Kanashi and Julius sparred together for around six hours in total. By the end it was nothing more than Julius beating Kanashi to bloody hell with his wooden sword. No matter how many times he was knocked down, Kanashi got up and tried again. He was filled with an unprecedented amount of determination that seemed to grow every time he got smacked down. It seemed the only way to keep him down permanently was to kill him, even if his legs and arms were broken he’d slither across the ground like a snake and bite you.
Kanashi himself was surprised at his own determination. Normally in his old life he’d tap out the first time he got hurt or something bad happened especially in school activities. He’s not getting paid to play so why keep playing after he scraped his knee or fell on his head.
Maybe it was that kind of thinking that got him into the depressive plateau he was stuck in before. Unable to decide on his next goal in life, unable to choose what his final destination was. He would often sit up at night wanting to cry that he couldn't be isekaid into another world. One where magic was real and he’d be a great hero who conquered the universe as a space marine or as a harem having a grand wizard like all the fellow virgin losers who got saved by some divine miracle in the stories he read. But that day never happened, instead his entire life was destroyed by some unprecedented event. A natural disaster caused by a long dead man.
In the end one of his wishes had come true at least. Magic was in fact a real thing but he wasn't some high potential demigod. Hell he wasn't even particularly strong in the first place. Physically he’s
stronger than before but any trained professional fighter could kick his ass no problem. That’s even if he used the three basic magic skills to aid him. He was still himself and that was fine, the only thing that mattered was becoming strong enough to…. To do what?
What am I fighting for? Why do I keep getting up? What’s the point in any of this? I’m supposed to go to Edoland to set up [Way Points] for Jin and then….? Retire? I wish, I'll keep fighting until this conflict is over and then beyond it. That’s why I’m getting up. I’m fighting to survive. There’s no greater meaning than that.
“Are you done yet?” Julius asked smacking Kanashi to the floor another time.
Kanashi felt his eyes swell with blood. Tears of pain dripped out from both his eyes. He was covered in dirt and blood, his entire body felt like it was on fire yet he wanted to keep going. He needed to, if he gave in now he’d just prove Julius right. He’d prove he wasn't made for this world. No, that didn't matter, who cared what Julius thought. If he failed now he wouldn't be able to live with himself. He’d jump straight off the tower's biodome to his death if he gave up now. If he can’t live his best life doing this, what's the point in living at all? There isn’t one. This is what I want to do. What I’ve wanted to do my whole life. To matter, do something important. I can’t let this slip away from me.
“I think I’m ready for another one.” Kanashi said with a swollen smile and standing up.
Julius sighed and dropped his wooden sword, “I give, you win.”
“No, I don't accept that I want to keep going!” Kanashi begged, he truly looked pathetic and almost like a masochist. “I don't want to win! I want to get stronger, I want you to beat me more until I become stronger!” Okay maybe that was a bit too much but still! Understand me! You have to feel my passion don't you? I want to be strong enough to have people rely on me. I want to be strong enough to do what I want!
“I’m not gonna beat the hell out of you anymore. It's clear that you made up your mind and only an idiot could think that after all this you’d change it from another beating. You’ve made your decision clear and the only way to stop you from pushing forwards is probably killing you. So I’ll just let you die by someone else's hands.” Julius said, sitting down on one of the nearby wooden benches.
“Wow, that's kinda depressing.” Kanashi replied with a swollen frown, “I thought after all this you’d think I would be able to take a beating or two.”
“If I wanted to kill you I would have the first time. Someone who wants to kill you wouldn't stop when you hit the ground. They’d keep going until you or they were dead.”
I guess that's true, He didn't even use Gaius, just a wooden sword and I couldn't do anything. Did I really prove anything at all by being so stubborn? No, if I made him draw his real sword maybe that would mean I proved myself. But if I give up now, getting the hell beat out of me for the past six hours would mean nothing. "I won't die, I've got something to prove still."
"What could be worth proving if failure means death?"
"To prove myself to you and make you accept me as a member of the Venator Society." A short term goal, yeah that’s what I need to start with. Kanashi thought while spraying the grime off of him with water magic.
Julius was taken aback, not in a pleasant way but in a disgusted one. He was disgusted in his own inability to change Kanashis mind. I guess my job now is to make sure this fool doesn't die… but I think it wouldn't be too bad if he got hurt. Just maybe… "Alright then, tomorrow at five in the morning we'll meet here again and I'll teach you how to use a sword."
"I know how to use a sword though, don't you just mean refine?"
"No you don't know how to use a sword. You're using a sword like someone in a comic or movie would. For starters you swing with your arms not your hips and with a katana it's all about the flick of your wrist. That's where the power comes from. You're swinging it like you would a baseball bat, if you actually used your katana right you'd have been able to slice through my wooden sword."
Kanashis jaw dropped and his brow furrowed. His heart was broken, "I knew I did bad but I didn't think it was that bad."
"If I told you were the worst I've ever seen, would that stop you from showing up tomorrow?"
"No, I'd want to prove you wrong..."
Julius smiled softly even though he tried not to, Kanashi reminded him a lot of himself when was a very young child. But the cause of their passion was different and Julius still hoped to stop Kanashi before it was too late.
"All right, I'll see you tomorrow then." Julius said getting up and walking away with his back turned to Kanashi. As he walked away he raised his hand as if to wave a Farewell and then disappeared into the distance.
After Julius was out of sight Kanashi frowned the most sour of frowns and his brow narrowed into a glare. That bastard Jin! What the hell!? Did he purposely not tell me that I'm using Itachi wrong!? No, he may have a bad sense of humor but he wouldn't humiliate me on purpose right? He must really be clueless on how to use a sword himself. In fact, come to think of it, he never used or carried a weapon…
Though unbeknownst to Kanashi, Jin had almost never used a weapon before. There was no point in him doing so. Weapons are meant to amplify your power but he was already strong enough to do whatever he needed to with just his bare hands. Hell if he used Itachis mana emission he could probably cleave an entire mountain range in half without issue. However if the occasion arrived his blessing of [Authority Over Weapons] makes him naturally adept at using every single kind of weapon. But to him it's the same as being able to flex or move his legs. How would you explain that to somebody who doesn't know how to? This is the reason why he and El-Saber entrusted the swordsman training to Julius.
# # #
Kanashi sat waiting outside the same area as the days before. The sun had yet to rise and it was surprisingly chilly. It wasn’t cold enough for it to snow sadly but still cold nonetheless. He was wearing a jacket he’d custom ordered one that he decided to splurge a bit and bought something a bit more expensive. It was made of a heat absorbent material that was also very light weight and even able had the Number seventeen encrypted on the front like most of his shirts did. Of course the jacket was all black as well.
Some people might argue he didn't deserve to get paid as much as he did for what seemed like no reason. Thought to Kanashi getting his ass kicked for weeks was a fair pay off in his opinion. Maybe I actually deserve to get paid more… Anyways he thought about asking Jin how he could apply some kind of anti weathering enchantment to it with magic but Jin had left for a top secret mission and wouldn't be back for a few days.
He said he doesn't go on missions unless directed to by El-Saber so I wonder what this mission had to be? Something cool probably, I know the Venator Society has branches in other countries so I wonder if he went to take on one of their missions?
“I’m impressed, I thought I’d be the one to show up early.” Julius said, walking up to Kanashi from behind.
“Yeah I couldn't sleep too much, not that different from the regular though.” Kanashi replied, turning around with a weak smile.
“Well I don't have advice for that but I do have some for your swordsmanship.” Julius was rather proud of that segway and thought it was pretty smooth which Kanashi had to admit it was. Though they both thought these things internally of course.
“Yeah, after yesterday I thought about what you said and wanted to know why Jin hadn’t taught me better but then I realized he never uses a weapon so what's up with that?”
“Jinen doesn't need to use a weapon, he's more of a mage type. But you don't really know about that so I guess I should start today's lesson by explaining the classes people tend to fall into here in the Venator Society.”
>Mage : Focuses on long range magic.
>Swordsman : Mainly focuses on close range combat.
>Healer : In charge of healing those wounded in combat.
>Assassin: Quick, Quiet and Lethal.
>Support : Casts magic that empowers team members or handicaps opponents.
>Paladin : Capable of using close range combat and long range magic.
“Huh sounds like something stolen from a video game, but it seems like Paladin would be the best of those options.” Kanashi said, puckering his lips in thought.
“Well not always, most Paladins aren’t actually too skilled in either close combat or magic. If they fight a Mage or Swordsman they’d get defeated easily, they’re more a support type who can switch in for the wounded.”
“So is Jin a paladin then? Since he can use both close and ranged attacks?” Kanashi asked.
“No, Jinen's well… He’s an anomaly and can fill any category so it’s not fair to classify him. For a better example think of Hayai who's an Assassin class. Pompeii is Support, Cao-Li a healer and so on and so forth. But these aren't set in stone or even real categories, just something to give people a basic idea.”
“No, I get it. It really helps paint a better picture… Can there be other mixtures though? Like a Healer who’s also an Assassin?”
“I don't see why not, how ever it would be challenging to pull since those are pretty different jobs.”
“Hmmm, Well that makes sense… I guess you wouldn't be skilled in either of those nor be able to split your stats up evenly just like a paladin does.”
“Paladins are probably the strongest when fully realized, the weakness to a Swordsman is long range attacks and Mages are weak to close range. If you have somebody who can counter both of those you have a good shot at beating anything.” Julius said, nodding his head.
“Was there any reason in particular for those classes being made up besides just giving a general idea to someone?”
“In the past when Dungeons were much more common those titles among a few others were what Dungeon Junkies used to promote themselves to a team or guild and it just stuck. But anyways let’s get down to the main business here.”
“Ah, yeah of course!” Kanashi said standing up straight. Dungeons! If magic is real they must also exist as well!
“Well that aside last night I tried to do some digging on your sword [Itachi]. I didn't find much except a very old brief study performed by an old Gamma Captain. From what he wrote your katana is an [Anima] much like my Gaius.”
“Anime?” Kanashi asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No, A-Ni-Ma, it’s an old form of magic that most people don't know how to replicate or use anymore but essentially you take a part of your soul and transform it into a weapon. These weapons are very powerful because of how they’re made and what they are made out of. However, that’s only to the person who made them.”
“So I can’t use its full potential?”
“No, not unless you’re able to “contact” it’s inner mind but I don't think you’d be able to since it’s been unused for the past 1200 years or so.”
“1200 years?!” Kanashi yelled out with his jaw dropped once again.
“Yeah, Anima are rather strong, they're Supra grade after all.”
“Supra?”
“We can talk about that later, I don't wanna give too much exposition right now. So taking into consideration that you can only use about 60% of Itachi's full power we’ll have to focus on teaching you how to use your sword properly first. That way you can at least utilize 60% of its power and then once you’re comfortable with that we’ll go from there.”
“Alright!” Kanashi said excitedly.
# # #
“I think that’s enough for today then.” Julius said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Beh.” Kanashi groaned in agreement, he felt like shit and didn't look much better then shit. Julius certainly had not taken it easy today and gave him the full work out. He had a black eye, swollen lip and broken nose.
Of course this was nothing that couldn't be fixed by Jinen or Cao-Li, the latter of whom had been called to attend to any injuries after the day's training was over.
“He really got you this time didn’t he?” Cao-Li asked with a wide smile and squinted eyes while healing Kanashis face. He was using some sort of spell that involved him rubbing Kanashi injuries with two fingers and though awkward it worked really well. After only a few minutes Kanashis face was back to its normal state.
Julius on the other hand was pretty much unfazed besides a few scratches on his clothing and some broken wood swords which he was greatly impressed by.
In only a few hours Kanashi had figured out how to get around the sword's reinforcement and began to break them apart one by one. Of course they were still just wooden swords but it was nonetheless a great feat for someone who didn't know how to properly use his own sword that same morning. He learned rather quickly when the topic interested him but that trade off was it wasn't interested in something it was quite literally impossible for him to learn it. In one ear and out the other.
So far from what Kanashi had gathered there are four main styles of swordsmanship that people use. The Phoenician family were the creators of the [Crescent Moon] Style. It’s the most prim and proper of all styles but that doesn't mean it’s in any way restrictive or limited. If someone had a choice they’d probably choose the Crescent Moon just because of how multi functional it is. The style is most well known for and named after its trademark move, the [Crescent Moon.] When somebody swings at the user they use their own blade to guide it down in the shape of a crescent moon before cleaving their opponent in half at the side. The issue with his style is that the Phoenicia family basically has it trademarked. There were already very few people who could teach it and after the Phoenicia family was wiped out it was on the verge of becoming extinct. But Julius is helping prevent this by teaching those in the Delta department the [Crescent Moon] style so it could live on and help swordsmen for generations to come.
Next is the [Wolf Fang] style, it’s mainly offensive. Overwhelm your opponent with brute force until they cant fight back anymore. This is the most common of the four and it's said those who are high ranking can cut you without their blade even making contact.
Third is the [Dragon Slayer] style, The legend goes that the founder created the style while battling a dragon hence its name. This is the opposite of the Wolf Fang, mostly blocking and parrying attacks until you can find an opening that can ensure pure victory. Sorta like fighting a dragon. You want to block all its elemental attacks, bites, scratches and tail whips and then when you see its soft belly you cut it open in one swing. This was probably Kanashis favorite just because of the name.
Last but not least… well probably least since it’s viewed as “dirty” is the [Demon King] style. It’s a lot like the Wolf Fang style but incorporates underhanded moves and dirty tricks. Things like pocket sand, poison, ambushes, Ect.
These four styles are the most well known and revered among swordsmen but there are plenty more out there to be learned and or developed. But even if you study under a sword style you’ll eventually form your own personal style made specifically by you for you. Most will still call it by its original name but there will be many personal tweaks and tricks on their part that the original doesn't have. For example if one form is supposed to be done with your right hand but the person performing the action is left handed they’ll naturally use their left hand because that makes the most sense to them. And then bam just like that they’ve created their own style! Okay not that easily but you get the gist. As mentioned before the Demon King style is much like the [Wolf Fang] style and that's because it's thought to be a derivative of the [Wolf Fang] style better suited to guerrilla style fighting and assassins. It only became its own style because of how derivative it is and the countries who used the [Wolf Fang] style didn't want the [Demon King] style to be associated with it or them.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
The official styles have a ranking system as well which is based on one's adeptness at said style. You start off as a Rookie Of course then you become Intermediate, Advanced, Master, Captain, Saint and finally God. Julius was considered a Saint in all four of these styles but should be considered a God rank of the Crescent Moon Style. When Kanashi asked why he wasn't , he said that you have to beat the current God of that style and the [Crescent Moon] style God wasn't someone who can be challenged very easily.
Kanashi at the moment would be considered a rookie in all of these but he instead decided to create his own style instead. [Kyoyu Style] spelled [狡鼬] or “Sneaky Weasel” Since nobody else was a member of the style he was technically the Styles God rank but it’s not like that meant much. He’d also created a few forms already too but that’s for another time. Here’s how his style came about.
# # #
“Hey Julius?” Kanashi asked.
“What can I do for you?”
“Which style do you think fits me best? I’d prefer to stick to one style and get good at that instead of trying to branch out and end up bad at all of them.”
“Hmmm.” Julius put his thumb to his chin in thought, “Well that’s hard to say. I know it’s for sure not the Crescent Moon, you're far too clumsy. Wolf Fang is a decent pick but you hesitate a lot and try not to hurt your opponent so that’s a no go as well. If you actually were in a serious fight, Dragon Slayer is a good pick but you’re not good at blocking or dodging which is the whole point of that style so not that one. I guess Demon King since you’re cowardly?”
“Wow, way to ruin my upbeat mood.” Kanashi said with a frown. Though it was true that Kanashi would be perceived as cowardly by other swordsmen. But to Kanashi things like Magic and pocket sand were a legitimate strategy in a fight for your life especially if you're going up against someone stronger than you which he most definitely was. Who cares about honor when your life's on the line?
“But I think even that’s too far out for you. I’d personally say try to take some bits and pieces of each style and include them into your already present moves. That way you can fight to the best of your ability with both.” Julius said, patting Kanashi on the shoulder.
“So Kyoyu style it is.” Kanashi muttered, clapping his hands in prayer.
“I wouldn't give it a name yet…” Julius grimaced. “But yeah that’s the best course of action for you.”
# # #
Today was the big day, Kanashi and Julius both were at the edge of Historia ready to walk off into the sunset and start their new life of passionate love! Nah, just joking they were going on a mission to a far away town that they had no reliable road of direct transportation to. They could probably take a horse or something but Julius said it’d be better if Kanashi and him were to walk there as a part of training.
They set off expecting it to take a total of four days to arrive, two days to fight and then one day back home. Jin before leaving for his secret mission had given Kanashi a [Way Point] marker to place in Albur for future use. They could also use it to teleport back when the mission was over with. And so they began their journey forwards to the town of Albur!
They hiked over mountains, through streams and a forest. However, by six hours in Kanashi was exhausted. He'd worked up some pretty good stamina from training with Jin but running down a nicely paved road was very different from hiking a few large and steep hills.
“Can we take a break please!” Kanashi cried out between gasps of air. At first he tried to hide his signs of fatigue but by this point he’d lost all sense of what little honor he had.
“Just a little bit further until we can make a quick camp. If we stop here we might get attacked by Megalania or other animals.” Julius argued, pulling Kanashi along.
The pair continued for another four hours until arriving at a small cliff which looked out over their next day's path and the forest below. They were making pretty good speed actually even if Kanashi was causing them to lag behind a bit.
“So what’re we gonna eat?” Kanashi asked, starting a small campfire with his finger.
“We’re gonna go hunt something.”
“Hahaha.” Kanashi laughed but Julius didn’t join in. “For real?”
“It’s the best way to do things. Eat what’s around you so you don't need to bring around a bunch of extra weight.”
“The sun is already setting though…”
“That’s fine. The larger predators will come out now and we can kill them.”
“What’re you thinking of eating?”
“In this area there’s Megalinia but I’d suggest against that because the meat doesn't taste great and from what I’ve heard it spoils quickly. Also they’re cold blooded so it’d be hard to find them but if we do it’d be an easy kill. The other big predators are trident pigs.”
“Oh, those are the ones with the horn from their forehead right?”
“Yeah, two from their lower jaw and one from their forehead. That’s what I’m hoping we can eat.”
With it decided the pair quickly finished setting up their camp. Julius had brought some sleeping bags and a tarp but Kanashi wasn't a fan of bugs crawling around on him so he quickly made a crude structure out of dirt. It wasn't great and looked like a strong gust of wind could blow it over but it was better than nothing.
“Stick close to me.” Julius said, waving Kanashi into the woods. The woods were pretty quiet and that fact made Kanashi nervous. There were the sounds of birds calling and crickets chirping so it wasn't as quiet as a horror movie scene but to a city boy like Kanashi it was more than enough to cause some unease. Add the Giant Lizards and Three horned pigs and you've got 3x the fear factor.
“I think a torch would be useful…” Kanashi groaned, stumbling over tree roots.
“I told you already that it would scare them off because they have sensitive eyes.”
“Then how are we supposed to find them?”
“Through experience.”
“But I don't have any!”
“That’s why you’re with me-” Julius stopped mid sentence and took a defensive stance. He braced himself and pulled out his broad sword [Corvus] that he’d been carrying on his hip.
“What is it?” Kanashi whispered nervously, preparing to incinerate the entire forest with a blast of fire.
“A pig.” Julius whispered back and pointed into the brush ahead, there was a pig alright and it was huge. The size of a car with three crooked protrusions from its head that looked like a trident.
“Got it.” Kanashi said, stomping his foot on the ground. [Bog!] The ground from his foot to the pig suddenly became thick and soupy like quick sand which pulled the Trident Pig down into the ground. As it screeched Julius descended from above and with a single slash he decapitated it.
“Good work.” Julius said, turning to Kanashi who was spraying [Corvus] clean with water.
“Well how are we gonna get it back now?” I mean look at that thing, It would take a forklift to move it.
“I can handle that part.” Julius said and he nonchalantly, picked up the massive pig throwing it onto his shoulder.
"!?"
Kanashi was in shock and awe. The pig had to weigh at least a thousand pounds maybe 1500 even. They walked back to their small camp and started to roast the pig. They didn’t have any seasoning but that was fine for Kanashi who preferred to taste the meat's natural flavor.
“It’s pretty good actually.” Kanashi groaned with a bloated stomach after eating a full ribs worth. The pig's meat was tender with a salty taste almost like Prime Rib from a cow. “But now we’ve got all this left over…”
“There’s a small town another mile or two down the road. We’ll sell it there and buy supplies for tomorrow..” Julius said, finishing his own meal.
“Oh, I have some money.” Kanashi reached into his pocket to pull out his wallet.
“No that’s not the point, the point is how to survive on your own without money.”
“Oh so like survivor training.”
“Exactly.”
“...”
“...”
They both looked up at the three moons in the sky which each were a different vibrant color. One was Dark green like an avocado. This was Jupiter. Hades was bright orange and the last one Poseidon a light blue.
“Say Julius, do you hate me?” Kanashi suddenly asked.
“No, of course not. You haven't done anything to make me hate you.” Julius responded, still looking up at the moons.
“Yeah well… but you’re always a dick to me.” Kanashi said bluntly, he didn't intend for it to sound rude but that’s how he felt.
“I don't think you should be here, this isn't a place or situation for normal people to be placed in. It’s my job to protect those in need of protection and that includes you. You’re weak, have no experience or confidence and yet they’re putting you into the front lines. I think that’s evil, you should go to school and work a normal job, then grow old with a wife and die surrounded by your grandchildren. You shouldn't die out in a foreign country under someone else's blade.”
“Well it’s not like I’m here for no reason.” Kanashi huffed.
“I understand how you feel about your family and home. Believe me I do, that’s why I think you should live your life. Don't live for revenge, it eats you up inside and takes away all the joy you might ever feel.” Julius said his eyes downturned.
Kanashi had heard from Jin about the Julius family and how they were massacred by that man Bjorn, so this must be from personal experience but still… “It’s not just about revenge, honestly that’s not even something on my mind. To me it’s simple, I’m the one who can do the job the best way so why not do it?”
Julius didn't respond and instead sat on those words in deep thought. “I see.” He said with a sigh, “It doesn't matter what kind of argument I make then does it?” He asked with a smile.
“Nope.” Kanashi yawned.
# # #
The next morning Julius instructed Kanashi on how to build a cart from wood and other natural materials which they could haul the pigs' remains with. Along the way they ran into a few Megalania but those were quickly dealt with by Julius and a wooden sword he brought.
When they reached the next town they sold the pig for only $400 which Kanashi wanted to argue about but Julius said was fine. They stopped at the local drug store and bought some supplies for that day's travel. Canned goods and snacks in case of an emergency along with a tent and other materials. With that they headed out and continued their journey to Albur.
This process repeated, they would slay a beast and then sell it to the next town and buy more supplies. Even if it was short and somewhat pointless in the grand scheme of things, Kanashi found it fun. Sure the killing animals part wasn’t but they only killed what they ate or attacked them.
As they made camp Julius would continue to show off the four main styles to Kanashi. Julius informed him he wouldn't commonly see them because swords were considered obsolete in modern times. If he did however run into a swordsman there was a high chance they’d be using two of the four main styles. Especially in Edoland where guns were illegal to own so Katanas were more common weapons.
The forms Julius made sure Kanashi remembered were as follows.
[Crescent Moon Style: Crescent Moon] the namesake of the style and what most people would argue is its most powerful form. When someone swings their blade at you, you’ll counter with your own and then push their sword down in a clockwise manner and strike their side.
[Crescent Moon Style: Flowing Water Waning Crescent] When someone slashes at you with their blade, use your own to deflect it by swinging upwards in the shape of a crescent and then bring your blade down into their shoulder.
[Crescent Moon Style: Lunar Refraction] A downwards slash to avoid an attack from below.
[Wolf Fang Style: Lupus] The most common form of the Wolf Fang Style which involves quickly charging forwards and bringing your blade downwards at a diagonal angle onto your opponents neck hoping to sever it.
[Wolf Fang Style: Lycaon] A quick draw strike.
[Wolf Fang Style: Dire Claw] The user slices across one's belly making their guts spill outwards.
“What about the other two styles?” Kanashi asked as they sat around the campfire.
“Well, there’s a 99% chance you’ll be fighting fellow Katana users so the [Dragon Slayer Style] isn't something to be too worried about. Katanas aren’t great for defensive movements because of how
thin and lightweight they are. Edoland has an absolute disdain for the [Demon King Style] because of its dishonorable nature so you probably won't run into that one either”
“But if I do run into that 1% chance?”
“Turn around and run the other way, that’s the best advice I can give to you. Even I struggle with fighting people using those two styles.”
Oh wow, okay. Kanashi thought, “When you’re fighting someone using a firearm what would you do?”
“It depends, if I want to kill them then [Wolf Fang Style] but if I want to retreat or disarm them then [Crescent Moon Style]. The [Dragon Slayer Style] is also an option but depending on the range you’d do nothing but defend until they’re out of ammo and then strike.”
“Have you ever used a gun?”
“Of course, I’m the Captain of the Gamma department which handles Warfare and Combat Strategies. I just overall think that a sword is a better option in my particular line of work. As the Captain I mostly fight powerful magic users. It’s useless to enhance your gun or its bullets because of how much mana you’d need to use so a sword is the best answer.”
“Huh, I like that. Swords are pretty cool and I always wished they still had a purpose so I’m happy to learn that they do.” Kanashi yawned.
“Alright then, let’s go to sleep. Tomorrow we’ll arrive in Albur.” Julius said, putting their fire out with a bottle of water.
“Aye, Aye sir!”
# # #
The final day had arrived and they were outside the town of Albur which had a strange blurry dome like structure around it.
“What’s that?” Kanashi asked.
“A barrier I’m guessing.” Julius said, rubbing his chin in thought.
“Does that mean we can’t go in?”
“No, not necessarily. It’s too big to have any command like that imbued. I’m thinking it’s a sensor type.” Julius answered while inspecting where the barrier met the ground.
“So it says when someone comes in and comes out?”
“Basically, but there could also be other readings for example height, weight, age, silhouette and the most important mana pool / aura control.”
“I see why that’s an issue then…”
“Thankfully the solution is simple, we'll just have to suppress our aura.” Julius said, patting Kanashi on the shoulder. Unless the barrier is multiple smaller ones stitched together it should be pretty easy to bypass. I don't think even Jinen could create a barrier this big with that many commands imbued. The only thing to worry about is Itachi but even if they do sense it’s a cursed sword they’ll just assume we’re travelers since our mana pools are so small.
“Hm?” Kanashi hummed curiously.
“What do you mean ‘Hm?’ Did Jinen not teach you how to suppress aura?”
Kanashi didn't reply and Julius took that as a confirmation, “That guy.” He said with a thumping vein on his forehead. “Well I’m one of the worst people to teach you about magic but I’ll give it a try anyways.” He sighed.
“Alright then master!” Kanashi saluted.
“So there’s a difference between the aura of someone who can use magic and someone who can’t. I’m sure you’ve noticed that difference at some point. It’s like someone's legs and arms being switched. If you know what a human is supposed to look like you’ll be able to tell the difference right away, the same probably applies to this barrier so we need to appear as someone who can’t use magic.”
“Which is where this suppression comes into play?” Kanashi asked confidently.
“Correct, if we suppress our Aura it will also mask our mana pool. That way when we pass through this barrier the caster will see us as normal people and not think anything about it. Watch me suppress my aura and then try to follow suit.” Julius said and then closed his eyes for a moment in deep thought.
“!” Kanashi raised his eyebrow at the sudden drop in Julius’s aura.
“Did you see that?” Julius asked, opening his eyes.
“Yep, Let me give it a try.” Kanashi muttered, closing his eyes as well. He felt his aura swirling around him, but how could he suppress it exactly? When Julius did it his aura suddenly decreased like he’d shut off part of its production. Maybe that’s it? He thought focusing on all the aura nodes and mana circuits inside of his body. One by one he turned them off, focusing intently until he felt… weak, extremely weak like the air itself was heavy.
“Too much!” Julius called out which broke Kanashis concentration.
“Huh?” Kanashi asked, his aura returning to normal.
“You're making it too low. You’re coming off as a feeble old man who's on death's door with that aura. Try to do like 1/16th of that.
“But it was so hard to do it just that much…” Kanashi grumbled, closing his eyes again, he repeated the process but this time he instead slowed down his aura instead of shutting it off.
“That’s better.” Julius said with a smile, It’s still a bit low but not enough to raise any alarms. He thought. “Alright then let’s enter.”
Kanashi opened his eyes and nodded nervously. Suppressing his aura nodes and mana circuits felt like he was flexing every muscle in his body at once. If he made even one wrong movement he’d lose control and return to normal. With that in mind he carefully made his way forward each step being soft and slow.
Julius and Kanashi walked through the barrier which had the same sensation as walking under a waterfall. Just to be safe Kanashi kept his aura suppressed for another few meters until Julius turned around with a nod.
“We’ve left its range so you’re free to stop suppressing your aura. Our next task is to try and find somewhere to stay, just a motel would be fine and something middle class. Not too poor so we don't get the attention of the wrong crowd and nothing too pricey so we don't stick out.”
“Is there a point in staying inside the city as opposed to making a camp outside the barrier? If we stay inside the city there’s a better chance of an ambush right?”
“Well, maybe but I doubt it. As long as we don't start trouble the people we’re here to fight shouldn't either.”
“Got it.” Kanashi said with a thumbs up.
# # #
“Someone tripped my barrier.” Damien called out suddenly, his voice echoed throughout the dark and quiet library.
“What did you catch?” Asked a white robbed man in the Shadows.
“There’s two men who just entered one of them has a cursed blade.”
“His mana pool?”
“Below average but not to the point of raising an eyebrow. The other man seems completely normal barring a sword.”
“The cursed blade man, can you tell me his stats?”
“He’s 5 '8 and 150 lbs, medium length hair and younger than 20 but older than 16.
“The other?”
“5 '11, 180 lbs with long hair and in the age range of about 26.”
“His mana pool?”
“Perfectly average.”
“Hmmm.” The man in the shadows rubbed his chin. “He could just be carrying a cursed blade not knowing its properties but he could also have simply not been able to suppress himself correctly and hence the sword spiked the barrier and the other man… he has a sword too right? I think they’re just simple hunters but we should keep an eye on them.”
“Want me to just kill them now?” A 3rd man asked butting into the conversation rather rudely. This 3rd man had fluffy blonde hair and green eyes.
“No Sebastian, we don't want to cause any more attention than we already have, instead I’ll send Leroy to scope them out.” The man in the shadows said annoyed.
“Ahh.” Sebastian pouted, folding his arms with a dramatic sigh.
“If they are in fact someone we should be cautious about. Our best course of action is holding them off long enough to still perform the [Ritual] on time. Then we can deal with them once Quek is in our graces.” The white robed man said.
“I’ll notify Leroy right away then boss.” Damien nodded, he turned around and started to dial up the library's rotary phone.
“If Leroy fails and combat ensues then you’re permitted to take action Sebastian. Use as much force as deemed necessary but prioritize your preparations first.”
“Yay!” Sebastion screeched, jumping in the air with a fist bump.
The white robed man leaned back in his leather chair and rubbed his long white goatee. “We just need a little more time…” He muttered.
# # #
Their motel room was disgusting. Within the first five minutes Kanashi had found a cockroach the size of his hand inside the fridge. Of course his first reaction was to blast it with fire magic which earned him a smack on the head from Julius. Though Julius wasn't all too pleased himself when a centipede crawled out from his pillow as he fluffed it.
Deciding it was a bust they demanded a refund and headed out to another Motel which was slightly more expensive. The difference in quality was immediately apparent. The hallways were inside the building and clean with not even a single piece of trash in sight.
When they entered the room the first thing Kanashi did was perform a thorough Cockroach search. Julius did his own part in the inspection, beating the pillows raw to make sure there were no friends sleeping inside of them. Thankfully in the end their room was bug free except for a lone cricket which Kanashi fried with a zap of electricity.
“Alright then, this will be our base of operations?” Kanashi asked, flushing the cricket down the toilet.
“For the time being, yes.” Julius said changing into a new pair of clothes more suitable for urban exploration.
Kanashi did the same and changed into his trademark black outfit with the number #17 in white across his chest.
The pair set out of their hotel room and began to snoop around the town doing some window shopping and asking about the best tourist locations. From this they gathered a few things.
1. The cults presence isn't known to the public
2. They are probably in the library
3. Everything here sucks (Kanashis observation)
4. The barrier is in fact around the entire town 24/7 with no visible charge points or breaks
“Alright then, tomorrow we'll raid the library and get this over with.” Julius said as the pair sat in their hotel room after returning.
“Already?” Kanashi asked, “Shouldn’t we give it another day or so in case we missed anything?”
“No, we don't want to waste too much time. They’ve kept themselves hidden pretty well so they’re up to something they don't want people knowing about. It’d be best to stop them before they can do whatever they’re trying to do and risk mass casualties.”
“I didn't think about that… but this is their home turf that they know their way around so I feel like running in this quickly without getting a great feel is dangerous.”
“That shouldn't be something we need to worry about. They probably have generic traps already set up but nothing unique to us yet. If we stay around too long we’ll be spotted and they can then set up unique traps for us specifically. You might not be known but I’m Julius Phoenicia. Someone is bound to recognize me at some point.”
“Well I can't argue with that, if you get compromised there's no way I can save you or even protect myself…”
“We won't raid the library first thing in the morning either, we should attempt it near the end of the day. In the morning we need to set up a plan on how to go about the raid.” Julius said, trying to ease Kanashi anxiety.
“How exactly should we do that?” Kanashi asked.
“Since no one knows who you are, you're going to investigate the library's internal components like the layout and number of people inside. I’ll investigate the surrounding area and look for any potential leads to what they’re plan is specifically.”
“Gotcha, my excuse for poking around will be looking for some rarer books. Is that alright?” Kanashi asked. I’ll look for the most obscure of books that only someone like dad could possibly have owned.
“Sounds good to me.” Julius nodded.