Oh god, ohgodohgodohgod. A roar, loud enough to be the world itself expressing hatred, filled a crowded forest. the sun barely reached down through the overcast sky, and the trees swayed in the wind. Again, that roar, a clump of trees shuddered, several collapsed, and a lithe figure was sent briefly sprawling above the canopy.
Hey. do you need me to come down? That looked painful.
No damnit, I'm fine. A third roar was cut short, the sound of metal on metal piercing through the air. Just stay back. In the impromptu clearing, the same figure stood, leaning forward into their blade, currently pressed against what looked to be a misshapen boulder. And watch the show! their left hand left the hilt, falling to their side with the first and third fingers extended. What was a stalemate quickly turned, the individual pushed more weight onto the blade, and it sliced into the obstruction with ease, producing an enraged shriek from the apparent not-boulder. A limb the size of a tree trunk swiped at the sword user, prompting them to dash back, then sprint straight back to attack again. I will get this, all on my fucking own! Like a knife through water, the shortsword's edge slipped into the rock-like hide of the indiscernible beast, a feint shimmer surrounding its edge. Another limb struck the wielder, yet the damage was already done. A four-foot-deep incision was now emblazoned upon the beast's side, and it was quickly losing strength. As they grabbed their sword from the dirt and stood once more, the creature had already stopped putting up a fight, it now sat limp, a hulking mass, unmoving. There, did it.
Well done, well done indeed. The sword slid into its waist-mounted scabbard, and the figure turned towards the trees. Alkir, you pass.
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A cloak-clad young man stood among the branches, just below the forest canopy, surveying the hulking corpse before him. I'm truly impressed, with this amount of time... He took a step forward and gracefully landed on the dirt below, the basalt cloak catching in the wind and giving way to reveal the metallic silver armor plates beneath. "Alkir, what a show!" He directed his praise to a boy standing just beside the behemoth's body, faced with a large gash in its rock-like hide.
"Yeah! I told you I could do it, Jace." The boy turned and flashed a smug grin to Jace, who had reached them and gave a slight pat on the back.
"Only doubted you for a few hours. Anyways." Jace cut off the rising vocal disagreement and continued. "I am impressed, killing a ravaged, even a wounded one, in just about one slash, a true feat for someone who only learned to fight a few weeks ago." Jace gave a genuine smile to Alkir. "Well, according to our terms, you pass, as I said before. Well done. Dinner on me!"
"Dude, dinner's already on you, you wouldn't let me make money."
"Yes yes, I was just making a joke, I see it was poor, but still! Let's get moving, we will discuss advancement tomorrow, for tonight we do some light celebrating!" Jace again patted Alkir on the back, then started on the rugged path back to the secured city and its entrance, with Alkir right behind him.
Back at the colossal archway, Alkir took the lead, sprinting into the sea of bodies and promptly disappearing, coaxing a sigh from Jace, who just waved at the guards on duty and walked into the city. He expertly weaved through the crowds, wondering how his charge had gotten so far ahead, he weaved between all sorts of obstacles, coming to a stop momentarily by one of the less crowded side streets. He walked along its edge, which flowed out into a row of buildings, each no bigger than his \residence, and only slightly more lively. Here goes. Jace steeled himself and entered through the centermost building's wooden doors, immediately sucking and calling forth his sword, lightly nudging the hilt into the quilting flesh spring towards him. Never learns, does he? Alkir was sent stumbling back, laughing after a minute of gasping for breath.
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"Damn, I thought I was good that time, hurry up man, I'm hungry." The boy walked off to one of the many tables in the otherwise open space. Jace all the while approached the counter adorning the far wall.
"Hey, Tennan. Two Ispara steaks, and a couple of Muga brews, Thanks!" Jace fished around his back, producing a small leather-bound, thin satchel-type container, pulling a few colored strips from within, and heading towards the table Alkir claimed, sitting across from the eager boy. Alkir smirked.
"Wow, Ispara steak huh, really is a celebration." Only a slight bit of sarcasm was laced into his words. He held up a stiletto knife and in a flash, the blade disappeared. It is quite remarkable...
> "Fuck! This isn't easy Jace." Alkir threw his hands up in frustration, falling onto his back in the grass.
>
> "Imprinting isn't supposed to be. Imagi-"
>
> "Yeah yeah, imagine the mana entering the weapon, it just isn't that simple man." He let out a deep sigh, sitting up and taking the shortsword into his hands once more. "You sure this is even possible?"
>
> "I am, I made sure we got a capable blade. Have patience."
>
> "I am getting real tired of that bs. Patience this and patience that, god." The sword flashed, not even a split second of luminescence, but Jace noticed. And he smirked in poorly hidden glee.
>
> "Well, now how do you feel." Alkir scowled.
>
> "Still pissed the hell off."
>
> "Too bad..." The same flash, yet much more prevalent, and after a few seconds of continous light, the sword had disappeared from Alkirs grasp.
>
> "Wha- Wait, was... Holy shit!" Alkir lost all trace of resentment and anger, completely taken over by bewilderment and excitment. "I did it! I fucking did it!"
>
> "See, patience." Jace's smirked morphed into a full smile as he looked on at his charge.
How long ago does this all feel, funny, isn't it? Just a lousy week. Ah... right... The person from behind the counter, Tennan, entered the main area from an unremarkable side door just beyond the counter, carrying a neatly carved and glinting wooden platter.
"Oh boy, thanks Tennan! This stuff rocks!" The figure, despite their lower face being covered with a thick cloth, gave the distinct impression of a deep smile, they turned and walked back through the door, and the polished wood was topped with two similarly designed plates, with a deep purple slab of meat over the center of each plate, and those were in turn covered kin a brown-ish sauce and seasonings. "Oh boy, let's eat!" Alkir grabbed one of the metal forks and knives placed on the center of the main serving platter, eagerly cutting into the cooked meat.
"Well, there is nothing better than Tennan's food, I'll give you that." Jace slightly chuckled, picking up his utensils and cutting away a slice of the steak himself, it gave way to a dark crimson center, slowly creeping lighter and lighter as it reached the epicenter. Wonder, as always. Jace speared the chunk with his fork and took a bite, the savory flavor matched perfectly with the seasoning to perform spectacularly with his tastebuds.
"Ah, can't be beaten..." Alkir gave a short sigh of contentment, the thick steak already devoured.
"Guess you drained a bit much today, as to be expected, that was no easy skirmish." Jace took another hefty slice and continued eating.
"Jace, when will it happen?" Both grew silent. Jace cut another slice from the steak in front of him.
"Eventually. It will come to you eventually." Alkir sighed, and Jace resumed eating
"As always, more patience, right?" Jace just nodded "Welp, I guess nothing I can do." At that moment Tennan emerged once more, carrying a polished metal cup in each bracer-clad arm.
"Thanks again Tennan, there truly is no place better" again, only a nod and impression of a smile before they were off. Man, a mystery, a good cook, never speaks and hides their appearance... Really good cook rather. Alkir started doing the green-blue liquid within, sighing again once he paused to take a breath. Jace was just about finished with his meat cut and began eying the drink. "Alkir, to you, to your new beginning. Although our time so far has been short, I have no doubt you will do great things." As he moved the now empty plate aside and raised the metal cup Alkir mimicked him, producing a slight clanking as the cups collided. "Tomorrow is where it all begins." And where it all ends. Alkir smiled, taking another long swig. And so they stayed for a few more hours, Jace and Almkir continued to talk about the shortcomings and feats performed, both anticipating the day to come.