The Injury That Killed

"Come on! One more hit!" Daniel regained his stance and striked forward with both his swords and sliced the air.

"Very good! You have come far, Daniel. I would say that you are the best swordsman for someone your age!" The lean, tall and well-built man, who was Daniel's uncle, Davis said.

"Boys! Lunch is ready!" Daniel's grandmother, Este called from the distance.

The two hungry wolves sprinted there without delay, hungry from a day's worth of training.

However before they sat down, Este said, "Ahem... Are you boys forgetting something?"

"Oh right... After training, shower first..." My uncle and I gave an awkward laugh and said.

We had forgotten about it because the weather was very cold and we had not sweat much.

However Este claims it would still be dirty, and she doesn't want to have to clean any more than she has to.

After cleaning up, Daniel and his uncle proceeded to wolf down our food at the dining table, and across them sat Daniel's grandfather.

"Grandpa! When can I finally start learning real spells?" Daniel said, slightly exasperated.

"Hmm... Tomorrow!" He replied

"But Grandpa... I really want to learn real spells! Wait... What?" Daniel gave an extremely confused look towards his grandfather.

"Your foundation is as solid as it can get now! Spells will now be extremely easy for you to grasp! Furthermore, your innate talent is the highest I have ever seen, and I have seen some pretty good ones..." Daniel's Grandfather, Lancer said.

"Oh dear!" Este suddenly cried out which startled everyone on the table.

"We have run out of water!" She continued.

"Pfttttt..." Davis burst out in laughter, laughing at Este's foolish antics.

"Alright, alright I will go to the well and collect some water." Lancer said.

"No, no, no! You stay here and rest, I will go get it! Don't tell me you forgot about those injuries!" Davis hurriedly chimed in and volunteered himself to get the water instead.

Lancer could only sigh helplessly as he said, "Well... Okay."

Just like that, Davis left and headed towards the well which was 10 minutes away, while Daniel and his grandparents consumed a hearty meal, joked with each other and enjoyed each other's company.

"Haha Grandpa, remember that time! When I collapsed from overusing my mana and when I woke up, I continued practising, oblivious to the fact that I just passed out!" Daniel started bringing things of the past and joked about it while feeling a hint of nostalgia.

"Bwhahaha of course! How could I ever forget, it was truly a sight to behold!" Lancer bellowed.

"Boom!" All of a sudden, the sound of a large crash was heard and a mini- tornado, about the size of Daniel's house, started swirling within his humble abode, making all the food fly and causing all the plates to shatter. The house was a complete mess

Lancer, alarmed, immediately cast defensive barriers around Daniel and Este.

"Oooh! Is that Lancer? The Magic Fiend Lancer? Looks like I came to just the right place!" A middle-aged man with a scrawny body and grey hair stepped into the house.

Before he even laid eyes upon Este and Daniel, Lancer enhanced his defensive spell and made it seem invisible and not a sound that was made within it could be heard outside.

"Haha, what happened to your wife? Este. She probably left you, didn't she? Haha, good move on her part!" After he said that, he smirked and started looking around the house.

"Hmm quite a shabby house you have here and it's in a mess! Wait. Actually, that's partly my fault! Haha!" He continued, now his tone carried a hint of cockiness and arrogance.

Lancer merely closed his eyes, clenched his teeth and fists and restrained himself the best he could.

"Oh? The mighty Lancer?! You are not backing down from a fight now are we?" He continued, this time his tone was one which was so annoying, words couldn't possibly describe it.

"Leave." Lancer said

"Whaaaaat?" The man responded sarcastically back

"I said LEAVE! NOW!" An aura of red engulfed Lancer as he shouted.

"Okay, I'll leave!" The man turned his back and pretended like he was about to leave.

"But... Not before I take your head! Oh just so you know, my name is Esek" He dashed back extremely quickly and unsheathed his sword.

Lancer was about to dodge, however, his injury which plagued his heart was out to kill him.

Lancer's heart clenched and he froze in place.

Moments before the sword reached his neck, Lancer turned towards where Daniel was located and gave a smile.

"No! No! No! NOOOO!" Daniel screamed in agony as he witnessed his grandfather about to be killed.

"Plop"

Just like that, the head of a great magician fell onto the floor.

"Tsk" Esek gave a look of disappointment as he picked up the head and quietly left the house.

Daniel continued smashing the barrier with his bare hands as tears and mucus flowed down from his face unendingly.

The barrier remained active for about 10 more minutes before it finally ended and coughed up an unconscious Este and Daniel, who was wallowing in the depths of despair.