Book 2: Chapter 18

Emilia dashed towards Cyil and threw out three consecutive punches.

Cyil dodged the first punch with a sloppy duck, brushed against the second with a slight turn of his body, but was cleanly hit on the side of his throat with the third punch. Cyil gagged and stumbled away from Emilia as he felt a horrible ache on his neck. Holding onto his neck, Cyil glared at Emilia who scoffed and charged at the coughing Cyil once more.

Cyil focused, thinking that he was just caught unprepared the first time; as he anticipated Emilia’s fists, Cyil dodged her first punch and looked for the second one, but was instead kicked in the gut with the heel of Emilia’s heavy boots. The force sent Cyil staggering back and teetering on the edge of the ring.

Gasping for breath, Cyil steadied himself before dodging another of Emilia’s kicks. Emilia didn’t wait for Cyil to catch his breath and as if she could predict Cyil’s movements, her foot pivoted, sending a lightning fast kick that landed on the dodging Cyil, who was stunned and sent out of the ring.

Cyil kneeled on the ground and was just about to charge at Emilia when he saw her raised palm.

“You’ve lost,” Emilia said with a hint of disappointment. Although she had restrained her strength and speed, Cyil still wasn’t able to even adequately block or counterattack. Emilia had been hopeful when she saw Cyil’s two test results, but his lack of experience was horrible. This situation was akin to a baby being given 10,000 gold coins, but couldn’t use it or knew how to; it really was a waste.

“Lost?” Cyil looked down and could see that he was standing four feet out of the ring. The fight had lasted for merely 10 seconds! Cyil knew he was weak, but he didn’t think he was this weak. Cyil inadvertently thought that even if he used magic the results would be the same. This thought sparked Cyil’s interest in seeing a match between a warrior and a mage. “Are mage’s really omnipotent?” Cyil really wanted to know the answer to that question, but for now he wanted to fight.

“Can I try again?” Cyil ignored his aching body and eagerly asked Emilia.

“No,” Emilia said matter of factly, shutting Cyil down. “This is the result you will get for this examination. If the army takes interest in your application then you’ll be invited for a more thorough evaluation.”

Cyil’s shoulder dropped and he couldn’t help, but to feel disappointed.

Florens stepped up behind the deflated Cyil and said, “Brother Cyil, Emilia is a rank 4 warrior so don’t be too disappointed by your loss. I can see that your battle experience is low, but you are young and your bodily strength, instincts, and reflexes are good...with time you’ll become strong. No one can just become an expert fighter in a day, after all. Don’t be too disheartened. Our brothers at Soaring Wolf will do all we can to help you!” Florens tried his best to cheer up the kid who had just suffered a devastating loss.

Florens’ comforting confused Cyil; Cyil was disappointed, not because of his loss, but because he wanted to learn more from Emilia. To Cyil, a loss was to be expected. Cyil’s strong soul and the events he had experienced with Baccaus had expanded his horizons so that although he was still a frog in a well, the sight he could see was more spectacular than what most frogs outside of a well could ever see.

Cyil had seen such a high-level battle that he knew even Emilia couldn’t contend with those at Baccaus’, Kara’s and the Crystal Cyil’s level. Cyil aimed high because of that. If he couldn’t even defeat Emilia, then what good would that be? Cyil didn’t want that, because his grandpa had placed so much hope in him; he would definitely return to reclaim his body and save his grandpa and grandma soon.

Cyil turned to Florens and said, “Florens, let’s definitely train later!”

Florens thought Cyil would sulk some more and was happy to see that he didn’t seem to be affected at all. He answered with a laugh, “Brother Cyil don’t worry about training at all. I just hope you won’t quit because its too harsh.”

“I won’t,” Cyil said and turned to Emilia: “Emilia, can you tell me when I will receive a response from the army?”

“It could take a month or longer because of the annual mercenary tournament. A majority of the high ranking officials in the army will probably be participating, too so expect a delay. But until then I advise you to work on your combat skills.” Emilia finished her words and returned to the mercenary association building, leaving behind Cyil and Florens.

***

Rovaria Kingdom’s Royal Capital: in a large meeting room within the royal manor, sat 9 astute figures, each with their own domineering aura.

There were three females and six males, all of varying ages, but none weaker than the other in standing. These 9 figures were the true commanders and controllers of Rovaria Kingdom and they usually never gathered, except for major matters. Everyone sat in silence, as if awaiting a cue, when the door to the room cracked opened and a young overly handsome man with blazing hair walked in. As soon as the man entered, all 9 figures got up from their chairs, bowed their heads and enunciated, “We greet your royal highness Iruka Rovaria, 38th ruler of Rovaria Kingdom, and master of flames.”

The powerful voices each showed their clear admiration for the man with blazing hair, Iruka. But Iruka frowned and scolded the bunch, “I told you bunch to stop with such formalities when we are by ourselves. Also, you’re all making me feel a bit embarrassed. Master of flames? Sheesh if a fire elemental spirit or a lava dragon heard that, they would probably have a good laugh.”

Iruka’s playful attitude still didn’t deter the 9 figures as their heads remained unmoving.

“Comon, sit, rise, lay down, just stop bowing your heads.” Iruka couldn’t stand the sight of these 9 figures lowering their heads when they were all older than him by a large amount. To have someone older than you show so much respect would please others, but Iruka didn’t like it. He could even remember calling a few of the figures grandpa and uncle, not too long ago.

When the 9 figures finally sat back down, Iruka sighed and took his own seat at the head of the table. He cleared his throat and tried to act as a king should, “I apologize for dragging you all here for this meeting, as I know each of you must be busy, but there is a grave matter at hand… I’m sure you have already heard rumors, but I’m afraid those rumors are true. The Head Sage of the mage association, a rank 9 level 5 mage with a perfect earth elemental body, has fallen at the western borders!”

When Iruka delivered this news, even his blazing hair dimmed down like a fire about to be extinguished. When he had heard the news, he had refused to believe it! The Head Sage was currently one of humanity's strongest forces, but he had perished in the western borders. “What could have taken out such a powerhouse,” Iruka couldn’t help but to ask the messenger, who shook his head and quickly left to tell the other kings.

After the news was dropped, the 9 figures immediately erupted with frenzied questions, losing all their composure.

“That’s impossible! The Head Sage was unrivaled under the realm of godhood. Even true dragons wouldn’t dare fight him!”

“What about Head Sage’s clones? They should be safe, right?”

“Do we know what entity the Head Sage fell to? Could it be a god?”

“No, gods should ascend to a higher plane of existence when they reach godhood. They shouldn’t be able to influence Nakrul’s matters.”

Iruka listened to the endless questions and his head began to hurt. “Quiet.” Iruka said sternly and a wave of energy instantly rushed over everyone, putting enormous pressure on their minds. When everyone felt Iruka’s aura they were shocked that he had already become a rank 8 level 10 mage, just a step away from rank 9!

They wanted to congratulate Iruka, but the somber situation didn’t allow for such distractions.

Iruka waited a bit for everyone to digest the information and naturally, these figures regained their composure quickly.

Cupping his two hands together, Iruka said in a grim tone, “We do not know how the Head Sage fell and what the cause was, because even his two clones were simultaneously destroyed. As of now, the mage association is asking for all of the six kingdom’s to ready ourselves for war. That means, another draft could be happening as soon as today or could never happen. The war with the dark ones was over a long time ago, but the kingdoms decided that fear of an outside threat was needed to maintain peace. The current enemy for us is the Death God, but now, a real even larger threat has come and we don’t have a clue as to what it is.”

Iruka finished talking and uncupped his hands, inviting others to speak.

One of the women with blue hair was the first to speak and cut straight to the crux of the matter: “How would recruiting ordinary men be of any help? If what we’re up against can defeat even the Head Sage then we’re going to need more than just cannon fodder.”

A man with no hair and a white beard said, “I agree with Anaua. I just can’t see how opening the draft would help. We should focus on a group of elites and request help from our allied races. I’m sure they will be just as concerned about something that could take out a rank 9 mage.”

Another man, this one with hair like snow, said in a piercing voice, “I’m sure his majesty has thought of all these things, but I would like to ask about the case where we are completely overwhelmed by this opposing force. What will we do then? Will we do as our ancestors did with the dark ones, invite them for a meeting of truce then eradicate all of their leaders?”

As everyone heard the snow hair man’s words, they inhaled a breath of cold air. It was taboo to speak of pass happenings about the dark ones and not very many knew of it. The kingdoms, various associations, and guilds involved planned to keep it that way, too.

Iruka frowned at the snow hair man’s words and said, “Amerys, don’t forget the laws and elemental oaths we’ve had to swear.”

Amerys smiled apologetically: “I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me, your highness.”

Iruka nodded, the conversations began to flow and the heavy atmosphere from Amerys’ question was eventually forgotten.

***

As a storm was brewing in the Rovaria Royal Capital and all the five other kingdoms, Cyil was busy improving his combat skills with one of his brothers.

Cyil swung his wooden sword, hacking at Valter’s neck.

Valter blocked the strike with his own wooden sword, but the force behind Cyil’s swing pushed his sword up against his face. Valter was still shocked at Cyil’s strength, even though he had experienced it firsthand many times before.

Valter drew back and slashed at Cyil’s feet.

Cyil saw the attack and instinctively jumped up. That small moment where Cyil was airborne was enough for Valter to thrust his sword towards Cyil’s heart.

“Ouch,” Cyil rubbed his chest and said, “Valter, I still can’t beat you even after we’ve been at it for two weeks. Are you really just 15?”

Valter laughed, sweat dripping down his forehead. “You’re a freak, brother Cyil. I should be asking you if you’re really a 13 year old!” Valter wiped the sweat off his forehead and continued, “anyways, you’re improving at a monsterous pace since you got here. Now that your skills are decent, that strong body of yours puts me only at a slight advantage.”

Cyil smiled, really feeling as if he had improved. “It was all thanks to the brothers at Soaring Wolf for their help. Especially you, brother Valter, without your consent to spar with me I would still be just a muscle head.”

Valter laughed and slapped Cyil on the back. “Don’t sweat the small things. You’re like the little brother I never had, so this is natural. Let’s keep at it and see how we do in the tournament. Last year I made it to the top 500, but this year I’m aiming for the top 10!”

Valter clenched his fists and freely spoke out his goal. Cyil nodded, still remembering to keep himself emotionally detached from others, and said, “brother Valter. I’m sure if you give it your all you’ll have a good chance at the top 10.”

Just as Cyil finished speaking, a loud voice mocked, “Top 10? You two little sh!ts don’t know nothing. Pray you even pass the qualifiers this year.”