Volume 1, Part 11 : Prelude to the Spar.

~2946 words.

This chapter is quite shorter than the rest. Reason being, I am not feeling very sober right now and that I am a jerk. Yes, I am so not sober while writing this and I wrote it in like 15 minutes, tops. Another reason for it being short is because this chapter will lead to the developments in the later chapter. So, I can't add a fight scene in this chapter since it just disrupts the flow of it, sabotaging the fluidity every chapter has. With that, I'd take my leave.

Comment what you liked, leave a vote if you have the physical capability to do so and write some theories about how Kiyo's presence would alter the plot, if you are smarter than a chimpanzee with mercury poisoning. And I'll see you all next time.

Fu-Peace!

JULIAN GREYRAT POV

This is my current progress sheet.

『Sword Techniques』

Sword-God style: Advanced ranked.

Water-God style : Advanced ranked.

North-God style: Advanced ranked.

『Attack Magic』

Fire system: Saint ranked.

Water system: Advanced ranked.

Wind system: Advanced ranked.

Earth system: King ranked.

『Healing Magic』

Healing system: Advanced ranked

Detoxification system: Advanced ranked.

Healing Magic is categorized into 7 ranks as expected, and it comprises of 4 systems: Healing, Barrier, Detoxification, and Divine Attack. I have no clue what 'Divine Attack' is though. Unlike Attack Magic, there are no 'pleasing to hear' names like a Fire-Saint or a Water-Saint. But there is something like a saint ranked Magic Healer or a saint ranked Detoxification Healer.

Recently, I was able to reach the King rank in earth magic after unlocking gravity magic. Although, there was no official of the same rank beside me to confirm it, I was certain that I was able to cast the King-Tier spell. Naturally, I didn't do it. Since performing a spell of that magnitude might raze the whole village to the ground, burying everything.

One more reason for me to not stay in this house anymore.

Regardless, what little knowledge I have about types of healing magic is as follows;

Healing, as its name suggests, embodies the mystical art of mending wounds. Initially, its powers are confined to minor scratches and abrasions. However, as one climbs up gradually to the rank of emperor, the scope of healing expands magnificently, allowing the regeneration of even the most grievously lost limbs. Although, even if one reached God rank, the boundary set on the dead not being able to revive remained steadfast.

Detoxification, too, echoes its essence with a resounding and obvious clarity: the curative mastery over poisons and ailments. As one traverses through its higher echelons, the ability to concoct potent antidotes and venoms alike becomes an accomplished reality. However, status affliction related magic seems to be saint ranked and above, and very difficult to learn.

Barrier magic, a rather versatile and interesting enchantment, weaves a safeguarding tapestry of fortification. It harnesses the threads of defense, sculpting an impregnable wall of protection. Though intricate details are eluded from my comprehension, it can be defined as [Support Magic]: aiding augmentation of cellular regeneration, hastening the mending of superficial wounds. While it can be used as ally support, it can also act as a punishment for enemies, with the orchestration of chemical surpluses within the mind, alleviating the torment of pain.

The divine attack system seems to be magic that's effective against spirits or evil races, but it is kept secret by the Divine Priest Fighters. The magic university doesn't teach it either, so Roxy isn't very clear about it. Even though I have never seen spirits before, it seems they are really ghosts in this world. If you don't understand the logic, then you can't use voiceless incantation. It's really inconvenient.

This statement might not apply to everyone, but it does in most cases. Like Sylph's talent for magic, where despite not exactly knowing the in-depth analysis or mechanism of the magic spells, she is still able to do voiceless magic.

On a side note, Rudy finally was able to find out that Sylph was a girl. Although he found it out in the worst possible way, at least he did. I wanted to tell him before, but he seems oddly infatuated with him. Infatuation change humans and often hinders them.

Still, I didn't stop him.

Why?

Who knows! HAH!

Well, that sounds weird, if I am the one talking like that.

I guess Rudy's personality is kind of rubbing off to me.

Other than all this, the incident with me and gravity magic could've caused quite a ruckus. But in the end, it was thanks to Lilia that I was able to cover it up. She didn't tell Zenith and until then I somehow managed to mend the floor. Yesterday, I saw Rudeus go towards the tree where he usually meets up with Sylph or Sylphiette after the previous incident with him pulling her underwear down. He returned with a glum look, shoulders slumped and heavy sighs.

As for me, I didn't meet up or talked to her again. However, I think I should go and talk to her today. She wasn't strong right now but in the near future, she would be a good asset. Even if I suppress myself from using her, she could be of good use to Rudy, given how much he is attached to her and his innate urge to get close to women.

It dulled in the matter of a few days, but I've seen him drink milk from Zenith with a lecherous look on his face. There was no stopping him. It was the same lascivious look he gave to Lilia as a kid that made her avoid him most of the time.

Regardless, I think I should talk to Sylph.

(*****)

After seeing Rudeus come back with a dejected face from the hilltop, I waited for him to get into his bathtub. Placing my ear on the door, I heard him humming a song.

🎶🎶🎶🎶 Ay, Tony Chopper on your bitch I'm about to go in

Fuck a waifu in a swimsuit now I'm goated

Catch me flowin' on this beat just like the ocean

Never fuckin' thots because they always on that hoe shit

Ay, Tony Chopper on your bitch I'm about to go in

Fuck a waifu in a swimsuit now I'm goated

Catch me flowin' on this beat just like the ocean

Booty on my motherfuckin' ship you know we rolling🎶🎶🎶🎶

He might not be getting out of the bath anytime soon. Good for me. I can go away and come back before he's done... with whatever fantasy he is concocting. With quick and agile yet muted steps I dashed towards the door. It was an ironclad policy of our house, which surprisingly enough was suggested by Rudeus that we have to be back home before the sun fully sets. In case me or Rudy fail to do so, the only assumption would be to think that something happened to us.

I didn't want to worry Zenith or Lilia, since both of them have been something to me that made me feel the parental love.

Minus Paul of course.

All he taught was how to chase girls' skirts. Although I was interested in the multiple ways he swept girls and women off their feet, one day he stopped talking about all of it. Maybe it was my perpetually bored facial expressions or something else, he just stopped talking about it.

As I reached for the handle of the door, I felt someone behind me.

Before I could look behind, I talked first, "I will be back soon."

"I don't believe you." Lilia spoke from behind me. Turning around I looked at her and saw a very annoyed look on her face. "You're always making me do so much! And that floor. It's still not properly mended." She explained by putting both her hands on her waist.

Scary. She's really in her actual character right now.

"I promise I'd do it once I am back."

"And where are you going?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Somewhere. I'll be back before the last streak of sun disappears."

"It's not just about that. Dinner is about to be served."

"Like I said, I promise I will be back before they know of it." I replied as she sighed.

"Seriously." She facepalmed herself before turning around, "remember what you said."

"Sure will." I replied and got outside the door.

Everyone had a soft spot for something. No matter how hard the exterior was, there is always something that makes humans do something that isn't befitting their natural course of actions. Lilia had been subjected to bad experiences all her life. Before working here, she was in a castle somewhere, constantly being the target of harassment by a fat, ugly minister --- quoting her words. Even when she and Paul trained together, she was robbed of her virginity as Paul forced himself on her.

There weren't many things that were 'good' about Paul. Especially from his own offspring's perspective. I don't really care, but, if it was anyone else, they would surely be embarrassed to call him as their dad. Well, its not like the human being that was supposed to be my father in previous life was any better; the difference between both of them is like heaven and hell --- or the subjective image of those concepts.

As I stepped outside the premises of our home, I used wind magic beneath my feet and blasted into the air. A small, dry puddle formed from where I had leapt, leaving a medium sized gap into the ground. Turning my body, I casted earth and water magic to fill the gap and return it to its former state. Focusing back to myself, I was in air.

But not for long.

Wind magic can propel me in air and right now I need less amount of mana because of my body weight. As I grow up, I won't be able to use this same technique in a higher amount. But that's for the future. After a minute or so, I started to descend down. But as soon as my flight started to get lower, I used another blast of wind underneath my body while augmenting the skin as I was once again propelled into the air.

The wind blasts were quite noisy. I should work on those later. This thing gave me an idea as well, but I don't think I will be able to do it. The idea was to master wind element to an extent that I could control the individual molecular frequency in air---vibrations, that can disorient the enemy. In simple words to control sound, but that won't be possible for now. I have hit a roof recently when it comes to wind magic.

After all, I not a very imaginative person.

Looking towards the mountain, I could see the sun setting behind the horizon. I didn't have enough time. Looking down, I saw the huge, lone tree on the hill. Using wind magic to slowly adjust and position myself, I went towards the tree. It wasn't like I was flying. More like I was gliding. Using wind to propel myself again and again into the air every time I am about to fall down.

As I looked down, I spotted someone, wearing the usual white hoodie, her green hair dyed in a deeper shade due to the darkness that had started to envelope the whole place, approaching twilight.

She was sitting beneath the huge tree, a small ball of green mana---wind hovering over her index finger as she hugged her knee with one arm and looked at the small gust of wind on the other hand with a sad glint in her eyes.

"Sylph." I called out to her as she was taken aback. She stood up suddenly, taking a step back with a look on her face that was a mix of fear and anger.

What did I even do?

"I want to talk." I spoke up first, taking a step forward. She took a step back and her back touched the tree.

"Hnghh." She whimpered as I stopped moving, ".....W-What do you.... w-want?"

"Nothing much, I just wanted to talk for a while," I paused, looking in her eyes that were fixed on mine, "can I?"

She looked the other way, biting her lower lip before balling her hand into fists as she looked at me again, "Y-Yes!"

Fake enthusiasm. But at least she was believing in herself some more.

Sitting down on a patch of grass, I patted the place beside me and motioned for her to sit.

She looked skeptical at first, wary of me. I mean, I did had a thought of opening her up but it's not like I actually did or said something scary.

"How have you been?" I asked without looking at her.

I felt a shift in her posture as she uncomfortably positioned herself, "I am fine....." Her voice trailed off in the end, like a subtle breeze that dies before even picking enough strength. It was like if there was something on the tip of her tongue, ready to come out but she couldn't... or rather won't say it.

"Rudeus is fine as well," I replied to the unspoken question, and I felt a sigh of relief escape her lips. It was a subtle gesture that she wasn't really mad at him. Kids of this age do not have much control over their emotions and despite how much of a stone-cold front they put up, the nuanced details always give their inner turmoil up. "Although not very much." I added.

"Hawwh? What happened to him?" She spoke up suddenly, her mellow voice raising as she turned her head towards me, inching closer.

Aha! She has the confidence. It just was suppressed by all the bullying. Guess she isn't naturally shy.

"Well, you know, no one plays with him anymore, so he has been feeling so lonely these days that he fell sick." It was an obvious trap and a lie. Not that she will notice it.

"Huh? Really?"

"Hm. Really." I replied with a subtle hum.

"Really, really?"

"Hm. Hm." I hummed twice this time. Am I not being loud enough?

She looked down towards her lap, fidgeting with her fingers. I inched closer to her, "You made my brother sick." I spoke with a little hardness in my tone. It was enough to make me cringe since it was forced and my voice tone wasn't any good to begin with, making me wince from the sheer amount of cringe.

"...I....I....." She stuttered over her words, trying to form some coherent words.

"Meet him tomorrow, if you want him to be okay."

"B-But....," she paused.

"Do you not love him anymore?"

"L-Lo-Love?" she asked with a crimson red blush on her face.

"Yeah? Why are you so embarrassed. There is nothing wrong with loving someone." Maybe it wasn't love. Maybe it was just gratitude for Rudeus that she felt---for saving her that day. Instilling the idea and forcing it into her immature mind could be viewed as a negative act but she was a good asset. If she continues to grow and be besides Rudeus, I don't have to worry much about him.

"Y-You think so?"

"Yeah," I replied. An answer I was uncertain of. But regardless, I did.

"Then why don't you be besides him? You're his brother."

Oh? She can talk back.

"You'll know why. Tomorrow." I replied as I looked at her and got up. She did the same and stood up, looking at me with wide eyes as the silent realisation dawned on her, "A-Are you.....???"

"Yeah. Better make up with him." I replied and with a sudden build-up of mana, I flew away, leaving her then and there.

That should be enough. Using a huge amount of mana, I propelled myself at a high speed. A sonic boom resounded like a bolt of lightning on a stormy night. As I arrived in front of the house, I saw Lilia standing in the lawn, a kitchen knife in her hand.

Oh well...

Somebody help?

(***)

As all 4 of us, in our family sat around the dinner table and finished our dinner, Lilia swiftly started taking the dishes out. Rudeus was down right now as well, probably thinking about Sylph. Paul and Zenith were about to stand up, but Zenith suddenly looked at me, her expressions worried.

"Julian honey, what happened? You look troubled."

Oho, she noticed? The phenomena of mother's intuition sure is interesting.

"Yes. There was something I wanted to talk about... no, there is a request I want to present."

Both Paul and Zenith were now focused while Rudeus sat back on the chair.

"What is it, Julian? Tell us about it." Paul spoke, his face hardening as he interlinked his fingers. While he wasn't the type of person to not entertain his children's wishes, in my case he knew what I was about to say.

"I want to become an adventurer."

"WHAT!?"

"WHAT!?"

"NANIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!??!?!?!?!?!"

"JULIAN! You're 6!" Zenith cried out as I sighed. Paul was silent.

It wasn't going to be easy. Just like I had thought. Paul was malleable but Zenith was going to be a work.

"Mom, I am more than able to defend myself." I replied. It went against my own behavior to boast my abilities but I had to do it here, "I am already advanced rank in every sword style. And I am intermediate in every magic school as well. There is no logical reason for you to worry about me."

"Don't you talk about logic with me, Julian Greyrat."

Oh. She called me by my full name. Guess influencing her is going to be a pain.

Suddenly, Paul slammed his fists into the table, almost knocking Rudeus down who was listening to the conversation while laying his head on the table lazily. Good thing he isn't showing any reaction. Since a reaction of any sorts from him right now would only steer Zenith into a wrong direction.

Looking at Paul, I saw him walk over to me. Suddenly, he placed his hand on my shoulder, "Tomorrow. Beat me in an all-out battle and I'll let you go."

"Paul! We didn't talk through it!" Zenith raised her voice behind him.

Paul looked back with a grin, "Don't worry, dear. I am going to win. Ain't letting this little cinnamon-roll out into the world, yet."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Rudeus slam his hands together in the form of a prayer, "R.I.P Paul. Holy Buddha, why am I going to turn fatherless so soon? At the hands of my own brother no less."

Huh? Why would he think like that?