Chương 12: Affinity for nothing
It's been 9 months since the tragedy befell the northern village. The day Arsh lost everything at the hands of churches of 5 gods.
"Are you some kind of monster yourself kid?"
For 9 months, Arsh's sole focus was his body. To make it strong and agile, enough to at least give Alan a run for his money.
For the last 6 months of training, Alan was only teaching him different sword styles, and ways to evade or counter them. Arsh was still not allowed to use anything other than his daggers.
Arsh now appeared as a true master of daggers.
The total number of sword arts Alan knew was 400. That was a very large no. of different techniques. But, due to Alan's brute method of training, it leaves no place for error. It was either learn or die.
After 6 months of harrowing torture, Arsh managed to achieve his first milestone. Learning all of the sword arts Alan knew.
"I heard that for half of my life. Being a monster suits me well."
Arsh replied, deflecting the sword aimed at his left leg. Arsh only focused on his body's mobility and footwork. And now he appeared as a true master of daggers.
'Faster, Stronger, fiercer.'
Arsh took a step back and threw the 3rd dagger at Alan, while simultaneously attacking his arms with the other 2 daggers.
"Half of your life? You are 14, Kid."
Alan deflected the dagger, using a very quick sword movement. He swung his sword again, aiming for Arsh's heart. Due to the long reach of the sword, Arsh had to step back and evade the attack.
"15. I am 15, as of today."
Arsh moved again, faster than before, quickly closing the distance between them. He threw the 2nd dagger at his eyes, 1st one at his throat moving in quick succession.
Alan's voice rang somberly.
|Stealth|
Alan's body got covered by black mist and he was invisible in the next second. His presence vanished, as though it was never there, to begin with. Arsh took a defensive stance quickly, concentrating on finding his mentor's invisible presence.
'Tch! I lost him. Where is he now?'
"Gotcha! Kiddo."
A black fog formed behind Arsh, a black blade hovering over Arsh's neck. The features of his mentor are clear now, with a mocking grin etched on his face.
"My Win again. You should try harder from now on."
"Cheater! you used magic again."
"I used it because I can use it. And when did I say that magic wasn't allowed."
Alan shrugged his shoulders, not any hint of guilt in his expression. He took a seat on the ground, sheathing his sword. Motioning Arsh to sit with him.
"Though. You are a monster, kid. It took me more than 2 years to just identify all of the sword movements, let alone counter them."
"Your moves and approach are …rather unpredictable. No sane person will take such a reckless, yet efficient approach. I have to use most of the sword arts to its full capabilities, to counter your moves right now."
Arsh grinned at his mentor, who was genuinely praising him for the first time in the last 9 months. He made a mess of Arsh's body more times than he can count in the name of training. But still never offered a single word of recognition.
'This jerk can talk like a human too.'
"You don't have to feel so bad. I am a genius, after all. Not just in name, like a certain some...AAAAHHHHHH"
Alan pinched his side again, with inhumane force. Leaving Arsh on the ground, growling in pain.
"Sore Los...AAAAHHHHHH"
Alan looked at him with a hurt expression on his face. He removed his sword again, pointing it at Arsh's face.
"I was never going all out, to begin with. If I wanted to, I could have independently changed between the styles. Then you wouldn't even stand a chance."
"Come here! let me give you a little demonstration"
"Why are you acting all offended? Are you 5?"
Arsh sighed, picking his daggers up from the ground. He took a deep breath, concentrating on Alan's presence.
In the next second, his senses bombarded him with imminent danger. He instinctively ducked, backing away, trying to make the distance between them.
Alan was quickly upon him, using quick sword movements. He swung his sword again with a different and more unrefined style, like a brawler.
'Shit! he changed his styles too quickly.'
Arsh backed away knowing the difference in raw strength between them. He knew If he tried to tank the hit, it would be the end of this duel along with his several bones.
However, It was of no avail. Alan had already predicted it far before, quickly changing the sword style to a light one again. He attacked with a lightning-fast style aimed at his hand.
Arsh knew he couldn't dodge it. Not at this range. He changed his stance to a defensive one, tanking the hit with his body.
Alan again changed his approach midway, back to brawler's style. Adding more strength to the sword, to change its trajectory.
'Shit!, Shit!, Shit!'
Arsh staggered, backing away, not confident in taking the hit. The black sword shone, stopping 3 cm away from his eye.
"See, that was just 3 of them. Don't be too cocky, kid. What I showed you in the last six months, are only the sword arts of the random adventures."
"The churches use much more refined and sophisticated sword arts. So much so, that even I wasn't able to comprehend or replicate it."
Alan sighed, sheathing his sword again.
"So, your goal is still unattainable as of now."
After seeing the demonstration given by Alan. Arsh sobered up immediately, falling from the high horse.
Arsh knew where he was right now and where he had to go. He stood up, pushing the daggers back into his pockets. He knew he needed more than this, and right now there is only one way forward.
"Teach me magic. I need something different from this. I can't really imagine killing those robed monsters with daggers."
"I have to come up with something stronger. In order to kill them I need something .....more sinister. So, I can fulfill my promise with my only friend. Even if it means killing the so-called creators."
________
They returned to their cottage again for lunch. Arsh entered the kitchen and started preparing ingredients for lunch.
"You will make a great wife."
Alan grinned, throwing an onion at Arsh.
"No, Your cooking is just shit. I'll rather cook myself than eat that poisonous matter you made."
After finishing their lunch together. They were in the forest again. It was home for Arsh in the last 9 months, he rarely came across any monsters on this side of the forest. Mostly due to the fact, the people of town regularly hunt them for food and necessity, near the boundary of the forest.
He still never entered deep into the forest, taking heed of the warnings given by Alan and Leo. He already heard several stories from townspeople, about calamities and millennials being found there.
'I have to go back again, somehow. To look for any survivors from the massacre. However unlikely the chances are.'
But, Arsh was still reluctant to do it. He wanted to search for Edward or any other survivor of the assault. He needed to go back, back to his home.
Arsh turned back, looking at his mentor's face.
"Magic is very different from everything you have learned till now. I can't teach you magic if you don't have the same affinity as me. You should be aware of that."
Alan explained lazily. He stretched his hand towards Arsh, placing it on top of his head.
"Now, I will inject my essence into your body. To forcefully awaken you, right away. It is going to hurt probably. But We don't have the luxury or time to wait for it to happen eventually."
Arsh already knew little about magic, from his prior time with his mother. She was a very powerful mage, with a divine affinity for gravity.
'If I remember correctly. She was breathing fire that one time.'
Alan looked into his crimson eyes, before starting the process. Explaining how magic and spells work.
"You can use beginner's magic as long as you concentrate and imagine it with utmost precision. The max no. of time mostly depends upon your reservoir of magic essence."
"Advanced magic has more limits to them, depending upon your body and lineage factor. While divine magic is in a league of its own. Very few have an affinity for it. Much less any details. I don't have much information on them, as the church mostly tries to hide it."
A dark fog enveloped Arsh for some mere moments. Arsh felt a chill the second Alan's essence entered his body. But, it subsided right after some time. Giving a strange euphoric sensation.
"So? What is mine?"
Arsh asked excitedly. He didn't feel a single change in his body yet. But, he was sure, Alan would have a different verdict.
Alan removed his hand. Standing in a thoughtful pose. He looked at Arsh, a stoic expression on his face, Announcing deadpan.
"You have no attribute. None at all."
"Wait... What? You said I have the aura of a mage. So, how I can't have any kind of attribute?"
Alan raised his hand, gesturing for Arsh to shut up. He reached for Arsh's head again, injecting his essence again.
"You have no affinity, nor any spark of divinity either. You are the first mage with no affinity. After scanning your body completely, I have 2 news for you, a goo-"
"Tell me the bad one. Please."
Arsh replied instantly.
"You can't use any advanced magic of any kind. Your lineage is too messed up."
Arsh slumped down, all of his hope leaving his body. He was so sure about himself, hearing from time to time. He was a future mage. It made absolutely no sense.
One person can be easily wrong. But, dozens of them? Not likely.
But, Arsh was already downcasted, cursing his fate.
'What the hell? Why is it me, every goddamn time?'
Alan removed his hand, raising it high up in the air, smacking Arsh with inhumane force.
"Calm down, kid. listen to the other news first. Then you can continue your moping."
Arsh was sent flying to the nearby tree. Arsh sat up on the ground, rage filled in his eyes.
"Now Listen. You can't use advanced magic. But, you can use beginner's magic for literally every attribute from what I have gathered. Perhaps?"
Alan took a deep breath, starting again.
"To be completely clear. When I injected you with magic essence, you were already awakened. Your body reacted to it, trying to absorb it. But,"
He looked at Arsh, then sighed again.
"Your body didn't absorb it. It just devoured it, not even leaving a trace of it. After the second try, I was able to discern the correct attribute of your soul tomb."
"You have an affinity for magic. One that I have never seen or heard about ever before, in my life. If I have to name it. You have an affinity for futility, void, or nothingness. In short affinity of nothing."
Alan looked deep into Arsh's eyes helping him get up from the ground. He stretched his hand to the sitting Arsh.
"I don't know what kind of magic that is. So, Naturally, I can't teach you anything about it."
"I am going to teach you every beginner's magic that I know of. For the kind of monster you are. I don't think, it will take any more than 3-4 weeks."
Arsh grabbed his hand, standing up with Alan's help. Listening intently to what Alan was saying.
"You just have to figure the rest out by yourself. All about your magic and fighting style you will. Find it. And master it. That is my advice."
Arsh frowned listening to the last line. It was a lot to take in. He looked around still deep into his thoughts.
'So, I have an affinity that is unheard of? I have no fucking idea what that even means? Should I be happy about it?'
Arsh darted his eyes, trying to make sense of everything. He kept looking down for some time, until he lifted his head again, a determined expression on his face.
"Who the hell cares? I just have to become strong. Strong enough to fight those monsters from the churches. I need magic. If I want to stand a chance in future fights."
"Have you finally gone insane, Kid?"
Alan gave him a pitying look, trying to hide his grin. He smiled, putting his hand over Arsh's shoulder.
"So? What are your thoughts for our future together?"
Arsh removed his hand, irritated. He turned to face him, completely determined about his future plan.
"Teach me, Alan. Teach me everything that you know, in the next 3 months."
Alan raised a brow, listening to the sudden request.
"Why? Where are you going after 3 months?"
Arsh smiled silently, his face painted by sadness. He lifted his head, responding with the same smile, in a dry euphonic voice.
"Home. I am going back home."
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