Transcendence, page 41
part #6 of The Beginning After The End Series
The ice dragon opened its maw at Arthur, who readied himself. Brilliant blue flames coiled around his arms, melting the snow in a circle around him as his gaze remained locked on the mighty dragon.
“Smart move, giving up on playing to her strengths,” Hester praised.
Arthur lowered his stance, digging his back legs into the ground for support before he unleashed his fiery attack.
The coiling vines of blue fire around his arms conjoined before erupting into a devastating blast at the frost dragon.
Their two opposing spells crashed, enveloping them in an expanding sphere of steam and debris.
“Careful!” Elder Camus grunted, conjuring a barrier of wind around the spectators.
We all braced ourselves for the shockwave that ripped through the room following the collision. The ground trembled and cracked, and pieces of rock and ice bombarded the protective spell around us.
As the cloud of steam and dust faded, I could see two figures in the air. Master Varay was flying, with two dozen frost spheres the size of her fists circling around her. Arthur was slowly descending, using wind magic to stay somewhat afloat.
With a wave of his arms, Arthur unleashed a torrent of wind blades at Master Varay. However, before the crescents reached her, they seemed to slow and fall off course.
“Air pressure drops when the air cools,” Arthur noted. “Don’t I feel stupid for that last attack.”
“Admitting your shortcomings is a step forward,” Master Varay acknowledged with the slightest hint of a smile on her face.
With a flick of her wrist, the spheres of frost launched toward Arthur—but not directly at him.
Arthur seemed to sense the danger they posed because he immediately covered himself in a whirlwind of blue fire.
“He’s utilizing both fire and wind to amplify the power of his spell,” Hester remarked.
Just as the spheres of frost were about to explode, Arthur unleashed his fiery tempest. The blue fire roared to life, engulfing Master Varay’s spell.
The swirling gale of fire remained, hiding Arthur within. I expected the blue flames to soon dissipate, but instead the embers swirled as if being sucked in.
That’s when I saw it.
The flames had converged, coating Arthur’s giant spear of lightning in a layer of blue fire.
“Not bad,” General Bairon admitted, his gaze locked on the fearsome spear of fire and lightning.
“It would’ve been good if he could manipulate metal for the base of his attack,” Elder Buhnd muttered.
As Arthur slowly descended in the air, he hurled his spell. Just as he released the fire and lightning spear, a gust of wind swirled around him and his attack. The spear ripped through the sky, accelerating rapidly from the wind he had added at the last minute.
Elder Camus nodded in approval. “Using wind as a supportive spell.”
Master Varay was obviously wary of the strength of Arthur’s spell, because she conjured protective barriers made of multiple layers of ice.
Unfortunately for her, Arthur seemed to have predicted this because the layer of fire surrounding the spear of lightning melted through every layer of protection she had conjured.
Most of the people present seemed to be anxious about whether she would be able to block Arthur’s attack, but I knew better. While I wanted to root for Arthur, I knew he wasn’t the only one holding back.
The elemental spear exploded upon contact with Master Varay’s body, throwing her back in the air with her form engulfed in fire and lightning. Arthur landed on the ground, his body slumped forward, his breathing heavy.
“So she used that form,” General Bairon said, eyes wide and tone appreciative.
Arthur’s sister and the others, who didn’t know what he was talking about, looked at him in confusion, but I was already expecting it. I had learned that form from her, after all.
“I suggest you take it up a step as well, General Arthur,” Master Varay said, her form now visible.
It was the form Arthur had referred to as an “ice ninja,” but a few stages higher. Master was now completely clad in frost, as if her very body was carved out of ice. Every strand of hair looked like a crystalline thread, and her eyes glowed a bright blue.
Though Arthur’s expression was appreciative as he looked over Master Varay’s form, his tone was lighthearted as he spoke. “I suppose it is time to bring this to a close.”
He closed his eyes and took a breath. That casual action seemed to change the entire atmosphere in the room. My master’s form exuded a presence of awe, but Arthur was distorting the very space around him.
I had seen this form before, yet it still made shivers run down my spine.
Arthur opened his eyes, his irises now a magnificent lavender hue and his long auburn hair a brilliant white. That wasn’t all, though. Arthur was muttering something under his breath. Soon after, a surge of black lightning enveloped his body.
“Oh… Oh my,” Miss Watsken muttered. “G-General Bairon. Would you mind charging more of your mana into the artifact?”
“Good idea,” Hester agreed. “We’ll help out as well. Buhnd, you should make a bunker around us.”
The earth around beneath sank a few feet so that we all had to stand to see the fight. In the distance were two distinct figures. One looked like a translucent statue carved by a master sculptor, while the other seemed like a mighty deity in human form.
“So. Do you think you can beat Arthur in a fight?” Commander Virion casually asked General Bairon.
The Lance remained silent while he imbued the crystal on Emily’s panel with mana, his stern gaze focused on Master Varay and Arthur.
I turned my attention back to them as well, just in time to hear a series of pops in the space between them.
“What’s happening?” Arthur’s sister asked, squinting her eyes.
I’m not sure either, I thought.
“General Arthur is spellcasting, but for some reason, it’s not visible,” Miss Emeria explained, sounding confused as well.
“The boy is countering Varay’s spells before they even manifest,” General Bairon answered, gnashing his teeth.
“How is that possible?” Hester asked.
“It has something to do with that form,” Commander Virion replied, his sharp eyes wide in amazement.
The ‘pop’ sounds were the mana colliding and cancelling each other out, I realized.
Arthur’s form blurred and disappeared, only to reappear behind Master Varay, his leg high in the air. He struck, and a shockwave of mana and electricity ripped out, but was immediately met with a blast of icy frost.
Master Varay responded by swinging her arm. Arthur parried with a hand, but the ground beneath them shattered from the force.
They were now engaging in melee combat. Every time Master Varay tried to form a spell, it dissipated immediately.
Still, she seemed to be holding her own against Arthur. She had formed a crystalline sword in each hand; Arthur had one as well, though his was a little thinner.
Their ice swords chipped with each block, strike and parry, the broken remnants sparkling in the reflection of the room’s lights. Both of them had formed their weapons from ice, yet only Arthur’s conjured sword seemed to break—Master Varay’s swords remained strong.
Despite this disadvantage, however, I could tell that, in such close combat, Arthur had the upper hand. His movements—the ones I could see—were fluid yet unpredictable. Each slash and stab connected, flowing into one neverending combination of attacks—and he did this all while forming a new sword of ice every time his previous weapon broke. Even with my untrained eyes, I could tell that each of his attacks had meaning, like he was slowly guiding my master in an elegant dance.
What enraptured me most, however, wasn’t his stunning swordplay, but his expression. He was smiling—practically beaming.
Ah, he is having fun, I thought, my mind wandering as I tried to remember the last time I had considered magic fun.
Unable to recall a particular instance, I concentrated on the fight. It’s rare for Master to exhibit so much of her ability. I need to take notes.
Arthur was fighting straightforwardly, while Master attempted to incorporate long-ranged attacks while simultaneously striking at Arthur. However, because of his ability to seemingly counter every spell, she was left with only close-range combat.
“Oy, Camus. Want to bet? I think the young general is going to win this one,” Elder Buhnd muttered, his eyes locked on the battle.
“It’s hard to gauge who has the upper hand,” Elder Camus responded, not answering his companion’s actual question. “General Arthur’s speed and reflexes are several steps above General Varay’s, but General Varay’s defense seems to allow for more error.”
“I agree,” Hester added. “Most of General Arthur’s strikes can’t penetrate that ice-clad form of hers, and she seems to have the flexibility of manipulating that armor into whatever shape or weapon she wants.”
“Incredible. General Arthur’s mana flow speed is constantly accelerating,” Miss Emeria breathed, shifting her gaze between her notepad and Arthur.
“So do you want to bet or not?” Elder Buhnd grumbled.
“I will wager on General Varay,” Hester said.
“General Arthur for me,” Elder Camus replied.
“Varay for me,” General Bairon said.
Commander Virion only chuckled. “Let’s see who wins.”
Chapter 49
Offensive Mindset
ARTHUR LEYWIN
Looking up, I locked eyes with Varay as she returned to her normal form, the ice that enveloped her slowly thawing.
“Good duel, General Arthur,” Varay said, extending a hand.
I grabbed her arm and allowed her to pull me up to my feet. “As expected, there’s still a gap between us.”
“If you were able to hold that form for an extended period of time, there’s a chance you could’ve overpowered me,” Varay admitted.
“I consider that form a borrowed power, not my own,” I said, patting the dust from my clothes. “I thought I had mastered ice to a large extent, but seeing you today makes me doubt myself.”
Varay revealed just the faintest glimmer of a smile before heading toward where my sister and the rest of our audience watched.
As soon as we made it back to the group, the elders, Bairon and Virion—who had been exchanging gold coins for some reason—eagerly began bombarding me with suggestions and tips on what I had done wrong in my sparring session with Varay.
“Your fire spells are strong, but you expended an unnecessary amount of mana with each of them,” Hester began.
“That’s right,” Buhnd chimed in. “And there were many instances where utilizing your earth magic would’ve been more beneficial, yet you chose to revert back to your comfortable affinities.”
My head spun as I tried to make eye contact with everyone who was talking to me. Then Alanis spoke up. “Elders. I believe it’d be most beneficial for General Arthur if we spoke one at a time and in a more controlled setting.”
“I agree,” Virion added. “Let’s gather around and examine what our young general did wrong.”
With that, I found myself on a stone chair, graciously erected by Buhnd, sitting in a circle like a child and his classmates for a group activity. But my ‘classmates’ were perhaps some of the most powerful and influential figures on this entire continent.
Ellie and Boo joined us in the circle, but remained silent. Everyone else began pointing out specific instances of things I could have done better in my last fight.
“Using wind to bolster your spells was a good idea, but your application of it was surface level,” Camus explained. “For example, instead of using the wind to push the lightning spear, why not integrate it around the entire spell itself? That way, you’d create a spinning force to strengthen its piercing power without using that much more mana.”
I was mulling over the elven elder’s analysis when another voice spoke up. It was Bairon.
“Because of the element’s very nature, shaping lightning is much harder than shaping fire. A more efficient attack would’ve been molding the fire into a piercing shape and coating it with lightning,” he said sternly.
“Thanks… for the advice,” I said, surprised by his help. I understood that we were on the same side and all, but I was still the one who had brutally killed his brother.
Lucas deserved every ounce of what I had done to him and more, of course, but that didn’t stop Bairon from taking my actions against his relative personally.
“Allow me to give just one insight,” Varay said. “Your control over ice is good, but as your opponent, it was clear that your ice magic merely served as a distraction. I’m sure Princess Kathyln saw this as well.”
The princess nodded. “Besides the spell Absolute Zero, most of his ice manipulation serves to divert his foe’s attention from his more powerful lightning spells.”
Have I become that predictable?
As if answering my thought, Varay added, “Your speed and spell chaining make up for this slight shortcoming, but I suspect that—in a prolonged battle—this would lead to your defeat.”
“I’ll keep your advice in mind. Thank you.” I shifted my gaze to Kathyln and added, “Both of you.”
Virion seized this opportunity, rising from his stone seat and clasping his hands. “Well, I apologize for our little interruption. Carry on with the training, Arthur. My expectations for your growth are high, especially since you’re taking time off from the battlefield.”
The commander shot me a wink before heading for the entrance with his hands behind his back. The two Lances followed close on either side of him and I watched their figures until the large doors closed behind them.
“That was exhausting,” Emily said, letting out a deep breath.
“Being in a room with two Lances and Commander Virion really leaves no room to breathe,” my sister added, falling forward on top of Boo’s furry back.
“Three Lances,” I corrected. “Your brother’s a Lance too, you know.”
“Well, you’re my brother first.” She dismissed me with a wave of her hand.
I got up from my seat and stretched my sore limbs. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Is training done for today?” Kathyln asked, keeping her eyes downcast.
Emily walked over to the panel, carefully reading one of the gauges. “Well, there’s still a lot of mana stored in here from earlier if you want to continue training.”
“Sounds like a plan!” Buhnd exclaimed, shooting up from his seat. “I’m itching to stretch my body after watching that fight. You down for a little match, Princess?”
Kathyln eagerly nodded and followed the dwarven elder to the other end of the training ground.
“I think I’ll head on up,” my sister said, mid-yawn.
“Do you want me to walk you to your room?” I asked.
Ellie shook her head, patting Boo’s thick body. “That’s what I have Boo for.”
I nodded, shooting her a smile. “Good night.”
With her eyes half-closed, she gave me a weak salute. “Good night, elders. Good night, Emily. Good night, Miss Emeria. And good night, Lance Arthur.”
I scoffed. “Cheeky girl.”
My sister batted her eyes innocently before trotting out of the room, leaving only Emily, Alanis, and the two remaining elders.
“Your sister is very different from you, General Arthur,” Alanis commented.
I couldn’t help but smile. “She definitely takes more after our father.”
“And you more closely resemble your mother?” the elven assistant asked, her eyes fixed on Kathyln’s and Buhnd’s figures.
I watched the two of them as well as they adjusted their dueling equipment before beginning their spar. “I’m not sure. I’d like to think I’m a mixture of both.”
“Who else would you resemble if not either of them?” Hester asked.
I simply shrugged, unable to form a better response. Then I heard a yawn from behind us.
Looking back over my shoulder, I could see Emily’s head bobbing as she struggled to stay awake.
“Emily,” I called, startling the artificer.
Emily fumbled with the dials on her panel as if she had been working. “I’m not sleeping!”
“No one said you were,” I said. “But maybe you should get some rest.”
“General Arthur is right,” Alanis said. “I have the basic knowledge of how to operate the device from watching you.”
The artificer yawned widely, adjusting her glasses. “Thank you, but it’s okay. I need to collect more data and compare the fpu from General Varay and Arthur’s last battle.”
“Speaking of that, you haven’t really given us any of the data from my training sessions with the elders over the past few days,” I said.
“I’ve been wondering about that as well,” Camus added, turning his gaze from Kathyln and Buhnd’s duel. “I’m curious to see how my spells measure.”
“Yes, of course. However, the numbers won’t really have any meaning to them out of context,” Emily explained. “I currently have a few assistants in several academies testing out lower end versions of this artifact. They’re getting recordings from their students so we can gather a wide enough spectrum to have a reference.”
“Ah, so the fpu was intended more to be used to compare amongst other mages?” I asked.
The artificer nodded excitedly. “Exactly! I can, however, compare the fpu readings between the mages present here. But I’d be more confident in the overall measurements if we had more data.”
Camus’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes hidden behind silvery-blond bangs. “I wonder which of us oldies is the strongest.”
The two elders soon fell into arguing about who they thought was strongest, while I returned my gaze to Kathyln and Buhnd.
The duel was drawing to a close. Kathyln was almost completely out of breath while Buhnd had barely broken a sweat. Spikes of ice and earth surrounded them and small craters littered the ground, but neither had taken any visible wounds besides fatigue. When the princess finally dipped her head in a bow, the duel was over.
