Chapter 25

Azani Master Swordsman

The first thing the group of eight did was get processed. Lykan, for his part, opted to avoid getting scanned. The reason for his refusal was simple, there was a platinum path somewhere here, but he needed to avoid a few things. The first glaring trap was the obvious golden sphere that kept getting presented to him and the others. The Power evaluation sphere at the capital’s war center was far more robust than the travel-sized version that Captain Jorden had been towing around with him. This gave not only the base Attribute but steps within that Attribute. This time when Javison was tested, he was recorded as a four, step three. Meaning that he was apparently three tenths of the way to a Power Attribute of five. These were good. Incremental steps were often good for beginners to keep track of and help dictate a training regiment.

When Telka got tested, she was noted as a ten, step five. This meant she still had a bit of a way to go for most Elves. This helped to explain how she managed to destroy the orb set for field testing. Most field orbs were only set to go up to a rating of ten as it was often found to be impossible to find someone with an aptitude greater than ten. The reason for this was simple, only non-humans could get a rating above ten. Similarly, finding such a person, who had not been trained, and still wanted to come to the Imperial Academy was almost unheard of.

As it was, Captain Jorden went down as having the best recruiting class in years. At the end of the day, he had seven recruits, one being a male, two Elves, both of whom had nine points in Power or higher. At the end of the day, when Lykan was brought on as the personal assistant and translator for Telka, he was considered a minor hassle. For the Academy’s purposes, Telka and a bodyguard she trusted were a steal. At her rating, Telka would soon require a personal guard anyways, someone who could protect her and prevent altercations from happening. Being as she already had one that she trusted was just icing on the cake.

With that, each person swore binding contracts. The contracts were simple. For each year of training a Magi-Corps cadet received, they would have to serve double that in the field. Should they eventually gain a base Power Attribute of five or more, they could opt to sign up as an officer where meals and accommodations would be greatly increased based on how high you managed to get your Power Attribute. This also meant you could receive more advanced and personalized training. The payoff was that you would then have to serve three years for every year of training.

As for Lykan, they tried to get him in the same deal that the magi-corps recruits had. Fortunately, Lykan saw through most of the lies. He pointed out that he basically meant that Telka would stay. His argument was sound, as Telka would be unable to communicate without Lykan. It was clear to recruiters that she was oddly fond of the young man, as were most of the other students. No one could quite explain the situation, as everyone seemingly waited for Lykan to make up his mind first. Only once he was fully on board did everyone else visibly relax, both the recruiters and the other recruits.

In the end, Lykan was offered a bare minimum one-for-one deal that would automatically renew so long as he didn’t put in the paperwork to annul the contract. There were a few stipulations put into his contract. Namely that since he was acting as a personal translator that he would be able to sit in on every class that Telka was in and that he and Telka’s assignments would all be co-joined until paperwork submitted by either party would end that arrangement. He made it so that he could keep his personal sword on him at all times unless he was found to be a danger to himself or others with the blade. Since he was to be assigned as a bodyguard to Telka, this too seemed to be an acceptable accommodation.

Next came Telka, who was read the contract by Lykan. In her contract, she wanted the same stipulations about being assigned to units with Lykan. Only once those lines were added to her contract did she, too, sign an officer's three-for-one deal.

The next group of six candidates was far easier to handle, most not wanting more than the barest of changes. Javison wanted to be able to test his potential once a month so he could immediately switch to the officer contract once he reached the minimum requirements.

Aside from Telka and Lykan’s odd situation, Kolana, Jema, and Hanna all managed to sign officer contracts. While Liana, Illia, and of course, Javison all signed entry-level cadet contracts.

Even after signing the contract, Lykan still saw traces of Platinum all around. The contract he signed was a Platinum color, meaning he hit the jackpot. Or at least that is what he told himself. He realized his contract was little more than window dressing to get and keep Telka.

With everyone signed, each person was given a badge to pin to their clothes for the time being. Officers got a golden broach with the school’s insignia on it, while the cadets got a silver broach with the same image. As for Lykan, he got a bronze one signifying that he was the lowest of the low. His did come with a golden attachment, which was used to signify that he was attached to an officer. Such subordinations were common. This way, if Lykan was found to be out of line, the formal charge would be brought up to Telka. It was an effective way to instantly instill the qualities of leadership into officer candidates. This was the first of many ways officers would learn that they were to be held accountable for those under their charge.

With the swearing of oaths and assigning of identification pins complete, the group was broken up into two different groups; those who were cadets and those of the officers. Lykan fell into the latter category as he was needed for basic communications with Telka.

Jema and Hanna were each assigned rooms to the first wing of the officer section. While Kolana and Telka were taken to a section that arguably took up just as much space but had fewer rooms overall. The rooms for the officer candidates were on the left-hand side of the hallway, while the attendants for those rooms stayed on the right. The right-hand side was where the janitors, maids, chefs, and other personal attendants for the most esteemed of mages would reside. It was in one such room that Lykan was given to place all his materials. Fortunately for him, he didn’t have much in the way of clothes.

Once they were done placing their belongings, everyone was gathered up and went to get their school uniforms. Every officer received sleek black uniforms that seemed to repel dirt and stains. Only Telka and Kolana’s uniforms were different in that theirs had gold lace and ropes at the top, signifying that they were considered to be in the top tier. The cadets got white uniforms, with Javison and Illia having a silver sash signifying that they were both close to becoming officers due to their Power rating.

As for Lykan, he was given a brown uniform, the same as the attending staff wore. The only difference for his uniform was his bronze broach with a golden attachment signifying that he belonged to Telka.

Immediately as soon as he put on his uniform, people began to sneer at Lykan. Fortunately for Lykan, since he had it in his contract, he was allowed to keep his sword. He was allowed to keep his constantly regenerating shoes as they met the basic requirements of protecting the feet. No one cared much for the bodyguards, so they were often expected to come up with their own equipment.

Only once they had all their gear were, they dismissed for the day, with the expectation to show up bright and early to their formation in the morning.

With that, the students went back to their rooms with their changes of clothes. For the officers, attendants would take their uniforms, wash them, press them, and hang them in their closets, so they were ready for the next day. As for Lykan, he was expected to do all that himself during his spare time.

Now that it was nighttime, all students were to go around the halls in their martial training uniforms. While they still had to wear their pendants denoting their status, the training uniforms were sleek clothes designed to allow for ease of movement and coordination. These were the clothes all students at the academy were to wear, implying that each student should be focusing on training their body when they weren’t engaged in training their minds in class.

Most of the homesteaders, or what Lykan and his group of seven students, were quickly referred to as. Everyone seemed to avoid them, gossiping about them behind their backs as they walked along the different corridors.

Lykan wanted to go exploring, as he could see faint lines leading toward his platinum path, the purpose for why he chose to come here. Telka, exhausted from everything, chose to go to bed early, provided Lykan swore that he would join her first thing in the morning. Lykan easily agreed but then traveled to the school. He followed the faint platinum line of fate that led him out along the different corridors and finally out to a large training facility.

There, floating in the wind, he saw his destiny.

Awe.

That was the one word that came from Lykan’s excited mind. He had read countless stories of Azani shamans who could fight from the heavens and cast out bolts of lightning. But never in his wildest dreams did he imagine he would see one in person. While he had fought many in his simulations, most chose to fight him on the ground during those simulations. Those that didn’t were quickly taken care of as it was a matter of focus to draw out the amazing flow of energy that allowed the Azani shaman to soar among the heavens. When he asked, no one had a clue as to how the Azani could do this, only that they could and would do so on the battlefield.

Watching the Master swordsman now was akin to watching a dance of wind and steel. The warrior never used magic, but everything about what he was doing was magical. He was literally floating in the air, going through sword forms. Floating like a deadly leaf on a gentle air current.

Lykan stared on in awe and wonder. This man was someone who he only dreamed about learning from within the simulations of the High Wood Elves. He glowed with a platinum outline that told Lykan in no uncertain terms that this was the reason he came here.

He knew that if he worked hard, he too could perform feats of greatness like this martial instructor before him. Just watching him and being close enough to feel their energy, a few things were apparent.

First, this person’s level of power was far higher than anyone else he had ever come into contact with.

Second, the way they were able to fly wasn’t magic.

If it had been magic, Lykan could have felt it and tried to mimic it himself. No, the more he watched, the more he realized this was a trained process. A Skill? Lykan thought, then tried to dismiss the thought, but the more he watched, the more he couldn’t put down the notion that this was a Skill.

Somehow this Master had managed to learn a Skill that made it so he could train sword forms in the air. Watching the Master move through the air, one might first assume that they had achieved a higher level Skill in the sword that allowed them to transcend their mortal bonds of gravity. Yet this was not the case. The man was sloppy. Well, not sloppy, he was better than most Lykan had seen, but his form was too open. Watching the man move, Lykan saw no less than three openings in each pass that he knew he could take advantage of.

Finally, after a few minutes, the Swordmaster stopped his practice and turned to face Lykan.

“Normally, I immediately attack anyone who dares watch my forms. Since you are clearly new here, consider this your first warning,” the Master said. “Go before I teach you the dangers of watching a Swordmaster.”

Snort!

“Oh, sorry,” Lykan said as he realized he made an unseemly sound with his laugh. This, in turn, only made him laugh harder.

“You dare laugh?” the warrior said. “Draw your sword. I will show you what it means to mock a great Master.”

“Okay, Azani,” Lykan said as he pulled forth his Spirit Blade. Even in the darkness of night, it glowed with a deep silver color that shone brightly.

Seeing the sword, the Swordmaster froze.

“Boy, where did you get that!” The master froze as fear gripped his features for the first time. He knew the blade type. Every Azani shaman heard the tales of old. About the great high Elven blades, so too it seemed that this Master knew of the origins of such blades.

“I was gifted it as a going-away present,” Lykan said, looking at the blade that no longer had any of the traces of bark along its blade. Instead, every piece had been broken away and reforged with blood, mana, and above all, Lykan’s spirit.

“Lies! Give me that blade,” the Master spat as he charged forward, killing intent flowing from him in a violent wave.

The minute Lykan felt that, he acted. First, he did what he always did when fighting an Azani Shaman. He drained the energy. This was easier and tougher than he had faced in the simulations. It was easier in that the energy flowed effortlessly from the shaman’s body into him. It was harder in that once it entered his body, he then had to convert it from the energy the Swordmaster could use to one that he could wield properly. This conversion came at a cost, as most were simply burned off as waste during this exchange.

Thump. Thump. Thud.

The Azani Shaman crashed to the ground violently as the energy they had been relying on so freely a moment ago was gone from their body. They crashed, and Lykan stayed his blade. Normally this would be the time when he would go in for the quick kill, but he was not afraid of this Master. In fact, he knew that if he was ever to learn to fly in combat like an Azani shaman, then he had to earn this man’s respect.

This was why he waited for the man to get back up to his feet.

“You fool,” the Swordmaster said as he got up on wobbly legs. “You should have struck me down while you had the chance.”

He charged forward, feet pounding the ground.

Clink.

Two swords struck. One was sent flying through the air.

Whoop, whoop, thwip.

The sword spun off wildly from the Swordmaster’s hands only to land blade down in the dirt ten paces away.

“It’s a Skill, right?” Lykan said as he held the Swordmaster at his mercy. Lykan held his blade half a foot away from the Swordmaster, not wanting to end this exchange.

“What?” the Swordmaster asked, confused by the sudden question.

“When you flew through the air. It was a Skill, right? Obviously, your Power Attribute had to be high as you had somehow turned your energy into vapors that allowed you to be lighter than air. But the floating around, that was a Skill was it not.”

During this time, Lykan was more lost in his own thoughts, looking away as if contemplating what he saw. The Swordmaster saw this and took advantage of the distraction as he quickly rolled away and grabbed his sword from the ground. He turned to face Lykan, who never even moved.

Lykan, for his part, just held his sword out at the ready position.

“You fool, you allowed me to get my blade,” the Swordmaster said.

“Yeah, because you were so effective with it earlier,” Lykan said.

“You dare mock me,” the Swordmaster said as anger propelled him forward.

Clink, clack.

This time the Swordmaster managed to maintain control over his blade, but the force of the boy’s blows was so tough that they spun him around.

“So I have a proposition. I can train you in the sword or the spear. Your choice and you train me to float amongst the wind,” Lykan said.

The Swordmaster turned to look at the warrior before him. This boy was barely old enough to get his Class, and here he was offering to teach him, the great Shai’jan.

Hearing this, Shai’jan only stared at the boy for a long second. “Tell me, demon. Which of my many enemies sent you to slay me.”

“Wow, that is one of the most egotistical things I have heard all day. And keep in mind, I have heard myself speak to you here. You think you are so great as to warrant an execution?”

Hearing this, Shai’jan paused as he looked at the human. It was clear that the boy before him was a human. The more he watched the boy, the more the boy seemed to be an enigma to him. Everything about the boy was human, except that he glowed with elven energy. Even his shoes were Elven in nature. The most confusing thing about him was his sword. That the sword was a Spirit Blade was no doubt, but that a human could lift such a blade, let alone wield one was crazy.

Shai’jan stared at the boy.

“Come defeat me. If you defeat me, I will tell you the secrets of Azani flight. Take me with everything you have,” Shai’jan said, finally having regained most of his composure enough to stand firm once more.

Shrugging, Lykan realized there was only one thing he could do. Then in the blink of an eye, Lykan disappeared, a move so fluid that he was there before Shai’jan one second then gone the next. Fear rose up along his back as he felt the sharp blade of a Spirit Blade against the side of his neck.

The boy had teleported. That much was clear. But how? There was no magic, no faint traces of energy being called upon. “Did you use a Skill just now?” Shai’jan asked. Awe in his own words.

“Yes. Quick Step,” Lykan said as he removed the blade from the Swordmaster’s neck.

Turning, Shai’jan faced the boy who was now putting away his blade.

“Pull that back out. We are not done here,” he demanded.

Seeing this, the boy just smiled.

“Tell you what. I have a deal for you. You teach me the art of flight, and I will teach you to be better with a blade,” Lykan said.

“I have a counter. You pull out your blade, and we continue this,” Shai’jan said. He wanted to see more, that the boy was a peerless genius of the blade was obvious. Only a few Masters could even come close. As it was the only reason, Shai’jan was touted as a Swordmaster was his Ability to fly during combat. Yet, this boy was somehow able to render his Ability for flight pointless. Worse, the boy had read the situation so easily. It was a Skill, well, multiple Skills that ultimately allowed him to fly.

“Strike at me. With each strike that you miss, you must tell me one truth related to flight. But only if I point out your openings.”

“My openings?”

“Yes, your form is sloppy. You clearly have an advantage being able to strike from above, but once that is taken away, your weak forms are easy to notice.”

“Grr!”

Shai’jan charged forward, sword high overhead, then with an arcing slash tried to strike at the boy. Yet, the boy simply moved like water. His body flowed around the blade. Then with lightning flash movements, the boy's arm struck out at different parts of his body.

Shai’jan landed a few feet away, stinging pricks on his right elbow, shoulder, and hip.

“The parts I touched, those are your weak spots on a right downward thrust,” Lykan said.

Turning, Shai’jan panted, trying to calm down. The boy read his movements so easily.

“Now then, you owe me some answers,” Lykan said.

“Fool. You need advanced Skills if you wish to even begin flying,” he said, charging forward, sword slashing forward. As he moved, Lykan, with his advanced Attributes that went far beyond the human mortal limit, easily dodged the attacks. Each time he moved forward with a different slicing attack. Each time his attack was avoided by Lykan, who easily moved over and away from each passing strike. A few times, Lykan had to engage his Quick Step Skill to avoid some of the horizontal slashes that would otherwise have caught him in the side. But mostly Lykan dodged with ease.

True to his word Shai’jan with each missed pass, called out more advanced Skills that were needed in order to fly. “First, you need Meditation. Only once you get to the Sage level will you begin to feel your mana as different particles that can be energized and thus achieve an air-like state.”

Swish.

“Next, you need Focus to help you maintain the heightened level of Meditation.”

Slash.

“Then you can unlock aerial movement. Then finally, if you are lucky enough, aerial combat. That is when you can begin to weave in sword forms to flight.”

The Master said, panting.

Hearing this, Lykan felt a great swell of elation fill him. As he was on the right path, he just needed to keep pushing himself farther.

“Thank you, great Master,” Lykan said, bowing graciously after the lesson was over.

“That is not all. I am not finished here. Draw your blade so we can end this,” Shai’jan shouted.

“I will stay here until you are tired. But I will not draw my blade until I deem you to be worthy,” Lykan said, no mocking nature in his word. This was simply the words of someone who knew they outclassed an individual and felt that using a weapon would be detrimental to their development and mental health.

It was clear that Shai’jan touted his Ability with the blade above all others.

There was something to be said for the fact that Shai’jan chose to be here in a land far away from his homeland, where he was no doubt treated with doubt and contempt.

“Very well. I will prove to you that I am worthy of you drawing your blade,” Shai’jan said as he swung his sword around wildly for the better part of the night.

Lykan felt relieved that his plan worked, for the more he spoke with the great Master, the more the outline of Platinum around the expert began to fill in with more and more shades of platinum. Until finally, his entire body was coated with Platinum. That was just before he began speaking of the Skill progressions needed to learn flight. He had a long way to go.

So the two fought on, Lykan seeing the moves and reacting before the Master knew his next move.

Finally, at midnight a panting Shai’jan called it an end.

At that, Lykan bowed.

Somewhere during the exchanges, Shai’jan’s feelings toward the boy shifted from anger to deep respect.

“Tell me, young Master. When will you graduate as an officer?” Shai’jan asked, panting. “I believe our army would be much better with you in its ranks.”

Lykan, hearing the words, just smiled. “I am nothing more than a retainer to one who will be an officer.” With that, Lykan then pointed out the bronze broach on his uniform with a golden attachment denoting that he was owned by someone.

Seeing the broach, Shai’jan’s mind went blank as he tried to comprehend. The warrior before him possessed strength and power that were immeasurable. After a few exchanges, it was clear that he was vastly outmatched not only in Skill but capabilities as well. What level of hell did this man have to crawl from to see such gains at such a young age.

Seeing the look on Shai’jan’s face, Lykan smiled a knowing smile. “Yeah, as a male, I didn’t even get tested. Though as a gift to a friend, I decided to stay on as her translator.”

“Is she the one who gave you the great sword?” Shai’jan asked.

Hearing that, Lykan just laughed. “No, different friend, though she too is a descendant of the High Wood Elves.”

“Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“One of them?

“A High Wood Elf?” Lykan asked, making sure he understood the line of questioning.

Shai’jan just nodded.

“No. I was just fortunate enough to be taken in by a few during my trials as an outcast.”

Hearing the words and reading the boy’s expression, it was clear that he wasn’t lying. Though everything about the boy seemed to be fantastic.

“You have given me much to think about,” he said as he began to turn away, his muscles straining under the pressure of having been pushed to and beyond their limits. Then a thought hit him. “Can we train again?”

Lykan nodded. “We can. Though I might ask you for pointers with improving my Meditation and Focus.”

“You, you have those Skills?”

“I do.”

“You truly are an amazing man. Can I ask what your sword Skill is and its level?” Shai’jan asked.

“Sword Mastery. Unfortunately, I am only an Adept at this Skill.”

“Sword Mastery? Adept?” Shai’jan said, hardly able to believe his ears. He was a Sage of the Expert Sword Skill, but the difference in their Abilities was like night and day. The boy was truly an expert among experts.

“Well then, good night,” Lykan said, turning away to go back to the dorms.

“Good night,” Shai’jan responded before his mind could even process what it was saying. “Wait, what is your name?”

The boy gave a slight smile as he turned back. “I am Lykan Vita.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Master Vita,” Shai’jan said with a bow. “I am Shai’jan.”

“Just Shai’jan?”

“Yes, I had to forgo my last name when I sought asylum here.”

“Well then, just Shai’jan. It seems that we might have more in common than our love for the sword,” Lykan said. Then, with that, he turned about and left.

Shai’jan just stared at the boy in disbelief for a moment. He was nothing like the typical students who attended the Magi war college. He made it a point to seek out the boy and find out as much as he could about the boy.

On his way back to his dorm, Lykan felt a pair of eyes on him. He turned to see a ghost. He recognized the woman wearing the uniform of a school enforcer. Their eyes met. There was a faint trail of recognition in that exchange but no more.

Lykan’s mind flew through memories of who this person was, but who he thought she was was impossible. She was hundreds of miles away in his homelands. Shaking his head, he just continued on to his dorm, not saying a word to the woman. If he had turned back, he would have noticed the look of shock on her face as she swore she was looking at a ghost.