Chapter;33- Two brides and a farewell battle
Venhorst Castle
Three days had passed since Iza's evolution, John put his own training aside, he focused on helping Iza get used to her new body from a primary level 1, even though those involved were at the same level, John was much stronger due to obvious factors, from experience.
The path of the druid is a powerful path with many branches, animal transformation and summoning spirit animals in battle were one of the greatest strengths of this path, attacks were mostly physical attacks.
John and Iza were having basic training to get used to their abilities.
Even though she was a demi-human girl, she didn't have animal characteristics on her body, she looked like a typical human girl, but with evolution that changed, she could now change part of her body with different animal characteristics.
Clang clang clang
Iza launched several attacks that John blocked with his sword, she did not use a sword to deflect her attacks, she used razor sharp claws, her claws were quite hard and sharp, she cut left and right in sequence.
Using the powers of a druid, Iza transformed her hands, legs and eyes, her hands only with the claws of a wolf, her legs were now wolf paws, the pupils in her eyes vertical.
This transformation was called the primary transformation of the animal man druid, it increased speed, agility, strength and resistance, as a Primary being the increase in ability was minimal, but it was enough to keep up with John's speed who had the advantage of experience.
Iza crouched down to gain momentum, like a shot arrow, she advanced at full speed towards John, swinging her claws like a sword, she launched several cutting beams of wolf claws.
—Polar Star Magic Art, Ice Wall—
John chanted an incantation in the Baboan language and conjured a wall of ice, separating her from Iza, but she still didn't give up.
collide collide collide
The sharp claws cruelly struck the ice wall, one, two, three, four, five, six, ten, after ten strikes the ice wall was cut.
— water ball —
To Iza's surprise, as soon as she cut through the ice wall, a ball of water the size of twice a soccer ball hit her, but before she had time to use her claws to protect herself, the ball of water didn't knock her down, it just made her retreat several steps back.
— Water ball —
Before Iza could take a breath, a second ball of water was coming towards her, using the speed of a wolf, she managed to dodge it.
— water balls —
John conjured several balls of water that he envied sliding towards Iza, this time she didn't have as many types, she dodged three balls of water, but the rest hit her and she went flying and crashed into the ground almost forming a crater.
- are you well? -
Concerned, John asked and ran to try to help.
— I'm fine — Iza replied, returning to her normal form, her claws disappeared to reveal small, delicate hands, her feet and pupils returned to normal too, now there were no animal parts on her body.
John helped Iza get up, he also checked if everything was okay with her, when there was nothing to worry about, John stroked her hair and said.
—let's stop here for today, you don't seem to have any more elemental power left—
Iza nodded yes, she looked at John expectantly and asked.
— John, how did I do this time? —
John smiled and said.
— You did very well, this time you held your transformation for a minute and a half, you also reacted well to my attacks, you did very well —
Iza's eyes shone with joy, with a serious air she declared with conviction — I will get stronger, I will protect you and Alex — John nodded with a slight satisfied smile on his face, he also wanted Iza to get stronger.
***
After helping Iza with her training, John took a shower and rested a little. In the afternoon, a maid came to his room to get him. She claimed that Fernando was waiting for him downstairs.
Without further ado, he went down to meet Fernando.
— Dad, did you call? — John asked Fernando.
— Yes. How are Iza and Alex? — Fernando asked.
John thought for a moment and replied, "Iza is doing well, she has already gotten used to her new body and is mastering her skills. As for Alex, I haven't seen him in a while."
— Good to know — Fernando replied, he remembered something and said — Haa.. you don't need to worry about Alex, he has been training with Ceto, by the way, he is already a level 2 intermediate primary being —
John was shocked, he was clearly the first to evolve, but now Alex had already surpassed him.
— Don't make that face — Fernando laughed and patted John on the back saying — Alex is a warrior while you are a warrior mage, it's natural for you to fall behind, but even so your battle skills must be at the same level —
John still wasn't convinced, because the more someone's level increases, the more spiritual energy the individual can absorb, even if they had the same battle skills, if John and Alex fought, there was a very big chance that John would lose.
As a mage warrior, John spent a lot of elemental power on his magic arts and warrior art, on the other hand, because Alex was of a higher level, he not only had more elemental power but he would also only spend this same elemental power on warrior art.
Of course, the fact that Jon was a warrior mage also had its advantages, he had more freedom in battle being able to alternate between magical art and warrior art, if John wanted to win in a battle against Alex, John had to come however from the beginning, if the battle took too long John would be left without elemental power and as a consequence he would lose miserably.
This was something that Oni warned John to keep in mind if he wanted to challenge someone of a higher level, he would have to rely on his intelligence to create a strategy that would lead him to victory.
— I called you here because we have visitors —
Fernando's words took John out of his thoughts, confused he asked
— visitors? Who would it be?—
— Come with me, I'll show you — said Fernando, but before they started walking, footsteps sounded behind them and they turned to see Leonel Albert and his daughter Victoria Albert.
— Greetings, Fernando — said Prince Leonel Albert.
Fernando returned the greeting, with a neutral air Fernando spoke.
— you finally left the room, Prince Leonel —
Leonel smiled and said — as I said before, just call me Leonel, after all we are friends, aren't we? —
Fernando smiled loudly and said — My bad, so Leonel, do you have something to talk to me? —
— How about we sit down for a while and talk — suggested Leonel Albert — sure, sure, let's sit down then —
So the Four, Leonel, Fernando, Victoria and John, each took their own seat in the living room, a maid came and served tea to the four.
After a moment Catarina also came down.
— Greetings, Prince Leonel, young princess — after saying goodbye, Catarina also took a place for herself next to Fernando and John, as always Catarina was beautiful in her navy blue dress, her beautiful black hair loosely swaying on her shoulders, looking at such mature beauty, Victoria felt a certain degree of inferiority.
— I'm glad you're here, Catarina — said Leonel, taking a sip of tea, Catarina poured some of the good tea into Leonel's empty cup.
Leonel Albert looked at Fernando and winked as he said, "My good friend Fernando, how about a wedding?"
Fernando shuddered, he spat out the tea in his mouth, everyone in the room looked strangely at Prince Leonel Albert, John, Catherine including Victoria had a strange look.
— Why on earth would I marry you? I don't play that game — Fernando growled angrily.
— haha haha haha — Leonel laughed out loud — don't get me wrong, Fernando is not you — Leonel pointed at John who shuddered in response, now he was being targeted, before any more misunderstandings could arise, Leonel Albert went straight to the point.
— I want to marry your son to my daughter, what do you say? — Leonel asked with a triumphant smile on his face.
— erm.. so that was it, I thought that....— Fernando hadn't paid attention to Leonel's words, now that he did, he asked by reflex — what? Did I hear correctly? —
John, Catarina and Victoria, the three were shocked by Leonel Albert's words, they looked at Fernando and Albert alternately.
Being just a boy on the surface, John had no say in this kind of adult conversation.
Fernando laughed bitterly, he exchanged glances with Catarina and then replied — Leonel, I appreciate your proposal, unfortunately I will not be able to accept — Leonel Albert happily nodded and said — sure sure, let's hold the wedding in the capital, when John is 15 years old...
But then Leonel stopped what he was talking about, stood up and asked, "What did you say? How dare you say no?" The pride of a Prince and the greatest researcher in the kingdom came to the fore.
— Lord Fernando, I Leonel Albert promise the hand of my precious daughter to your son, do you have the courage to refuse? I would like to know, what gives you so much courage? —
John's mouth was open, no one even asked if he was willing, to make him even more shocked Fernando said.
— calm down, Leonel, I'm not rejecting you and your daughter —
— So, what is it? — Leonel asked, resuming his accent.
— The thing is, John is already engaged, that's why we can't accept — said Fernando.
John's jaw almost hit the floor, since when was he engaged? How did he not know this until today and more importantly: who was the bride? Was it Iza? Or was it another girl?
Fernando took a photograph and passed it to Leonel Albert, he took it and took a look, frowning he asked angrily.
— Are you rejecting my beautiful daughter, to marry your son to a man? —
John's head almost exploded, he was practically 33 years old now, he was in the body of a 9 year old child and his father intended to marry a boy.
— Who said I would marry my son to a man? Don't insult me — Fernando growled.
— what is this anyway? This is clearly a man and he's ugly to boot — Albert growled, pointing to the photograph in his hands.
John would now burst into tears, the young princess Victoria was finding it funny, she covered her mouth and gave small laughs.
— is a man —
— is not a man —
While the two were discussing whether it was a man or not, the photograph slipped from Leonel's hand and John picked it up and took a look. He frowned. In the photograph, there was a girl who looked more like a man. Her blue hair was so short that it looked like someone had cut it. Her eyes were big. The girl had a wide smile from ear to toe. Two of her front teeth were missing.
— Shut up — Catarina shouted as she banged on the table.
The two adults calmed down and then Catarina spoke.
— Prince Leonel, it would be an honor for our family to be able to marry into your family, but we already have a commitment to fulfill regarding John's marriage. If the prince still insists, I fear that your daughter may only be the second — Catarina spoke the second part seriously.
— My daughter, second wife? No, not that, my daughter has to be the main one, this boy or girl, or whatever, has to be the second — complained Leonel
John looked from side to side, seeing the adults organizing their crystal harem, even in his past life, he had no wife, but now he already had two brides, coming from God knows where.
— I'm afraid we can't accept, Prince Leonel, after all our family can't afford to offend the other party — Catarina said with a sigh.
Leonel Albert puffed out his chest and said with overflowing pride—who would be the other party? I, Leonel Albert, swear on my surname that I will handle this matter—
But then something that Leonel had not considered before came to mind, Fernando was someone intelligent and reasonable, if he was rejecting him, a Prince, a member of the three families, who would be the other party? Unfortunately for him, a bitter answer came in Catarina's voice.
— John's bride is the youngest daughter of the Lord of Benguela —
"Shit, that old idiot, how did he know that John would be a mountain of gold and already snatched him, damn, that old man is really cunning" Leonel thought bitterly.
The Lord of Benguela was someone that even Prince Leonel could not offend, after all in the Ngola Kingdom, after the capital, Benguela was the most prosperous territory, it was also known as an economic capital of the kingdom.
— Alright, I'll go to Benguela, I'll talk to those old men, he has to give the Prince a face after all —
Fernando and Catarina thought the same thing: "Just keep dreaming if the Lord of Benguela is going to give a face to a Prince, that old man's arrogance reached heaven." Even Leonel didn't trust his words.
Catarina took advantage of the moment and threw the responsibility onto the prince and the lord of Benguela — Prince Leonel, then we will leave this matter for you and the Lord of Benguela to deal with —
Fernando asked suddenly.
—Which of your daughters would be John's bride?—
Leonel took a photograph from his storage ring and passed it to Fernando, he then spoke.
— Her name is Lucira, my youngest daughter, she is the same age as John — said Leonel.
— Isn't that a corpse? — asked Fernando after examining the photograph.
— Corpse, how dare you call my precious daughter a corpse? —
A discussion about whether it was a corpse or not began, the photograph somehow flew into the hands of John who was already very dejected.
In the photograph, John saw a very pale girl, white skin and eyes with no sign of life, her hair was red like Victory, they also looked alike, but the girl in the photo was so pale that she looked like a corpse.
John was very depressed, he discovered he had a fiancée who looked like a boy and another possible fiancée who looked like a corpse.
***
After a while things calm down.
— We leave the subject of marriage for the future — said Leonel Albert.
—Agreed— replied Catarina and Fernando.
— Fernando, my daughter and I will be leaving tomorrow at dawn, there are several matters I need to deal with —
— I understand, — said Fernando
Everyone spent another two hours talking.
***
After the confusion that happened in the living room about John's possible brides, Fernando took him to the training area of Venhorst Castle.
During the walk, John asked many questions related to his future arranged marriage, even before he was born, Fernando assured him that it was okay, if John didn't want to get married, Fernando wouldn't force him.
Very quickly the two arrived at the training area, John was surprised by what he was seeing, there were people training, people with whom John was very familiar, they were Alex and Iza, the young geniuses of the Bo Bárbaro tribe and the water clan, Bárbara Bo and Beatriz.
As soon as the two approached, they all saluted and bowed to Fernando and John respectively.
—They are here ready to leave for the institute in a few days — Fernando said when he saw John's confusion.
John nodded saying he understood, he took a look at Beatriz and Barbara Bo, using his sonar, he noticed that the two were already at the peak of level 2 of the primary kingdom, from what John knew the two were newly evolved three months ago, but now they were already level 2 despite the precarious conditions of their regions.
— Very good, you guys are already at the peak of primary level 2, it's really impressive — John said with a slight smile.
—The peak of level 2 is not something we should be proud of in front of the young lord—Beatriz said in a neutral tone.
— Bo barbarian, it won't be long before you reach level 3 — said Bo barbarian with his chest puffed out.
John laughed out loud and said
—that is the spirit of a true warrior—
Iza and Alex also approached the conversation, Alex showed off his intermediate level 2 for John to see.
— I won't disturb your training, Junior, you stay and train with your peers —
— All right, Dad — John replied.
— Who would like to be my training partner today? — John asked
Alex, Iza and Beatriz, the three responded at the same time.
- I want -
Only the barbarian Bo remained silent, he thought John was peak level 1, not up to his peak level 2, for Iza it was different she liked to do anything John was included. for Alex he wanted to test his young lord's skills, for Beatriz she wanted to see if John was just good at talking or had some skills.
John didn't know whether to laugh or cry, among those present after Iza he was the weakest in level, he couldn't fight three people at the same time, he would be run over.
— I will be your training partner once again —
Everyone looked back to see the person who spoke, it was the young princess Victoria, she walked to where John was, the others saluted respectfully, but Victoria just nodded slightly and turned her attention to John, Fernando who was leaving stopped.
— I want to see how you improved in a week — Victory said curiously.
— Since the young princess has volunteered, then I will be troubling her a little — said John
Everyone moved away from the training field, leaving enough space for the two of them, even though they knew there was no way John could win, Iza was rooting for John to win, Alex had a serious look on his face, he wanted to be there no matter which side it would be, fighting against John or against the young princess.
Beatriz was very attentive, she knew that the young princess was even stronger than her clan matriarch, because when she looked at victory it was like looking at an endless well burning in flames.
Even the barbarian Bo was also vigilant, his barbarian instinct screamed danger as he looked towards victory.
— Pay close attention to this battle, you might learn something — Fernando appeared next to the children and said.
Two beams of light shone and two figures appeared, Catarina and Felicia.
— This will be our last training session, so come with everything, okay? — said the young princess.
— ok, — John replied seriously nodding his head, he then heard a voice coming from his soul, it was the Oni who was speaking.
[Let's use this opportunity to test the limits of your body, I will help you]
[I will use the crimson energy to minimize the consumption of your elemental power, I will also be chanting the incantations, so you will be able to use magic almost instantly]
[More using crimson energy will wear out the body's life force, are you willing?]
— how much life force? —
[ 3 to 4 months shelf life ]
- all is well then -
—What are you muttering to yourself? — asked Victoria.
—Nothing, just remembering the enchantments — replied John.
— Let's begin then —
- Yes -
Victoria suppressed her evolution base to match Jon's evolution base, being a peak level 1 Primary.
— Young princess, you can raise your evolution base a little, to peak level 2 —
- Are you sure? One level difference means I will use more elemental power than you — asked Victory
- Yes -
Victoria raised her evolution base to the peak of level 2, John closed his eyes and cleared his mind, given his low level, John and the Oni came to the conclusion that they had to go however from the beginning, before their elemental power ran out.
Victoria raised her hand and a bow appeared in her hands, John has trained with Victoria several times and it always starts the same way, a flaming arrow was fired at John, without opening his eyes he dodged it pulling his body to the side.
John knew what was coming next, three flaming arrows at the same time, without opening his eyes, he jumped into the air at the exact moment the arrow hit him, it was then that the fifth arrow was fired at John's face.
Still without opening his eyes in mid-air, John held the arrow with his bare hands and landed elegantly on the ground.
Everyone looked at John in amazement, they wondered what John was trying to do.
[We can begin] said Oni in the sea of soul.
— ok—
Finally John opened his eyes, and when he did, a surprising change happened, his sonar was activated, a blue aura covered his body, it was not the water blue aura that John usually uses before, it was an ice blue aura.
John sent to shorten the distance between him and victory, at the same time dodging the flaming arrows that came towards him, right, left, up and down, John easily dodged them all.
Boom
John's fist collided with the bow in his hand of victory.
— You have indeed become stronger, but it is still not enough — said Victory.
The bow disappeared like the flame that extinguished into thin air, a long sword burning in flame took shape in the right hand of victory.
Clangor
John drew his sword from his storage ring and successfully defended the victory attack.
Clang clang clang
The two swords sent out sparks as they crossed, John defended perfectly while launching his attacks between the gaps, but his attacks were also easily defended.