“So, it’s true. You know nothing about Life Energy?”

I nodded once again, feeling rather exasperated at the constant questioning from the old man. Apparently the idea that I didn’t know even a wick about Life Energy had seemed like the end of the world for the man. He looked visibly distraught at the idea, and I honestly didn’t know how to console an old wizard. Or was it an Exorcist? I remember him calling himself an Exorcist from some Toshiki.

“If you don’t even know what Life Energy is, then how did you get through the Storm Belt? Every other Gaijin has to be absurdly powerful to get through… Perhaps, some ploy is going on? Such a thing requires imperial action…” I shivered as he spoke to himself. Can you not say such terrifying things nearby? Please go to another room if you’re going to talk like I am seconds from being executed.

He turned to me, but if I had to put a word on how his gaze looked, it would be pity-filled. “I am sorry for scaring you. However, your predicament has just become a concern for my own kingdom’s wishes. Let me explain, we traveling Exorcists of Toshiki are tasked with going out to teach and protect the populace. While I don’t normally teach the usage of Life Energy, I can make an exception. Let me first say that giving you a Technique is impossible. Even teaching you Life Energy is a little toeing the line of what I can teach. However, for a weak Gaijin with no knowledge of Life Energy to walk our lands… it would not sit well with me to leave you defenseless like that.”

A wave of terror went down my spine as he spoke. He was correct. I was defenseless, had no knowledge of the world, and couldn’t even speak their language. That was basically just asking for something bad to happen, right?

With a wave of his hand, the Shikigami in my hand flew into his palm. The black, paper tree glowed for a second before it flew towards my neck. I flinched as it landed on my skin and seemed to warm up for a second.

“Try talking.”

“Ah, uh, hello.”

The old man nodded, sighing. “This is probably the only way we can converse without you figuring out how to use Life Energy. I am sorry it had to be this way, but this is the best I can do.”

“Uh yeah, no problem.” I rubbed my neck, feeling a little raised edge against my skin. It definitely felt like paper was there, but was thicker than the paper I was used to. There were differences that I noticed from the old man’s Shikigami were his seemed to merge with his neck where mine just seemed to lay over it. “Though, uh, sorry to ask, but why didn’t we just do this in the first place?”

The white-haired man sighed. “For one, I needed to check if you were simply disguised as a Gaijin by another creature. And also because of the intricacies of Life Energy. Let me ask you, what do you think Life Energy is? With a name like it, there are implications no matter how you look at it.”

I shrugged. “Is it some kind of thing that powers the uh, Shikigami?”

“Technically yes,” he waved his hand and I felt a slight tug on my neck, and slowly I understood what he meant. “Life Energy is literally me manipulating the energy of my own life. While it doesn’t really take off your lifespan when using it, you can ‘connect’ to objects like Shikigami in order to do a certain task. You’re not just powering the Shikigami. You’re controlling them through Life Energy as well. In essence, they become a part of you. Which is why if you use your own Life Energy, you can control the Shikigami around your neck. And if I used mine…”

My face paled as I realized what he was saying. He basically had a hand around my neck, and I hadn’t even realized. Almost instantly, my hand shot to my neck, feeling the Shikigami around it.

“Now you understand why you need to learn Life Energy? Its essential to everything.”

“That’s really cool.” I whispered, realizing only now that I was going to learn how to use magic. Or this world’s equivalent to magic. There really wasn’t much of a reference for what Shikigami or Life Energy could do. “When do I learn?”

The old man smiled as I spoke. “I can teach you later, but I need to ask you: where did you see the newborn Oni? I’ll need to send a request for assistance for a subjugation request.”

“You guys are gonna fight that thing?” I blinked, realizing something more important about what he was saying. “Newborn? That thing was a newborn?”

“Yes, if it was a little older, I doubt you would be able to survive an encounter with such a being. No offense but you are rather weak, and even newborn Oni require a task force of Samurai and Exorcists of at least Life Rank D to be put together to even combat one. The only consolation is that Oni are rare. The fact that you met one, especially a newborn, is nothing short of a miracle.”

“I certainly feel lucky…” I grumbled, taking in the fact that he said ‘Life rank D’ as an indicator for strength. It brought up the fact that my status window said the same thing, but with a ‘G-’ instead. Did that mean that the status was for everyone, then?

The Exorcist smiled. “Of course you are lucky. Not many Exorcists will be as generous as me. Now, where did you see the Oni?”

Suddenly feeling a bit sheepish, I squirmed under the question. “Well, the thing is… I have no idea. I just remember waking up in a forest, meeting the Oni and then spending the next several minutes in a dead sprint before dropping off a waterfall. Next thing I know I’m being rescued by one of the villagers here.”

The old man quirked an eyebrow at my story, humming to himself in thought. “Woke up here, you say? You wouldn't happen to be a Priest of some evil god? I know they screw with whoever contracts with them as a sort of training plan. Or, you know, because they’re bored. You can’t be too sure with some gods, really.”

“Uh, no. At least, I haven't signed any contracts with evil gods or odd individuals lately.”

“Hmmm, then what is your class?” The man asked before shaking his head. “Sorry, I meant what is your original class? I know mutations and class evolutions are personal information.”

“Oh, I don’t have one.” I said. Inwardly, I was already lamenting the fact that, no, my status menu wasn’t special. It answered one question of mine, but I was rather bummed about it. I know they say to roll with the punches, but I can’t do that when everything is a sucker punch.

Still, I was getting concerned for my Exorcist acquaintance. The man’s face had been going through all sorts of colors over our entire meeting. From the original rosy hue to pale white when I mentioned not knowing about Life Energy to the current red that I am looking at now. I certainly hope he doesn’t push himself or anything. It would certainly suck if I was accused of killing an old man by simply talking to him.

“Classless? At your age?” The words sent a tremble of emotion through the man, and he was now scowling like someone had personally insulted all his ancestors or something. “What kind of irresponsible son of a- excuse me,” his reddened features slowly cooled down as he looked at me with poorly concealed pity. “I let my emotions get the better of me for a second. Do you at least know your Life Rank?”

I paused, feeling that some misunderstanding was passing through his head. While I had no idea what it was, it certainly made more sense to him than me simply being transported into this world without my consent. It was lucky that I slept fully clothed, though.

“It’s uh, G, I think.”

The Exorcist sighed as if whatever thought in his head was proven. I was certain this man was building up some sort of tragic backstory for me, but I really didn’t know what to say. “I see.”

… what do you see? Come on, don’t leave me hanging! You’ve been a great avenue for exposition lately, so what’s stopping you now?

“I think I know what you’re going through, so I won’t press you on the details. However, know that as an Exorcist of Toshiki, my duty is to the people of the land. You may be a Gaijin, but I doubt you have a way to travel out of the Storm Belt the way you are now.”

No, no, go back. What do you mean you know what I am going through? Explain, old man!

“In fact, this might be a good thing.” The old man was smiling at me. “Most Gaijin that have come through the Storm Belt have been dangerous and anti-social individuals. Perhaps the populace can stop fearing other Gaijin when they meet you? A sort of social connection, maybe?”

Hey, that is sounding eerily like an insult. Be honest with me, old man, you’re going senile through this little talk, right? Of course, I wouldn’t say that out loud. This old Exorcist has been nothing but kind and understanding towards me. In such an unfamiliar environment with no conceivable way back, he was basically a saint in my eyes.

“So uh, I know this is a little late, but I just wanted to say thanks. Thank you for your help.” I said, trying to steer the conversation away from whatever delusion he was cooking up. “Right, my name is David, by the way.”

“No need for thanks.” He smiled. “Helping people is what I enjoy; it’s why I’m out here anyways. And right, I forgot the most common of courtesies. Please call me Minamoto. It’s a pleasure meeting a reasonable Gaijin, Mister David.”

“Yeah, likewise. I mean, without the reasonable Gaijin part.”

Minamoto chuckled at me as I fumble over my words. “Let’s get you out of that cell. You can stay within one of the empty houses in the village in the meantime while I will contact a punitive force to tackle that Oni. I will teach you about Life Energy while we wait for them to arrive; does that sound like a reasonable approach?”

“Very!” I nodded quickly. “Honestly, you’re doing more than enough! I can’t thank you enough.”

“Then, let’s see if we can find you a small, open house. If not, one of my servant’s rooms can accommodate you.”

I was slowly growing to worship this old man. He was too kind! Can a normal person be as nice as this? This is basically a holy man! That Toshiki Kingdom or whatever has tons of these guys running around teaching and helping the populace? They seem like rather swell guys, huh. Honestly, I was worried about what was going to happen to me, but so far things are looking great.

[Amatsu Mikaboshi has his eyes on you]

Uh, what is it now?