Rukia Joins

 

I head towards the Elders house with the Elf girl following me. I don't know how to treat her after yesterday. It shocked me when she yelled at me and then after I left my chest got tight and tears started coming for some reason. Since I don’t know how to handle her I’ll treat it as if it never happened. 

 

After knocking and announcing my arrival I am guided into the dining room by Elders wife, Sara, I thank her and sit down.

 

“So? Why did you call me?” He sighs at my question.

 

“You caused quite a commotion you know? Flying in like you did yesterday. Not to mention flying straight into the World Tree without saying anything.”

 

“She said it was fine. She said I could stay there until I felt better.” He looks like he struggles to find words to respond to that. Eventually he changes the subject.

 

“Well either way. This is Rukia.” He points to the Elf girl from yesterday, who called me today. It seems she is sitting on the opposite side of the table from me. “She is now undergoing punishment due to her actions yesterday.” I tilt my head since he stopped talking without explaining anything. “Well she broke some of our rules and to make up for it she is going to be looking after you from now.”

 

“What does that mean? Is she going to be watching me?”

 

“Nonononono.” He starts waving his arms frantically. “She is going to be staying with you and doing things for you.” Ehhhh. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep or do anything with her around all the time. I could maybe sleep close to Elder but I don’t think I trust anyone else enough. Elder has been trying to make my life a little more ‘normal’. Maybe this is training for ‘Walking in the Light’ he mentioned the other day. Not to mention I can make her ‘Do things for me’. I can make her do all of the annoying stuff. Hehehe.

 

“Fine. Do I have to take her on my hunts though? She couldn't even kill a few Slavers.” I see Rukia start sweating and looking panicked but the Elder replies normally.

 

“No. She doesn't have to be with you when you're fighting but do try to keep her alive. If you want you could even use her as bait for hunting slavers.” Bait? Also Rukia looks even more panicked now. “Oops. I should probably explain that to you. When people go hunting they usually take something to attract their attention like if you're hunting Herbivores leaving a pile of berries will attract their attention. Since I told you not to kill Humans that aren't slavers, using Rukia as bait will be good since if they are slavers they will probably try to capture her right away with no discussion.” I smile at that.

 

“I think I get the idea. If I want to ‘bait’ someone, I put what they want out in the open. Then when they go to grab… Bam! Stabbed through the back.” Rukia jumped when I said Bam but I don't know what her problem is. 

 

“Indeed. Also one last thing that I’ll get Rukia to teach you first. I have been explaining emotions and feelings to you lately but if you feel anything like I explained you should ask her. I heard that she mentioned Killer Intent to you yesterday.” I nod.

 

“Yea. She said to stop it I had to control my feelings. I did what you said to ‘calm down’ and it worked. I wasn't feeling anything though…”

 

“Yeah. I was planning to explain that later but I’ll give you a quick lesson. Have you ever just felt that someone was stronger than you? Maybe not even stronger than you, just that you ‘felt’ their power. Not from Analyze or Intuition but you just had a feeling.”

 

“Mmm. From a Bounty Hunter I worked with in town and a Goblin Champion I killed.” Rukia's eyes open wide but she still doesn't say anything.

 

“Interesting. Well that is kind of like their Aura. Some call it different things but we call it Aura. It is basically a feeling of how strong someone is. The problem is that you can only feel someone's Aura if they are around your strength. If I put it in terms of Levels it's easier to understand but usually if someone is above Level 5 they’ll start to generate an Aura. They won't feel an Aura of someone who is Level 60 though. Same goes that a Level 100 won't feel the Aura of someone who is Level 20. It's not just levels though, Skills, Mana, Physical Strength and even Mental Strength will influence the strength of their Aura.” This is easy to understand for once.

 

“The problem with you is that your Aura is way above your current Level. I think it's because of your skills.” I panic a little. I wonder if that gives Stealth away. “Don’t worry, because of your Skill Set your Aura is hidden most of the time.” Most? “Indeed. Most of the time. You tend to let your Aura slip when your emotions get riled up. Emotions can sometimes manifest in a person's Aura. Like if you get too angry people will feel your rage, if you get too sad people will feel your sadness. The only thing that gets you riled up enough to show your Aura is any mention of slavers. Did you notice that Rukia looked panicked when I brought that up earlier?” Indeed. 

 

“She started sweating and looked scared. Eventually she calmed down though.”

 

“Indeed that was because your Aura flared when I mentioned them, then it calmed and went away as I distracted you with other talk. You were also like that whenever you or I mentioned slavers. Close your eyes and focus on the area around me.” I do as he said and focus. Easily enough I feel his Aura, its fresh and easy going like its melting into the atmosphere. 

 

“I found it. Why didn't I feel it before? Also why can't I feel hers?”

 

“Well my Aura is a little special in that regard hahaha. You’ll probably feel a few of the other Auras just fine but old fella’s like myself, especially Elves, tend to have Auras that are a lot more naturally relaxed than normal Aura’s. I can't give a proper explanation since that would take too long but that should be fine for now. What I want you to do is to try and think about slavers and such without having your own Aura flare up. I’m sure it will help you with future work.”

 

“Ok.” I turn to Rukia and ask her. “Your name is Rukia?” She stiffens a little but answers.

 

“Yes!”

 

“Are you ready to go?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Fine. Elder, when should I come next time?”

 

“Just take a few days to get used to each other and come back. My recent business is taken care of so I’ll be around whenever you want to learn.”

 

“Ok. Let's go Rukia.” I lead Rukia outside and start walking to the gates of town. A lot of Aunties and Uncles call out to me with hellos and other pleasantries so I appropriately respond and after saying hello to the guardsmen at the gate, I start walking through the forest. Eventually Rukia speaks up.

 

“Why is everyone so friendly to you?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I mean!! Why is everyone talking so nicely to you when you're so blah when you talk.”

 

“What's ‘Blah’?”

 

“You know? Blah! Like you just don't show any emotion or anything. And your voice is so monotone?” Hmmmm. I have never really thought about how I talked before. Is she being mean to me again?

 

“Why do you speak like ‘that’ then?”

 

“I!... don't know… Huh… why do I talk like this?” We walk in silence for a bit while she thinks on my question. “I guess I just started talking like this eventually.”

 

“Well I guess it's the same for me. Maybe it has something to do with the Universal Translation Index Skill?”

 

“No, that skill only makes you understand all languages. Wait. Do you have Universal Translation Matrix?”

 

“Yea! It was my first Skill!”

 

“Wha!”

 

“I totally forgot that it was my First. How exciting. I wonder if there is another similar skill? Maybe I should have another look and see if there is anything like that. Now that I think about it, it is probably one of my most helpful Skills. I couldn't have read or understood anyone without it. I’ll ask Elder about it when I get back. I know that I focused on combat Skills until recently but now I’m interested in Skills that don't directly relate to combat. Maybe I can get something interesting. Also, also…”