It was early in the morning when Kael awoke the next day, he decided that it was time for some morning workout, preferably with some of his death guards. After a short breakfast in his mansion, he proceeded to the courtyard, wearing lax loose fitting clothing.
Several of the thirty death guards were missing from yesterday, but he did not worry, they were probably somewhere on the property looking for threats, or having a break in their barracks.
Kael stopped in the middle of the courtyard, shading his eyes, he looked at the sky, clear and blue, with a scorching morning sun, barely up in the sky. He then turned his attention to the death guards, they all stood in various places in the courtyard, still as statues.
“Attention! Silent Blade, you and two of your fellow death guards, come with me, I wish to spar. Bring a sword to me, preferably two fingers wide, and four feet long. I want it to be double-edged, and with a rather broad cross guard. See if you can attach a heavy pommel for a low weigh point. When you have something like it, bring it to me, along with some protection gear.” Silent Blade was initially dazed, but his job was to always remain calm, so shortly after, he bowed, and then disappeared.
Kael had to wait for over ten minutes, before Silent Blade appeared again. He bowed his head as he leaned forward, presenting Kael with a steel blade in a fine scabbard. As far as Kael could tell, it was made of cold-steel. A rare type of hard metal alloy, which were mixed with ancient ice-particles. Therefore, it was quite easy to tell that it was cold-steel, there would be blue spots in the steel. One would also notice, that cold-steel had the characteristics of never going hot, the blade had too high a melting point to ever melt. Only a very few special flames could melt cold-steel.
A man could try to heat it again and again, put his sword on fire with a spell, and the sword carrier would still be fine, because the melting point was too damn high. Very few blacksmiths would be able to make such a sword as this. It was worth a kings random, not to mention the beautiful black pearl covering most of the pommel.
Kael stood, admiring the weapon, before deciding to have a look at the blade itself. As he drew it out, it shone bright in the sunlight, it was truly a beauty of a sword. Though a bit long for Kael, he would be able to live with that. The blade was straight, before narrowing towards the tip, not in a straight line, but slightly curing in the edges. The blade had writings on both sides, and shallow patterns ran across the entire length of the blade.
Kael realized that this weapon was actually a magical blade, forged by a master blade smith from outside the continent, and enchanted by a grand enchanter, before ending up in his hands. He wondered how his death guards had got their hands on such a treasure, of this quality. He decided not to use this for practice, it would be to dumb, using such a master blade against his death guards would be using a cleaver to kill a chicken.
As he turned towards Silent Blade, he said, “well done, we should be starting, some other time, I wish to know where you got this sword. I will not go easy on you just because you are my guards, so prepare yourselves.”
Kael got into a leather practice doublet, before heading onto the mansion training ring. His death guards gathered about the practice ring, all were still watching their surroundings, but even still, they were curious about the young lords skill.
He certainly was confident enough.
Kael walked onto the arena, and retrieved a sabre from one of the guards. He then pointed at Silent Blade and two other death guards, who with curiosity walked on to the stage. Kael bowed towards them, without a word, and then went into the stance, Demons Draws Against The Sky. It was a skill, used to disarm opponents weaker than oneself. Where one sped up with maximum amount of power and speed, drawing their sabre, and aiming it at the sides of the opponent's weapon, knocking them out of the opponent's hand.
Silent Blade and the others drew some practice sabres, readying themselves to go for a swift victory, after all, the master said not to hold back. Just as they were about to attack him, and surround him, the arena shook, and Kael shot at them at insane speed.
Silent Blade and every death guard watching, was flabbergasted, as Kael, with the speed of a cannonball slammed into one sword after the other. None of the death guards, had much to respond with. He was too fast, and used too much power in his swings. It was like being smashed into by a cart. The three guards, except for Silent Blade, was sent flying out of the arena, sabres flying in all directions.
As he watched this, Silent Blade drew his second sabre, only he could stand after being hit by the young lord, even still, he was shaken by the force in those sabre swings. He was not confident at all, he felt that this was far from the young masters full strength. His technique was also unfamiliar to Silent Blade, whom could pride himself on being one of the few blade masters on in the region.
The young masters technique seemed to be a combination of speed and power, but there was also something else in it. Yes! Killing intent, something Silent Blade was very familiar with, but Kael’s killing intent was different. It felt as if this was something natural, whom only he could exude, even Silent Blade felt uneasy, not to mention the other death guards who stood not far away, eyes wide.
Kael went into the Devils Lunge stance, and charged forward, stopping his momentum only a few feet away from the flustered Silent Blade, the sword tip shot forward at subsonic speed, only coming to a halt at Silent Blade’s neck. A drop of blood slid along the curve of the sabre, as Silent Blade stood in a daze, along with the rest of the death guards.
This was the person they were supposed to serve and guard? Lord Kael was clearly not some good for nothing noble son, he was a man prepared for anything. Just his skills with the sabre, put them to shame, and that killing intent? How did he acquire something like that at such a young age? Even the death guards, not afraid of dying, were uncomfortable with it, this was something only a person who had slaughtered his way through life, should be able to do. Not some thirteen year old lord.
Kael sighed, withdrawing the sabre, tossing it to a waiting death guard. He then spoke, “I will be frank with you, this was really subpar. I had expected more, but I suppose you have been trained after the best of circumstances available. From here on, I am in charge of your training. I will teach you knowledge about every subject of use to you, stealth, assassination, infiltration, fighting, disguises, tactics and so on. Also, I will increase your body strength, I will create special supplement for you all. You will need a different diet to cope with the massive amount of training you will each do.” He paused, looking expectantly at them.
They were silent, but also surprised, how could a thirteen-year old know this many subjects? Kael continued, “you will also need skills in languages, mathematics, geography and history among some. Do not get me wrong, I want to make you my shade, capable of any task assigned to you. Be it infiltrating the trader's guild, teaching at a noble’s school or even becoming a court bard if you have to.” Kael finished this last line in a regal voice, he wanted them to understand that they would be no mere cannon fodder. Yes, they would only live for him, but they were going to serve him in every useable aspect.
Silent Blade went down on one knee, before speaking, “you defeated me easily, even if you are my master, I would still only follow you because those were my orders. Now however, I have seen that you are far superior to me. Master, i, Silent Blade, will do anything you ask of me, and I will never have another master in this life. Please guide us Master, we are your blades!”
The other death guards joined in, and kneeled down with Silent Blade in respect.
Kael nodded, and so, two days passed in a flash. Kael used these two days, to first learn his men about the fighting styles they would learn. Writing out a set of instructions which were to be followed. The second day, he ordered teachers for every possible subject the men might need. He also had Silent Blade hire members of the merchant guild, to teach them the tricks of commerce, bards to teach them how to entertain, and many other members of society.
He also sent for alchemist to create special supplements for them, to make them immune to poison, enhance their bodily capabilities.
His men were going to be a formidable force, the strongest fighters on the continent as a group, and a deadly threat on their own. Able to be a part of any place in society, be it a beggar or a noble. These hundred men, would be his primary force in the future.
Finally, old Rache came to collect him on the third day. Today was the day he was attending the academy...
Kael wore the same outfit as the first day he met lord Wade, being presentable would give his future teachers a good impression of him. Besides, there would be other nobles there, looking shabby was not an option.
He got into an extravagant coach with old Rache. He felt a bit annoyed at all the splendour, but he decided it would not do to complain. It was not his own coach after all. Surrounding the coach, ten death guards stood watch, armed to the teeth. Each rode on a tall warhorse, armed with a long lance, and a large kite shield in the other arm, and two sabres strapped to the hip. Every one of them wore light plate mail, in black. Only their eyes being visible. On the left side of their horse, was a cavalry crossbow and several bundles of bolts. They actually looked ready for war.
On the driver seat, with the rather nervous driver, sat Silent Blade. He looked quite intimidating, arms crossed. With watchful eyes, whom were roaming back and forth, looking for potential danger.
They started their travel, scaring quite a lot of nobles, as this mighty entourage passed through the noble district. Several nobles wondered who could afford such a rich and grand entourage. Some, however, knew that house Wade had a new guest, and not some nobody at that. A man whom even the lord of the Wade family had to bow down to. Rumours spoke of him as a man, but most of the privileged once, knew it was a young boy. Nobody quite knew who this boy was, though rumours said he was far to tall for a boy his age.
Apparently this boy was named Lord Kael. Many influential figures of the city were preparing gifts, in anticipation of meeting this young man. Though he was only thirteen, he was such a big mystery. Nobody knew of his background, nor which house he belonged to, or if he was even a prince from distant lands. His looks, certainly made him out to be someone like that. Fair to look at, but also terrifying at the same time, like a thorny rose.
Kael however, was not aware this, sitting caught up in his own thoughts. He had been wondering for a while now, why he suddenly recalled some things of his previous home, but not others. It seemed the knowledge kept popping up as he needed them. Until now, he had not managed to remember the reason, but when he sat into the coach, he suddenly recalled what his father had told him. His memory had been locked away, and only bits at a time would be released.
Especially, regaining all his knowledge about training an elite force, was too well-timed. He just had to conclude that his father had great foresight, sequencing the memory unlocking, from here however, he suspected most knowledge he would gain, would be about magic. Hoping that he would be able to explore magic on his own, he hoped he would not remember too much. It would be fun to learn from this place magic on his own. Kael had unlocked some things about magic already, but he decided to not access it. It was an odd feeling, to have knowledge in your head, that you did not know, but chose to not remember. He was pretty sure that this was not something many people could do.
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After passing through the noble district, they drove through the commoner districts, until they came to the scholars square. A large district of the town, where many shops for magi, scholars, alchemists, enchanters and bunch of other professions stayed. People producing engraving kits, parchment, scrolls of different quality also lived here. It was also here that the entrance to the magic academy district was. It was quite special, as the academy had an entire district to itself. However, not just anyone could enter, you had to be either a noble, or one of the magi initiates to enter.
As Kael’s group neared the gates, they swung open by themselves. Kael starred in fascination at the gates. He could sense the flows of mana in the gates, there were artificial mana veins in this iron. Someone had also added a command enchantment, and combined it with an enchantment with an opening and closing functionality rune. Kael was puzzled with why he could spot this, but suddenly it hit him, his pupil. It was a natural mutation, mana veins had somehow grown inside his pupil! He could see magic no matter its form, or how hidden it was, as long as it had mana!
He was amazed by this discovery. Until now, he only knew theory, but now, he could feel that he could control this gate with a thought. Kael was different from other magi, as long as he saw the mana vein, he could control the actions of the mana in that vein, because his eye was directly in contact with his brain. While others had to use spells to know the location of a mana vein, slowly finding the vein, and only touching upon it, after feeling the vein. Kael, on the other hand, did not need to do this. He could transmit the mana vein location to his brain instantly, therefore he did not need to search for it, due to his eye, and so he could control the mana without restrictions.
Kael realized that this was a dreadful ability. Say he made an eye enchanting spell, if he could see mana veins in biological creatures, he could control their mana. Not fully control them, but he could basically control their actions like puppets.
While Kael was processing this information, the coach had followed a brick road with green fields on both sides, filled with woods, small streams and a few lakes. It was an entire ecosystem. The journey eventually led them to a large square. There were plenty of coaches and carriages there, of different sizes and splendour. Many finely dressed people stood about in small groups talking. Behind these people stood youths of different ages, ranging from 11- to 15-year old. Standing at the back, were many men in different colours. Every group of these men were armed, some seemed poorly equipped, many were far to over geared for the situation. Some, on the other hand, looked ready for battle like Kael’s Death guard.
Everyone turned as Kael’s coach stopped. Kael stepped out of the coach, followed by old Rache. Behind him, his Death guard filed in, after dismounting, after all, it would be considered rude to be mounted when your master was walking.
The crowd of nobles started on in interest and mixed admiration. This was a good-looking youth, tall, pale and fair skinned, grey hair tied in a tail at his back. Wearing a fine attire of contrasting black and white colour, with red dragon embroiders on his doublet. At waist, fastened in a black leather belt, sat his new cold-steel longsword. He also carried himself with great dignity, yet comfort. Nearly looking regal, but in a relaxing manner. However, it was his eyes, that caught most people's attention. One of his eyes was coloured a deep green, like an emerald, exuding charm and wisdom. It was the other eye however, that caught the crowd's attention. White as snow, it looked emotionless and cold to the people watching.
Among the nobles gathered, were many opinions on the young man approaching them, but they all agreed that he looked like some fabled prince out of legend. Many who looked at him felt a pang of jealousy, but many rubbed it off after a while. These men and women were born into nobility, they had their own pride.
The younger generation of nobles, were also watching Kael. They were not so restrained however, many of the boys, were silently gnashing their teeth. Such a good-looking guy… They did want to embarrass him, and they would have, had it not been for the many warnings their family had given them. This unknown lad clearly had a very special status. On the other hand, the many young noble ladies, studied Kael with stars in their eyes, if not as intense as the gaze of lord Wade, the collective gazes were more than enough to make Kael’s face close to blushing. He even felt a shiver down his spine.
It was only now that he discovered that he was probably quite handsome. It was either that, or the other option, which he dreaded, that it was his status. Some probably were only interested in his status, he hoped this was not the case with most though, it would be too much of a blow to him.
He and old Rache stopped a few feet from the closest group of nobles. Soon he was swarmed by the surrounding nobles, wanting to introduce themselves with him and old Rache. Kael was very polite, and quite secretive, leaving most of the talking to old Rache. Eventually the younger generation came to introduce themselves to him.
Instantly, Kael noticed two who stood out from the rest. One was a young lady from the house of Rosales. Her name was actually Rose, and she looked quite fitting for her name. At the age of fifteen, she was nearly as tall as him, long, silk like, red hair draped down past her shoulders onto her back. Her body was quite proportionate for her age, a slim waist, firm hips and a rather swelling bosom for a fifteen-year-old. She was incredibly pretty, full red lips, a rather small and pointy nose and pretty green eyes. Her eyelashes were rather long and fluttered as she looked at him in interest. She would be an absolutely kingdom-toppling beauty in the future.
Among the young ladies, there were plenty of pretty flowers, but Rose was definitely the prettiest of the lot. She wore a long draping dress in green and white. Kael was quite taken with this young lady, nearly failing to tear his gaze away, becoming quite embarrassed.
Other than the ladies approaching, some young men also approached him. One stood out among the others, he was taller than Kael, blond haired, and had blue eyes. His face was square with a bold appearance. His body was rather bulky looking, filling out his fine suit, of blue and white. He also carried a military sabre at his hip, which was rather unadorned for a noble of his standing. He was the young lord Archibald of the house Lion.
Archibald was the youngest member of the city lord’s family. He was a proud person, not unlike his brother, but he, on the other hand, was a righteous man. Quite opposite of his brother in that regard, but even he, looked quite jealousy at Kael at this moment, even if he hid it well. He was the first person from the younger generation to greet Kael. Whilst shaking Kael’s hand, he applied a lot of pressure. To his surprise however, Kael did not seem to notice at all, which made him sulk a little. He was famed for his strength among the younger generation.
Archibald did not like that this Kael had appeared on this day, after all, if not for him, he himself would be the centre of attention today. What bothered him even more was that this Kael probably had much higher standing than himself. He also did not like the way Kael looked at him, with that white eye of his, he was quite intimidating. As he thought about all this, the young lady Rose introduced herself next, in a melodious voice.
When Archibald saw the way Rose looked at Kael, he nearly went mad there and then. He had pursued Rose for many years, since they were young, he had always wanted her, but she never responded to his feelings. Now, this thin, pale looking youth, had her interest just like that? It was no wonder he felt anger rising up.
After Rose and Archibald introduced themselves, others did likewise, and they started conversing among themselves. Gossip, stories, and questions to Kael was the main topic. They also wondered about the relationship between Kael and house Wade. Kael entertained them for a while, with vague replies. Also, asking them about themselves and this and that.
The result was that the crowd was no wiser about Kael than when they came to introduce themselves, but many now had a favourable opinion of this well-spoken youth. Eventually many started to withdraw. Then the conversation moved onto the excitement they all felt about the academy.
Many told Kael various things about what awaited them in the academy. Especially the entrance test was well-known among them. They were to learn the fire bolt spell, and hit a target. The size and power of the fire bolt would give them scores, and also the cast time, time to learn the spell and the precision of the spell would be judged.
After chatting with the people present for thirty minutes a bunch of old men approached the gather people. They looked healthy, yet old, eyes filled with wisdom. They wore what appeared to be scholar robes. The tallest of the men walked forward greeting them, “Welcome, lords and ladies, to the academy of magic in Fallgara. We look forward to seeing the potential of you young people, but also chat some with you older graduates. We know many of you from your years at the academy already.” he paused for a moment, before looking directly at Kael and old Rache, with a rather puzzled expression.
Suddenly his face lit up. The old man beside that youth, he looked very familiar to him. He thought he might have seen this old man at the academy when he was just a novice. He could not be sure though. The old man walked straight up to Kael and old Rache, surprising the crowd of nobles, as well as the other magi.
“Greetings sir, might I know your name? I seemed to have seen you at the academy many years ago, accompanying the previous headmaster for a walk. Pardon my bluntness, but what rank of magi are you?.” He smiled at old Rache, ignoring everyone else present.
Old Rache smiled, before answering, “Not bad memory, I remember seeing you back then. It seems to be over two hundred years ago now, you were just a kid back then. You may call me old Rache, or uncle Rache in your case. I am after all, far your senior, as for my magi rank… You can think on this yourself, only an old geezer like you would be able to understand what it means that I have attained equilibrium.” Old Rache smiled after saying this.
The old magi looked at old Rache with a pondering expression, before his expression changed into one of shock. He knew now, that this old man, was far his superior as magi. The magi system was divided into levels, but there was a difference. Every level had different stages, the hardest one to pass however, was the final stage of each level. It was named equilibrium. Equilibrium was a phase of mana flow, where every mana channel of the body was stable, and that meant that you had managed to open every mana channel hidden in the body as well.
A Magi who was this old looking a hundred years ago, what stage could he be at?? He himself was only a hundred and twenty years old. What kind of monster was this man? Could he possibly be at the peak of the legendary level 5? If so he was probably among the few level 5 magi on the continent, and nearly none of them were at the last stage. It could not be so, he had to be a level 4 magi as himself, but how did you explain his age? Magi could have long lives, yes, but not immortality.
Even still, the fact that this old man had to be magi of his own level, and at peak at that, was quite shocking. He was surely stronger than himself, and he was the strongest among the entire academy. Deciding to speak, he said, “so it's senior uncle Rache! It is an honour to see a magi as strong as yourself. I'd like to invite you to become a guardian of the academy, it would bring great honour to the entire academy if we could have you as a teacher or head guardian.” As he finished speaking, he bowed deeply at old Rache. Causing the crowd’s jaws to drop nearly to the floor.
This was the academy headmaster! He did not bow to the city lord, even only slightly inclining his head to any noble man, and it was not even responded with a similar bow. What did that mean? Did that old man following lord Kael have such status?
Old Rache looked at Kael for a moment, before replying, “ as it currently is, my only duty is to follow and guide the young master, and serve at his side. I shall have to decline your offer, headmaster.” He said this in a dull tone. Not seeming even slightly interested.
The headmaster, hearing this, was stumped. He looked at Kael in apprehension. A boy bringing an at least peak level 4 magi, around, was someone of incredible status. Ordinary nobles and lower class magi could never understand the true might of a peak level 4 magi. The difference was the same as that between heaven and earth. A peak level 4 magi could probably destroy all of Fallgara with one high class spell. This was due to the state of equilibrium the magi’s body. He could utilize more power all at once, than a level 4 magi of lower stages.
The headmaster, looked at Kael for a long time, before bowing to the pair, then walking to the middle of the gathering, once again shocking the crowd, the old man might have status requiring a bow, but Kael? He was just a young noble, how could the great headmaster of Fallgara academy of magi, bow to him?
The headmaster did not look at any in particular before speaking, “It is time for your test, make ready young ones, this years challenge will be exceptionally hard…” Then, for the first time, his face turned into a rather wicked smile. It was time to test the mettle of these youths.
He, personally looked most forward to seeing the young lord Kael in action. With a level 4 magi at his beck and call, he should have high expectations of him… And so, the initiation test for the academy of magi, began…