Chapter 54: The Preparation

The sun finally rose at its highest height in the sky, but it gave us more heat than before. Sweats started to form from my skin, unlike Dalary and the others who had no problem accepting the rising temperature at all. And yet, the birds continued to chirp despite the sun's attack and flew as high as they can.

Cainne decided to go to an interesting tavern to have lunch and invited Nilo along with us. If only he knew what I'd been keeping inside my heart since earlier, but I decided not to as I don't want this gathering to be ruin.

After a short while, we went back to the shop's backyard as we all took a rest. As I was about to approach the fire pit benches, I took a glance at Nilo and Cainne having a talk, with the apprentice carrying a clothed weapon in his hands. He lent it to the encantor with care as the latter accepted it.

They both bid goodbye with smiles on their faces, as Nilo left him sitting on the chairs. I started to wonder what was wrapped inside the brown cloth. Ever since I saw that clothed weapon, I felt a familiar yet strange feeling coming from it. It's like an aroma that one couldn't smell, but could feel. So out of curiosity, I walked towards his position.

He saw me approaching him, so he raised his hand and waved. I also greeted him with the same gesture, but mine was more awkward.

"So that's what you took here," I said, staring at the worn-out piece of cloth. I tried to stretch my neck to find a better angle of the weapon but to no avail.

Seeing my interest in what he was holding, he unwrapped the weapon and finally revealed what the inside really looked like.

My eyes widened as a sword as wide as an ax but as thin as a dagger was shining in front of me. Its blade was pure gold, both in material and color, with carvings written using encantra language. It says the 'Keeper of Magic'.

The golden holders were carved inside, drawing two angelic wings opened widely. But between these wings was a symbol of one female eye. I've known that the two wings were the crest of the encantor race, but I've never seen the eye before.

"It's my sword, Calivern."As I almost lost in my train of thought, Cainne spoke. "It helped me to use my magic."

After spitting those words in his mouth, a hint of warmth can be felt in his face along with the wide smile he was giving. It was like he found a memory so peaceful and kind, just like what he said to me about his students.

"It's called a magic weapon." He added, raising the sword higher for me to see more. "Since orbs are too handful, they decided to put their magic on weapons to fight easily."

"It's also a good way for encantors to control their magic." He said.

I couldn't help but be fascinated by the invention that I had never seen or knew before. I haven't heard or read about magic weapons before, even in books and libraries. But it seemed like it's pretty useful for magic users.

"I see…" It is the only thing I said after learning that from him. I was too amazed by it that I didn't do anything but space out. I'm really glad I got to know about this. If I could find myself a magic weapon, then I could be able to control my magic.

"U-Umm… Sir Cainne."

Kandani showed up in front of us, without me being aware of his presence. I was too focused on my thoughts on having a magic weapon that I couldn't be able to notice him approaching us.

Both of his hands were in front, holding each other like a kid that was asking for free bread at a bakery store. He lowered his head, and even though his face was unseen, I could be able to notice that he was nervous about releasing his words.

"Cainne is fine, Kandani," Cainne said, releasing his comfort smile. It had been a while since I've seen him smile. But until now, I could feel grief in his face. It couldn't be removed. And after noticing that, I don't know if I should bring it up sometime.

"T-Then, Cainne…" Kandani stuttered, now with a slightly raised head. "C-Can you teach me… how to fight?"

As I heard what he said, my eyes widened with surprise and curiosity. I never thought that Kandani would be interested in fighting. Maybe the ambush of one of his kind, and their plan of taking the ice relic motivated him.

I turned to Cainne and saw his face as shocked as me. It wasn't that obvious but if you look enough, it was clear that he too didn't expect Kandani to say it. But he quickly changed into his smile.

"Sure!" He agreed, now mixed with excitement. It seems like he was happy that he now had another student beside me. "But I won't do privileges."

But come to think of it, since Dalary and Pholly would be joining the tournament, they should be at least prepared for the event. Pholly was a fighter herself, but as far as I know, Dalary had never been in a fight before.

"Ahem."

And speaking of her, a fake cough came from the other side of the bench. I saw Dalary sitting with her one leg over the other, and crossed arms at her chest. Her glowing eyes were looking away from us.

"Well, I could also need some knowledge of self-defense." She said. It seems like she never intended to request help from Cainne, but she doesn't have a choice. And now, she was still denying him.

"Just say that you wanted me to train you." The encantor responded, as he too was exhausted by her hot-and-cold attitude towards him. I know that she already trusted him, but her pride kept growing.

Hours later, after preparing the ground, the training had started. Pholly and I became Cainne's assistants since we were both taught and experienced, although I wasn't confident about my skills.

The training had been going on for a while now, with both of them trying to defeat Cainne. But until this time, that goal wasn't reached yet.

"Too slow!"

Sounds of small cries and yells can be heard coming from them, as they were all trying their best to finish their task. Their eyes were full of motivation.

That made me think about my own determination. I've been running away from those who wanted me, and it made me a coward. But what can I do? They were too strong for me and I'm not sure if I can beat them.

"Good job, you guys."

Their training had already finished, and the students couldn't help but drop on the dusty ground. They took short breathes, begging for air, until their respiratory finally calmed down. I also felt the same when I was also like them, but it's even hotter right now.

"T-Thank you very much," Kandani said between his pants and breathes, still in the state of exhaustion. Cainne let them rest for a few minutes, as they both sat down on the ground. Dalary poured a bowl of water at her sapling since it had been wilted.

After a few minutes, the training went back once more, now with Pholly and I involved. Even though I was being taught to do combat, I still don't have enough training to achieve an amateur level.

"Why don't we have duels?"

Cainne suggested, which we unwillingly agreed to. I've never been on a real duel before, except against Kairos, so this is the first time for me. Compared to Pholly who was a tendrin warrior herself, I'm not even be considered a fighter.

The duel partners were set and I'm paired up with Kandani. We grabbed our wooden swords and started the fight with different perspectives. Slashes and slays of swords that made the sound of clangs between two wooden sticks occupied the atmosphere.

But none of us was bothered by the noise and just focused on each other. Sometimes one could reach the other, sometimes not. I was hit by his sword, and so was he, except I could be able to dodge it better than him.

Just like before, I tried to feel the wind while keeping an eye on him, so I kept dodging most of his attacks. Until the last blow coming from me declared the winner.

I didn't expect that I would win at that duel. I was used to be a peasant days ago and now, I had become a magic user and a combatant. My life, indeed, started to change.

The duels finally finished and Pholly against Dalary. I kinda expected the result there. We decided to take a break after the long duels since all of us were once again pleading for relaxation.

And as the permission was granted, we all laid on the ground.