As André and I approach my middle school, we spot Professor Maurice waiting outside the gates.
Upon seeing me, Maurice greets me with a warm smile, but his expression quickly sours upon laying eyes on André.
"Why, if it isn't the Trash. I didn't know someone like you could have a child."
"Well, if it isn't the Twat of the Réel family. I didn't know that the greatest showman in Verdant Haven decided to be a professor."
The air between them is tense, making it clear that their rivalry is strong.
Feeling the need to cut through the thick atmosphere, I interject, "Good morning, Professor. Can we start training?"
Maurice's attention shifts to me, his demeanor softening as he returns to his more amicable facade.
"Sure!" he responds, showcasing his ability to switch moods easily. "Follow me," Maurice instructs, leading the way.
"Tch!"
Behind me, I hear André let out a disgruntled noise. It's obvious that accompanying me to training will be an exercise in patience for him.
"Let's go, Dominic," André says, albeit reluctantly.
As we follow Maurice, I can't help but wonder about the history between him and my father. Their banter, filled with nicknames and insults, hints at a deep-rooted familiarity that belies their current animosity. Nevertheless, the focus now is on the training ahead.
With my father and Professor involved, it's shaping up to be a day full of learning, challenges, and possibly understanding more about the complex relationship between these two men.
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Arriving at a vast grass field near the middle school, we found an open space that was suitable for the day's training.
André chose a log at the edge of the field as his spot to observe, settling down to watch the proceedings with an unreadable expression.
NEW QUEST! Quest: Survive Maurice Réel.
Reward: A Magic Artifact and 66 Stat Points.
The System presented me with a new quest that sent a surge of adrenaline through my veins.
S-Survive?
The very word made my heart skip a beat, remembering André's earlier warnings about Maurice's intensity.
"Let's start, shall we?"
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With a nod, Dominic readied himself, drawing both 'Galahad's Judgment' guns.
Maurice smirked and hinted at a challenge, an invitation to make the first move.
Dominic couldn't help but wonder if Maurice was underestimating him due to his status as Manaless. Still, he focused, aiming both guns at Maurice.
-Bang!
-Bang!
-Bang!
-Bang!
The training and the System's stat boosts had improved Dominic's handling of the guns' recoil. Red energy bullets, propelled by Aether, hurtled towards Maurice at blistering speeds.
-Flick!
In an effortless display of Magic, Maurice flicked his fingers, and the bullets halted mid-air, suspended by an unseen force.
-Flick!
With another casual gesture, Maurice reversed the bullets' trajectory, sending them speeding back toward Dominic at even greater velocity.
!
Dominic's eyes widen in shock. Relying purely on his high instincts, he evaded the returning fire, though it was a close call.
Maurice was surprised and intrigued, impressed by the quickness of Dominic's reactions.
"Impressive reaction speed, Dominic. However, in a real battle, the enemies will not give you the time to breathe."
-Flick!
-Rumble!
At another flick of Maurice's fingers, the ground beneath them shudders and begins to upheave.
Caught off guard by the sudden seismic activity, Dominic watches in amazement and horror as the earth seems to betray him.
-Flick!
With another gesture from Maurice, large chunks of the ground break away, levitating into the air.
'Just what is his Magic Attribute?!'
Dominic, forced to his knees by the violent trembling, struggles to comprehend the full extent of Maurice's power. As the ground steadies, albeit now fragmented and floating, he stands, surveying the surreal landscape that has formed around them.
Unbeknownst to Dominic, Maurice flies behind him, manipulating the battlefield with ease.
-Flick!
A bolt of blue energy surges toward Dominic.
Relying purely on instinct, Dominic throws himself to the side, narrowly evading the direct hit.
-Boom!
The energy bolt collides with the floating terrain and detonates upon impact. The explosion sends a shockwave of debris flying, some of which strikes Dominic.
"Agh!"
The force of the blast knocks him back, rolling across another floating piece of earth.
Despite the pain, he quickly regains his stance, a testament to his resilience and the sharp instincts that have just saved his life.
Dominic realizes the gravity of Maurice's warning at that moment. The training is more than a test of physical endurance or skill with a weapon; it is a lesson in survival, adapting to unpredictable elements, and facing down threats with cunning as much as strength.
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'If it weren't for my instincts, I would probably be dead,' Dominic acknowledges internally.
Dominic then aims and fires his guns once more.
-Bang!
-Bang!
-Bang!
-Bang!
The red energy bullets surge toward Maurice.
-Flick!
With a flick of his fingers, Maurice conjures a blue forcefield. Upon contact, the bullets vanish into thin air.
"Dominic, if you want to hit me, you have to be more creative than…this," Maurice taunts, challenging Dominic to think outside the box.
But with Dominic's status as Manaless, creativity seems like a tall order.
-Flick!
Suddenly, the platform beneath Dominic begins to glow ominously orange. Instinctively knowing danger is imminent, Dominic makes a split-second decision to leap towards another floating piece of earth.
"Wuahh!"
No sooner has he left his original position than the platform he was on turns into a pool of floating magma.
"OOF!"
Landing just in time on another piece of land, Dominic climbs to the top, now looking even more battle-worn than before. Sweat mixed with dirt covers him as he catches his breath and contemplates his next move. With Maurice's ability to fly and react swiftly, neither close nor ranged combat seems feasible.
-Flick!
Dominic's heart races as he looks up to see twenty light arrows raining down from above.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me…"
With limited space to move, Dominic dodges desperately. He manages to evade most, but three arrows find their mark—two piercing his right shoulder and one lodging in his left thigh.
"Agh!"
The pain brings him to his knees, causing him to drop one of his guns. Seeing the extent of Dominic's injuries, Maurice feels a pang of concern.
André, observing from a distance, displays a moment of concern.
'Have I pushed him too far?'
But he dismisses the thought, knowing the relentless nature of real combat.
This time, Maurice opts for vocal incantations, allowing Dominic to anticipate his next move.
"Knife Crystal Heart Attack."
Heart-shaped knife beams hurtle toward Dominic, who is still recovering.
Gritting his teeth, Dominic rolls aside, retrieving his fallen gun. He rises slowly, adopting a defensive posture—a protective and poised stance for counterattack.
Dominic readies himself for Maurice's next move as adrenaline surges through him, dulling the pain.
"Dolphin Slap Wave."
From Maurice's outstretched finger, a barrage of ethereal dolphins leap toward Dominic.
[Centurion's Guard]
Bracing himself, Dominic employs the 'Centurion's Guard' technique he has assimilated from the Gun Arts Manual.
With remarkable agility, Dominic uses the guns to parry the incoming dolphins. Amidst the defense, he finds opportunities to counterattack, aiming at Maurice.
-Bang!
-Bang!
-Bang!
-Bang!
The Centurion's Guard stance, learned from the Gun Arts Manual, is a technique of defense and offense. Dominic positions his body to minimize exposure while allowing for swift movements and counterstrikes.
The guns, extensions of his arms, are wielded precisely—deflecting when necessary and striking when able.
Impressed by Dominic's adaptation, Maurice fortifies himself with a blue energy forcefield, acknowledging the young trainee's growing prowess.
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André watches the scene unfold before him with wide eyes, astonishment etched across his face.
"Where did he learn that?"
André has never formally trained Dominic before this day. The maneuvers Dominic executes, especially the adept use of the 'Centurion's Guard' technique, are something not a beginner would know, let alone a Manaless individual like Dominic.
"I'm going to ask him later."
Throughout Dominic's life, André and Celine have consistently provided care and support. While André's profession as a Stargate Raider often keeps him away from home, he has always watched Dominic's growth and development.
However, Dominic's sudden display of martial prowess is unexpected. Until his fifteenth year, Dominic has shown no particular interest in martial arts or combat training, preferring to immerse himself in his studies to become a Magitist.
The revelation of Dominic's newfound skills leaves André in wonder and speculation.
How has Dominic acquired such knowledge and proficiency? Is there a hidden chapter in Dominic's life that André is unaware of?
These questions swirl as he watches Dominic stand his ground against Maurice's relentless assaults.
The sight of Dominic poised and ready to face whatever comes next fills André with a mix of pride and curiosity. It is clear that Dominic is much more than meets the eye, and André is determined to uncover the secrets behind his sudden transformation.
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"Hah…Hah…"
Dominic struggles to believe it. He has utilized one of the techniques from the Gun Arts. But as the adrenaline fades, the pain, previously held at bay, surges back with a vengeance.
"Agh!"
The agony is overwhelming as he crumbles to his knees, clutching his injured shoulder. Despite the pain, he forces himself back onto shaky legs. Glancing up, he sees Maurice hovering above him, an expression of indifference on his face as if mocking him, challenging him to keep going.
-Flick!
-Crumble!
With another flick of Maurice's fingers, the earth beneath Dominic shifts, further unsettling him. He finds himself kneeling again, unprepared for the sudden descent. As the pieces of floating earth return to their original positions, the landscape returns to its natural state.
The once-boiling magma cools and solidifies, leaving no trace of the chaos that had just transpired. Surveying the surroundings, everything appears as if nothing has happened. It is as though Maurice has reset the entire field with a mere gesture.
"Dominic, what's my Magic Attribute with everything I did?"
Maurice watches Dominic intently, curious about his answer. This question isn't just to test his observational skills; it's a crucial lesson in battle awareness, particularly in identifying an opponent's magic attribute, which can significantly influence the outcome of a confrontation.
As Dominic struggles to catch his breath, Maurice reflects on the day's events and his growing interest in him. Despite Dominic's unremarkable appearance, today's training session shatters assumptions. Dominic's reflexes and instinctual dodge and counterattack exceed Maurice's expectations, revealing that André has imparted more than just the basics to his son.
Watching Dominic face his bully is a turning point for Maurice. Just as Maurice is about to step in, Dominic takes control of the situation surprisingly effectively. His defiant expression reminds Maurice of André in their younger days—unyielding and unafraid of challenges. Dominic's decisiveness and courage spark Maurice's curiosity, leading him to delve into Dominic's background. Discovering he is André's son comes as a shock.
That trash and Maurice have a complicated history. Their falling out was significant, and it doesn't surprise Maurice that André hasn't mentioned Dominic. Despite their differences, Maurice can't deny the intrigue André's lineage adds to the mix. Given André's prowess, Maurice expects Dominic to have some training.
As Dominic stands there, panting and determined, Maurice sees potential. Dominic's ability to adapt and respond to magical assaults is impressive, particularly for someone labeled as Manaless.
"Hah…hah…"
Maurice's challenge has a clear purpose: to sharpen Dominic's analytical skills in recognizing and understanding the magic attributes of opponents he might face.
Considering Maurice's wide range of abilities displayed during their training, Dominic takes a moment to reflect on each of them. The manipulation of the earth and its transformation into lava, the summoning of dolphins, light arrows, and heart-shaped daggers indicate a level of control over the environment and matter beyond simple elemental Magic.
"It's Spatial." Dominic concludes.
Spatial Magic is a sophisticated and rare attribute that allows its users to manipulate space and the physical properties of their surroundings. This can include bending, twisting, and even creating pockets of space to achieve various effects—teleportation, dimensional storage, altering distances between objects, or even warping the fabric of reality to some extent.
The primary weakness of Spatial Magic lies in the user's concentration and mental stamina. Manipulating the fabric of space requires immense focus and precise control, meaning any disruption in the user's concentration could potentially backfire or diminish the effectiveness of their spells. However, considering Maurice's evident mastery over his abilities, exploiting this vulnerability seems next to impossible with Dominic's current capabilities.
"Correct."
Maurice regards Dominic with a nod of approval. He then descends to the ground, his feet touching down with a grace that belies his wielding power.
In a reflexive response, Dominic points his gun at Maurice and fires.
-Bang!
Yet, as before, Maurice effortlessly halts the bullet mid-flight, redirecting it to the ground with a mere gesture.
‘Darn it.’
The realization hits Dominic hard—he is still far from being able to challenge Maurice on equal footing.
As the bullet falls harmlessly to the earth, Dominic can't help but feel both frustration and admiration. Maurice's prowess as a magician is undeniable, and the lessons he imparts are invaluable, pushing Dominic to the limits of his understanding and abilities.
QUEST COMPLETED! You have successfully survived Maurice!
You obtained 66 Stat Points!
Do you want to receive the Magic Artifact?
[Yes/No]
As the notification from the System flashes before Dominic's eyes, a wave of relief washes over him. He has managed to survive Maurice's rigorous training session.
"Thank god.”
Dominic mutters, feeling a profound sense of accomplishment. However, he decides to postpone accepting the Magic Artifact until later. The last thing he needs is Maurice and André to witness the sudden manifestation of an artifact and bombard him with questions he can't comfortably answer.
"Ugh…"
Just as Dominic is contemplating his next steps, exhaustion overwhelms him. His knees buckle, and he collapses to the ground, unable to support his weight any longer. The intensity of the training, coupled with the adrenaline that fueled him, finally takes its toll.