After getting knocked out, I slowly awoke to a prickling feeling on my chest.
"Huh...?" [Solace]
I opened my eyes, just for them to widen as I saw Master holding a silver needle over me.
"Wh-What are you doing?!" [Solace]
"I'm giving you acupuncture." [Vincent]
So he said as he tried to stab me with the needle.
"Aw hell naw!" [Solace]
I scurried away in fright, trying to distance myself from the needles.
"...Can you not do that? If you move too much, you might mess up the ones I've already placed." [Vincent]
("Ones he's already placed?") [Solace]
I looked down at my chest, only to see about ten needles sticking out of my chest.
"Don't touch them. If you mess up the needle placement, you might die." [Vincent]
I froze. Not moving a single muscle, I stared at Master with worry.
"Take these out please." [Solace]
"I can't do that." [Vincent]
"...Why?" [Solace]
"I need to place three hundred twenty six more needles." [Vincent]
"..." [Solace]
There wasn't much to say. I simply didn't want to get pricked by needles. Why? They scare me and they hurt.
"Just be quiet and let me put them on you. It won't take that long." [Vincent]
"I don't believe you." [Solace]
"Listen. Your body is currently too weak to handle my attacks. I need your body to get stronger through acupuncture." [Vincent]
"I don't get how that will help me." [Solace]
Master sighed.
"The human body has some muscles that aren't usually used, so its performance is weakened. This technique I created will help you stimulate those muscles and increase your strength by a half." [Vincent]
"..." [Solace]
The idea of more strength was tempting, but not tempting enough to get pricked over three hundred times.
"Come on. You're not being very poggers right now." [Vincent]
"...Where did you learn that?" [Solace]
"Your memories." [Vincent]
"Never do that again." [Solace]
Great. Now my master is using lines from earth.
"Solace, I need you to learn the |Gentleman's Valor|. It can only be acquired through acupuncture." [Vincent]
"...How about no?" [Solace]
"You want to save Fina, don't you?" [Vincent]
("...God damn it.") [Solace]
I didn't think he'd have known me well enough to grasp my weakness and use it against me. Frankly speaking, that was a low blow.
"Fine... Go ahead." [Solace]
I lifted my arms and stood straight, closing my eyes so I don't have to watch myself turn into a porcupine.
"Don't worry. It's not like I'll be shoving needles into your eyes. However, I will be stabbing a few into your butt." [Vincent]
("How quaint...") [Solace]
There goes another reason why I didn't want him to give me acupuncture.
"Let's continue with the front." [Vincent]
I heard his clothes shuffle in front of me, then a few sharp pains on my chest.
("Ow. Ow. Ow.") [Solace]
They slowly spread from my chest, to my shoulders, to my back, and then my head.
"Solace, just in case... If I mess up, my apologies." [Vincent]
"...What?" [Solace]
I felt an intensely sharp pain in the back of my head. I suppose it was one of the needles.
("Ow! What the hell is he doing?!") [Solace]
"Oh, guess I didn't mess up. Let's hope I don't for the next twenty." [Vincent]
("Dear god...") [Solace]
"The gods have heard your call. Upon observing you, they have decided to grant you the title, |Pitiful Disciple|." [Spirit Guide]
("Out of all the timings and titles... I hate my life.") [Solace]
I experienced the intense pain of getting pricked a total of twenty four times. So, yes, my master lied. Also, yes, I counted.
"Done with the head. Now for the lower part." [Vincent]
At this point, I know what you guys are thinking and what I was thinking. I hope kids aren't reading this.
"By the way, I'm not going to stab your junior. Rest easy." [Vincent]
After hearing that, I relaxed until I felt my "behind" getting stabbed.
("This... is incredibly unpleasant.") [Solace]
Master worked his way down, all the way to my toes. After that, he stopped.
"There. All done." [Vincent]
I opened my eyes to see the progress. Without moving much, I looked at how I had turned into a silver porcupine.
"Cool. Now can you take these needles out?" [Solace]
"What? Are you insane?" [Vincent]
He flicked one of the needles, causing me to feel like I just got shocked by a lightning bolt.
"Ack!" [Solace]
"Hah! That's funny." [Vincent]
"Can you not?" [Solace]
Master shrugged.
"Sorry. I have to stimulate you by flicking all the needles. Afterwards, we can do some exercises." [Vincent]
"..." [Solace]
Unable to find any words, I simply had one thought.
("Fina... I'm working so hard...") [Solace]