Chapter 25

"Did it work, my lady? " Asked a masked man.

"Yes, the plan is successful. I have started working there and will soon know everything thing about them, their weakness, strengths everything" Said Harlow with a smirk.

"But your dress, Mam should I bring you another? " Asked the man.

"No... It is okay. It is not so bad" Said Harlow hesitantly but actually, she liked the dress chosen by Amelia.

"Now, you may go. If there is anything I will send a message. It is not good for us to meet like this. That Xander is somewhat suspicious. He is not as simple as he seems. " Said Harlow and the man nodded and then they went in opposite directions.

In the bakery,

"Brother, Cole what is your past? Why are you always at each other's throats? " Asked Ajax irritated a little by their rants as he was stressed about how to prepare himself for competition. Cole and Xander went away in opposite directions, Xander upstairs in the room while Cole was outside.

Ajax was confused and angry also but he sighed and thought that they will tell him when they are okay.

Amelia and Ember had already left to freshen up in their inn. Ajax was alone in the bakery but as there were no customers he was sitting on a chair in the kitchen with the book brought by Xander. While reading about different types of spirit animals, he read a titled - Places to build your terrain.

Huh? What is this? " Asked Ajax to himself and got interested in it.

One can obtain terrain of their own after passing the tests given by the Lord of the Ruinous Forest. Then according to your ability, you can obtain a terrain. A terrain is given according to one's element and it enhances it. But it has only two effects and its ability does not increase, only the effect can be increased when your spirit power increases.

"This will be very helpful to me as I can't use Zane to fight, I can use this. But I can't go alone. Brother, Cole, Amelia, and Ember also needs to know about this too. But first I should ask Amelia to quickly make arrangements for the weapons" Said Ajax to himself and then started to make another set of cakes, pastries, doughnuts, shakes, etc for the new customers that can come. Xander also joined him in a few minutes.

"Are you okay now? " Asked Ajax. Xander nodded and gave a smile.

"Brother, I was reading the book that was brought by you. It says that a person can gain a terrain if completed the challenge given by the Lord of Ruinous Forest. Do you know about it? " Asked Ajax.

Xander stopped kneading the dough and was thinking deeply about something.

"JAAKOBAH, the Lord. He is mad, some even call him psycho. Yes, he may be able to increase one's power but dealing with him is very dangerous" Said Xander getting anxious.

"That is the reason it's time you select your weapon. After dinner, Amelia called us into the common playground. She has arranged the weapons. Select if you think it suits you. If not we will go to other places where weapons are sold. " Said Ajax.

"Woah! You really are desperate to become stronger each day, aren't you? Okay, then let's make these cakes quickly so that we can serve the customers and then get ready to go" Said Xander. Ajax nodded like an excited puppy.

After serving customers they both got dressed up. Ajax was in a white shirt and blue jacket with black pants and white-black shoes, while Xander tugged up a turtle neck black shirt with a white jacket and blue pants with white shoes.

Winter was nearing and the cold breeze was already blowing especially at night. They reached the playground where Amelia, Ember, and Cole were already present.

Amelia dressed up in a purple floral dress up to the knees with long black net socks, Ember with a white-yellow combination umbrella dressed up to the knees, and Cole with a plain light blue shirt.

"Did you prepare every weapon that I can name? " Asked Xander

"You wanna challenge me? Ask any! " Said Amelia confidently putting her hands on her waist.

"No, I can't challenge a tigress, I better start choosing my weapon," Said Xander while rubbing his nape.

Amelia blushed a little because she liked how her brother knew how to compliment her. Yes, Amelia considers Xander as her brother because even after the ruckus she caused, he did not blame her even for once. And this was the first time for her. Even though her parents loved her and she also respected them a lot but she was always very careful with herself in front of them. Even with a small mistake, her parents would look at her sternly and she would be punished. Not a severe one, just be in her room and not roam around and make copy of a few things a hundred times, very simple ones but after that punishment she would have to confess what she did wrong in front of her parents even when her heart and mind thought that it is absurd how she is punished for petty mistakes like not sitting properly, speaking very loudly, not studying more even though her teachers are impressed by her and many more.All these things made Amelia cautious around her parents and forced her to develop a facade around them. Her real self was with Ember and her newly made friends.

"Woah! That means I get the privilege to choose my weapon with Xan! " Said Cole squeaking a rabbit.

"Uh? You... You are also going to choose a weapon, now!! " Yelled Xander.

"What is up with the nickname Xan? " Asked Ajax.

"Yup! From now on I would call him Xan, it's not nearly a nickname because that I would decide later, for now, I am only shortening his name, right Xan? " Asked Cole while looking at Xander with his hands behind him.

Xander was clearly irritated but he kept quiet and signaled Amelia to show the way to where all weapons are kept. Amelia took them a little far away where a big vehicle was standing.

"Woah, what is this, a new type of vehicle made by someone? " Asked Cole.

"This is made by our special smith. He used his power which is at level 4 so it is strong and he gifted it to my dad on his birthday. " Said Amelia.

"By own power how can one make it, I also want to learn" Said Ajax.

"You can't make one, but if you want I can buy you one. " Said, Cole.

"Why can't I make it? " Asked Ajax.

"You.. You don't know about it. Ajax till when did you study? " Asked Cole raising his one eyebrow.

"Umm... Till I was 16 after that I had to go to high school but did not go due to some reasons" Said Ajax while looking down.

"Ahh... So stupid of me. No need to be ashamed of it, it was the responsibility of your Xander brother but I think he is not taking care of you properly but it is not a major problem. You can start learning again anytime " Said Cole to Xander in a teasing ways dn encouraged Ajax.

But Xander did not took it lightly he was really feeling sorry that he did not ask Ajax about this and did not even send him.

"Well, after the Gaelic competition, there is four years gap before one can enter the final competition held in Tophet kingdom. I and Ember will continue our studies after this competition. If you want, we will be glad to enter your name in the college. " Said Amelia with a smile.

"NO.... Ajax was interrupted.

" YES PLEASE, I will enter his name. Just tell me the name of the college and the requirements needed to enter. "Said Xander desperately. Ajax looked at his brother in shock but did not say anything. " And about your question Ajax, the five elements are the major elements that people get. But there are other events that fall under each category. Like some have fire-metal as their element, and some water-steel, earth-thunder, and so on. So the people who make such vehicles have earth-steel as their element. Only they can make these vehicles. While others like alchemists have fire-poison as their element. You will learn more about it when you go to college. But the strength does not differ. It is the same make efforts and be strong, only a few people are gifted with special powers. "Said Cole.

Ajax was listening attentively and nodded.

Then Xander and Cole started searching for any weapon which they find suitable. Now it's not really that they themselves choose weapons. It's the spiritual power that gives them a signal whenever they touch a weapon. When a person chooses a weapon a calming power surge rises in their body indicating that this is the weapon made for them.

But Xander and Cole had seen every weapon but they did not feel anything.

"Hmm... I think I have some other weapons for you but you might need to pay for them. They all are special and mainly royals and nobles are allowed to use them. So paying is a must. I can't do anything about that " Said Amelia.

"Hmm.. I guess then I will pass. I can concentrate on my other powers. I don't need a weapon. " Said Xander.

"Nah.. I want to have a fight with you later on and you will need a weapon for it. It's on me, anyways your birthday is coming soon, take it as a present. " Said Cole whole telling Amelia to show the special weapons.

"I don't want any gift from you. And besides my birthday is months later so I don't need it. " Said Xander.

"But I need you to have it. I will win some competition and pay Cole brother his money back if you are not willing to take it for free. But you need it for protection" Said Ajax sternly and unknowingly Xander just nodded. Cole smiled seeing that the little brother is taking care of his older one.

They then moved to a different vehicle but it was small than before. Xander and Cole took the weapons and they got them. They got their weapons. The weapons they choose looked very simple Xander's weapon looked like a small box while Cole's looked like a small rod. But these were special weapons. When infused with inner spiritual power they transform.

Xander's weapon emitted a light blue-silver light and it transformed its a sword with silver fire on it. But that was not the end of it. When spirit power is increased the number of swords also increases and the swords can be joined together to form a ring of swords. Cole's weapon emitted a dark blue light and it transformed into a bow. The arrows appear when spirit power is infused and the arrows are dark blue shade and their number is limitless and can do a target lock.

"Wow, these are cool, thank Amelia," Said Cole and giving her a sea color card . Amelia was shocked by seeing the card but did not say anything. Xander at the same time looked down and clenched his fists.

They then were going back to their own homes. Cole, Amelia, and Ember into their inn while the other two were in their own house.

"Amelia I would be glad if you keep my identity a secret. Don't tell Ajax or Ember about it" Said Cole in a low voice. Ember had already gone into the room whereas Cole stopped Amelia in the hallway.

"Okay, but you forgot to mention Xander brother, he also should not know about it, right? " Asked Amelia. Cole's eyes became big and he then let out a nervous chuckle and said "Yes yes, he should also not know about it".

Amelia nodded but found Cole's behavior a little weird but she shrugged it off and went to sleep.

At the bakery,

When Ajax and Xander entered they saw Harlow sitting on a chair with her head leaning on the table. She had cleaned the bakery and closed it waiting for others to come.

"Where have you been Harlow, I did not see you almost all day," Said Xander while folding his hands on his chest.

"I was roaming nearby only as I was feeling stuffy. I just waited for you to come back. Now can I got to sleep with Amelia in the inn? " Asked Harlow.

Xander nodded but his expression was as if he was thinking something deeply.

Ajax went upstairs to freshen up preparing to sleep.

"I am happy for you brother, you got your weapon, and now your power will be even stronger. "Said Ajax while making the bed.

"Hmm... But I might need to pay for the weapon to Cole... But it's okay and we are lucky that you can create your own weapons, but promise me, you won't play betting games on your own without telling me" Said Xander sternly.

Ajax nodded but a question came to his mind

"Brother I know that you are very strong, so you can easily win many betting games and earn lots of rewards. So why did you not do it? " Asked Ajax.

"Yes, I can, I could have earned a lot more than the nobles I guess but..... With more the games I win the more fame and attention I would gain... And that is something I wouldn't want.. NEVER.. So I am happy at keeping a low profile" Said Xander first making a terrified expression but ending it with a smile like he was trying to hide his real emotions.

Ajax wanted to ask what he was hiding but then it struck him that isn't the same case with him. So he just hummed and then both of them laid down and drifted to sleep.