Chapter 6 – Push and Pull

AFTER THEIR PREVIOUS MISSION, Daisuke, Riku, and Jack unanimously agreed to spend their rest day by doing absolutely nothing productive at all.

As usual, Daisuke decided to hang out at the Shrine of Maria. He was basically a self-proclaimed elven guard of the shrine by now.

Daisuke left his residence first thing in the morning after breakfast, took a short, uneventful stroll in the village, and reached the Shrine of Maria without much trouble. Nice.

As soon as Daisuke reached the shrine, he paid his respects to Maria Ashenwood. That day, he brought the runestone of Laniagaea Vol. 1, which he already had finished reading years ago. But he never truly got tired of reading it over and over again.

He even added a few “updated notes” that he got from their school's library, making him up-to-date with what's happened and happening outside. With his research, he learned that Laniagaea Vol. 1 was a few centuries years old, which explains the outdated information. However, the book was still in great shape. Due to being imbued with magic, perhaps.

Still, seeing the illustrations of other continents and countries from all over the world was what mattered to Daisuke. It was giving him the motivation to continue and improve, all for the sake of visiting numerous places and bringing back the wooden statue of Maria.

The book also contained some information about the rise of treasure hunting in the world. According to the book, there was a period when most countries closed their borders, not allowing any foreigners to get inside or locals to get out. It was known as the Dark Ages. But soon, one country decided to have explorers travel the world to discover new things, meet other races, exchange knowledge, culture, and technology, and hopefully form alliances. This country was known as the Arcobaleno Kingdom.

The Arcobaleno Kingdom was a very advanced country, so to speak. They pioneered land and sea exploration, or so the book says. Soon, many countries followed in their footsteps; government and nobles funded explorers. Those that wanted to explore but had no funds became adventurers and formed guilds. And then those who became notorious for traveling deeper to uncharted lands and even trespassing into different territories became what was known as treasure hunters.

Daisuke was so immersed in reading his book that he did not notice someone go inside the shrine to see him.

“You really are not that difficult to find,” Jack commented.

Daisuke raised his head and saw Jack. “Hmmm. And you’re not the kind to visit the shrine.”

“Well, we actually came here to see you.”

“We?”

Outside, Riku was standing at the observation deck. Like Daisuke, she also liked the view from that spot. Seeing the panoramic view of the village, the ever-busy harbor, and the calm sea. Daisuke and Jack went outside to accompany Riku.

“Oh! Hey Daisuke!” Riku greeted Daisuke smilingly.

“W-What’s up?” Daisuke replied.

Riku glanced at Jack, who head-gestured at her to tell Daisuke what they talked about, before speaking. “I know we all decided to just loaf around today. But Jack and I thought that we could just use our spare time to, you know, help you.”

Riku explained that she and Jack would like to train him for this year's Seeker Trials. As they have observed, Daisuke’s weakness was his poor mana control, nothing else.

The first time Daisuke failed the trials, he was easily overwhelmed by his opponent during the combat trial. The second time, he managed to win the combat trial, though it was a sloppy one. He created trees all over the place and even managed to downright destroy the whole stage. And since the result of the combat trial does not certainly depend on the winner and loser of the match, Daisuke still failed the trial.

“So, what do you say, Daisuke?” asked Jack.

“You guys…” Daisuke was already ugly sobbing, then hugged Riku and Jack. “I love you guys!!”

“Ugh...” Riku and Jack sighed in unison with a smile.

* * * * *

The trio went to the Eastern Beach, the same beach where the Fishbone Hunters landed to siege the island. The beach had fine white sand and a great view of the sea. Coconut trees, crabs, and other creatures living with a shell are scattered everywhere. And the seawater, so clean and clear.

They stopped for a while to appreciate the spectacular view and the salty waves and breeze of the beach.

“The thing is, you used too much mana whenever you use your Karma,” Jack told Daisuke.

“Yeah, I sensed it as well,” Riku confirmed.

“I know. I’m just unable to control my mana output,” Daisuke admitted. “It’s like...when I try to use a bit of mana to produce a seedling, a torrent of mana will come out instead, and a sapling or even a whole mature tree would emerge.”

“The key to clear the combat trial is not to win but to show that you can survive a real-life battle. Evading an attack and getting out of an impossible battle is not a sign of weakness,” Jack reminded.

“Basically, the combat trial is to test our creativity on using our power and of course our mana control,” Riku added.

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“Great! Now what am I supposed to do?” asked Daisuke.

Jack faced him. “Have a practice combat trial. You and I.”

Daisuke did not hesitate to agree, thanking his friends for always helping him. While Jack served as his opponent, Riku served as the referee of the match. She will decide whether Daisuke will pass the trial or not.

“Remember, Daisuke, the goal is not to win but to use your power efficiently.” Riku reminded him.

“Got it!” Daisuke replied.

Riku then gave the signal. “Begin!”

Daisuke was the first to charge. Riku has always taught him to imagine his body like a faucet and his mana the water. He only needed to open the faucet ever slightly to let a few drops of mana drip. That was what he tried to do. He tried to produce a sprout, which he successfully did. Jack saw it and prepared to defend himself.

Jack taught Daisuke about the different applications of elven powers in combat. They could fight either in a short-range, mid-range, or even long-range. Depending on their mana control, the short-range would be the most efficient. But of course, many elves were skilled with their power usage and they would only need to consume a certain amount of mana to create a weapon made of plants.

Jack used his power to create a tree branch from both of his arms and at the end of the branches were huge jackfruits. He created a Jackfruit Mace, a weapon based on his father’s Durian Mace.

Daisuke continued to let his mana flow on the sprout he created until it became his signature Wooden Arm. He used this Wooden Arm to punch Jack, but Jack timed his movement expertly and managed to whip the Wooden Arm with his right Jackfruit Mace. When Jack saw that Daisuke lost his balance, he continued to hit Daisuke with his left Jackfruit Mace. Daisuke, however, managed to create a left Wooden Arm quickly and used it to block Jack’s follow-up.

“That’s two Wooden Arms now, Daisuke.” Jack changed his stance. He spun his right mace, getting ready for his next attack.

Daisuke removed both his Wooden Arms and ran towards Jack. This time, Jack was the first to attack by throwing the spinning mace toward Daisuke. Using his mana, he extended the branch of the mace until it reached Daisuke.

Daisuke managed to dodge by growing a tree directly under him, launching him through the air. When he was high enough, he used his power to punch midair, and when he did, a tree came out of his right arm toward Jack at high speed. The tree changed shape as it moved towards Jack, resembling a fist. But before it could reach Jack, it abruptly halted. Daisuke dropped to the sand and was unable to stand.

“Two Wooden Arms, one mature tree to dodge, and another mature tree to attack midair,” Jack enumerated the actions Daisuke did earlier. “What do you think, Riku?”

“Well, he basically wasted mana again,” Riku concluded.

Daisuke tried to talk but was out of breath. He was now just lying down on the sands of the beach.

“You got carried away again Daisuke,” Jack said, sitting next to Daisuke.

“For comparison,” Riku now sitting as well next to Daisuke, “Jack used his mana to create two maces, while you created four trees from afar. You are essentially using your mana as the necessary energy to force the trees to grow. You should have known that by now.”

“I tried to do the same thing when I threw my mace at you,” Jack added, “I made it grow longer.”

Daisuke was trying to speak, but it was inaudible.

“Well, you recharge your mana quicker than the rest of us. We can continue after you have recovered.” Jack told Daisuke.

“Yeah. You just need to be pushed a little bit more. We’re sure you’ll improve in no time.” Riku added smilingly.

Daisuke mumbled something that seems to agree with Jack’s and Riku’s words.

The three of them stayed at the beach until nighttime, training Daisuke to control his mana. Jack and Riku would switch sparring against Daisuke, both reminding him about the proper mana control. And while they were training, two silhouettes were standing at the hill that seemed to be watching the trio.

“Are you sure that you really are retiring?”

“I think I have experienced too much war in a single lifetime. Let me spend my remaining days with my family.”

“I guess you have done enough for the council anyway. How’s Ariyani’s avatar doing?”

“He needs more training. He’s probably tapping to the Ishvara’s mana subconsciously, which is why he could not control his mana and Karma properly.”

“Hmmm. Curious. Any episodes of going berserk recently?”

“Luckily, no. It must be thanks to that artifact you gave me. As long as it is near him, it seems that it could suppress his avatar power.”

“We apologize for putting you and your people at risk. Once we find a suitable candidate, we will free you from the burden of looking after the avatar.”

“No need to apologize. It just so happens that the avatar of Ariyani was born on our island.”

“Thank you. Well, it’ll be best if I go now. It is quite difficult to hide mana from the elves after all.”

A door-like portal opened and the mysterious person went inside and disappeared. The light from the portal, however, illuminated the other person, revealing Blaize, Riku’s father.

* * * * *

That same night at the Council House, Sequovas was preparing to go home already when Durant approached him to talk.

“The day of the trials is coming soon,” Durant picked up a book and handed it over to Sequovas. “Your son is still yet to clear the combat trial.”

Sequovas sighed. “What is it that you really want to talk about, Durant?”

“Daisuke does not belong here and you know it,” Durant said without hesitation.

Sequovas paused cleaning up his things. “I would rather have him stay here on the island than let the greedy humans get him. It was you, wasn’t it? You brought those humans here.”

“And I am the one who told Ananais’s scouts.”

“You are out of your mind, Durant! Bringing humans here?! You are lucky that I have no intention of telling this to other councils so you better stop your foolishness now!”

Sequovas and Durant were now speaking face to face. Both of them were emitting a faint amount of mana, though enough to cause pressure that could push away anyone.

“You speak like I am the only one guilty of something. Tampering with the Seeker Trials’ results is also punishable. Still, I am thankful to you for not reporting me. But you must understand that I am only trying to protect our people.”

“To protect from a kid?!”

“To protect them from a potential disaster from an avatar.”

Sequovas was infuriated by Durant’s claims, causing the pressure from his mana to break the floor from where he was standing. The amount of pressure could have blown Durant away, but Durant’s mana protected him.

“From this point, Durant, you might want to consider the next words that will come out of your mouth.”

Durant lowered his mana output. “I know you are the one who keeps pulling Daisuke to fail. You keep on messing with his already pitiable mana control. I will not reveal to him that. But I will keep telling Jack to train him to pass the trials. Your son will leave this island. One way or another.”

“And I will do everything to keep Daisuke on this island. I will not let anyone use him as a weapon.”

“So you would rather have him rampaging here on our island? Threatening the lives of your people? He may have not done so when he was still young. But you and I both know that the older he gets, the greater the threat his power possesses. He is an avatar.”

Sequovas finally lowered his mana output and continued to clean up his stuff. He exhaled heavily and faced Durant. “If that time ever comes, I will be the one to put an end to his life. Not you, not Mahogry, not anyone from this island. It will only be me.”

“Sequovas, trust me, I know how you feel,” Durant empathized. “There are no words to describe the pain of losing a child. Believe me, I know. But you have to understand: there is no escaping destiny. Whether or not he learns to control his power, he will eventually turn into an Ishvara. The likes of him are cursed to experience agonizing death over and over again. Daisuke is no exception.”

“I will no longer warn you again, Durant. I am not the one you wanted to be an enemy,” Sequovas took his satchel and left the Council House.