The Supernatural Private Detective

"This is the power of Ember Flux Mastery. A martial art I practice."

Right after Ichiro said that, Rob made a perplexed face. He looked upward, placed his right hand on his chin, and spaced out.

"What are you doing?" Ichiro asked.

"Trying to remember when I reincarnated or transmigrated into a cliché Chinese cultivation manhua."

Ichiro burst into laughter.

"You breath fire from your mouth, literally take me to space and back, then you fly me to the top of Mount Seabrooke; this isn't just some martial arts."

Ichiro chuckled. "We didn't actually go to space; it was an illusion."

"What kind of illusion is that? It looked so real."

"Yes, but did it feel real?"

"What?"

"We never left the street; I just made it look like we did; you were so immersed in the illusion you didn't realize your feet never left the ground."

"Huh?"

"Think very carefully about what you felt if you noticed after the illusion you were sweating."

"Now that I think about it... I felt heat."

"Yes exactly, I emit heat when I use my abilities." Ichiro began to crawl out of the lava pit.

"Did you really need to strip though?" Rob asked.

"My clothes would've burned if—"

"Even so," Rob interrupted.

"You're being annoying, kid."

Rob turned around so Ichiro could put his clothes back on.

After getting dressed, he continued to speak. "There is an energy present in the world around us. It's in the skies, the land, and in the sea. This energy is called numen; it's the literal essence of the universe."

"Eh?"

"There are beings that wield supernatural powers by absorbing Numen and using it as a sort of fuel to perform what you might call magic." Ichiro explained.

Ichiro took a breath, assumed a stance, and began demonstrating his martial art.

With fluidity and grace, he moved through different stances and punches, each movement blending power and control. Fire burst through his fists with every punch. His adept movements showed years of dedicated practice. 

Rob and Shaggy watched the whole thing unfold before them, and with a final flaming punch, Ichiro ended his demonstration, and he stood at ease.

"Anyone who learns to utilize Numen can perform magic," Ichiro said. "But your skill and combat ability can be refined through martial arts. I am a user of numen, and I practice Ember Flux Mastery, the art of fabricating and manipulating flame, light, and heat in physical combat."

"What does controlling fire have to do with illusions?" Rob asked, but instead of Ichiro, it was his stomach that responded with a grumble.

"I'll explain that over dinner."

Rob chuckled. "Yeah, I don't think I can hold out anymore."

***

Under the night sky, amidst the darkness, a glowing ember emanated from the campfire outside Ichiro's house. The flames crackled, casting flickering shadows on the faces of Rob, Shaggy and Ichiro as they sat around the fire on stools. A large pot of boiling soup sat on top of the fire, the contents simmering as Ichiro scooped some of the soup from it with a serving spoon and poured it in a bowl.

"My signature chevon soup." Ichiro said as he handed the soup to Rob.

"Finally." Rob began to consume the soup viciously.

Ichiro scooped another bowl and placed it for Shaggy, who stood up and wolfed down her meal.

Ichiro looked up to the night sky to behold it in all its beauty. He raised his hand, pointing it at the stars, and the stars began to swirl and gather, forming a family of otters that swam across the sky with ethereal grace. The otters played and frolicked, their movements joyous. 

"Wow." Rob acknowledged as he gazed at the spectacle.

As the otters danced across the sky, their forms began to shimmer and dissolve, leaving behind a trail of glittering stardust that rained down upon the trio like a celestial blessing.

Ichiro dropped his hand. "As I've said before, ember flux mastery allows me to fabricate and manipulate flames, light, and heat." He explained. "By fabricate, I mean to produce out of my body, and by manipulate, I mean to control already existing flames, light, or heat. How I am able to make illusions is a simple concept; people need light to see; light bounces off objects and is picked up by our eyes, allowing us to see. So, by controlling the light, I can make people see what I want them to see."

"That makes total sense." Rob said sarcastically before he took another spoon of his soup.

Ichiro smiled. "It's really late; I'll set up another sleeping mat for you; you can sleep here as long as you want."

"Why are you helping me, old man?" Rob asked, his voice laced with a mix of skepticism and gratitude. "You don't know me, but you paid for the brownies I stole and picked me off the street; now you're giving me food and a place to sleep."

Ichiro's expression remained thoughtful. "Let me answer that with a question: Would you mind telling me your past and what happened to your parents?" He asked, his voice low and gentle.

Rob thought for a moment, his eyes fixing on the soup in his bowl. "You may not believe me."

"Really? The man that shoots fire from his hands and creates illusions won't believe you?" Ichiro chuckled.

"Well, when you say it like that..." Rob took another spoon of his soup. "My dad was killed by the easter bunny." He said, his voice flat.

Ichiro's expression changed to surprise. "What?" he said in an incredulous tone.

Rob shrugged. "Don't you read the paper?"

"No, I don't actually."

"Well, on Easter Day, my dad was murdered by a huge pink bunny with a scythe."

Ichiro's face turned serious, his eyes filled with concern. "And your mother?"

Rob's gaze dropped again. "She was already dead before that."

Ichiro gazed at the stars again. "My family are all dead too; they were killed by my old friend."

"So, when you saw me, you saw yourself?" Rob asked, curiosity expressed on his face.

"No, I saw my son; you look just like him."

Rob raised an eyebrow. "But you're Asian, and I'm black."

"If you were Asian, you'd be the spitting image of him."

Rob took another spoon of his soup. Before Ichiro continued. "I'm not from Birchwood; I found myself here one day with no food, money, or even a place to stay. I was homeless for a while, had to struggle to survive before I realized people would pay me to do street magic. I guess I just don't want you to experience how hard the homeless life is."

"Living in this hut isn't exactly a luxury though." Rob commented.

Ichiro chuckled, "Hey, it's rent-free."

"So, you're illegal?"

"Well, I wouldn't say illegal."

Rob took another spoon of his soup, his eyes locked on Ichiro. "Would you teach me? To shoot fire and create illusions like you?"

Ichiro remained silent.

"I want to find my father's killer and take revenge, and I want to be able to fight when I do."

Ichiro let out a breath before he spoke. "Sure, I'll teach you, kid."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"That felt too easy."

Ichiro paused for a moment before he responded. "If my son was able to defend himself, maybe he wouldn't be dead today. I know how you feel. If I see the man who killed my family today, I will not hesitate to end him. If you're going to pursue the path of revenge, then you have to be ready." Ichiro said.

Rob began to rush the pieces of meat in his soup, then he raised the bowl and started to drink the soup. When he was done, he stretched his arms out and yawned. "I think I should go get some sleep; it's way past my bedtime." He said.

"Inside the hut, there's a trunk by the corner; you should find a second sleeping mat inside."

Rob rose to his feet, robbing his eyes. Shaggy rose from the ground as she saw him stand "Thank you, Mr. Ichiro." He said.

A smile appeared on Ichiro's face as Rob strolled towards the hut in a weary manner.

Ichiro's gaze followed Rob, a mix of sadness and regret flickering in his eyes as his thoughts drifted to memories of a tragic past. A vivid, haunting image of a woman and child impaled on stakes on an icy terrain flashed in his mind. The depth of his grief washed over him like a tidal wave, etching a pained expression on his face.

Rob stepped into the hut, his demeanour changing in an instant. Anger and determination flowed through him, and his eyes shone with newfound resolve.

"If I gain this power, I'll avenge my father's death. I'll find the Easter Bunny and kill him," he vowed, his words carrying the weight of all his hardships.

***

The next morning, the sun rose over the island, casting a warm glow through the birch trees. The gentle wind whispered through the forest, carrying the scent of damp earth.

Rob slowly opened his eyes, the sleepiness clinging to him. Morning sunlight streamed through the open window beside his mat.

His gaze drifted upward, focusing on a piece of paper pasted to the ceiling. Scribbled writing caught his attention.

'What's that?" Rob squinted, still shaking off sleep.

'Don't make a move; stay completely still.' The paper read

'Stay completely still, why?' Rob's curiosity got the better of him. He rolled his eyes downward, and his gaze landed on long, metallic-like figures sticking out of his body. "Huh!?"

Suddenly, realization dawned. "Wait—are—are those needles?!" Rob's eyes widened in horror.

"Huuuuuuuuhhhhhhhh!?" He shrieked, his body tensing.

Ichiro walked in, calm as a breeze. "Oh, Rob, you're awake."

"What's the deal, geezer?! Are you using me for acupuncture?!" Rob's voice rose to a panicked pitch.

Ichiro chuckled. "Relax, kid. It's part of your training. Thirty minutes, tops. Stay still; we wouldn't want any... accidents."

Rob's face contorted in anguish. "Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!?"

As Ichiro removed the needles thirty minutes later, Rob exploded. "What's with you, geezer?! You could've at least asked me before turning me into a human pin cushion!"

As Rob expressed his anger, Ichiro smiled serenely, disposing of the needles. Then, his demeanour shifted. He pulled out a new pack of needles, closed his eyes, and began meditating.

Rob's eyes widened. "Wait, what's going on here?! Round two?!" 

But as he watched Ichiro meditate, his curiosity took over, and he fell silent.

After a few minutes, Ichiro opened his eyes, calm and focused. "What was that about?" Rob asked.

Ichiro walked to the desk, picked up a pen and paper, and sat beside Rob. "Remember Numen, the energy inside all living things?" He began drawing an illustration.

"Well, to do magic, you need to expel Numen from your body and fabricate it into spells and techniques. Numen acupoints, or meridians, are specific points on the human body where Numen is released." Ichiro's eyes locked onto Rob's. "However, humans are born with these points closed. They require acupuncture with Numen-infused needles to open. These points are not the same points used in regular acupuncture, though."

Rob's expression turned skeptical. "That makes total sense." He uttered sarcastically.

Ichiro opened the pack of needles, and Rob's eyes grew wide. "Wait, you already did the acupuncture!"

"I did your front," Ichiro replied, "now it's time for your back."

"Eh!? You're kidding, right?!" Rob's voice rose.

"Lay back down on the mat," Ichiro instructed, approaching Rob with needles.

"Wait, hold on!" Rob's hands shot up in protest.

Ichiro kept advancing, needles at the ready.

"NOOOOOO!" Rob shrieked, scrambling backward.