Chương 21: The Three Orphans

"What do you mean Young one? Care to explain properly?" Erza asked in confusion, Looking at the three beast people behind Axel.

"Uh... This is..."

....

Earlier Ago, After Axel agreed to bring Kraig along. The two siblings stopped Axel from leaving.

"Wait!" Zephyr abruptly spoke in a loud tone.

Axel turned around and saw Zephyr assisting Zigion who kept staggering.

"What do you want? Don't tell me you still want to fight?"

"No! We would also want to learn under your guidance!" Zigion stated, While Zephyr nodded.

Huh!?" Axel thought in shock, While Greed laughed.

[Kyahahaha! It seems they want to be under your tutelage.]

What the hell are you talking about?" Axel responded through telepathy.

[Anyways, Its better to bring them along. Having subordinates ain't a bad thing you know? Kyahahaha!]

.....

....

"And that's how it is... Hehe...?" Axel said, Whilst scratching his head.

"I see, So these three want to learn how to fight?" Erza asked.

"Yes! We want to learn how to fight Ma'am!" As the three spoke in a loud tone and stiffly stood with their heads held high.

"Shesheshe, I guess it can't be helped. But first, Tell me your reasons." Erza said.

"Reasons?" The three mumbled in confusion, While looking amongst each other.

"She wants you to tell her your reasons on why you want to learn how to fight." Axel said in a composed manner.

The three gulped and nodded, Then they all sat down on the grass while they explained their situation.

Kraig, Zephyr and Zigion were all orphans. They do not know their parents since birth, And they've been living in the Village Orphanage since then.

They weren't the only orphans in the Orphanage they stayed at, It was a bustling place occupied by active children.

But amidst their happy lives, Mistreatment always occured.

People around the village, Especially those within the age of 12 to 15. Continuously mistreated the orphans from time to time.

With them being able to live a normal life and were always treated properly, Continuously cultivating their mana cores with the help of the adults in their families gave the Orphans a huge disadvantage.

The ones who used to protect the orphans, Were also orphans. But after they've reached fifteen, They were sent away saying that they were gonna get trained. Kraig and the others continued writing them letters, But there weren't any response from them.

And after the Older guys left the Orphanage, The mistreatment continued and naturally became a daily routine for the Village kids.

With only Zigion to protect them, Zephyr and Kraig came to a conclusion that they'd also help Zigion protect the kids from their orphanage after they both awaken.

But after awakening, And obtaining an A-Rank Shapeshifting Deviant Unique skills, Knowledge about mana and combat training was still needed.

With their Mana levels being low, Their skills were utterly useless. And since they do not have proper training, They learned combat fighting through experiences. Fighting against the Bullies that mocked the orphans and continuously harassed the younger kids in the orphanage.

But ofcourse, It was still obvious for them. Since without proper training, Their combat techniques were still inadequate even with their gained experiences combined.

They can't even ask for teachers in the Village since the Villagers see them with disgusts. Thus the only adult they could talk to was the Grandma that took care of the Orphanage.

And the Mayor, Would only show himself once there's news that some orphans finally reached fifteen. And after that, They'd immediately get sent to an unknown place that the three don't know with the excuse of Training.

.....

....

"So in order to protect the younger ones in our orphanage, And to not get sent away for training, We wish to learn how to fight and become stronger!" Kraig spoke loudly, With complete determination.

"I see." Erza mumbled intently staring at Kraig.

I finally understand their situation, Orphans are being discriminated in this village. But why do they keep staring like that towards Erza?" Axel wondered, Staring at Zephyr and Zigion who kept on blushing after looking intently at Erza.

Don't tell me...!"

[Kyahaha! They are men afterall!]

"Hey! Stop blushing and act properly if you want to get stronger!" Axel blurted, Pointing at Zephyr and Zigion.

The two instantly flinched and stood stiffly, "Yes!" They replied.

"Zigion only has three months before reaching fifteen, And I'm sure he'll also be sent away for training. So please teach us! So that Zigion won't get sent away!" Kraig pleaded, Bowing his head infront of Erza.

The two followed and bowed towards Erza, While Erza rubbed her chin gently. "Hmmm.... Okay, But first show me what you've got." She said.

...

.....

Zigion, Kraig and Zephyr immediately showed their Shapeshifting Skills infront of Erza, To which they could only perform the First form of their Skill.

Their claws got enlarged and grew sharper while their body became more muscular and grew thin fur all over. But after a minute passed, Zephyr and Kraig breathed heavily and returned to their normal forms. While Zigion stood still, And after five minutes he also turned back into his original form.

[Kyahahaha! They won't even last for even thirty seconds in battle if that's all they've got! Haha!]

Come on Greed, They're basically orphans with no proper training." Axel said through telepathy.

[Well, If they increase their Mana capacity they'll be able to last longer in their first forms.]

Yeah, But do they know how to gather mana?"

[I don't know, Why are you asking me? Ask them.]

Before Axel could open his mouth, Erza started talking.

"Do you know how to gather mana?" She asked.

The three glanced at each other and shaked their heads.

"I see, This will take longer than I expected." Erza sighed and said, Whilst holding her forehead.

"But we are really determined! If you teach us, We'll promise you that we'll follow your instructions properly!" Zigion stated, Confident in his words.

"It's not about that, You see... We'll be leaving this village after two days. All I can teach you is Mana manipulation in order to increase your Mana core's level." Erza responded.

"Eh? Two days? Then how will we be able to grow stronger if you suddenly leave like that!?" Kraig bluntly said, Wearing a worried expression.

"Well it'll be up to you guys, If you really wanna grow stronger. It all depends on how you do, But for now you must learn how to gather mana particles so that you'll be able to use your skills in a more longer duration." Erza explained, And showed them a demonstration.

"Come on you three, Sit in a lotus position." She said.

The three followed her instructions without complaining and sat in a lotus sitting position.

"Close your eyes, And I'll show you the method of the technique by letting you feel it for yourselves." Erza said whilst gently patting their backs.

The three then inhaled and closed their eyes, Slowly exhaling the air they inhaled. And without further delay, Erza showed them the method by letting them feel the circulation of their mana core. Her demonstration technique was similar to Mana tethering, But the inferior form of it since she can only let them feel a glimpse of the procedure.

Zigion started feeling it, He could somehow feel the mana particles surrounding him, "I can feel it." He said happily.

Erza smiled, "Then gather those mana particles and let them flow inside the circulation of your mana core by letting them seep through your Mana veins." She said.

Zigion then slowly gathered the mana particles by letting it flow through his mana veins. As it entered, He could feel the Mana being sucked towards the circulatory flow of his Mana core. Slowly being gathered to his Mana core.

The bland whitish color of his Mana core started turning into a more darkened blueish color.

"Keep gathering mana like that." Erza said.

Zigion continued and followed Erza's instructions while the two couldn't still understand how to gather mana.

Erza then helped them bit by bit, Until they were finally able to feel the mana particles that surrounded them.

While Axel watched them intently, Reminiscing his younger days to which he recalled and saw himself in their situation, When he was still new to Mana Gathering.

[That Zigion guy is a fast learner.]

Yeah, I guess he really was determined." Axel responded and smiled, Whilst they continued observing the three meditate to their Heart's content.

Chapter End.