Chapter 35: Is it War? (V) Getting Stronger

Over the past week, the stone pillar had been reduced to rubble and dust.

Dante had been observing Kilian's progress and was convinced Killian was not using any type of magic he knew about.

Even if people were born with magic, not everyone was able to utilize it for fighting or anything more than everyday small necessities.

It was not unless a strong core was formed within the person, that they were able to conjure the magic of their own on a larger scale than others.

This was normally inherited in certain bloodlines, and the nobles had over many years made sure to nurture gifted heirs.

Even then, attack magic or magic that extended or had an impact away from the body usually required preparations in form of incantations or some sort of medium like a crystal or magic item to be cast.

Still, it had been confirmed more than once, that Kilian did not possess any innate magic source in his body.

Kilian ran his fingers through his hair.

It was sweaty even in the cold air.

He did not know how many hours it had been since he had come to the training grounds early in the morning, and the sun was hidden behind clouds.

Knights had come and gone, they had their other things to do besides training, but they all made sure to greet Kilian when they arrived and left.

Kilian touched the edge of one of the many smaller rocks that had come from the pillar. It didn't feel burnt or cut, it was as if it simply split where it had been the weakest, and fallen apart.

The feeling of being able to do it was great he admitted, but he didn't understand how it worked yet.

From the several tests Kilian had done during the week, it seemed as if he had to be looking at his target and gathering the power he could feel around him, using himself as a medium to get the desired results.

Like he was channeling it in through his body and with his will, was able to manipulate the area around him.

The only thing that was required was seeing the target and having a thought based on will.

"Break"

This time he said it out loud, even if he didn't have to, but it was the word he had on his mind while imagining the rock crumble in his hand.

A small crack appeared. He had not spent long as he had with the pillar, but the crack became deeper quick, til the rock split again.

The strange feeling in his body flowed like it was a natural and normal occurrence. For just a second he wondered, what would happen if the target wasn't a rock, but a human.

The thought itself was scary to him, he could not imagine tearing apart human flesh like he was doing with the rocks, but that didn't mean it wasn't possible.

A sting in his feet reminded him of some people he could think of, but even if he wanted revenge this would not be the way.

It was not as if his grandfather couldn't tear people apart easily as well, it was just that the means to the result was different. At least this way, he no longer had to feel powerless in this world.

"I just need to find a different way to use this… Something more practical".

A red-haired man was swinging a sword not too far from him. Each swing made the muscles in his forearm and shoulders tense up, and Kilian lost track of thoughts for a moment before he focused on the sword that was constantly slicing through the air.

He did not have a specific command in mind but was thinking of an action, something specific he wanted to happen.

His eyes stared at the sharp metal and the handle in Dante's hand.

He wanted the sword, that was all he was thinking, he wanted the sword to be his.

Sweat crawled down his forehead and he blinked it away, trying to concentrate on the single thought of wanting the sword.

A flying sword come straight at him like it was forcefully pulled out of Dante's hand mid-swing and launched itself straight towards Kilian with the handle first.

Kilian reactively grabbed for the handle, getting pushed back by the force which it came at him, and triumphantly stood still admiring what he had done.

"Arggh!"

Kilian looked over. Dante was looking back at him in amazement and confusion, but also pain, and blood was dripping from his palm.

How stupid had he been!. Kilian cursed at himself in his head and ran over to Dante grabbing the bleeding hand in his, seeing a large straight cut through the mid of the palm, where the blade had sliced when pulled out of the hand by Kilian.

"I.. I am so sorry.. Dante".

Kilian tried to get out, the guilt was eating his words and his stomach was turning over.

'Why wasn't I more careful?' he thought. Why had he stupidly done something so dangerous, just cause he had been curious as to what he could do?

Dante pulled his hand away from Kilian and muffled out a few words in reply.

"It's ok".

Something about his demeanor told Kilian he didn't want to talk about it, and Kilian watched as Dante walked away from the training field.

The sword felt heavy in his hand and Kilian walked over to a rack and placed it alongside other training swords.

A smile crept up his cheek.

He had found out he could do more with his power than just break rocks and stones

"I should apologize properly later". He said it out loud and turned to follow where Dante had walked off.

"Young Lord Valen!"

A man with brown hair came running towards him and stopped only a few feet from Kilian while bending over, not to bow but to catch his breath as he was wheezing and huffing heavily after the run.

Kilian had seen him in the big hall when he had had an audience with his grandfather on the first day here but had not seen the man since.

"The Duke wishes to see you, Young Lord"

The man finally had the strength to bow respectfully, and Kilian placed an arm under his to support him to stand up.

"Th..ank you.."

The man seemed perplexed at the gesture, and he didn't know what to do in response to it while letting Kilian help him steady his feet.

Jasper didn't want to be rude and move away, but at this moment he was able to see Kilian up close, realizing he had had his eyes too much on his papers and books lately to not have noticed the bright young man in front of him.

The light golden hair that resembled the man he served was the same, and he looked at the young man with curiosity, unable to look away from the light blue hues of Kilian's eyes.

Kilian cleared his throat, trying to break the awkward silence between them, but instead, the sound made Jasper blush and Kilian stepped away to let him regain his composure.

"Tell the Duke I will be there after changing".

Kilian replied with a smile and nodded at Jasper before walking off, leaving the man behind.

The Duke was in his office, and Kilian stepped through the door after knocking, it was already a habit of his to walk inside without waiting for a reply, as his grandfather always seemed to be busy and not notice the knocks at first, so it had become a common thing for him to enter whenever he wanted.

"Kilian!"

A large green bird stood on the desk, the big features obscuring the Duke behind it.

Its head turned towards Kilian, and emerald eyes stared into his blue ones.

The magic around the bird made the feathers almost seem like water, and it moved with grace on long legs with a tall body.

The beak was small, and Kilian walked over gently stroking the head with a finger.

It had been a while since Rayden's small bird had come his way.

The war had started and he assumed there were more pressing matters to use a messenger like the magical birds for than sending personal banter.

"I have been called to the Capital again, I used the excuse that I had found long lost family to postpone it, but I can no longer hold it off".

Cratos stood up and walked around the desk placing his hand on Kilian's shoulder.

"Would you like to come with me?"

His grandfather's face looked stern and he spoke with a serious tone, but Kilian saw the gleam in the blue eyes when he continued speaking.

"It will be a meeting with representatives of all noble families, of Count and above".

It took Kilian only a few seconds to get the implications of those words and smiled while still gently petting the bird, which chirped joyfully, nudging its head into Kilian's hand.

"I would not mind accompanying you, it is not like you are getting any younger".

Kilian spoke sweetly, exaggerating his tone.

"I can still take out hundreds of the likes of you, especially if you still humping around with that cane".

Cratos still sounded stern, but Kilian knew the man had a soft spot for him, and he gripped tightly at the top of the cane he always had with him.

"Nothing wrong with using useful tools to get where you need".

Kilian felt a force go through his hair when his grandfather's hand ruffled it up.

"We are leaving tomorrow, bring your knight with you".

Cratos stepped back behind his desk to sit down and Kilian left after a slight nod.

His grandfather didn't seem to care about formalities between them, and he did not know much about etiquette anyways, so it had been a relief when it was never pointed out.