13. Departure

After all the talk about us explaining about what had happened and where our bond comes from, we learned that beings like Sylvie and Mars will only hatch in the presence of their kin.

Learning about it, I remembered I already activated Malinda will long ago, 'but why did Mars only hatch after Art activated his will?' I thought to my self but decide it is not a problem since it still hatch.

"Arch, should we need to hide our bond when we get back?" asked Arthur to me.

"Hmm, we should, but Dragon is a rare beast and probably people will think that it is a rare mana beast, so we will do so and say it to they who ask" I answered.

Arthur just nod and agreeing with my thought, "Rather than that, you should be worrying about something else than that" said Elder Virion.

We both looked at him in curiosity "Before both of you awoken your will, we were holding back during assimilation of your mana core, now we should focus on training both of you core and Beast Will" Said the Elder.

"Speaking of that, I know the fastest way to train your Mana core and Beast Will, and that is constantly engage in combat, so we will be doing just that" Said the Elder while smiling.

I just nod at it and arthur answered "well that makes sense, so what do we do? do I need to spar with Arch?" said Art.

"No, you guys will fight me" said the elder when suddenly a scary roar of a panther sounded and the elder got engulf in darkness resembling that of a Black Panther.

"Now... fight me brats" said the Elder while smirking, I looked at Art 'Did this guy still hold grudge on us when we hit his head years ago?' I said using Twin Telepath.

Arthur just shrugged it off and look at me that said 'this will be painfull' I just nod and getting ready to get beaten.

"Now both of you, careful of your back when I sneak on you" Said the Elder, 'Did he just said that with thinking he can still sneak on us even after telling us?' I thought.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew and the Elder vanished on spot, I reacted quickly trying to find where he at, fortunately my power is the darkness it self so I seems to get where his shadow is.

I noticed he was aiming for Art so I use shadow teleportation and appear above him to struck him down, the Elder looked surprised at it but still react in time and send me away with a back spin kick.

the short moment make Art have enough time to react and try to counter with a backspin kick of his own, but the Elder vanish again and get behind him for the second time.

I learned at my lesson the use Shadow bind, a skill I learned at my own while pondering at how to use my magic, the shadow of Elder Virion seems like it were bind to something that making him unable to move.

Arthur that that chances to struck him using his hand at the Elder neck but got grabbed because of my magic got broken with the Elder power.

I again appear beside him and using my magic to arm my self with a darkness blade slice at the elder but hot deflected by him making me knock away.

both of us know that we don't stand a chance even if we use all the trick we got, so we just decide to surrender, all of that happen only for a couple of second making Tess confused at what Happen she only sees Arthur moving and me got knock back.

"I surrender, and seems like my brother also did" Arthur said while he walk to me trying to help me get back up, I got all the damage because only me can react and give the elder a fight for a bit.

"hah, to think I who got the power of darkness at my control got beaten up by someone who weild the will of Black Panther" I said in frustration.

"Well, frankly I can't even react to his movement but you can, and even put a bit of resistance, all of that time I just being someone who drags you down Arch so be don't get too dejected" said Arthur.

"He is right boy, the fact that you managed to find me first when I attack Arthur means that you know where I am at, and you can counter me means that you can predict where I'm going, be proud cause its a feat that many can't do" Said the Elder.

"I know, and I also proud of it, but I just feel annoyed because I'm a Darkness mage but can utilize it on battle as good as you Gramps" I said.

"Well only times will tell" Said the Elder ending the conversation.

After that, the elder continue to train us, as days pass, Me and Arthur got the access to our first stage, we both train our mana Core and also our beast Will.

Days after day passed by in the blink of eye, all the time when the three of us train together, and Art and me spending time with Tess, even tough 80% of it only consist of Tess and Art, we were having fun.

Until... the day of the departure, the time.. when I need to say another goodbye, even if its in the form we will see each other again, it sti hurts to see it happen.

and the one who got hurt the most seems like its Tess, she may or not lost her only friend in this kingdom.

"Boys, its time to Go, your carriage is waiting" said the Elder patting Arthur shoulder.

while that being said Elder Virion give Arthur and me something "Both of you, hold into this, it is a pendant adorned with the Eralith house crest, it will help you navigate trough the forest" said the elder.

Arthur thanks the Elder and I nod appreciating the goodbye gift, "or, you can bring another princess to lead back home for the second time" Said the Elder to Arthur and I just chuckle watching it.

"Well that is that, We'll see each other soon Tess, and with the Gramps teaching you, I know you will be stronger than us by the time we meet again" said Arthur.

"and... I will miss you Tess" Said Arthur again the proceed to hug her while Tess just cried in his arms.

I just smile watching them both and walk towards Tess who is still sobbing even after Art let go of her "Your Highness Royal Princess, I beg you farewell and my fate make us meet again" I said while bowing.

Even after I said that, Tess still cried and didn't gives the usual reaction, "Oy, sister in law..if you keep crying like that, you won't be able to say anything to me you know" I said.

"Shut it... You annoying big brother" Said Tess still sobbing in her tears.

I walked up to her and Touch her forehead using two fingers, and said "Stop crying, we can still meet each other in the future, and also" I stop then takes her hand.

I pour my magic to it and resulting it to gives Tess hand a mark of its own "This is called shadow mark, I also gives one to Art, if you are in some kind of danger, pour magic into it and I will get noticed, I'll be there no matter what the problem is, and it also have a features when it is close to another mark, you will feel it and give direction to where the other holder is" I said with a smile.

Tess stop crying and looked at me with affection, not the kind that she loves me like a partner but like a Brother who she trust will always protect her anywhere and anytime.

"Thanks Nii" She said and hides behind Virion.

"Haha I never thought I will get sister this soon" I said while waving back at them and walk to the carriage where Art wait for me.

Before we go up, we nod at each other and bow to Elder Virion one last time.

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~Ekhem its the author here, Sorry for the long hiatus, I got some problem which makes me can't upload anything, its already solved and I hoped that anything like it will mot happen again, thanks for all the support that you guys gave, I was genuinely happy and I'm really am sorry to let you guys down this long, Much love the author <3