“My what?”
“Your trainer,” the man intoned, rolling his eyes, “What, did you go deaf from being out here?”
“I don’t even—” Hamelin stopped himself short and eyed the man. “Wait… You said you received a letter five years ago; why are you only appearing now?”
“Because I am an extremely busy man, who can’t just throw everything away at the drop of a hat. Besides, the letter mentioned you had ten years before you had to honor your summons—I figured I had time.”
“And what? I’m just supposed to take your word for it?”
The man stepped closer, which made Hamelin draw back, unconsciously. Smiling sinisterly, the man said, “You’re supposed to take my skill for it. If you can’t even stand against me for five minutes, you’ll end up as mincemeat once you enter the Inverse.”
“How do you know that?
