***I was awakened by the knock of a stone on the carriage wheel, I looked out the window at the ocean followed by a sandbar, the beach and the sunset .We went straight from the beach to the house. When we arrived, the two rooms, each with two bunk beds, were divided between boys and girls. " One top is mine ," said João before practically jumping onto the bunk. "The other is mine," Enzo shouted. " No, it's not," said Nico before tripping Enzo."You're late," Nico said to the top bunk, joking with Enzo. Two aggressive knocks on the door. " Stop making noise, it sounds like a bunch of monkeys," Gabriela's irritated voice said from behind the door."Let's get settled in, guys." João said. Nico and Enzo gave each other an aggressive look. I sighed. Taking off my uniform and putting on comfortable clothes, I began to tidy up my part of the bunk.Sitting on the only sofa in the room, I waited to see what we would do. Sasha joined me. " Your family's house, I believe. Our family, you are also a noble of House Artwork. Yes, milady ." I said jokingly. "We don't need to use fees in this situation. " lolGabi appeared in the room. I think we can go to a restaurant, what do you think? That's fine with me, I said . It's fine with me, too, Sasha said. I stood up . I'll tell the others , I said. Okay .I opened the bedroom door. Nico was lying down, looking up, Enzo was playing with Hades, and João was reading. " Get up, we're going to a restaurant." "Who said that?" Enzo replied. "Your sister. Let's go then."Shakai " restaurant . A waiter approached us. "Mess for 6 ," Gabi said. " Please come with me here." He showed us to our table. I turned over the menu and looked for the cheapest item, but there was no price on the menu.Where does the price say? Don't worry about the price, get whatever you want. Okay, I'll get one, rice with shrimp. So different, yet so similar, I started to lose touch with the world. My ears only heard the sound of the waves, the voices of others seemed so distant.I began to hear a song as calm as the sea, pulling me closer and closer. " Oops, here it is!" Joao said, breaking me out of my trance. We started eating. " Here's your bill." The waiter brought it after we finished eating. We all looked at each other. "Two or one? " Enzo said . "Two or one! " Everyone put one, only I put two.This is a conspiracy . From my purse I took some gold coins and handed them to the attendant who gave me my change. Walking back home I couldn't stop thinking that now I was broke."Blow out the candles, boys," Cecilia's voice said from behind the door . "Yes, principal, " João said. I wet my fingers with my mouth, blew out the candle, and lay down on the bunk. "Is the principal going to stay with us?" Enzo murmured. " I don't know why she decided to stay, " João said.I woke up bright and early, earlier than everyone else. The cat opened the door to the girls' room and started pawing at my leg and meowing. "He wants food," Maria said. I grabbed his bowl and took it to the kitchen where Gabi said his food was.I watched him eat until Sasha woke up. Good morning. Good morning. Sasha, I'm going out. If anyone asks, I'll be back before 8. Before 8, but now it 's just 7, okay?Walking near the beach, I came across a newspaper vendor. Hi; hey, the newspaper is a copper coin . As I took the money from my purse , I asked, "Do you have a city map?" I got the same price as the newspaper. I took two coins. Thank you very much. It was a pleasure doing business with you .I came home, Sasha sleeping on the couch. Sasha , Sasha , go to your room. Oh , yes. She said in a sleepy voice as she got up from the couch.I calmly removed the flower vase from the coffee table and spread out the map showing tourist destinations—Ossorno Volcano, hot springs. It made sense that the two of them would be so close to each other. Joao came over to me and looked over my shoulder. " Anything interesting? " he asked.A tour of the volcano and then hot springs. Cool, anything else? There's the historical museum and the beautiful city hall. We'll see it with the others later. I agreed with him.When everyone got up, we got together and decided that today we would spend the day at the beach, tomorrow we would take the volcano tour and go to the hot springs that are very close. On the third day we would go to the historical museum, and on the fourth
day at the beach and on the last day, pack up your things and travel back.
"How about when we get to school we go to a play?" Gabi offered. " It's better than staying at home. " Enzo added.
Now that everyone's awake, shall we go to the beach? Said João. Let's go! Said Enzo as he ran to the room, I followed him calmly, when I got there he was half-naked only wearing boxers.
Looking away, I put on shorts and took off my shirt. " Arthur, what about your scars?" João asked. " You know when the teacher turned a frog into a rabbit and a rock into a potato? Yes, appearance magic. I couldn't remember the name of that one."
The sun beating down on my skin, the sand on my feet, and the sound of the waves. We set up chairs and an umbrella. I'm going to the water . I warned, Enzo following me. When the water reached my waist, I stopped and stared at the horizon.
Enzo splashed me. What ?! I ran my hand through the water, sending a thin wave of water toward him. And we started splashing each other.
***
We spent the day eating on the beach until sunset . Sitting and watching the sunset , Enzo said, " It's very beautiful, but let's go home." He touched my shoulder. "Let's go." I got up and we went home.
Once there, João used some basic water magic to clean us up. We went to bed early, and judging by the snoring that woke me up during the night, we slept well.
- Thur , Arthur. Ahm . Someone was stirring me to wake me up . Wake up, because in about 10 minutes we'll start hiking up the volcano. 10 MINUTES!? I jumped out of bed quickly, putting on my clothes and sneakers, and left the room, slamming the door. " You're ready, wait for me. " LOL . I looked around and saw Gabi's hair was messy; it wouldn't be like that if they were ready to leave.
Got me there. I said as I calmed down, looked down at my untied shoelaces, went back to the room and sat on my part of the bunk tying my shoelaces and touching my clothes that were a little wrinkled.
Not long after, we started the trail up the mountain, passing by the stairs step by step, when nature opened up we could see where we passed, plants were on both sides of the trail and in parts the treetops covered us , until we got close to the top where the nature around us turned into rocks and black sand.
Upon reaching the top, we had a beautiful view of the city to our right and the crater and main vent of the volcano to our left. Braided iron cables were the only thing keeping people from falling, and the bubbling magma was an incredible sight. Hot rock acting like a liquid, Gabi pointed out. "A beautiful view," Nico added.
I stood there admiring the magma, so aggressive, yet so beautiful in its unique form. " Okay, how long are we going to stay here? I want to go to the hot springs soon ," Enzo said, seeming unable to appreciate the beauty of this natural effect. I sighed. " Let's move on then."
Continuing to follow the stone passage, at the beginning of a descent we can see the wooden houses with open-air swimming pools, a wooden wall also preventing us from looking inside the 3 houses. Enzo hurried and started running towards the houses.
Above each door was a picture of a woman and a man, and in the third house, both of them. We'll talk later ," Sasha said, following Gabi to the women's house. I entered the men's house with the brothers, right at the entrance, we turned right and entered the locker room.
I took off my clothes and put them in a closet that contained a white towel, placing it around my waist. Entering the pool room, I could take a good look. The water was crystal clear, the pool wall a smooth stone. " It's empty today," João said. " We were lucky ." I added.
I calmly entered the water and sat in a section made for that purpose with only my head above water. João sat next to me . Relaxing, right? Yes, the water gently lapping against my body . Here I go! Enzo shouted as he jumped into the pool.
Even Enzo, as he entered the water, began to relax. " So, do you guys like anyone from school?" Enzo asked as the four of us sat, trying to continue a conversation. João replied, " Not particularly. I do like someone ." Nico said. "Who? " Enzo asked. "Your sister. " LOL . LOL . We all started laughing, but Enzo stayed quiet.
While I was laughing, I saw a small iron plaque on the edge of the pool and went to take a look. When I got closer, João asked me, "What does it say?" This hot spring is fed by one of the volcano's secondary vents, which runs directly beneath the pools. "Cool ," said Nico.
After a few minutes, Nico stood up. " Let's see if there are any pretty women in the coed pool ," he said. Enzo and João stood up, and I sighed, following them. When we reached the coed house's locker room, I could see signs of disrepair on the ceiling—cobwebs and mold, to be more specific.
I took off my clothes again and wrapped the towel around my waist. "Guys? " Enzo asked. I went to take a look to see what he wanted. Where the water was, there was bright red magma. "I. Doubt. Saw. Do." Enzo said, separating the word. " Doubt? Doubt!? " I asked.
Jumping into the pool, when my towel touched the magma, it caught fire and was incinerated. After 2 seconds, when my body was submerged from head to toe, I said, " MY DICK IN YOUR EAR!" LOL . I started laughing, not because of the joke, but because I could feel the heat of the magma tickling my skin.
What's it like? João asked . "It tickles," I replied. He slowly touched his toe to the magma, but quickly pulled it away. "Ouch, that burns," he said. My face must have shown confusion because he spoke. " During the whole hike and the other pool, didn't you feel the heat?" Trying to remember and failing, I said. "No. That 's masochism ," Enzo murmured to Nico. " Enzo, Nico, João, Arthur." I could hear Gabi's faint voice in the distance.
Moments later while the guys were still perplexed , they walked through the door that divided the pool from the locker room, in their normal clothes, first they looked at them who were at the edge of the pool looking at me.
When they noticed me in the pool of glowing red magma, they were surprised. " It's not very hot, is it?" Gabi said. "Try it slowly ," João said. Just like João had done, she touched her toe to the magma and had the same reaction as João.
Gabi shook her head. " Let's go home, the weather is closing in ." I looked up and there were indeed signs of rain . "Can someone bring me a towel? " I asked. " Did you come in without a towel?" Sasha said with a look of disdain. " No, mine just burned up ." She looked at the boys, who nodded in agreement. She looked at me with an expression of amazement and surprise.
***
Looking at my face in the bathroom mirror with the maria on my shoulder. My skin seems smoother. I ran my hand over my face, moving my shoulder a little closer to my chest, the maria slid off my shoulder and fell to the floor when it hit the floor. "Really," she said.
Someone knocked loudly on the door. Are you going to hog the bathroom ?! I opened the door and walked out, feeling him staring at me with daggers in his eyes. The church bell rang eight times, and I glanced at the clock on the wall. 7:57. Late.
It should be opening now, shall we go? Gabi said as João came out of the bathroom, when she opened the door everyone followed her, walking down the sidewalk in two groups, the boys in front while the girls in the middle while I stayed in the back.
When we arrived at the square, the museum's architecture was very similar to one of the school buildings. So many people! Sasha said, I turned around to see, and there was even a line outside the museum to get in.
Next to the entrance was a plaque. The exhibits included wars of conquest, magical artifacts from the sixth century, and the evolution of swords around the world.
We had to wait in line for a while, but once we got in, it wasn't too crowded. We were able to take a closer look at the exhibits. We saw various explosive devices, staffs, and magical swords that were quite interesting. Maria, what if I trade my sword for one of these swords? What's so interesting about a magical sword is how it reacts to magic. Ours can already be considered magical.
As I looked through the museum's sword collection, I couldn't help but notice the bloodstains, the cracked swords and stones on the staffs. Mud stains on the wooden staffs. These weapons had been used in war—what else did I expect? I asked myself.
Taking my eyes off the weapons, I looked at my group. I could divide them into those who look at the weapons and those who look at their descriptions, but there's also Enzo who didn't seem to care much.
Okay, we've been through everything, now let's go home? He said, his hands clasped behind his head. " I have to agree with Enzo, there's not much else to do ," Nico said . "Then let's go home ," Gabi said, her expression saddened by the poor choice she made in coming here.
On the way home, I could hear Sasha and Gabi discussing about going to a masseuse here in town, and Nico, Enzo, and João talking about going to a music concert.
When we get home, Sasha and I are going out, see you later . Gabi said with a smile. "So we're going out too, do you have any plans, Arthur?" João said. "No, I'm staying home. Have fun." I said before closing the door.
Sitting on the couch with nothing to do, I looked for something to do. Maria, can you train Nigel? Yes, a demon cat's intelligence is equal to that of a lizard, so it won't be a challenge . Nigel! I called him right after he jumped onto the table.
Give me your paw . I opened my palm and he actually gave me his paw. " Very good ," I said as I petted him and gave him a treat as a reward.
Lie down, ro . A chill ran through my body, the feeling that someone was watching me. I activated the realhert and turned 180 degrees, searching for any source of organized magic that might be being used to observe me. But as soon as I turned around, the sensation disappeared, as if it had become afraid I had noticed.
Even after that, Maria remained quiet and I continued to teach Nigel to lie down and roll over.
***
When the sun had already set and the brothers and I were sitting on the bed waiting to get sleepy or for someone to start talking, for no apparent reason Enzo threw a pillow in Nico's face . Hey there! Nico didn't take it lying down and retaliated by grabbing a pillow and jumping off the bunk.
When João got up to stop this, Enzo swung the crossbar to hit Nico, who ducked to dodge and Enzo's blow hit João in the ribs. LOL . Nico and Enzo started laughing and João also started to join in.
I joined just for the fun of being able to beat up my classmates. Anything goes, it was free play. Nico even climbed onto the bunk bed and jumped, hitting Enzo's head with the pillow, and when he hit the floor, the whole room shook. Feathers flew through the air, all I could hear was the sound of the door opening.
I stopped immediately, still holding the pillow, while Gabi and Sasha watched from outside the door. As I looked at them, a pillow hit me in the face, making me fall onto the bed. When I looked at the door again, Gabi was running inside with her pillow.
Her first move was to hit Enzo's leg with the pillow, making him fall. From that point on, he couldn't get up again, only taking a blow to the back and head, he could only protect his ears.
Until Hades, the size of a pinscher, with a pillow in his mouth, started hitting everyone except Sasha, who was leaning against the door looking on in disgust. However, Hades began to grow to the size of a medium-sized dog and grabbed a bigger pillow to hit people.
João, to try to make Hades stop, used magic on his body and threw the pillow with force . "So you can use magic, right?" I said, activating the conjunction stage and giving a smile from one end of my face to the other.
No. João tried to stop me, but I'd already hit him hard enough to make him fall. Everyone dropped their pillows. " Corporal, calm down, Corporal," said the only one, signaling for me to stop. I deactivated the stage and started breathing heavily while laughing at the same time.
When everyone calmed down, we started picking up feathers from the floor while Sasha looked at us with disdain. " I'm tired, let's go to sleep now?" João said as Gabi left the room. " Let's go, this pillow fight is tiring me out ," Nico said.
Lying in bed and falling into a deep sleep, I appeared sitting in the street and beach changing a beautiful melody being sung as if it were coming from the sea. I approached step by step, the melody became louder, and also more attractive, as if it were calling me. I was about to step into the water.
- Mom 's ho . Enzo's voice fighting with Nico once again woke me up. I sat on the edge of my bed, looking down, and murmured, my voice being drowned out by Nico and Enzo's aggressive argument. Just a dream. I don't have a good feeling about today.
When we finished setting up camp on the beach, Sasha went into the water, with Gabi and Nico sitting next to me while João and Enzo had a sandcastle competition. I looked around at the completely empty beach for hundreds of meters.
"Look, sister, mine is much better than his," Enzo said. Gabi stood up. " That's all you can do, you're a disgrace ." She said, stomping her foot and using magic to build the school campus in perfect detail.
Nico stood up in surprise and came closer to admire Gabi's sand construction. " But that's cheating; magic isn't allowed in this kind of competition ," Enzo complained as Gabi stuck her tongue out at him.
Ahhh !! A scream muffled by the water caught our attention. I looked toward the beach. Sasha had a bubble of water around her head. A water cage trapped everyone except me and Sasha. The cage moved to the side, allowing me to see a mermaid sitting on the surface of the water.
She had long blue hair and wore gold jewelry. " So this is the silver boy I was told about." She smiled, using magic to summon two water lizards the size of one of the dorm rooms. The two began running toward me.
From my bag next to me, I pulled my sword, jumping over one of the lizards and cutting the other in half . That was the least of it, now for the fun part . She said before starting to cast a spell unknown to me, but from the shape I determined to be water. TSUNIMI! She exclaimed as the tsunami came towards me, I stood still watching this giant magic show.
Waking back to reality, I remembered the gift I'd received a year ago. I leaped over the tsunami, keeping myself aloft thanks to my flying ability. "Impressive ," she said, the tsunami breaking up just before leaving the beach.
I dropped to the ground, and while we stared at each other, Maria thought of a plan. That's it! Using burst step multiple times, each step counting several meters, I aimed my sword at her neck, but when I was one step away, I turned my foot, cutting off part of her arm and rescuing Sasha.
Laying her on the sand near the cage with the others I saw that she would be fine, from the cut on her arm blisters began to grow and when they burst a brand new arm appeared, having to focus on the main objective I changed my plans.
Biting my finger, blood spread across the spine of my sword. Snake-bite style . I slashed the air toward her, and a large snake made of magic snaked toward her. Beside her foot, a puddle of water appeared, and from it emerged a staff with a blue stone containing a fish swimming in circles. Field of thorns. She said, hundreds of ice thorns pierced my magic.
I put poison on the tip of my sword and began attacking her as if I were fencing, stabbing her and dodging ice spikes that appeared from the sand. On the fifth hit, I distanced myself from her, waiting for the poison to take effect . AHHH! She began to writhe in pain, leaning on her staff. Mist.
She used magic to create a mist. To the left. Maria said, warning me to dodge an ice spear. Each spear that came, I had to use magic to block or burst step to dodge. After using so many BS, my magic was running out, and I was using more of Maria's magic.
Blocking the last spear before the fog finished dissipating, my sword flew away, embedded in the sand. I looked at my bloodied hands, trembling, my breathing heavy . Ice spear . I looked at her, her staff becoming a spear in itself, launching it at full speed. Too fast to dodge. Maria said
I placed my hands in the path of the spear, without any effect, both pierced. If only I had my armor. A green plate made purely of magic appeared in front of my heart, it seemed to be made of scales. But it didn't stop the spear that pierced my body. I could only hear the screams of my friends as everything went dark and I fell backward onto the sand.
Sasha
I woke up behind a water prison. Gabi held out her hand for me to get up. I looked ahead. Water bars prevented me from leaving. All I could see was a spear made of ice piercing Arthur's chest. Why, how, when, where, who. Questions swirled in my head.
The prison was undone, and the boys entered a battle pose to fight—I looked to my left—a mermaid. Hahahahaha . Breaking out in laughter. She moved her finger from side to side. Water cuffs appeared on the boys' wrists. She began walking toward Arthur, passing him to pick up the spear, which had a bloody tip.
Before she could touch the spear, the warden appeared, looking directly into the woman's eyes. " You're exaggerating ," said the warden. "Really ," said a woman who emerged from the sea. Her long dress was a crystal blue. The woman who attacked Arthur knelt in reverence . "I'm sorry, mistress, please punish me."
No. Yes. The principal interjected. While he finishes talking to her, you go train that girl over there . The principal pointed at me. Sasha, you stay here, the others go home, I'll join you soon. Hesitantly, everyone followed the principal's order.
The woman walked toward me and held my hands in hers. " Hi, my name is Tetis, yours is Sasha, it's a very beautiful name ." She said with a happy face. " What's the limit of your healing magic?" I... I didn't know how to describe what she wanted. " Can you create a limb from 0?" No, that's practically impossible. It takes a lot of magic to create enough material to create a limb from 0.
She looked back at her master. "I believe so. But if you had an unlimited supply of magic, could you do it? Yes. I'll give you an exercise to do at home, then. You will use a light spell until your magic is so low that you can no longer use it."
Light magic requires little magic to maintain, so it would take a while before I could no longer use it, but it would allow me to train the amount of magic I control and my ability to control it. I shook my hand. "Yes! " I said, giving a determined smile.
"Come on, Sasha," said the principal, carrying Arthur on her shoulders. His wound seemed completely healed. Strangely, the hole in his shirt also disappeared. Walking silently home. " Is Arthur alive, principal? Yes, he is. He must just be sleeping now. But how? I'll explain it to everyone at home."
Opening the door I could see João getting up from the beating. He sat down again when he saw me, but got up again when he saw the director carrying Arthur on her shoulders. Without saying a word, the director asked João to carry Arthur to the room.
While everyone looked down, Enzo and Nico sat, Gabi stood, and I sat down. We were waiting for João when he entered the room and leaned against the wall. " You know that Arthur's power is different from yours. Yes, he 's on a completely different level ," Enzo said. " No. " Enzo looked at the principal in bewilderment.
His magic is fundamentally different from normal, all because of his familiar. This will only cause problems for him. Many people covet this power or want him dead. Is there anything we can do, right ? Gabi said, practically pleading.
She sighed deeply. " Every day more powerful people enter the game, and what he doesn't need are sheep to be led. I don't advise you to stay near him ." The room seemed sadder at this moment. Nico stood up. " But, that's just advice, he needs us! " Nico said.
If you can achieve a strength similar to the current Arthur's by the end of the year, I won't stop you . "Current," I thought to myself, but put it aside when João started celebrating. " But! If you can't reach this goal, as principal, I'll separate Arthur from you. For everyone's sake," the principal muttered, turning her head and heading to the rooms.
Come on , damn it! We can't let Arthur pass us by without at least trying ! Enzo shouted. "Arthur can't suffer alone like this !" Gabi said. We formed a circle, stretching out our hands and stacking them in the center. By the end of the year, we'll be stronger than Arthur! That's it!
Arthur
Once again I find myself floating in the purest darkness. This time I've truly died. Will I go to heaven? Which god really exists? I see no god but myself! I turned 180 degrees. A woman in a light green dress that reached her ankles seemed to be the source of the voice.
Shit! I prayed to the wrong god. The woman turned into a snake. Mary?! I said, perplexed. Are you a goddess? No, no. Even though I was once worshipped as a god, it wasn't that long ago. Cough, cough . You didn't die, but I needed to talk to you alone.
Are you going to confess your love to me, lol ? No, seriously, that woman who attacked you, her name is Tetis, an apostle like you. You are an apostle because you follow the monarch of knowledge. I, during my life, have been called many names: " Jormungand , Rafaela"
She's an apostle because she follows the water monarch, Amphitrite. She let out a long, deep sigh, tinged with sadness. The monarch of destruction has found an apostle, and this apostle is a danger to everyone, including you.
As my apostle, your mission is to kill my brother's apostle, "Fenrir." You will have to find other monarchs and learn the arts of each. And then when I do that, kill the monarch of destruction? No, you will kill his apostle; the monarch himself is not your objective.
"But you can refuse. I will. But you have a sister, friends, and a promising future!" Maria protested. "I would cause you trouble, and if you want something done right, do it yourself." I said with determination.
Thank you, Arthur. Now I'll explain some things you need to do to get started. Today and tomorrow, Tetis will train you in the basics, and then you'll have additional lessons with Cecilia. But wouldn't it be better if I went looking for another monarch to train with?
That's the point, Cecilia is the apostle of my older brother "Mephisto," the monarch of time. "Of time!" My immeasurable surprise, a monarch and an apostle right under my nose for a year and a half. It seems that time is up after you wake up we talk more.
My sense of space changed, now I felt the bed hugging my body. Opening my eyes, I saw the wood of the top bunk. I turned my head to the left. Cecilia sat on a small bench beside the bed. " Hi Cecilia, hi Mephisto." With a small cloud on Cecilia's shoulder, a rag doll of a court jester appeared. "Hi Arthur." They both said in unison.
Do the others know now? I asked. "Just what's necessary," Cecilia replied. "Now ," Mephisto said. "Yes, stop talking and go train ." I got out of bed and felt as if nothing had happened, as if I'd never fought Tetis.
Leaving the room and heading to the living room, I didn't see anyone. "Huh? They went to train like you," Maria said. "They should be resting; they're on vacation , really. Look who's talking." I walked to the beach where Tetis was waiting for me, cross-legged on the sand.
Nothing beats a fight for a first date . Her cheeks started to turn red. "Not romantic, obviously ." I said. Clearing her throat, she began to speak. " So, like the powers of each monarch, their apostle is created. I don't know what power knowledge has, but okay."
Each monarch's apostle also carries part of their power. For example, I can materialize a suit of armor using my master's magic. A crystalline, transparent suit of armor covers her body, also materializing a sort of combination spear and drill.
As you can see, I can also materialize a weapon. I don't know if it would be good for you, since you already use a sword effectively. But why didn't you use it in our battle? Yes, it's because you're weak! With the danger that awaits us, you shouldn't be playing school, much less playing sandcastle!
She stood up. " Now get up, I'll teach you through practice and pain." Undoing her armor, she punched me in the stomach. " Come on, defend yourself," she said, trying to provoke me. Jumping up and down, I signaled with my hands for her to come up.
She launched a barrage of attacks, which I parried by slapping her hand to deflect, shifting my body left and right, or ducking when the blow was too high. I continued dodging her attacks at a speed that would astound any passing bystander.
When I started to get tired she sent a kick to my leg, which broke my defense and made her land 5 hits on me while I fell on the sand.
While I was lying on my back in the sand, she took two pieces of rope from her pocket. She tied my wrists and ankles. "Do you need any help?" She said irritably . "No, no . " I did as she said, now standing in front of her. Now defend yourself from this . She aimed a punch at my stomach. I used my strength to dodge to the right, but I fell like a sack of potatoes in the sand. She looked me in the eye while I was down and punched me right in the stomach.
I didn't want to show the pain I felt at that moment, when she said, " You will stay here until you can defend yourself from my blows by materializing a piece of magic armor, even if it's just one, like I showed you."
As the sun set, I got up from the sand. Let's go again . My body was covered in bruises. She moved to punch me right in the heart. Using my magic, I finally managed to materialize a piece of armor that stopped her punch. Finally, you can go to sleep now. No. She looked at me curiously. Let's go again, this time two consecutive blows .
She gave a small smile before punching me in the jaw and nose. Her face was completely filled with rage. " I want to go to sleep, damn it! " she exclaimed, but continued training.
***
Once again, at sunset, I stood there with my hands and feet tied. I nodded to go again. She sent an ice arrow aimed to the left of my head, one at my left Achilles tendon, one toward my right shoulder, one from behind, going to my hip, and one aimed at my right eye. After countless attempts, I blocked them all.
Jumping with joy, I stopped. " Thank you so much for this training, is there anything else you can teach me? No, now you have to find armor that suits your combat style. Thank you for everything, until next time. See you." She said, taking slow, tired steps toward the sea.
Opening the front door, I saw Enzo playing with Hades while João washed the dishes. "Hey guys, " I said. "Did you come home tonight?" Gabi asked, her head poking out of the room. "No?" I said, unsure of what she wanted.
"So you slept with a woman?" Enzo said, and when he finished speaking, Gabi punched him in the head. "I just didn't sleep, simple . Just didn't sleep!" Gabi said, sounding irritated, worried, and bothered all at the same time.
It's going to be hard to pass you in strength if you train like that from now on , João said. I didn't understand, but okay, I'll pack my things. The director already did. Okay, then I 'll go , I don't know, I'll sweep, I think. Go to sleep! Everyone said. But I'm not sleepy, I said. Without me being able to see, the only one he told me. That 's adrenaline, when you stop, you'll sleep like a log, trust me.
Okay , okay I'm going . I said, lying down on the bed. Ouch ! I felt like something had bitten me on the leg. I looked at my ankle and Hades still had his teeth on my ankle. Enzo, tell him not to drink my blood! Hades let go of my ankle, luckily it wasn't bleeding.
I looked at Enzo . Why, just because? We even threw water on you, but you didn't wake up, right? Okay , let's go. I got up from the bed and grabbed my bag that was on the floor. João was waiting for me in front of the carriage door.
As we passed through the large agricultural areas, Nico tried to start a conversation. " Enzo, you're going to have to do a lot of paperwork, aren't you? Don't even tell me, because every little thing the clubs do has to be documented. I don't want to hear that you guys finished off a fire stone in two weeks; that's your problem."
It wasn't that bad, like there was that time the guys wanted 10 gold coins to paint a wall, so I did some research and found out that one of the club leaders was stealing money with the help of a painter friend. It was really cool to see the interrogation that João and Lilia gave me . I said. So, I remember that day, at the end he was crying like a baby. João said. LOL . We burst out laughing.
The carriage stopped in front of the school gates. " Time flies with a good conversation, doesn't it?" Enzo said, getting out of the carriage. "When I get out, I stretch and say, ' Really.' " Nico gets out of the carriage with his head down. " But tomorrow I have classes again, sad ."
Arthur . I turned at Cecilia's call. Meet me in room 001 at 3 p.m. Okay, principal. I looked at my watch. 2:30! João puts my bag in my room, thank you very much . I said as I took my sword out of my bag and ran towards the training rooms. If I run, I think I'll make it on time. I ran past several students and jumped 10 stairs at a time.
I managed to get there. I looked at my watch with a minute to spare. I sighed. It took me ... I said to Cecilia, who was leaning against the living room wall. How did she manage to get there before me? I asked myself. Today I'm going to take it easy, don't think this will happen again. She said to me.
Throwing a magic bag in front of me, she said, "Fill it with water ." I began channeling my magic to generate a water fountain above the bag, pouring 10 liters of water per second. 30 seconds. 1 minute. 2 minutes. 5 minutes. I fell to the ground. " How much water can fit in this bag?" I asked.
I'll only tell you when you can fill it all at once, but since you just got back from vacation, you can go to the dorm. Getting up from the grass, I started to turn around. One thing first, an exercise you can do is drain your magic; this will increase how much you can store.
This is suicide. I thought to myself. I've felt what it's like. You won't die, trust me. I told Maria, who I imagined wearing sunglasses worn by blacksmiths while smiling. Trust me. I muttered to myself. We'll try again today .
Sitting cross-legged on the floor of my room, I focused my thoughts on releasing the magical energy accumulated in my body, releasing it all at once I felt an agonizing pain, I felt every hair on my body as if it were being pierced by a needle, merely the wind that came in from the window hit my body as if it were fire.
I couldn't scream, move, blink, or breathe. My heart was beating slowly, almost stopping at intervals. This sensation seemed to last an hour, as I lay on the wooden floor, agonizing in pain. Mana from Maria began to enter my body, easing the pain. Even without the pain, I chose to stay on the floor, trying to reason out the pain.
I said you didn't die. Maria said. How long did that actually last? From the first moment your body was without magic, it took 10 seconds for me to start putting my magic into you and another 50 for your body to return to normal.
I got up from the ground. "Shall we go again?" I asked Maria. "You like this, don't you? If I don't do this, how the hell am I going to get strong?" I answered Maria's question with another question. This time, it leaves me without magic for longer.
***
After a week of Cecilia's training and on the first day of school, when walking between classes and rooms, I tried to use as little magic as possible in my body, for one reason so that my body doesn't die if I run out of magic, simple as that.
Three weeks later, at the last bell, I went to the training room, confident that after so much suffering, I would be able to fill the water bag. Standing in front of the bag, I focused water magic above it. Even though water magic is the one I'm most comfortable using, I could have jumped for joy when I saw the bag overflowing.
I looked at Cecilia. "What now?" You continue with the magic depletion exercise, and you also have to find a suitable armor pattern. Okay." Inspired, I grabbed my sword and sheathed it, running to the school warehouse.
Among the hundreds of armors I look for one that can be a model for mine, the proportions will not be a problem, I took one from your dummy and tested it with some sword blows, but during the movements my shoulder pads hit my neck, I took another one, the part that protected the wrist prevented my movement.
Some time later, I went to the receptionist, who was sitting reading a book. " You have other armor styles besides 3 to 21." He closed the book and placed it on the table. " We don't, Chairman of the Board. Okay, just so you know, John is the chairman, not me ." I said as I left the room.
When I got to the dorm, I sat on the couch, looked at the ceiling, and started imagining drawings of a doll wearing armor trying to replicate my blows, but something always happened, either his movements were limited or the armor hit himself.
Sighing, I got up and went to take a shower. I activated a magic-powered artifact, which washed me with hot water. As I scrubbed myself, Maria said, "It's hard to have a unique combat style, isn't it?" "Really?" I said, turning off the artifact and drying myself with fire magic.
Lying in bed, I tried to clear my mind. Tomorrow will be a new day, maybe I'll have better luck . I woke up lying on grass, trees with pink leaves surrounded me. Between the trees, two men wearing armor I'd never seen before drew swords shaped just like mine. From one moment to the next, they entered combat, their movements clean as the wind and free as water, making the most of the terrain. One of the men jumped off the tree, knocking the other to the ground with the sword at his throat.
The winning man put away his sword and offered his hand to the loser who was lying on the ground, he helped him up, they bowed and shook hands.
Waking up in my room, I got out of bed and woke Maria up. "What do you want this time of night?" she asked. I had a dream where two men wearing very distinctive armor fought, and I think it might be this armor.
Using magic, I turned on a light artifact to illuminate the room. Standing in the middle of the room, I focused my imagination and memory to create the armor I saw. When I finished, I said, "So, what do you think?" A samurai armor. Samurai, what is that? I, I don't know. That word came to me when I saw your armor, and I know it means that.
Taking a step, I struggled; the weight was heavier than I expected. "That's weird; it shouldn't be that heavy," Maria said as I tried other, more abrupt movements. "Let's do this: we sleep now and we'll figure out a solution tomorrow." Taking off my armor, I turned off the device and lay down again, excited for the next day.
***
"I see, so the armor is too heavy?" Cecilia asked as we both sat on the edge of the small lake in the training room. "Yes, even when I imbue my body with a good amount of magic . Have you tried it with your conjunction stage? Good idea." I stood up and walked away from the lake, while Cecilia remained seated, but turned toward me.
I activated it, feeling my body lighter, I jumped and stretched a few times, then started zigzagging. I unsheathed my sword from my armor belt, then slashed through the air and sheathed it again. I barely feel it anymore, as if I wasn't even wearing the armor. I think it looks good on you. I also like that the plates look like they're made of scales.
I looked, and it really did. I hadn't noticed, but it's pretty cool, I said. But one question: in your dream, were those men wearing helmets or face protection? Cecilia asked. I don't remember, but now that you mention it, I don't remember their faces; maybe I was too focused on their battle.
That's a minor detail. I get it. I undid my armor and laced my fingers behind my head. " What do I do now?" I asked, having already obtained the armor and finished the water bag test. She shook her head slowly from side to side as she stared at the ceiling.
You can continue with the exercise you were doing, even if it won't have the same effect. She paused to think when Mephisto appeared in the form of a small rag doll dressed as a jester. " There's not much else to do, Cecilia. Now we just have to wait until another of my brothers is found. Arthur, if for any reason you have to leave school, don't leave without an apostle. We don't know where "his" apostle is; he could attack at any moment, understood? Yes, Mr. Mephisto. Dismissed."
Walking down the corridor to the training room, I could see that some of the rooms were occupied, and I sighed in frustration. " Wait then, the monarchs are still hiding ." Maria cleared her throat. "Correction," she said. " They're training their own apostles ." I hope the next one I meet is as strong as Tetis, I thought to myself.
DWARF
I sat in the cafeteria with my friends. "Ana, you seem a little sad today. What happened?" Suzie asked. " My brother, he's different since vacation. Keep going. He seems more distant after every class. He used to go with me to the dorm, but now he just runs off somewhere and says, 'I can't right now.'"
"I understand," Clara said. " My diagnosis is that he's dating someone. I don't know," Fernanda said. " He seems like the kind of man who's very reserved; he wouldn't show many signs. I agree. I don't believe my brother would have a girlfriend, not for lack of options, of course. Last year, all the girls were interested in him."
"But what about you, Ana? Do you have a man in mind? Maybe Pedro, with his good looks and academic abilities ?" Clara said. "No ," I said without hesitation. "Wow, I'm not dry. I would never be with him. He's such a womanizer. I want a man who loves me for who I am, who can protect me and bring food to the table."
Everyone stopped to think. I don't know if you'll find someone like that here. Maybe in the future, when your brother is a renowned knight mage, you'll find a handsome nobleman . I slammed my hand on the table. I can't spend my whole life relying on my brother for everything.
I was irritated, not by Suzie's comment, but by myself. I'm weak, I can't get up from the ground, but he can fly . I calmed down. I'm sorry, it's not your fault, it's all my fault.
You know something, Ana ? Fernanda said determinedly. No matter what I have to do, I want you to get through this, so that you can be strong. No matter what I have to do, you will learn from one of the best students in this school, Gabriela from the student council.
I was shocked by what she said. No, Fe, she won't accept it . Fe got up and started walking, heading down the hallway, I stayed behind her. Don't do this, Fe, you'll only humiliate yourself. She's right there. Fe pointed. Gabi . She waved as Gabriela turned around. Okay, okay, act like this was planned.
"Hi. " Gabriela said excitedly. "What do you need?" "So, my friend Ana, here, wanted to learn magic from you." She looked at me. "Hi. " I said. " Of course, if you want, you can be my student." "Perfect," Fernanda said.
My god, how did this work out ? I told Fe as we were walking back . I told her to trust me . She patted me on the back.
Arthur
Looking from my window at Gabi training Ana, it's surprising that a first-year student is training a second-year student, but I think being on the student council changes things a bit. Your sister and Liz's teamwork is improving rapidly, Maria said on my shoulder.
Maria, can I summon a demon or a wild beast to fight? It would be very reckless to do something like that. I sighed, I'm bored and need to let off some steam.
Seeing Nico heading towards Gabi, I had a brilliant idea, one I had to confirm immediately. I jumped out of my window, landing right behind Nico. Nico. Arthur, first of all, don't you know you can't jump out of the window? I sighed. Okay, I'll stop. Now tell me what you want. You can make something like a robot that can fight and use magic. I did it. That's it. I celebrated.
But if you want to fight him, that's another matter, because you're too strong for what a magical body can become. My spirits sank. Arthur and Nico. Cecilia's voice called us. Let's go in. I have to talk to you. Call Gabi too.
We all gathered in the living room to hear Cecilia's announcement. I know it's a bit last minute, but the next day of this weekend, the day after tomorrow, you've been invited to do an exchange at the Knights' Academy. That's it! I celebrated loudly.
Thanks for the invitation, Director, but what would non-Castle-type mages do there? Good point, João. I wish you could show them magic and also teach them some mage-Knight teamwork. Nico, I think you'd like to check out their collection of magic swords. Lastly, Sasha, it would be nice to have you there so we don't have to hold back.
That said, who's going? Of course, I raised my hand, and when I looked around, I saw that we were all going, so that's better. That's all I wanted to say to you. You can go back to your normal activities. I couldn't contain my joy as I went up to my room and packed a bag for the trip.
"You know we're only leaving the day after tomorrow," the nico said, leaning against the door. I turned around. "I thought you'd be more excited. Don't you like magic swords? No, no, I do. The variety of effects they can have excites me, but you wouldn't want to change swords either. I have a friend who changes his sword every year."
Interesting, I didn't know they traded swords. Mine was made from one of my relative's ancestor's tusks, and it doesn't show any signs of wear either. Cool, but take it easy, Arthur. Okay .
Cecilia
From my office in the school's tallest tower, I surveyed the campus. Master, I sense a bad omen about the exchange. Mephisto appeared as a man dressed as a court jester wearing a top hat. He lifted my head and held my chin.
Why worry, Ceci? You, me, and the general will be there. Anyway, what will we gain by taking him there? It's too late to back out. If you refuse him permission, the student council members will lose trust in you, and we risk losing another apostle.
I sighed, turning to the window, looking out over the campus. I could see a group of elven and dwarf students. "Why are they isolating themselves from the others?" I muttered. "Before I go, there's one more point. While the council members are away, an important event will happen, one that will change the history of the school."
For better or for worse? I asked. If you don't interfere and let it happen for better. Understood.
Arthur
Wow. Said the only one when we met the great one gate of the knight academy. I could see one of the students guarding the gate running , well profaveu to warn of our arrival.
Open the gates. A guard shouted, and the gate immediately opened. I went up . This looks more like a castle than a school. Gabi pointed out. They have to have money to do this. João said. They also have almost 5,000 students and the cost of admission to graduation is 10 gold bars, if I'm not mistaken. Enzo said.
You must be the delegation of wizards from the magic academy, right? The guard asked. "Yes, that's us," said John. "Please follow me, I'll show you where you can stay."
"Finally, I want to lie down for a bit after this trip," Sasha said. Next to her, I noticed Gabi without even a suitcase. "Gabi, your suitcase?" I asked. She simply pointed to Enzo, who was exercising while holding a suitcase in each hand . "Okay , right?"
The guard guided us to the main building and a part that said " restricted access , commanders only" I don't know the command order of this school but the rooms they showed us were the same if not better than the ones we had at our school.
Spacious, comfortable beds, and balconies in each. I started unpacking my things, and when I finished, there was a knock on my door. "Shall I take the sword?" I asked Maria. "No need ." When I left the room, I saw that everyone was waiting for me.
"Now that everyone's here," I've been instructed to show you around the school, a different student said. "Let's go. Do you know about family members? Are they allowed inside the school?" I asked. "Even if it's rare, yes, they are allowed." Maria climbed onto my shoulder, and Hades ran to meet Enzo.
The school is very spacious, even though most of it is forest , but other than that, it's not very interesting. We sat at a table in the empty cafeteria. "First impressions ?" João asked as our guide stood near our table.
Gabi began. "When they're in class, it seems much emptier than at the gym. That might be because students here are only allowed to leave class at designated times ," the guide said. "Thank you."
"That forest," I said. "It would be really cool to have a battle there, imagine. The problem would be the trees catching fire." João said. "At the academy, we have magicians with an affinity for water. Here, no offense , it must be by the bucketful."
The cook approached us carrying some dumplings. "During peak hours , you'll have to pick up your food, but now is an exception . Thank you. Let's speak in one voice."
Gabi started eating her cake. Very good, I wish this was a dish at the gym. Gabi, I don't know if you noticed, they have to pay for the food here. There, we either eat what the school makes or we have to make our own food. I said
You can learn how to do it, sister, it doesn't seem difficult. Enzo said. How long will it take? In another thread. Enzo said. Good thing it's vacation after this because there's going to be so much paperwork.
When we had already finished, a bell rang. " Who's there in the gym?" said the only one. "Now the seniors are going to have some practical training. Would you like to watch?" asked the guide. "Yes, we'd love to." said João.
He took us behind the main building where the students were dueling each other in front of a podium. "Just a second, please," said the guide, who went to speak to the professor. Who came over to us.
Commander Henry Alpha, Praser meet them . He extended his hand. John, student council president , these are my companions, Sasha, Gabriele, Nico, Enzo and Arthur.
Now the seniors are having a 1 on 1 combat practice, sorry for not having anything prepared , we were waiting for you to arrive in the afternoon, again I apologize , we have nothing for you to do.
No, no problem. A student came running . Commander. Speak. The student informed the commander of something. Okay, go back and tell the general that orders are being followed.
The general and his director told you to stay in your rooms and have food delivered to your doors. Thank you, Commander. As we followed the guide and created distance from the commander , my only suggestion : How about we all go to João's room just to figure out how we'll introduce ourselves? Good idea.
"Okay, the director will introduce each of us," said João. "But since we 're going to be different, we can't all wear the same clothes," said Nico. "I can wear my ceremonial clothes tied around my waist with my sword."
Speaking of ceremonial clothing, we can all wear it, but each one adds a special touch. Enzo said. Example? João said as he opened the bedroom door. Like Nico can wear an artifact. Wait, I have an idea. Nico said, leaving to get something.
"Can I wear these little dolls on my shoulder over my ceremonial robe ?" said the one with two golems on his shoulders, no more than a hand's breadth tall. He was also wearing the ceremonial robe, which was more of an open overcoat, like a cape.
"I thought it looked cool," Sasha said. "But what can I do differently?" I had an idea. Gabi said. "How about you use a red cross on yours? In the army, the red cross marks who is a doctor . It will look really cool." Sasha said.
"Do you guys have one or two of these here?" João asked our guide. "Yes, I can." "While he 's looking, we need to find something for João, Gabi, and Enzo." Nico said. "I think Hades by my side is enough." Enzo said. "Maybe."
How about, since João is our leader, he wears those gold shoulder pads that the top men in the army wear? I said. It would fit in well with the military theme of this academy. João replied , "Let's see if they have that here too."
"Guys, I was thinking, 'I'm not that special.'" Gabi said. For a second, we were silent. "I can lend you Maria." Gabi looked scared. "I promise, she won't move." I could see the excitement on Gabi's face. "Okay!"
"Here," said the guide, who had just entered the room with the red cross sash. "I need one more thing. Do you have those golden shoulder pads that army leaders wear ? " João asked.
Due to command orders, I can only issue silver shoulder pads. Will they work? Of course. Now, let's get ready, everyone!
***
Taking the stage, we all looked serious, with the script Cecilia gave us memorized. As the student council leader, João! Cecilia introduced him, and João responded by waving to the students filling the school's sports hall .
The artifact expert, Nico! João also waved. The group's doctor who now allows us to fight without restrictions, Sasha. She gave the students a small smile. I couldn't help but notice they became more agitated. I wonder why?
The group's swordsman, Arthur. I waved, surprised when they started to applaud quietly, but they did applaud. It must be something about the code of respect and other things. I have their respect for being a swordsman.
And also the siblings Enzo and Gabriela, both beast tamers. Maria stayed with Gabi, but I hadn't thought of them as beast tamer siblings. Interesting, Cecilia.
And now João will explain what the student council does. Thank you, Principal. As the council leader, I appreciate that it's not just a position, it's an honor. My colleagues trust me to manage them. Our role is to connect students to the school, and the school to the students.
We're not the ones demanding improvements to the school, but it's our role to make sure the school listens to the students. Imagine. It's good. The students said to themselves as João returned to the line we were taking.
Stop it, young man. A man of 30 or 40 years old started to climb onto the stage. "You 've barely arrived and you already want to sit by the window?" João turned around. "What are you trying to insinuate!? I 'm leading you into a duel."
João looked at us. Nico, Enzo, and I knew what he meant, so we nodded in agreement. Even though Sasha and Gabi didn't understand anything, he turned to the man. "I accept on one condition. What, do you need me to hold you back so you don't lose so badly?"
It's normal for the misguided to choose the rules, right? So I propose a 6- on- 6 battle between the Xrus Academy Student Council and the Knight Academy teachers! The students went wild; practically everyone was excited to see this fight.
"Let's take it easy, everyone. This isn't the place." Said an older man wearing a uniform with gold medals and ornaments. "Really, General, let's go to the patio . See you there, Corporal." João said, leading us off the stage.
"I expect nothing less from you. Now, what's the strategy?" said Cecilia , who was accompanying us to the courtyard. "I have a card up my sleeve that will change the battlefield, but I need 60 seconds to concentrate all the necessary mana." said João.
Can you do that for me? Of course, President! We said together. The courtyard wasn't much different from the gym's, but it wasn't covered in case of rain, but the sunlight was very good.
We were ready in a line looking at our opponents who, to be honest , are all quite similar, the armor is the same, no beard, all men.