This made the garments quite expensive, and hence anyone who lost or damaged one was automatically thrown out of training for incompetence. The robes the members of The Dragon Council wore were similar to his, though only covered from the neck down, and they had an increased level of protection, adding some defense against arrows and even low-level elemental spells. They were also a dull brown color and had several other minute differences.
I always thought the robes of those in The Dragon Council would be more like my own, but they’re sure different.
Today was his eighteenth birthday, the exact hour of his birth just an hour prior on that fateful day. He had been training for some time, and now was the first day he could stand before the Dragon Council and prove his worth. Any who succeeded were automatically made part of the Grand Order of Dragons, which was every little trainee’s dream. His mother had never said anything to him while he was training, and yet when it came the day of the test, she had made a thousand protestations. He had not listened, of course, his mind being too preoccupied by the test.
By this point, he was getting quite anxious. So anxious, in fact, that he almost slipped up and started shaking his leg as he often did several times when alone. Only through the strength of his resolve was he able to refrain.
The man had been training since his fifth year, after all, and thirteen years of training was an awful lot before one could get any pride out of it. Especially for this man, who had always done well with his training, and at some points had exceeded the skill of his trainers who were, of course, failed Dragons. They were the ones who couldn’t pass the test. Nevertheless, they taught well, and they could recognize the man’s skill early on. Despite their trying, they could not get the Dragon Council to test him before his eighteenth year. So it was that he had waited four years more than his trainers thought necessary to stand before the Dragon Council, practicing his skills every day, even on the Sabbath occasionally.
At long last, one of the Dragon Council members moved as if to speak. “Your instructors speak of you highly, young one,” the eldest member of The Dragon Council said matter-of-factly.
The young man was instantly relieved that the test was finally going to start.
“In fact, they say that you have matched or bested their skills in every maneuver. That is quite impressive to hear, for one of your young age.”
“Thank you, Great Father, for such nice words. I feel blessed to be esteemed so,” the man in black said in response, bowing gracefully before the Dragon Council as he had been instructed.
“Do not be so quick to judge what is a compliment, young one,” the Great Father snapped back, making the young man flinch.
He used the tiny motion to wipe off the stain on his black uniform, hoping the Great Father wouldn’t notice.
“What I said is merely speculation,” the Great Father continued in a calm tone, “the truth of which I am to judge.”
“I am truly sorry, Great Father, for being so prideful,” the man replied hurriedly, fearing he had already made a grievous mistake. “I see now that I am not worthy of such a compliment, Great Father. Thank you for showing me that.”
The Great Father’s face contorted into a frown, then he continued. “I trust you have not come here with merely words to back you up, have you, young one?” The man in black shook his head. “Good, then I suppose you will be showing us some more substantial proof?”
“Yes, Great Father, I have proof of what you speak to show the Dragon Council,” the young trainee replied in the manner he was told, following the set responses to the point of sounding mechanical. “I have my skills which have been honed through years of practice with which to prove my worth as a fighter.”
The Great Father eyed him curiously. The young man wondered what he’d done wrong. Were his words too mechanical in nature? Could the Great Father tell he was nervous? Even a tiny hint of nervousness was enough to make him fail the test.
“Very well,” the Great Father boomed a moment later. “Show us these skills of which you speak, and prove to us that we can use you.”
“As you wish, Great Father, so it is my pleasure to do,” the man in black responded, again sounding just like a textbook.
The young man took a deep breath. This is it. Now or never.
With that, he started his routine.
He decided to start by doing some stretching exercises. He was unsure as to the response this would gather. Would the Great Father think that he had come unprepared? Possibly. But he hoped instead it would prove him to be cautious in that it showed he wouldn’t want to strain a muscle in the middle of combat. It didn't matter which was true; it was only the Dragon Council’s interpretation that was important.
The Dragon Council said nothing to stop him, which was good, but he ended up rushing it anyway, being eager to move on. Stretches weren’t exactly flashy.
When he was done, he started the next phase of his display with two impressive back flips to distance himself from the Great Father and the rest of the Dragon Council, not wanting anything to accidentally hit them. The Dragon Council was obviously impressed by this caution, for one of the lower members cracked a smile, about the best response one could get. He quickly decided to turn to the weapons portion of the test, since weapons training had been his favorite part of training, so he pulled his katana out
