My name is Azhur Diascald. I am 14 years old and live in west side of the Coundore Village. My hair is dark brown while my eyes are silver. Currently, my height is only 158 cm which is lower then Vinna but I am sure I will exceed her in a few years.
I have two childhood friends, one of them is Vinna. Her fullname is Vinna Rosfang. Her hair is crimson with shining golden eyes. She was a beautifull girl with a wild and noble aura. Her family seems to be the branch of the legendary Rosfang noble family which in the past contributed for Holy Spirit Kingdom in the Demon War of the Seven Kingdom.
My second childhood friend is Teasha, Teasha Sevenlight. She has blonde hair with sky blue eyes. She was a shy girl which somehow exudes a gentle heart warming aura. Her family is a fallen noble. She told me that her ancestor is one of the founder of the Holy Spirit Kingdom. When Vinna asked about the reason that her family moved to a small village like here, she said that her parent also didn’t know, it happened a few thousand years ago.
I am currently training my sword arts on my backyard. My schedule is very busy since I need to exhaust my soul power at least 2 times everyday which mean I will become a useless little child each time my soul power is exhausted. Of course my soul power always restores quickly. It usually takes about 2 hours which is the fastest if I compare it with Vinna and Teasha.
Based on grandpa’s teaching, soul core capacity will always expands until the body stop growing. Exhausting the soul power is one of the few ways to accelerate the expansion but is rarely used method since it gives extreme pain in six sensory organs. At the beginning, we couldn’t even stand, kept laying on the floor while screaming until our throats was hurt and our sounds was gone. The pain stopped about 8-9 hours when the soul power restored to the amount which enough to control the body. Grandpa helped us in relieving the pain, increasing the restoration speed and healing our throats. We came to grandpa’s house only for this everydays.
After 4 years of training, our body became accustomed and no more pain in our six sensory organs, we also started to try exhausting our soul power 2 times a day. At that time our soul power restoration was still slow and take until 5 hours to have sufficient restored soul power without the help from grandpa. After 6 years of training, we could do it 3 times however grandpa forbad us from doing it more than 2 times. I can’t understand grandpa explanation but I concluded that it is bad for our soul core which is the part that used to save and control our soul power. That is also the reason why I started training my sword arts which is to fill the time while restoring my soul power.
I do my training every morning and after lunch, I always going out to meet Vinna and Teasha. We gather on the plain which located west of the village. We battle with each other or hunting Wind Rabbits. The Coundore plain has other monsters which are stronger and more vicious however it is located near the Brigen Mountain and the Wind Rabbit that we hunt is easy prey which located near the village.
“Hey Azh, the lunch is ready. Don’t just play around with your wooden sword.”
“Mom, I am not playing, I am training.”
I walked into the house and sat down on the dining room. My mom already sat on the chair in front of me. My mom name is Rosenna Diascald. In our house, there is only my mom and me. My dad already passed away. According to mom, he was a brave knight who protect our kingdom, The Holy Spirit Kingdom until the last of his breath. Well, since I born I haven’t seen my dad so I don’t have any impression on him however I love my mom. I want to be strong not to protect the kingdom like my dad but I want to become strong to protect the people I love.
“Well, just quickly eat. You want to go play with Vi and Tea, right ?”
“Mom, we are not playing, We are training.”
“Ohohoho, of course you are training. By the way, which is cuter Vi or Tea ?”
“What are you saying mom, we are just friend, JUST FRIEND!!!”
I started to eat my meal while denied my mom. Even though I insisted that we are friend, it probably will not stay the same in the future. As if not effected by my response which quite forceful, My mom just glossed over it and continue talking.
“Oh is that so? I though they are cute and you know, your mom since long ago always wants a daughter. So why don’t you try going out with one of them, it’s also okay of you go out with both.
Hearing that, I almost burst out my foods which contain of fried egg, chicken meat, and carrot. After making sure that they already passed the checkpoint on my throat, I responded mom to change the topic by making her eat first.
“Mom let just eat, the food will become cold if you just continue talking.
“Okay, okay.”
After I have finished eating, I put my dish on the kitchen sink. My mom who has also finished eating a few minute after me, started washing the dishes while I started drinking milk which has become my habit.
“So continue from before, why don’t you go out with Vi or Tea? If you don’t start now, it will be late. They will become a beautiful woman in the future. When it happen you will regret it.
“Mom can you stop it already. It may be true regarding Tea because she is a gentle and adorable girl. However, Vi is violent and short tempered, I couldn’t even imagine if I go out with her.”
“Why not, Vi is a polite girl and she somehow has a dependable aura with her. I am sure in the future she will become a good wife.”
“Please mom, don’t mention it anymore. Do you remember last week event? My right cheek swollen up pretty badly and it is because one and only monster power punch from the inhuman Vinna. Even now, I still doubt it that she is really a human. Sometimes I feel that he is a monster which using some kind of secret soul art to change into human apperance. Maybe behind that cute face, it is actually very ugly appearance.”
“Well, well, my little Azh. Would you mind you word a little because that little lady that you are talking about is behind you.”
“WHAT?!”
Hearing my mom, my heart was beating like crazy. I slowly turned my head to face behind. I saw two smiling girl, however one of them have the smiling of ogre that seem want to beat me up. They were Vinna and Teasha, the one staring daggers to me is Vinna. There was no sound when they came into my house because my mom said to them to just go in if they come. They always went to my house first since my house is near the west gate.
“He, Hello... Vi, I didn’t mean what I said before. I am only praising your strength.”
“Excuse me Auntie, mind if I borrow your son for a while?”
“Well, well, I don’t mind and no need to mind the time, Vi. Just do it until you are satisfied, but please don’t be too rough.“
“Mom, please help me, do you want your son to become disfigured?”
“Uhm, disfigured or not, you are still my son, so just brace yourself. Isn’t that right Tea?”
“Eh, eh.., uhm, that.. that’s right.”
Teasha was confused by mom question and her last word has made me lost all hope. I was pulled by Vinna to the backyard. This time my left cheek was swollen and my left hand was hurt. It was because of my effort that the casualities were only that, if I was many times weaker than Vinna maybe I really would become disfigured.
After Vinna and Teasha having a chit-chat with my mom for awhile, We went to the Coundore Plain. They maybe talking about girly talk and I was prohibited to join them.
Along the way to the Coundore Plain, we stop for a while at Granny Shannon’s place. It is a Potion Shop and there is always a ton of basic positions for beginner adventure. We always buy a few potions like Basic Healing Potion to accelarate the body healing process and Basic Relaxing Potion to relax the fatigue which are the result of continuous use of soul power and body force.
--- Coundore Village – Granny Shanon’s Potion Shop ---
As usual, the shop doesn’t have many customers since there isn’t many adventurers on our village. The people who usually buy the potion are the village protectors. They need it because they always periodacally hunt the monsters near the village to reduce the growing monsters population.
When we went in to the shop, we faced a little girl who still have innocent looks in her eyes. She is Elize, the grand daughter of granny Shannon who helps her grandma in attending the shop.
“Good Afternoon Brother Azh, Sister Vi, and Sister Tea.Do you need some potion as always?”
“Yes the same as always. By the way, Little Elize you seems have grown a little. Maybe my suggestion is working.”
“Please don’t joke Brother Azh, I will never do something like that. Although I’m young, I’m not a fool and I’m growing because I already enter the age which I will grow faster. I also drink special milk everyday so it’s not because of Brother silly suggestion.”
“Is that so? I was reprimanded by granny last week when I met her by chance. She told me not to bully her grand daughter too much. I thought that you had done it.”
After that replied, Elize couldn’t give more respond. Her face was facing down and although we could’t see her face but we knew that she has done what I suggested from shades of redness on her ears.
I wanted to tease her more however suddenly a chop was brought down to my head. My instinct felt the dangerous moment, however my reaction was slow and the result was falling into the floor turning my body left and right while holding my painful head and saying repeatly ‘it hurts’.
“Sorry Elize, it seems that our Azh has been bothering you.”
Elize who became panicked after seeing my condition immediately gave the potions that seems to be already prepared before we came.
“It’s okay Sister Vi, this is the potions you needed and please goes easy on Brother Azh. He only played little trick on me.”
“You are too soft Elize. If you left him like that it will become worse. If you are fine with it, I don’t have any right to meddle but if you cann’t handle it anymore just call me.”
Elize’s respond was only nodding and so we went out from the shop to continue our training schedule after paid the cost of the potions and said goodbye to Elize.
--- Coundore Plain – West Region Outer Side ---
“Take this, Vi!!! Descent of Eagle Second Art”
I was charging to Vinna with the quickest speed possible by applying soul power to both of my legs muscle. When I arrived in front of her, I swAng my sword with my right arm and using the slicing technigue that has been taught by grandpa.
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“Well, it seems your speed have some improvement, Azh.”
“Arghh...”
Before my sword and her touched, Vinna’s figure was blurred then dissapeared and in few miliseconds after that I felt a kick from my left abdomen. I was thrown about 10 meter from Vinna’s figure that suddenly appeared on my left side.
“Well, that is for today. It seems Tea and I won again, Azh. That’s why don’t just prioritize on strength. Speed, technique, and tactic are also important factor on fighting. Although you are stronger than us if you just charge in front like that, you will 100 % lose the fight. Are you an idiot or are you just don’t have brain at all?”
“Urgh...”
“Uhm..Vi, let’s take it easy on Azh.“
“Well, if you say so Tea then let’s just go eat and check put some new weapons. It will be on Azh this time, to celebrate the 100th lose to us.”
“What are you saying I haven’t lose that much against you?”
“ 18 Wins – 46 Loses againts me and 10 Wins – 54 Loses against Tea, If we total it you have lost 100 times againts both of us, Isn’t that right, Azh?”
“That..that’s right but...”
“But what? Just accept your fate as a boy who lost to the girls.”
“Vi, don’t be too harsh on Azh. If you can’t pay it all, I will help you Azh so let’s just go eat”
“You are too soft Tea, we need to give him more pressure so he don’t end up growing into hopelessly idiot man.”
“But...Azh’s family is...”
“It’s okay Tea, I am a man and other than hunting the Wind Rabbits, I have also worked on part time jobs so I have some money. Although it’s not much it’s enough for afternoon snack and buy you some small weapons.”
“Are you sure Azh, don’t you want to buy that weapon?”
“It’s okay. I’m sure in few months I will be able to buy it.”
“Is it that weapon? your father weapon?”
“That’s right the weapon that my mom sold when we were in hard times.”
“Well, I know that you have you pride. But we will help you acquire it when you really can’t afford it, after all you already bought us a lot of things too.”
“Thank you.”
--- Coundore Village – Valerie’s Snack Shop ---
From Coundore Plain, we went to Valerie’s place. Valerie is a silver haired lady with a lovely face while carrying a bold young woman aura. She was a young married lady who being left by her husband 2 years ago for a different woman even though they were only married for few months. When the first time I heard about the news, I though that her husband went with different woman to adventure like adventure party since I didn’t really know about man and woman relationships.
However after hearing the bad gossips from the people in my neighbourhood which is close to my house, I started to research about it and asked grandpa about man and woman relationships which became the starting point where I know about the things between man and woman. It also the starting point where grandpa took me to the dark side with his adult magazines.
After knowing the truth about Valerie, I was mad that I almost went to look for her ex-husband but was stopped by Valerie. She said that she doesn’t care about him anymore and wanted a peaceful life. After I saw her agonized face when saying that, I promised to her that I will protect her in the future and she just smiled to me while hugging me.
Valerie is an important person for me. When I was a baby, she helped mom took care of me and played with me. I have already recognized her as my family. Even she protected me against the bullies which happened before I met Vinna and Teasha.
“Good afternoon Azh, Vi, and Tea. As always you are all so close. It make me jealous that now Azh pure body have been taken by you two.”
“Wha..what are you talking about Valerie?”
“Calm down, Tea. She is just teasing us. Well, it is hopeless fight if we view the age.”
“If you see from that point of view, the more experience the better isn’t that right, Tea?”
“NO, IT ISN’T!!!”
The atmosphere seems heavy, I didn’t really understand what they are talking about but somehow it’s heavy. I felt the need to lighten the mood.
“Well Sis, my body have really taken a beating by Vi and Tea but I’m okay. By the way, are you also good at fighting Sis, it seems that you want to fight with me too.”
The three ladies were smiling to me after hearing what I said, however I somehow felt cold breeze creeping on my back that made me shivering. The always gentle Teasha also exuded an aggresive and cold aura that made more scared.
“Well aside from what Azh said, you need to cool your head Vi. Anyway Valerie, what kind of experience you are talking about? As what I know you don’t have any experience so it’s more like you are just inexperience woman despite your age.”
“Fufufufu, well you will not know since you are just a child but experience is not just practical but theory is also important.”
“Wow Sis, then you surely know a lot about fighting arts and magic arts. If you have time can you teach me about it? Even if it’s only theory, it may help me improve myself.”
“”” SHUT UP, AZH!!!”””
Because of the harsh respond that made me cower a little, I decided not to interfere anymore and picked the sit on the corner. Since they were debating intensely, I personally serve myself with some milk. I also went inside the house to search from some rare snack that usually not shown on the menu. It usually hidden in the a box called icebox which used the ice soul stone to maintain the coldness.
“Oh it’s here, the Chocolate Ice Cream. It’s look like there is also new flavor the Spicy Banana Milk Ice Cream. Well, that is quite the unique flavor.”
“Ohohoho, it’s our new flavor, Little Azhur. Do you want to try it?”
“Oh Aunty Sonya, good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon, how about you try it? I’m sure you will not forget the flavor, hohoho.”
“Give me a break Aunty, I’m sure it’s one of your weird innovation again. Since it’s almost dinner, I don’t want to upset my stomach so let me off, Aunty.”
“Well, If you say so, ohohoho.”
The woman that I conversed with is Valerie’s mother, Sonya Silvarein. He is one of the elder in the Coundore Village Council although her age didn’t differ too much with my mom. She is also my mom best friend and mom has regard her like biological sister. Her husband is one of the captain in Village Protector Squad, Grent Silvarein. He usually busy and back when the sun is already set.
After talking a while with Aunty Sonya, I went back to the front side of the house which is designed as the shop, of course it was with my favorite chocolate ice creams. When I saw Sister Valerie, Vinna, and Teasha, it seems they already finished their debate and were having conversation about another thing.
“Hey Azh, where are you going, we are currently talking about our future plans so quickly come here.”
I went to one of the chair to sit and gave the chocolate ice cream to each one of them. Went I look at their face they seems quite serious however the mood has more or less cool down.
“So what are you all talking about?”
“Azh, it’s about the Sun Hevine Magic School. It’s the nearest school from Coundore Village and also the top ranked school on the kingdom for learning magics. It looks like there will be a recruitment for new students in 6 months from now. Tea and I want to attend there, what about you?”
“Uhm, study in magic school? I really don’t know. I want to, but I’m not sure that my family can afford it.”
“Relax there is scholarship, so why don’t you go with us Azh? After all to awaken the soul element, you need the help of soul awakening orb.”
“Well, it will be nice if I can get scholarship but what if I don’t get it? I’m not genius like you Vi and I also can’t leave my mom alone, she will be really lonely.”
“Azh, how...how about you ask Aunty Rose first.”
“If I ask mom I’m sure she wants me to attend the school because she prioritize me than herself so I’m really not sure.”
“Straighten your mind Azh!!! I know your dream is to become a Rank-S adventure, if you can’t even decide to leave your home and walk on the best choice to make your dream comes true then you don’t even have the right to dream about it.”
“But Sis...”
“No but Azh. I will talk with your mom tommorow. Relax even if you attend the Sun Hevine Magic School, your mother will not be lonely. I will ask her to live with my family and I will regard and treat her as my own mother more than my own mother, fufufufu.”
“”YOU CAN’T DO THAT!!!””
I was suprised at the over reaction of Vinna and Teasha. Well it’s normal, if Sister Valerie regard my mom as her mother more than Aunty Sonya, then she will be sad. Wait a moment, I can’t imagine the sad face of Aunty Sonya. If it’s her, maybe she just laugh it off.
“Well if you say so, Sis. But I will talk to Mom first.”
After talking for a while about Sun Hevine Magic School. We decided to leave and went to look for new weapon sale on the Weapon Shop. However, nothing seems good enough compared with the price and I decided to buy Vinna and Teasha a bracelet which have function to increase the soul reacovery about 2% of normal rate. The price of bracelet not to high and it’s useful for beginner adventurer.
I parted with Vinna and Teasha since it’s already late and went home. After the dinner, I have conversation with Mom about the Sun Hevine Magic School. As expected, my Mom pushed me to take the entrace examination and told me not to worry about the tuition. She said ‘It’s fine, follow your dream and become strong to protect this lovely mother’ while giving a proud pose with her right hand on her chest. Because seeing her funny pose, I didn’t feel sad, instead I laughed but it’s indeed as what she said, I have to achieve my dream first to make her lead a peaceful and happy life.
“Mom, I have decided my choice. Forgive me if it will be hard on you, but I will go the Sun Hevine Magic School.”
Listening to my declaration, my mom only gave me a warm smile.
--- 6 Months Afterward ---
“Hey Azh are your ready? You forgot nothing, right?”
“I’m ready and prepared all the things we need, Vi. My only regret is I can’t buy that weapon.”
“Uhm... Azh...If you want you can use my money to buy it.”
“It’s alright, Tea. I can buy it another time when I’m back to the village.”
“Why is it so expensive, Azh? Isn’t it only an old rusty sword?”
“Well, it seems that according to the shopkeeper, the sword is an ancient relic and he will not sell it any lower.”
“Hehehehe, are you talking about your lovey dovey school life between the husband and his two wives?”
Hearing the sound coming from our back, Vinna and Teasha face became red while facing down to the floor. From behind, came a beautiful woman who looks like at the mid of 20s although if you know the real age, it almost near to the mid of 30s. She was my mom.
“Don’t joke around mom.”
“Hehehe, you need to soften up Azh or else your wives will run away. Jokes aside, are you leaving now?”
“That’s right mom. For tomorrow Sun Hevine Magic School entrance examination, we need to go to Sundrya City now so we can arrive before night and don’t need to camp.”
Since I will leave soon, I hug my mom while saying my advices to her.
“Mom, please take good care of yourself and if you need help just ask Sister Valerie. Sis has promised me to help you when I’m not around.”
“Is that so? But I will also leave the town after you leave. I wanted to reunite with my old friends. You don’t need to worry about me Azh, even though I look like an ordinary young beautiful woman but I’m quite strong. Oh yeah, wait a minute Azh, I bought you a gift.”
My mom went inside for few seconds and come back with something that has shape like a sword that covered in white silk.
“This is for you, Azh.”
I took it and saw what the thing inside. To my surprise, it was actualy the sword that I wanted to buy since a long ago, my father’s sword. I was panicked and worried since it’s mean my mom has spend a lot of money on this. Even though we already not that poor but still I though that our saving wasn’t much either and I’m not sure that it’s enough to buy back father’ sword
“Mom, Is it okay? Isn’t our financial condition is bad? If you spend your money to buy it and there is also my tuition, Will you be able buy other things for your daily necessity? You aren’t borrowing money from someone else, right?
“Oh it’s alright Azh, you don’t need worry about it.”
“What do you mean by that? I’m really worried especially since I will not be here.”
“Well, it’s actually the money from my side job. Since you grow too quick and left your pitiful mother alone while playing with your beautiful wives, your mother choose to do side job. I go to hunt the Rank-B monster occasionally because I don’t need to watch over you again and get some money.”
“How can be that you are that strong, Mom. Why did you never tell me?”
“Well, it’s not that important.”
“IT’S IMPORTANT!!! I have spend my money strictly even taking multiple part time jobs. Especially since Vi and Tea always demand a lot of accesories even though I felt that they don’t need it.”
“Hehehe, they are your wives after all and a girls in love want a lot of things as a prove of your love. Anyway, even if you have not pass your coming of age, you are still a man so it’s your responsibility to satisfy your wives.”
I could only sighed after listening to mom answer while Vinna and Teasha that from before listening to our conversation is looking down while the face already turned red.
“Mom, haven’t I said that Vi and Tea just my friend, don’t tease them to much. It’s okay if me, but it’s will be uncomfortable for them.”
“It’s okay Azh. Since we will not meet Aunty for quite sometimes, maybe we need to talk about what we want too. Aunty, please give your son to me.”
“Eehhhh... me..me too. Give Azh to me.”
“Hehehe, you two are bold aren’t you? But, I approve it.”
“”Yay!!!””
Vinna and Teasha cheered when heard my mom respond and I could only sighed at that. Well since they have said it, I didn’t have other things to said.
“Vi, Tea, I don’t want to interrupt your happy moments but first, aren’t I the one the one that need to propose to your parents? And second, Vi aside, aren’t your family is the fallen nobility, Tea? The last time I went to your house I was chased out by your father, he even used quite high level magic. If I’m not wrong, it was Rank-5 high level magic.”
“I..I’m sorry Azh, but..it’s okay since my mother has give her approval.”
“Well, if you say so then I will talk to your both family after we have become an adult.”
“”Okay.””
“Anyway from me, I support you two, Vi, Tea. So if you want to make a move to my son, just do it as you wish. Anyway, you will be late if we continue this so aren’t you going now?”
“If you say so mom. Well then, goodbye Mom. Take care of yourself and don’t do to much crazy things.”
“”Goodbye, Aunty.””
“Wait, it isn’t aunty. It’s mother in law, right?”
Vinna and Teasha said goodbye once again with a little smile while their face turning red once again. After rechecking all the things we need, I gave one last hug to my mom before leaving. We went our way through the main road that leading to the Sundrya City.
We rode on the horse carriage, the carriage was given by Vinna grandfather when she said she want to go to Sundria City with me and Teasha. It seems it was used to travel around the world when her grandfather work as adventurer. The horse was bought using our money and we spent quite a lot for a quick one. We finally arrived at Sundria City when it’s almost night and we quickly search for an inn to stay.