If Loch's mind could explode, it would have at that moment. Even with his still very limited grasp on such worldly affairs, he knew that what Tobias was offering him was more than just being a simple teacher. Loch felt as if it was more akin to an adoption, but the weight of the words and phrasing of the question. 'He said he would give me a reward for helping him. Is it this? Does that mean it's not money?' Loch's thoughts strayed in the hanging silence before he mentally shook himself. 'Don't be an idiot. This is clearly even better than money. Say yes already!!'
Loch jumped up from his seat on the side of the bed and yelled, "YES!!!" The sudden silence to loud action almost made Tobias lose the serious and composed atmosphere he was trying to put forward. He was attempting to instill in Loch that this choice was a very significant one, and not quite understanding children. He was surprised the boy answered so quickly. Tobias imagined that Loch would have requested at least a day to mull things over, as most others would, but then he also remembered Loch's situation. 'Whose he going to mull it over with, anyway? And following under me is better than any of the offers those others would have made him, anyway.'
While gazing down at Loch, who was almost vibrating on the spot, Tobias had to remind himself that he was dealing with a child. Considering Loch would be his first ever disciple, let alone someone who would potentially be as close to him as he's own son, if he had one, one day. A flurry of worrying thoughts gathered in his head. 'Ah, soil it. He's still so young, and besides cultivating and training to be an official Hunter, I'm not very good at anything else. I'll have to hire some tutors. There is no way a disciple of mine will be some all brawn, no brain's muscle head, like those moronic body cultivators. Sigh, well at least the manor will feel a little less desolate now.' "Sir? Ah, Master Tobias, Sir?" The sound of Loch oddly addressing him brought Tobias from his sudden pondering.
"Apologies, Loch, I was lost in thought for a moment," Tobias said, considering the serious and solemn air he tried to bring had already been broken. He just decided to carry on instead. "Well, my new disciple. I'm very happy you've accepted me as your master. Honestly, with the current state of your Aura, after awakening your core last night, I would have forced you to at least spend a couple of days with me at the minimum, even if you said no. Now we don't have to worry about that, I can work on your foundations properly from the ground up." Loch, after listening to Tobias, asked in a rush, "Does this mean you're going to teach me to be a Hunter? Once I'm a Hunter, does that also mean we can go beyond the walls to slay Fiends?"
Loch began to ask a litany of questions, bombarding the middle-aged Hunter relentlessly for a full minute before he gruffly stopped the excited Loch with a hand chop motion while he said, "Slow down, boy. We'll take it all one step at a time. Your education hasn't even technically begun, and you are already asking to head out and slay Fiends. Let alone Fiends, just a Tier 1 Demon could easily squash you into a paste in your current state. And, honestly, your current physique is downright horrible and not suited for the arduous art of cultivation, let alone training to be a Hunter. We've a lot of work to do." Loch appeared embarrassed as he knew he let his emotions get carried away. He also looked down at his skinny and small stature with a frown. 'Damn. He's right, I wouldn't even count as a meal to a Demon beast, more like a toothpick. Also, what about my useless arm? Won't it be hard to fight with just one arm? Maybe, sir, also thinks there's something special with my arm?'
Loch nervously asked, "Ah, Sir Master, will cultivating fix the Taint blockage for my arm," Lifting up his motionless limb with his right hand and then letting it drop back to its lifeless hanging position again, Loch wanted to make it clear now about his situation. He wasn't a hundred percent sure that Tobias was fully aware of how useless his left arm truly was and looked at his feet instead of meeting the man's face, as he was worried about what he would see. "It's just 'Master' Loch, you don't need the sir in front of it. Also, technically yes, cultivating to the third Tier of the body or mind cultivation path usually leads to a second round of what we call Mortal Shedding, the first is done at your initial Awakening. Mortal Shedding is when your body will expel impurities from your body naturally as you strengthen your path with Pure Aether. However, Hunters and people who have a Blood core, in general, follow the Bloodline path of cultivation, which makes things a little different. We have a number of shortcuts available to us that other cultivators don't when it comes to purifying Tainted Aether. One of which is the ability to refine Demon and Fiend cores directly." Tobias said, his deep but gentle voice made Loch slowly raise his head.
Peeking through his sandy blonde locks, Loch could see Tobias had a confident and relaxed smile on his face, leading him to believe that he either already knew all about his arm or its semi-dead state wasn't a problem for him to fix. Unable to hold himself back, Loch asked, "So, I can fix my arm soon then?" Tobias now noticed that Loch appeared nervous and a little self-conscious when talking about his arm. He decided to attempt what he had seen other fathers do when they were consoling small children, and he patted the boy on his head a couple of times. Loch felt like he was being struck by a frying pan every time Tobias's full palm hit his head. "Ow! Is he reprimanding me? Or is this a test? Ow!' Loch thought as he tried to stop himself from wincing and decided to do his best at keeping a calm face instead.
'Seems to have worked. He doesn't look so nervous now. I must remember to do this in the future if he appears downhearted. Then again, I don't want to spoil him either. He needs to learn to endure discomfort and pain if he wants to succeed along his path.' While Tobias praised himself and thought over his future temperament and actions when it came to treating Loch, several small knocks sounded from the dorm door. Breaking Tobias from his thoughts and stopping his pounding of Loch's small head. Loch took a breath in relief at the almost heavenly sounding knocks of intervention, releasing him from the pain of being banged like a nail by a hammer. "Alright, lad. We can talk more about your arm later and what we can do to fix it. Just know it isn't a problem and will affect very little of your training to begin with, anyway. Plus, I don't actually believe it's as useless as you think," Tobias said, with the last part being said so softly Loch didn't hear it. He then straightened his rumpled clothes from sitting down, while sending his Aura towards the door, sensing who was behind the intrusion. Jonesy was apparently the one knocking on the door, but Tobias couldn't help a self-satisfied smirk rising on his face when he sensed the person standing behind the crutch-wielding teenager.
"It looks like an old friend has come to visit. Loch, my disciple, open the door, please." Tobias said. Loch tried to discreetly rub the bump forming on his head and walked over to the door. Curious about who was there, Loch wondered if it was Mother Leanne checking up on him. Thinking about the stern-faced caretaker, he wondered whether she would be happy or displeased that he had taken Tobias as his master. 'Actually, she must be fine with it. Mother Leanne knew he was coming to speak to me. Does that mean she also knew what he would be asking me?' Loch thought as he opened the door. His thoughts were cut off though, as Mother Leanne was definitely not the one knocking, instead it was Jonesy who moved to the side once Loch had opened the door, revealing the Knight Captain. "Um, hello, sir." Loch asked as his face scrunched in confusion at the sight of the large man.
Even though Loch wasn't truly afraid of the man, as the Knight had shown no actual aggression towards any of the children, and in Loch's view appeared even more friendly than the Mother of the church of Earth. However, standing a mere few inches from the colossal Knight, did make his hackles rise and sent his heartbeat racing. In what was a clear instinctive reaction, Loch felt like his blood was boiling as he matched gazes with the silent Knight, filling him with a sudden surge of energy. Somehow, the Knight's presence felt even heavier than it had before, appearing more imposing and somewhat threatening. Loch, in the face of what his body was now telling him was a threat, felt a foreign muscle flex in the air above his head. It was like when one flexed their biceps, forcing the muscle to be more pronounced and hardened. 'Is that my Aura?' Loch mused.
The Knight Captain, who was still standing in the doorway and hadn't said a word as of yet, furrowed his brow imperceptibly, as a single bead of sweat ran down the side of his temple. The stern-faced man clearly exerted an unseen part of himself as he continued the silent standoff with Loch. Who was also now sweating himself, except for Loch. It wasn't just one bead but a full-blown stream of sweat, with his forehead becoming damp enough that his fringe stuck to his skin. Loch felt a rising pressure weighing him down. The sensation didn't originate from a single point, but permeated his entire body. Gritting his teeth, Loch felt as if his insides were a smoldering fire close to being blown out, but summoning the little willpower within him, he kept the embers lit.
"That's enough now, Loch. There is no danger here. Relax." Tobias said. At some point, with Loch not even noticing, his master had appeared right behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder. His new master's hand was squeezing his shoulder gently but firmly enough that the small pain brought his attention onto Tobias and away from the Knight Captain. The moment he broke eye contact, Loch felt the pressure weighing him down was released, making his hunched shoulders straighten as well. Tobias wasn't paying attention to Loch's current state, instead he was giving the Knight Captain, who was also a foot taller than his own six-foot height, a flat stare. Neither friendly nor angry.
The Knight Captain, whose expression had rarely changed since the moment he arrived in the orphanage, frowned heavily, as if disappointed when he saw the friendly and familiar way Tobias was treating Loch. Tobias, noticing the change in expression, couldn't help wearing a little self-satisfied smirk as he said, "Maxwell. However, it's always good to see you. Can you tell me why you were suppressing my Disciple with your Aura?" If the Knight's frown could become deeper, it would have after he heard the Hunter's words. Seeing the smug expression on the other man's face, Maxwell didn't bother to respond and instead looked down at Loch. Who had regathered his bearings and was now eyeing the two men with a curious expression.
"Pity. You lad, have a promising future in Body cultivation. If you ever feel like this snake of a man here isn't nurturing you properly or want to see another path, feel free to come to the Bullhorn Brotherhood and ask for me. We have Bloodline Cultivators too; it's not just the Hunters of The Cabin who know how to help Totem Cores cultivate. Although others may say the knights of the brotherhoods are more weak as an individual, no one dares to face a charge of squad armored knights upon the open plains, human or Fiend. The battlefield is where we shine. There is no slinking around for a knight. It's upfront and brutal face-to-face combat for us. Truly gets your blood pumping and from the look in your eyes, I know you've got the heart of a warrior, just like us." Knight Captain Maxwell said, his voice coming across like two stones grinding together. Loch showed a surprised expression, as he had assumed by what Tobias had said earlier, that all Totem Cores were Hunters. Looking up at his newly accepted master, he saw that Tobias wasn't refuting the words and was still eyeing the Knight Captain with a smug expression. 'I thought he would be upset at someone trying to practically poach me right in front of him. Am I not as special as I thought I was?' Loch thought to himself.
Seeing Tobias not even replying to the Knight Captain's words, Loch then berated himself, 'What was I thinking? Of course, I'm not special. After just a few words, do I think I'm some genius heavy-defying storybook hero? Tobias clearly favors me because I helped him last night. I've got to show him how loyal I am already.' Loch waited a few more seconds, and coming to the conclusion in his mind that this must be a subtle test of his character, Tobias was letting him reply to the Knight Captain's words himself.
Thinking that, Loch no longer hesitated, firming his shoulders and staring into the gunmetal grey eyes of the mountain of a man in front of him, he said, "Thank you Sir for your offer. But I'll be honest and tell you that I don't intend to be leaving my Master anytime soon. As the Book of Earth says, 'A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime'."
Tobias's smug smile broke after hearing the boy's words. He looked down at the side profile of his new and only disciple. Seeing the serious and sincere look on the boy's face, a larger, more satisfied grin spread across his face. Along with his thin moustache curling too, it looked like Tobias had two lips that were smiling. He then looked at the Knight Captain, who was also giving Loch a serious look. After running his eye over Loch, Maxwell didn't appear displeased at the words said in clear refusal of his offer. To Loch's eyes, Maxwell even looked a little impressed as he gazed at him. Without another word, the muscle-bound man just nodded at Loch and then gave a one-armed salute with fist over his heart to Tobias, who also gave the same salute back, before the giant turned on his heel and strode down the hall.
Loch peered at the man's broad-shouldered back and was still a little confused by the sudden but short interaction. However, someone prevented him from pondering by slapping his back hard, again, nearly knocking Loch out the doorway. With a hearty laugh, Tobias said, "You did me proud there, lad. Those Knights take their honor and noble propriety a little too far sometimes. It's always refreshing to see a time when their stone faces are moved." Tobias stepped out of the door, Loch beginning to follow but was stopped with a hand gesture from the Hunter who said, "We'll leave the rest of our talk about the basics of cultivation until later. I have other things I need to get sorted today, now that you've agreed to come under my tutelage. One main thing I need to organise right now is a transfer of Guardian rights. While I do that, you can take the time to pack your things and say goodbye to your friends. We'll be heading home after you're finished." Tobais didn't wait for an answer, and strode down the hall towards the stairs where Jonesy and Squirt were standing at the railing.
Even though he had already clarified in his heart to be on his best behaviour with Tobias from now on, to earn more of the man's favor and show he's own worth, but at that moment Loch was too frozen to reply with anything the man had just said. With all the new wonderful and mystical things he had just learned, even though it appeared to be only the tip of the iceberg, and the sudden offering of mentorship. Loch had not fully realised the gravity of his new situation and the complete upheaval to his current life accepting Tobias as his master will cause. For one thing, it had slipped his mind that he was now expected to move out of the Orphanage and live wherever Tobias lived. It all made sense to him when he thought about it logically, as how could Tobias properly train Loch and take care of him like the man had said, if he they were living in separate places in different districts. But Humans were ultimately not logical creatures, especially children. Tobias, thinking Loch would have already realised these facts when the boy had accepted to be his disciple, didn't realise what it truly meant for a child to leave the familiar for the unfamiliar. The thought of actually leaving his home and, most importantly, his adopted family, in that moment, was utterly terrifying to the young Loch.
With a pale face, Loch took a couple of steps back into his room and clutched his chest painfully. Feeling as if a knife was piercing his small heart. He also started feeling short of breath. Taking several small lungfuls of air in quick succession didn't help, but also made him feel lightheaded. The room began to spin, and his eyes became blurred with tears. 'All alone again. I'll be alone again.' Visions of an almost feral child hiding in a dense and wet forest, surviving off rodents and their foraged supplies swept through Loch's mind, bringing a feeling of sickness to rise up inside of him. Even his left arm began to sting all over, as if someone was peeling his arm's skin with a dull razor blade. 'No! I'm not going back to that. I'm stronger than that, like Mom said. Fuel use it as fuel.' Loch banished the images of the wild child, with matted hair and blood stained rags biting into a raw rat from his head. Doing his best to calm his breathing and relax. After a few seconds, he began to feel better, but the sour feeling in the pit of his gut and pain in his heart didn't abate, as tears still pooled softly under his eyes.
"Loch! Loch, it's fine. Come back to us. Follow the sound of my voice. You're safe; we've got you." Jonesy's calm voice brought a moment of true clarity to Loch, but only for a moment. Opening his closed eyes and seeing the older boy's worried face staring at him from only a pace away made the patchwork wall of emotions Loch had just put up, break down entirely. The frail boy then lost it. he basically barreled into the older boy's chest, wrapped one arm around Jonesy as if he was clinging onto him for dear life, and then let out a soft pent-up wail. With tears soaking his new shirt quickly, Jonesy was surprised at the usually composed little brother of his breaking out into a crying fit. Not knowing what had happened or what had caused this sudden onslaught of tears, Jonesy just wrapped the boy in a firm hug. Patting Loch on his back every couple of seconds while whispering soft reassuring words.
Squirt, who was standing next to Jonesy, and was still wearing his signature smile, but with both eyebrows raised in utter confusion at Loch's current state. Watching the display even the smiling silent boy's eyes began to quiver and pool with water, in what looked more like fear then sadness before Squirt looked back down the hall where Tobias had gone with a dangerous gleam shining in his eyes.
"It's going to be fine, buddy. I'm here. Just tell big brother what has happened. Did that man do something to you or was it the Knight Captain?" Jonesy asked after Loch's crying had quieted down. When he asked if Tobias had done something, his voice was still calm, but a fierce expression of violence marred his features. A sight which would have shocked the others who shared Jonesy's dorm. "No, he didn't do anything bad. It's just because..." Loch replied through sniffles and trailed off as a large sob escaped his mouth when he tried to explain.
Jonesy separated from Loch, holding the boy at arm's length, with hands on the skinny boy's shoulders. Giving his warmest smile, Jonesy silently prodded Loch to continue, with Squirt staring at the two as well. Loch, now with his emotion settling somewhat felt a slight feeling of embarrassment at his previous and current state and couldn't match Jonesy's stares, instead staring at his toes while he mumbled, "It's because that man, I mean Sir Tobias asked if I wanted to become his disciple and he said he could also teach me to be a Hunter. And I said yes."
Hearing those words, although a flicker of grief went through his eyes, Jonesy still plastered a large smile on his face and said, "That's great, Loch. I knew you always had it in you. A Hunter buddy! That's what you've always dreamed of. Why would hearing that make you sad?" Squirt also looked to be happy for Loch and was making hand actions towards him, that looked like some kind of celebratory gesture.
"It is great, it's something I've always dreamed of but never truly thought I'd have the chance to compete in, it's just… now that I've become his pupil I'll have to... Leave... today." Loch mumbled. Jonesy made an understanding face and tapped the boy on the shoulder, indicating to go further inside the shared room. Once inside and the door closed, Jonesy looked at Loch, who was rubbing at his eyes, and said, "I know this is a lot of change and for it to happen so suddenly as well. It would come as a massive emotional blow to anyone. And not just for you but it's going to be for all of us. But this is still a great thing and something to celebrate. None of us were meant for the mediocre. We've had it a lot rougher than others, but I know that it's made us stronger in more ways than even we realize. We're not meant for the mediocre Loch. Especially you, my little brother. You were always destined to soar, and this is just the first step on your journey. Who knows, maybe one day someone will write a book about the great adventure of the Legendary Loch the Hunter or Hunters." The calming and encouraging words from Jonesy almost sent Loch into another sobbing fit, but he swallowed the tears back down and reined in his emotion as best as he could.
Taking a few seconds to gather himself, Loch looked into Jonesy's eyes and saw nothing but brotherly compassion and confidence. "I believe." Jonesy started to say but was interrupted by Squirt tapping his chest multiple times to include him before he continued, "I mean, we, have always believed in you. It's time you do, too. Just make sure that when you become a famous, rich and powerful Hunter that you remember your brothers and sisters. And bring us some Fiend heads to look at."
Not trusting his voice, Loch just nodded multiple times with a resolute expression as he thought, 'Just you wait big brother, one day the whole city will hear of my name and I'll personally bring you an Arch-Fiend's head. Maybe even a Fiend's head with massive eyes. We can place it above the front doors of the Orphanage.'
Jonesy gave one more pat on Loch's shoulder and then made his way over towards his own bed, while Loch, now with no one's eyes on him, took the time to quickly clean his face of snot and tears. Using his crutch, Jonesy hooked the handle of a large trunk that was under his bed and pulled it out. The scarping noise of the heavy trunk on the floorboards caught both Loch and Squirt's attention. Making the two smaller boys walk over to Jonesy with inquisitive faces. Jonesy turned to look at the boys, focusing on Loch. He said with a smile, "You also don't need to be so sad, Loch. If you hadn't accepted Mr. Tobias's offer, I would have been very worried for you."
"Why would you have been worried? What for? It's not like staying in the orphanage with the others is the worst thing in the world." Loch took his curious eyes off the previously unseen trunk and looked at his older brother as he asked. "I would have been worried because you would've been sleeping in this room all on your own after today." With a shocked face, Loch looked over to Squirt, who was giving him an innocent smile, and back to his older brother, who was now seated on the side of his bed, with his one foot resting on the top of the trunk.
"That's right, all alone. Randall has been accepted by the Knight Captain Maxwell, and Lacey has also agreed to join the Glinstone Tower." Jonesy revealed. Although Loch was shocked that in just the short time he had been talking to Tobias, two of his friends had also made two massive life-changing decisions. He also had a feeling from what had happened earlier in the hall that something like this might happen. It was still a shock to hear it actually happened, though. Loch looked over to Squirt again and asked, "Just because they have said yes, doesn't mean I would be alone. What about Squirt?"
ones"Well, the answer to that surprised even me. As you know, with Squirt's inability to speak and general... oblivious like nature, I was also worried that he wouldn't be recruited by any of the one's downstairs. However, much like with you, Mother Leanne was already prepared. Honestly, even though she told us today was going to be a big surprise and that it even came as a surprise even to her, I believe she had made plans for today much earlier than we think. An odd man arrived shortly after you and Tobias had begun talking alone in your room. The man's face was obscured by a hood, so I couldn't get a good look at him, and honestly, he exuded a kinda shady, creepy vibe. But considering Mother Leanne was escorting him and she even personally assured me that the man was no one to fear, I didn't cause a fuss when the man approached Squirt and asked if he could speak to him. It was surprising that the man could use sign language, though. Squirt then went and had a very short chat with him. I don't know what was said, but when Squirt came back, he just told me that he was going to be leaving today to learn how to be a 'Watcher.'? At least, I think that's what Squirt said it was. Honestly, I'm not too sure what he means, but Mother Leanne appeared happy that he agreed to the robed man's suggestion, and I decided not to rock the boat." Jonesy said as he gave the silent, smiley boy an odd glance.
Loch also looked at Squirt with a questioning gaze, but the boy just smiled and shrugged innocently at the two, leaving them with no avenue to probe. They both knew that Squirt was not as thick as he let others think and was also just as stubborn, if not even more so, than the bullheaded Randall. Jonesy just sighed with a shake of his head at the small boy and removed his foot off the trunk. Tapping the top of it with his crutch, Jonesy said, "I was planning to give you guys these when I left in two days, but considering you're all now leaving before me, you best take them now. Give me a hand, Loch. Lift it up onto the bed and put in this code for the lid."
Loch's racing thoughts on what Squirt could have possibly gotten himself into were swept to the side after hearing Jonesy's words. Grabbing the trunk's handle with gusto, he exerted a little effort to lift it up and onto the bed. With Squirt now standing next to him, the both stared at the closed trunk lid in excitement. Loch put in the code Jonesy had told him and undid the latches, in a flash, swinging the lid back in a rush. The contents of the trunk made Loch gasp in surprise, and Squirt put two hands on his cheeks and widen his eyes comically.