The House of the Shadows only has one thing to protect…

And that is the secrecy of their existence.

No one in the world knows of this house except for the members who came and was accepted by the master’s themselves.

There are branches all over Atlanta that pertains to being a part of the House of the Shadows. and the House that I am currently training on is only one of the many…

My Master, Kotoko Yagami is one of the founding members of this Household. And Although it was said that the numbers for each household is small, their strength is not an illusion.

The reason why this house exist is because it acts in accordance to keeping the peace in the world of Atlanta. It stops conflict against neighboring countries that may lead to war, it eliminates the existence of any known Demons that still remains in this world, and it mostly clears the dungeons that are hard to complete.

AN: (Demons = People from the Old World.)

The House of the Shadows is a strong group…

And I might have been lucky enough to join this house…

It’s similar to that of an Assassin Group, but mainly for the protection of the peace of the world.

Master Told me a lot of the accomplishments that this house has made. One particularly being that they were the main reason for being the one’s to push back the Demons from invading Atlanta.

Right now, We stood at a branch that is namely numbered, the 11^th branch of the house.  Situated at a town called Riverpine that was near Diamond Reef City. This place mainly handles the missions that holds to be incapable of being handled by the Hunter’s association.

The Association calls to the help of a guild called the Black Rose Guild and in response, the Guild either helps the association or they pass the mission to the House of the Shadows. Mainly, master told me that Cecil was the one who handles these requests since he was registered to be a part of that said Group. And in return of helping the guild, it supports the house in anyway possible.

The 11^th branch only has three people…

Me, Senior Cecil and Master Yagami…it is barely enough to be called “A lot” but master makes it work.

Or so he tries…

*Scrub*

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*Scrub*

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*Scrub*

Right now, as it can be heard, the scrubbing of the wooden floors could be heard all across the Dojo.

With being ordered by my master, I was tasked to clean the entirety of the house in a matter of two days…

“…So, why am I doing this?” I asked.

“An imminent danger approaches…” said my master as he continues to sweep the dead leaves off the lawn.

“…Eh? Is another master coming to visit?” I asked.

“…N-No, it is more dangerous than that.” having heard the crack in his voice, I felt the service of having to worry even more.

“W-what can be more dangerous than a Master of a Shadow House?” I asked.

“…My sister is coming.”

“What? Sister? You have a sister master?” Having heard the reason, I was not expecting that answer.

“Enough talking, continue on with the cleaning. I’ll go and check on Cecil if he is done with dealing with the flat grounds.”

“Yes master!”

Having left me on my own, I made sure to pick up the pace of the cleaning.

There are a lot of things in this place.

First is the open training grounds that is mostly used by Cecil and me during my time working out.

You can also find a well by the corner of the back of the Dojo, its right next to the kitchen as well as the warehouse. Along with the back of the Dojo, a garden as well as a Chicken coop can be found.

There’s also a weird muck filled pond-looking space that’s over sun with frog eggs. And next to it was a shed-like place seems to act as another chicken coop. When I asked what this was to them, they said that it was an open spa and a sauna. I couldn’t help but look in disbelief as a chance for relaxation was in front of me. I plan on cleaning this place up.

Inside the Dojo, you can find the Master’s bedroom, Four rooms for the disciples as well as guest room. The kitchen connects to the dining room that also connects to the veranda. Every corner and edge of the Dojo, you can see its veranda pocking out. Its pretty much a Japanese themed house.

The biggest space in the Dojo is the Dojo itself. With its open tatami like floors and high ceilings, it can be a place to train on as it provides a tranquil and voice-less room.

*A few hours later~~*

“…Haa, finally done.” having seen the shine of the polished floors, I gave myself a good pat on the back and went out to a well to get a sip of water.

As I made my way through the cleaned halls, I saw my Senior simply standing by as he watches the sight of a sun-setting horizon over a cliff. With his chin on a sweeping stick and his gaze ever so lax, he turned to me and waved his head.

“Oh, good job with the cleaning.” he said as I smiled and waved.

“…What are you doing here Senior?”

“…Just call me Brother…not senior, I don’t like all this honorifics stuff…and plus, your finally a member of the house. We’re brothers now, so lets get to know more of each other, okay?”

“Ah, yes, Brother.”

“Good.”

“So what are you doing here?” I asked.

“I just came to laze around for a bit.”

“…Is master ever going to do something about this rotting Dojo? I mean, the house seems like its going to fall apart.”

“We wont be fixing anything so much…it keeps up with the fact that this place should look uninviting. You know, so that whenever someone comes up to learn some basic lessons on magic from following what the site entails, like you did, it can seem like we’re trash.”

“Eh?”

“The House of the Shadows intends to keep their existence a secret. By making this place look like a dump, we can have attract a lot less people that way. But we also need to keep in the money rolling one way or another…You get what I’m saying?”

“Yeah…I guess.”

“Anyway, I need to get going. Master told me to buy a few things at the market by the town.”

“Okay.”

As Brother Cecil left, I went and drank by the well and went back to cleaning.

After a few more hours passed by, it was finally night time. By now, master told me to not go home at this hour since I am allowed to sleep by the quarters. Being allowed to sleep here meant that I can have more time being taught something…but even now, I am still not being taught anything by him.

He said that once his sister comes and goes, then he will teach me the lessons of the shadows. So for now I wait and simply exercise to lose weight.

The next day we did just as much of cleaning the entire place. The open training grounds that brother Cecil was in charge of cleaning was now seen as an entire white marble looking open space. Once when it was a dirty overgrown field, now it looks like it was shining and reflecting sunlight into the skies.

The gardens were tended to as well as the chicken coop…the disciple bedrooms were cleaned out and most of all, the spa was completely cleaned by yours truly. Although it still didn’t function as a spa, the moment I figure out how to put hot water on this thing, I might as well be the first one to dip in.

We spent two days cleaning the entire place…and finally the day came when our Master’s sister came to visit her brother.

Up, slowly walking the stairs, a small and gentle step was heard as an old lady and a man in a suit came walking side by side.

I was told to greet her at the entrance so they made me wear the uniform that was use for disciples to wear. So as they approached, I bowed my head.

“Ah…so you must be the new disciple that my brother has taken in.”

“Its a pleasure to meet you madam, please, follow me inside.” I said as I courteously lead her inside the Dojo where master was found in a sitting position.

“…Long time no see, Kotoko.” she said as she approached master with her small steps.

“It is…Kotomi, please sit and tell me what it is that you came here for?” as master spoke with questions, and intentions, Cecil came by next to me and gave me a set of tea on a try who he personally brewed.

He asked me to serve the two tea, so I complied.

Having approached them, I slowly sat on a formal sitting position just like what master was doing and placed the tea on their sides. Having to pour their cups with tea and placing it in front of them, I made my way to exit the place.

“…Hmm, so this is your new disciple? How long has it been since you brought in another one to teach?”

“…20 years.” he answered.

“And what made you decide to pick one again?”

“…” having said nothing, master drank his tea.

“So you won’t answer? Very well…”

“What did you came here for?” asked master as he places the tea back down.

“…I came to ask for a favor.” she said.

“Hmm? That’s…rare, what is it?”

“…A few days ago, The Family has been arguing over a dispute towards who will take over the Guild. We know all too well that these kinds of family related disputes never end well if we don’t make the right choice…even now, I still feel indecisive towards who I should choose.”

“…How many are willing to take over?”

“…My two sons, the eldest and the second born, and also my second daughter who is just as willing.”

“…” having thought deep in the situation told by his sister, Kotoko’s blind eye simply turned over to the veranda where a soft breeze blew by.

“Do you favor any of them, Kotoko?” asked his sister.

“…I haven’t seen them for years. I don’t know what they have become since then…so you cannot push this on me like you did with the ornaments father left us.”

“…I am not asking you to, but I can’t let my children fight over this…I only ask that you meet them and read their fates. Only then would you choose the judgement needed.”

“They are not children anymore Kotomi, I will not lead to your suggestion just because. For them to truly lead the guild, one must not lean to an easy solution.”

“…Its has been years Kotoko, you have not stepped outside of this mountain.”

“And I am willing to do just that even to my death.”

“…Brother, you’ve read the fates of many back in the past…you’ve avoided wars being made. This simple favor is simply just like that. If you agree, an internal conflict might just be avoided in our family.”

“…Sister, I love you and I know I will not hurt you…we are family. And the same goes for my nieces…they love you as well as I do and they love each other…you are their mother, act as their mother even though it is terrifying. In then end, war within a family will not occur in this generation…”

“but to choose…I-”

“…Some choices are never going to make everyone happy, but in the end, we all have to make a choice. Kotomi, I know that you are afraid…you are terrible when it comes to these types of situations…back when we were at the east or even now when we live our lives here, far away from mother and father…but you made the decision to follow me here. Do you regret leaving our country?”

“…I didn’t…and I will never regret it.”

“…Then become as courageous as you are then and choose. Conflict between families is always a complex thing to fix…lead with your heart. That is all I can say.”

“…” having stayed quiet in response, his sister simply went and reached for her cup to take a sip of the tea.

“…” both of them took a sip of tea together in the silence.

It seems as though the conflict in the air seems to have saturated but then the madam spoke again.

“…I have another favor to ask of you.”

“…What is it?”

“…I have a granddaughter who is going to take an entrance exam for United Camelot Academy.”

“Hmm?”

“I see that your new disciple is about her age, is he going to take the exam as well?” she asked.

“…Are you going to take the exam Soril?” asked master.

“…Y-yes sir.” I said in a nervous fashion.

“…Well, there’s your answer.” said master.

“Well, I was wondering if your disciple is willing to befriend my granddaughter and join her in taking the exam together.”

“…What are your intentions of doing this?”

“A simple relationship would help with her character. How do I say this…she’s an introverted type.”

“…Hmm, I see. So she has complications of making friends.”

“Exactly.”

“And you want my disciple to befriend her?”

“Only if he’s willing.” said the madam.

“…Well, are you Soril?” asked master.

“Well, I don’t really have a problem with that, master but I think that its only going to work if she wants to be my friend. I can’t really force myself on her.” I said.

“Hmm, that a good point.” said the madam.

“Well, friendships are carved through a connection. If your willing to make friends with her Soril, I don’t think there is going to be any problems with it.” asked master.

“Hmm, just make sure not to not introduce yourself as a member of the house of shadows.” said Cecil as he whispers it into my ears.

“…right.” I said.

Well, with that said, I”ll be going home now. Thank you brother for the tea, I hope I can visit again. Also, looks like your house has been cleaned well, I think I can continue to support you at  whatever it is that you do in this school.” she said.

“Hmm, take care now.”

And with that, I guided the madam out of the Dojo and unto the exit.

“Hmm, By the way boy…If you intend to befriend my granddaughter, here’s a picture of her so that you can recognize her.” as she handed me a picture, I was somewhat taken aback as I felt like I’ve seen this woman before.

A black long silky hair, eyes as sharp as the sword that she somehow carries with her, a fit body and the cold unfeeling gaze in those sharp eyes, I can’t help but feel like I’ve seen her before.

“…”

“Is something the matter?” she asked.

“Ah, no, I just feel like I’ve seen her before.” I said.

“Well, I wouldn’t be so surprised. She’s quite a talented and known person throughout the City. Her name’s Audrey Yagami. I hope you two meet in good intentions.” She said.

As she and her guard left, it was then that I realized who that granddaughter was that she showed me.

I last saw her back on the first time I went to register my hunter’s card. She was there when she took care of an Orc with her Katana inside the simulation machine.

“…Hmm, I guess its just a coincidence.” I said as I went back to the Dojo.

I still have some other plans to do in this place before master starts teaching me something. And that is to fix the open spa. I have trouble with the boiler as well as the fact that the spa isn’t draining. Well, either way, I wont end the day without having to take a warm bath out in the open…