Early morning the next day just as the sun crests the horizon Drake grabs his pack and heads to his masters room.
*knock* *knock*
"Come in Drake. I just finished getting your gift ready"Drake hears Ten-Zen's muffled voice say through the door
"Pardon the intrusion master." Drake replies as he opens the sliding door and enters the room before closing it behind him. He sits on the ground in front of his master and bows his head before looking up at him.
As he looks up towards his master he first sees a set of lightly armored martial artist clothes and pair of gauntlets and greaves. The gauntlet for his left arm goes all the way up to his shoulder in one smooth piece, while the right gauntlet is split into two parts over his arm. The gauntlets shine with a faint blue color when the light hits it at certain angles making it clear that they are forged with precious blue steel. There is also a form fitting pauldron for both of his shoulders. The clothes are form fitting and flexible with patches of chain mail woven into key vital areas. There is also a leather cuirass to go over his clothes. The greaves are made of Blue steel as well. Blue steel is directly attached to the toes of hardened leather boots. To complete the set there is a pair of cuisses that are made of blue steel to protect his thighs.
"These will help you in your journey to a degree. Though they may be used, they were made to be reliable."
As Drake listened to his master speak he notice that there were signs of wear and tear in the clothes themselves. As for the armor it had scuff marks and scratches marring parts of the surface.
With a look of confusion Drake asked his master "Thank you for the armor master, but why the gauntlets and greaves? Could I not buy some when I get to the city of Dravassia?"
"You could Drake, but it is far too expensive to get them made like these ones are, and these ones are the best types of gauntlets when it comes to both defense and offense. Especially when you infuse mana into them." Ten-Zen replied to his pupil
"Mana? I don't have any mana master. How am I going to infuse mana into them?"
"Oh that's right I never mentioned it. I got so engrossed in training you I completely forgot to have you go to the local magic association branch to awaken your magic. With that being said make sure to stop by the magic association branch and have them help with awakening your magic. You can ask them about mana and magic since I don't really know much." Ten-Zen replied with a sheepish look on his face.
"Understood master. I will go to the magic association branch. Though first I would like to have one last meal together with you before I go. Allow me to make the food to show my appreciation for all that you have done for me these last ten years" Drake said to his master.
"Very well Drake. We shall have one last meal together. Before I forget do not bother looking for me here in the town after you leave. I was on a pilgrimage when we first met ten years ago and I will continue on that pilgrimage in a couple of weeks. Though I do not expect you to come back any time soon since I trained you better than that" Ten-Zen informed his student.
"Pilgrimage? I didn't know you were doing something like that. What kind of pilgrimage is it master?" Drake asked as he started preparing the food to make breakfast "By the way breakfast will be done in about ten minutes master"
"I am on a pilgrimage of self-discovery and self-discipline for a serious crime I committed in my temple back home."
"Crime? What kind of crime if you don't mind me asking, also why self-discovery?" Drake said with a surprised look as he turned and looked at his master.
"I was a more brash and emotionally hot-headed youth. In a moment of anger and stupidity I accidentally killed a fellow monk in sparing. That is the crime I have committed and it is why I left on this journey. I realized what I had done after everything was said and done, and I told the head abbot that I would accept whatever punishment he deemed fit. The punishment he decided on was a pilgrimage to help people in need when I come across them for thirty years, as well as training my self-discipline to get better control of my emotions. I have been on my pilgrimage for nearly twenty years now." Ten-Zen said with a look full of regret and sorrow, as well as anticipation and hope.
"Breakfast is ready master. Where is you home master? I would like to visit it and see the temple if I am ever in the area. I may even go visit you there after I am done with my own journey." Drake said as he finished setting down the food and took a seat at the table.
"My home is in the Veritas mountains to the north-east of the continent. It will be well worth your time to go to the abbey there. They have many scriptures that will broaden you mind beyond what my humble skill and memories can do."
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