Chapter 3 – Brief Respite

“You see, your ‘lord’ is one of the twelve Adept Minor knights of Chaosfall Guild. Not only that but he is also known as their one and only Spellblade.”

“Really?!” Ally replied excitedly.

The two novice-rank mages widened their eyes in surprise.

‘What an anomaly, so he is the gifted person at Chaosfall Guild!’ one of the novices spoke in their minds.

“I thought they were a myth!” Ryan blurted out while looking at Cain like he was a demon.

Cain, seemingly oblivious to the chatter and surprised faces around him, skillfully worked on the array of spices and ingredients for the meal.

Sigh… “Did you not tell your apprentice anything!” Pyra threw a pebble at Cain's head causing him to tilt his head by a small margin, dodging the sneak attack.

Ally tilted her head out of curiosity. “What’s a Spellblade?”

“You don’t know?!” The question surprised Ryan once again

Ally shakes her head continuously as a reply, curiosity can be seen on her face.

“Tell me, big brother! What’s a Spellblade?!”

Ryan smirked as she called him big brother, chuckling at the playful familiarity.

“Fine, since my junior is asking for it haha.”

“Then Ally, tell me, are you a body practitioner, or a mana practitioner?” Ryan asked like he was talking to a child. Which she kind of is.

“My lord says that I have an affinity with the element of lightning and a body that can withstand magic,” Ally answered.

“Correct. As you know, body practitioners can summon mana through their body to further strengthen their body and invoke spells that will make your body faster or stronger. These are usually swordsmen, bowmen, tanks, and even knights. They focus heavily on their body to fight equally with mana practitioners.”

Ryan continued. “An example of that is when you summoned power with your spell ‘Thunder Pulse’ which by the way, is really cool!”

“Anyways, I am an example of a mana practitioner. We have weaker bodies, but in exchange for that, we can pull out spells out of thin air.” Ally still thinking hard about what Ryan said.

“Think about it this way,” Ryan further explained, “Body practitioners channel mana from the environment onto their bodies, while mana practitioners channel mana from the environment with their bodies,” Ryan explained with more emphasis.

“A Spellblade,” he said, “is a very unique type of combatant that has both the capacity to train in body and mana. A total monster.”

Ally glanced at her lord with more pride than before. “My lord is amazing!” she exclaimed.

Pyra chuckled, “Now you know why you will be welcomed with open arms in your guild. One of the geniuses of Chaosfall Guild, the Spellblade, actually brought back an apprentice when he was not interested in such matters.”

“Yeah! Especially that you are attuned with the lightning element. It is one of the rarest elements to have right next to the element of shadow, time, and space.” Ryan excitedly added.

“So does that mean I will be stronger than big sister Pyra!” Ally screamed with glee.

Cain laughed at the question while making the food. “Ally, just because your element is rare does not mean that you will be stronger than a common element.”

As the flickering campfire grilled the fishes that Cain was cooking, “It is harder for us to be stronger. Since there are fewer people with our elements, that means that research in that certain element would be slow as well.”

Cain continued. “You also have to remember, if you are fighting someone in the same rank, who do you think will win?”

The group stared at Cain with rapt attention, waiting for his answer to his question.

After seconds of silence, Cain looked at the group. “The one who is more skilled with their power will win no matter what.”

“Remember, there are basic spells for every single element out there, but when you start to realize your fighting style, you start to brainstorm what kind of spells you conjure that are unique only to you.” Cain then looked at Pyra. “For example, your big sister Pyra’s ‘Inferno Lance’ is a skill that suits her when she needs to target something precise.”

“So does that mean it can be copied by other people?” Ally asked curiously.

Pyra then added, “They can, but would it be entirely the same?” Pyra held a light smile. “Every element is different; each has its characteristics. Even if you have copied a spell from a user, would it suit your fighting style?”

Cain chuckled, “Maybe next time you will hear me say ‘Thunder Lance!’”

Cain then continued addressing Ally’s question, "Copying a spell is one thing, mastering it is another. True power comes not just from the complexity of spells but from the mastery of the fundamentals. You'll often find that the most powerful individuals are those who have a deep understanding of the basics and can wield them with precision."

Ally nodded, absorbing the wisdom shared by her lord and Pyra. "So, it's not just about having a vast array of spells but using them strategically and creatively?"

Cain smiled, acknowledging Ally's insight. "Exactly. Quality over quantity. And remember, a person who can improvise on the spot, adapting their spells to the situation, is a person who will stand tall even in the face of unexpected challenges."

“Does that mean you have lots of magic incantations since you have two elements, my lord?” Cain inwardly chuckled and replied to Ally. “I don’t know, care to take a guess?” he lightly teased.”

‘What the fuck?’ Ryan almost had his eyes pop out of his sockets. ‘How many more things am I going to learn more?’

Ryan sighed inwardly, ‘Definitely cannot antagonize him, and how old is he?! He is younger than me and at Adept minor rank! Crazy!’

Pyra, seeing the two Novice rank men react to the revelation laughed, “Relax haha, there was even a bald man somewhere in the north that is blessed with four elemental affinities of earth, water, wind, and fire. Hehe, you have more to learn!”

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“Although it is rare for people to get dual element affinities, Him having dual elements is old news! This was reported years ago!” she added.

Pyra turned her attention to Ally, her expression softening. “Where did Cain pick you up anyway? You seem not well versed in terms of practitioners and the present-day news.”

Ally hesitated for a moment before opening up, her gaze falling to the ground. “I was sold by my parents into slavery since they lost to gambling.” She confessed.

Silenced settled over the camp.

“I apologize.” Pyra said with a sombre tone.

“I found her in an auction,” Cain said in a serious tone. “It was run by a demon.”

The relaxing mood of the night was exchanged by a heavy atmosphere. The mage party’s expression shifted from calm to a mixture of seriousness and anger.

“This is getting out of hand.” Pyra voiced out with quiet determination.

“Not only that, the tide is here,” Cain added.

Ally asked, “The tide?”

Ryan immediately answered, “The chaos tide. It’s when the chaos from the environment is at its peak, making chaos beasts multiply faster. They also become stronger and violent.”

He sighed, “It happens every ten years. It is probably the reason why we met a chaos wolf pack on the way home.”

Pyra confidently said, “This is one of the reasons why the empire stationed our guild here for many years. We keep the chaos beasts in check, we counter their population.”

“How come you can’t just kill all of them?” Ally mused.

“If we can they would have been erased long ago.” Cain laughed, “The Authority of Chaos is keeping them alive.”

Ally's brows furrowed in confusion. “Authorities?”

Pyra nodded, her expression solemn. “The authorities are the gods who rule the world. The absolute pinnacle. They are the master of their aspect, be it abstract or elemental. The Authority of Chaos is one of them, no one knows if it's alive since it’s an abstract Authority, but every authority maintains a thin balance in our reality.

“I see.” Ally started to ponder in deep thought.

Cain made a light clap, giving him all the party's attention.

“Enough of those sad political stuff, who’s ready to eat?” he smiled.

Ally, still processing the newfound knowledge about the world, welcomed the change of topic. "I'm starving! What have you cooked, my lord?"

Everybody looked at Cain, curious as to what this witty Spellblade cooked up.

With a mischievous smile, he unveiled his culinary masterpiece – a perfectly grilled fish, skewered on a stick, seasoned with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. The scale shimmered in a golden-brown colour, showing how crisp and succulent the flaky fish is. The fish exuded a mouth-watering fragrance that wafted through the air, awakening the senses of the group.

Ally's eyes widened with anticipation as she observed the dish. "Is this a specialty of yours, my lord?"

Pyra chuckled, “Cain can pretty much cook anything and you’re going to still be watering from your mouth!” she then looked at her, squinting her eyes, “Seriously, trust me. This is based on experience.”

The mage party gathered around the campfire, their hunger overcoming any lingering thoughts of the complexities they had discussed earlier. They took their first bites, and a symphony of flavours exploded on their palates.

Pyra, known for her straightforwardness, couldn't help but express her surprise. "This is incredible~” A slight tear glistened in her eyes, and she leaned back savouring the moment.

Ryan couldn't hide his amazement. "I've had my share of meals, but this is on a whole different level.” His eyes widened, the taste lingering in his tongue. ‘I can die happy…’ his inner thoughts stayed inside his mind.

George, forgotten by the group, is blushing in silence along with the other novice rank mage. Eyes closed, trying to remember every texture as they chew and swallow.

Ally, not being reserved, “This is so fucking good~ What did you do, my lord!”

Cain, savouring a bite himself, grinned. "Trade secret, my dear Ally. But let's just say that it's because I am a Spellblade."

“Hmph! If you don’t want to tell me, just don’t!” Ally harrumphed, though a playful glint sparkled in her eyes.

As the mage party continued to enjoy the delectable feast, laughter and conversation flowed freely. The flavours of the grilled fish intertwined with the warmth of friendship, creating a moment of respite during their unexpected battle.

When almost all of them finished their meal, Cain lightly chuckled, he then pulled out alcohol from his storage ring. Not just any normal alcohol, alcohol made for practitioners.

Practitioners are known for their resilience, they rarely get drunk on normal mortal alcohol, so they need a stronger kick. Alcohol for practitioners is so potent that it can kill mortals, but only then, it is enough to break their heightened tolerance.

The celebration took a spirited turn. Pyra, surprised at the alcohol, “Come on, we’re not even within our borders yet. We can’t afford to let loose like this!”

Cain already distributing cups filled with alcohol to the party, filled his cup as well. With a twinkle in his eyes, he raised his cup. “Ah, but Pyra, sometimes we need to let loose, we’re also friends enjoying the moments of life!”

Pyra just squinted her eyes while looking baffled at Cain. Cain smirked and said, “Afraid that you’ll lose to me? Is my dear princess scared?”

Not one to back down from a challenge, Pyra accepted, “Don’t think I will lose like last time.” Raising her cup in response.

The atmosphere filled with laughter as the group embraced the friendly competition, each member taking a celebratory toast. The night echoed with stories and clinking of cups, a memorable short rest beneath the starlit sky.

As everyone settled into a quiet moment of rest, Cain and Pyra was left alone near the fire.

Pyra walked slowly with a sway toward Cain.

Cain, not even drunk, looked at the flushed cheeks of Pyra curiously.

“You lost, how many losses is that now?” Cain teased her.

“Shut up.”

Pyra chose a spot beside Cain.

“I need your shoulder for support. This is your fault for making me drunk.

"Take responsibility.” She leaned into him with her head on his shoulders.

Cain knew she was joking since practitioners can expel the alcohol within their bodies using mana, however, he did not pay any attention since he owed her one anyway.

‘He smells good’ Pyra mused in her thoughts.

The night whispered around them when Pyra broke the silence after some time.

“I feel like it has been too long.”

Cain, shifted slightly to listen to what she has to say. While Pyra stayed in his shoulders.

“We have been caught up in our journeys, fighting battles, chasing our destinies. Sometimes I wish I could turn back time to where life is much simpler.” She continued.

“Do you remember, Cain?” Pyra said as she gazed at the dancing flames.

“Back when we were kids, void of responsibility. Just exploring the outskirts of our hometown.”

Cain’s eyes softened as he joined Pyra in revisiting the shared past. “Of course. Those were simpler times, weren’t they?”

Pyra nodded, a reminiscent smile playing on her lips. "We used to sneak out of our houses and venture into the forbidden woods. My parents warned us, but we were young and invincible."

"And that one time," Pyra continued, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "we tried to catch fireflies to make our own 'light' magic.”

Shared laughter can be heard deep in the night.

"I remember that. We thought we could harness light magic to cast spells."

"Then there was that storm. Remember? We got caught in the rain, seeking shelter in that old, abandoned building. Lightning painted the sky as the thunder grumbled, but we felt invincible, didn't we?"

After a slight pause, Pyra continued with a lower voice.

"That night," Pyra murmured, "we made a pact, didn't we? To face whatever challenges came our way together."

She then fixed her position, looking up at Cain with her gleaming eyes.

Cain’s gaze was directed towards the flames. Pyra not knowing if he was in deep thought, or just deliberately avoiding her stare.

In the quiet moments between stories, Pyra's eyes held a vulnerability she dared not voice. She knew Cain was aware of the unspoken truth, the hint of affection that had woven itself into their shared past. Yet, in the end, he maintained a careful distance, a silence that was louder than words.

As she kept staring at Cain in silence, her mouth slightly opened with a slight hesitation.

“I wish… you can tell me. What is on your mind.”

Pyra’s words hung in the air, a gentle plea.

Cain’s expression remains guarded, a mask that veiled his true feelings.

In the quiet night, Pyra’s plea echoed. Emotions suspended in the uncharted territories of their connection.

“I have always valued our friendship, Pyra,” Cain said with care while still looking at the campfire.

“I have my challenges. Things get a bit tangled sometimes…”

He then looked back at her. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, taking in her subtle expression.

“but I promise you, I will tell you all about it when the time comes.” His words carried some weight as it hung in the air.

“I understand.” She whispered.

“Our pact was meant to face the tempest within, not just the storms outside.”

Although unfair, Pyra felt a mixture of emotions—gratitude for the friendship that had strengthened over countless years, and a subtle ache for the untold stories concealed within Cain's heart.

Silence descended, and time continued to carry on.

As they sat in the quiet embrace of the night, Pyra whispered, “Let me stay like this for a bit longer...”

With a gentle sigh, Cain replied.

“Sure, my lovely princess. Take your time.”

The group, resting under the moonlit sky embraced the night. The fire dwindled, and embers continued to fade.

‘He really smells good.’

As she closed her eyes, cherishing his presence before they part.