It's the next day. Mom and I are back where we practiced yesterday. Only this time, Dad is not here to be the training dummy. Yesterday I really didn't have to help with anything around the house just like Mom said. Not that I think lowely of her or anything, I was just expecting her to fall asleep and leave the rest of the work to me.
"You remember what the book said right? Exude the mana from either hand to create [Static Palm]."-Cassandra
We skimmed through the beggining of the trainee leveled lightning spell book. Before reading about the particular spell mentioned, I started out with something small, [Spark]. Which only makes a small spark on your finger tip. Unlike [Spark], [Static Palm] is a bit more dangerous, basically making the casters hand into a taser. Just like [Fireball], the more mana you put into it the stronger it gets.
"Right! [Static Palm]!"
Next thing I know, my hand is covered in crackling electricity. At this level I don't think it would do much to any of the stronger beasts living around here.
"Hmm if I'm right about this..."
I mumble to myself before gradding my Falchion off my back. Due to the electricity surrounding my hand, the blade becomes electrfied. I think. I don't really know since I can't really see it.
"What are you doing? Want to spar or somethin'?"-Cassandra
That might actually be a good idea! Or the worst mistake of my life.
"Yes! I want to test out my new magic!"
"Reminds me of myself when I was a kid."-Cassandra
She begins mumbling something to herself, but I can't quite make out what she is saying.
"Okay~ I won't even use my weapons. Come at me so I can remind you where you belong!"-Cassandra
She says, giving a mocking grin as if I had just slipped on a bannana peel. Good grief she's not even getting in a stance! I'm sure she won't actually attack on my first assault. Her demeanor says it all. I ready myself, casting [Static Palm] on the left hand as well. She'll know something is up if she see's me using too much mana on my right hand which is holding the sword, so I lower the mana used in this hand and use up to about 2,000 in my free hand. Making it sputter even louder than before. She doesn't seem to know what I'm doing with. This will make it easier.
"Here I come!"
I launch forwards, thrusting my open palm towards her stomach. Of course, she dodges still with those taunting eyes. I'll admit she is actually too fast for me to keep up with, still it's my win!
Swinging my sword at her throat as soon as she dodges, things go exactly as planned. She stops the Blade with her fingers! Granted she can't feel the shock yet because it's so low, but let's change that real quick.
I cancel the spell on my left hand and up the mana in the other by 3,000.
"Hmph Sweetie you should know better. Something like this would never work on me."-Cassandra
"Crap..."
Recieving a flick to the forehead I am sent flying a few feet back. I regret even trying to fight an adult Dragon now as I role back and forth holding the spot where I was flicked away like a mosquito.
"Ow ow ow!"
"You really thought I didn't know about something like that? I'm much smarter than your Father afterall."-Cassandra
"How else would I beat you?! How did you not feel anything from that?"
"I am much too tough to be affected by a puny shock like that. Seriously, it is me we are talking about here!"-Cassandra
I knew I should have put more into it. For some reason I fought like I was fighting a regular person. Huge mistake.
"Hmph"
"Heh do not be too dissapointed. Look at this as a learning experience. Now you know that trick would never work on me."-Cassandra
"What if I used more mana?"
"Well of course that would work. But for such a low leveled spell it would have to be all of it to even somewhat effect me."-Cassandra
All of it, huh. That seems like it would kill a normal person...
"Let's try out a different one."-Cassandra
Taking out the lightning spell book, she starts flipping pages.
"Hmm propertis of electicity...limited range...yada yada...Ah here we go! This one is called [Bolt] and it says here it is used for medium range. Sounds useful."-Cassandra
"So how does it work? Is it like [Fireball]?"
"Basically, yes. Only difference is you use your finger instead of your whole hand."-Cassandra
Without warning, I disperse mana from my index finger and fire staight at Mom.
"[Bolt]"
*ZZZZZ*
Out comes a bolt of electricity that hits her in the chest. Sounds like a Tesla coil rather than a bolt of lightning. Anyways, as expected it doesn't do anything. She actually just takes the hit and gives me a "Really?" look.
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"Don't get upset at me! It's not like I have anyone to spar with!"
*Sigh*
"This is true. Battle experience is important. Something like sparring can also make you realise your own weaknesses so you can improve....Stay here. I will be right back."-Cassandra
She says before dissapearing completely from my sight. Guess she really does know space magic. Not only that, she didn't even say the spell. Is it perhaps something like instant casting?
"Here you go, Sweetie! Play nice!"-Cassandra
"What the hell is that thing!"
Reappearing, she's holding a giant worm by its head. It is nearly a two yards in length and a foot in diameter. Coupled with four jet black eyes are long jagged teeth. Flailing around in a panic, it just keeps trying to sink its teeth into anything within reach.
"This? It is a Earth Crawler. Should be around your level. Hup!"-Cassandra
I leap back as she tosses the nightmarish creature towards me. When it lands, it just digs straight into the ground. Now I don't know where the hell it went!
"Where did you even get one of these? It's disgusting!"
"How do you think I felt touching it?"-Cassandra
*Screeech*
Schreeching as it lunges from behind me I barely manage to dodge to the left. Again it digs into the ground leaving a hole. Okay I need to focus if I don't want to be this hideous things next meal.
*SCREEECH*
This time it comes from my left. However, I was ready for it this time. I point my finger straight in between its demonic eyes a cast my spell.
"[Bolt]"
*ZZZZZZZ*
This time I put in around 3,000 mana.
*SCRRREEEECH*
It lets out a horrible scream as I fry it into dust. Does Mom really think that this Earth Crawler was really on my level? Is she just testing me or what?
"Good! Good! How was it? Want to do another?"-Cassandra
"Ugh I was think something more on the lines of an actual person Mom. Not something as grotesque as that. I didn't even want to touch it with my sword!"
"That explains the overkill."-Cassandra
Indeed. There is no way I am letting something like that live. Well not unless I summoned it.
"There isn't really anyone around your level here. You are the youngest in the village right now so."-Cassandra
"How about Big Bro?"
"Lucas? Haha sorry, I don't think you're quite there yet. How about..."-Cassandra
Looks like she can't decide to do what she is thinking about or not.
"How about what?"
"How about I bring a Human knight here? You could fight him."-Cassandra
"Is that a good idea?"
Last time I checked everyone hates Dragons. So why would she bring one here? Wouldn't that be super dangerous?
"It is if he doesn't ever leave here."-Cassandra
Oh man. I see what she's saying. If she brings a Human here he/she has to die. That's really fucked up! However, I suppose I should get used to killing people considering my contract with Tayrn. Ther is no telling what he'll have me do. For all I know he will have me comit genocid.
"Okay. Please bring a Human here. I'll kill it."
".........Just a minute."
Before teleporting she looked very serious. I am not good enough at reading people to tell what she was thinking, but I could at least tell she was a little nervous. Oh she's back.
"Where the-! What the fuck just happened?!"-Knight
Being carried by the collar is a man clad in armor. He looks just like a knight from my old world.
*Thud*
"Fight."-Cassandra
She drops him, ordering him to fight. Still seems like he does not know what is happening though.
"What? Where am I? Who the hell are you? You-!"-Knight
He must have figured out who Mom is. Our eyes are a pretty distinct feature after all.
"You're a Dragon! I...I Can't fight you! I'll-"-Knight
"Him. Fight him."-Cassandra
She says, point towards me. Mom is not letting up on this guy. She wants to let him know that if he does not do as commaded, he will die. Either way he's going to die though.
"You want me to fight a kid...? If I win can I live?"-Knight
Mom gives him a nod. There is no way she will actually let him go. If she did, the whole village would be in danger.
"Come on. I don't have all day."
"Cocky brat. I'll show you how much better us Humans are!"-Knight
Pulling out his short sword he readies himself for an attack. Let's start off with something small. I kind of want to take my time with this.
"[Bolt]"
"Wha-!"-Knight
He must not have expected me to be able to use a spell because of my age. Doesn't matter in the end since he managed to jump out of the way. He doesn't seem that fast either. Must be because of all that armor he's wearing.
"Why don't you take off your armor? Otherwise this won't last very long."
"Hmph! If you say so."-Knight
He takes off his plain armor revealing the man inside. He is a very plain looking man with messy black hair and dark brown eyes. The only thing that sticks out is a scar on his nose. Most likely from battle.
Raising his sword once again, he is ready for round two. Geez my fisr contact with a human in two years and I have to kill him. That's just my luck.
"Here I come! [Enhance]!"-Knight
This time I am the one receiving the attack. Contrary to last time he is way faster. What spell did he use? Maybe a muscle enhancment spell.
Anyways, he's lunging for my heart. I can't block this. I'm just not strong enough yet so I roll out of the way. With some distance between us again, I cast [Bolt] in my open hand nad [Static Palm] in the other. The first shot misses. Let's try tiring him out so I can block a hit without being blown back.
"[Bolt]"
"[Bolt]"
"[Bolt]"
"[Bolt]"
Casting my newly learned spell four times in a row I miss all of them. Not to mention he isn't slowing down. However, this is a good thing. That body enhancment spell must be draining his mana. All I have to do is keep this up and it will be an easy kill.
"Stop messing around! Fight me like the prideful Dragon you are supposed to be!"-Knight
Someone's getting impatient.
"[Bolt]"
"[Bolt]"
"[Bolt]"
"[Bolt]"
"[Bolt]"
Keeping him at a distance like this really was a goode idea. Not moving as fast as before, he's now panting heavily. With this I should be able to recieve a swing. Judging on how upset he is it looks like he plans on splitting my head in two. All he needs now is a little push.
"Hmm are you sure you are a knight? I thought knights were much stronger than this."
"I'll kill you!"-Knight
That's it. Come get me! This time I stay in place instead of running away. Just as I had imagined, he went to split my head in two.
*CLANG*
I block it with my sword and electrcuting him in the process.
"AAAAHHHHHH"-Knight
Yeesh still not dead? Should probably end his suffering.
"[Bolt]"
Casting [Bolt] aiming right for his gut something unexpected happened. It shot right through him leaving a hole where his stomach used to be. Did I use too much?
*Thud*
He falls to the ground with a thud. What's left of his organs fall onto the dirt. This is a completely different sensation from killing an animal or a beast. Killing a man I don't know in the middle of God knows where. Did he have a family? Friends? Pets? What will happen to them now? Will they starve and die because of me? Have I murdered more than just one person today? And I did it in such a gruesome way too. The thing is...is that I can't find it in myself to feel bad about it.
"Do you feel sad?"-Cassandra
For a moment I forgot she was even there. Do I feel sad? I...
"Yes."
Why am I lying? I don't feel bad. What's happening?
"Shhh It's okay."-Cassandra
Trying to understand my own feelings I don't notice Mom coming up behind me to pull me in for a hug. I hug her back and bury my face in her chest, not knowing what else to do.
"Training is over for today. How about you head home while I clean this up."-Cassandra
I nod. I still don't know what to do with myself. Looks like I need to do some soul searching when I get home. I knew from the start I wasn't all here, but not feeling anything after murder? This is...new to me.
I sheath my sword and start my walk home. Thinking about it, how will she clean up my mess? Elder mentioned she has a lot of knowledge about fire magic. Without a doubt she will incinerate the corpse. He doesn't even get a proper buriel. Why do I still not feel anything?