114 5.3 What Do You Want To Be, Himura? (1/2)

We walked along the beaten path, not meeting another soul or beasts along the way. The sun was already high in the sky before we decided to take a short break for lunch. It was the humble onigiri and a piece of roasted fish that they had caught the night before.

As we were walking the stream, we had a constant supply of fresh water. With the spare wood on the back on one of the pony, we made a fire quickly and boiled some water that was collected from the stream.

We had hot green tea afterwards. Several patches of snow had started to melt on some parts of the land, drips of clear water were seen cascading off from the tall grasses near the stream. It seems the end of winter is coming soon and welcoming the new season in a month or two.

After we had our fill, we broke camp again and this time I decided to ride along with Hiko-sama as I was feeling a bit tired walking on my two rather short legs for quite a distance. In fact, we had covered almost 20 or more kilometres since we had left during the break of dawn.

”So you had decided to ride with me then? You made friends already with Kami-sama and Hide-sama?”

Hiko-sama laughed at me while I just plainly nodded. I was wondering how the 2 samurai that I had talked to was on foot. Maybe they prefer to be on foot or simply had lost their mounts somewhere. However it is, it is good to know that these samurai were friendly enough and not like those mysterious Shinobi or Ninjas who were forever masked with an aura of murderous intent.

Yup, Ninjas that don't have a name or identity, moving in the shadows and ready to strike at a moments notice. Deadly at long or short range but with little or no armour at all. Stealth and surprise attack was their main forte. However, a Samurai was sort of an all-rounder which I soon felt that learning from these martial artists would prove to be beneficial in the long run.

I wished to take up a kind of residency or shelter in the village that was pointed earlier by Hiko-sama, and with the skill sets that I had attained in the past Leaps, as well as the skills that had been bestowed in this body of mine right now, I hope I would be of service in the next village.

”Hiko-sama, could you tell me more about your village in detail? Is there an orphanage for children like me?” I asked him as I looked back and glanced at his masked face.

”Ah, my village is a small one. The total population was around 10,000 people and comprises a ratio of 35:35:25:5 of men, women, children and babies. You understand about ratio, right?”

”Yes Hiko-sama, I learnt about ratio and understand them well. So what is the main occupation and trade over in your village?”

Hiko-sama looked at me and started to wonder if he was conversing with an 11-year-old kid or a 21-year-old young man. Through his mask, he was wondering deep within the back of his mind about me.

”The occupations over there were as follow farming, foraging, blacksmithing, logging, woodcutter, livestock herding, rock mining, coal mining, metal ore, copper and tin mining, hunting, fishery, weaving, pottery, stonemason, herbal shop, tannery and a clothes shop. I think there's more but you can find out about it in the business or trade district. We have several districts divided in the village, as mentioned the trade district, business district, housing district as well as governmental District.”

”Wow, a small populated village with an enormous array of trades available. I would be able to get a job there easily or I could open up a trade when the time comes. Even though its a mouthful to chew right now with the information given, at least I have a rough idea of this village. With the current population, it should be called a town instead.” I thought to myself as I listen to Hiko-sama narrates about his village.

”There are a few temples there for worshipping, three junior schools and a high school. Everyone had compulsory education there to learn how to read and write and do simple calculations. A governmental office stands in the middle of the village.”

”Could I attend school there and is there any entrance fee or exams to determine one's knowledge?”

”Education is free there. And maybe there is an examination to test one's capability and to suit which class they should be in upon admission. Are you interested to go to school? You are self-taught at home, right?”

”Yes, I am self-taught at home. And yes, I am interested to go to school and mix with the rest of my peers. But Hiko-sama, I am a nobody and I don't even have a copper coin with me. This Mr Director is stingy and did not even supply me with some coins to start my life anew.”

”Don't worry about money, I am sure you could survive without any at this moment. Why do you need coins for?”

”I am used to have money with me, Hiko-sama. With money, it gives one a sense of security and without money, it just despairs me a lot.”

”Hmm, you talk as if I am talking to an adult instead of an 11-year-old kid. I have decided to take you into my household before this. I am a single man and even if I have a girlfriend right now, my duty to the Emperor take the first priority. You understand that, right?”

”I am 11 years old kid, but I have vast experiences as any of you. I can't reveal much right now because no one will believe me. But as soon as time passes by, I am sure one day you'd understand. Thank you for having the kind thoughts of taking me in your household. Don't worry, I would make the best of it, I promise.”

I replied as I smiled broadly at his masked face. At least now I have a shelter and the next thing would be survival as well as making use of my time to cultivate as much as I could in this era and this especially young and active body.

The sun was almost reaching the horizon and we decided to make camp. I noticed there are some trees in the distance which bears fruit even in the winter. With its barren branches and clumps of fruits hanging from them, I knew that I would not mistake them as I searched my memories.

I asked permission from Hiko-sama to venture out since there's some daylight left and promised to promptly return. He waved me off and I jumped off his mount and scurried away to the trees in the distance. Using my Third Eye, I sensed there was no enemies or wild beasts around me. As soon as I reached the trees that I saw in a distant, my lips smacked in ecstasy.