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09 – Mission

Kain’s POV

Early February, 4029. Barracks near Cohen Mansion

Yesterday, I was told that I’ll be sparring against footsoldiers to put my knowledge into practice. 17 years old soldier from Howe village, which was located few kilometers away from Cohen Mansion, was called to spar against me. I can’t recall his name but he was foot-soldier who has shown exceptional feats during his past few years of service in army and most probably in few years was going to be promoted to lead a squad.

There was circular arena at backside of barracks enclosed by tall poplar tree that rose more than 30 meters long. Most of platoon was there to see how I was going to perform. They had selected foot-soldier because I was not able to draw out mana yet to perform sword tactics.

My opponent was standing opposite to me at other side of arena. He was holding large sword in his hands. At 175-180 cms tall, and physically in much more better condition, if I went to fight him head on with sword, I would bitterly lose. He was grinning, thinking of easy defeat. He entered arena. Fight would begin if I joined in too. I took out my katana, put it on ground and entered arena without any weapons on me. Surprised eyes were gazing at me. Leo wanted to interfere but Destrian didn’t allow him to enter the circle.

Light body armor from waist up to shoulders was covering contestant’s upper body. Small sized ropes were used to bind front and rear parts of armor together up from shoulder and sides. “I could grab from those parts of vest” went through my mind.

Competitor’s eyes were filled with rage, after he saw me dropping off my katana. Most probably he thought as member of Destrian’s platoon I was underestimating him even though I was a kid and small in size.

I walked slowly to center to agitate him more. Emotions would always get your brain to do stupid stuff and right now I wanted him to make a mistake.

Everything happened in less than 5 seconds. He strived forward slashing his massive sword at me. Without losing any second, I made two fast steps and got into position under his arms and sword that he slashed already had passed me. Difference between us was around 55-60 cms so I couldn’t grab his shoulder instead I went for ropes binding his protective vest. ‘Okuri ashi barai’ was name of judo foot technique to throw the opponent that I was going to use. Although because of height difference, I was going to modify it a bit according to situation which I was in.

As he detected me close to his body, he tried to retreate when with my left hand I grabbed rope bind his vest from right bottom side, and with my right hand grabbed rope binding his vest from upper left side of his body. Without losing momentum, using my left leg I pushed his right leg towards left and he felt down losing grip from his sword.

As soon as he was on ground, I used palm of my right hand and hit his nose from right to left as strong as possible. Cracking noise was heard, and blood came out of his nose. I did let go of him and swiftly moved back. Destrian had a sinister grin on his face, while Leo and Jon were shocked.

“Enough” shouted Destrian after he saw young soldier standing to attack again. “You were lucky, Kain” Destrian spoke looking at me, “I created my own luck” I replied. Everyone laughed even soldier who was bleeding.

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Kyle’s POV

Early February, 4029.  Monarch Academy Male Dorms. Prince Karan Iltsin’s room.

Sitting on armchair I was looking at Karan Iltsin talking to rest of guests. “Is he really fit to be the next king?”, “Will he choose his own path or be under House of Forbes’s influence?”.

“Throne is cursed” grandfather Riley had told me many times. “Why?” I had asked him as much. “You shall know when you are ready” was what he had replied to me each and every time.

It does not matter to me whether Karan is going to be a successful king or puppet of his mother’s family. All I care about is my own family. We have ruled this lands for more than millennium, and I have to be ready to shoulder responsibilities when my time to rule comes.

[-]: Lost in thoughts?

[Kyle]: Cyrus! I was thinking of ways to evade tomorrow’s history class…

[Cyrus]: Was that the reason why you were looking at Karan so deeply? Is he some kind of demigod that inspires people such as you in creative endeavors?

[Kyle]: I don’t follow your logic…

[Cyrus]: Kyle, you should be looking at me instead of him.

[Kyle]: Big ambitions?

[Cyrus]: Now, it may seem so, but in 10 years it will become reality.

[Kyle]: You need to be careful, Cyrus!

Patting on my shoulder, Cyrus left for good. He is dangerous, especially ambitions of his. Jumping from one danger to another, I saw Karan walking towards me. “Come on Kyle, we are doing puzzles and you are no help at all” he spoke smiling. “Yeah, coming!”

Riley Cohen’s POV. Mid February, 4029. Cohen Mansion

“What do you think?” I asked looking at Destrian. “My Lord, he still can not understand how to draw out mana and he is a kid with no real life experience.” Destrian answered. “He did a great job though, beating that foot-soldier.” I continued “I clearly remember your first fight, back when you were 16, Destrian”. “Lord, what he did was not chivalrous.” Destrian murmured. “Knowing his own limits, calculating possible options, angering opponent and winning the fight…” I halted for a moment then “Kid did create his own luck”. “You are free to go Destrian!” I commanded.

I was sick and tired of sitting in library for most of time reading reports regarding economic, political and social problems from territories of our own house and of kingdom. Analyzing them I had to come up with decisions that could affect everyday lives of millions. I sat for hours without moving at all which affected my metabolism; I was getting fat and unhealthy.

Standing up, I used my handstick to walk. My right leg was so numb that, I didn’t feel it all. Slowly I walked out of library and walked to my bedroom. Metal containter filled with clean water was near mirror where I advanced as soon as entering the bedroom. Using my left hand, I washed my face and look at mirror.

“Even in my own mansion…I can not talk” was going through my head. “Even walls have ears that work for them”…”But it shall change, I will change it”…”Kyle is smart, I hope he does not stray from right path in Astoria”…”I will make sure Kain is ready to aid him”.

P.S: Share you thoughts on story.. I would like to hear your expectations!  What you want to read more? Fights? Wars? Family feud?

Next: 10 - Tears