Chapter 12 - Saint Rank

We were travelling for quite a while until we  reached a gentle hill in the middle of nowhere with only a single tall tree growing on it. This was going to be the place where our qualification as Saint Rank Mage is tested. I'm confident in myself and my brother to accomplish it since this is going to be an easy test.

Roxy climbed off the horse and helped Rudeus down as well while I let her help me get down which is not because I want to be spoiled but rather to show I'm not full of myself to always rely on myself. Yup definitely not.  She hitched the horse to the tree and walked away with Rudeus next to her.

"I will now cast the Saint-ranked water magic, Cumulonimbus. This technique is a magic that calls down a storm that creates lightning strikes alongside a violent tempest. You should be familiar with the incantation now, like we've practiced back at home."

Roxy then looked away preparing to demonstrate her magic spell while both of us intently listened to her instruction.

"I will first demonstrate it then you will follow after. Since I am only demonstrating, I will only maintain the spell for a minute before dismissing it. You will be considered to have passed if you can make the rain last for an hour."

""I understand, Shishou.""

"Oh great water spirit, the son of the lightning emperor who ascended to the skies! Fulfil my wishes, rain down your ferocious blessings, and show me your strength to this tiny existence! Let your godly hammer strike the anvil, and demonstrate your authority, and devour the earth with water! Ah, rain! Destroy and wash everything 

away!"

As she reached the end of her incantation, Rudeus could feel an immense amount of mana being emitted from Roxy's staff. Violent wind whipped around, almost forming a tornado with Roxy at the eye of the hurricane. Loose leaves were swept up from the field of grass they were on and flung into the air, following the motions of the strong winds.

Dark clouds rapidly replaced the previously white ones and the distinct smell that arrived before precipitation fell filled Rudeus' senses. A sudden shower appeared, raining heavily on the hill. Rudeus looked at the scene with awe and some fear while I kept observing the change in our environment.

I have to say that magic would have been evolutionary if the knowledge of modern day earth was applied. Though, those idiots running the country would start another d*ck measuring contest and doom the planet. 

I've seen people take every opportunity to overtake others because of their insecurities. I have killed those same world leaders who got too much power most of the time. 

"Cumulonimbus!" 

Roxy declared, finally completing her incantation and activating the last step of her Saint-ranked Water magic. The comparatively gentle rain was suddenly replaced with a violent squall. Previously strong winds strengthened further, turning into a savage gale that nearly carried us away had he not lowered his centre of gravity and layered our body with Mana Reinforcement. 

Lightning crackled in the dark clouds, briefly illuminating the ominously dark skies and thunder roared from a distance. Suddenly, a streak of blue descended, as lightning struck down not far from their locations like Thor himself threw down Mjolnir with his full might.

'This is the power of a Saint huh?' 

My eardrums buzzed and the dazzling lightning that had only appeared for an instant left a blurry streak in his vision. I glance to my side and witness my brother in awe since he hasn't seen someone cast a Saint level spell before while I have. Though, my self made spell is unclassified but I vaguely guess they're at least above Saint and below a King since I have nothing to compare it to, only basing in speculation. 

If I'm fortunate or unfortunate to meet a King or even an emperor rank mage then I could ask for help to compare myself to them. I then glanced at my teacher who's  petite figure while maintaining her final pose upon completion of her Saint-ranked magic resembled a priestess on the last step of her rain dance after having called down thunderous rain and terrible storms from her savage deity. True to her words, Roxy only held the spell for a minute before waving her staff and dispelling the violent squall.  

The lightning and rain stopped as though God snapped his fingers to reveal bright daylight and white, fluffy clouds. The dark clouds disappeared, bringing forth the radiance of the Sun once more. At this scale, Saint-ranked magic would look like acts of God to the uninitiated.

Roxy looked back at Rudeus, who was still slightly stunned from the display of such arcane might from his teacher while I pretended to be in awe to boost her confidence since we've already broken her after witnessing our talent.

She turned up her nose. Making us fall into a state of awe felt quite good to her. This was how a magic apprentice is supposed to see their teacher, with awe and respect.

"You try now. Remember the incantations, and maintain your composure. If you suddenly stop halfway and your mana is disrupted, you might experience mana deviation as the magic power circulating in your rushes to neutralize your previous command."

Roxy examined our vicinity trying to make sure that no one was around to get harm from our sparring exam graduation. 

"Thankfully we are in an area with no other people. I have no countermeasures that I can prepare to negate the effects of a Saint-rank spell… Are you two ready?"

Rudeus pulled himself together and regained the clarity in his mind while I gave a response by taking out my wand like my brother. Though, I don't need it since I have my Mana core still helps hide my true strength. It's better to let my enemies underestimate me to strike where they least expected. 

"I am ready."

"We will make you proud, Shishou!"

"Alright, who's going first?"

"Rudy should go first."

"Are you sure, Nii-San? I can wait until you're done?"

"Shut up and do it. I'm confident you'll finish faster than expected."

Rudeus was reluctant at first but seeing my trust in him ignited his determination and began his own incantation that slowly gathered the thundering rain clouds that darken accompanied by the roaring sound and flashing light of lightning. The hurricane violently whirl around us as vortexes also formed in the sky.

The raging wind grew stronger each passing moment with the sound of roaring thunder continuously rumbling through my ears as Rudeus cast the magic spell into the sky. He seemed to contemplate then turn to my master to ask something.

"Shishou, Do I need to control it?"

"What do you mean, Rudy?"

Roxy was confused when my brother asked a simple question. To her it was a strange thing since normally a Saint would have to maintain control for at least an hour to show their qualifications as Saint Rank.

"Is there a need to control it?"

"Of course. Saint ranked water magic is also magic. If you don't sustain it with mana, the wind will blow it away."

"But I already made it so that it can't be blown away.....?"

"Huh? What....!?"

"Hey Rudy. Did you slightly modify the spell?"

"Yes. I mixed it with Wind to stabilize the clouds and Fire to control the temperature."

Roxy looked up to see the whirling wind that violently churn, witnessing the storm was able to constantly cycle itself without the need of the magic user to continuously pour Mana into it. I recall he recreated a weather phenomenon when a center of low pressure develops with the system of high pressure surrounding it. This combination of opposing forces can create winds and result in the formation of storm clouds.

My knowledge is a bit lagging since even though I have Eidetic Memory doesn't mean I have instant recall. Regardless, Roxy was baffled to see the impossible performed by her student once again. 

"....Is that so, the spiraling tornado will bring the clouds upwards!!"

"Rudy. You pass."

"Eh? But it hasn't been an hour?"

"There's no need to wait. It's enough if you did this much. But can you make it disappear?"

Rudeus did a tell and dispel the magic spell as the sky cleared and water droplets dripped from the brim of Roxy's hat, she smiled warmly at Rudeus and announced.

"Congratulations. You can now call yourself a Water Saint-ranked magician with pride."

I looked at my brother with a proud smile seeing that he felt something for the first time in his life. The sense of accomplishment. For someone whose life is drowning in sorrow and loneliness, this was a big leap in his life.

"Great work, Rudy! Nii-San is proud of you!"

I went closer to my brother and wrapped my arms on his shoulder to show my support. He shyly smiled at my action which in turn made me grin. 

"Thank you Shishou, Nii-San without your help then I won't be here today."

"Alright, I would say that it's your turn, Rein but I'm confident that you'll do the same as Rudy here. Therefore, I'll go ahead and label you two as a Water Saint-Ranked Magician." 

I was a bit disappointed that I didn't have the opportunity to cast the magic but I believe it would take a toll on my master. Still, having the recognition and accomplishment to be a Saint Rank had well up my pride. 

After our graduation, we didn't head home immediately and sat down on the grass to relax while also enjoying the last time we'll be together with my master. The sky turned serene after two raging storms where only the clear heaven and breezy wind could be felt as the grass danced along with it. 

"Shishou, here please accept this!"

Roxy turned to me surprised when she found a bouquet of flowers being presented to her. She didn't take it seriously since to her this was just a childhood crush but even still the gesture made her slightly blush. I may not have any long relationship but I've manipulated women before to gain an upper hand in mission. 

Sure it was wrong and I felt a bit guilty playing with many women's feelings but that's when I was focused on contributing to the organization until I awoke and tried to escape and have my peace. I can't exactly say the organization is evil since their intention focuses on eliminating potential world power threats and those who are difficult to control. 

Still, like a certain goat lover it is for the greater good. Anyway, as I was saying I have experience in gaining someone's favor with my charisma in past life. I can't act the way I did before since I'm a child but if I grow a bit more, then I could manipulate people into thinking that what I show them is my real personality.  

Though, extremely observant people would see through my facade which is why I'm acting like a child for now until an appropriate moment calls for it.

"Hahaha, nice one, Nii-San. Shishou, should I also call you sister in law?"

"You two! When did you learn how to tease your teacher!"

She pinched my brother's cheeks who was giggling and soon took the flowers from my hands looking intently towards me. If I focus hard enough I could hear her heartbeat pounding. 

"But regardless, it is sweet of you, Rein. Thank you very much."

"Papa said that I should keep doing something sweet to the girl I like to make her like me. Is it working, Shishou?"

"....your father is really a horrible influence. But….I don't know."

"I won't give up! I'll keep going until Shishou likes me!"

I exclaimed like a child without shame since this is the best way I could do to leave an impression for her until she leaves. Roxy merely smiled and patted my head.

"I am going to miss your childish antics, Rein."

"We will miss you too, Shishou. But Nii-San is likely going to cry when you leave."

"What!? I won't cry! I promise I won't cry! If someone is going to cry it's you, Rudy!"

"Heh, I doubt…."

"You! Come here!"

"Gaah! Shishou, Nii-San is bullying me!"

I chased down Rudy who ran away from me while both of us were laughing and smiling. Roxy giggled seeing the two of us messing around until a few hours had passed and we decided to head back home.