Kenta returned the coat and other Shun’s items.
It appeared that Shun was wearing a white jerkin under the coat. The jerkin had a sign on the back - a black and gold crown, with the 7 colored jewels. Every color represented one of the rainbow colors. “What a weird crown”, thought Kenta. However he again wondered why it was giving such familiar feeling. Also the crown’s profile was on Shun’s pouch, scabbard and katana’s grip. “Where did he get all this items?”, asked himself Kenta.
He touched the coat during folding and it gave him luxury feeling. Kenta thought originally that it was silk, however after the couple of touches it became clear that it was not silk, despite giving similar feeling.
Looking how Shun was staring at the magic, repairing the tavern’s wall, Kenta decided to ask.
- By the way, what did you mean when you told that you are unable to use magic at all? You meant having too little mana amount? Or have no affinity?
Aside from the mana amount, every person supposed to have an affinity to a certain magical element. Overall there were 5 magical elements - water, wind, fire, lightning, earth. Most of the magicians had affinity only to one element. The affinity to the element allowed magician to refill his mana, consuming corresponding element from the environment.
When a person had affinity to water spells, he could cast water-based spells as well as control the water around – in rivers, lakes, seas. Such magician was especially dangerous near those water sources as he could restore his magic using water. Some people said that the strongest water magicians in the history could sink the whole Maderian continent.
With the wind affinity, the magicians usually had the wind based spells and they were able to draw power from the air itself. They were the one of the two the most dangerous types of magicians as there was almost the unlimited amount of air energy. Also the ability to fly was common for such magicians as it was considered their basic spell.
Lighting magician could control the lighting and his power was at peak at the time of thunderstorm. The lightning-based magicians were called “The God’s will wielders”, as they could bring “the wrath of the God from the sky”. The thunderstorms for the common people were considered as “God’s wrath”. Aside from that such magicians were famous for their speed as they usually prefered casting lightning spells on themselves in order to move incredibly fast.
Fire magicians took their power from the fire and flames. When there were burning things nearby they could consume the flame and increase their own power. Also they were able to control the surrounding temperatures, making the environment hotter and colder.
The earth magicians were the second most dangerous magician type. They were extremely dangerous out of the towns, because there every grain of soil could become their weapon. They could restore their power by consuming the earth energy. Some people said that they were similar to martial artists in that regard.
However it was prohibited to supply magical energy from the surrounding on regular basis, because it could make a magician to go crazy and go on rampage, where his powers were growing uncontrollably and he could be stopped only by even higher force (for example, stronger magician) or just by dying.
The strongest fire magician in the history, when he went on rampage, caused the great drought, which covered almost the whole the Maderian continent and lasted for several years, leading to a lot of deaths and creating of the inhabitant regions. Some people even said that it was one of the reasons, which caused the Forgotten Empire to fall.
Usually people had the affinity to one element, however there were people who had the affinity to multiple elements. Moreover if the magician had enough skills he could combine his elements and use dual- or more type spells. The princess, for example, had affinity to water and wind. And the grand magician of the kingdom had the affinity to three elements - earth, water and fire. Also he was considered to be an incredible genius because he could control the opposite elements - water and fire.
Every element was stronger than one element and weaker than another. The elements were opposing each other. It went like this: water -> fire -> wind -> earth -> lightning -> water. But it did not mean that the water element magician would be defeated by the lighting element magician. It was all up to the proficiency of using magic spells or chants and mana amount.
But if the person had enough mana without the affinity to the common elements he was rendered useless as a magician. The same was applied to people who had affinity to multiple elements but not enough mana.
- Nope. I don’t have mana.
- What do you mean? Every person is born with mana.
- Yes. But I don’t have any. At all. My teacher even said - “As if anything related to magic was cut out of your body”.
Answered Shun, putting his hand on the heart.. Kenta was surprised“Wow”. He had never heard about such cases before. Every human being had been had the mana pool since the ancient times.
“Well, but with his sword skills and martial arts, if he could additionally have magic abilities...I cannot even imagine what could have he become. Anyway with his skills I doubt he need magic” thought Kenta. “I have affinity to the wind but does it matter if I don’t have enough mana. Having just his skill is much more useful”. Kenta could become a freelance guardian or even some famous warrior, fighting with the demons. Became the Sword Saint. “I should ask him to teach me something”, came to conclusion Kenta.
Meanwhile the town had celebration. They heard about the incredible battle between Shun and Xo Ming. Xo Ming’s name was famous, but quite a few knew how did he look like. A lot of people gathered around his unconscious body.
Shun was excitedly telling the story about his battle with Xo Ming. Despite it lasting several minutes, he was telling it as it lasted for several days. He explained his thoughts in some particular actions, told about the incredible magic which Xo Ming used.
“He’s enjoying himself for sure”, exhaled Kenta, looking at Shun, who took “I am a fabulous” posture.
After that, the fainted Xo Ming’s body was given to the soldiers.
- He’ll wake up in few days.
Told Shun. “I wonder what did he do”. thought Kenta.
The Sword Saint, Leyten De'Leroe and the Princess, Elizabeth Silvier, arrived from the shrine. Leyten was the first one to talk with Shun and Kenta.
- I, Leyten De’Leroe, am grateful to you, Shun the Wanderer, for the help with Xo Ming. If not those guys, I’d definitely come to help you.
The Sword Saint bowed. The elite soldiers, left as the guardians of the entrance, decided not to inform him about the fight and he was furious.
- You should be executed as the traitors! - shouted Leyten. - Helping people should be considered the top priority!
- But, your highness, you are more important than the commoners…
Mumbling one of the soldiers. It was the common knowledge that the nobility were more important that the commoners.
- Those people must be protected. That what is your power for. But you decided to abandon your responsibility as the kingdom's soldiers and humans. I thoroughly disappointed. When we return I will ask the king to send you to that demon exterminating squad to the Mountain Range.
The look of extreme fear appeared on the soldiers' faces. Demon exterminating squads were the special units of the kingdom, created to hunt and dispose of any demon appearing inside kingdom’s borders. Moreover there was a special “suicide” squad, with that base in the Mountain Range of the Forgotten Empire.
According to the legend, this range was created by the grand imperial magician to defend the Forgotten Empire from the demon’s march. It was stretching from the north to the south of the Maderian continent as the impenetrable wall. But demons sometimes were able to pass this range and then the special squad had to deal with them.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Those who were sent to that squad were usually the veterans, who wanted to die in the battle and different criminals as their sentence. The squad had an unofficial name - “The Last Run squad”. The death rate there was extremely high.
The guardians were trembling. One of them even wanted to cry.
Then a small hand touched Leyten’s shoulder.
- Leyten, you are too harsh. You should not blame the fear of the strong as a grave mistake...
- Elizabeth, they abandoned....
- You can talk like that because you could deal with that criminal yourself. You are the Sword Saint, the king’s sword, the strongest sword. But they are not as strong as you...And it’s alright to be afraid of the superior power. There is no need to throw away your life just because you can’t die. They did not want to show their fear so they lied about their main duty. I know that.
Her voice was as the angel’s song, calming the heart. Elizabeth was giving a feeling of some goddess, who wanted to protect her children from the furious warrior god. After her words, no one could be angry at those soldiers. Though nobody was angry at them from the very beginning. Only Leyten decided to punish them.
- They are the warriors and only then humans.
- You are wrong. They are the humans and only then they are the warriors. It’s a mistake to treat people like the dolls. They have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Leyten answered something and Elizabeth made a sulky face.
- It feels like a love-quarrel
Said somebody. A lot of people gathered around to hear the conversation.
“She is definitely the worthy princess. She’s like a mother for the all the kingdom’s people. “, said Kenta,”And she is only one year older than me. “ That drastical difference was obvious to Kenta. “We are from different worlds”.
Kenta looked at Shun. Shun was looking like he was day-dreaming. “Cannot believe he’s not affected by the princess at all”.
- Shun, so what do you think of the princess? She is a saint indeed.
Shun scratched his head and answered.
- Well, all I can see is a little girl who has too much power for her age.
- You are talking like an old man.
Muttered Kenta and kicked Shun. Shun laughed.
- You are even younger...
Meanwhile the princess approached the guards.
- Look at me, - said Elizabeth with a calm voice. - You should train hard and not forget about today’s event. Next time you’ll face the danger with your own power and won’t lie just to free yourself from the responsibility.
The guardians faces, was like the were engliten by something.
- We are deeply sorry!
Bowed both of the guardians. After the talk they came to Shun. Shun waved his hand.
- Well. No problem. He was stronger than you anyway so I doubt you would be much help.
Last phrase reminded Leyten of something.
- Sorry, Shun. May I call you Shun? May I ask where are you going? I’d like thank you for saving those people even at least if it just by giving a ride in the carriage to your destination.
“Wow”, said somebody from the crowd. Never they heard about any person riding in the royal carriage except the Sword Saints, the princess and the king.
- I’d like to decline. I prefer travelling by foot. It allows you to see a lot of places, meet people and communicate with them.
- I see. But if you ever come to Serpentia, please visit the palace. I am sure my father would like to talk with such strong person.
Said the princess. “Audience with the king!”, exclaimed Kenta.
- It might be rude but may I hear where you are going? Judging by your look you are not from here.
Asked Leyten.
- Well, we are going to Ivelen. Because this guy, - Shun patted Kenta’s head, - wants to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament.
“Wha…”, Kenta decided to keep his cool in front of the Sword Saint and the princess, so he just nodded.
- Oh, - Leyten was surprised, - you know martial arts?
Shun answered before Kenta was able even to open the mouth.
- He is my student.
- Your age is the same as mine, but you already has a student. I feel jealous.
Said Leyten with admiration. The Sword Saints were not allowed to have pupils.
- I hope one day will be able to spar each other.
Added Leyten.
“Shun is awesome!”, said Kenta. He was able to acquire the invitation to the royal palace, the audience with the king, the gratitude of the princess and even the Sword Saint want to spar with him”.
- Well then. We’ll have our leave.
Said Leyten and then he and the princess went to the carriage. The crowd cheered for them and even some children even were following the carriage.
When the carriage left the town, Shun and Kenta was moving towards the gates of the town too. As they left the gates and walked for several hundred meters, Kenta shouted.
- What were you thinking?!!! What martial arts tournament??!! Are you joking?? I told you that I am going to Ivelen but I never told you why and obviously it was not because of the tournament!
Shun looked as he was surprised.
- If you don’t like then you should have just told them that you won’t participate because… you are afraid....After the yesterday’s event they’ll understand you for sure.
Shun started to laughed. “Bastard!”, Kenta was furious and in panic. He did not want to look like a coward in front of them.
- I am not afraid! I just don’t know the martial arts at all!
Living the fear aside, Kenta indeed did not know martial arts and participating in that tournament was some kind of bad joke. Shun stopped laughing. He put his hands on Kenta shoulders and looked into his eyes.
- So...Your only problem is that you do not know how to fight, right?
Kenta felt awkward.
- Yes...
Shun stood up and looked at the sky. The sky was clear, and the sun was shining brightly. The weather was calm and they was not any wind too.
- This can be changed!
Exclaimed Shun.
- How are you planning to do that?? We have only a week before the tournament and I am even not on the first level of the martial arts!
Shouted Kenta. Martial artists usually spent years in order to get to the first level. And in the tournament participated martial artists of the second level and above. Shun scratched his head and smirked.
- We’ll use the shortcut!
Then Shun took out his katana. Now Kenta remembered that Shun had never took out his katana before.
The katana was shining brightly on the sun. Its blade was clean and was sparkling with rainbow colors. The katana was giving a blinding light. Kenta even had to cover eyes from it.
- What an odd katana…
Just started to tell Kenta and then he felt strong pain in his heart. He looked down and saw the katana, sticking out of his chest.
Kenta felt salty taste in the mouth and saw the blood drops falling on the ground. His vision was becoming blurry.
- The idea behind martial arts is to become as close as possible to the nature. I’ll make you gravely close to the nature. To the point of you almost becoming one with it.
- Wha..
Kenta opened his mouth but was unable to make a sound. He looked at Shun and for the second he saw Shun’s eyes glittering with red. “What is..”. Kenta fell on the ground.
Shun looked around.
- Now, I think I should move his body to the forest in order to prevent unnecessary questions.