First Impressions

That morning, Hisoki has already left the building he was staying at from last night and is now in a new building right next door waiting in a hallway with lots of cabinets with glass displaying magic items and many paintings of the man Luscious shaking hands with the kings of Magen, a couple God Knights, and even other kingdoms’ warriors and knights. Suddenly Khenen leaves from the door that is Luscious’ office, giving Hisoki a turning glance. And Hisoki stands, entering it. Inside, there are magic items everywhere. It’s hard to look at for the jester, and there’s a big desk where Luscious sits with his feet up, pointing to the big chair in front of the desk.

“Please, take a load off.” he says, lighting a cigar. As he does, Hisoki realizes he hasn’t seen many cigars in his life. Only two people he knew could ever smoke one a month at most, and this man has a box full of them, some already partially smoked, half left lying wasted in an ashtray. Both people that he knew would eagerly have taken the partially smoked cigars for themselves. “So, you wanna be a knight…” smoke pours from his mouth as he talks, his gold teeth are so distracting the way he purposely shows them while he speaks.

“I believe I already am one. I passed the gauntlet, didn’t I?” Hisoki asks.

The man takes a pull from his cigar again. “Guess again. I get final say since I collect the most magic items. See, kid. Magic items are more valuable than anything. Because I collect the most, I get to decide who gets to be a knight and who doesn’t. The fact that they let the saddest, sorriest fucking team leader host the second challenge? Pfff… I had to step in. That doesn’t matter right now. What matters is this: what can you do that separates you from other knights?”

“Well, I can detect magic items. Does that help?”

“Really now?” He leans in, faking his interest before leaning back. “Boy, I can do that too. It doesn’t mean much unless you can categorize the items.”

“Categorize… Oh, you mean know what they can do?”

“You got it. For example, I can smell magic items. Their smell tells me the item’s intention. I don’t even have to touch them. I can locate exactly where they will be too based on the smell.”

“Well, I can see them based on their glow. The stronger the glow, the more powerful the item. I can’t tell you what they do from a distance, though.”

He leans back in his chair. “Kinda pointless for the needs of the kingdom, kid.”

“But if I can touch them, I can attune to it instantly, and even tell you every single thing it does and doesn’t do. Who’s already attuned to it, and more. Not only that, I can attune anyone to it. Even staffs if the person isn’t a spellcaster.”

He leans forward again. “Really now? What if the item has a negative effect?”

“Usually they glow a specific color… And ones that cause death to the user are a solid black.”

“I think you’ll do well as a knight on my team then.” He claps and extends his hand for a shake.

“Oh no, I didn’t plan on joining your team.”

Instantly, he frowns and pulls his hand back. “Did you not just hear me? I’m holding the best knight team in the kingdom. If you join me, you’ll want for nothing. So long as you do your job.”

“I was hoping to join Nozomi’s team.” Hisoki just tells him.

As Luscious pulls his cigar from his mouth, he snaps it in half on purpose. “Nozomi? You think I’d let that sorry ass team get any kind of edge?” he calms himself down. “No, no, that’s not going to happen. I can’t force you to work for me. Because then you’ll just weigh us down on purpose. I’m assigning you as a roaming knight. See how you feel about filling in for other teams and getting scraps, then maybe you’ll figure out the team you need to be on.”

Right as Hisoki is about to respond pretty angrily, he considers this assignment. “A roaming knight? What does that mean?”

Luscious sighs, practically wanting an excuse from the jester or maybe even some begging. “Simple. You’ll get requests from teams to fill in. You have to pick one to fill in for that day. The amount you’ll be paid depends on the team. You never get a cut of the loot, only what they offer you.”

Hisoki now knows that this could be better. “I’m just guessing; I can eventually just get onto any team I want permanently?”

“You should be more worried. I’m hoping through this you’ll see that you’re missing out on my offer and come crawling back.” Luscious turns away. “Do what you want, and hey, you get… Seven successful missions, level three difficulty or above? You can pick what team you want to be on. You’re just lucky we need knights in general. Now get your sorry ass out of here.”

Hisoki stands. Luscious turns his chair around; it rotates on a large metal swivel that floats, magically connected to the base of the chair. Hisoki had never seen anything like that. But, he’s too distracted by his new role. Once he leaves, he meets up with Nozomi, who’s waiting on him outside the building. “How did it go?”

“I told him I wanted to be on your team and he denied me.”

Nozomi crosses her arms. “Then whose team are you on?”

“None, I’m a ‘roaming knight’.”

“A roa-” she stops and puts her hand over her face. “Damn it, Luscious… Okay, it’s alright. We can work through that. I’ll just request you every day.”

“See, that’s another thing. If I want to be able to pick my team I need to complete seven missions of level three or higher.”

“You can’t be serious. Hisoki, listen. Don’t play his game. We barely get level three missions. I’ll barely be able to ever secure you!”

“I know, but if I pick level three missions I can eventually get on your team for good!”

“He’s selling you a chain, Hisoki. Get it through your little cap, okay? I told you to impress him!”

“Well… what if this is how I can impress him?”

“No, no, this is not what I had in mind. Damn it!” Nozomi shouts and kicks one of the pots next to the building. Shattering it, spilling the water and dirt from it. She watches the corpse of the flower sliding down the mound of dirt and trapped water.

Hisoki can’t help but feel guilty. “I’m sorry, I’ll make this right. Just give me some time.”

“Just… Just do whatever you have to do. I’m not completely mad at you. What I want to do is slap Luscious, but he could just turn me into a frog if I step out of line.”

“He can do that?”

“Yes. He’s absurdly strong. Or at least his magic items in his body make him that strong.” They begin walking to one of the restaurants. At the first one they sit at, their waitress recognizes Hisoki from the Sight Spheres displaying the gauntlet.

“Well hey there! A new knight learning from a veteran knight!” the woman says. “Now don’t mind me just came to bring you a couple drinks while you both decide on what you wanna eat!” She slides over two massive mugs full of something like mead or ale, then leaves.

“Veteran? You’ve only been a knight for a year.” Hisoki says to Nozomi.

She rolls her eyes. “I know, I know. This position for me has been more like four… I get recognized more than other knights because I lead a team. Which means when I make a mistake, my mistakes are on full display.”

“So, then… Who are the other team leaders? I’m just curious.” Hisoki asks while taking a swig of the oddly frothy beverage.

“If we are going to talk about it.” She reaches in her bag of holding and pulls out pictures that aren’t on canvases or etched on film. They are on small metal-looking cards, a stark, silver-and-charcoal image permanently etched into the metal surface with names below the images, etched in via a hot stamp. “Magen has been developing these plates for the knights that lead teams. It’s like painting or normal photography but with metal and alchemy. This man here is Fortia. He’s pretty old now, but he’s still one of the best leaders of all of the knights. Righteous in every way, although he’s a little full of himself. He’s idealistic, has a small savior complex. Makes good conversation and is willing to put his life on the line for others.” she puts away that plate, revealing the next one. “You’ve met Luscious.” She puts away his plate a little too eagerly. “This is Eta. You met her in the forest. She ran that challenge. She’s a survivalist and enjoys living off of the land. She tends to go into dungeons woefully unprepared on purpose to test herself and her knights.”

“Sounds pretty irresponsible.” Hisoki says.

“It is, but she maintains the second highest number of magic items gathered.”

Hisoki looks so surprised. “I thought she was just a berry addict.”

“Funny, but no. She’s beyond serious.” She moves Eta’s card away. “Next is yours truly. We hold the greatest number of missions and objectives completed but the least number of magic items.” She removes her card. “Finally, Otta The Only.”

“The Only?” Hisoki looks at her confused.

“He’s the only knight on his team. Hence the title.”

“Didn’t know you can do that.”

“People have tried joining his team, but he denies them all. Says they ‘slow him down’.”

“Let me guess… He holds the record for the third highest number of magic items.”

“Spot on, Hisoki. Our team and Fortia have the lowest, and Fortia only has a small lead. The other teams aren’t so virtuous like us or Fortia’s.”

“Odd question then, were you on his team before you got your own?”

“I was. I have a good bit of respect for him. Even with his idealistic nature. I just needed to stand out on my own with people that agree with my wants for the kingdom and maybe the world…”

“Something changed with you didn’t it, Nozomi? You saw things out in the world and in the kingdom.” Hisoki’s expression softens as though he understands her desperation to have him on her team.

She drinks nervously. “I saw things that made me understand why you want to do what you want to, Hisoki. Just know that even though your task that you want for the world is impossible, I believe in you. All I want for the world and the kingdom is for them to be better. I want a system not ruled by how many magic items a person holds.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Although, after fighting Maiyori, I think my plan might actually be possible…”

“Oh? Was fighting a Seraphim part of your plan?” she jokes. “Speaking of, I wasn’t understanding what was happening very well through the Sight Spheres since I wasn’t seeing your illusion.”

“I hadn’t considered that she could rebound Megido even partially… So, I made her think I never actually cast that spell by adjusting the illusion so the forest wasn’t destroyed.”

“That’s so evil! What else?” She leans on her hands with intent as Hisoki explains the rest of the encounter. “She took a huge gamble and paid for it. You nearly lost because you underestimated her.”

“I didn’t underestimate her, I’ve just never heard of a spell that rebounds Megido. Ever. I had to think quickly even with all of the damage I took. Thankfully pain isn’t the problem. It’s the nausea and dizziness.”

“To be fair, I didn’t know that was possible either. You beat her with one Megido, Soul Snares, a magic trap release, and a single illusion you adjusted over the entire fight. Oh, and a little convincing.”

“And a dragon!” Hisoki sips more of his beverage.

“Right, how could I not remember her lobbing the head off of a dragon! Was that the-?”

“The same one.”

“I see, I sort of feel bad for it. Don’t you?”

Hisoki stays quiet, looking down to the corner of the table.

“Hisoki? What’s wrong?” She reaches over and puts a hand on his. “It’s fine. You can tell me.”

“…I didn’t want the dragon to die. That wasn’t part of the plan. I was hoping to shrink it down temporarily for it to fly away right before I released the Megido. I was hoping she’d knock it out since the challenge wasn’t about killing.”

“I know, and we can’t fix that.” she says while reaching in her bag of holding. “I did get some more news about something I know you’ll like.” She pulls out an envelope with a gold and white seal. “This is a God Knight’s seal. Every leader of a knight team has received one. They are looking for knights in about a week or so to go on a hunt for magic items. Only one God Knight is going. But, they need a good team. The good news is, I can choose any knight I want to go. Not just from my team. My hope was you’d be on my team to get some experience in that way. Now, however, you’ll need to do it with random teams or mine.”

Suddenly, the doors burst open to the restaurant. A familiar silhouette pours in from the light. Hat, thumbs in belt, his boots making the loudest thunk sounds as he walks over to their table. “Hey clown.” Vic says and pulls over a chair. Sitting in it, reversed with the back pressed against the table. “Looks like we’ll be on the same team.” Nozomi tilts her head and so does Hisoki.

“You mean, you’re on-” Nozomi starts.

“That’s right, I’m on yours. I figured since you knew him he’d pick your team any day.” Vic says proudly. “I feel like it rounds out everything, no loose ends, everyone’s together.”

“Vic…” Nozomi says. “Hisoki didn’t get on my team. He’s a roaming knight.”

Hisoki nods in agreement and puts his hands up. “It wasn’t my fault. I swear!”

“Are you serious? Damn it. Just when I had a good idea.”

“No! It’s fine! I’m happy to have you! I need a good trapper and planner besides myself.” Nozomi says. “I didn’t think you would even want to be on my team.”

“It was kind of the best choice I had. I met the others before when my sister went to join hers after she won. I didn’t like a single person. Then I saw your name when looking through the list of the leaders and decided you were likely the best choice for me. Although, him being on the team was going to be a big bonus.” Vic says, nodding to Hisoki.

They sit quietly before Hisoki breaks the silence. “Vic, um… Was there another reason you wanted to come over?”

“Right, I was kinda thinking. We don’t have any responsibilities until Monday, right?” Vic pulls out a pack of tobacco and begins rolling a cigarette on the table. “Why not visit my farm? You seem to know your way around a bull, right? I’d be happy to have you.”

Hisoki almost forgets that he rode a magic-made bull in the ring. When he realizes it, he practically hides his face in his gloved hands. Not embarrassment from the performance, but from Vic of all people seeing it. “Y-yeah. When I was in the circus, we had bulls, tigers, elephants, and much more…” since he can’t do a handstand at the moment, he fidgets with his glove. “Every one of us had to learn how to take care of them when the ringmaster couldn’t.”

“Is that who was in that photo in your bedroom?” Vic asks. Nozomi shoots him a look. “What? I’m just curious.”

“He was something like a father, and everyone else was like my found family.” Hisoki looks over at Nozomi.

“Did something happen that made you wanna leave?” Vic scoots in closer.

“Not exactly. The ringmaster would often get into debts he couldn’t pay back. During one of the biggest performances of the night, my shapeshifter friend was doing a stunt that involved turning into a lion to get the tiger to back into its cage. With all of the roaring and noise, no one noticed a massive fire started in the hay, except me. I couldn’t catch the guys that did it. I saw them. They lit up the circus like it was theirs to burn. I couldn’t put out the fire because I didn’t know any magic nor could I get enough water in time. Everything burned. One of my friends died, and then, with no circus, the animals were released or sold off. Then the ringmaster just took his own life. My remaining friends left. They didn’t want to remain together because it would be too depressing with everything that happened.” Realizing he just spilled his guts, he shuts up.

Vic puts the cigarette he just rolled in his mouth but forgets to light it. “Hang on. This ringmaster of yours adopted kids, had them perform in a circus, racked up so much debt that he couldn’t pay it back, and then killed himself.”

Hisoki nods and Nozomi is just sitting there because she’s already been told this.

“That man… Is a prime example of a dumbass.” Vic says it plainly. Lighting his smoke.

Nozomi is quite shocked at the allegation and Hisoki looks a bit mad. “But he took me in!”

“Yeah, and so do shepherds with sheep into their flock. Doesn’t mean you aren’t getting sheared and left out in the cold.”

“Shearing helps sheep, Vic. You know that, you’re a farmer.” Nozomi corrects him.

He feels a little stupid for saying that, but he corrects himself. “I meant both. Hisoki, that man had debts long before you. He likely started the circus to clear the debt. With every new mouth to feed, it adds up. Animals, kids, adults. It’s just not doable. As someone who has a pretty large family, I know. You almost need a farm to take care of ten or more people…”

Hisoki looks at Vic, not wanting to accept such an obvious truth that he knew somewhere deep down. “That does add up. Especially with everything I saw in his office. I just wasn’t really sure what to do.”

“Hey, I’m not blaming you, kid. You were like, what? Twelve? It’s not your place to worry about his mistakes.”

“He doubts himself a lot, Vic. Unless he’s sure about something, he doubts it completely.” Nozomi says, causing Hisoki to dart his eyes between the table and Nozomi and then Vic.

“If we are done with this touchy-feely crap, you comin’, clown?” Vic stands up, placing a thumb in his belt.

“We were going to get something to eat, but honestly, I got stuff to do anyway. Go on, I’ll mail you your house key when it’s available. Vic? Did you leave your address with Luscious?”

“Yeah, he said he’d send it to you so he doesn’t waste a house on my ‘sorry ass’. His words.”

She rolls her eyes and holds out her hand to Hisoki to shake his. “Here’s to hoping you make it as a knight.”

“Thank you, Nozomiii-!” She yanks him over the table in a hug.

“I hope you know what you’re doing…” she whispers and lets him go.

As they are leaving Vic asks Hisoki, “Ever been on a train?”

“No! I haven’t!”

Vic is laughing while Nozomi watches them exit. “Am I doing the right thing?” She looks down at the God Knight’s seal.