I Knock

I check the time and see it's a few minutes before ten. I walk up and knock on the door. A few moments after Hino opens it.

"Hey Eric, glad you made it. Sorry again for the short notice." She says motioning me to come inside.

"Don't worry about it. I had something to do on the way so it worked out." I tell her stepping inside. Looking around I see a typical set up. I see a shoe rack, coat and hat hangers and a potted plant on a small table.

"Take off your shoes please. My parents don't like dirt in the house." I do as she says and she continues. "Follow me, my parents are in the main room." She says walking ahead of me. I follow her down the short hallway to the door. She opens a sliding door and we step into the main room.

"Eric, it's good to see you again." Sugano says as I step through the doorway.

"I'm sure my daughter already has, but I'd like to apologize for the suddenness of this." Kagiyama says standing and smiling.

"Don't worry about it, like I told your daughter, I had something to do on the way so it worked out." I say and he sits back down, motioning to a chair across the small wooden table from him. I sit down and Hino sits next to me on a similar chair. Kagiyama grabs a small wooden chest, about the size of his hand, from the floor. He places it on the table and slides it to me.

"Here, this is to replace the sword. Sorry again that we didn't realize that." He says, slightly bowing. I tell him it's fine and pick up the box. "My daughter said you'd like something blacksmith related. While we don't have any good tools to give we found this. It's a Magic Core, placing it in any item or weapon when forging will give it greater magic and the cores unique skill or ability." I pick up the small, faintly glowing yellow, crystal and use Observe.

Magic Core Legendary Blacksmith Item

A Magic Core is a small crystal made entirely of magic. The core was formed in a Magic Vein. It contains magic energy and will imbue it upon the weapon or item it turns into. This core contains no skills, but has a greater magic capacity than normal, which will raise any items stats.

"Since we didn't know what you were planning to use it on we got one that'll be good on anything." Sugano says looking at me.

"Thank you, this'll be great." I say storing it in my inventory.

"Would you like to stay for lunch?" Sugano asks.

"Thanks for asking, but I have other plans. I'm meeting Myla later, although I'm not sure why. My gramps is also visiting and I don't want to leave him alone for long." I answer her standing up.

"Does your grandfather know about the Lyna?" Kagiyama asks concerned.

"No he runs some kind of historical preservation company or something overseas. I honestly don't know why he visited, he just sent me a letter two days ago saying he'll be stopping by." Kagiyama mutters something to himself.

"So you don't know why Myla wants to see you?" Hino asks, looking over at me.

"No, but anyway I should get going. Thanks for this, I'll see you guys later." I say stepping away and Hino stops me.

"Hang on Eric, I'll see you out." She says.

"Thank you." I reply following her back to the entrance. I decide to use Observe on her as I'm putting my shoes on.

Hino Locus Lvl 17, Class: Martial Artist, Title: Successor To The Blue Locus Guild, RP: 176, Hearts: 3

HP: 245/245 MP: 135/135

"So Eric, can you still help me study?" She asks, looking at me a bit confused since I've been tapping the air a few times.

"Yeah, you have my number so let me know when. Oh and if you can text what you're having trouble with that'd be helpful."

"Yeah, I will..." She trails off, and I'm about to say bye when she hugs me. "Thank you."

"For what?" I ask, split between being confused and wanting to hug her back.

"For saving my mom, and m-me." She says, starting to let her emotions show. I pat her on her head. She suddenly pushes herself off me. "S-sorry, I don't know what came over me." She's turned away from my gaze and looks down slightly. I can see, under her blue bangs covering her face, a faint blush. I laugh lightly and start talking.

"Don't worry, I thought that was cute." As soon as I say this she turns to me and looks up at me. She's blushing and looks slightly mad, slightly shocked. She just stares at me for a few moments before talking.

"Oh, um thanks. Anyway I need to get back... so I'll be in touch."

"Yeah, talk to you later Hino." I pat her on her head again and swear I see her smile. I leave and tell her bye and thanks again. I look down at my phone and see two text messages. I open them up and read them.