39 Chapter 39
Aaron found success. Success revitalizes people. Same happened with him.That gloom around him seemed to vanish. He was cheerful and laughed more now.
He experimented a lot with his new spell. He noticed that it was easier to put the edge on an already sharp edge. If he tried to put it on a flat surface, it wouldnt be as effective. May be it needed to be tapered.
But he could cut almost anything now. He still had the problem of the edge dulling after a little use. But he knew the solution for that and another problem he thought might occur.
He could keep on replenshing the spell but he needed to focus a little. He knew he might not get that chance. Also it would occupy one part of his mind whenever he used his spell. That would restrict him with only one part free.
Solution to both these problems was the same thing. Mage stones!!
He could use a mage stone to replenish the spell continously and it would be self supportive. He wouldnt need to do anything other than just activate it.
He decided to try it.
Turned out he couldnt create an all purpose mage stone which could put a edge on everything it was attached to. He needed to adjust the mage stone for different objects.
After several rounds of testing, he decided to put the stone on his sword.
His father had seen the sword. After studying the sword for a while he said it was good enough.
If he said it was good enough, it was. He had decided to listen a bit more to his father. He seemed good with advices. They had worked wonderfully well for Aaron.
So, he took the sword and attached a piece of mage stone he had recieved from Marcus at the sword pommel. He willed an incredibly thin edge of compressed air around the sword. He concentrated and imprinted the same image onto the mage stone. The whole process took him more than 2 hours. Such concentration left him a little exhausted. But he was successful.
He put an activation and deactivation key and the sword was finally ready to test.
He began with wood again.
Wood, copper, iron, steel, stone. Every thing was cut. Although not as cleanly as a space gate. But it was cut nevertheless with only a little effort. Aaron knew he could still improve it. But this will do for now.
He thought he was ready to show it to his father.
"Remember how you asked me to use magic in a way that suited me? "
"I think I have it now. "
"So you are ready to show it ?"
"Yes. Could we spar?"
"Spar? Now? Dont we usually do it in the mornings?"
"Yes we do. But this is different. "
"Also dont use the wooden sword. Use a real sword. Not your best one though. "
Mike had doubts on what Aaron was planning to do.
Training with wooden swords was one thing. Live steel was different. He could be agressive with a wooden sword. He would leave bruises and lessons behind. But steel was cold and ruthless. He decided he would stop if he things got dangerous.
He did as Aaron asked and got a sword.
He saw Aaron pull out a sword as well.
It was a decent sword. A bit on the lighter side, but Aaron could use it easily at his age.
He saw Aaron had a smirk on his face. The little boy was getting cocky.
"Ready?" asked Mike.
"Ready!" Replied Aaron.
Mike saw Aaron begin with a gentle side slash. He was happy he wasnt rash and used the steel cautiously. This was just a spar between father and son after all.
He moved his sword to block it. He was thinking what Aaron would do next.
What happened next left him fabregasted. His sword which was supposed to block Aaron's move had the top part lying on the ground with the handle and a little part of the sword attached to it in his hand. His sword was cut through! His son cut his sword with his own.
He somehow got his emotions under control after a while.
Aaron stood their grinning. He knew he had shocked his father.
"This is what you have achieved?" Mike asked.
"Yes, I created a spell to increase the sharpness of the sword by several folds. "
"More than several folds by the looks of it."
"Congratulations. I am indeed very happy for you. But I think you need to learn something as well. "
"Learn what father?"
"Humility. Get the wooden swords."
Aaron had his lesson in humilty. He might be able to cut his father's sword with magic, but without it, he was still far from able to be his match with a sword alone.
But he knew he didnt need to be either. His father was just trying to teach him not to gloat his success. A strong person always used his superior strength in a fight, so a mage would use his magic. That was his natural strength.
By the time Aaron had this spell figured out, it was already more than 4 months that he had been home.
He decided to spend more time with his family now. He was not in a good place in his mind when he got here, but now he felt a lot better. Maybe it was because time. Or maybe it was the 'home' effect. Or it was the spell which made him feel he had something to protect him now.
It was possibly a combination of all those factors.
He started spending more time with his little sister. He would tell her stories he had read about mages. Also some from earth.
He spent his mornings with his father. He found time for his mother too.
He didnt forget to practice his magic though. He would try and improve his spells. He could notice his spells getting stronger. He could move as much as 100 kgs now with his telekinesis.
He could shrink or expand the space to a higher degree now. As a result his atomic blade became better as well.
The most success he had was with his spatial gates. He could easily open the gates within 2 seconds now. Also the distance was perhaps about a kilometer. He finally tried using his own gates and it was a success.
As the time to leave came nearer, he asked his father to leave with him and move to pine city. He could easily afford to pay for everything now.
"You remember I told you how I was an adventurer? I had roamed a lot and seen a lot. Why do you think I live here? I like the peace and quiet. "
"And you are space mage now. You showed me how you could use gates. You could visit us whenever you want. "
His father declined his offer.
But Aaron put his step down and made him accept some money for atleast emergency purposes.
He also had another inspiration. He cut a mage stone into 3 pieces. He attached them to small pieces of metal he had cut into small designs. He put on them a shield spell. He used the size of his father as a reference since he was the largest. Once activated, it would create a shield to cover a human. He thought it was very handy and made one for himself as well.
"Whats with those metal letters?" Karen asked Aaron.
"Well they are the initials of your name." Aaron explained.
"What do I do with them?"
"They are lockets. You could wear it around your neck."
"So you think I am so silly as I would forget my name and need a reminder?" Karen huffed.
Everyone started laughing after watching the girls antics.
Aaron explained the purpose of the locket to his parents and Karen. He showed how to activate it.
His parents accepted the gift since it comforted Aaron that it might keep them safe in emergencies.
With these things done, he had only thing he needed to do now.
He needed to meet Anderson.
According to his father Anderson should be coming any day now. He had gotten a commission in a different city to teach someone. He would be coming soon after finishing his job and begin with Karen.
A few days later, Anderson did arrive.
Like his parents, years had taken a toll on him as well. He looked much older now.
"Aaron my boy. I hear you have successfully become a mage now. You dont know how happy I am to hear that. "
"Yes I am a mage now Mr. Anderson. It was thanks to you. "
"I only did what I was supposed to do. I have tutored a lot of students. No one else is a mage. It was your own capabilities. "
"But my student has become a mage. I will have bragging rights for the rest of my life. "
Anderson was really happy to see Aaron and see him succeed. He always found him special and hoped for him to do well.
Time flies by fast. Aaron spent a few more days with his family. The peaceful lazy days for Aaron was over and it was time now to leave.
