Chapter 8
He concentrated and made his Mana well expand to his limits.
His Mana regeneration and Mana well have greatly improved and are on the bottleneck of a third stage.
He made a rest as his sweat dropped from his face and then started his weapon conjuration.
He cast hundreds of knives and discovered the trick to it.
He cast and throws it on the floor and for some time, his casting speed improved.
He stopped and then researched his book for a new weapon.
He flips the page and found [short sword conjuration].
It is a basic sword used to duel because it is light but the only downfall is its reach.
He simulated what is written in the book and he has successfully made a short sword in his third try.
"I'm a second-tier conjurer now! in this pace maybe I'm skilled in learning!", He said in his self
Being a second-tier conjurer has its benefits you can conjure faster and it has lower Mana consumption.
You can also unlock new weapons to conjure.
Stephen then washed at the well and made his morning exercises.
After his exercises, he rested and his mom said that his friends are waiting inside.
He entered and saw three persons.
"Oh! Patrick and Stella! and Hanna too!?", he said in shock.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd come today", Stephen said to them
"Um, we agreed yesterday to come to visit your house after Stella suggested it", said Patrick.
"Okay wait for a bit because I'm gonna change my clothes", Stephen said to them.
Stephen hurriedly changed his s.h.i.+rt and talked about his daily routine and showed his training equipment his father gave.
Patrick was amazed that his friend is not slacking but he is a diligent and hard worker.
"Okay now let's see how you will apply your training on the battle! I know what you lack friend, it's your experience.", said Patrick
"Uhm okay, but how do I get experience?", Stephen asked.
"It's simple! just have a mock battle with us!", Patrick replied.
Stephen didn't expect his reply but thought it was a sensible answer.
"Okay, Hanna you go first!", Patrick commanded her.
"Huh me first?"
"But it's....."
"Okay fine but don't blame me on not getting easy on you Stephen."
"I always do my best to defeat every opponent.", Hanna smiled.
Stephen took his two one-handed training swords and gave the other one to Hanna.
"Patrick serves as the referee for the match. Okay the rules are to make your opponent surrender and it is prohibited to make a fatal strike that will make your opponent killed or will result in permanent injury.", said Stella.
Stephen readied his sword and made a stance.
"I will beat you so don't go easy on me even I'm a girl.", she said.
"Okay!", Stephen replied.
Hanna smiles then she became serious.
Stephen was slightly stronger to her in raw strength but Hanna was constantly training to spar with her father so Stephen will have to outwit her in both strength and techniques.
"This will prove to be difficult to Stephen because he doesn't know Hanna's techniques yet, so who do you think will win?", Patrick asked Stella.
"Uhm I don't know but based on Hanna's experience it will be her who's gonna win, but let's see the outcome!", Patrick said to her
At the moment Hanna charges with reflex and accelerated to Stephen but Stephen didn't flinch, instead, he approached with fierceness too.
He moved like a beast and made a slanted slash but she parried it with a glance.
Stephen's attack is so strong that it will vibrate to your shoulders if not parried at the right time.
She slashed again but he evaded while stepping back crouching and touching the ground.
Posing in a beast-like manner, he attacked again holding the sword in his right hand.
Hanna then went aggressive to make a hit, their swords clashed making a loud sound and Stephen then hold the sword with his two hands and Hanna swing it to his head vertically, then Stephen blocked it with his sword.
Stephen then slides it and slashed her but she evaded.
She attacked faster than before and she became more focused.
Stephen attacks with a horizontal slash but she countered it.
"You're slow! focus more and predict my movements", she shouted.
She gave him a hint and thought him with techniques as he continues his battle.
Stephen learned how to [Parry] and [counter] for several minutes.
He also learned to [block] her attacks and to [evade] her swings.
"He adjusted faster than I thought, but he is still learning the basics compared to her who is just playing around", Patrick said while observing.
"Haaaah I'm getting bored", Hanna said in dismay and she strikes his sword faster than his eyes can cope up.
Pak!
His sword flew in the sky and it sticks to the ground.
Hanna pointed her sword to him and Stephen sat at the ground.
"Surrender, it's my win", she said.
He stands up and bowed to Hanna and said "thanks for your guidance".
Stella clapped her hands in astonishment and was overjoyed with the spectacle she witnessed.
"Hey, Stephen you're learning fast! I didn't think that you can cope up with my movements faster than I expected."
"In few years of practice, you will be a great swordsman or a fighter".
" You are also welcome to come to our dojo to train anytime to become a Runin!", she said to Stephen.
"Thank you for the offer! I will come anytime to train", he said to her as he stands up.
"Wow, you know what! Stephen has potential!", Stella whispered to Patrick.
"He is still lacking techniques but his foundations is far more improved than us."
"Yep, if his father is always here to train him he will be stronger than his current self."
"There will come a time when he will surpa.s.s his father Douglas", Stella added.
Stephen then stretched his hands and his next opponent is Stella.
"This time it's a hand to hand combat"
Stella said as she stretches her hands making a warm-up exercise.
"You know that I'm not a hand to hand fighter do you?", Stephen asked Stella with a frowning face.
"Hahahahahah"
"That's a right little boy, but don't worry I will show you some skills, so observe carefully and learn from me", she replied.
"Tehehe!"
She smiled triumphantly as she puts her hand to her side.
"So let's begin!", she said
"Okay!", Stephen replied.
He folds his hands and made his fighting stance.
"Stella go easy on me okay!", he requested.
Stella nodded.
Stephen made a straight jab then Stella received his hand with a punch to his armpit.
She let go and stepped back a little.
Stephen gets cautious and he focused more on his opponent.
He let out a fierce hook but Stella evaded.
She then grabbed his hands and slammed him to the ground.
Again she shouted.
Stephen gets up and made a punch straight to her face and she avoided it making a chance to punch his face.
"Ouch! that was hars.h.!.+", Stephen then holds his nose.
They exchanged blows but Stephen was the only one who was hurt.
Stephen slowly learns how to evade her strikes but can't land a hit.
She adjusts her speed every time Stephen copes up and Stephen gradually learns her style for some time.
Stephen didn't know that he has innate talent in learning faster compared to others.
Especially when he is focusing, he can learn the styles his opponent has and copies it to his mind.
They noticed that Stephen is copying her attacks but still the original can counter her own moves.
She knows it better than Stephen.
So the end result is, she won by a great margin of hits.
Stephen was glad that he learned new moves from his friends.
"Oh! you withstand with her in few minutes just look at your face, heal it first before it swells.", Patrick advised him
"Thanks! but will you go easy on me, I have enough of her punches on my swelling face.", Stephen pleaded
"Just don't strike me at my face please."
" hahahahaha", Patrick laughed
"Okay brother but I'm gonna show you a newly obtained skill of mine, It's called the long lost [fencing style] of musketeers.", Patrick said to him.
He readied his sword and Patrick held the sword pointing at him in a weird way.
Stephen slashed but Patrick countered it with trust and trusted him several times at the body.
He just used [Rapid trust] with precision.
Stephen can't evade his strikes because of his speed and can only step back.
His trusts are fatal that strikes the vitals. Stephen felt the pain where
It could be life-threatening if this is a life and death battle.
His hands are fast and he has good footwork but Stephen is slowly adjusting to his speed and was copying some of his counters.
Patrick strikes with a trust but Stephen parried it and then followed by a slash.
Patrick steps back to evade and he trusts again to his shoulders.
Stephen moved his shoulders a bit but it was sc.r.a.pped by him.
Stephen slashed a combination of horizontal followed by two diagonals.
Patrick blocked it all and made several counters but Stephen evaded it this time.
They sparred for some time but still, Stephen can't win.
Patrick was faster but Stephen was stronger.
Though Stephen can land heavier strikes, he still can't hit him with his current speed.
This continued on and it shows that Stephen is enjoying his match and is learning.
Hanna stopped the fight because she's getting worried about Stephen's condition.
"Hey why didn't you hold back, look at him.", she felt alarmed for Stephen
"No I'm okay I just healed recently", Stephen interrupted her talk.
"Just don't worry I can heal myself."
"Believe me it will take me a lot of beatings before I will collapse.", he added.
"You're sure about that! but still, it's better not to be hurt". Hanna said to him
"Okay okay I'm sorry", he said
They stopped the duel but still, Stephen learned a lot.
"Heheheh you're bluffing right! explain to me how did you copy my moves after you experienced it just for a while."
"Don't tell me you have a secret talent that lets you learn just by observing.", Patrick said with amazement.
"I was shocked too! I didn't expect that I can learn this fast.", he muttered
"First was my conjuration then my Mana and also combat. Wow, this is awesome!", Stephen said in his mind.
In the meantime, they enjoyed their breakfast after their meal with his friends.
They ate Curry and vegetable salad.
"Hey after this meal how about we go to the capital public market", Stephen suggested to his friends to have fun bonding with them.
"Yeah, sure! how about we eat ice cream and cotton candy", Stella said with excitement.
"Yeah!", Hanna agreed to her suggestion.
They rest for some time and played again and again for an hour then prepared for their journey to the capital.
They jogged to the terminal of carriages with a destination to the capital and met few people in the way.
They arrive at ten o'clock in the morning at their destination and the fare to the capital is ten coppers.
So they paid for it then they sat at the seats at the back.
"Hey what places will we visit for this day?", Stella asked Stephen.
"How about the food stalls first then we visit the park and take a look at the views of the surroundings, after that we will visit the market and see if we can find something we're interested in", Stephen explained.
"Oh that's awesome! after our visits we will take a launch at the food court", Stella said.
After for a while, they talked on the way for some time until they arrive at their destination.
"We've arrived at our destination get up! get up!", Patrick said gleefully.
"Ouch, my b.u.t.t hurts! it's so b.u.mpy on the way", Stephen said while touching his b.u.t.t.
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"Let's walk from here on, hey Patrick what will you buy today?", Stephen asked
"Secret! but I will give you a clue because you're my friend. It's a gift for Hanna, maybe a necklace or something that she will like", Patrick whispered to Stephen's ears.
"Hehheheh you're a sly dog, Patrick! How about we buy four pendants to make a sign of friends.h.i.+p. You give it to Hanna and I give it to Stella how about it?", Stephen suggested.
"You're a genius! but how do we buy it for them when they won't notice and make it a surprise?", Patrick asked.
"Don't worry I will make them go to buy a new dress at the dress store and you go buy us the best pendants."
"Just choose the one who symbolizes our team seal!"
"Okay just make sure that you will succeed!", Stephen said to Partick
They went to the food stalls and there Hanna found a stall of cotton candy.
They bought one for each and Stella take her first bite.
"Oh! so this is what they called cotton candy, it's sweet and melts in your mouth!", Stella said in amazement.
"Hohoho it's your first time?", asked Hanna.
"Yep, we didn't have one in our village.",
Stella answered.
"Let's eat ice cream also!", Hanna suggests.
Hanna held Stella's hand and she pulled her to the stall.
Stephen and Patrick followed them running.
"Hmm, how did they made this? they made the flavored ingredients into frozen ice cream?", asked Stella.
"Yep that's how they did it", Patrick replied to Stella.
They ate ice cream that is on the cone and choose their favorite flavors.
After they ate, Patrick hurriedly went to the jewelry store, and Stephen and his friends went to the tailoring stores to buy their dress.
"Where will Patrick go?", Stella questioned Stephen.
"He just went to buy something", he said to her.
"Oh okay so where will we meet?", asked her.
"At the park", Stephen replied.
Patrick was running to the store and he will choose their pendant's symbol.
"Hmmm, a pendant with the kingdom's symbol which is a kite s.h.i.+eld with a sword at the center with daggers and bows at the back then our miniature favorite symbols attached."
"For me, it's a word because I'm good with a sword then a rose for Stella and for Stephen is it's a dagger because it's his favorite weapon."
"Then for Hanna, it's a katana because it's obvious.", he muttered continuously
"Okay now that's for our pendants and the problem is if I can really find them.", He said in his self.
Patrick arrived at the store and opened the door and the door made a clanging sound of the bells.
The shop keeper stood at the desk with many necklaces at his back.
"What can I do to help you, sir?", The man said to him.
"Do you have a pendant of the kingdom's symbol sir?"
"Can I have four of them, then I want to attach katana, rose, a dagger, and sword to the pendant with a name sir.", he said to the shopkeeper.
Meanwhile at the park
"Your newly bought dress is cute for you Hanna."
"You're like a princess with that outfit", Stella said to Hanna.
"Your dress also is a good match to your ponytailed hair like an innocent loli girl", Hanna replied to her courteously.
"Don't joke around Hanna it's better to be simple than a beauty without skills.", she replied
"Imagine a useless lady at a battlefield, it will only burden the team.", Stella said to her
"Hahahaha! you're right but don't underestimate beauty."
"With good looks, you can attract the boy you like!"
"You can also have a chance to gain an advantage to others.", Hanna said to her
"Okay okay, you're right but remember don't let your beauty get to your head.", Stella advised her
"I know! I know!, I will remember that and by the way, Stephen let's go sightseeing at the park.", Stella said while she grabbed Stephen's arms.
They visit the statue of the heroes and there stood Frank Williams and his teammates.
They watched and saw the eleven heroes with honor.
There stood Frank the Legend Holy Knight Priest, Baggus their Arch Wizard, Saber their Legendary Lycan, Splinter their Master a.s.sa.s.sin, Branmoor their Druid Priest, Maldor their Ranger Captain, Deathbane their Necromancer Lord, Snap their Master fighter, Arthras their Royal Saint Paladin and Mistiban their Chaos dread knight, as well as s.h.i.+npatsu their Grand Master Ronin.
These eleven heroes made a seal to the Tirad pa.s.s to prevent the invasion of the undead plague, resulting in the peace this generation has received.
Stella faced the Statue of Branmoor and put the flowers she bought at the pedestal.
She made a silent prayer and Hanna patted her shoulders.
"We will always remember their bravery that appeared in dire times to protect us.", Hanna comforted Stella.
Hanna also bowed at the statue of s.h.i.+npatsu who is their greatest warrior who also defended the kingdom.
As for Stephen, he admired Sir Frank for his leaders.h.i.+p of this legendary team to succeed in their last mission.
He dreams that he will become someone like Sir Frank in the future.
They made their last moments and left the statues then they sat at the benches of the park.
There are many people dating in this place whether young and old and others are sightseeing with the semi forest, gra.s.sy and well-landscaped park with many lights at night.
They chatted about their favorite heroes and as well as some experiences they encountered in their young lives.
Hanna bought some snacks at the near stall and returned carrying popcorns.
When Hanna arrived Patrick also saw them eating at the bench.
"Here's your snack, eat first while it's still warm.", Hanna offered her popcorns.
"Patrick, how did you find us?", questioned Stephen.
"It's so hard to find you with so many people here and also there's the vastness of the park.", Patrick complained.
"Heheheh well congrats on finding us, brother!", Stephen said while laughing.
"After you finish your food you close your eyes and you too Stella", Patrick said to them.
After they finished, they close their eyes and then opened it at his signal.
"Charan! surprise!", Stephen and Patrick said in unison.
They showed the necklaces to the girls.
"Wow, a necklace! is this a rose? I like it and it has also the kingdom's symbol", Stella said in surprise while Hanna hugged Patrick in happiness.
"Whoa, you're already there?", Stephen asked them.
"Um no! it's just a friendly hug", Hanna said timidly and then blushed.
"It's just a friendly hug, there's nothing more to it.", she said while she didn't look at them.
"Oh that's reasonable", Stephen replied while displaying a malicious look on his face.
"Hey don't be a pervert Stephen, a girl's desire to hug a man is desirable", Stella said with a triumphant look.
"Hey don't say it that I desired it, Stella! as I said it's a friendly hug.", Hanna said while she's a bit annoyed.
"Okay! okay! I know that you're close to each other since young.", Stephen said to her.
"By the way can I?", Stephen said while he puts the necklace to Stella's neck
Patrick also puts the pendant to Hanna.
"I thought of an oath for us", Patrick suggested.
"Okay let's hear it!", Stella said.
"Okay as for our oath it's to protect and serve each other in sickness and in health!", he said while lifting the pendant to the air.
"Is this a wedding?!", Stephen interrupted.
"Stephen shut up", Stella said with a dissatisfied look.
"Okay sorry but I didn't find it outrageous.", he said while contemplating.
"It's good! it's good! it's nice I don't object it.", said Hanna
"Okay altogether let's say it!", said Patrick
"To protect and serve each other in sickness and in health!" they said in unison and lifted their necklaces.
"This seems heroic like the heroes", Stella muttered.
"Right and today onward we're the Phoenix or the Firefly...guys help me to name our team", Patrick said worriedly.
"I think The Firefly is cool like it glows in the dark!" Stephen suggested.
"Right Firefly! it's cool!", Hanna agreed to Stephen.
"Alright from now on we will be called The Firefly, It gives faint light that symbolizes hope in the darkness even just a little hope it will s.h.i.+mmer to the farthest lands without a doubt", Patrick said gallantly.
"Clap your hands everyone", Stephen said.
They clapped hands and Stella said, "so that means Patrick is the leader!"
"I don't object!", Stephen said out loud.
"And as for Hanna," Stephen said while he looked at her.
"Why are you looking at me? I don't object!", she said feeling a bit concerned.
"So that settles it and for our hideout, I know a place!", Patrick said.
"It's our newly purchased lot with a treehouse! so what do you think?", he asked everyone and all replied with a "yes" using their hands to thumbs up.
They walk merrily as they talked about their future plans about their teams and gradually said goodbye to each other, parting ways to their homes.