application. Just a sheet of paper.

  “So Hinata-Chan, what do you think we need for a lineup.” Alli says while sipping her tea and looking at the table filled with applications.

  “Mhm. Well, we are already covering the long and short-range damage. The issue is that we both focus on precision more than heavy hitting. So maybe a mage and heavy weapon user.” Hinata says while scratching her chin. Pulling out two people.

  “That makes sense. We also have a larger party so maybe two tanks.” Alli feels like things are coming together. She says while grabbing two more. “We also need a healer. We might want two.” Picking up two more names.

  “I don’t think so. You can do some minor healing, so I don’t think a second dedicated healer is important.” Hinata says while placing one back. Looking over all the papers. “So, we need an archer and someone to act as support. Ugh support is such a large category.” Grabbing an archer and looking over the line-up of support.

  “So… one thing Bernard complains a lot about is how he wishes he found Amanda sooner. Maybe our support should be more of paper pusher.” Alli says while scratching her chin. Smiling she grabs a name.

  Alli counts on her fingers. “1-me, 2-you, 3-heavy damage close range, 4- heavy damage long range, 5- mana tank, 6- stamina tank, 7-archer, 8-healer, 9-support.”

  Taking the paper in the center and adding it to the pile smiling at Hinata, “And Helo makes 10.”

  “Yep! Our parents said they would fund up to 14 people. If we play our cards right, we can get extra resources. With ten people we will be able to get great gear.”

  Hearing a cough from behind both girls jump in surprise before looking behind them. Walking into the room and sitting down across from the girls is Micah. He came to Japan as a guard for the girls. “About the kid.” Both girls perk up at this, Helo made a big impression on them both. “You still must ask him. Bernard and I left him alone. Bernard has only spoken to the kid three times in the last six months.” At this both girls are surprised.

  “Why wouldn’t you check in on him?” “How do you know he is okay?” Both girls shouted over each other.

  Laughing lightly Micah responds. “Calm down you two. It is just how some people are. That kid is different, sometimes he is more animal than human. We as beastkin have our instincts as well but we are more human than beast. That kid is the opposite. Plus, it would hinder his growth. Even if he agreed, he might not be a good fit. I couldn’t see him doing well with you all at school.”

  Looking as the dejected girls start to take his name out of the pile. “Woah! That isn’t what I meant. We just are going to have to cater to the kid a bit, that is all. He might need space and he tends to be more of a night person” Micah says while waving his hands around. “Your parents have talked about it. Even your dad agreed, Alli. Well… With a lot of grumbling. We also need to consider what role he fills.”

  Speaking up Hinata says, “Oji-san we already decided that.” Laying out all the names in order and labeling their positions. Micah smirks at the manager’s position. He had been complaining about his own dungeon diving and how things got so messy. He is glad they took the hint.

  At the top of the list Alli and Hinata put Helo. Under his name they write, “Personal Guard.” A bit shocked and confused he says.

  “I don’t think he would be a good fit and he can’t guard you both.”

  Nodding Alli points to the two tanks. “We will have guards. But we wanted him to be second to us. He would be our secondhand man. We both trust him. The idea of him watching us from the shadows like that night… is a good feeling.” Alli says her last words quietly.

  Smirking at her friend. “So, we already decided to give him a leadership position. Plus, he probably has a ton of survival experience. And the manager is there to help outside the dungeon with finances and stuff.”

  Not having much to argue about he nods, “Well I don’t think you both are wrong. But your parents are not going to be happy. Especially your father Alli. Your parents gave you a list, but they also had expectations about who you would choose. Adding Helo was accepted but giving him that position will be tough especially because the rest of your team know about one another. They have heard about and run in the same circles. Helo is a nobody. You will have to deal with that drama.”

  Seeing both girls understood he continues, “Lastly is a concern we all have had. What role does he play. Not as your personal guard but as a fighter.”

  “Ummm. Well, he is good in close quarters so a damage dealer.” Alli says. Hinata nods her head to agree.

  “Girls, you’re not thinking it through. How did he save you?” Seeing them both not get it he sighs. “Why did they ask me to have this conversation with you. HE is a rouge. More specifically an assassin.” Hinata’s eyes go wide but Alli looks on in confusion. Explaining further. “Rouges are not liked in society. There is some stigma about them. It is why ninja families still exist, but you never hear about them. Families know about them and use them, but they never invite them into their homes.”

  “Especially not at school…” Hinata says with a frown. “So… He can’t join.”

  “No. He just can’t display his skills in the open. Only your parents, myself, Bernard and you both know his skills.” Looking at them both seriously. “So, we keep his skills a secret. It will come out eventually but if we do it right it won’t be until the integration starts in the next ten years. By then your full team will know and we can let it out without the backlash. His skills will be important during the integration. Everyone will be to busy praising you all.”

  “So, what will he do?” Alli asks.

  “He will keep watch quietly hiding his skills. He will be your assistant, joining you in class and carrying stuff. If he needs to fight, I’ll train him in our families spear arts. Everyone will think he was a hidden guard then. And… If he needs to use his other skills. Then no one should survive that could know. You saw him at the Backroom. He was still teir 0.”

  At that both girls look at Micah with wide eyes. They had forgotten that even though they were almost level 10 and gained a class. Helo hadn’t even started.

  “Also. I’m glad you chose her.” He said pointing at the support girl. “She is a bard, using her music she can buff others. She also is trained as a steward. She will make a good Senechal in the future. Also, she is trustworthy. I know her parents and she can help you and Helo. If you truly want him as your right hand. You will need her to support him. Also, she is cat beastkin. Some people call them Neko’s. Mostly Weebs, but whatever.” Micah is happy that they chose her. Out of everyone she was the only person he personally added to the pile. “Now I’m leaving you both to tell your parents about your decisions.

  It has been another six months, and it is now August. Helo has spent a ton of time practicing using his cloak of darkness. His mental limits have grown considerably. The energy that manifests when he focuses on his heart seems endless. Through all of his practice Helo can now use the cloak more than 10 times a day and for at least 15 minutes. This is a huge increase from his three times a day and five minutes from when he killed the boar. Helo has also learned that when he drinks blood his ability to use dark energy disappears. But in its place Helo is filled with some kind of healing energy. He still hasn’t figured out how to use both and the only way he can use the gold energy is when he drinks blood.

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  Helo can also keep up his concentration for more than 30 seconds while fighting. This lets him fight at night without being seen for a time. It is incredibly draining on his energies, but it is worth it when he can attack unseen.

  Sitting in the lotus position within his cave, Helo is going to try the last thing Micah showed him. Coating a blade in aura. Micah said he had something called Sword Aura. But Helo is still going to try. Holding the two knives that Bernard gave him in the air Helo follows his steps to reach his center. Being drawn to his heartbeat, he follows it until he can see a swirl of black smothering gold. The mental image is one that Helo is comfortable used to. It feels like home to him. Pulling out some of the darkness Helo creates a path for it to flow through to his hands. Opening his eyes there are dark whisps falling to the ground starting at his elbow and going up to his fingers.

  Focusing on the energy, he can feel a resonance between the dagger that Bernard calls Dark Steel and the energy that he is emitting. As he is trying to push the energy forward it gets stalled a few millimeters outside his body. Like he can only control it as it is emitted from his skin. He loses control outside. So how to I keep control of my energy once I leaves my skin. It could be like focusing on my perception. An external…. External.

  Getting up Helo runs outside. He is followed by a happy fox. She stopped meditating all day a little while ago. Now she can emit whisps of smoke like Helo. But her smoke is light blue and grey. It is more like fog. Helo thinks that from meditating near the water she has gained some kind of water affinity.

  Running outside Helo has an idea to help him. He remembers that he felt some kind of external energy before. The wall near the resort was full of mana. Maybe if he can study it, he can learn how.

  Getting to the wall about 30 minutes later Helo sits on the ground in a lotus position with his back against the wall. From above he hears people yelling at him to leave but he decides to ignore them. Eventually they will get Bernard, and he will tell them to leave me alone. With some focus on the wall and the buzzing energy he feels flowing through it and the other on his own energy Helo starts trying to find some kind of connection.

  With his focus on the wall, he can see how the energy is following channels within the wall. It is kind of like my body and how my energy follows my veins. But what is happening here… It gets to a… image… that looks familiar. Anyway, the energy flows into this image before being dispersed along the entire wall. It fells like its… Strengthening it. Helo wondering if he can mimic the idea tries bunching up a ton of energy into one space. Focusing the energy into his palm, packing as much into it as he can he tries forcing it all out at once. As a wave of darkness flows out of his hand and forward into the air he tries willing some of it to stay. Out of the mass of darkness a piece the size of a cherry stalls in the air before continuing.

  So. How did I do that. As Helo was sending out the energy, he started to think about Alli and how she did it. His thoughts went to an image of what she did. So. It is about having a clear image…

  Trying again Helo does the same thing. Building up a lot of energy into his palm. He wills just a portion to stay in the air above his hand. To Helo’s surprise it works. Feeling happy with his success, Helo goes back to his den to practice more.

  Another week goes by of Helo wearing out his mind. But each time he passes out he can do more the next day. Wanting to figure out what it is that he is doing, Helo heads to Bernard’s home. Getting into the resort requires them to call the Druid. But he gets let in quickly and finds himself standing in front of a well-proportioned beautiful blonde. Following her into Mr. Bernard’s sitting room as he enters, he bows lightly. “Hello, Mr. Bernard, it is good to see you.”

  “Hahaha. You too, my boy. This meeting is much better than some that we have had. So, what can I do for you?” He says while clapping Helo on the back and leading him to a chair.

  “I was hoping you could answer my questions. I have a few about what I have been practicing.” Helo asks feeling excited to learn more.

  Stroking his chin like some old wise mage he says, “A yes, my dear child. What question have your brought to this great one?”

  Looking at him weirdly, Helo decides to ignore the acting. Holding up his hand Helo pulls out some darkness and it floats over his hand. “What is this?”

  “Mhm. That is very impressive.” He says and holds up his own hand. After a moment Helo sees a ball of green light. Helo is confused because it isn't buzzing like mana. “It took me until I was almost 35 to be able to do that. But I see your confusion. I think I know why. This is my aura taken form. It’s a visible manifestation of my path, willed into existence and controlled by my mental energy.” Pulling his hand back he pulls up a ball of mana that is a similar color but it glows more brightly. Helo can feel this buzzing is his senses. “Now this is my mana. It has a nature attunement. Watch as a infuse my aura into it.”

  As Helo watches the ball of energy glows brighter while buzzing at a high frequency in Helo’s senses. “You see Aura is a natural enhancer. It can be used alone. To see, to feel, even touch. All auras have their own uses. Yours can be used to hide. Mine can be used to communicate with nature. But it can also be used to enhance. It is what Micah did to his blade and what he told you to try.”

  Nodding his head Helo is excited to start trying again. But then he remembers another question. “So, my aura looks like darkness. I use it by focusing on the energy flowing in me. Does that mean my mana is darkness attuned?”

  “Honestly, I am not sure. You didn’t use any mana. Just pure aura and if I had to guess your bloodline. Whatever it may be, it has a natural affinity to the darkness element. And by using the power that is held within, you can manifest darkness. Then you control it through your aura. You control your aura through your will. Nowhere in that process are you using mana.”

  “So. What does that mean exactly. Can I control darkness with my bloodline. I have tried grabbing shadows around me, but it doesn’t work.” Helo asks confused by how any of this is working.

  “To control anything using aura and will you need to infuse it with an energy. That is why you couldn’t feel my aura as I held it in my palm. But you could when I infused it into my mana. The first was just the color of my mental energy. The second was it enhancing mana.”

  “So how would I go about trying.” Helo really wants to control shadows.

  “Well, if you can find your mana core you could start there. Or try pulling more from your bloodline. Controlling anything externally is always easier using mana. But trying to cloak yourself in darkness using mana is going to be exponentially harder than what you do with your bloodline. Plus, the energy your bloodline produces is much more potent. Making it far stronger.”

  “I’d suggest focusing on finding your pure aura. Try to manifest your aura in front of you. Then infuse it with your body’s energy and see what you can do. Once you can manifest it try spreading it out. See if you can feel things. Infuse energy into it and try to pick things up. Then try infusing it into things.” Bernard says, giving Helo a ton of ideas.

  “All of those things are what everyone who unlocks aura can do. After that try to find what makes your aura unique. Mine, like I mentioned, can commune with nature. It’s called ‘Nature’s Touch’. But nature is also filled with vital energy. So weakly my aura can heal. But if I infuse it into my healing spells or my growth spells. The outcome is far more than the sum of its parts. So, find what your aura can do. It can hide you. But why is that. When you infuse it into something what happens to it. Just keep asking yourself questions and you will usually find a new use for your aura. Remember it’s a manifestation of your will and infused by who you are. So maybe to you cloaking yourself means hiding in shadows. But how is your aura doing that. Normal auras can’t so that is where your’s is unique. So why is it cloaking you. Is that what makes your aura special? Or is it just a byproduct. Something you’re capable of doing but only a portion of what makes it unique.”

  “Huh… That is great advice. I’ll have to experiment with it.” Helo says starting to feel overwhelmed.

  “Here let’s try something. Every find’s their aura in their own way. It doesn’t unlock until your will aligns with your being and manifest in a unique way. Maybe a coward was running away, the wind was at his back and suddenly the wind picks up blowing harder for him. Later he learned that he has a hidden wind affinity. Boom ‘Aura of the Blowing Coward’. So. You say that yours is connected to your bloodline. Go to where you feel it clearly.” Bernard says this while leading Helo to the center of his home where there is a courtyard. In the middle is a meditation garden. Having Helo sit they start.

  Speaking softly so Helo can still hear him but not break his concentration he says, “Focus on your bloodline.”

  Focusing deeply, Helo follows his heartbeat to where he can feel his bloodline sleeping. Lightly rousing its slumber, the beat doesn’t get faster, but it does get more powerful.

  On the outside Bernard is surprised because he can feel a profound aura in the air. It is like an ancient beast was sleeping peacefully is waking up. Speaking quietly, he says, “There you go. Now what is it telling you.”

  Speaking as if in a trace Helo speaks about what he feels. “There are two, bright and dark, control and null, life and silence.”

  Starting to feel intrigued by what he is saying Bernard asks, “The dark how does it work.”

  “It feels… old. A slumbering eye. It is like darkness. It cloaks itself by nullifying its presence and wrapping itself in the silence of the dark.”

  Opening his eyes with a smile, “That’s it! The shadows are a part of it, but the real magic happens in its ability to erase my presence.”

  Bernard is happy that Helo is in a good mood but after feeling and hearing what just happened, he isn’t sure exactly what to feel.

  “Thanks, Mr. Bernard. I’m going to go practice now!” Running off Helo heads back to his den.”

  Bernard can’t help but say, “Sometimes it’s best to just let a sleeping monster lie.”

  “Mhm, did you say anything sir?” Amanda asks always the diligent assistant.

  “Nope, nope. No. Nothing.” He says while getting a weird look from behind.

  It has been a while sense Alli has been home. But this time she has people to fill up her wing of the house with. Arriving home with her new party members she lets the maids show them to their rooms. “Before you leave. We will meet up tomorrow. This week I am going to get our final member with Hinata-Chan and Luna.”

  “Why would you need to go pick up a member. We all had to come to you.” Kenneth says. He is an impressive tank and has the stature to match but his attitude needs work.

  “This member is unique. You can make your judgment when you meet him. He is going to publicly be our assistant and a guard. This is intentional. I’m talking about the way you feel about his right now Kenneth-san. We want everyone to feel the same way. Please.” Hinata says while bowing, “Meet him honestly treat him fairly.”

  Kenneth turns away in a huff and a few others look apprehensive. But the rest of the party seems to understand at least some of what is going on. They want him to be looked down upon because he is a hidden guard masking as their assistant. What they don’t realize is that he is going to be much more than that. Well, if it works out like we want.

  Everyone is led to their rooms while Alli and Hinata go visit her parents. Saying hello and giving hugs, they all end up around the table. The girls go over how they feel about all the new party members. Then the girls call for Luna.

  “Well, mom and dad. Luna is going to be our manager. I know you have been waiting for us to pick up personal guards. Truthfully, we already have.” Looking over her shoulder. “Micah agrees with our decision.” Micah sputters out a cough at this.

  Cheyenne eyes him with a motherly look, making Micah look away. Luna walks in at this point. She is blonde haired and busty. She is short. Just a little taller than Alli. The same height as Hinata. Her eyes are grey, and she has cute features. Her personality is bubbly, and she really wants to make her family and Micah proud for hiving her this opportunity.

  Luna bows as she enters, “Hello, Lord and Lady Brightmoon, Master Micah. You have a lovely home!” She says to the floor.

  Laughing into her hand Cheyenne says, “You are adorable dear, come sit down. You might as well get comfortable with us soon rather than later. My husband likes to be serious but if I'm around don’t worry about it, I’ll keep him in line.” She smirks and Graham’s snort. “If everything works out, we all will be together for a long time.” Luna stands behind and between Hinata and Alli.

  “If it’s okay Mistress, I’d like to practice my etiquette. At least for a while if you please.” Getting a nod she stays.

  “Well as we were saying.” Alli says while wringing her hands. “Well… We called Luna here because she is incredibly competent. For our plan to work we need her. At least that is what uncle suggested.”

  “Stop bringing me into this!” He says from the doorway where he likes to stand.

  Laughing Hinata chimes in. “We both decided that we want Helo as our personal guard.” Cheyenne nods but Graham springs up and starts yelling no.

  “We sent you perfectly good guards. And from my reports on the boy, he would be terrible at the job!” Graham says.

  “Well… it’s just that going away from home we both would feel better having him watch over us. He saved us daddy. And we want to thank him. If it doesn’t work out, then we can swap him for the two that you wanted.”

  Hinata nods at this, “Un, just give him a chance. From what Bernard says he is growing fast and will be great. Also, Oji-san said that you already agreed to let him join us. We already have a plan for political ramifications.”

  Finally getting a yes, the girls plan a trip to visit Bernard and talk to Helo with Luna.