"Dumb Dumb, when will Aurelia learn how to absorb Acana?" Asked Aurelia, sheathing her longsword upon her waist.
With a twitch to his left eye, Lord Zireael held his budding anger down, "You can bearly hold a blade, yet you think you are ready to ride the dragon?"
"You are still in the intermediate stages of the basics." Said Innis patting the young girl's sweaty brow. " Although, most commoners your age only start absorbing Arcana when they are five. You will need a noble to give you permission to start early. "
Puffing her cheeks, Aurelia shook her head, "No, Aurelia wants to learn now!"
"Oh, then do go ahead and learn, but Innis will not be teaching you." Zireael coldly said, arching his lips. "I will be the one, and I can guarantee you will not like it. I am not kind like Innis."
"Aurelia is ready!"
"She is ready!"
"I have been training her for four months. While her basics need work, training with Arcana would speed up her foundation. Aurelia is ready to start! Many members of the Aristocracy start around her age!" urged Innis with confidence.
" thwee against one," Aurelia giggled, yet Zireael did not seem amused.
No Lord Blackwater was not amused in the slightest. Four months of training with a blade was remotely enough, but he could not deny the advantage of starting now. Time was not on his side, but he knew skipping steps was not to his advantage.
"Fine, but Aurelia, I hope you understand that your training will increase. Your body can take it, but your mind will be a different story."
Filled with determination, Aurelia slapped her chest, "I, Aurelia Morningstar am ready!"
With flames burning within her eyes, Zireael merely frowned, raising his arm as a silver ball of light began to glow from within his palm. "This is Arcana, formed by the Qi of Heaven and Earth. It is what gives people like Talia and Innis their power. When Qi of heaven and Earth enters your body, it turns into what we call Arcana. However, most people refer to Heaven and Earth's Qi as Arcana anyway but remember the difference. Right now, you cannot absorb Arcana on your own due to the lack of connection towards heaven and earth."
"So, how does Aurelia absorb Arcana?"
"We higher an Alchemist to create ointment, but I am sure Innis has plenty upon her person." Said Lord Zireael.
Digging into her robe, Innis nodded, "I do, my lord. I figured a day like this would arrive, so I prepared. This ointment is from a Shadow Wolf, a rare beast that is known for its speed and flexibility perfect for a woman."
Holding a small black Vial within her youthful palms, Zireael took it within his hand, pursing his lips, "I truly should have learn about being an Alchemist when I had the chance."
Tossing the ointment towards Aurelia, Lord Zireael did not even have to speak as Aurelia impatiently placed it upon her skin, covering every crevis of her body in a matter of seconds without waiting for instructions.
"Oh, dear!" Said Talia covering her mouth. "That's... that's a bit too much, my lady."
Covered in black slime, she grinned, "Aurelia feels... fi... fine... Aurelia feels funny!"
Turning crimson in color benight the black ointment, Aurelia's entire body began to tremble. Suddenly a ruthless kick shot into her chest, basting her over the grassing plain. Skidding over the gas like a rag doll. Zireael smiled, "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Gritting her teeth, Aurelia's crimson skin began to fade a little before returning in full. Drawing her sheath blade from her side, Lord Blackwater drew his from his back.
"DUMB DUMB!!!" Roared Aurelia with madness charging towards the Young Lord.
Flicking his wrist in the air with graceful elegance Zireael, darted towards the young girl. His steps were light like the grace of a dancer and profound like the heavens. Pressing towards Aurelia, his blade curled towards her neck.
Raising her sword, Aurelia watched the fireflies sparkled within the air. Her gaze was so focused she didn't even notice her speed was almost the same as a full-grown adult without Arcana. Parrying his sword, Aurelia lowered her knees, ducking as a silver light tore the air in half where her head would have been.
Gulping at the close touch of death upon her soul, silver flashes of sword light consumed her vision. Ignoring the sword strokes that were not heading for her vital's, pure crimson liquid trickled down her clothing. Staining her attire with its ruby pigment.
Clashing with all she had against Lord Zireael Master Swodmanship, Aurelia felt a large difference when compared to Innis. Her master's dagger was skilled, cunning, and profound, but Lord Zireael's blade was different.
When looking at Zireael, all she could feel was despair. His skills could not be measured, at least not by the little girl. Before Zireael, all she saw was darkness, pure untamed darkness from his silver eyes.
Lowering her longsword, Aurelia fell to her knees, her breathing shallow and haggard like those upon their death bed. Large lacerations oozing ruby red blood were clear as day. However, there was no despair within the young girl's heart.
Feeling her body overflowing with Arcana, she arose, ignoring the agony reaching her very bones; she roared, "Aurelia can keep going!"
Wiping the blood upon his blade away, Zireael sheath his sword without any expression, "Mend your injuries, Aurelia. We are going to the forest for a few years. Talia, go with Innis to collect more Ointment. We need three years' worth. We are going on a journey."
"My lord!" Talia shouted in surprise, "You're a duke, my lord; you cannot just leave."
"Sure I can! It's not like Cyrus gave me land to rule. That title is merely in name only. You, however, should tell him. I don't want to have an army heading for my neck, searching for the Princess of Ferrum. " Said Zireael walking away without a care in the world.
Falling back on the bloody grass, Talia smiled, lifting the Young Mistress into her arms. "Let's get you cleaned up."
Entering the ether Hotspring, Talia could not help but marvel as she carried the bloody girl into the spring. Watching all her injuries vanish at the touch of spring water against her milky skin. She could not help but marvel at where Lord Blackwater got such a magical spring.
"Aurelia lost," She whimpered in a downcasted tone, "Aurelia lost to Dumb Dumb."
Dropping her entire into the hot spring, Talia laughed, watching her struggle to catch her breath, "Lord Zireael is a master swordsman, and you started only four months ago. Instead of beating yourself up, look at the bright side. You are on your first step in reaching the first stage in Arcane Refinement.
Blowing small bubbles within the hot spring, Aurelia didn't look up to meet Talia's gaze. While what Talia said was correct, Aurelia understood that a loss was a loss. CLenching her small fist, the fire within her eyes shone.
"Aurelia will not lose next time."
7 of 7
Resting his head upon his knuckles, ignoring the glaring eyes of the young trickster. He stared at his book, 'Tales of The Phantoms, written by Lrn Arffm,' Lord Zireael fell ingress into his world.
Snatching his book away, Aurellia tossed it out the window of their moving carriage without a second thought. Opening his mouth wide, Zireael could not believe what he just saw. Turning to Talia, who turned the other way, he reached for his sword.
"Lord Zireael, please, and Aurelia, no lunch for you!" reprimanded Innis watching the young trickster's face pale.
Smirking towards the girl, he waved his finger, causing the same book to reappear within his hands. snatching it away once more, Zireael barked, "What do you want?!"
"What is Dumb Dumbs realm?"
Gathering the attention of everyone, Zireael scrunched his brow, "My realm? Why so curious? Are you still mad I kicked your ass all this week?"
Clenching her teeth, Aurelia forcefully agreed, "Aurelia has not been able to best you. You are Aurelia's age yet; Aurelia cannot beat you up!"
"First off, stop speaking in the third person. Secondly, I am Zireael Blackwater, one of the greatest geniuses of all time. None can compare to me." Zireael bragged, flicking his bangs from his eyes in style.
Getting three eye rolls from the three different women within the carriage, Lord Zireael suddenly began to frown. Noticing the carriage coming to a halt, two knocks rang upon his door.
"By Order of The Imperial Knights, disembark at once!"
Pushing the carriage door open, Talia stormed out. "What is the meaning of this? Duke Blackwater is currently inside. Who is in charge." Said Talia in a commanding tone.
Peering from out his carriage towards the large wall in the distance. Zireael marked over twenty armed men with their bows nocked and another ten knights surrounding his carriage with weapons drawn.
"Princess Talia?" A charismatic voice called out, "So this is where you were hiding?"
Stepping from outside the encirclement stood a giant of a man with short jet black hair that reached to his ears. His entire body was plated with golden armor radiating a crimson hue.
"Sir Greymore of Salvan, why are you here?" Asked Talia solemnly.
"The white raven!" Innis muttered in shock, drawing the attention of her lord. Arching his lips, Zireael left the carriage, shooting Innis a glance to protect the Lady Morningstar.
"Stand aside, princess," said Sir Greymore, "I am here for Duke Blackwater."
Stepping down his carriage Lord Zireael glanced upon the large halbert upon Sir Greymore back and the longsword upon his waist.
"I take it this is not a friendly meeting." Said Zireael, patiently taking his time to approach.
"Duke Blackwater by order of an Imperial Magistrate, you have been found guilty for aiding a known criminal, Eachann. There is clear evidence found upon his person that you gifted him a knightship without permission by the crown or courts."
"Ok"
"Do you surrender?" asked Sir Greymore, a little unsettled by the indifference portrayed upon the silver child.
"Nope, but please, I would love to see what the White Raven is capable of." Zireael urged, beckoning with his arms.
"This is nonsense!" Said Talia, "Does the king or vincent know of this foolishness? Do any of you understand what you are doing?"
Drawing the large Onix halbert from his back, Sir Greymore slapped the bud of his halbert against the ground, creating a heavy shockwave blasting a massive gust of dust and filth into the air. However, as if there was an invisible sphere around Zireael and his carriage, nothing seemed to fall upon his body.
Drawing his longsword with his left hand Snow white Arcana began to rise from his flesh, similar to a flame bringing an unnatural pressure upon the battlefield.
"Talia, I thought I told you to kill Eachann?" Asked Zireael with an indifferent grin drawing the sword upon his back. "Now, this kingdom is about to lose a first stage, Arcane Master."
"Lord, please h..."
"Lord Zireael, allow me to handle Sir Greymore," Innis suddenly declared, holding the arm of Aurelia. Her body pulsing with the same amount of Arcana.
Drawing her bronze dagger from her tunic, a frightening amount of killing intent swallowed the battlefield. Staring up at the stranger holding her hands, Aurelia shivered, seeing the crimson light within her master's eyes.
"That dagger... you're... impossible! Shouted Sir Greymore taking a large step back, "How are you like this? Answer me, Innis!"
"Fine, Talia, kill everyone around the battlefield, and I will think of your punishment for not killing Eachann," Zireael commanded, taking Aurelia back into the carriage without care.
Covered in sweat, Sir Greymore took a deep stance glaring towards the demon that was once feared within the realm of Master.
Pushing a Dark shady arcana around her body, Innis's body suddenly blitz vanishing from sight. Shooting her daggers from beneath Sir Greymore. The shadow of his sword parried her cold attack while the halbert within his other arm tore through the air in one fluid motion.
"Die!"
Sir Greymore roared, crashing his halbert into the pavement, shattering the ground, meeting nothing but dirt. Not releasing the tension within his muscles, the Arcana around Sir Greymore began to bend around him.
Appearing a few meters away, a drop of crimson fell from the tip of Innis's dagger upon the dusty ground.
"It seems the Snake of Shadows has returned." Said Sir Greymore as blood began to run from his waist. "who would imagine the woman who trained me so many moons ago would be the one I am forced to cut down.
Stopping the blood flow, Sir Greymore Arcana exploded into a wild, untamed aura that covered Valmor. Taking a step forward, Greymore bade, and halbert twisted into a terrifying storm that decimated the narrow street of Valmor.
Twisting like a snake in the sea of the storm, Innis's expression remained cold and focused as her body suddenly vanished once more.
"Shadow Slash." She muttered from the shadows
However, Sir Greymore was ready. Twisting both his arms and legs, a large whirlwind ripped the very clouds covering the Azure skies apart. Turning everything within a five-meter radius to dust.
Leaping out of the whirlwind, tearing the street of Valmor apart, a vicious gash appeared on Innis's shoulder, "You have grown weak, Innis. Your age might have returned, but your battle prowess has fallen. Were you at your peak; then this battle would have long ended. "
Nodding in agreement from inside his carriage, The Lady Morningstar stared in amazement at her master. She had battle every day with her but never understood how powerful she was till this day.
"She will definitely die, but I guess the fun is over. " Zireael commented, "Governor Cor is here."
You may also Like
Paragraph comment
Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.
Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.
GOT IT