Jin remained silent after that battle, as what he had saved to speak was not directed at Gustav Loriat or his family. Gustav had never directly lacked respect with Jin, as such he had no reason to bash anyone aside from his nephew. As night approached them, Jin hesitantly agreed with joining them on a dinner but the damage had been done. Talking as little as he needed and only when directly talked to, his mind lay elsewhere. The eagle banners of House Loriat swung wildly in the wind that shrieked loudly. The noise that sounded more like whispers coming from the window kept him in a constant state of alert to his surroundings.

Would the red-haired wake up and approach him as he slept? Jin had no way of knowing, yet even under warmth of wool he stood watch. Alert for the slightest of shrieks from the door, as his focus slowly waned when one would be left embroidered in shadows of uncertainty. Clinging yet to consciousness, his thoughts wandered.

Sleeping in a wild forest was difficult, but they knew they could wake up at any time in the dark being bitten by snakes or spiders. Today it had not been the case, thus sleeping in a house with adornments that were more valuable than his own life made him think of a new perspective he wasn't acquainted or particularly inclined to adhere. There were rugs in that mansion that were probably worth more than anything Jin carried. Now that he had delivered the Minotaur's horn to Tristan Loriat, one could say he basically had no tools up his sleeve if it came the needs of parley.

For that, Jin could only count on the common sense of these nobles he had helped, and so he had quietly retired to a guestroom. In the far hallway, Jin insisted on pushing the closet he had in his room to lock the door. Naturally anyone sharing that roof was more than strong enough to barge in, though any intruder would have to make enough noise to wake him up. A paramount difference to note.

Not that he had much chance of survival against an elemental artist in the Guardian Step. No matter the precautions considered, if Gustav Loriat desired to storm in during the night he knew very well he would be finished. Yet the smallest of things to calm a shaken mind in the early hours of the night was certainly better than nothing.

It was bitter cold outside, but the rage kept his blood boiling, and naturally his body his warm. Jin couldn't believe what had happened. He had come so far from Kaban to Fanrir to nearly end up dead in the middle of a place where no one would know about him. Not even his father would be able to find him in a place like this. Jin grew up hearing about tales of conceited nobles who captured commoners who didn't belong to houses and who didn't have surnames fade after the sun had set never to be seen again. Back then he didn't think much about it, but now he couldn't help but consider that even the most terrifying and baleful of stories had some truth in Ravnos.

He and Tristan had jointly arranged to issue forth toward the city of Fanrir to help him become an elemental warrior. He had given him a Minotaur horn, an extremely rare material to help his partner advance through the first step. So they could then train together in Sanctum in equivalent grounds. Because that was what friends were supposed to do, meant to help each other. There was no way he'd be leaving his partners behind just because he found himself a step above.

But why then did Tristan keep attacking Jin like that, even after they had awakened the elemental powers?

He couldn't get it out of his head since the elemental technique had been deflected with Gustav's intervention. But if he hadn't butted in, he didn't believe he had much chance against it. Especially after seeing the deflection burst and splinter a tree thrice his size from double the distance.

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Before the first light, he reconsidered his options. Carefully arranged his belongings next to the destrier's saddle, Jin couldn't wait to leave this place in the past. He wouldn't daresay it brought regret. For the city itself was not one to be blamed. As he stroked the mane of the brown horse beside him, a shadow moved behind him. It gestured with his hands for Jin to approach him, in the room where it found himself alone.

Since Jin had woken up he hadn't seen any sign of anyone else in the Loriat household, but the eagle banner atop the house was enough to let him know where he was. To stand disrespectful to other people's homes was unthinkable, so crestfallen, he took a deep breath and approached. As the silhouette grew recognizable, he sighed.

"You alright?" Tristan asked. As a sitting figure on a wooden chair, he gazed at Jin from head to toe with crystal blue eyes.

“I'm fine,” Jin sharply said.

Tristan seemed puzzled, “I know you for almost half a year Jin, I can tell you’re lying,”

“After going through so much together, I thought I knew you better.”

Tristan shook his head, “I had to keep fighting you to learn my Inner Technique. I was taught by uncle, the elemental warriors who cannot awaken their inner technique as soon as they advance are not allowed to learn any elemental techniques in Sanctum until they reach Disciple. Before anything they must learn how to harvest elemental energy from the environment. The ones who aren't able to learn it are lucky to even advance to Disciple in their lifetime. This was my only opportunity to master it, so I took my chance.”

“That's interesting because it's the first time that I'm hearing about it…even if I was your opponent.” Ironically replied Jin. "Why did you choose to keep me in the dark then?"

“It’s not that simple.” Tristan got out of bed, and approached Jin, “Look, I had to do this to become stronger. That was what we were here for remember?”

"You nearly killed me, are you really content with that?"

“You knew there was danger when you agreed to help me awaken my nucleus. When you gave me that horn, you accepted the consequences that come with it.”

“You had no right to make the decision on your own,” he pointed out, “You knew that didn’t you?”

"It was not like that Jin, my uncle was overseeing the fight to keep both of us safe and guarantee—"

Before he could finish Jin raised his voice in disgust, “My lungs drawing for breath are the only guarantee of life that I can bring myself to trust after this selfish debacle.”

“You are mistaken Jin, you brought me this far. The Loriat House and all its members are your allies.”

Jin shook his head, “No Lord or Lady would call their banners if my headless body is found in a muddy ditch in the middle of nowhere after a sparring accident with a noble. You knew what you were doing, bastard.”

“The Loriats would care. I will put a good word for you among all members of my House, especially my father Lord. If you have scars to show he would be willing to issue compensation, though we both know you have none to show.”

“I came here to make a friend not a fortune. Though it seems I’m walking away with neither.” Jin spoke out, sorrow molding his speech.

“Look, I am very grateful for you helping me reach greater heights Jin. You pushed me further than anyone ever could. Come back inside and we'll see if uncle has a potion you can drink to get you past Disciple. Wouldn't that be a treat?” pointed out Tristan with a low, faint voice.

Believing none of that, Jin glanced back one last time, “When you unleashed the inner technique, I saw your eyes, the burning intent in that hot, fierce gaze of yours. When the tip of that blade froze, I saw you for what you truly are.”

Tristan clenched his jaw as he looked through the window, "What you said today cannot be taken back Jin of Kaban."

"I'm taking the brown destrier back to Sanctum." Jin bluntly said, “In case you still have some dignity left in you, be sure to send my regards to your mother and uncle.”

Before Tristan could forge a response, Jin mounted upon his steed and left without glancing back.