The first thing Ryuji did with the Hitashi Olaf was to go and check the village library for anything related to the forest. The library was filled with old books and papers, but very few mentioned anything about the forest. Every day they went to the library to see if they could find anything useful about the forest's origins. One of the books mentioned a lost ancient book guarded by a creature.
*Fsh*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Look at this.
*Step*
*Step*
(Hitashi Olaf) - A lost ancient book?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Yes.
(Hitashi Olaf - Does it say anything else?
*Fsh*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - It looks like there is something else, but it is written in hieroglyphs, which I assume is the ancient language.
*Grab*
(Hitashi Olaf) - What is this?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Just an old map of our village.
*Point*
(Hitashi Olaf) - What is marked there?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - There it used to be a training ground, but now are stables for traders' horses.
*Stand*
(Hitashi Olaf) - Let's go there.
*Step*
*Step*
On their way to the stables, they bumped into Itashi Toya.
(Itashi Toya) - Greetings.
(Hitashi Olaf) - Greetings.
(Itashi Toya) - I see you two became very close.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I am helping him with some research about the forest.
(Itashi Toya) - I hope you did not forget about your training.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I will resume my training as soon as I finish with the research.
(Itashi Toya) - Good luck!
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Thank you!
*Step*
*Step*
(Hitashi Olaf) - Could you please show me your training routine?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Sure!
*Step*
*Horse neighing*
*Creek*
*Door opens*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What should we look for?
(Hitashi Olaf) - Anything that could be related to the training grounds.
*Search*
*Empty thud*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I think I found something.
*Clearing the area*
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(Hitashi Olaf) - Why is it a trap door hidden here?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - It could be related to the training grounds.
*Step*
*Step*
They climbed down the ladder and found themselves in a big room underground entirely made of stone. There were training dummies, bookshelves, desks, and chairs. It looked like a classroom but for soldiers. They searched for anything that could give them some clues about the forest or the ancient language.
Ryuji opened a drawer and found some papers and a book. They spread the papers on the desk and saw all kinds of maps, and circled areas, and everything was in the same ancient language. When they opened the book all the letters had a translation into the ancient language. And they could decipher what was on the maps.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Here! It says something about a book hidden in the forest.
(Hitashi Olaf) - It could be the lost book we are searching for.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I can not find this word.
(Hitashi Olaf) - I wonder what those circled areas are, there is no text to them.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - There is only one way to find out.
(Hitashi Olaf) - It does look pretty far in the forest, and we are not prepared, we still don't know what lies in there.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - This paper says something about a creature guarding the book.
(Hitashi Olaf) - I have not heard of any creature in the previous clues I found. Maybe it is a mistranslation.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I hope so.
(Hitashi Olaf) - Let's keep this room a secret from the other villagers.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Sure.
*Step*
*Climb*
*Loud thud*
(Hitashi Olaf) - Don't forget to cover the trap door when you leave.
When they left the stables it was already late and they decided to call it for the day. When Ryuji arrived home he noticed there was another pair of shoes at the entrance. He was not expecting anyone to come by that late, and when he entered the room it was the doctor with his parents at the table. They were discussing his father's situation.
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - Come, come.
(Doctor) - We were just talking about you.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What happened?
(Doctor) - Nothing to worry about, your father is out of any danger now.
(Yoshimoto Masao) - Well, besides not being able to move, I am fine.
(Doctor) - I must leave, it's getting late.
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - Thank you for everything doctor.
*Sits*
(Doctor) - Farewell.
*Step*
*Door closes*
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - The doctor said we need someone to take over for our family now that your father is unable to go to the forest.
(Yoshimoto Masao) - I believe you will do a good job. But I can not allow you to go back to that forest.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I promise I will not go to the forest.
(Yoshimoto Masao) - Good!
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - We will have to talk with your uncle and see if he can help us with the money for a while.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I will try to help people in the village, and earn some money.
(Yoshimoto Masao) - That sounds good, but do not worry. We will figure it out.
*Sit*
*Step*
*Step*
After some good news, there is always bad news. It is too late to undo his mistakes, and now his parents are in a dire situation because of Ryuji. He has to do something about it.
The next day Tyuji met with Olaf and showed him his training routine. Ryuji told him that some people from this village were trained by paladins and he was under someone's supervision that was the best apprentice of a paladin. He had no idea that Olaf used to be a renowned paladin. And without revealing his past, Olaf told Ryuji that he will personally train him.
Ryuji's parents talked with Itashi Toya, and he agreed to help them with resources and chores. And Ryuji promised to repay him fully in the future. Toya smiled and told him:
(Itashi Toya) - No worries.
Olaf was more strict about Ryuji training. Olaf helped him work on his weaknesses and improve his awareness. They did all kinds of training, blindfolded, archery, underwater breathing, balance, sword fighting, and many more.
After about one month Olaf told Ryuji he is ready to start his new training routine, but this time it was in the forest. Olaf explained to him everything he had to know, and the potential risks that they could face while training in the forest. Ryuji was very excited to be able to head back to the forest, now that he had some basic training.
When Ryuji went to tell his parents that he would go into the forest to train, they were not happy to hear it. They said it was too dangerous for him, even if it was for training. Olaf comforted them, telling them he will accompany and watch over his training.
*Step*
*Step*
(Itashi Toya) - I heard the news, you are going back to the Silent Forest?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Yes, thanks to your and the old man's training, I feel more prepared now.
(Itashi Toya) - I am glad to hear that. But before you head out let's have a sparring match.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Sure!
They went to where they used to train and they prepared for the match.
(Itashi Toya) - Show me how much you have improved!
They both ran at each other with wooden swords, dodging every attack Toya threw at Ryuji. And the match finished with Ryuji as the winner. Ryuji was still not sure if Toya let him win, or if it was the training he received from Olaf that helped him win.
(Itashi Toya) - Looks like you would be just fine in the forest now. But do not let your guard down.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I will not. And thank you for everything!
*Step*
*Step*
And off they go, to the Silent Forest.