For the past few months, Esther began to teach us in between Intermediate Level and Advance Level to the highest difficulties in both Combat and Academic, but still near to the level where Austine could catch up and even if it a bit higher from as soon as she understood the meaning it would be alright.
She even let us spar with each other to time to time.
Austine and Zyneste
Me and Esther
It’s a good matchup if you ask me, and sometime we had 3 on 1 battle with Esther. Sadly we couldn’t even land a single hit nor touch a single strand of her hair.
Syth, our father, also insisted to personally train me on archery and it seems that I’m very good at it for the first time to shoot further at the range more than 350 meters with 10 consecutive perfect hits, maybe it’s from the experience from my past life or is it because I had a Elf’s blood flowing through my vain but even so I was a bit proud of myself.
Sybil also teaches us some healing magic on her holidays, which the two of us persistently insisted, and had made a huge progress for Zyneste who always the first person to come up to me whenever I had a scratches and bruises for the intense secret training.
And not before long, Zyneste finally able to use a Voiceless Incantation nearly all magic that she’d learned so far, Austine also gasp the Shorten Incantation and almost barely use Voiceless Incantation to some magic that she’s good at.
Esther also tried to learn to use Voiceless Incantation as soon as she found out the secret to the trick on using it but sadly she wasn’t able to gasp the trick to it and instead focus on shortening the incantation, although she said learning it take quite a lot of time and training she still manage to learned it.
She made hypothesis on the Voiceless Incantation, it could be acquire or learnt while their still at their younger age such as I, Zyneste and Austine. Although long ago someone also uses this technique and were unsuccessfully inherit to his disciple, leading to think that this technique were nothing but just a fairytale.
Somehow I was able to make a new magic that could let me travel to a certain location where I’ve been or within my view instantaneously, I named it as [Blink]. Although it had a limit to the range of 50 meters, it still could be used for escaping or maybe thumb card in combat.
It could be also compared to the Swordsman’s technique [Quick Step], a technique where a swordsman could move in a flash to a certain distance but it only made the person leap faster rather than instantaneous.
In fact, Esther also learned the theory of the technique and was able to modify her [Quick Step] to [Flash Step] close to the one I made but it had only range to limit of 10 meter.
§ § §
A Year had passed.
At the afternoon, deep inside the woods.
“Don’t stand there… keep your distance, Austine!”
Three [Mud ball] flying towards the target and had been sliced and dodge.
“Zyn! Don’t just aim… Predict your enemy’s movement one second further!”
The opponent sent a [Water Whip] towards Zyneste and used [Quick Step] to knockout Austine with the hilt of the sword, and Two of them are down to the ground.
“A~cha… looks like your long way to—“
“Your back is unguarded, Master.”
“O~ho… getting cocky aren’t we—“
The opponent suddenly appears behind Esther and began to attack from behind. But the attack has failed to land a hit and was quickly countered the opponent by throwing towards the tree.
Zenlocke, took the role as an opponent, blocked Austine’s quick attack and dodged Zyneste’s [Mud ball]. But unable to defeat Esther with his surprised attack and now began their one on one match.
The two defeated students now watch their master have an all-out close battle as they recover from their previous battle, Zyneste had her healing magic heal the bruises and scratch that they’ve acquire from the training and now continue to watch the match between the Master and Student.
After a minute has passed, Zenlocke end up defeated while unable to inflict a single damage to Esther.
“Good fight, Dear Brother.”
“Thanks…”
Zyneste hand over a clean towel to Zenlocke who’s lying on the ground dead tired, and Austine began to tidy up and collects the equipment on the ground.
“Everyone improved a lot over the year… especially Austine, who catch up to Zen and Zyn faster than any other ordinary kids.”
“Thank to Zen and Zyn’s Guidance. It really helped me a lot.”
“Austine, don’t be modest about it… you really worked hard studying all by yourself for the past month.”
“Alright… because I had something important to do, we had to dismiss early.”
Esther took off and left us to relax for the rest of the day. I was also about to leave for my usual spot but was insisted to come along with Austine and Zyneste to retrieve something she had requested to be made.
As she requested, I escorted them towards the village and also greeted a few people along the way. It seems that she had requested something from Ms. Ada and it had to be sealed inside a small box, a box not too big and not quite small perfect enough to fit an accessory inside it.
Maybe a souvenir for the people she knew back where she was born or a place where she grew up till now. Well, it’s not any of my concern.
The rest of the day, we had numerous people we’ve knew continuous to greets us and started initiating a conversation of their own convenient, although it was that troubling after seeing that this two really do get along with everyone here.
Finally we’ve arrive back home just to be greeted with a surprised.
“Happy 5th Birthday, Zen and Zyn!” “Happy Birthday you two.”
Everyone began to greet us along with an applause that sounds throughout the room Esther and Austine were also among those groups that was applauding. It seems that it was planned and orchestrated by Austine the reason why we were being prevented to go home early, is to prepare the house for the event.
Although I had a suspicious of why there so many people keeps greeting us as we pass each residence.
From my past life, I wasn’t particularly excited of my birthday party by only greeting people who work for us, executives, acquaintance and other people who knew of our father. A complete boring party filled with dulled atmosphere and your job is to entertain each and every guest you’ve meet.
But today is different I’m not living on with a past life of mine but as Zenlocke Rudlith of this new home of mine. I couldn’t even express how happy I am to have such a warmth love that I been given.
“Mother, Father, Sheila, Sybil… Esther-sensei and Austine. We’re grateful to you for giving us your warmth love up till now, please continue to look after us for the next.”
“Thank you for giving birth to us, Mom, Dad.”
Lynessa was smiling wryly and Syth were grinning beside her, Sheila set the plates at the table with her usual expression and Sybil was shedding tears behind to us. Esther and Austine were at the right side of us showing a prideful smile that shows their surprise party was a success.
From Lynessa, I was given a Grey and Black Striped Scarf and a Sturdy Finger-less Gloves from Syth. They both gave a book called [Book of Elementalist] to Lyneste, who was fond of elemental magics.
The gloves had an emblem engraved on the metal piece and hold some kind of meaning inside of it. Although, the person who gave the gift wouldn’t fess up what’s sort of meaning to it.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Sheila gave us a Special-made Long Strip Ribbon to us, mine was Purple and Zyneste were Ice Blue. Zyneste insisted to do a matching style by using it to tie our hair together and it was surprisingly it looks good on us. –Perhaps it’s because we’re twin?
Sybil had also requested a Magic Item for us. Mine was a Magic Item called [Ring of Regeneration], a tool that would heal the user slowly while it was equip. Zyneste were a Magic Item called [Druid’s Bracelet], it amplify the user’s healing ability and would heal faster by 4-times.
Lastly was Esther and Austine’s turn. Mine was a Magic Item as well, it was called [Silent Shadow Pendant], greatly nullifies the user’s noise movement. Zyneste too received a Magic Item, a [Ice Empress’s Hairpin], amplify the user’s Water-Element Magic.
After having received their gift, Esther clarified to us that both of them were a Magic Item mixed with the other ordinary accessories, it was a cheap bargain they paid for it.
Our Birthday party was a big success and honestly, I was the one who had fun most.
§ § §
The next day, Esther and Austine had left the house only leaving a two letter for us.
The first letter was from Esther.
[Dear Zenlocke and Zyneste,
You might know by now that we are no longer here and had left to somewhere. It was saddening that we had to leave you two without saying goodbye, although I’m not around anymore I want you two to keep on training to improve of what you had learn.
The night after you had went to sleep, I had received a message from our relative and they wanted us to return immediately to deal a complicated problem on our hand.
I would also try to recommend you from an acquaintance of mine at the Thidolom Academy, to invite the two of you as their [Special Student] of their school. If your patient enough to wait, maybe after two or three years from now, you would might receive an invitation to their school as a [Special Student]. There, you would meet more stronger and powerful people that might meet.
Although I don't have a complete confidence in getting you both as a [Special Student], but at least you might get invited by them to have you to attend in their school. It be tough at first but knowing you two in such a short time gave me confidence that you would either invited as a [Special Student] or as a regular student.
I’m sorry that I couldn’t teach you more, but if you two still train yourself even without my guidance I know the two of you would surpass my expectation. If not, then I just had overestimated your ability. Even so, knowing that you two still train yourself harder I would be proud of what you would achieve on the future.
Please Take care of yourself,
Esther Tryns.]
The second letter was from Austine.
[Dear Zen and Zyn,
I’m sorry that we had to leave soon without saying goodbye, I’m sorry that we could stay very long together. And thank you, thank you for your kindness that you had given me.
I would be leaving with Sis, to return home. Although I don’t know when we would be arriving back or how long would it take for us to meet, but I promise that I would not neglect of what I’ve learn and what you had taught me.
Sis had said that we might meet again soon, as a student of the Thidolom Academy, that’s why I would work hard at my magic and swordsmanship like Zen.
Zyn, I won’t lose to you. I would work hard to reach your level so we could equally compete fairly. Even though you’re more powerful than me and I loss to you on every different level, I wouldn’t give up.
Zen, I would miss you. I couldn’t express how grateful I am towards you, I who was far different level from you still extend his hand in show of kindness and help me correct of my mistakes. I am in debt to you so much.
Yours truly,
Austine.]
Esther’s Letter was filled with Anxiety and Regret, while Austine’s Letter was filled with declaration and gratitude.
I could understand why Esther would fill anxious of what would happen to her students and regret that she couldn’t teach more. But why did Austine sound that she’s declaring something to Zyneste, I know that she was grateful and everything I had taught her was also showed her by Zyneste.
“Neh… What did Austine declare to you?”
“Eh? Ah… Who knows…”
Suspicious…
“Well, if she did declare something to me… it’s a girl secret.”
Zyneste had a feign innocence while she gave her replies.
§ § §
<
“Are you sure, that you don’t want to stay?”
“Yes… I don’t want to be a person who depends on someone’s kindness. I want to be a person who could be looked up to.”
“I-I see… you really had grown, Austine.”
“I still had a long way to go.”
Esther gave a bitterly smile.
Far from Lorri Village, where they had stayed at over the years, travelling back to their home town.
Holding on her hand, was a Crystal-like Pendant that was given by Zenlocke and Zyneste a few months before on her birthday.
It had a precise sculpture of the three of them carve, it wouldn’t break, cut, crush nor scratch from any sorts of accident befall to it for it had been crystallized by Zyneste.
Even though it was made from earth, it was magnificently crafted into a crystallized form with a feeling of the makers of the pendant that she wears. The chain around her neck was also handmade by Zenlocke through the use of magic and it was made to never break nor separate, to show how strong their bonds are.
Surely, a wonderful gift that she had received.
Even if she closed her eyes for a moment, she could still remember them making it in front of her. Creating a mud ball from earth, precisely carve their faces into it, Hardening and crystallizing. She could imagine how her face looks like back then.
“Hmm… I could wait to get stronger!”
Just you wait, when we meet again… I would be stronger than before!
§ § §
A week later, back at the Rudlith House.
They’ve receive an Item that claimed to be their graduation gift from Esther, a note was also had been given to them saying [I forgot and brought along with me your graduation gift.].
A Custom-made Sword for Zenlocke and a Magical Bracelet for Zyneste.
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