I was woken up by Leon telling me to get ready to meet my new teacher. I was surprised to hear that they found someone so early, it's only been a few days. I put on my usual clothes and walked downstairs to the backyard while Flare followed behind me.

"Hurry up Arata." Hanna said. "You're always the last one to get here."

"Morning, brother." Said Mia as she sat watching everyone else. She wasn't going to learn since she was still too young. Even though I started when I was four.

"Good morning Arata." Theodore greeted me.

"Good morning." So did Nina as she happily picked up Flare.

Alexander was also there but he didn't say anything. Ada doesn't have an interest in learning the sword so she wasn't here. Apparently, the other kids wanted to learn after seeing my duel with Leon. So their parents helped Leon arrange for a tutor. Honestly, I don't know why Alexander is here.

"Good morning." I replied as I walked up to them. "So when does this new teacher get here?"

"He's here." Hanna said pointing at a man that was some distance away.

"Eh?"

What?

Was he always there?

I didn't even notice him.

"Please forgive my tardiness." I bowed down respectfully. "My name is Arata."

"Are you sure you're Leon's kid? You're too well-mannered to be related." he said looking at me. "Well, no matter. Now that you're here we can get started."

He seems like a very calm individual.

Although he gives off the aura of a veteran warrior.

"I have yet to introduce myself to you." He said. "My name is Thorin Belmont. I'm a retired adventurer and soldier. As an experienced swordsman, I now spent my time teaching young kids like you."

He turned his attention from me to the rest of the guys.

"Now, let's not waste any more time." He said. "According to the report I got from your parents. Two of you have experience and the rest of you do not. Pair up in teams of two."

As Theodore was making his way to me Thorin spoke again.

"Arata you're pairing with me." He said. "You're the most experienced one here, I'd like to see your skill for myself."

I nodded.

So the teams are Hanna with Nina and Theodore with Alexander.

Poor Theodore.

"Can anyone tell me how many sword styles there are?" Thorin asked.

There's more than one?

"Three." Alexander responded.

"Which are?"

"Argos style, Euros style, and Volos style." Alexander responded again.

They have names?

"Good." Thorin said. "Now follow my instructions."

He handed wooden practice swords to Theodore, Hanna, and Nina then gave them basic instructions. Stuff that I already knew. He told Alexander to warm up with the others while he brought me to the open.

"I hear that you've achieved internal mana control. You're mana levels alone are proof of that." He said. "Now spar with me so I can see what level you're at."

"Okay." I responded.

As soon as I did he thrust forward. I instinctively took a step to the side and swung my wooden blade in a horizontal arc. He stepped back and blocked my attack with so much force that I stumbled to the side. Taking advantage of this he knocked me off my feet. With gravity, I pushed myself away from him. As soon as I landed he was already on me. I quickly threw various attacks which he countered easily.

I pulled back and he followed. I activated distortion throwing off his mana distribution for a second. As fast as I could I swung at him. But he quickly regained himself faster than I expected. I put my blade up for defense as he kicked me sending me flying some distance. He didn't follow this time.

"I see. You use the Argos style. However, you don't use it how you're supposed to." he said. "The Argos style is a sword technique that uses all of your strength for a full attack to overwhelm your opponent. That style doesn't fit you."

"Then which one does?" I asked.

"You're a calculating person in battle. Since you lack the strength to properly perform the Argos style you rely on your magic to scheme something. I'd say the Euros Style is your best option. It relies more on speed and precision." he said.

"How so?" I asked.

"pay close attention."

He said then charged at me. This time as I dodged his swing I got hit from the back. I put some distance between us but he followed close behind me. When he got close he left himself open. I chose this opportunity to attack. As I swung at him, my blade passed straight through him. Then my whole body shivered as his blade stopped only inches away from my neck.

"Do you know exactly what happened?" he asked.

"N-No." I replied.

"By executing a repeated pattern of rapid footwork it creates an after-image effect that confuses your opponent." He said.

I never thought of it that way.

"Will you teach me?" I asked almost in desperation.

"Of course." He cast a confused look. "That's why I'm here."

Oh right.

He's our teacher.

"For starters just pace back and forth. Before you take each step, focus a large amount of mana on your legs for it to launch you forward, after you retract it, immediately launch yourself again. Do this repeatedly until it takes shape." He instructed. "Once you're able to do this I'll give you further instructions."

"Yes. . . Sir?" I replied.

After a brief nod, he turned his attention back to the others.

Okay, time to get started.

Before I even got started I was already having trouble. I can't distribute large portions of mana to my legs in one go. I usually build up my speed in battle. Before I even attempt to create an after image I need to work on my mana control. To do that I need to do simple exercises with mana. I sat down and started to rotate mana through my legs.

"Arata!"

"Gahh." I yelled startled. "W-What?"

"You've been sitting there for a such long time that master Thorin already left." Hanna said.

Not just her, the other guys except for Alexander were in front of me.

"What were you doing?" Theodore asked.

I was fully concentrated on rotating my mana back and forth throughout my legs.

Did I fall asleep?

No.

Apparently, I was just sitting here.

That's when I noticed lingering traces of mana still flowing through my legs.

Was I just too focused on my mana rotation that I lost track of time?

"So are you going to answer?" Theodore said bringing me back to reality.

"Um. . . I was training of course." I answered. They all looked at me confused. "Anyway, I'm hungry. Let's go eat."

As we were sitting at the table waiting to eat I began to channel my mana through my legs and closed my eyes.

"Arata!"

"Gah." I jumped back startled again. "W-What?"

"The food is here." Theodore said.

"R-Right." I said looking down at my plate. "Let's eat."

-----

After a week passed, every day I'd sit down and rotate mana through my legs for hours, adding more and more as time went on. Even when Thorin was giving his lessons I'd always be doing the same thing. He never interrupted me. This time he came over I felt ready to try.

I stood in the open yard and infused as much mana through my legs as I could and then retracted it immediately. I did this several times. Then I took a step. That single step thrust me forward with more force than I had anticipated and I fell to the ground.

Again.

I got up and repeated the same thing, after I stepped forward I'd stop for a second and continue to do it again, I did this several times. Then I thrust forward again, and without stopping, I took another step then another. I continued this for some time before stopping.

"Well, that is all for today." Thorin said then began to walk toward the entrance.

"Bye master Thorin." Nina and Hanna said but he didn't turn back.

"Who knew that sword training would be so exhausting all we do is swing repeatedly." Theodore said.

"Arata do you not get exhausted from doing one hundred practice swings?" Nina asked. "You always finish first."

"Huh?" I said confused. "I do one thousand. And of course I get tired."

"O-One thousand?" Theodore said surprised. "I can't even imagine myself doing that many."

"You'll get there." I told him. "It's not that difficult."

"For you it's not." He responded.

"Don't treat me like some kind of prodigy. I used to be in the same position as you. I spent years honing my skills to get where I am now." I said. "Now I'm training hard to learn this new technique for me to be able to learn the Euros style. And it's certainly not easy."

"So is that what you were doing running around in circles?" Asked Hanna.

"That's right." I said. "I'm tired, I'm gonna go take a break." I walked away.

"Well see you later." Theodore said.

I laid down on my bed for a little bit while Flare just stared at me. I thought this was kind of odd so I called out to her.

"What?" I said.

"Hmm." did she moan. "Aaa." she said. "Ata."

"Eh?" I said confused.

Is she trying to say my name?

I know her race can turn human-like and develop human speech.

But isn't this too early?

No.

Her kind is a stronger race so they probably develop faster.

Well whatever, it's her first words.

"M-Me?" I pointed at myself.

She shook her small head up and down repeatedly. "Aaata."

So cute.

I started petting her.

For the rest of the day, I tried teaching her several other words. She tried her best to say them but she probably doesn't know what they mean. Then she lost interest and started doing her own thing. That's when I went outside again to practice more on the after-image techniquhe until the sun started going down.

The following day, Thorin had come just like every other day. I began to run in circles for some time while he gave instructions to the others. After a short break, I began practicing, only this time it was different. As I ran in a constant loop I saw myself in front of me. I turned to my side and saw myself looking at me with my eyes. I could see the change in my other self's expression as I changed my own, almost immediately. Then I stopped.

"Strange isn't it?" Thorin said. "Well, I see you've done it. Now it's time for the next step."

"Alright." I replied excitedly.

Next, he taught me a series of footwork and blade techniques for me to practice. This sword style focused a lot on speed which fits me more. I'm even faster now than I've ever been. For the remaining time, I repeated the same thing Thorin taught me, over and over again until it was time to call it a day.

-----

Three months have passed since Thorin came to teach us. Every day I've been running around swinging my sword in the air, practicing the Euros Style. I've been focused too much on myself that I don't really know how the other guys are progressing. This morning Thorin called me out for a duel.

"You ready?" he asked.

As soon as I nodded he charged at me.

I thrust myself forward dodging his attack and swung at him. He jumped over my attack and swung down from the air. I sidestepped to avoid him. With gravity, I used this opportunity to throw him off balance in the air. He flipped over mid-air and I swung at him. Even though he was at a disadvantage, he still managed to block my attack, regain his footing, and land a hit on me. I got flung back.

He followed behind me like always. When he does this his first attack is a diversion, being an afterimage which he then appears behind me. And I was right. I infused my sword with lightning and spun around. I swung my blade right where he appeared. A sharp thin line of lightning shot out of my sword straight at him. He put up his sword for defense. My lightning slash had so much force that it pushed him back.

Once he deflected it I appeared right behind him and swung. But he, with an even quicker movement, spun around, blocked my strike, and with his wooden blade smacked me hard against my chin. I fell back to the floor.

"Just when I thought I had you." I said through the pain.

"Forgive me." he said. "It's been quite some time since I had to seriously block an attack."

"You're just messing with me." I said.

"No, I'm being honest." he said. "You're one of the most talented people I've ever met."

"Is that so?" I replied.

"Yes." He paused. "You know I taught your father when he was young."

"Really?" I said. "What was he like back then?"

"He'd go around saying that he didn't need to learn any other styles apart from Argos. And that he didn't need to learn healing magic either. He thought that the only thing he needed was a sword, with enough strength to wield it. I'm sure he regrets it now." he said.

Sounds just like him.

"Anyway, I'm telling you this because with you're talent you should learn as much as possible while you're still young." he said. "Or else like your old man, you're not going to be able to cast one of the most basic healing spells."

"I'll do my best." I told him.

"That will do."

After our small conversation, he turned his attention back to the others until it was time for him to leave.

"Man I feel like I'm getting better by the day." Theodore said as we ate breakfast

"I guess master Thorin didn't work you hard enough." Hanna said.

"Maybe you're right. Today he spent a lot of his time with Arata." Theodore said. "Why is that?"

"He always spends his time training us and leaves Arata alone." Hanna said. "Are you perhaps jealous?"

"No way. That old man beats me too hard." Theodore said. "Especially you, Arata."

"Really? I don't feel like he hits us that hard." Hanna said.

"Of curse he doesn't." Nina said. "He holds back more with us girls than with the guys." She then turned to me. "Are you sure you're okay? It looked like master Thorin hit you a little too hard today."

"I can tolerate a few hard hits." I replied.

"How do you do it?" Theodore said. "Do you even feel pain?"

"Let's test it out." Hanna said raising her hand to smack me.

I quickly moved away "Of course I feel pain!" I said exaggeratedly. "Anyway, how are you guys progressing?"

"I feel like I've been getting better. At first, I never had an interest to learn swordsmanship. But after watching you, I've been wanting to learn. And now I'm totally obsessed." He said excitedly. "Just you wait, I'm going to catch up and beat you in a duel."

"Do you really think you can do that?" Nina said. "Arata is like crazy strong."

"Hehe." He let out an embarrassed laugh. "Well, I'll try."

"And I'll be waiting." I told him.

"You'd really wait for me?" He asked in shock.

"For the duel." I said. "Not for you."

This caused everyone to let out a small laugh.

"What about you Hanna?" I asked.

"I feel the same way as Theodore. I really like training with the sword." She said excitedly. "I can't wait to learn internal mana control and do all those fancy moves." She turned to Nina who looked kind of down. "What about you?"

"I'm sorry. I just don't feel as dedicated as all of you." she said sadly. "I might drop it."

"Are you serious?" Hanna said sadly. "No, you can't. Then you'll leave me all alone with the boys. Arata tell her that she can't."

"That's okay. Not everybody likes to practice swordsmanship." I said. "It won't be as fun without you around but it's better for you to do something that you actually enjoy."

"That's not what I asked you to do!" Hanna said.

"Are you sure it's okay?" she asked.

"No, it's not okay!" Hanna said.

"Of course, it's totally okay." Theodore said.

She smiled. "Thank you for understanding."

"Of course, that's what friends are for." I said. "Right, Hanna." I nudged her.

"Hm! Y-Yeah it's okay." she said in a regretful tone.

"R-Right." Nina said taken aback due to my reference to us being friends. "So what are you guys' plans for today?" she asked changing the subject.

"Hanna needs to go to take an entrance exam since she's starting school soon." I said.

"That's right I totally forgot." Hanna said.

"You're going too, Arata?" Theodore asked.

"Yup." I said. "After she takes her exam we're going to go shopping with our parents and Mia." I said.

"Isn't Alexander also taking the exam?" Nina asked. "You're both almost eleven so you're going to be in the same year."

"That's right I totally forgot that too." Hanna said. "I don't like Alexander. I'll just avoid him."

"Are you still mad about what he told your dear brother?" Nina teased.

"Shut up." Hanna said embarrassed. "I don't care about that at all."

"Sure you don't" she replied sarcastically. "Anyway, at what time is this exam?"

"In a few hours." I replied.

"Shouldn't you guys be getting ready?" asked Theodore.

"We still have time."

Right when I said that, Emma walked inside the kitchen. "Arata, Hanna go get ready we're about to leave." she said then walked away.

"Never mind." I said. "Guess we're leaving now."

"See ya." Hanna said.

"Bye." said Theodore.

"Bye." Nina said. "Good luck with your exam."

I changed my outfit and went to wait outside in the front yard.

"Yooo." Leon said with a wave of his hand.

"Hello." I said walking up to him.

"How is your training going?" he asked.

"It's going great. I've learned so much." I said. "What about you?"

Leon joined the capital's military force and is undergoing training with them in a special training camp. I've heard that the training is so intense that a lot of people drop out. He has to stay over at the camp every day and he only gets off one week every month.

"It's easier than I expected." He said. "Either that or I'm just that awesome." he then made a weird pose.

". . ." I stared at him with a blank expression.

"Anyway, I sure hope you learned something new, or else you won't have a chance to beat me in our next duel." He said.

"I should be the one telling you that." I replied. "Since you always refuse to learn anything else that doesn't require strength." I joked.

"Well, of course, I've been learning new things." he said embarrassed.

"Are guys ready to go?" Emma said coming out of the house with Mia and Hanna behind them were Dion and Alexander.

"Yeah." Leon said. "The carriage has been waiting outside for us."

"Is Flare not coming?" Asked Mia.

"She's in my room sleeping I asked Nina to keep an eye on her." I said.

"Let's get going then." Emma replied.

We went outside where there was only one carriage waiting. Emma sat in one corner, Leon in the middle, and Dion next to him. Hanna and Mia didn't want to sit next to Alexander so I did and they both sat next to me.

Everything was silent throughout the ride. We only had a few small conversations. Dion and Alexander rarely spoke. After an awkward ride, we had made it to the school. The carriage didn't stop and kept going past the gate. Inside were several tall buildings along with trees lined up alongside the road. We kept going for some time until we reached the central office.

Once we got off we got greeted by staff members they took Hanna and Alexander to go take a written test while the rest of us waited in the lobby area. If it were a normal person trying to enroll it would be a much longer process but since we are a high noble house we get special privileges. After some time they came back with an old man.

"Greetings." The old man said. "My name is Solomon Stanton. I am the director of this school."

"Director Stanton." Leon bowed.

"Oh, Leon?" Solomon said. "It's been some time since we last met." he turned to Dion and bowed. "Sir Dion." he greeted.

"I'm sure you're quite busy preparing for the new term." Dion said. "So what brings the you here, Solomon?"

"I happen to be available at this moment so I'd like to act as an examiner for the practical portion of the exam." he locked eyes with me for a second before turning away. "Now, let's get going."

We were led to another part of the campus where there was a giant arena.

"This facility is where students can come to duel each other, and of course, people are free to come and watch." Solomon said. "We'll be conducting the practical here."

He locked eyes with me again.

"Now you, boy." he looked at Alexander. "You're going first show me, show me what you can do."

Alexander demonstrated his fire and earth magic along with his sword skills. He looked my way offen to see my reaction but I kept a straight face.

Next went Hanna demonstrating her water magic with the sword skills she had just learned recently.

"I see you both are at the apprentice level in both magic and swordsmanship." Alexander lowered his eyebrows in annoyance at his comment for just a second. "Don't worry boy, once you learn internal mana control you'll easily rise to the swordsman level." Solomon said noticing Alexander's brief expression.

"F-Forgive me." Alexander stiffened.

"It's all right." Solomon told him. "I'm more interested in you." he locked eyes with me for the third time. "You're a child who's only just supposed to be able to draw out mana, yet not only have you done that you have more mana than even me. Very interesting." He said. "What is your name, boy?"

"My name is Arata."

"Well, Arata, I challenge you to a duel." he said.

"What is the reason for this sudden duel?" I asked.

"Throughout my years of living, I've never encountered a boy like you. I'm just curious as to what you can do." he said.

He seems like a nice person.

So why not.

"Okay." I said. "I accept your duel."

"Here." he tossed me the practice sword that was used in Hanna's exam while he took Alexander's.

Then all of a sudden as he walked toward me there was a change in the air. He's been through many battles in his life and he's also unbelievably strong.

I dashed straight at him and then thrust myself behind him creating an afterimage like Thorin does. He saw through it immediately and blocked my attack. He pushed me back and threw me off balance. I quickly regained my footing and dodged a barrage of attacks he had unleashed. I pulled back and immediately thrust forward. With the help of gravity, I dodged an attack in mid-air. Once I was close enough I coated my sword with lightning and slashed at him.

He pulled back as a stream of purple lightning chased him. And instead of deflecting it, he let the lightning hit his body. Even though I had landed a clean hit with purple lightning he seemed unfazed.

"Very interesting." He said. "Though at this level, you won't be able to damage me. Now get serious, I know you can do more than this."

He charged at me with very fast attacks that I was barely able to dodge. Then he landed a hit on me and then another. I was being pushed around by him. Fine, he asked for this. Now, Discharge. Black lightning exploded all around me hitting Solomon in the process.

"Ha!" He laughed. "Now this does sting a bit. Time for me to get serious too."

My eyes went wide.

He is able to take an attack like this?

Just how strong is he?

At his words, his body got engulfed by blue flames. I threw a stream of dark lightning at him. He raised his hand and my lightning got destroyed by his flames. As he was doing that I snuck up behind him. And concentrated a large gravitational pull on his body, then pushed him out. As I launched him in the air with gravity, the ground and everything surrounding us tore up and surrounded his body encasing him in a giant sphere of stone. I held him there.

Have a taste of my Swirling Core.

After a second there were loud crashing noises as the boulder I trapped him in was shaking and crumbling. I raised my free hand and created another giant boulder. A final crash resounded in the air as his body came out of my imprisonment. Were his body popped out I smashed the other giant core I had made on him. There was no movement. I levitated myself up on top of the core and pulled it back.

"You really are something special." He said coming out and standing on top of the boulder. "Now, let's continue."

We were both standing on floating spherical rocks. I swung my blade coated with Black lightning. He raised his hand ready to engulf my lighting. But before he did I activated distortion. Throwing off his control for a second. He quickly dodged by jumping off to the ground. My lightning slash sliced through the boulder floating in the air. Solomon on the ground regained his control and conjured his flames again. I threw the two halves of the boulder down at him along with the one I was standing on as I slowly descended to the ground. I retracted my lightning and put away my sword as he did the same.

"You're more than just a genius." He said in shock. "You're a true anomaly. I'd say you're in the High Swordsman and Magician level."

"That's an overstatement." I said. "I'm really nothing special."

"So you say." he said. "Please, I'd be more than happy if you could attend my academy this new year."

"Is that even allowed?" I asked. "I'm not even of age yet."

"Of course, it's allowed, as long as I say it is." he said.

"I'll attend your academy at a more normal age." I said.

"That's fine." he said. "But if you change your mind just send me a letter and I'll admit you in a heartbeat." he looked toward Leon and Dion. "Anyway, that is the end of the exam, you may take your leave now If you'll excuse me." with one final look in my direction he began to walk away.

If I'm not mistaken I believe the ranks from lowest to highest are, Apprentice Swordsman, Swordsman, High Swordsman, Sword Master, High Sword Master, Grand Sword Master, Sword Lord, and Sword Emperor.

And for mages it is, Apprentice Mage, Mage, High Mage, Magician, Master Magician, Grand Magician, Magic Lord, and Magic Emperor.

"Well, you've certainly gotten stronger." said Leon.

As I looked behind me everyone except for Leon was shocked by my duel with Solomon. Dion and Alexander were silent just watching me.

"That was so cool, brother." Hanna praised while Mia nodded in agreement.

"Is that even normal for a boy your age to be doing?" Emma asked, even she started to question me.

"Come on Emma you should be proud that our boy is getting strong." Leon said.

"Yeah." she let out a deep breath and smiled. "You're right." she then walked up to me tousled my hair then picked me up. "Hmm. I still remember when you were just a baby and I'd carry you like this."

"M-Mother!" I yelled in embarrassment. "I'm not as small as I used to be." I shook myself off her, my face bright red.

"Don't worry, I'm strong. I used to be an adventurer you know." She said flexing her arm.

"A-Anyway, don't we have to go shopping." I said trying to hide my face.

"Yeah." Leon said. "We should get going."

After that, we got on the carriage and left the school. Once outside we parted ways with Dion and Alexander. The shopping center was close to the school, so students and staff were able to go without going too far off campus.

We went to a few stores where Emma excitedly picked out different outfits for us. Hanna and Mia also shared her excitement as all three of them spend the entire time changing outfits. I got myself new clothes. Leon and I sat down to wait for the girls as they were still shopping. Afterward, we went to a fancy restaurant. After we finished eating there was a carriage waiting for us, we got on and it took us home. I had a lot of fun it's been some time since we had a chance to spend time like this.