Chapter 2 - Ishmael

Ishmael Mordecai Nilsen was a proud man. He expected to be treated with respect or in the case of the common fodder as a superior. But how could he not!

He was a noble of the great dynasty of Air! One of the most powerful dynasties in the entire kingdom in his (biased) opinion. Not only that but he was extremely gifted in the magical arts.

So wide was the girth of his talents that even the grandmaster of the Dynasty had recognized him as a possible candidate for leader! 

So when this boy, this demi-human, had decided that he would confront him for his actions regarding the boy's female friend, he was offended. Heavily offended. 

Even so he had brushed it off. Obviously the boy didn't know who he was, So he was willing to cut the boy some slack. After telling the demi-human boy who  he was, Ishmael said he was willing to let the boy go without any punishment if he had kneeled to him and apologized. 

It was a simple request, one that many had taken when they learned of who he was. Yet this boy did not heed his words. In fact he had the gall to challenge him to a fight right then and there!

He had accepted the duel and even gave the boy a handicape. He wouldn't use magic in the fight as his fist was all he needed, and he was right. The fight, if it could be called as such, barely lasted a minute. 

The boy, despite having some interesting magic abilities such as summoning and controlling fairies and making magic bullets of a type he had never seen, didn't stand a chance. 

All bullets shot he dodged. For every fist punched he blocked or parried before retaliating with equal force. Every fairy summoned was promptly killed with a singular punch no matter it's type.

Even so Ishmael had to admit the boy had prowess, especially for a demi-human. If he were a common soldier or even the average mage not suited for battle he would have lost.  However, he was Ishmael Mordecai Nilsen, prodigy of the Air dynasty and therefore the boy stood no chance. 

Looking down at the bloodied body of the demi-human boy in front of him, Ishamel gave a medium powered kick to the rib cage of the boy. Sending him flying into a nearby blacksmith building, his body arching in pain as his broken body hit the cold stone walls of the building. 

Scoffing Ishmeal glanced at the small crowd that had formed to watch their fight. Some held faces of pity for the boy, others of exasperation at the boy's idiocy, and then there were those who looked on with glee at the boy's broken form. 

Turning back to the demi-human Ishmael smirked. Since he was here he may as well make a show out of it.

After taking a breath and opening his arms wide almost as if he was presenting the boy's body as a prize he spoke.

" This is why one does not challenge a Nob-No! This is why one does not challenge me! The great prodigy of the Air dynasty Shmael Mordecai Nilsen!" He proudly stated as he stared at the crowd with open arms.

Most of the crowd stayed silent at his declaration. Some however didn't.

"Yeah! That demi-human little shit shouldn't have challenged you!"

" How dare something so vile even appear before a great noble!"

On the outside Ishmael smiled at the words of the people in the crowd. Mentally however he scoffed.

' These people are such sheeps. They are mere baby ducklings following their mother. At least some of them had half a mind to stay silent.' he thought before turning his attention to the boy once more.

" Now then boy do you have anything to say for yourself?" Ishmael said fully aware that the boy was in no condition to speak. 

Seeing the boy not respond, Ishmael made a show of frowning before walking up to the boy, before proceeding to sucker punch the boy in his face. Breaking the demi-human's nose with the ease of a bodybuilder snapping a pencil in half. 

Hearing the crunch Ishmael smiled before speaking once more.

"I will ask only one more time, boy. What do you have to say for yourself? I suggest you don't choose to stay silent if you know what's good for you." 

Ishmael hadn't expected the boy to respond at all. After all unless you were trained to withstand pain a broken nose and obliterated rib cage would cripple most people in a fight. But it seems this boy was a bundle of surprises.

" C-confirmation g-given." said the boy weakly, spitting out blood as he did so. 

Most even if right up in the boy's face wouldn't be able to hear what was said.  However as a member of the dynasty of air Ishmael's hearing was second only to those of the sound dynasty. So he heard it just fine.

Raising an eyebrow at the strange choice of words the prodigy of the Air dynasty went to speak. Only to quickly shut his mouth as the boy's body flashed a blinding light, temportaly stunning the noble.

When the light diminished and the Noble's sight returned he was shocked to see the boy was gone, and a teenager took his place.