Days passed after we returned from the Elysian Empire. I practiced my new Stringed Hidden Weapons Forms, as well as fought with Irwin every day. I stopped counting time, and focused on my training alone. I slowly learned to predict the wind, and incorporated that into the Wind Form of my Stringed Hidden Weapons skill. I also practiced more with the Final Form, and tested it to the limits. I was able to last two minutes under that Form. After that I would be exhausted, with only about 15% of my energy left.
I also learned to control my Bloodlust Aura better. I could release it any time I wanted, and I was able to control myself during the whole awakened state. I learned more about Warlike Close Combat too. Although I was still getting beaten up, Irwin became more serious as time passed. They were right about something. I had no real talents, but I could adapt to everything quickly.
I still couldn't figure out anything about illusions. I tried asking Frosty a few times, now aware it was still there. But all I got in response was silence. I had no clue, why Frosty was so bent on staying hidden. 'There must be a reason, I'm sure' I thought. Yater stayed silent, even when the other two asked about it. No matter how much they pestered him, he just replied "You will find out, when you find out".
I also tried growing some of the plants in the mid time. I found that although I could grow them to some extent, I wasn't able to cultivate a fully grown plant. As if I was missing something important. Before I planted the Ethereal Seed, I first looked for similar seeds. Yater was kind enough to get me as many as he could find. There were some similar seeds, and I could grow them. But when I tried with the Ethereal Seed, it never sprouted.
'At least the seed is still here. It didn't spoil or got destroyed. I can maybe try in the future' I thought at the time. I had my hands full with other things, so I only did that on a whim. Besides, Ethereal Flower was not like the book described it as. It couldn't grant immortality, at most I would gain 30-40 year, if I ate a few of them. I was still considered young, where people were able to live past 100 years, so I didn't have to worry about that now.
I knew the seasons passed, but I already lost track of time. Only when Yater came over one day, did I realise how long it has been. "You studied well Nex. Although you didn't figure out anything about illusions yet, your improvements in the other Arts are amazing". I asked "How long has it been?". He smiled and replied "Almost five years. You did well in that time. Even though you had us masters with you, still a great deal of improvements".
I looked at him for a while, and asked "It's been five years?". Yater smiled, and said "Time flies quickly, doesn't it?". I took a look at myself. I had to make a new set of clothes many times during that time. I still used animal skins, but I tried with different designs each time. Not fashion wise, but defence and mobility wise. I added some of the things I saw in the past. I also got better at making the clothes. To my surprise, Nathan was a tailor by trade. He taught me how to properly process animals skins, and make leather armour.
What I wore at that time, was a leather armour, with a few metal pieces. Irwin knew a thing or two about smithing too. He told me how to build a small furnace, which I could use for smelting some ores and making ingots. The place changed a lot during that time, and I grew attached to the three masters. Besides the new and improved set of clothing, I changed as well.
My hair, although still black in colour, were long enough to cover half of my face. Nathan trimmed them once in a while, but not that often. The rough beard on my face indicated I was already middle aged, which when I thought about, didn't sound so cool anymore. My right arm was as usually wrapped in bandages, and those were made by all three masters. Actually, this was my gift a few years back. Irwin hunted a strong beast, but he refused to tell which one. Nathan processed the skin into strong but flexible bandages, while Yater added some Formations to them.
The bandages were very durable, grey in colour and thanks to Yater, resisted low temperatures. He obviously took my right arm under consideration there. When I tried it for the first time, it really didn't break, even when I used the full extent of my ice power. I noticed that I walked, and behaved differently. I could change my styles, based on what Art I wanted to execute. Appear and disappear like a ghost, with the Art of Stealth. Walk calmly and collectively, with the Art of Hidden Weapons. Strongly and imposingly, with the Art of War. The essence of the three Forbidden Arts, was already in my bones. What awaited me, was mastery.
I looked at Yater, and said "I have a favour to ask". Yater was taken aback by my serious expression. He asked "What do you need?". I replied "I need a favour from all three of you. I want you to help me". Irwin, who sat on the tree not far away, replied "What do you want to do, if you want help from all three of us? Don't tell me you want to return to the Elysian Empire". I shook my head, and said "No, I want to retrieve my sword".
Nathan walked out from behind the tree, and asked "Royals eh?". I wasn't even surprised, Yater must've told them. I nodded, and said "I don't want you to get killed or anything. All I need is a good distraction. I need them to be focused on you, not me. The rest, I will deal with". Yater shook his head, and said "I can't agree to it. We can't let you go there…", but before he finished, Nathan stopped him.
Nathan said "We will help you. You are our student after all". Irwin jumped down, and said "I'm up for it any time. Yater, Nex can take care of himself. Don't treat him like a useless kid anymore. He grew a lot past those five years". Yater sighed, and replied "What if...". This time I cut him off, and said "No ifs. I know who has my sword, and I know her strength. Even if she improved during this time, I can kill her… No, I will kill her and take my sword back. My parents lost their lives for that sword, it's the only thing they left for me".
Yater struggled a bit, but then finally agreed. "I will do it. I don't care about myself, I can run away. But we will not be able to assist you, keep that in mind Nex". I nodded, and said "I know. I will deal with this. It's time to return to the Endros Imperial City". We decided to move out the next day, after discussing our plan first. Irwin suggested storming the place, but I told him it was a bad idea. After all, the Emperor was an existence we couldn't easily deal with.
Nathan had a better idea. Getting rid off some Royal Guards, would make them focus on the killers. It was a good idea, but we needed information. Nathan said "Information is not a problem. There is an underground network of people who specialise in that stuff. They will provide us with all the necessary information, as long as we pay". I recalled something, and said "I heard there were some kind of people like that. I think some of them even chased after me once". Nathan said "They specialise in information, but have a few teams that kill as well. After all, it's a large organisation. There are four people at the top, but it doesn't matter now. I can get all the necessary stuff from them".
I nodded, and suggested something. "We should all wear masks. If they don't see our faces, they can't chase after us". Yater smiled, and said "Not a bad idea. I never had to resort to that, but I guess we will be making some commotion. Nathan can make them, while I will place Formations on them. This should be enough". With all that taken care of, we prepared everything for our journey.