Chapter 04 – Challenger?

It felt chilly. The wind was blowing a bit faster than it was supposed to. I opened my eyes but I was dizzy. Eyesight was blurry and I could not understand where I am. I regained my sense shortly. I was on top of a big rock close near mountain Retnus. Retnus was the closest mountain to my village. But how did I end up here? I turned back to my village and the scene was unpleasant one to see. Everything in between the village and the rock I was sitting on was burned down to ashes. Did I do it? Heck no. I ain’t no magician. I knew few spells from the book but have had no experience in igniting them. I felt a presence to my left, turned instinctively to see the shaman. She took off hoodie of her robe and closed on me. She kissed my forehead.

[Me]: What the hell, Hitomi? (I crawled back a bit, but got afraid to fall of the rock so stopped)

[Hitomi]: I’m older than your mother, Aslan. It’s just I got excited. I haven’t seen anybody to have done this much of a damage after awakening their mana stream.

[Me]: No offence, but I think you are mistaken.

[Hitomi]: about what?

[Me]: About your last assumption.

[Hitomi]: You did it. (Pointing her right arm to the area)

[Me]: Okay, what else I did?

[Hitomi]: You were flying.

[Me]: Anything else?

[Hitomi]: I could only watch from distance, so not sure.

[Me]: Hitomi, first of all, I did no such thing as flying or burning down the fields. Secondly, I do not know any spell by heart to chant or how to ignite it. You are mistaken. Now would you mind taking me back to village?

[Hitomi]: You are a dumb one.

[Me]: Am I going to freeze to death in here, or we are going back to village?

Hitomi whistled and gryphon flew towards us. She took my hand and told me no to be scared of Aiki. We jumped on top of gryphon and ordered her to take us to village. Aiki was one of few gryphons which existed and she could be considered as an excellent tool in times of war. Hitomi told me that she cared for Aiki as a part of her own. She was like a daughter to her which she never had. Aiki landed near the shaman’s hut, we got off and she went off to other side of hut to lay down. Gryphons were considered noble creatures who could never sway to the evil side and finding and taming one was a quest in itself which could take centuries with no results. I saw that Aiki and Hitomi had mutual relationship of respect so my perception of Hitomi changed positively. Hitomi told me not tell anybody about what she told me and I obliged. She chanted a spell, a few minutes after literally land began to awaken. Fields that were burned to ash began to be filled with grasses again. In a matter of half an hour, you could not get any kind of evidence as if nothing ever has happened. She told me:

[Hitomi]: You should go back home and sleep up to rejuvenate. After 2 days come again to see me. I have few things to teach you. Remind you again, don’t talk about what you saw today to anybody. Not even to your parents. Anything else?

[Me]: You look beautiful why are you hiding your face?

[Hitomi]: You get grilled or you go home. So what you choose? (There was a small fire ball over her hand, even though the size was small I could feel the intense heat)

I turned away, without understanding the change in her attitude and went close to gryphon. Aiki looked at me. I patted her head, said thank you and went away. Slowly passed by village market. It was too early for folks to arrive here. Took first left, walked another 15-20 minutes and I was by our house. Opened the door, entered the yard. We had lots of fruit trees in the yard. Apple, peach, pomegranate, and plum trees on the right side of the yard. On the left side we had carrots, oranges, cabbages, watermelons, melons. There were more but my memory of the house is limited to that now. It’s been many years I have left it. I saw my mom. She was a diligent woman. Waking up early every day, and make sure household is functioning properly. Our tribe was patriarchal, but my family was matriarchal. She asked me whether I was hungry, I refused the offer and told her I want to sleep. I told her shaman told me the results were positive but I didn’t up to what degree and asked me to come after two days for a teaching. She smiled at me. I got into the house. Went to bed and slept like a horse.

I came my senses as mass of water surged on me. I jump out of bed, hit my head while jumping and saw my sister with her devilish look and grin on her face.

[Me]: Lei what the hell?

[Lei]: There is a girl waiting for you for the last 2 hours. I tried woke you up gently, but you refused. This is the limit of my patience. Now get up and see her. She has been standing and refusing to talk to anybody but you.

[Me]: The only girl I know is you. Who the hell? Hahahahaa (I begin to laugh)

[Lei]: Gone crazy or what? Why are you laughing?

[Me]: Who do you think is going to clean the room now? Ha? Your plan backfired!!

She stood there for a few seconds thinking about something. She exited the room and went away.

I took of my pajamas. Dried myself with a towel. Put on clothes and went to guest room. I entered the room. I nodded to my mom who was sitting on chair and Lei was besides her grinning. I turned to my right and there was this girl. Clean black shoes, white socks up to her knees and it seems she had a tail. Anyway I look up her and she wore a slim black mini dress. She was blonde with hair up to hear shoulders. Her cleavage was so nonexistent that you could mix her for a boy if she had my clothes on her.

[-]: At last. You peasant has messed up my schedule by more than enough. Get ready. I..

[Me]: Is that tail? (I pointed towards the things behind her legs)

[-]: No idiot. It’s my sword. Now get ready. I…

[Me]: Who are you?

[-]: Stop speaking and listen to me until the end.

Silence…

[-]: I am Mariette. The winner of this year’s tournament. (She unsheathed her sword.) I challenge you to duel.

I turned towards my sister.

[Me]: She is crazy. I told you the only girl I know is you and you didn’t believe me…

My sister began to laugh…

Next: Chapter 05 - Training!