The king sent me, chapter 5

The king sent me

Chapter 5
The gift of the ancients


It was still morning and Sir Gabriel and I did not have the time to eat something before going to the court. Aria had to run some errands, so she parted from us. She looked a little confuse after what happened, but so was I. Gabriel dragged me into a tavern that was still open from the eve. There were still some people that were drinking and bragging about their lives. I ate a quick meal, but Gabriel decided to drown his destiny in alcohol. I almost felt sick for him, drinking booze in the morning. For once, Gabriel was quiet and it was not bothering me at all.

I understand him, the Round is a hard quest, and Gabriel did it only once before. But everything did not go as planned. There is a small village of Gaia’s Guardians on the way, they are not enemies. They signed a treaty of nonaggression a long time ago, but Gabriel almost destroyed it the last time he passed by. He told it to me, and I’m the only one who knows anything about that. When he entered the village he saw a beautiful young Dreedan, and he started to talk to her. She was ignoring him, but he insisted a little: he is some kind of macho. It appeared that the young girl was the chief’s daughter and no one except the Guardians was allowed to talk to her. Gabriel learned that too late, he got arrested by the village’s warriors. Somehow, he got lucky, probably due to his aptitudes with the words, he got a very strong warning and he was then forbidden to ever return to this village. This could have turned as a story less altercation but, during the Round, when the Loyal Knight inspects this village, he must get a report from the chief of the village, and this is where it gets complicated for Gabriel.

I saw Gabriel getting on his legs and making a weak motion with his hand to tell me that he was leaving. So we got back to the mansion of the knights, there Gabriel when to his chamber, probably to sleep. I decided to change my clothing, putting on something more comfortable, nothing can beat these old training cloths. Speaking of training, I still didn’t had the time to train with my new sword with all that happened.

I opened my wardrobe and took a baldric, the one that holds the scabbard that fits with this type of blade. I passed it over my head and installed it on my shoulder. I opened the three locks on the box that contains the sword, moving away the small piece of yellow cloth in a corner to be sure that I don’t lose it. I grasped the handle and lifted the blade just with one hand to feel the full weight of the blade. Just like the first time, it the balance of this cutting edge is incredible. I inserted it in the scabbard, just as someone knocked on the door of my chamber. I heard Gabriel’s voice trough the door.

-Hey Darien, do you have a moment? I have to say something to you.

I unlocked the door and let him trough. He looked fully rejuvenated, like he was able to get a full night of sleep in less than thirty minutes.

-Yes, sure Sir, I was just preparing for training.

-That’s great, because I was just going to ask you if you wanted to train with me.

This is a pretty unusual proposition, generally the Loyal Knights train between them.  Gabriel started to speak again.

-You might have wondered why I was spending a lot of time out with Exon. It’s because, he and some other Loyal Knights were helping me perfect my combat abilities. But today, there is some commotion in the regular schedule due to Corroc’s condemnation, so only Exon can be there.

-Hum. Yes, I see. But what does this have to do with me?

-Well, For one thing, I know what you want to be, and you are going to need proper training. I don’t want to insult your family or anything, but your father is not exactly the type of people that can teach you how to fight like a true swordsman.

-No, I don’t take it bad. It’s right.

-So I decided to take you under my wing. Maybe I’m not the best, but I train with Exon, he will also be there to assist your training.

For as long as I can remember, I was always training alone or with my friend Louis while he was still able to be a challenge. It was an honour for me to be invited to such a session. I just hope it won’t be the only time I’ll have this chance. I will be able to see the techniques that Gabriel uses, but I also wanted to know how the others were fighting.

-I accept. When do we begin?

-Well you already look ready, so just let me the time to take my things and we are gone. Exon is already waiting.

He returned to his room. I saw him take two swords: the official Loyal Knight one, and a second one I haven’t saw for quite a while, his personal sword, a two handed long sword with a thin single edge with a slight curve at the tip. Due to his tall size, Gabriel wears both of his swords at his belt. His long sword resembles more at a work of art than an instrument to kill, the blade color is almost pure silver and the scabbard is made out of wood with golden strips holding it close, same thing for the handle.

-Ok Darien, we’re ready. Let’s go.

I thought we would have gone to the royal court, like were the knights train, but we walked right pass trough it. We then walked around the castle. I saw something the looked like a small forest between the castle and the northern wall.

-Sir Gabriel. Why aren’t we training with the other knights?

He answered the question, like he did not really paid attention to what he was saying.

-You only see us train with them for regular training, some kind of cover so people don’t know our real strength. Today, we are going to the true Loyal Knights training ground, with Exon. He teaches us some important facts about magic, as well as some tactics for battles with small and large groups.

-Oh, I see. And what it today’s schedule?

-Like I said before, since we’ll be alone, we will review some bases. One versus one fight, with weapons and some magic too.

We were now in the small forest. It was dense but just after a few steps, the trees revealed a large empty field. There were some chairs lying around and a big stone on the side of the plain, on it, Exon was waiting. As soon as we arrived, he got down and walked up to us.

-Hi Sir Gabriel and, hum…

-Darien.

-Hi Darien.

Gabriel began to speak with Exon.

-Good day Exon. As I told you, I decided to invite my henchman today, so I will have someone to train with.

-I see, interesting choice.

Gabriel and I turned toward Exon and said with the same voice.

-What?

Exon looked at the sky, intrigued by the nature itself.

-Oh, nothing. We’ll see about that later. But first, I want to see his techniques. Did you trained with him before Gabriel?

-No, it’s going to be a first.

-So it seems I won’t be the only one who will have to evaluate other people’s techniques today. Ok now prepare your self.

Gabriel took a few steps backward and placed his hand on the hilt of his short sword. I decided to stay barehanded for now.

Surprisingly fast, Sir Gabriel ran toward me and took out his knight’s sword. I jumped through his guard and landed right behind him. I placed my hand on the handle of my sword, and with the help of my own weight, I threw a hit on a path for Gabriel’s back. He turned around and blocked the hit; he lost balance and fell a few steps backward.

Even before Gabriel was able to get back his stability, he tossed his short sword in my direction. I used my sword as a shield and deflected it, but as I was composing with the short sword, he already had his long sword in hand. He first used a horizontal strike. To evade it, I left my self fell on the ground. He then charged with a vertical strike, I barely had the time to cover my self with my sword to block the blow. He was holding his sword down to prevent me from getting up.

I held the sword with my right hand and kicked on the blade with my left foot. Again, Gabriel lost balance. He looked at Exon for a second, I looked at him also. He made a head sign. I thought it was over, but when I looked at Gabriel again, a fiery orb was heading my way. It was my first encounter head to head with magic. Again I used my sword as a shield. But unlike a solid object, who would have bounced, the orb collapsed when it touched my blade, like its power was continuing its course. I fell on the ground, feeling the hot metal when it made contact with my skin.

Using my blade as a cane, I was trying to get on my feet, at this moment I saw Gabriel lifting his sword in the air with his two hands. There were some waves I could feel then water emerged from his body and rotated around his sword. The water crystallized around the blade, forming a thick ice shell around it. Gabriel swung his sword and began to run in my direction.

I was able to get up early enough to start running toward him. Our sword clashed, making a brutal sound. My sharp edge carved a line in the ice shell. I was pushing with all my might, when I heard a fissuring sound. First, I feared for my sword, but it was Gabriel’s ice shell that broke, revealing his blade. Gabriel was then surprised and the fragmentation of the ice released his strength down for a second, leaving me some time to kick my self out of this situation.

I swung my sword around and threw it at Gabriel. He lost balance trying to block it. Now was my chance. I took my second sword, the short one I keep on my belt. I sled it between Gabriel’s hands and his sword’s guard and with a quick move the handle slid from his grasp. I gave him a good kick in the chest and, revolving on my self; I ducked and kicked him behind the legs. Gabriel fell on the ground, he tried to reach for his sword but I put my foot on his chest and lowered my sword to his throat.

Gabriel, lying on the ground, smiled and said.

-I think you won. Congratulation, you are a lot stronger that I thought. Can I breathe now?

-Oh! Sure, thanks, right… sorry.

I gave a hand to Gabriel to get back on his feet, and we retrieved our equipments that were lying all around the combat zone.

During that time, Exon got down form the rock he was standing on. He approached and said.

-Very resourceful Darien. I’m amazed. But can you tell my why you didn’t use magic when Gabriel did?

-It’s because I cannot use magic Arch-mage Exon.

-You can’t? You haven’t told me that Sir Gabriel.

-Eh… I didn’t know.

Exon turned back toward me.

-But do you at least know how it works?

-Yes. At school we had magic class, and even some magic awakening class to open the ones that had seal in our class. But, it didn’t work on me. I don’t have magic. After I was only looking and listening in these classes. I was not alone; almost the half of the class could not use magic. But at least we learned how it is used and some pointers to protect our selves from it.

-You are certain about that? I mean, your parents could use magic, I’m positive about that.

-They never talked about that to me, I assumed they could not and me neither.

Exon turned back and looked at the bright sky, scratching the back of his head.

-If I recall, your mother was a priestess of the fire temple when she was younger, and had a full seal. Your father was maybe only a farmer when he was young but he was living in a remote region, so there is a good chance he had a full seal too. I’m pretty sure this is what that brought them together in the first place.

-So you mean that I have a full seal?

-Yes, exactly, and it’s not for nothing that you always had superior abilities. Even if your seal is not open, your body and your mind are more powerful just because the full seal is a part of you. A full seal, the gift of the ancients.

-But the awakening class…

Exon cut my sentence dead in his path.

-First, the seal will only open when it’s really needed. A long time ago, the people did not have any troubles opening their seal because life it self was dangerous. But now, in this city, life is easy, magic is almost obsolete. One must not forget that, the purest the seal, the harder it is to open it, because the person it stronger right in the beginning. Opening a full seal almost require a near death experience.

Gabriel approached.

-I thought that our little skirmish could have being enough to open your seal, but you did not even use magic to beat me even if I used some.

Exon turned toward Gabriel, rubbing his own forehead with his hand.

-Then how do you want me to help you train him in the art of fighting if he can’t use magic.  

Looks like Exon was beginning to lose his temper a little. I was better for me to get the hell out.

-Ok, this was really amusing and entertaining, but I have to go.

I turned around and began to get away, when a gigantic fire wall appeared in front of my eyes. I jumped in the air trying to avoid getting roast. I turned around and saw Exon with both hands in the air. He was looking at me with his emerald eyes. Gabriel, he was now standing on the rock where the Arch-mage was sooner.

-Exon! What are you doing, you almost killed me.

-A near death experience like you never lived before. Compared to this, the awakening class is going to be like hurting yourself with a tooth pick.

The flames spread and formed a circle around me and Exon. I was able to see him gather his mana. It was the first time I could really feel it like this. Usually, I only see some faint waves, but now it was clear. Some rocks lifted from the ground and flew in my direction. I took hold of my sword and started hitting them as hard as I could. Two of them passed through my defence and knocked on my body, making me fall on my knees. The other rocks began to gather on me. I could not move a muscle. Exon drew together some mana again and began to run at an incredible speed. Half of the way to me, he jumped in the air, pushed by a strong wind. He generated an orb of fire and aimed for me.

I could hear Exon shouting.

-It’s now, Darien. It’s now, or you will die!

I saw him throwing the orb. I could not tolerate to see what was going to happen. My eyes closed by their own will. It was the end for me. Then I felt something inside of me. It was the same sensation that when I see someone uses magic. Because we don’t really see mana, we feel it. But this time it was coming from me. It was weak, like there was a little leak of mana inside my body. I tried to use magic, but the few amount of mana available was not even able to move the rocks that were holding me in place. I then decided to use the mana to pull on the mana itself. It was only then that I became aware of it, just like my mind and body exploded for an instant. All the magical power that was held in my body discharged at the same time. I felt like all my skin was ripped off at the same time. It was incredible.

I opened my eyes, I was afraid to see that all of that was only a dream and that I did not succeed to open the seal. The fire walls were still up, but the fire ball was no were to be found, same thing for the rocks that were holding me. I got up and I saw Exon standing in front of me with Gabriel. He put out the fire walls, and then he said.

-This was pretty much last second, but you succeed.

-What were you thinking, I could have died.

-Maybe, but you didn’t. I was sure you had what it took for surviving.

Gabriel looked really happy to see that is henchman did not finish in well cooked meat.

-Ok, now your real training can begin.

I fell on the ground on these words.

-Can’t I just have some rest first?

Exon was then the first to talk.

-Just try to use magic again before.

I tried to focus. I looked inside of myself, gathering the mana, but I was not able to find any.

-I don’t have mana, I can’t.

Exon nodded a little.

-So you really opened your seal. All your mana was used up at the same time. But don’t worry, it will regenerate it self. It happens most of the time when you awaken your magic during a near death experience. I must admit that it was the same for me, when I opened my seal.

Exon reached in his cloth and took out a small notebook and handed over to me.

-Here. With your class, I know you already know a lot about magic, but I just want to be sure. These are my personal notes, they contains the essential bases for magic. It goes a little further with some how and why about magic, read them too if you want; it will only add to your knowledge.

-Thanks Sir… Really, so just like that, now I will be able to use magic like you and Gabriel and the others?

-Maybe not now, you still have a long way to go. We will start whit the uses of pure mana, with no state. You know it more by the name of psychic magic. We were more using elemental magic. It’s harder, but you will be able to get the hang of it.

Gabriel approached more and said.

-Ok, we will call it a day. We are maybe a little off the schedule, I was sure you knew magic. Well it’s going to be for another time. But at least I was able to test your strength in a sword fight, and I’m still impressed. So we are not that late.

-Hum… Thanks, I guess. Ok, so I’m going now, I’ll read these notes and get a good night sleep. I’ll be here first thing tomorrow.

-Talk about it Darien.

Gabriel then turned back to Exon and asked.

-So the others should be here by now right?

-Should.

Exon lifted the voice a little to be sure I heard him.

-Darien, this is my notebook you have, so I intend to get it back tomorrow. You can copy it if you want.

-You can count on me, Sir Arch-mage.

So I did, I returned to my room and wrote back every single line of his notebook. Each page contained things that I saw in class, but they always had some addition on the border and the lower part of the pages. Things I always wanted to know, but never got the answer. And the first was about mana regeneration. I was always asking my self why, and just there, I found some notes about it. Some writing about mana that, when it is in its unused form, always slowly travel from the most concentrated space to the less concentrated, just like almost anything else in this world, and there is always some mana in the air. How could I didn’t figure that out? Maybe because I thought that mana was different from everything else. In some parts yes, in others no, it’s so complicated. But for now, I’m really tired, and I’ll take some sleep, giving my self some time to regenerate this power I had inside of me, since the beginning of my life.