Rex and Airi was deeply astounded. Just now the guy forced Lune to close his book and step back. Knowing Lune since their childhood, the two of them know that Lune was quite...arrogant.
Although Lune was a very quiet boy who likes to read books every time, that doesn't mean he's a good kid. In truth, he doesn't like to read books at all, but he does that only so he wouldn't notice what's going on around him.
He had this character where he wanted everything to go his way and he doesn't like listening to other's opinion. And that personality of his only appears when he placed down his book. But right now, that guy forced him to close that book and he made Lune really mad.
"Oh crap, Lune's angry." That was suppose to sound nervous and scared, but Rex said it with a smile.
"That guy's dangerous though. Not many people can force perfect Lune to shut his book." Airi stated.
"But you did it as well." Rex said dryly
Airi was about to retort but Lune interrupted them. "Instead of rambling there, why not help me here?"
"Yes sir." Rex did not take things seriously and laughed inwardly as he made his way to Lune's side. "My magic will probably not much help."
"Coming from a guy who climbed the ranks using brute force, that's a lame excuse." Airi rolled his eyes.
"What? I'm telling the truth here you know. My magic's for granting wishes, not fighting. Have you ever heard of someone who died or got sick because of a dandelion?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"See? I'm right, aren't I?"
"That doesn't change the fact that you are still at third rank. How do you suppose you did that when don't have any brains?"
"Come on Airi, don't say it like that."
"Hmph! You're so dumb you can't even make a good enough excuse."
"Hey! Don't you think you're going a bit too far?"
The two of them argued and the guy could only sigh inwardly. It seems these children's case of cockiness is beyond help. Since they always win against everyone, he'll show them what it feels like to be defeated.
Smirking, he dashed towards the boys and attacked them. Fortunately, the three of them dodged in time and the ground their feet turned to dust.
Airi invaded by leaping and moving in a circular motion in the air. As he descended, he hoped to touch the man's shoulder but the guy skillfully invaded forcing Airi to roll on the ground before standing up and facing him.
"How did you find out that you shouldn't let yourself be touched by me?" Airi curiously asked.
The guy smirked and placed his mace on his shoulder. "Boy, I 'am no amateur nor any simple fighter like the ones you fought before."
"Speaking of which, you use earth. You're obviously not a Sacred royal, so you must be from the lower-earth family." Rex proclaimed.
"Lower-earth family? Is that how you kids call us major elements of the noble realm?" the man questioned him.
Rex thought for a second and replied. "Well...that's how our friends call you."
"Sacred royals aye?" Without giving them a warning, the man swiftly attacked Airi as he thought of him as the biggest threat.
Before his mace could hit him though, Airi turned into petals and returned back to his original form behind the man, slashing him with his sword.
The man quickly sensed the danger and blocked his attack by reflex without even turning around to face him. Airi backed off in an instant and stood in an offensive stance. He supposed that he should get serious. Lune already know that but Rex figured as well, conjuring a dagger, his signature weapon.
As the fight's starting to get serious, Kishi tried to figure out a way to get past them without getting notice. But the more he watched them fight, the more he realized that the man they were fighting against isn't that simple and getting past them seemed impossible.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to gamble. Being a part of E-class, he learned one thing. He should learn to trust others and have faith in them. But even if they can't keep the guy accompanied, he was confident enough that he can handle himself quite well.
Kishi decided to fly over them. It might be better if he turned himself into petals, and avoided getting attacked or spotted, but in that form, he cannot control where he was going and will just follow where the wind blows.
He traveled fast, but he was just half way when the guy suddenly launched toward him. Kishi blocked his attack with his conjured sword. The guy just smiled at him.
"Boy, you're weak." Out of the blue, he said that. Kishi understood full well what he was saying though.
He was indeed very weak. He cannot hold on physically, and he was easily overwhelmed by his emotions. The only things he was really good at was magic but he can't even fully control it, not without the help of Kira.
The guys smirked and hammered him with his mace, but twisting in the air, Kishi dodged his attack and quickly flew towards Kira.
The guy didn't attack him anymore. Kishi guessed that the others managed to hold him off his tail again.
Landing on one foot before the other, the ropes that was binding her was cut into pieces as his sword slash through them but was so fast that only a line drawn in the air was seen.
Without the ropes forcing her up anymore, Kira fell down but was lucky caught by Kishi and hugged her.
Kira felt a sense of peace as the warmth of his embrace enveloped her, that she can't help but cry once more.
"Nisan..."
Kishi remained silent and hugged her tightly. It wasn't that long but he felt that he missed her so much. He actually thought that what happened almost five years ago would happen again. He became scared.
His heart ached once more when he saw her bloodied tears and lips. Her wrists and ankles are also covered in wounds caused by the ropes that tied her. Her weakened form right now just looked so fragile that she would look as if she would shatter if he wasn't careful enough. What's more, she must be in real pain but she refused to show it for her dear brother's sake. Kishi wasn't able suppress his tears anymore.
"Lune!"
Behind them, they can hear both Rex and Airi's panicked calls as Lune was harshly knocked down but the guy.
"One down, three more to go." The man said casually as he looked at their pissed faces.
"Damn bastard!" Airi dashed towards him, his sword surrounded by glowing rose petals, and leaving a trail of spiky vines.
Meanwhile, as Lune laid on the ground helpless and unmoving, he can't help but feel really bitter. He hated losing more than anything else. He should be the powerfullest among all. No one should be able to beat him. That was the mentality that the clan elders of the Trees taught him.
The only defeat he suffered was with Airi, other than that he was undefeated. That was until now. The old memories of his childhood seemed to come back to him.
*
It all started in that darkness. It felt like being under the ocean but I wasn't drowning. From that darkness I heard many things. I learned about my family.
Ever since I receive life, I did not forget anything like most children does. When I was born my mother would take care of me. A year after that, I began to crawl and I learned to speak some words.
However, my life back them only revolved in my room.
It was a room that was lit by light crystals. There is no window and there is only one door.
It was mostly empty except for my bed and the two maids that took care of me.
My parents would always come everyday and play with me. But there are just times that they are too busy and they will come to my room every morning to say sorry.
"Little brother!"
But when I'm alone in that room, my big brother would come and play with me.
It was very fun. I loved my big brother so much back then I can't remember when the rift between the two of us appeared and separated us.