As the rays of sunlight seeped through the cracks of the closed curtains, Tsukishima stirred reluctantly in his room. A soft groan emerged in protest against the intrusion of daylight. With a sigh, he finally relented and rose up from the warm shelter his sheets provided. Stretching, Tsukishima glanced toward the window and began to mentally prepare for the day’s events. The objective for today was singular and simple: Continue to chip away at the required objectives in order to officially join the Rune Knights. However, the first task was scheduled for later in the day so he had a little bit of time to relax beforehand.
After his typical morning routine of washing up and donning his attire, Tsukishima strolled leisurely down the cobblestone streets of Era. During his stroll, he recalled a charming corner cafe he had glimpsed on previous tasks since his arrival, promising to explore its menu when the opportunity presented itself. Today, with the luxury of time gracing his schedule, he decided to indulge. Approaching the cafe, Tsukishima's keen senses detected a flurry of activity further down the bustling main street, piquing his curiosity. His gaze wandered toward the commotion as his interest was instantly captured by the unfolding scene.
The source of the commotion was an impressive mana car gliding past, drawing envious gazes from onlookers as it trailed behind a traditional carriage. The driver, a sharply dressed individual, caught Tsukishima's attention with a fleeting familiarity that tugged at him. "He looks familiar..." Tsukishima muttered under his breath, straining to catch a glimpse of the man's visage as he passed by in a blur of motion. Though the recognition remained faint, he brushed aside the thought, his focus shifting to the comforting atmosphere of the nearby cafe. Stepping into the cozy establishment, Tsukishima settled into a corner table and placed an order for a steaming cup of tea. As he savored the warmth of his beverage, his attention was unexpectedly drawn back to the enigmatic driver who had now entered the cafe, engaging in conversation with the owner.
Despite his attempt to feign disinterest, Tsukishima found himself inexplicably drawn to the exchange, his gaze involuntarily tracking the movements of the two figures. During their conversation, Tsukishima managed to capture a glimpse of the man's tongue, adorned with the unmistakable golden insignia of the Rune Knights. "That's it!" Tsukishima's mind raced, the puzzle pieces clicking into place as he recalled looking over the records of all current Rune Knights from his visit to the Rune Knight facility. The captain, a figure of authority and renown in Era, now stood before him. A statement echoed within Tsukishima's thoughts, the voice of the Demon King urging him to seize the opportunity. "Perhaps you should introduce yourself," Bael suggested, recognizing the potential benefits of forging a connection with such a prominent figure. "He could potentially speed up the process." Tsukishima grumbled but relented. He makes his way towards the two. “Captain Ittindi?” he says while extending his hand out. “Tsukishima Higurashi, Rune Knight hopeful. A pleasure to meet you.”
Word Count: 511