Master, you had a nightmare

However, Choronzon's words did not register in Asura's mind. His heart was beating rapidly, as the scenes he had seen in his nightmare was still fresh in his mind. Looking at the wooden ceilings of the mansion, Asura let out a breath he had been holding in. He could see the golden rays of the morning sun seeping through the windows, accompanied by the crows of the roosters.

Just a nightmare.

Shaken by the nightmare, Asura took deep breaths, calming down before he changed out of his sweat-soaked robe and undergarments. Now wearing a dark blue robe, he headed towards the Dining Hall for breakfast before the appointed meeting with Khara at the gates. As Asura did not have much of an appetite, he only took a loaf of bread and went off to the mansion gates, eager to train with Khara and also to distract himself from the uneasy feeling that was lodged deep in his heart ever since he woke up from that nightmare.

"Hey, Asura! C'mon let's go!" Khara's face lit up when he saw Asura approaching the gates.

As they walked to the Warrior's Guild, Asura and Khara chatted about trivial matters, and were soon becoming good friends. Asura found that both of them actually had a lot in common. Their passion in learning the Art of the Sword, the satisfaction they feel every time they come up with a counter for a particular move, and so much more.

Half an hour later, they reached the massive temple that was guarded by twelve statues of the fierce looking warriors. Asura could not help but be impressed by the craftsmanship.

"The Twelve Devas." Khara said, also admiring the statues that were so expertly carved. "A long long time ago, in a continent far, far away..." Khara's voice trailed off, closing his eyes as he remembered the folklore he parents had told him, months before they had disappeared, not noticing Asura's surprised face as he remembered the opening crawl of a movie he had so often watched in his teenage years.

"The world was in an era of peace. Mankind got along with Magical Beasts, and countries maintained harmonious relationships. But one day, a monster appeared in the skies, hovering over a Kingdom. It was as if he was the child of a human and a magical beast. Long pointed ears, its skin so dark that you wouldn't even notice him in the darkness, strange marks all over his armor, radiating power that even the Arch Magi of their time could not understand, and wielded never before seen elements. With a stroke of his hand, he could level mountains, and with a flick of his fingers, he could instantly teleport to another region!" Khara paused, looking at Asura's excited face, and purposely dragged out the silence.

Finally, he continued, "With a roar louder than a dragon's, he declared to the world that he would hold a tournament, and the winner would be given a divine treasure!"

Looking at the twelve stone statues, Khara then said, "And then twelve men appeared from all over the world, each of them proficient in a different weapon. However, they had one thing in common; they were all of the 9th Level as a warrior, the Deva! Together, they flew towards what is now known as the Forbidden Continent. For three days and nights, there were explosions and shock waves from the Forbidden Continent, before it ended. And since then, nobody knows the outcome of the tournament, or if they're even alive. To honour them, the Warrior's Guild was formed, and twelve statues are to be placed in front."

"Then, did no one bother to go to the Forbidden Continent to search for them?" Asura asked.

"Heh, you think we haven't tried that? One of the kingdoms organized an expedition with over a thousand men to the Forbidden Continent, but only a few dozen of them returned! According to them, there were thousands of magical beasts of the eighth rank, and perhaps there were even magical beasts of the ninth level! Since then, no one has ever dared to go near to the Forbidden Continent, even for the few 9th level fighters that are scattered all over the world." Khara finished.

"A whole continent full of 8th Level Magical Beasts!" Asura gasped. Remembering the prowess of Shane, who was at the 8th Level as a Warrior, he couldn't imagine fighting against thousands of Shanes. Imagining himself as an 8th Level Warrior, Asura felt that even if he could block one or two Shanes, he would still get attacked by the rest who would be flying at him from all directions.

With a sigh, Asura shook his head and said, "We've been standing out here for minutes. Come on, let's go in!"

It was the same as the day before; a bustling crowd of muscular men who were advertising with their loud, coarse voices, while some others were chatting idly, unaffected by the incident at the third floor the day before. As Khara and Asura walked to the receptionist, Asura recognized the receptionist as the same one from the day before. When the receptionist's gaze met with Asura's, she couldn't help but be shocked.

A wave of panic suddenly swept over Asura, He had completely forgotten that the receptionist was there when he was attacked by the four men the day before!

"Eh? You...!" The receptionist abruptly stood up from her seat, staring at Asura with her jaws dropped. She had witnessed a magus hurling fireballs that belonged to the power of at least a 4th Level Magus, at the child, and yet he had come out unscathed! But she quickly regained her composure, remembering the bronze token that Asura had shown her. The bronze token that symbolizes the status of a School Leader, or a Future School Leader! Thinking that Asura was a prodigy from one of the more famous Schools, she told herself that it was no surprise that Asura could escape from a 4th Level Magus. However, Asura does not know what the token symbolized, as Shane had only said that he would get free lodging at any Warrior's Guild.

"We're here to spar, is there a free Training Hall?" Khara asked, pulling the receptionist's attention to him.

"Yes, there is. Please head to Hall 4."

Watching the two boys walk off, the receptionist couldn't help but sigh, pitying the lanky red haired boy who would be sparring against a Future School Leader.

Chapter 31: Spar