Chapter 5

I barely had time to think about what the hell was with elves and their fire magic before Ryanna rocketed towards me, the flames propelling her through the air at a high speed. I jumped out of the way as she sailed past me, and just from that brief exchange, I was already sweating from the heat coming off of her. She was a hell of a lot more skilled than Randall, that was for sure.

She tisked as the flames shot out from her front to stop her momentum, and with a quick 180, she came at me again. The move came so suddenly that I didn't have time to react before her fist met my face. To my and her surprise, I stumbled slightly, but that was it. It seems as though she expected me to be sent flying by that attack, and to be honest, I did too.

As I reoriented myself, I considered what J should do. Obviously, she wanted to see what I was capable of, and so did I, but I didn't want to hurt my friend's mother. She seemed to realize my plight and chuckled.

"Don't worry. We have plenty of staff, as well as Elizabeth, who are adept with healing magic. I'm sure you'll need it." She said, taunting me to get a rise out of me.

For some reason, her words made me frown, and to be honest, they probably upset me more than they should have. I'm the King, so why should I be worried? That line of thinking soon left my head, and now I was starting to wonder what the hell that was all about. I'm not exactly confident persay, but ever since my magic first appeared, I noticed my line of thinking changed during scenarios like this, but I didn't understand why.

My thoughts were soon halted as a giant fireball, more powerful than Randall's by a significant margin, slammed into my chest, and this time, I did go flying and I smashed into the wall of the indoor arena. I fell to the ground, dropping to my hands and knees and groaned.

"That fucking hurt." I muttered, trying to catch my breath.

Elizabeth and Nadia watched as Sid was launched across the arena by Ryanna, and they had to admit, they were both worried.

"What is mom thinking using an attack that strong?" Elizabeth asked, worry in her tone.

Nadia was silent, but she could help but agree. When Sid took that attack in the chest, and went flying, she almost felt the pain herself. She did NOT like seeing him get hurt like that.

Elizabeth was about to yell at her mother when Thadwick put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry dear, and just watch. Your mother already knows some of what he is capable of. She was there when Sid fought Randall. Besides, can't you feel it? Focus your perception, and feel the mana." Thadwick told her.

Both Elizabeth, as well as Nadia who was listening intently, did as he said, and focused on the fight not with their eyes, but with their ability to perceive mana. What they saw made them both gasp.

"Is this all you got, Sid? You haven't even tried to fight back. Please tell me you are more than just a pretty face. I expected better from you, given what I've heard and what little I seen. Now I'm starting to wonder what my daughter sees in you." Ryanna said, her words taunting, and her tone condescending.

I gritted my teeth and my left eye twitched as she talked down to me. Part of me knew she was probably just trying to get a rise out of me, but goddamn it, it was working. I got to my feet, and my my resolve hardened.

"Fine." I said, opting to give her what she wanted.

"What was-" Ryanna said, but then her eyes widened when I entered a battle stance.

I put my right foot forward, causing the earth to rumble and cracking the floor beneath me as I entered a charging stance. Electricity flowed through my body, and this time, I could feel it pouring out of my center, seemingly from my heart. My body crackled, and upon glancing at what I could see of myself, I figured I looked pretty intimidating right now.

My hair flowed as if in a monsoon as sparks traveled through it. Lightning bolts flew from my body as I felt my power, my mana, continue to grow. The energy poured out of my chest, and while I could feel it wasn't limitless, I could tell that it was incredibly vast. I looked at Ryanna, hoping that she was ready, and then, I bolted forward.

Electricity trailed in my wake, and the floor underneath me crumbled and flew backwards from my charge. I was in front of her faster than she had time to blink. I felt my mouth split into a smile when I saw the look of utter bewilderment on her face.

Ryanna, to her credit, reacted quickly as she concentrated a large amount of fire mana in her right hand, and through a jab at my face. I let her punch land, striking me in thr forehead. Her strike exploded, sending my hair wipping back behind me, but I didn't budge. I was actually surprised. To me, it felt like she hit me with a napkin, as I barely felt the strike.

Her eyes were wide as she stared in disbelief at just how ineffectual her blow was. I let her sit with that emotion for a short while, and then, I grabbed her arm, and threw her over my shoulder. I made sure to hold back, but it seemed that I may have miscalculated my own strength as she was sent rocketing across the arena. Before she impacted the wall, I saw that the ruby necklace she wore began to glow, and a blue bubble appeared around her before she hit the wall.

Debris was sent flying through the air, obfuscated the point of impact. I saw Thadwick, Nadia, and Elizabeth jump to their feet and rush over to where she impacted.

Any anger I had, or any sense of feeling powerful left immediately, and now all I felt was worry and regret. My mana halted immediately as I too rushed over to Ryanna. The dust cloud was settled by the time I had gotten over there, and when I saw Ryanna, I breathed out a sigh of relief.

Yes, the clearly broken arm was distressing, but she was breathing just fine, and Thadwick was currently helping her to her feet, so she was still able to stand. The barrier must have helped, but when I looked for the ruby necklace, I found it in pieces on the ground. I assumed it was a different type of enchantment, one meant for defense, and given these results, if she hadn't had it on...

"Mom!" Elizabeth shouted as she ran up to her mother.

Ryanna coughed, but tried to reassure her daughter.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. I've been through worse." Ryanna said, and while I did believe her, I still felt like shit. I hung my head in shame.

I watched as Elizabeth brought her hand up, and a bright green glow emanated from it. I stared in disbelief as the energy washed over Ryanna, and before my very eyes, cuts and bruises simply closed up and vanished, and after some rather unpleasant noises, her broken arm righted itself.

Ryanna opened and closed her fist to test it out, and then, she gave Elizabeth a smile, gave her a hug and kissed her forehead.

I still felt terrible, but at least the damage wasn't major. I glanced around the now destroyed arena and grimaced. The bodily damage, at least.

"Hey," Nadia said gently as she came up to me, grasped my hand, and looked into my eyes, "Don't blame yourself. Mrs. Jonnadeer is kind of a battle nut, so I'm sure she had fun. Besides, that was pretty badass. You were quite dashing."

It's funny how I can go from feeling like garbage to feeling like my face was going to burn off from embarrassment in a matter of seconds. Her eyes gleamed like emeralds as she beamed at me.

"She is way too fucking hot." I thought as I tried to look smaller, which given my new and impressive frame, wasn't going to happen.

"Are you sure you're okay, dear?" Thadwick asked his wife, fussing over his wife as he continued to check her for injuries.

Ryanna just smiled before she gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"I'm fine honey." She told him, "But I do appreciate you doting on me."

Thadwick coughed and actually blushed a little bit. Not gonna lie, they way they act around each other is kinda cute.

Then, like she was on mission, Ryanna turned to me and began marching towards me.

"Here we go. I deserve this." I said, resigning myself to my fate.

"Mrs. Jonnadeer, I am really sorry. I didn't mean to-" I was saying, then I yelped in surprise as the woman hugged me so tight that I stopped breathing for a second.

"That was so much fun! I have never felt so outmatched in my entire life!" She said, and some how, she squeezed me even tighter.

"Can't... breathe..." I wheezed, but it did little good.

I could hear the others actually chuckling in the background. They must have known she would be like this. I was never in any trouble from the start. After a few more seconds, she let me go, and stared at me intensely with a wicked smile and a gleam in her eyes.

"Sorry I said all of those things, but from what I saw, and what I heard, it seemed like the best wag for me to see what you were capable of." She said to me.

I coughed.

"Uh...it's fine. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'm still getting used to my own strength." I said sheepishly.

"The way you act is so cute!" She said, causing me to flush once again.

I looked over at Elizabeth who just gave me and weak smile. Thadwick was smirking, while Nadia was still giggling at my expense. Ryanna seemed to tap her chin in thought, then she nodded.

"I've decided. You have my permission to date my daughter."

Silence filled the air for a while, and then, as one, Elizabeth, Nadia, Thadwick, and myself all echoed the same thing.

"WHAT?"

A little while later, there I sat on a couch in Elizabeth's living room, my face no doubt bright red still by this point. Thadwick had called some people in to repair the damage, and as we were leaving, I seen them using magic to literally repair the broken tiles and cracked walls before my eyes. The shit you can do with magic really makes life a lot easier.

Elizabeth and Nadia sat on a couch opposite myself, while Thadwick had asked his wife to come with him so they could speak privately. Elizabeth's cheeks were an equal shade of red as mine, and I was fairly certain I could cook an egg or two on her face with the heat.

Nadia was pouting, and while incredibly cute, it was hard to focus on that after what had just happened.

"I'm really sorry about my mom. She gets exicted really easily." Elizabeth said, finally breaking the silence.

"It... it's fine. She really is something." I said, unsure of what else to say.

"Don't mind her. I know you aren't interested in anything like that...so..." Elizabeth said, and I could swear she almost looked dejected.

The words that came out of my mouth surprised everyone, but mostly myself.

"I am!" I said, then I realized what I said, and tried to process just where the hell that burst of confidence came from.

I didn't think Elizabeth's face could get any redder, nor did I think her eyes could get bigger, but once again, I was proven wrong.

"What the fuck?" I thought, trying to figure out how to salvage this conversation.

"I...um...I..." Elizabeth stuttered, seemingly at a loss for words.

Nadia's eyes were open wide, mouth agape, but she said nothing. Shit, I had to salvage this situation and fast. I tried to think of what to say, and then, it came to me.

"What I meant to say was, I'm not opposed to the idea, however, I would like to get to know you better. I'm not good with this type of thing, but maybe we could hangout more. Maybe go see a movie, or get dinner sometime." I said, and I honestly had no idea how or why I was being so bold right now.

"I... would not be opposed either...." Elizabeth said, almost in a whisper. I was sure I'd have to call the fire department soon if we didn't get this under control.

"I...need to go." Nadia said, as she got up and excused herself.

I wasn't sure, but I could swear I saw tears steaming down her face. I instantly felt a pain in my chest upon seeing that. I didn't know Nadia that well, but she was really nice, and I never liked to see a girl cry.

I gave Elizabeth a worried look, and she quickly got up and ran towards her friend.

"Nadi! Wait!" She said, chasing after her friend.

I sat there in silence for several more minutes, before I heard someone walking up behind me. I turned around to see both Thadwick and his wife approaching me.

"Osidious." Thadwick said.

I stood up and faced him and Ryanna.

"Yes sir?" I asked, being as polite as possible.

"We have decided that the relationship between you and my daughter is up to you both. I would strongly urge you to get to know one another better first, if you plan on taking certain... steps." Thadwick said, and the look he gave me was one that said he both liked and respected, but he would also kill me if I hurt his daughter. How the hell did he do that.

"I can give you some great places to take her on your first date." Ryanna said, seeming proud of herself

Thadwick rolled his eyes, before continuing

"Anyways, on to the real reason you came here. My wife wanted to test your abilities, and somethings got out of hand, and time seems to have slipped us by much faster. There were a few... unexpected events." Thadwick said, glaring at his wife. She just smiled and batted her eyelashes at him.

Thadwick put a hand on his face and sighed.

"I would like you to continue stopping by so we can further test your abilities." Thadwick told me.

"It would also give you more chances to be around our daughter." Ryanna interjected.

"Sweetheart, please." Thadwick groaned, causing his wife to giggle like a teenage girl.

"Where is Liz and Nadia by the way?" Ryanna asked.

I explained what happened, and while I wasn't exactly sure, I had some ideas, but Ryanna seemed to know.

"I'll go and find them." Ryanna said.

She patted her husbands cheek and walked towards where I gestured they went.

Thadwick watched her longingly and sighed.

"That woman is impulsive, reckless, and embarrasses me on the regular," He said, but then he smiled, "And I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world."

"Your wife is... quite interesting." I replied, causing him to laugh.

"Anyways, Sid, would you like to come back over tomorrow? Say around...7pm?" He asked me, and I nodded without hesitation.

"I would. I still need to get a grasp on what I am and what I can do. Do you have any ideas as to what I might be?" I asked, and he rubbed at his cleanly shaven chin.

"Honestly... not a fuckin clue." He replied.