When the large youth saw the purple mana leaking from the unexpected figure, he immediately started panicking, retreating back into the crowd.
'This isn't part of the plan! Why the hell is the tower master here.'
Ty began sweating. The political currents in The Capital were deadly, outsiders who unknowingly provoke or interrupt the large powers could find themselves in a den of hungry predators. Ty wasn't sure what the origins of the kid named Myrrin was, but he had gotten himself in deep waters here at The Capital. Originally, he had rigged the orb to break during testing. As a result he would send an attack towards the haggard brat, but slightly miss— exposing the first-class citizenship in his clothes. Before he could open the pass, Ty planned to capture the target named Myrrin and deliver him to a royal district back door where someone would collect him.
As a second circle [Magus], Ty's ability to control his abilities were godly compared to unawakened humans, but only mediocre at best compared to other second circle [Magus]. Although he met with Arwin, he was in the process of turning the situation around with a trump card he had hidden in the crowd. At least, until the appearance of the ominous, purple mana.
The mana was slowly permeating throughout the square, thick purple waves of viscous poison rolling around the violet robed figure unheeded. The tower master smiled emotionless, looking around at the future [Contractors] of The Capital. When his eyes rolled onto the recruitment officer, he began to frown.
'To think they would be so arrogant to do this broad daylight, it seems the rewards were too enticing'
His eyes returned to Myrrin, his dull eyes held seemed to flicker with life for a single moment before returning to their original listlessness.
"Let's do it your way officer, the haggard brat against the larger brat. Whoever forces the other to surrender or lose consciousness will become a student at my academy."
The crowd gasped. While The Royal Academy was undoubtedly the top school in The Capital, the tower master had a personal academy in the academic district that excelled in only one thing: researching mana. Many students that graduated from his academy were able to work at the tower for research.
Using his mana he manipulated the shadows around him to wrap around the two aforementioned youths and brought them to the center of the square. The robes on figure figure fluttered as he drew a complex incantation in the air with his fingers, willing the shadows shadows to bend, creating an array that prevented anyone except himself from entering. His eyes were much more sensitive to mana than most in the world, with a glance he could see that the larger youth had more mana than Myrrin, who had just awakened. He smiled, he had seen something interesting today, and once he was curious he had to satisfy it.
Myrrin was utterly confused. He had no idea who the violet robed figure was, but he could tell the mana was same as the purple mana back at the tower. Either way, he was not someone that he could go up against. Furious at the blatant bulling, he clenched his fist, feeling powerless in the situation. Myrrin looked over at Arwin who shrugged, also helpless against the might of one of the top [Magus] in the country. The larger youth in front of him was grinning in genuine happiness. He was originally paid to cripple or "accidentally kill" the scrawny figure in front of him. Now, he had an opportunity to join one of the prestiges academies of The Captial.
'Hey kid, what are you so stressed about, did you forget who is in your body?'
'Huh? how does that help right now, were too weak..'
'HAhahaahHAH listen, I have a vast collection of sword manuals I sealed in my soul right before the contract. They'll take some time to unlock, but if its one of the weakest manuals it'll do.'
'Sword? Do I look like I'm carrying a sword??'
'…'
'…'
"Umm… excuse me, can I get a sword to fight with?"
Everyone stared at the small, dirty frame of the person in front of them, unsure of whether or laugh or not. Needless to say, they decided to remain quiet in front of the tower master, looking in his direction to hear the verdict.
"Sure, if its fine with your opponent, you guys can use the training weapons the recruitment officer has brought today."
He snapped his fingers at the recruitment officer who hadn't moved a single muscle since the tower master arrived.
"O-Oh right away!"
He fumbled around as he brought a chest that held wooden practice weapons; they were reinforced with mana, increasing their durability. His heart was pounding in his chest, expecting a punishment with out a moments notice. He hurriedly moved back once again, allowing the two combatants to examine the weapons. The large youth picked up an imposing wooden rod, swinging it a few times in satisfaction.
"My name is Arnold Weisser. Hope you will remember my name after this, my Lord."
He bowed towards the tower master before taking his stance on the other side of Myrrin, who had already picked out a wooden long sword. He smirked, he had read a family manual on the using the rod, although he was still learning, it should surely be enough. With such thoughts, he began to run toward Myrrin eager to impress the tower master.
Or, he planned to.
Myrrin felt an instinctive calling to the sword in his hands, as if his arm was only complete with a sword on the other end. Immersed in this feeling he had unintentionally forgotten about the battle taking place.
'Focus.'
The one word brought back Myrrin to reality. He narrowed his gaze and slightly loosened his grip on the sword naturally. Right before his sword met head on with the rod, he exploded with as much power as he could. The sword in his hand was sent flying, stabbing into the ground behind him. Myrrins hands were shaking, but he immediately ran towards the sword and picked it up again, his eyes glowing under his messy hair.
Arnold didn't chase. Rather, he couldn't chase. Myrrin seemed like a sheathed blade in front of him, his eyes much sharper and clearer than before. He gulped and tightened his hold on the rod, then let out a breath. As he calmed down, his hand slightly relaxed. His body tensed momentarily before he once again launched himself toward Myrrin.
'IDIOT, who goes head on against a rod with a sword. Use your movements.'
Myrrin, who was still battle drunk, didn't hear Antebellum as he met with Arnold's rod. Though he held onto the sword this time, he was pushed back 3 steps, while Arnold kept his footing.
'…'
The aged immortal in Myrrin's body watched the hot-blooded scene before him. He had shed such foolish battle theories, purged from countless years of battle. Looking at the clashing youths, he realized he could not remember when he had last battled with such fervor. A profound ripple occurred and spread throughout the silver sword in Myrrin dantian.
Myrrin had lost track of how many blows he had exchanged with the opponent in front of him, the fight triggered something in Myrrin. Something he had kept locked away since Luc departeded. Something he had long ago forgotten as his parents disappeared. Myrrin began to laugh as he ran toward Arnold, who also had a wide smile on his face. While Arnold may have been tempted by the rewards originally, he was still just a naive teenager. He had long ago forgotten about the orders from his higher ups, and began enjoying fighting against Myrrin. The hands on both the youths were shaking from the consecutive exchanges; however, Arnold still held the advantage, pushing Myrrin further and further. Just as Myrrin's back was about to reach the end of the sealing array, his body jolted slightly. Ancient symbols oozing sword intent flashed in Myrrin's head. As Myrrin focused on it it began to become clearer, finally the words "Nine Mountains, One Sword" reverberated in his head as he swung his sword at Arnold. Something in his head clicked, his sword began to change mid trajectory, the flight of the sword uniquely pressing down towards Arnold.
BANG!!
Arnold, who had just blocked a sword swing, was inwardly shocked. That blow had been much stronger than any blow this fight! His foot was pushed back one step as he stabilized himself, hesitating after the sudden increase in strength.
'I have to end this quickly!'
Arnold grimaced as he realized that Myrrin was improving too quickly in this fight. He wasn't sure how someone could improve so rapidly, but it only served to make his blood boil in anticipation. Although it was enjoyable, he had to end with the next strike. His eyes began to glow neon yellow as his rod arced with electricity.
'I have to finish this soon!'
Myrrin held similar thoughts as he could feel his hand barely responding. After this blow it was questionable if he could manage another. A small dribble of blood making its way to the handle of his practice sword.
'Kid, pour out your mana, like you did with the orb.'
Antebellum interjected when he noticed Myrrin had some semblance of clarity. Luckily, Myrrin listened, pouring mana from the sword in his dantian to his hand. The symbols in Myrrin's head began to project the image of domineering mountains, enlightening him and clearing his head. He breathed in deeply as his eyes began to burn bright silver.
"Nine Mountains, One Sword!"
"Quick Bolt!"
As Arnold approached with his rod clad in electricity, he assumed he would win. Not many [Contractors] at this stage had a spell since they were relatively hard to come by. By chance, he had the opportunity to learn this zero circle spell that increased his attacks acceleration speed by 15%. However, Arnold's expectations deviated with the appearance of a small mountain behind Myrrin's sword— bringing with it a sense of pressure that pushed down on Arnold. Although it was only by a small margin, the sword that preceded the mountain crashed down on Arnold rod.
BAMM!!
The sword in Myrrin's hand exploded upon impact, sending him back two steps. Arnold's rod creaked before snapping under the pressure, sending him flying onto his back. Unable to support himself, Myrrin sank to the floor and began heaving.
Clap, Clap
The violet tower master clapped as he approached Myrrin, his face carved upwards into a deep smile.