Just moments ago, Gilly was barely struggling to block, but now, she was taking each blow head on with confidence. When Mizin appeared, she was shocked and instinctively jumped back. Mizin smiled.

“Rule number five: Distance is not always the solution.”

A quick draw and the initial gash on Gilly was extended, she screamed as she fell one knee to the floor. Holding her shoulder, she struggled to stand.

Mizin was indifferent to her scream, she went for a quick draw but this time her sword glowed slightly. In an instant, Gilly was in front of her, Before the sword motion was complete, she parried dispersing the mana and sliding back. Mizin dashed forward with a vertical swing, Gilly ducked but this time she attacked from underneath. This was met with Mizin holding her scat forward, blocking the blow.

Mizin smiled, her eyes glowing as she swung her sword down on the now trapped Gilly. By now, Gilly’s eyes began to see strange flow of light in the objects that surrounded her. She moved slightly sideways and shifted her sword to her left hand with her elbow as support. Mizin sword hit and followed the sword angle down to the ground. She changed the movement midair and struck Gilly on her sword. Using the force and foot of the wind she flew several meters using her sword to slow down her speed until she stopped.

By now all other disciple were dazed, not believing a newbie would make it to the fifth rule. Zin for once did not look away, Ai-lyn too looked at Gilly with wide eyes.

“I think she can see it, the flow of mana”.

This statement caught everyone’s attention even Mizin looked at her surprised. An evil grin appeared on her face as she released her regalia, her body now having a red hue on top.

“Gilly, I will now try to kill you.

“Do your best to survive.”

She walked forward the sword in her hand glowing. The weather began to change as if the elements were responding to her.

“Rule number six: Never hesitate to draw your sword”.

This rule was where most disciples had failed, including Aroelan and Xing.

In a flash, she went at full force against Gilly with a swing, throwing her backward. She followed again with a near vertical but Gilly parried, responding with a quick draw deftly blocked by Mizin. Mizin eyes were filled with killing intent. Gilly jumped back then forward, her eyes void of emotion as she slashed forward. Mizin blocked but then flame burst from Gilly’s sword starting (scaring? Startling? Scarring? Remember, Mizin is leagues above her, I don’t think she could shock her) Mizin a bit. Her regalia absorbed the flame as Gilly was forced to jump back.

Again in a blur, Mizin ‘blinked’ in front of Gilly, a swift swing to the face was almost dodged. But there was a slight laceration, causing blood to drip from the wound. Gilly did not hesitate following up with a Meta Slash.

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“She uses fire magic so it’s a no damage scenario”.

At this point, the wind began to whistle as Gilly either dodged or parried Mizin’s attack gracefully dancing around the battle field.

A wide swing made her crash land few meters, now the wind swirling her were visible to all. Her crash had been softened by the wind. Mizin smiled as she ‘blinked’ once more, appearing in front of Gilly her sword glowing with blue flames as they plunged downward at break neck speed. But by the time they fell down, Gilly was already few meters away.

This speed was faster than when she had fought Zatrynx. Mizin smiled, the glow in her eyes increasing in intensity but before she could move, Gilly was right in front of her, a boom echoing behind her and dust clouds rising from the position she stood moments ago. Mizin vanished appearing several meters away following up with a quick draw. Gilly dodged it.

“I can see it.”

She smiled as she dashed forward clashing with Mizin head on. At first, it seemed Gilly was making an even playing field but as time passed, her breathing became heavy.

“She is not used to such kind of battle,” Aroelan commented, shaking his head.

“She is getting fatigued.”

Ariel voice was filled with worry, she was friends with Ephini and got to know Gilly this past few days. A loud clang and Gilly was sent flying few meters. She struggled to get up, no longer as agile as earlier, but the smile and determined look still etched on her face. Mizin strolled forward as she sheathed her sword.

“Rule number seven: don’t be afraid to lose,” her aura dissipating as she said those words,the sky clearing out. She rubbed Gilly’s head, smiling.

“You pass.”

Gilly tried to return the sword she had used but Mizin shook her head.

“It originally belonged to your father, so it’s only right I give it to his daughter.”

Gilly was confused at this statement, they had always talked about her mother but no one ever talked about her father.

“That is legendary sword, Dragon bone. It’s just below mythic grade” After those words, Mizin waved as she walked away.

She turned to Aroelan and Zin waving her hand, both following behind as they exited the grounds. Gilly tried to get up again, only to crash back into the floor. Ariel rushed out to her aid, using the restoration magic of the Kitsune. Zin-Li and Ai-lyn followed behind her leaving Xing who was still in a daze.

Seras and Ephini watched this scene unfold from a distance, Ephini in awe. Seras on the other hand, smiled her face ecstatic.

“She had both her mother magic skills and her father sense of battle” Seras no longer used the old appearance but looked like her true self. She looked like Ephini and anyone who saw them would think they were twins.

…

Gilly was carried back to town after the battle by Ai-lyn. She was asleep for two days and during this time she had strange dreams. The first was about her mother who she could now see vividly. Here, she told her stories about the world she came from and things which were unbelievable in the current world about the existence of magic and other being outside humanity. Gilly could believe because she had pointy ears and blue hair. However, her mother had concealed this when they were outside using magic.

The second dream was about the entire migration of their species from the planet. A great force was trying to emerge and in that process, their star was swallowed by a space rift plunging their star system into darkness. Some ships were unlucky and were sucked into the rift and her small escort crew was one of them.

The third was about a planet which had little to no plant life, as far as the eyes could see were shining metal structures and floating metal shapes. She was on a ride with six people and their discussions were lively as the vehicle they were in strolled into one of the metal structure. When she came down she saw the face of one who was seated in front. He was a dark skinned youth whose name she could not recall. As he turned, she avoided eye contact.

Her dream came to an end as she opened her eyes, tears streaming from her face which had surprised Ariel and Zin-Li who had come to see her. At once, they headed off to call Mizin who was in the chief’s office.