Chapitre 12: First lecture
After eating a lite, but oddly satisfying meal, Leo grabbed his shield from the corner of the room.
"Was wondering why you left it here. Why get it now?", Thomas asked.
"For one it's for my quest, as this will protect me. For the other I... ran into a obstacle, and missed it."
Thomas raised a eyebrow, only repeating:
"Obstacle? Of what kind?"
"You know, the type of obstacle you need a shield for."
Leo was somewhat ashamed of his first encounter.
Thomas guessed the reason, but let it be.
"Anyway, keep it on you. There are only more obstacles coming.", he warned.
"Yes, about that, can I borrow some nails, a strip of leather and a piece of scrap metal?"
"Sure, you know where to find it."
Leo then went to the forge in the back, gathering the tools and components.
He attached the leather to the handle and made a belt bucket from the metal. Like this the shield could be carried on the back. Also he made a loop for his simple self made belt, using it to hang the warpick in it.
From some leftovers, he created a small pouch, sewed together by a self-made thread.
Now somewhat better equipped, he made his way to Mr. Sieg's house, as the first bell already rang and he doesn't want to be late for his first lesson.
After all he was about to learn magic, real magic.
He only saw it being used against Goblins, but even that left a deep impression on him.
'As good of a weapon this pick is, nothing can be as epic as use magic to create something.'
He waved goodbye to Thomas and Bron, and Thomas reminded him to treat him to a nice meal.
"I even let you decide the restaurant.", promised Leo.
He was now making way to his first day as a trainings partner. On the way he greeted some faces he saw during his stay by Thomas.
The sun shone brightly, and full of energy Leo arrived on point. Greeted by the Gargoyle, he went to the door, knocking.
The strict footsteps from Silvia were heard, and with a swing the door opened.
"Mr. Sieg is expecting your arrival. Please proceed to the study, Mr. Caesar. The way should be known. I have to attend Ms. Sophie now. Excuse me." She left, letting Leo walk to the study. He stood before the same door as yesterday, but the voice from the inside already said:
"Come in Mr. Caesar. It's time to start your lecture."
Leo stepped in, seeing Mr. Sieg in a comfortable, but elegant looking attire, similar to a vest and dark red pants.
"Please take a seat on the floor. Position is up to you, but make it comfortable."
He gestured to a place in front of a big, open window.
Leo already had many questions, but kept them, waiting for the teacher to continue.
"I could lecture you about how Magic Energy is a kind of living being, how it bends with our wills and do our bidding.
But, time is short, and you are about to awaken. Actually, when awakening you will receive a big amount of Energy, which you have to guide. Some may get over it without prior training, but it has also killed many more."
Leo swallowed.
'He may have saved my life.', he thought.
"There is also the possibility of no awakening, but if you have element affinity, it is like set in stone."
"Remember these important facts:
Respect the Energy. Use it wisely. Test your spells careful and go not over your bounds.
There is a reason for affinity, so there is also a counterpart which rejects you."
He paused, let these points sink in Leo's brain and soul.
"Now, we start with feeling the Energy around you first, after that the one inside you.
After that you try to move it like a stream, either speeding it up or reversing its flow
Lastly you do a simple no element spell everyone should be able to use."
"What is that spell?", Leo asked curious.
"A spell to remove dirt, be it from clothes or your body. It forms a barrier for a moment, just enough to let most of the dirt fall of in a blink."
'Is that why so many people appear so clean? No wonder, after all most people are able to use basic magic, as all living beings have this Energy, like blood.'
"By the way, do you have a affinity? We could make a more efficient training that way."
Leo pondered a moment. Unsure at first, he told Mr. Sieg at last.
"I seem to have the blessing of earth and fire."
Mr. Sieg said slightly impressed:
"Hoh? Two affinities? Although not extreme uncommon, this combination is rare. Are you perhaps a Dwarf? Or someone with that bloodline?"
"How do you know?" Leo was perplexed. Just by knowing his elements, he could deduce his race.
"Well, elements are often tied to environments and professions. Like if a hunter is from a family of hunters, he will have a high chance of nature affinity, or in your case the Dwarfs lived or still live in deep mountains, were stone and minerals are everywhere and the temperatures can reach shocking heights."
"So it is like that, how interesting."
"Many factors of your magic can be deduced by your ancestors, race and even personality. But enough. Sit down and do as I say. Leave your stuff in some corner. "
Leo put away his backpack, shield and weapon, hastily sitting down by the window cross-legged, waiting for introductions.
"We begin with feeling the Energy around you. To start off, concentrate, let your spirit wander and feel the world around you.
Leo closed his eyes, trying his best to focus. Letting wander his mind sounded easy, but with his never ending questions, it turned out to be quiet difficult.
He waited, and tried to actively free his mind, thinking about nothing.
After a while, he began to feel like it worked, only to start thinking again, interrupting him.
Frustrated, he opened his eyes, feeling dispirited.
"That is harder than anticipated.", he admitted.
"Of course, or else magic would be far more common in everyday life.
To use it actively or in combat, you have to have always a clear mind and a detailed picture, not easy at all."
'Makes sense, I guess.'
He felt motivated again, knowing that he had the same difficulties as many others.
He began anew, sitting there for some time.
Before the first lesson ended, he began to feel a light grasps of something complete foreign to him.
As if he was swimming in windy water, surreal and mystic.
But after that short feeling, his emotions overcame him, loosing this feeling again.
"We are about to end this first lesson.", came the announcement from Mr. Sieg.
"Did you grasp anything?"
"I felt a weird pressure, like... like I was in water, but also on a field, blown at by a gentle, warm breeze."
He was somewhat proud to feel Magic Energy on his first day. The feeling intoxicating him, pushing him to do it again.
"That is good, the first step is already done. We'll accomplish in the next lessons a lasting concentration, upholding this feeling."
"Couldn't I have done this on my own? The instructions would be enough to learn alone.", Leo asked.
Doing this would make it easier, for him and Mr. Sieg.
You could, but till you have experience, I have to advice against it.
As said, respect the Energy. It may feel like you are in control, but all you did was feel it, not even control it. It seemed gentle, but is a mighty force.", He warned.
He looked at Leo, observing if his warning grew fruit.
Then he said:
"The Energy you felt had already characteristics of your elements.
It seems your awakening is not too far away into the future."
Leo got elated. To get a clue of his awakening was fantastic news. After all that day will mark his advancement into adulthood, as well as the start of his elemental Magic.
The third bell this morning rang, announcing the start of his mission to train against Sophie.
"Leave your stuff here, the first few times you both will practice with training weapons.
With some time past, we will move on to your standard equipment."
Silvia came in the study after knocking, ready to guide Leo to the training field.
They left the house, standing in a fenced in place, the grass cut neatly in it.
Sophie was already there, waiting. She sat on the fence, swinging her legs in anticipation.
She wore a short shirt, long pants fastened with a wide belt. Her hair was kept in place with a strip of cloth in a stylish ponytail.
Next to her was a stand with training weapons. Swords, axes, poles and shields, bow and arrow as well a wand was on it. The edges of the blades dull, like the arrowheads.
"Finally!", she exclaimed. "I can't wait any longer. Father finally let's me practice real fighting, so grab your stuff and begin."
She jumped down the fence, grabbing a sword and standing in the middle.
Before Leo even took a weapon, Silvia intercepted.
"Ms. Sophie, please try to contain the excitement a little longer. We have to account for at least some damage, and wear appropriate gear."
She went to a nearby small shed, getting out a box with thick leather gear.
"Please wear these, Ms. Sophie, Mr. Caesar."
She handed them shinbone, body, shoulder and head protectors. The body gear was made of multiple parts, covering the ribs, stomach area and hips.
The head protection was open on the top and parts of the face. It covered the forehead, sides of the head and chin.
"Now, Mr. Caesar, please select your suited gear. After that the training can officially begin."
Leo walked to the stand, selecting a wooden hammer with a puffer on the ends and a simple wooden round shield.
"A shield is no fair!", Sophie nags.
"Sorry Ms., but in a fight I would take all the protection I can get, and this here is to practice partly real combat, no?", he replied.
Sophie stopped nagging, accepting his choice and readying her stance. She hold he sword in one hand, knees lightly apart and bent. Her left hand was empty, positioned in a relaxed position, angled on hip height.
Leo also stepped around ten steps opposite from her. He hold his shield in front of his body, the hammer hanging down. He used not too much strength to grip it, as he experienced the loss of fine control when he practiced the day before.
They stared at each other, unsure how to begin. They fidgeted around, lifting their weapons a bit, before lowering them again.
"It sure is not easy to just go and hit the opponent with all your might, huh?", Leo said.
He was as nervous as her.
"Yeah, now that we are about to begin, it's quite the hurdle to overcome.", she admitted.
"But as I am paid to train with you, I have to make a move, so prepare."
Leo moved forward, still holding the shield high. Sophie bent her knees more, observing Leo like a hawk.
He then made his first move, swinging his hammer from a downwards position upwards, aiming at her arm.
She dodged it by backing away a bit, then springing back. She now swung her sword with some force, although holding back a bit.
He parried the strike, still feeling a feedback from the clash.
'Depending on the might of the strike, that could deal some damage, even with protection.'
He held the shield tighter, and close to his side.
Sophie's sword slid down the shield, leaving her open. Leo, seeing that, went for that and aimed for the body. Before it could connect though, her free left hand grabbed his hand,stopping his advancement.
They paused a moment, catching a breath.
"That is fun.", said Sophie.
"Agreed, I can't wait till we move to real weapons."
'This is really thrilling.', he thought.
Then, after that brief exchange, they continue.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone