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Issei runs his palms up and down his scales, worrying at how the plates lie. Nobutoshi sees this and jokes, trying to reassure him.
“Even if by some miracle you don't qualify, that's still one worry off my mind.You've studied well, Issei. You’re more than capable of meeting the standard. ”
Issei tries to smile back.
“Thank you, father. I won't fail you.”
Then he's off, walking briskly to attend the medic’s examination. This is the last hurdle in Issei’s path to becoming a full soldier of Doma, a rank he can take pride in, like Nobutoshi and his forefathers.
But this is not the path he had ever dreamed of for his son. More than fearing for Issei’s failure, he fears his success. To be bound as a soldier to Doma… for his son to ever return to the safety of Thavnair seems impossible.
Nobutoshi’s smile slips as Issei fades from view. He takes a seat and begins to count his knuckles, again and again. Nobutoshi does his best to wish his son well.