The Middle of the Night
It's been a few hours. I've been spying on Mulan. I thought about leaving when it started raining, but my gut feeling told me I would miss something crucial if I did.
Right now I'm following her around, trying to find something that would win her over. I feel like I'm doing something wrong, but it's not like I'm hurting anybody. Suddenly, she runs to the shrine, prays, and lights some incense.
As she walks away, I enter the shrine. I feel magical energy signatures inside. As I look around, I realize they sense me too. I narrow my eyes for a moment, then smile as I walk away.
After finding Mulan again, I realize she has put on her father's armor and taken his sword. And if that wasn't enough, she's cut her hair, tied it into a bun, and ridden off on a horse.
"Damn," I curse.
I quickly send a message to my father.
"I'm doing something really important, it affects my status as heir to the throne. I don't know how long I'll be gone. And if mom asks, tell her that I'm off to another island to travel. Bye :)"
I then run after her. I catch up pretty fast since my stats are already in their fifties. She rides until the sun rises. Soon she enters a bamboo forest where she stops.
As I watch her, I can't help but laugh. She's acting like an idiot.
She jumps and turns around as soon as she hears my snicker.
"Who is it?" she calls.
I slowly walk out, revealing myself. Her eyes widen in recognition.
"You're that man," she says.
"And you're that woman," I retort.
Her eyes widen even further.
"H-how did you know?" she stutters.
I take multiple steps forward as she backs away.
"Believe it or not, the armor can't hide your beauty," I joke.
She blushes. Woah, I didn't think that would work.
"S-stop playing around," she says, pulling her sword and pointing it at my face.
My smile slowly fades.
"You pulled your sword on me, does that mean you're ready to die?" I say coldly.
She gulps as the air gets colder. I stop hunching and show my full height. I'm 6'5", an absolute giant. Her eyes widen as she takes steps back.
I move my hand toward her and flick her head slightly, which makes her fall to the ground.
"Haha, you're funny," I laugh.
Her fear soon turns to embarrassment as she sheathes her sword and walks angrily to her horse.
"Hey, where are you going?" I smile.
"That's none of your business," she answers.
I look past her and see the army camp.
"You really plan to enter the army, huh? As of now, you're gonna need at least a miracle to get in," I say.
Suddenly fire and smoke appear. We turn to the source as a silhouette of a Chinese dragon appears.
"Did you say a miracle? Let me hear an 'Arh,'" he says.
"Ahh!" Mulan screams as she runs behind me and then jumps to look past my shoulder.
"A ghost," she whispered.
"Get ready, Mulan, for your ancestors have sent me to aid you on your journey," he said.
"Heed my warning—if the army discovers you're a girl, the penalty is death," he added in a somber tone.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Who am I? I am the guardian of lost souls," he proclaimed dramatically.
"I am the powerful, the indestructible Mushu," he announced as he stepped out.
"Pft, hahaha," I laughed.
"Hey, what are you laughing at?" he yelled.
"You're not even as big as a night terror," I said.
He got angry and put up his fists.
"Oh yeah, big guy? I don't know what a night terror is, but I'll knock some sense into you," he threatened.
I stopped laughing and grabbed him.
"So, your name is Mushu, huh," I muttered.
I inspected him and realized that his magic was similar to one of the magical signatures I'd sensed earlier in Mulan's family shrine. He was probably telling the truth about being sent by Mulan's ancestors.
I handed him back to Mulan.
"So will you still enter the army?" I asked.
She bit her lip.
"I have to. My father can't battle in his condition," she explained.
I didn't say anything, but I understood her position.
"Well, how about I protect you then?" I flirted.
She took a step back.
"This guy is bad news. He probably has multiple women already. Don't let him near," Mushu whispered to Mulan.
She stared at me warily, looking defensive. I pretended to be hurt, taking a step back and clutching my chest.
"Your stare cuts deeper than any blade. How could you believe him over me? I've known you longer," I said in a dejected voice.
"I-I didn't. I'm sorry if I hurt you," she apologized.
"Haha, I was joking," I laughed.
She quickly got mad and almost pulled out her sword again when a horn sounded. She turned around.
"Oh no," she said, running to her horse and riding toward the camp.
I followed closely and arrived at the same time. The guard at the camp entrance stopped us. Mulan presented her scroll and entered. I handed over my scroll and followed behind her.
As we walked, she listened to Mushu's advice and started walking oddly.
I held in my laughter while following her. Soon we reached a line where a tough-looking short guy stood at the end. He punched another man and knocked him out.
Seeing this, Mushu said to Mulan, "That's how men greet each other. Try it!"
She looked at her hand, balled it into a fist, and swung at the guy's head. I quickly moved to stop her attack before it could land.
"Don't do that. That's not how people greet each other—unless you want to start trouble," I smiled.
She shook her head and withdrew her hand. I continued watching as she listened closely to Mushu's advice.
A while later, someone shouted. We all headed in that direction.
"I am Li Shang," he announced.
"I am your captain and will be training you for the war," he continued.
"Tomorrow the real training begins. I expect all of you to be early," he added before walking off.
Everyone dispersed after this. Mulan headed a little further from the camp and set up a tent. I watched from the sidelines, lying on my side.
After she finished, she looked over.
"Won't you set up camp?" she asked.
"Ah, it seems I forgot to bring equipment. How about we share?" I smiled.
"You wish," she said, entering her tent.
A bit later, I lay on the grass and heard movement from Mulan's direction. I decided to close my eyes.
Soon she quietly walked over. I felt a blanket being placed over me as she returned to her tent. I smiled.
The next morning
I yawned and ran to a nearby river to wash my face.
"Damn, I shouldn't have slept on the ground," I muttered.
I twisted and turned, trying to crack my back. After a while, I returned to the camp. Seeing that Mulan still wasn't up, I walked close to her tent.
I took a deep breath and then shouted.
"Mulan, wake up!!!!"
She jumped from inside the tent.
"W-what is it?" she yelped.
"We'll be gathering in a while, you should get ready," I explained.
She went quiet for a moment before replying.
"Ok, I'll be out in a bit."
After receiving her reply, I went back to where I had slept and sat on the blanket. I looked into my storage ring to see what I had stored.
I found a sword, armor, gold, and more. What interested me most was the armor. I didn't remember storing a full set. Looking deeper, I found a note attached.
I glanced around and, seeing Mulan still in her tent, I took out the note and read it.
Your mother wanted me to make you armor for your protection. Usually Vikings don't have a bodysuit-like armor, but your mother wanted it. PS, it has many enchantments. Though this is what it looks like, it can change depending on preference.
Woah, that's pretty neat.
"What are you reading?"
I jumped and turned around. Seeing it was just Mulan, I sighed.
"You can't be doing that. If I wasn't careful, you could've gotten hurt," I explained.
She scoffed and walked away toward the camp. I stood up and went after her.
"I'm being serious, I can practically lift you up with two fingers," I said.
"You wish."
Seeing that she didn't believe me, I lifted her using just two fingers.
"What are you doing?" she yelped.
"I told you," I smiled.
"Ok ok, put me down," she said.
I put her down and continued walking toward the camp.
A while later, we stood in line waiting for Shang to arrive. After a few moments, he appeared carrying a bow and arrow.
He walked around and began speaking. I paid no attention to his words, instead focusing on Mulan. I needed a way for her to accept my invitation without provoking her.
I'm essentially asking her to betray her nation for someone she barely knows. Should I reveal my identity first or just make my request? These people seem to value honor highly.
While I was lost in thought, Mulan moved. She grabbed what appeared to be weights and attempted to climb the tall log. I suppressed my laughter at her struggle and stood up straight.
"Igneel."
Hearing my name, I stepped forward, took the weights, and examined the long log. I glanced around at the various expressions on everyone's faces while Shang stood with his arms crossed.
I decided to demonstrate my abilities. After leaning slightly, I jumped 3 meters upward, gripped the log with my hands, and began climbing.
Within seconds, I reached the top and dropped back down. Everyone stared with wide eyes—even Shang looked amazed.
"Such power," Shang muttered.
He gulped and shook his head.
"Great job, but you forgot to retrieve the arrow."
I looked back at the top of the log and realized there was an arrow.
I scratched my head and just smiled. He shook his head again and sighed.
"Well, at least one of you is capable," he said before walking toward buckets full of staffs and throwing them to us.
"The first training is pole arms. Get into groups of two and start battling. I will supervise."
We nodded and I paired up with Mulan. She held the stick like a sword, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"What?" she asked.
"You're not supposed to hold it like that. It's a staff, not a sword."
"I-I know, I'm just more comfortable this way." She blushed.
She charged and attacked with a poor excuse of a swing. I slightly moved my wrist and blocked the incoming attack.
I pushed her back and got into a stance. She went on the defensive and looked tense.
I then speed-blitzed her and thrust straight at her pole. I stopped the moment the pole made contact, but it was enough to break it in half.
Seeing what happened, she paled.
"W-what was that?"
I relaxed and flicked her on the forehead.
"Always pay attention," I warned. She grasped her forehead.
"How are your flicks so strong?"
I didn't answer. If she knew I was holding back, she would probably be livid.