CHAPTER FOUR

Leeb sat in his Victorian study in front of the fire place. His favorite chair and books reflected the flickering light of the fire. An almost invisible, constantly mutating ball of mana started to take shape above his right palm.

Rey having zero experience with mana was making hard for Leeb. Who was trying to begin the “Magic for Dummies’” book.

Leeb didn’t know if Rey would have a hard time feeling, absorbing, or utilizing the mana. It would be a hard task describing how to do these things with a book. In person they could do tests and practices that Leeb could correct Rey on. That would be ideal, so Rey didn’t form bad habits.

Should Rey start with rune crafting, body enhancement, or absorption, mutation, and expulsion of mana. Leeb could just teach him how to do all of it, but if Rey skipped around and learned different things it could be bad.

Rey could accidentally enhance his organs with fire attributed mana, after unknowingly mutating it. Having his champion boil his own innards wasn’t the outcome Leeb wanted.

His head rested in his hand while he studied the mana. The ball disappeared and a leather covered notebook appeared. With a fountain pen Leeb jotted down some notes.

A knock resounded from the large mahogany door.

Leeb opened the door. His only friend was standing there with a genuine glowing smile.

“Hey gorgeous. What you doing later? Wanna come spend some time with this?” Aphrodite said as she ran her fingertips over her perfect curves.

“Hey. It’s time already I presume?” Leeb asked running a hand down his face in a very human show of stress.

“Yeah it is. Come on and I’ll be your arm candy until we get there.” Aphrodite said as she winked at him.

Smiling he stepped out of the door. When the door closed he placed a hand inches from the door and very complex runes appeared over every inch of the large Victorian style building. Leeb didn’t move for a moment studying the protection runes. The runes were powerful enough it kept gods from encroaching on his property.

It was all Leeb had since the other gods used his domain “The Realm of Champions” for all assemblies. Domains were supposed to be a place for the god to retreat to, but Leeb didn’t have that luxury.

It was a concession he made after the war had started. Leeb didn’t really mind though. He just wished he had more privacy.

Leeb studied the complex runes over the house as he recalled how he created it.

Rey really enjoyed figuring out how to machine and fabricate different things, Leeb knew.

If he could get Rey over the hump of feeling the mana and infusing it. He would take to rune crafting like a fish to water.

Rune crafting would help Rey with the other ways of using mana. It should at least make him familiar mana without risking his life or serious injury.

Aphrodite interrupted his pondering. “What is it hon?”

“Rey made an interesting request and I’m deciding on the best way accomplish it.”

“Come on tell me as we walk.” She locked her arm under his and they started walking.

“I think it would be best if I just said it once. You’ll hear it at the meeting. I think you’re going to love it though.” He said smiling at his only friend.

“Don’t be a tease Leeb”

“Ha you’ll see”

They made there way to the enormous coliseum. Parting ways just inside Aphrodite wished Leeb luck on what ever his endeavor was. They made their way to there sections in the stands.

Leeb now seated in his ornate, gold embellished, obsidian throne. Drauk on his right and Dolo left, they sat.

It was an odd sight for anybody not informed of the situation. A man covered in scales, with a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, sat in a blood covered throne of bones. He was talking to a Dachshund puppy, that had needle like fangs dripping green venom.

“The champion I got will do, I guess. He isn’t perfect but what can you do? You know what I mean?” Dolo, the god that appeared to be a puppy, said.

“Ha I don’t know what you mean. My champion is quite perfect. He is going to be the best of all the champions. The world will be filled with my children.” Drauk sounded like a pompous aristocrat.

“How did your conversation go Leeb? Did you get a good vibe from your champion?” Dolo asked.

Looking down at the puppy Leeb only said “yes”. His voice was no longer, deep for human standards, it was reverberated through out ones soul.

“As talkative as ever I see.” Drauk said.

“Silence” The calm voice said inside every god’s mind at once.

Floating on a disc in the center of the coliseum sat five gods. The gods on the disc also sat in their thrones. Except Athena she stood in the middle.

“Most of your champion’s attributes and skill choices have been approved. We will now begin discussing the champions that have not been approved. We will begin with Loki. Please stand Loki.” Athena said with the poise of a compassionate general.

Loki and Athena began discussing the problems he was facing. After Athena and Loki were done talking. She continued onto the other gods that were having troubles. Making her way around the room, Athena finally made it to Leeb.

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"Ok Leeb let's begin. I see that there are some odd things that have been requested." Athena asked. Her tone had no hint of annoyance. She sounded very professional and unbiased.

"My champion has requested that he make a trade." Leeb answered.

"Hmm." Athena paused. "Continue. What does this trade consist of.”

"He would like to trade his initial two skills for a book."

"What book."

"He would like an instruction manual. The manual would teach him how to manipulate mana."

There was a wave of mumbling and snickering rolling through the crowd of assembled gods.

"Please excuse us for one moment Leeb." Athena said turning to the gods seated in there thrones next to her.

A bubble of runes encased the floating disc and the gods seated on it. No god heard a sound escape the bubble. The conversation was a calm one.

Athena turned back to Leeb and the bubble dropped.

"Have you made your champion aware that he will likely die without any starting skills?"

"I have." Leeb said

"Ok in that case we have decided to allow this trade. Except he will receive the book in the place of one skill. We will allow him one starting skill and this book. Leeb you will have the responsibility of writing this book."

There were very few gods that knew more about the workings of mana than Leeb. He didn’t trust any of them to teach Rey anything.

"Very well. He would also like to receive three points in each attribute per level. He is willing to trade his six free points for them."

"One moment." Turning back to the gods, the bubble appeared again.

The crowd's murmurs increased in volume. The occasional "what an idiot" or "he's going to die" could be heard.

Leeb was worried about the decision they would bring back to him. At least he could go back and give Rey at least one skill. He would definitely need it to survive.

Athena turned back to Leeb dropping the bubble. The gods on the floating disc wore smirks on their faces. Except for Athena her face didn't change.

"That is acceptable but, it is not wise. Have you warned him of this?"

"I have and does the one skill Rey is allowed to choose include the translation ability?” Leeb asked.

The bubble appeared again. Athena couldn’t give him an answer until the five gods discussed it.

“He will get the translation skill and one skill to choose from.” Athena said when the bubble dropped.

“That is acceptable.” He said.

"Is that all?" Athena asked.

"That is all."

"Go to your champion and present our decision to him and bring back his choice of skill tomorrow. We will go over his decision then." Athena said immediately moving onto the next god.

Leeb didn't say anything. He nodded once, stored his throne, and left the coliseum.

Just out side the entrance to the coliseum Leeb walked, making his way back to the place where he resided. It was the only place in his own domain that felt like home. It had been that way for many centuries now.

"Leeb! Leeb! Hey wait."

Turning around he seen Aphrodite skidding to a stop just in front of him. She was breathing hard but Leeb knew she wasn't tired. It was just to make a show of her putting in effort.

"Hello Aphrodite." Leeb said with a smile on his face.

"Why are you smiling? Everyone is mocking Rey."

The smile on Leeb's face didn't survive that statement.

"Some are even saying he would be a great target Leeb. Why did you allow him to do this. It was not..."

She was cut off by Leeb lifting his hand, palm out, signaling her to stop.

"He is my champion and I advised him it was not a good idea. I will not force him to do anything."

He meant every word. Leeb would help Rey in any way he could. Any knowledge or advice Rey wanted Leeb would be there.

Unlike most of the other gods, Leeb was fundamentally apposed to the idea of making his champion or anyone else do anything they didn’t want to do. It went against his very nature to do so; however, that being said, Leeb was not apposed to the idea of violence against someone to defend themselves.

"He doesn't know what's going to happen to him. All of them. There going to war Leeb."

"Rey predicted everything that happened Aphrodite. Well, he had a more dramatic view of what just happened. If Rey is going to trust me to guide him then I must trust that he knows best for himself."

"You and your ideals."

"It is why we are friends."

"I know." Aphrodite said letting out a long sigh. "I just worry. Will you tell me what he decides?"

"You will be the first to know. I promise." Leeb's smile returned.

His smile quickly vanished once he saw the dragon man walking up to stand behind Aphrodite. His presence was that of a predator.

“She’s right your starting to slip.” Drauk said followed by taking an elegant sip from his over flowing bone champagne flute. “Some may come to the conclusion, your champion will be easy pickings.” He continued as he looked down on them.

Leeb took a slow calming breath. When he finished his exhale he stood over Drauk. His eyes now filled with golden rivers of pure gold and annoyance.

“It would be wise to remember your place Drauk.” The statement seemed to make reality more dense. The air itself felt smothering.

If Drauk wasn’t as powerful as he was. The two standing in front of him would have been able to feel the fear raging inside of him. On the outside though he looked cool as a cucumber.

Drauk took a sip from his flute. Looking Leeb directly in the eyes. He Turned shrugging nonchalantly.

“I just thought I would let you know.” Drauk said over his shoulder as he walked away.”

Leeb felt something touch his leg and he looked down.

Aphrodite stood there, a vibrant blue liquid crept down her upper lip.

Leeb shrunk back down in a blink. Pulling a golden handkerchief from his brest pocket. He cleaned Aphrodite’s lip. Stuffing the cloth in his pant pocket.

“I’m sorry I di” Leeb was cut off by Aphrodite.

“It’s ok.” She said resting a hand on his upper arm. “I know you didn’t mean to. That son of bitch made you mad. I get it.”

“I should have better control of myself”

“He should remember who you are.”

“Thanks” Leeb said with a sheepish smile.

“Come on let’s go” she said.

Aphrodite put her arm under Leebs. Walking back in silence they made their way to Leeb’s residence. He turned on Aphrodite once they reached the large door.

“I have to speak to Rey tomorrow. Hopefully he won’t ask for a dumb skill.” Leeb said.

“I believe he is going to surprise you.”

“Oh.. I’m sure it’s going to be a quite surprising.” Leeb said with with a grin on his face.

“Let him get what he wants. Thats your whole shtick. Freedom to reap what he sews.”

“Yeah I guess. Do you want to come inside? I would like someone who has more insight on the workings of the human mind for this book.” He said.

“Do you have any tea?” She asked

Leeb gave her flat look. She knew he had almost any kind of tea that existed and some that hasn’t for a very long time.

They sat in front of the fire place and talked for hours about the newest integration, their champions, and their plans to help them.

As Leeb made his way through the door. Aphrodite called out to him.

“Hey let me know how it goes Leeb!”

“I will.” Leeb said as he shut the door.

He made his way over to his chair and sat.

He had better get to it, it’s not going to write itself.

Summoning a blank book and pen, he began writing. Physical writing wasn’t necessary. He could have just used magic and filled the book with words without lifting a finger, but he liked it.

How was he going to explain how to manipulate mana? It came natural to Leeb. He never had a formal teacher.

Laying the pen down. He lifted his left hand. A small simple rune appeared. Three golden circles in a triangle formation floated inches above his palm. Shoving a pulse of mana into the rune it flashed brighter for just a moment. A small flame about the size of lighter’s on top of the rune.

Rune craft would probably be the easiest for Rey to understand, but he really needed to know how to manipulate mana on the fly for defending himself.

Leeb started writing, he would do the best he could and hope Rey could utilize it.