More visions plague Ryuu’s mind during his slumber, bringing back memories of the Pit.
Feelings of desperation and hunger resurface in his chest, but they aren’t uncomfortable.
Rather, these are the sensations that Ryuu is used to experiencing; a daily life of battle and survival is all he has known, thus, it is his element.
A section of the floor to call a bed, meals earned by the day’s effort, and the thrill of victory are all he has ever needed.
Until now.
Knock, knock.
“Ryuu, are you awake? I know I told you to get up early, but it occurred to me that you likely don’t know how to put on your new clothes. Are you decent?”
His eyes shoot open, his mind instantly aware and racing as he sits up.
“Ilene? Yeah, come in.”
She immediately pushes the door open, stepping into the room and waiting for him to crawl out of bed.
Ryuu, having slept over the blankets in his old clothes, shifts onto the floor and makes his way to the desk against the wall.
He carefully picks up the bag of new clothing and stares at it for a second, before holding it out to Ilene and insisting, “You do it. I feel like I’m gonna destroy them somehow.”
She shakes her head and takes the bag.
“Honestly, you’re such a worrywart over the weirdest things. They do have a self-repair enchantment, you know.”
She unzips the bag as she speaks, pulling out the clothes Sycamore had made.
“This will be what you wear at all times now, so get comfortable.”
He looks up as she pulls the clothing out and lays it across the bed: a smooth jacket resembling that of a Roman Italian suit (with matching trousers) in a deep black color.
The shoulders of the suit are clearly defined, even when unworn, and Ryuu can tell from a glance that the fabric is top-quality.
“Here,” Ilene continues.
“I brought this too.”
She pulls open a smaller bag and reveals a white undershirt, along with a sleek black tie.
After spreading everything out on the bed, she makes a show of running her fingers down the sleeve of his jacket, demonstrating that it won’t randomly combust.
“Now then, do you need my help, or…?”
“I’m fine. Just wait outside.”
******
After several minutes of carefully slipping through fabric and buttoning things up, Ryuu opens the door of his room and meets Ilene back at the landing by the stairs.
Upon arrival, she laughs out loud at him, covering her mouth and slightly hunching over.
“What?!” he barks.
“You got something to say?”
“Oh, haha, not at all… Besides your obvious difficulty getting dressed.”
She walks closer to him and begins fixing his clothing–straightening his tie, smoothing out the shoulders of his jacket, and tucking in the rest of his undershirt.
“What the hell?! Are you my mom or something?! Keep your hands out of my pants!”
“Grow up. As if you’d be that lucky.”
Ryuu gets ready to retort, but is cut off as she continues.
“It’s time for you to get familiar with this castle. It is your new home, after all.”
She turns to move down the stairs and motions for him to follow.
“I’ll be introducing you to some of the higher-ups around here. People in charge of military operations, training, and others.”
He smiles.
“That’s what I like to hear. I’m ready to learn more about aura, Ilene.”
“Soon. We still have to go through the proper channels before I can just lump you in with the others. Also, please refer to me as Lady Ilene around the castle.”
“Why? I gave you some sensitive information for this privilege.”
“It’s a sign of respect. You’re a little too new around here to have others thinking you’re my equal.”
“Sounds complicated. I’m not doing it.”
“…You’re insufferable.”
She shakes her head.
“Fine. At least bring back the title if we come across my father.”
“Sure, whatever.”
******
They leave the South-East Tower and enter the courtyard, the sun giving it a vibrance that hadn’t existed last night.
Golden trim along the buildings glint brightly as the pair makes their way along the stone path that twists around every corner.
After grabbing a quick breakfast from a nearby mess hall, they make their way into the North-East Tower, and Ryuu notes that this one is much more up-to-date than the previous tower.
Clean walkways and stairs span in front of them as Ilene guides him to the second floor and knocks on the nearest door.
No more than a couple seconds later, the door swings wide open, and a stern-looking man with close-cropped blond hair greets them.
His body is bulging with muscles, visible even beneath his thick layers of military clothing.
“Lady Ilene…and a friend. What did I do to earn a visit from you?”
“Master Nolan, this is Ryuu, a man of great interest to me. I’m planning on having him join some of your training exercises soon, so I thought it would be best if the two of you meet now.”
The man, Master Nolan, turns his attention to Ryuu, who meets his gaze without hesitation.
They hold that for a short moment, then Nolan nods and gestures for them to come inside.
The three of them sit down on a pair of couches, Nolan across from them as he asks, “You want this man to join in on my training?”
“Not full-time,” Ilene responds.
“Only enough for him to grasp the basics. I have a feeling he’ll adapt quickly.”
“I don’t doubt your judgement, my lady, but it takes years for someone to be able to summon their aura. Our training is all about being efficient with one’s aura, it’s not a place for complete rookies.”
Ryuu grins at this.
“Sounds like the place for me then. You can teach me to control my power, right?”
Nolan raises an eyebrow at this, and Ilene cuts in to explain.
“He already knows how to bring out his aura and use it, he simply needs to learn how to stop from using too much at once. If I were you, I’d be much more worried about him accidentally destroying your facilities.”
Nolan’s face gets serious once more as he turns to Ryuu.
“Where did you train for Lady Ilene to talk so highly of you at your age? You must have learned under quite the impressive master.”
Ryuu shakes his head.
“Nah, nothing like that. I just figured it out one day, I guess.”
“Just…figured it out?”
“Yeah, that’s all I’ve got for you. One moment I didn’t have aura, the next moment I was sending someone flying with a punch.”
Nolan lightly sighs.
“Okay, so you have experience in battle, at least. I suppose I can fit you into our session later today.”
He turns his attention.
“If that’s alright with you, Lady Ilene.”
“Why yes, that sounds perfect.”
She rises, causing the other two to stand as well.
“Now then, I still have more places to show Ryuu around, so we’ll end this here. Keep up the good work, Master Nolan.”
He bows his head as Ryuu and Ilene depart his office, leaving the tower and stepping into the courtyard once again.
As soon as they reach the stone path, a voice calls out from one of the many buildings littering the area.
“Heyyy, Ilene!”
Ryuu’s eyes dart toward the voice, curious who it is that’s so familiar with the noblewoman.
“Grisha!” Ilene exclaims.
“How have you been?!”
A shorter woman with frizzy, red-orange hair bounds over, a long white lab coat flowing down to her ankles as she runs.
“I’ve been great! Things are so busy that I hardly have time to rest, especially with the Succession Election coming up soon… But that won’t stop me! I’ll make sure that my project is complete when the time comes, so that His Grace and the rest of the Mahora family can experience a wonderful ceremony!”
Ilene keeps a straight face as she waits for Grisha to finish her ramblings, and Ryuu determines that she must be used to this.
Before long, the red-headed woman takes a breath and finally notices him standing there.
“Oh, and who do we have here? A friend of Ilene’s? I’ve never seen you before though?”
He holds up a hand in greeting.
“I’m Ryuu.”
Grisha waits for him to continue, but after it’s obvious that he’s done, Ilene covers for him.
“Ryuu is a new acquaintance of mine. I’ve only met him recently, but I have big plans in store. As long as he’s able to keep up, that is.”
Grisha’s ocean blue eyes light up from behind her glasses.
“Big plans?! You’re cooking up another scheme of yours, aren’t you?!”
Ilene’s mouth curves into a wry grin as she leans in and whispers, “Starting today, his training for the role of my Blade begins. Keep it a secret for now, okay?”
The woman’s eyes somehow widen further, her whole body freezing as she processes Ilene’s words.
Grisha’s head swivels between her and Ryuu, back and forth and back and forth, until she lets out a deep sigh.
“I hope he’s worth the trouble. I’m sure you’re aware this is your last chance.”
Ryuu cuts in now.
“What’re you talking about? What’s the deal with this blade business?”
Ilene shoots him a look.
“Keep your voice down. This isn’t the place to discuss this matter, which is why we should get going.”
She turns her attention back to Grisha.
“I’ve got a few more things to show Ryuu today. I’ll catch up with you later, alright?”
Grisha’s expression returns to its normal, cheery self.
“Of course, don’t let me hold you up! I can’t afford to waste time either!”
With those departing words, the woman turns and takes off toward the Central Tower faster than Ryuu expected.
Ilene shakes her head and mulls over something for a moment before continuing down the stone path, this time moving toward the North-West Tower.
Ryuu decides to chime in, “Your friend was interesting, if not a little too energetic.”
“Yes, although she’s actually calmed down over the years. Grisha is the current head of our Science Division. A great deal of the technology you’ve seen, and have yet to see, is a result of her and her predecessors’ hard work.”
“Damn, that’s actually pretty impressive. She didn’t look any older than me.”
“We’re the same age: twenty-four. She became the head researcher and technician by the age of seventeen, though, making her the youngest division leader in our capital’s history.”
“…I’ll try to be more respectful next time.”
******
They eventually reach the North-West Tower, identical to the others on the outside, but this one blows even the North-East Tower away with its interior.
Everything is cut from some kind of mineral or gemstone.
Marble flooring, doorknobs embedded with different gems, and a multitude of mana-powered trinkets can be found no matter where Ryuu turns.
Ilene glances over her shoulder.
“I’m sure you’ve picked up on the theme by now. The North-East Tower we visited is where our A’yang, or aura users, train themselves. This North-West Tower is where the magic users, better known as M’yin, study and develop their skills.”
“More nonsense terms to remember,” Ryuu grumbles.
“Anyway, yeah, I caught that. What I’m wondering is why you brought me here. I don’t know how to use magic.”
“Use your head a little. You don’t know how to use magic because you don’t know if you can use magic. I brought you here to put you through some tests and find out if you’re mana-sensitive.”
“Hold on a second, there’s a chance I could use magic?”
“Honestly, I’d be surprised if you couldn’t. You’ve caught my attention for a reason.”
Without any further explanation, Ilene walks down the hall of the first floor and finds a thick wooden door with a diamond door knob.
Before anybody can knock, a voice calls out from behind the door.
“Come on in, my lady.”
She opens the door and reveals a chamber stockpiled with things not of this world.
Glass jars filled with mysterious substances, and shelves lined haphazardly with books and tomes, create a room befitting the Magic Tower.
In the center of it all, a large wooden desk sits imposingly.
“Lady Ilene, how kind of you to visit. To what do I owe this honor?” asks the man behind the desk.
He’s older than Nolan, with jet-black hair swept back and graying at the temples, as well as silky robes that look like they were sewn with strands of obsidian.
His voice carries across the room in a relaxed tone, which would put most at ease, but sends Ryuu’s senses into high alert.
“Master Darius, I hope I haven’t interrupted anything important?” Ilene replies, with an almost undetectable edge.
“What could be more important than hearing what you have to say, my lady? Please, sit. You and your friend.”
He gestures over his desk as two chairs slide into place from around the room.
Ilene moves forward without pause, and Ryuu follows a second later, settling into the plush seats across from Darius.
“I instructed one of my soldiers to deliver a message to you yesterday,” the noblewoman states.
“I expect you received it?”
The dark-haired Master makes a show of turning his eyes upward in thought.
“Hmm. Ah yes, the mana-sensitivity test. I’m assuming that’s why this man is here?”
“Yes, Ryuu will be the one taking it. Is everything prepared?”
Darius smoothly rises from his chair.
“Follow me.”
The three of them make their way to the second floor of the tower, and pass several rooms (Ryuu still wondering why they even sat down) before stopping at a particularly large door with a garnet doorknob.
Darius leads them inside, where various stones and devices lay about.
“What do you know about this process, Mister Ryuu?”
“Absolutely nothing, Master Darius. I’m still not sure I even understand what magic is.”
Darius maintains a patient tone as he replies, “Well then, I’ll try to make this as brief as possible. Magic is a technique, field of study, and art form that occurs when mana-sensitive individuals attempt to manipulate the world. You see, magic needs mana to operate, but humans are incapable of creating mana themselves. So, we use the mana the world creates, found in the sky, oceans, and other natural sources. In essence, a M’yin is someone that can use their skill and knowledge to manipulate the world around them, and the greater your influence, the greater your power as a M’yin.”
“Wow, that was intense. I’m following you for the most part, but exactly how rare is it to be mana-sensitive?”
“It’s impossible to truly know, but our seemingly-accurate estimate is that approximately thirty percent of the world’s population is mana-sensitive. Of course, that also means that thirty percent have the capacity to awaken a Talent, but only twenty percent of our population are recorded Talent holders.”
“Wait, I thought a Talent was something like a specialty decided at birth? How can they be called M’yin if they haven’t awakened a Talent?”
“You ask a lot of questions, but I suppose I did this to myself. There are certain arts that can be used without the need for a Talent, so long as one studies and practices efficiently. Some of those arts are considered basics that every M’yin worth their weight in salt should know, while a few of them are incredibly advanced, and are rarely, truly mastered.”
Ryuu nods along as he lets the information soak into his brain, then Darius waves his hand at the objects around the room.
“Back to the point,” he begins, “To find out if you’re mana-sensitive, you simply need to find the object in this room imbued with magical power. There is only one out of all of them, and you will have three tries to do so. Also, you must find it while staying in that spot. No getting up and examining them before your choice. Have fun.”
Darius sits in a chair in the corner of the room, and Ilene finds a desk for herself as they watch over Ryuu’s testing.
The confused man scratches his head for a moment before lightly sighing and dropping down into a cross-legged position.
He closes his eyes and focuses, not entirely sure what he’s supposed to be looking for, but familiar with meditation.
After several minutes, he begins to feel something change in the air around him, but as he peeks an eye open, he realizes that he accidentally summoned his aura.
Ah, dammit.
I thought I had it.
He closes his eyes again, this time trying to move against what he’s used to.
He recalls Darius’s words about mana being an external force, not something caged within the body, and pushes his awareness outward.
It takes some time and fine-tuning, but Ryuu eventually reaches the point that he’s able to sense the location of nearly a hundred of the objects, perhaps due to pure instinct.
Both Darius and Ilene seem aware of the shift in the air as Ryuu’s focus increases, keeping their eyes locked on him.
He doesn’t notice though, as he’s now entering a realm separate from mortal tethering.
Ryuu feels power circulating around him, and at first thinks he summoned his aura again by mistake, but soon realizes that he’s feeling the power of the enchantments in his clothing.
Not long after, he opens his eyes with a determined smirk, pushing onto his feet and moving across the room.
He looks up at the ten-foot high ceiling, then bends his knees and explodes upward as he snatches a light stone off of the wall, tearing out its mounting bracket along with it.
Darius raises a brow.
“Is that your first answer?”
“Sure is.”
“Well, I’ll do you a favor and count both items as one attempt, since neither that light stone nor its fixture are the item.”
Ryuu continues, his smirk unfading: “I didn’t say it was either of those.” He then rips the light stone out from the cone-shaped fixture holding it in place, revealing a sparkling gemstone inside.
He dumps it into his palm and finishes, “This is my answer.”
Darius’s eyes slightly widen, his voice silent for a moment, while Ilene wears a subtle smile across the room.
Ryuu steps forward and places his gemstone on the desk in front of the Master.
“I guess this means I’m part of that thirty percent, right?”
“…Well, color me impressed. After having to explain the very foundation of magic to you, you can see how I thought you might fail.”
“Yet he didn’t,” Ilene remarks as she drops from the edge of a far desk.
“In fact, I’d say it’s even more impressive for someone who had no knowledge of magic to be able to adapt as quickly as he did. Wouldn’t you?”
“Indeed… I admit that I’m intrigued. Where did you say you met this man, Lady Ilene?”
She shrugs.
“I didn’t say. Ryuu’s story is for him to share, if willing. All you need to know about him is that he’s with me, understood?”
“…Yes. Understood, my lady.”
She nods and continues, “I want him assigned to one of your lecture halls by tomorrow morning. He won’t be a full-time apprentice, but he will receive the proper education needed to wield magic.”
Ilene turns and guides Ryuu out of the room without waiting for a response.
Once they exit the tower, he turns and asks, “What’s with the vibe between you two? Even I could tell there were some negative emotions flying around from the moment we showed up.”
She huffs before responding, “Darius is a M’yin of the highest rank: Master. It’s because of his prowess that he is the foremost M’yin in the capital, but such a title causes him to be arrogant. He believes he knows what’s best at all times, even over my father on occasion, and it’s caused some minor incidents in the past.”
She straightens the hem of her coat and continues, “Seeing the shock on his face from your test was refreshing. I knew scouting you was the right choice.”
Ryuu stops in place.
“Speaking of that, will you finally tell me about this whole blade business?”
Ilene stops now, slowly turning to face him.
“I suppose you’re right, you should know. I was planning on telling you tonight, but now is as good a time as any. Let’s return to the South-East Tower.”
******
Upon reaching the top floor of the tower, the pair stands near the large window that lies north of the east and west halls.
They stare out at the city beyond the walls, the height of the tower giving them a clear view of the Gold District.
Ryuu glances at Ilene’s profile and notices how her hair catches the light, and changes shades accordingly.
He hasn’t had much time to rest since meeting her yesterday, but the ethereal nature of her appearance has intrigued him all this time.
“Blade…” Ilene begins, “…is the title granted to the closest, most trusted ally of a noble.”
She turns to face him.
“Blades are only assigned to members of the royal family–and subservient ducal families–as a sign of status, as well as ensuring an additional level of security at all times.”
“And you’re wanting me to become one of those? For you?”
“Correct. As we discussed before, I need someone by my side that I can be sure will remain loyal to me. The upcoming Succession Election is a battle between my older brother and I to determine who will take over as head of the family. He’s had a Blade of his own for many years now, lending credibility to his overall ability.”
“I see, so you’re the underdog in this election. What can you even do to catch up at this point?”
“The main factor in deciding who’s worthy is the people of the city. We have to garner their favor–whether that be through actions that boost our popularity, or proving our ability outright.”
She breathes a low sigh.
“Admittedly, my brother is much better in social settings than I am, which is why I’ve been directing my attention toward making a name for myself.”
Ryuu leans back against the nearby wall.
“That’s why you were in Bexter. It’s all starting to come together now.”
Ilene’s eyes narrow with a sparkle of respect.
“Yes. As you concluded, I’ve been spending the past six months traveling with my band of soldiers, focusing on nothing but taking down the highest-ranked Outlaws I can. I had tracked down Smithy, the scarred man, to Bexter, and when I came across the aftermath of your intervention, I had to meet you myself.”
The noblewoman then straightens her posture and meets his gaze, continuing, “You have immense potential, Ryuu, perhaps even more than I know how to guide. With your support, I truly believe I could have a chance at reaching my goal again.”
“You want me to spend my time training here and, what, track down Outlaws in the meantime? I’m not complaining or anything–it’s pretty much what I asked for–but you’re essentially betting your future on my abilities. Just to be clear, I didn’t even know what magic was until today, and I still don’t really know what aura is.”
“I’m aware of all of that, of course. That doesn’t change what I believe.”
She paces toward the center of the landing, her back turned to him.
“Have you ever heard the phrase “big fish in a small pond”? I think that describes you, in a way.”
“Wow, thanks,” Ryuu deadpans.
“Let me finish. It applies to you, but on an entirely different scale. The Pit of Keld, if the rumors are even half-true, is about as big as the pond gets in terms of real battle, real fights. Yet, you didn’t just survive it, you were molded by it into whoever you are now that still hasn’t shown their true strength. You were a fish too big for that infamous area, but now you’re in the real world. It’s time for you to figure out what you really want to do with that power of yours, here and now.”
He mulls over this for a short while, staying silent as Ilene patiently awaits a response.
What do I do here?
The problem isn’t what she’s asking of me, it’s how much she’s depending on me to see it through.
If I become a pillar of strength for her, will my place at her side truly end once the election has passed, or will I find myself trapped in her flow?
Wait, would that be a bad thing?
I initially accepted her request for the connections she holds anyway, so what harm would it be to make use of them for as long as possible?
After all, there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to uncover his whereabouts anytime soon….
Ryuu pushes off the wall and moves closer to Ilene, ready to give his answer.
“I already agreed I would earnestly lend you my aid until the Succession Election has concluded. I don’t plan on going back on my word, and if circumstances should have it that I stick around afterward, so be it. Ultimately, what I do here is up to you, as long as I don’t hate it. You just need to worry about the give-and-take of our arrangement, that’s all.”
Ilene’s face softens marginally at this, and her shoulders droop with relief, then she straightens her back with a determined look.
“It goes without saying that I’ll make sure you’re properly taken care of during your time under my wing. I understand where you’re coming from with the issue of time, but there’s more to it. While a Blade is indeed a noble’s closest partner, they are also their eyes and ears. If, and I mean if, I were to win the election, I could set it up so that you retain the title while you scour the lands, allowing you to keep much of your freedom. If that’s what you wish, that is.”
He gives a small, tight-lipped smile.
“We’ll cross that bridge once we get there. First, I want to learn more about aura. If I’m remembering correctly, I was supposed to be joining in on Master Nolan’s training today.”
“Indeed. We should head over immediately. He likes to get started around noon.”
“Sounds good to me, but quick question.”
“Yes?”
“When am I gonna meet your father?”
******
The two of them head toward the North-East Tower once more.
The sun shines directly overhead, but does little to fight the perpetual chill of the region.
“My father is a busy man, as one would expect,” Ilene mumbles.
“I’m not sure he even knows I’m back yet, much less that you exist.”
“Well yeah, I figured as much, but with how much you’re wanting me to be involved, I’d like him to at least know my face before I step on some toes.”
“I’ll look into setting up an audience as soon as possible. For now, it’s best if you simply focus on showing everyone here that you mean business. You are not to be overlooked or trodden upon, do you understand what I’m saying?”
Ryuu gives her an amused glance.
“I fully understand what you’re implying. Trust me, I’m no stranger to having to prove myself.”
They continue with small talk as they enter the tower, eventually navigating onto the top floor.
Large steel doors stand directly in front of them as they reach the top of the stairs, which open relatively easily despite their appearance.
The inside of the room shows about ten other people roaming around and stretching, or warming up in some way.
They all straighten up upon seeing Ilene, but are quickly calmed down by a wave of her hand.
“Alright, Ryuu, report back to our floor after this. I’ll be waiting in my hall, so I give you express permission to enter just this once.”
With that, she closes the doors behind her and leaves Ryuu with the ten strangers.
He decides to focus his attention on the room rather than them, observing the obviously reinforced walls, floor, and ceiling of a stark white shade.
Other than that, the room is basically empty, with only a water station and a couple of bathrooms off to the side.
“Hey, new guy! You here as an Apprentice A’yang?!”
Ryuu turns toward the source of the voice, finding a man who appears to exude confidence.
He’s easily over a head taller than Ryuu, with shoulder-length crimson hair similar to a mane, and the build of an amateur strongman.
The new apprentice quickly realizes that his clothing makes him stand out here–not to mention his physical appearance–when compared to the somewhat plain training apparel everyone else has on.
“What, cat got your tongue?! My name’s Leon Acer, and I’m gonna be the strongest A’yang this land has ever seen!”
Ryuu smirks at his open enthusiasm.
“Really? That’s quite the goal. You got anything to back it up?”
Leon breaks into a wide grin.
“You bet I do! I’m the only one in this class so far to make it to Intermediate-Tier! All the others are still Apprentice-Tier A’yang, even though we all started training together two years ago!”
This earns a bunch of noise from the other classmates, but Leon laughs and shrugs it off as if it’s an everyday thing.
Ryuu finds the spectacle entertaining, though he’s still ignorant to the significance of the feat Leon is claiming he’s accomplished.
As he’s about to continue the conversation, the doors open from behind him.
Everyone immediately divides into two lines to make way for Master Nolan, who strides into the middle of the training room.
Ryuu follows suit, moving to stand in line across from his confident peer.
The blond-haired Master is now dressed in the same clothes as his apprentices–a plain white shirt and black shorts–and the stern look on his face is more intense than before.
“Alright, everyone, I’m sure you’ve noticed there’s a new face joining us today. That man is Ryuu. He’s been recommended to join our training by Lady Ilene herself, so treat him like one of our own.”
He then turns his attention directly onto Ryuu.
“We’ll begin with a short breakdown of the basics to get you acclimated, then we’ll move on to what we’re all here for.”
Some of the apprentices groan, but get shot down by a glare from Master Nolan.
“Would anyone here like to explain what aura is to our new comrade?”
A younger man near the front answers.
“Aura is the spiritual energy that resides in all people. Humans have the ability to draw upon it with proper training, gaining all sorts of abilities and benefits in the process.”
Nolan nods.
“Good answer, but I want some more detail. Anyone else?”
This time, the woman next to Ryuu answers.
“Aura is directly tied to one’s physical and spiritual being, and is harnessed through one’s willpower. Using aura depletes your stamina the same way running or fighting would, so any capable A’yang is required to be nigh-superhuman in physicality.”
“Correct, this is the answer I was looking for,” Nolan replies.
“There’s a reason that despite aura being available to everyone, there are actually less total A’yang above the Apprentice-Tier than there are M’yin at that level.
That’s because those that awaken a Talent have a path set out for them, for the most part.
“Why bother putting my body through hell when I have magic?” is the usual excuse, but they have no idea what they’re missing out on.”
He clears his throat and continues.
“The fact is, if you can become an Advanced-Tier A’yang, you are automatically a considerable threat in most combat situations. For every M’yin out there blessed with a Talent that can actually help in a fight, there are five more of them that can’t do much besides cook faster or make knick-knacks.”
Ryuu absorbs the knowledge like a sponge.
He’s essentially saying that the path of an A’yang is incredibly demanding, but once honed, it’s a tool that won’t fail you.
Meanwhile, even if you’re lucky enough to be born with a Talent and awaken it, there’s still a good chance it won’t be combat-oriented.
I’ll have to see more of what aura can do…
Leon chooses this moment to stick his hand in the air, then starts shouting before he can be called on.
“Master Nolan, what about those that pursue both paths?!”
The Master grimaces.
“Leon, what have I told you before? Yes, if one were to reach a high enough level as both a M’yin and A’yang, they could become untouchable to most focusing on one path. But as I just mentioned, most people that awaken a Talent avoid the grueling training it takes to be an A’yang. Not to mention the amount of time it would take to adequately improve in both fields.”
Leon’s excitement only rises from this.
“If it’s just hard work then there’s not a problem! Besides, we know it’s possible because of the Swords of Harmony!”
This earns a sigh from Nolan, while the rest of the apprentices nod along in agreement with their red-headed classmate, surprisingly.
“You’re not wrong, Leon, but that alone should tell you how rare it is for someone to become that powerful. The Swords of Harmony are the king’s own handpicked elites–those that can be called masters of both aura and magic. The ten of them reside in the Sacred Land, with the king of course, and there hasn’t been a new addition in a decade.”
Nolan resets for a moment, taking a deep breath and shutting his eyes, before addressing the room once more.
“We got a little sidetracked there, but that’s the gist of things. Everyone will learn more as we go along, but let’s go ahead and get our sparring out of the way for today.”
The same girl beside Ryuu speaks up again.
“Um, Master Nolan. Can Ryuu even participate today? If he needed that much of a breakdown, then it’s clear he’s never trained with aura before….”
“That’s what we need to find out. I’ve been told by Lady Ilene that he knows how to bring out his aura, but purposefully manipulating it is difficult for him. So, someone please volunteer to be his partner and test his limits.”
“Hahahah! There’s no need to ask! I’ll be the one to do it!” Leon bellows.
He walks right up to Ryuu and continues, “You’re game, right?! I could tell you’ve been itching to fight from the moment you walked in here!”
“You could, huh?” Ryuu murmurs with a grin.
“As long as you don’t get upset when I win, then that’s good with me.”
Leon grins and leaps backward as the rest of the apprentices move to the edges of the room for a good view, and Nolan steps up to serve as a judge.
“Alright, Leon, you know the rules, but I’m going to go over them for our newcomer. Sparring matches here are meant to bring you to the limit of your stamina, because only there can your aura truly grow. Treat it like any other fight, except for these few guidelines: don’t kill, don’t intentionally cripple your peers, and remember to focus on learning. As long as you agree to all of that, then begin!”
Nolan moves a distance away as the air between Ryuu and Leon instantly thickens.
Ryuu doesn’t completely flip his mental switch, but keeps his guard up as the larger man inches toward him with his hands outstretched.
“Don’t be nervous, newbie!” Leon shouts.
“I’ll show you the power of an Intermediate A’yang!”
Before Ryuu can respond, Leon propels forward with a flash of white light and clotheslines him across the room.
He manages to put his arms up and guard, but the force of the attack still knocks the wind out of him as he lands.
“I’m not done yet!” Leon howls as he leaps in the air and brings down an aura-covered fist.
Ryuu summons forth his own aura now, both of their bodies shining as he pivots and catches his opponent’s arm while they’re mid-air.
He uses the momentum of the fall to slam Leon onto his back, following up with a heavy stomp to the chest.
Arrogantly, he half-expects this to do the job, then feels a sudden pressure around his ankle as Leon grips it and throws him at the far wall.
Ryuu manages to twist so that his feet hit the wall first, a dull thud echoing around the room as he pushes off in his own burst of light.
Leon has only just risen to his feet as the new apprentice quickly reenters his personal space, then lands a well-placed overhand hook that cracks against his jaw and dazes him for a moment.
The less-experienced A’yang doesn’t waste his opportunity, showering his opponent in fists of aura that send a shock wave through them with each connection.
This would have been enough to put down most people Ryuu had fought up to this point, but it only seems to make Leon more intense.
“That’s it, keep hitting me!” he roars with a ferocious smile.
“Is this all you’ve got?!”
Ryuu narrows his eyes and finishes the flurry of blows with a high kick to the chin, pouring all of his power into the tip of his boot just before contact.
Leon’s eyes widen as he senses the attack approaching, exclaiming, “{Charge Point}?!” as his chin gets redirected toward the ceiling.
The ground cracks underneath them from the force of the impact, even lifting Leon’s feet off the ground for an instant, then the room goes silent.
Nolan moves to step forward, and for a moment, Ryuu thinks he may have gone too far again, then his opponent’s head points back down out of nowhere.
There’s a possessed look in the man’s golden eyes now, one that Ryuu recognizes all too well: he’s pissed off.
“RAHHHH!”
Leon shouts a battlecry as his hands shoot forward and tightly grip his opponent’s upper arms, stopping him from retreating.
Ryuu dropkicks him in an attempt to break his iron grip, but Leon takes the hit to the chest as if it never happened, his aura swelling even larger around him.
“Wait, Leon, don’t–!”
Nolan tries calling out to him, but the Intermediate A’yang is already in motion.
He slams his head into Ryuu’s, the strike shooting the smaller man out of his grip and into the floor with a loud crash.
“Gah! What…!”
Ryuu’s still seeing double from the headbutt as Leon pulls back a fist, and aura coalesces around it brighter than ever before.
“You were holding out on me!” Leon roars.
“You’re telling me to believe you’re new with a {Charge Point} that potent?! Yeah right, but let’s see if you can take mine!”
As Leon’s fist hurtles toward him, time slows down for Ryuu, and thoughts erratically race through his mind.
Charge Point?
Ow, my head….
What does he mean?
Did I do something?
This is bad.
That’s a lot of aura.
I have to run, or I’ll die.
I have to fight.
Move.
Move.
Move!
His body activates on instinct, shifting his position on the ground and pouring all of his aura into his fist as it rushes to meet Leon’s.
Their fists don’t make contact, but instead hold a power struggle as their aura visibly collides between them.
The prolonged struggle sends powerful winds blasting throughout the training room, causing some of the apprentices to cover their ears or crouch down.
Neither side gives the slightest bit, their aura seemingly an even match, but a quick movement separates them.
Master Nolan appears between them with blinding speed, his hand slicing through the clashing energy like a blade and causing it to fizzle out, rather than explode.
Ryuu falls forward due to the sudden change in momentum, yet catches himself with a sharp exhale.
Leon also stumbles, but he’s caught by Nolan, who delivers a swift, heavy punch to his gut.
“Hurk! Ughh, what was that for, Master Nolan?” Leon weakly groans.
“You idiot! Were you planning on killing our newest trainee to satisfy your ego?!”
“I wouldn’t kill him. I was just getting revenge for him landing that sneaky {Charge Point}! You said he barely knew how to use aura, so what’s the big idea here?!”
“That’s the third time you’ve mentioned that,” Ryuu joins in with his hand pressed against his forehead.
“What the hell is Charge Point?”
Nolan begins his explanation.
“{Charge Point} is one of the basic aura techniques, three of which are required to be learned at a passable level to reach Intermediate-Tier. It works by focusing one’s aura into a single point, considerably increasing destructive or defensive power. The trade off is that it leaves the rest of your body exposed, but it’s a trusted technique that all A’yang carry with them for life.”
“I’ve never learned a technique like that, but I guess I was trying to focus my power in that same way. Seriously though, I wasn’t trying to cheat or anything.”
Nolan nods with a small grin.
“I believe you, especially after watching that fight. Leon has the superior mastery and raw power, yet you were able to match him through skill and adaptability. I can see why Lady Ilene wants you here.”
The Master then turns to address the rest of his apprentices.
“I hope you all watched that match very closely. The way Leon fought and commanded his aura like it was natural, that is what we aim to accomplish here. If you continue keeping your eyes on him and Ryuu, you’re sure to find ways to improve as well. Now then, the rest of you, partner up and get to sparring!”
They all begin finding partners and sparring under Nolan’s supervision–although he has to work with someone due to odd numbers–while Ryuu and Leon sit next to the water station.
After a few minutes of sipping in silence and people watching, Leon finally speaks up, his tone calmer than before.
“My bad back there. I got excited at the thought that you may be able to keep up and went out of control. That’s not how the future strongest A’yang should behave.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me,” Ryuu replies with a straight face.
“I fully expected a scenario like that when you challenged me.”
“And you accepted it anyway? Hahahah! You’re a crazy guy, Ryuu.”
“That’s funny, I was gonna say the same about you. I know it’s conceited to admit this, but I honestly came in here thinking I’d already be stronger than everyone, considering it’s a class for people who have only recently learned how to summon their aura.”
“Nonsense. Any person with power like ours will have those thoughts; it’s only natural that you would think that way. Your idea of how this class is set up is a little off though.”
“How so?”
“You’re right that this class was built to teach people how to use their aura, but it would be wrong to assume we all grow at the same rate. I told you when I introduced myself, we’ve been training as a group for two years, and yet, I’m the only one that has reached Intermediate-Tier. To be real with you, I was beginning to think that I would have to spar Master Nolan forever to improve, but now that you’re here, I can get amped up again.”
Ryuu chuckles internally.
“I see, so you’re a big fish in a small pond.”
This brings a wide grin to Leon’s face.
“Yeah, I guess I am. What about you? If you put your mind to it, I’m sure you could reach Intermediate-Tier in no time. So what’s your goal here?”
“My goal? The same as everyone, I think. I just want to understand what I have and properly control it. I don’t have to be the strongest, I just need to be strong enough.”
“…That’s pretty deep. I guess that doesn’t mean much though, coming from a guy like me.”
“Whatever that’s supposed to mean,” Ryuu grunts as he pushes onto his feet.
“Earlier you asked about learning both magic and aura. What brought that on?”
Leon moves to his feet as well.
“Oh, that? There are a few reasons, but the biggest is that it’s a legitimate path for people like me. I’m mana-sensitive, so I technically have the ability to be a M’yin as well, but that training is a lot different from this kind.”
“I thought you said that as long as it’s hard work it’s no problem?”
“And I stand by that, but the problem is my Talent. I awakened it when I was ten years old, so obviously, I just had to try it out.”
He shakes his head, causing his long hair to swish around his face.
“Bad move. I couldn’t handle the amount of mana I was channeling, and ended up messing myself up pretty badly. I had to go through years of recovery and work to move my body properly again. That’s when I turned to aura, but I haven’t been able to convince myself to take the next step since then.”
Ryuu gives a low whistle.
“That’s quite the story. I asked because I’m mana-sensitive as well, although I only found out today.”
“Are you going to try to master both paths?”
“I’m not sure yet. At first I was hesitant, since I haven’t awakened whatever Talent is inside of me, but now that I know there are still learnable arts, I’m a bit torn. That being said, when I think about who’s leading me around, I have a feeling the choice has already been made for me.”
“Yeah, tell me about that. How in the world did you get to be so close to a beauty like Lady Ilene?”
“Pfft! Is that how you see her?”
“Uh, yeah?! Everyone across the Northern Reaches praises her divine appearance. The fact that she’s never had an official lover only adds to the appeal. She’s like an untouchable treasure, both in appearance and status.”
“No wonder she’s so clueless.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Just forget I said anything.”
Ryuu notices the sparring coming to an end around them as Nolan takes the center of the room once again.
“All of you, line up!”
The two of them join the class of ten (now eleven) as they form two lines in front of Nolan, taking deep breaths while they struggle to keep their legs from shaking.
“Now that you’re all worn out, we can finish today off with the usual. Everyone will train their {Charge Point}, {In-step}, and {Recovery}.”
He jabs a finger in Leon’s direction.
“You. Show them how it’s done, as always.”
Leon nods and moves toward the center of the room as Nolan steps aside, taking a deep breath before he begins.
“Okay you guys, we’ll start with {Recovery}!”
He closes his eyes and becomes still as he changes modes almost unbelievably fast.
Aura begins circulating around him like wisps of smoke and lightly brushes bruised areas from his fight with Ryuu.
Within moments, the bruises fade along with the smoky aura, and Leon flashes a bright grin.
“Well, did you see?!” he shouts.
“{Recovery} is a technique that uses spiritual energy to repair the physical body! Of course, it’s only as effective as you make it, and it eats up a ton of stamina, but it’s important to have in your arsenal as an A’yang! Just remember, you have to stay calm and allow the aura to properly flow! Otherwise, you’ll just be wasting your energy!”
Ryuu nods along with the rest of the apprentices as Leon moves onto the next technique.
“This time I’ll demonstrate my {Charge Point}! As you should know, this technique pulls out the extreme of one’s offense or defense into a single area, but it leaves the rest of your body defenseless in the meantime… Like this!”
He loads his aura into his fist, leaving only scarce traces in his arm to reinforce it, as he abruptly swings at Nolan.
The blond Master raises a hand immediately, stopping the punch dead in its tracks with his palm.
Leon gives a look that suggests he completely expected this, then turns back toward the others with the same enthusiasm.
“That was an example of {Charge Point} being used both offensively and defensively! You probably didn’t catch Master Nolan using it, since he’s so skilled that it’s instantaneous, but he did! Even a Master can be overpowered by an adequate {Charge Point} if they aren’t properly guarding, which is why it’s incredibly important to learn!”
Nolan chimes in with a joking tone, “That said, a Master like me can match your {Charge Points} with only basic aura manipulation. The gap between each tier of A’yang is so large that it’s deemed almost impossible to beat a superior in straight-forward combat.”
So no matter how strong I think I may be, challenging someone that I know is at least one tier above me is seen as suicide.
Ryuu rolls certain scenarios around in his head while Leon moves on to his final demonstration.
“I’ll finish with {In-step}! This is the most commonly learned of the three basic techniques, but inversely, it is also considered the hardest to master!”
He glances at Ryuu.
“You’ll see why in a moment!”
Leon turns so that he’s facing away from everyone, and aura visibly coalesces around his feet.
“I’ll charge up slowly so that everyone can see, but this process is meant to take no more than a second!”
His knees slightly bend as he finishes speaking, the aura beneath him flashing for an instant as he moves through the air like an arrow.
In under a second, Leon easily covers thirty yards of ground and lands comfortably on his toes.
Ryuu’s eyes grow wide with realization.
That’s what he used at the start of our match!
I was wondering how the hell he moved so fast… Aura is amazing!
Leon faces them all again with his trademark grin.
Despite his continued activity, the man has yet to even breathe hard during this class.
“Did you see my movements?! Coating your legs and feet in a thin, but powerful layer of aura allows you to move unbelievably fast in short bursts! Sticking the landing and keeping yourself balanced is the tricky part, but once you get the hang of it, you can upgrade your fighting style in all sorts of ways!”
Nolan cuts in once more from the side, “As Leon mentioned, this technique is likely to give you all the most trouble out of the three basics. If you want to reach Intermediate-Tier, then you’ll need to be able to cross at least thirty yards at once without difficulty.”
Some of the apprentices groan, while others nod with determined faces, but Ryuu is already lost in several calculations.
He doesn’t even notice the others have spread out to begin practicing until Leon pats him on the shoulder.
“So, what did you think?!” he asks.
“Did you realize a few things after that?!”
“I figured out that you really were going all-out in our match. You used {In-step} to close the distance between us, and {Charge Point} to block my kick to your head, as well as with that final punch.”
“Haha! Besides that?!”
“Well, like you said, I kind of already have the hang of {Charge Point}. With a little practice, that’s probably near a passable level. I think I managed to pull off {In-step} when you threw me at the wall, but your {Recovery} explanation was really abstract… How do you get the aura to wisp around you like that?”
“There’s not much more I can do to give you an idea… The key take-away is that you have to be in a calm and determined state. If it helps at all, I like to envision my aura overflowing and sealing my wounds, but it works differently for everyone!”
Ryuu hangs his head in mock dejection, muttering, “I’ll just have to practice more in my spare time.”
Leon merely tilts his head at this, but calls out as he sees Ryuu turn toward the doors.
“Leaving already?! You haven’t even tried anything yet!”
“Yeah, I’ve gotten my fill for today. I should go ahead and get back before Ilene says I’m late or something,”
Ryuu exits the North-East Tower’s training room with those words, unknowingly leaving Leon in a state of shock with how casually he had talked about Lady Ilene.
******
As he makes his way back into the courtyard, Ryuu notices the sun beginning to dip over the tall walls surrounding him.
He feels his appetite waking from its slumber after the workout and almost makes a pit stop, but convinces himself to keep moving after imagining Ilene’s scolding for keeping her waiting.
Multiple soldiers, apprentices, and other castle staff pass him on the stone path, but none of them question his presence.
Word must’ve already spread that there’s someone like me around here.
I’d better hope it’s spread to the duke then.
Before long, he arrives at the top floor of the South-East Tower and hesitantly moves down the west hall.
This area is clearly lived in, with portraits and tapestries lining the walls all the way down to an ornate double door entrance at the far end of the hall.
He knocks on the doors twice and waits a moment, inspecting the nearby artwork as he does.
From the other side of the door, the clatter of what sounds like silverware reaches him with, “Come in!” following shortly after.
Ryuu pushes the doors of Ilene’s room open, quickly glancing around at the decor.
Her bed is larger than the one in his own room, of course, and is decorated in silks of deep violet and black.
Multiple wardrobes line the walls, and a couple of mirrors are placed on opposite sides of the room, but what catches his attention is the large circle in the middle of the floor.
He doesn’t recognize the writing, but it’s clear that the circle is magical in nature.
As he raises his gaze to ask Ilene about it, his voice catches abruptly.
In the center of the room, just past the circle, a round table sits with a large tablecloth draped over it, and several dishes are spread about.
Before his mouth can even begin to water, he notices that Ilene isn’t alone at the table.
“Ryuu, welcome back,” Ilene starts.
“Did your training go well?”
He doesn’t answer at first, his gaze locked on to the man across from her.
“Um, can I ask who’s joining us?”
The corners of the man’s mouth twitch upward as he dabs at it with a napkin.
He then smoothly stands from his chair and turns to face Ryuu.
As he does, Ryuu takes note of the stranger’s appearance: tall with a decent build, dark, neatly-trimmed hair that rests just above his brow, a deep blue set of military robes, and silver irises that shine like moonlight.
I’m not good with pretty boys.
“Pardon me, I should have introduced myself sooner. My name is Xander Mahora. I am Ilene’s brother, and the eldest of us siblings. I came by tonight to catch up with Ilene after her months away, but I was surprised to hear that she had picked up a companion during that time.”
“”Companion?!”” the pair exclaims in unison.
“I think that’s a strong choice of words, Lord Xander.”
“He’s right, brother. We’re more like partners.”
Lord Xander smirks at their flustered reactions.
“I’d say “partners” is a more intimate term in this context. No?”
Ilene freezes with her mouth agape as she tries to find a way to fight back, then he simply laughs it off.
“Hahah, no need to take it so seriously, little sister. I couldn’t help but see the man for myself. I happened to swing by the Magic Tower earlier and overheard Darius ranting about this interesting new student coming in. So when you told me about Ryuu here, I put two and two together.”
Ryuu shakes off his nervous energy and replies in an even tone.
“I’m honored, but I’m sure it’s not that simple, right?”
Lord Xander’s eyes narrow with a knowing look, while Ilene, having come back to her senses, glances between the two of them with a hint of confusion.
“I see your partner has a better head on his shoulders than I gave him credit for, Ilene.”
He walks closer to Ryuu, standing beside him and resting a hand on his shoulder.
“Indeed, there’s another reason I wanted to meet with you as soon as possible. I have my suspicions as to why Ilene is keeping you here. Would you like to hear what I have to say?”
Ilene stands now, her hands slamming against the table with enough force to make the glasses and plates loudly shake.
“Xander! What do you think you’re doing?!”
He ignores her, keeping his gaze trained on Ryuu as he waits for an answer.
It doesn’t take more than a few seconds for the white-haired man to reply.
“Sorry, Lord Xander, but if Ilene has something she needs to tell me, then I’ll wait for her to say it herself.”
The nobleman falters at this, but only for an instant, before smoothly brushing his hair back.
“…Ilene, was it? I see. I suppose I’m overstepping my bounds here, but I must say this out of respect for you as a man with courage.”
He leans in closer to Ryuu’s face, their eyes locking unwaveringly.
“Ilene breaks everything she touches. If my suspicions are correct–that she’s wanting you to become her Blade–then you should prepare yourself for a future of pain and misery. If you live long enough to experience it, that is.”
With those closing words, he excuses himself from the room.
Ryuu stands motionlessly, his mind quickly working to process Lord Xander’s intent.
Ilene’s hands slightly tremble on the tablecloth, her face hidden behind her hair as she hangs her head.
After a few moments of silence, she sits back down with a huff.
“Sit,” she mutters.
“I don’t know if–”
“Sit.”
Ryuu complies.
He takes the seat formerly used by her brother, moving the old plate out of the way as he begins munching on a nearby steak.
Ilene watches him wordlessly for a short while, until she finally breaks the silence again.
“Did you really mean what you said back there? You weren’t at all curious about what more he had to say?”
Her partner takes a long gulp of water to wash down his quick dinner, then looks up at her with clear exasperation.
“I did agree to be loyal to you. Am I gonna have to reaffirm that every time someone tries to test it?”
“No… I simply have a hard time believing people at face value. Especially when it comes to my brother. Besides, you’re avoiding the question.”
“Well, I won’t lie and say I’m not curious, but what good would it do me to find anything out from him? The way I see it, he’s being openly antagonistic toward you.”
“Yes. He’s usually more discreet, but with the election rapidly approaching, I’m sure he’s trying to break my spirit. The fact that he came to try and dissuade you means he’s nervous, though. He didn’t expect me to find a way to crawl back up like this.”
“The election is something we have to worry about, but I still don’t fully understand this Blade business. How do I even become one, and can I do it before time is up?”
Ilene clasps her hands together over the table, her tone becoming more serious as she leans in.
“The Succession Election will occur two months from now. In order for us to have a chance at winning, I’ll need you to become my Blade as quickly as possible, and there are multiple ways to do so. The first, and most common, is by becoming an Advanced A’yang or M’yin and completing a sanctioned test. I believe you are immensely talented, but even if you were to reach Intermediate-Tier in either path as soon as tomorrow, there’s never been a case in recorded history of someone reaching the next tier in less than six months. Other than a certain prodigy within the Sacred Land, that is.”
She stands and begins pacing the room.
It’s clear to Ryuu at this point that Ilene likes to fidget in some fashion when she speaks, but he keeps that observation to himself.
“The second option is less straightforward. If you complete a certain amount of medium to high-risk missions under my name, you can qualify. That said, it’s up to a third party to determine whether or not you’ve completed enough of those missions, and we would likely be cutting it extremely close on time. That leaves us with the third option: defeating someone a tier above you.”
Ryuu chuckles dejectedly at this.
“From what I learned today, that would be suicide. Just matching Leon without killing him took all of my power, and he’s only recently reached Intermediate-Tier.”
Ilene’s eyes sparkle a little at his words.
“You were able to match Leon? I must say, I’ve been continuously surprised since meeting you, but this is the biggest one yet.”
“What? I thought you told me to make sure I earned my respect in there?”
“I did, and I thought you would understand that I meant you should stay cool and make sure you learn something. Sparring the Crimson Prodigy on your first day? That was never my intention.”
She sighs.
“Actually, I shouldn’t be surprised at all. That’s the type of man you are, and I’m beginning to appreciate it.”
“Thanks, but why?”
“Because it’s that kind of mindset that will be needed for what’s ahead. I’m sure you’ve picked up by now that I’m merely in my brother’s shadow when it comes to politics. He’s always been the perfect, shining model of a noble. Meanwhile, I’m the one that came out looking nothing like my father, and began using a sword as my main weapon despite our deep roots in magic. I know that I’m not meant to win this election, but even so…”
Her hands clench into fists at her side, trembling with suppressed fury as she struggles to calm herself down.
A chair falls back and clatters against the floor as Ryuu abruptly stands.
“Shut up!”
Ilene’s eyes widen in shock.
She glances up at him from across the table–only half a head taller than herself–then the intensity of Ryuu’s stare causes her voice to stop working.
“Shut the hell up! I didn’t agree to work with someone whose resolve takes a hit from the slightest inconvenience! So what if you couldn’t measure up in the past?! We’re not in the past anymore!”
Nightmares flash through his mind as he speaks, and in the middle of it, he’s not sure if he’s talking to Ilene or himself.
“There’s no use concerning ourselves with “maybe’s” and “if’s”, we will succeed! And it all starts with the loophole in the third path you mentioned!”
Ilene still seems a bit shaken by his sudden change in pressure, but manages to will herself to speak.
“Loophole?”
“You said that the third option is defeating someone a tier higher than myself, right? Since I’m officially an Apprentice A’yang right now, what does that mean my opponent will have to be?”
“No higher than the Intermediate-Tier… I see! You’re absolutely right, Ryuu, but there’s one part I forgot to mention.”
“Huh?”
“Your opponent must be hand-selected by the person with the most seniority in your chosen path, at least for the city you’re in. To be precise, it’ll be someone that Nolan chooses from one of his classes.”
Ryuu settles down as he takes in this new component.
“What’s wrong with that? Master Nolan seems like a reasonable guy.”
She rolls her eyes.
“Reasonable? Yes. Does he cut corners? No way in hell. It’s best that you assume he’ll throw his most skilled Intermediate A’yang at you. Of course, it changes to Darius’s choice if you decide to face a M’yin, but you have yet to even attend a magic class.”
“Yeah, no thanks. I’d rather make my fight aura-based, but that doesn’t mean I think it’ll be easy. How soon could we get this set up?”
“As early as next week, but are you sure you can pull this off? You won’t get a second attempt at the same trial. We’ll be forced to choose one of the other options if you lose. And that’s assuming you survive.”
A deep frown forms on Ryuu’s face.
“What did I just say?
No more “if’s”.
I will win.
It’s only a matter of making the right preparations.”
Ilene sits on the edge of her bed, kicking her legs while she listens intently.
She nods her head as she accepts her partner’s rebuttal.
Ryuu continues, “I’ll use everything I’ve got to win it. I told you before that I’ve been trying to hold myself back, because if I don’t then someone will get hurt. Today, I learned that idea was ignorant, born from a lifetime in a small pond. All I ask is that no matter what happens, no matter how brutal of a battle it becomes, you’ll take responsibility.”
He steps closer to her, making her lean back on her hands as she looks up.
“I need you to have my back, Ilene. You pulled me into all of this, so now I’m your responsibility. Don’t forget that.”
The noblewoman’s pupils contract, then expand, her mind racing as she shuts her eyes and lets out a deep sigh.
“I may have bitten off more than I can chew, recruiting you. But…thank you. I can’t remember the last time someone gave me such genuine words.”
What kind of life have you lived, Ilene?
Ryuu keeps another thought to himself while settling into the chair Ilene had been using.
He stares up at the ceiling as he gets out the last of what he wants to say.
“I have someone I’m looking for. In order to find them, I’ll need the vast resources of your family, not to mention a lot more strength. Once I’ve become your Blade and made you the ruler of Mahora, I want your first priority to be helping me.”
Ilene shifts closer to him.
“What kind of person are they? It’s possible I already know something.”
“No. You wouldn’t, sadly. I doubt anybody does.”
She stares hard at Ryuu’s profile.
“Are they the reason you had to leave?”
He closes his eyes.
As is the case each time he does, visions of raging fire and mangled bodies litter his brain.
He swallows loudly before opening his eyes again and meeting Ilene’s gaze.
“Yeah, they are.”
Ilene waits for him to continue, but instead he stands up from her chair.
“I’m gonna go ahead and hit the hay. I’m worn out from Master Nolan’s class, not to mention the fact that I have to wake up and head straight to a lecture from Master Darius.”
These are obvious excuses, but Ryuu can begin to feel his guard slipping after their heartfelt conversation.
He wants to share his pain with somebody, yet isn’t ready to do so.
“…Okay. Goodnight, Ryuu.”
“Yeah.”
******
The anxious apprentice lays restlessly in bed, his clothes folded neatly on the far desk in his room.
He figures somebody must’ve come and cleaned it today, as the layers of dust covering everything are gone, and a formerly broken mirror in the corner is now pristine.
Soon, he runs the day’s events through his mind in an attempt to bore himself to sleep.
Aura is much more powerful than I ever imagined.
I tried to sound confident about the Blade stuff back there, and I am, but I’d never faced another person that could use this power until today.
From what I’ve been told, Leon is gifted and hard-working, but the person I’ll have to fight will be above even him.
I can’t afford to hold anything back.
He rolls over in the bed, remembering what Lord Xander had said.
“Ilene breaks everything she touches.”
“Haahh,” he sighs.
“What a pain in the ass. I don’t have the patience for all of this mental warfare.”
The thought of having to deal with Darius’s lecture in the morning makes him suddenly grow drowsy, the exhaustion of his first full day in the castle finally catching up to him.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll train nonstop.
I’ll show Ilene that I’m worth the risk she’s taking, then she’ll be willing to help me out in the future…