–Tchak– –Shink–
Leaving the ground, Kai jumped along the trees. Every time his speed dropped, he used Keldreth to regain momentum.
–Tchak–
The glistening edge would unlock from the wristcuff and swing out until it aligned with Kai's palm.
–Shink–
Then it would shoot forward, propelled by his mana. Its speed was nearly instantaneous once he aimed.
Whatever it hit, the edge would unfold and clamp down. Against organic targets, it punctured deep before unfurling inside, sending a ripple of internal energies through the target.
Against inorganic surfaces, the weapon had two modes.
If it could sink in, it would grip like a grapple, clamp tight, and then launch Kai toward the anchor point. A simple tug was all it took.
The spell would automatically choose the best moment to release, but Kai could also detach instantly with a double tug.
–Tchak–
Kai bunched his legs.
–Shink–
He jumped just before tugging—and rocketed forward.
"Wooohooo!" he yelled as trees blurred by in streaks of green and brown.
His mentor followed close behind, shaking her head.
"Boys…"
To an outsider, it may have looked like fun, but this was a training exercise. Sylvia was chasing him and lobbing spells his way.
Needless to say, both were enjoying themselves—until Sylvia smashed into a tree branch mid-laugh. Her momentum sent her spinning. Her mana shield flickered, disrupted by the sudden loss of focus.
She began plummeting.
Kai saw it immediately.
–Tchak– –Shink–
Keldreth hurtled toward her—but this time, the claws didn't pierce. They wrapped around her torso, catching her like a net.
The upper claws flared upward to protect her neck. With a simple tug, her descent shifted course, and she swung toward Kai.
Since she was lighter, all Kai needed was a solid foothold. He caught her with ease.
Was it dumb for Sylvia to lose focus? Sure.
But was it dumb to expect full vigilance while messing around in her own backyard? Also yes.
Groaning, she looked up at Kai and dropped to her feet.
"Sorry… heh. I got carried away."
Kai stretched his shoulders, de-summoning Keldreth.
"Don't be. The situation let me find a new use for my weapon."
-thud- The edge punctured into the head of a wooden doll, normally wood wasn't the best replacement for a real human skull, but this one was magic. The spell cast on it allows for accurate representation, it could even be set to different realms.
Mortal— The edge punctured right through, causing the wooden dolls head to explode,
Foundation— The edge sunk in but didn't burst through the back, the claws extending to sink in different places for a greater hold, with a tug after planting his feet, the front half of the doll's face was ripped off.
Master— The blade only barely scratched the skin of the doll.
Grandmaster— The weapon lost all momentum before touching the surface of the doll, clattering to the floor.
Unfortunately the doll wouldn't be able to emulate the mana levels of any realm above this, doing up to the fourth realm had already cost the house of wind greatly.
That did not mean that this experience was invaluable however.
It allowed Kai to grasp the gaps between every level, and this only showed the base durability of the body, not even an active defense.
-ggugk- -tktktktk-
Keldreth slowly pulled back into his hand, he clenched his fist around the weapon, before letting it lock back into place, disguised as an ornate piece of jewelry instead of a weapon.
This unique form allowed Kai to look more like nobility, allowing him to say it was a piece of jewelry from the illustrious house of wind.
Which it technically was, it was also a murder weapon, but no one else needed to know that, did they.
While this form was still draining on his mental mana, Kai could de-summon the weapon while he slept, being defenseless anyways, it wouldn't do much good even if summoned, allowing his mind to recover its mana.
By now due to his physique and the skill he had learned from Arthur, Mana Neglection, Kai was able to keep the weapon summoned all day and remain at peak physicality.
And just like that, the few months at the manor had passed, and Kai had completely learned how to control his weapon, and Mana Neglection had finally assimilated perfectly with his body.
"Kai, you've done so well!" Sylvia exclaimed, hugging him, before standing back against a wall, still in her combat leathers.
Kai's fashion however had undergone a drastic change. From the long sleeve soft tunic, and dark pants; he had begun wearing a sleeveless leather tunic, thick and padded over the chest. Dyed green of course.
Due to the nature of Mana Neglection and his style of fighting, he opted for this shirt so he wouldn't have to replace his clothes so often.
His right hand was adorned with the signet ring of the House of Wind, resting on his ring finger, as well as a quartz ring for his thumb, a gift from Sylvia.
The space ring he had found over two months ago at this point was resting on his first finger, now with the ability to manipulate Kai could open it as well.
However Kai's steps felt heavy, burdened not by the weight of luggage, the mundane objects and clothes had been nearly packed into the 9 cubed meter space.
It was time to say goodbye, but neither party wanted to.
"Hey Sylv, walk with me?"
"Okay."
Footsteps crunched on the leaves, it had been summer when he arrived, but now the first leaves of fall had already flitted down from their wooden perches.
The last golden lights of dawn had already filtered through, now the pale morning sunlight shone above the manor's forest.
The beauty however could not compare to the star before him.
Sylvia, she had done so much, sacrificed so much of her valuable time. Called in so many favors to get Kai proper teaching and equipment.
She really was the person who had given Kai the most.
Someone who had just met him two months ago, completely took him under her wing, and provided more than most mentors would for their apprentices.
Right here and now, the beauty of her character shone, through the light reflecting off of her golden hair, gently cascading down her shoulders, the beautiful pendant resting around her neck, a simple emerald inlaid in a silver chain, crisscrossing metal and four curved claws clutching the stone.
Fair skin, the summer apparently having barely touched her complexion,
Simple clothes, and high raised booted, travel apparel.
One didn't need fancy clothes or showing off to be pretty.
"So, this is goodbye huh…" the young priestess tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, breathing softly.
"Yeah, I guess so—"
"I'll write to you." She responded rather too quickly, almost cutting Kai off. Her eager personality had always amused him
"That would be nice, but I don't know how to write… so."
"Oh…" She looked a little disheartened but shredded the negativity a second later. "No worries, I'll just imply what I think you would have said in response." She winked.
"Oh no that's okay I think I'll learn to write actually." He could only imagine the horrible things Sylvia would make him 'say' just to tease, stirring up imaginary arguments to get a rise out of him.
She stuck out her tongue.
"No fun."
"Well, I am kinda going to a place where everyone will be gunning for my throat aren't I?"
"True, but you don't need to lose all your personality. Even if the training is brutal, even if the people suck, even if everything you go through pushes you to stop caring. Do not turn into someone you'd hate."
She took a breath, smoothing her clothes out,
"The academy won't be like the school in your hometown Kai, at Elytrior violence isn't punished, it's encouraged."
Kai nodded, setting his jaw.
"I know Sylv, I know."
"I wish you wouldn't have to, I wish you would be able to live a normal life and have friends, I wish a lot of things for you Kai."
"But—"
"I can't control where you go to school, you decided on the Academy, and I'll respect that. I won't try and convince you not to go after you worked so hard."
"And after all the things you sacrificed to help me catch up… don't sell yourself short."
She tilted her head, a faint smile tracing her lips.
"Thanks, that yeah, thanks."
Kai nodded, before turning around, fidgeting with the ring on his thumb.
"The carriage arrived a few minutes ago, I shouldn't keep them waiting, the drivers have families to get back to in the city."
His words were only met with silence, before warm arms embraced him, they felt so delicate but he knew that even with her status as a Caster, she could crush his body into nothing, that person so powerful was currently embracing him.
"Please, be safe." Her words were like the rush of the wind, her emotions fully connected to the environment around them, whispers of the wind, gentle caresses from the sunlight, the breeze carrying her voice.
"I will—" Kai turned around abruptly as the presence vanished, Kai was standing in the middle of the woods, he looked back at the manor, but it wasn't there, and neither was Sylvia, the carriage was directly in front of him, he had traveled to an identical path of forest over a mile away through one interaction.
He made sure the quartz ring was tight on his finger, and climbed aboard.