Thomas swing his sword at Asher's body only to have his attack blocked with a loud clang of metal slamming against metal. Though the attack was blocked Asher's body slides backward. His arm feel numb from blocking the attack. He could not believe how heavy Thomas's swing was. Even though he was only two years older, the difference in their skill was very apparent. Asher could not believe that he was so much stronger. He understood why the system offered such good rewards.
Asher tried to keep up with the older boy, but everytime he blocked the result was the same. He would be forced back with incredible force. His arm began to sting from the constant abuse. He had to get away trying to go toe to toe with Thomas was not working in the slightest stretch of the imagination. He need a new plan, and he had to think of one fast.
Asher jumped back and began to move away from Thomas. He need to get some distance and reassess the situation, but Thomas was not letting him get away easy. Thomas raised his hand, and a pale blue light appeared in his hand. The light came from a glowing ring that had similar colored mist coming off of it. This mist gather together and form four sharp ice spears. Asher looked in awe as he watched Thomas use his magic. With a flick of his wrist, the spear launched at him with a dangerous speed.
With a shimmering hum, the metal sword cut through one of the spears as Asher moved his body so that the other three spears flew past him. One of the spears past close enough to his stomach to rip through the front of his shirt. Asher was in awe. This was the power that magic had to offer. He was excited for what would happen tomorrow.
Asher shook the thoughts from his head. He had to focus. Thomas was skilled and had a large advantage against him. If he got to far from Thomas, he would just use magic, and if he was to close, he would over power him. This left Asher in a tricky situation.
Asher eyes flicker as an idea formed into his head. The singing steel's ability was caused by enchantments that cause the blade to vibrate when it is swung. If he could take advantage of this he would be able to win. He positioned his body low to the ground and charged at Thomas. Thomas raised his sword and countered by bringing it down on Ashers head.
Asher stopped just short of Thomas's Blade. The blade narrowly missed cutting face. Asher dug his blade into the ground before raising it high into the air. The vibrating blade scattered dirt and dust into the air and into Thomas's eyes. Thomas was forced to raise his arm to stop the dirt into eyes.
This was the opening Asher needed. In one fluid movement, Asher lifted up his leg and kicked Thomas's arm. This attack took Thomas by surprise causing him to lose his grip on his sword. As it clang on the ground, Asher continued his movement spinning around. Before Thomas could register what has happened, he heard the singing blade flying through the air. He found his neck press against cool steal.
Asher had stop his sword close enough for his blade to nick Thomas's throat causing a slow trickle of blood to run down his neck. Thomas was shocked he did not expect Asher to move so quickly. He looked at Asher with wide eyes. Asher gave him a cheeky smile. Thomas let out a sigh and raised his hand in surrender.
"No bad, But you clearly cheated," Thomas smiled as he complimented Asher. He was impressed how skilled the young master had become.
Asher removed the blade from Thomas's neck. He smiled happily. "Thanks. and the only rule of a fight is be the one breathing." Even though Thomas thought the smile was the product of his compliment Asher was happy for another reason.
[Quest complete]
Rewards:+3 VIT, +5 HP, +2 STR, +0.5% Swordplay
[Optional Quest complete]
[Congratulations! You have unlocked the Quickdraw skill. The skill window will be added to your system. The tutorial is now available.]
This last notification was shocking. He had not learned any skills yet so this was the first time he had unlocked specific skill. Unlike his swordplay or basic magic, which was unlocked when he learned the skill set when he began to start training in the sword. Asher could think of several different ways his system works. The percentage that appears shows his master of an ability or skill.
He was born with the scan ability and learned basic magic and swordplay. He had learned basic magic skill and increased his mastery through study. But this was the first fighting skill, he has unlocked. This mean he can learn skill as rewards for quest or through increasing his mastery.
This revelation shocked and excited Asher. He would have to look into this farther at a later date and find out what the system meant by tutorial. He cleared the screen from his sight with a thought, and looked at Thomas.
"That is a rather dark way to put it." Thomas laughed he always found Asher amusing in the way he took so little seriously.
"Thanks for helping me. But could you continue to help me." Asher gave Thomas an innocent smile.
"Sure." Thomas gave Asher a kind smile. The continued to spare until it got dark. Thomas mostly beat Asher but there were a few rounds that Asher got the advantage.
[Daily quest completed]
Rewards: +1 STR, +0.2% Swordplay mastery
After receiving the message, Asher let out a yawn and said goodbye to Thomas, and head back inside. Asher drag his sword along the floor as he made his way back to his room. He hated to admit it but he was thoroughly worn out. As he arrive back in his own room he flooped onto the bed. He hardly moved when a knock was hear on his door.
"Excuse me, young master." Marlene walked into Asher's room carrying a large basin of water. Hearing her come in, he got up and looked at her as she looked at Asher's dirty face. She gave the boy an annoy look. "What on earth happened to you? You are so filthy." Marlene has been a servant for the Richt family since Asher's grandfather was just a boy. She had watch three generations grow up, but out of all them Asher was the by far the most troublesome.
She pulled out a rag and washed the small boy's face. As she did this, she said, "Your father is going to be upset if he sees you like this tomorrow for your awakening." She then helped him get dress in soft pajamas. He crawled into bed and wish the young master goodnight before, with a wave of her hand the lights in the room went out.
Once she left with the basin, Asher sat up in his bed. It was difficult to sleep he was to excited for tomorrow. The status screen appeared in front of his face.
[Player Status]
Name: Asher RIcht
Age: 9
Species: Human
Title: Duke Heir
STR: 13
VIT: 11
AGI: 12
HP: 15/15
PER: 20
Ability:
Scan 43.7%
Basic Magic: 72.7%
Intermediate Swordplay: 30.7%
[Quick draw Tutorial Available]
He smiled at himself his stats have grown a lot today. Normally they would take much long to increase but thanks to the quests he was able to get a lot stronger right before his awakening. This would be able helpful tomorrow.
Sleeping was out of the question. He was far to excited to get any sleep. It was like he was a child on Christmas Eve. Instead of sleeping, he thought about how to access the new skill screen. As he thought this a new screen appeared in front of his eyes.
The new screen had four emblems. One had a sword, one had a hammer, one had a magic circle, and the last one had human body. The only one that was not grayed out was the sword emblem. When he he focused on the emblem another screen appeared. This one had a list of what Asher assumed was more techniques, but they were blurred out. He found one that was not.
[Quick draw]
Main stats: STR and AGI
[A blindingly fast strike. This attack can only be used with a sheathed sword.]
Would you like to watch the tutorial?
[Y]/[N]
When Asher focused on the [Y], a video appeared. It was an image of Asher standing a grid. There was blue figure in front of him. In a second, the the figure was cleaved in two. Asher didn't even seen when his copy drew his sword. The video then replayed the event this time slowly showing every movement.
Asher watched the movement carefully. He want to test the movement and try them him to learn how to do it himself. However the only sword he had was his Singing Silver. It would make to much noise and he could always try it later. He laid back on his bed. Despite the long training, he didn't feel like sleeping at all.
He reach under his bed and pull out a stack of books. He had stolen several books from his fathers library. They were mostly on magic and mana theory. He waved his hand and the candles that Marlene had extinguished sparked back to life. Basic magic was also know as everyday magic. Even non-awaken children could use it.
He read through the books. "... the formation of mana...Flow of energy..." He continued to read the books trying to pass the time until midnight when a chime from his system broke his concentration. He looked up and say a message from his system.
[Quest: Awakening]
[Once a child turns 10, they go through the awakening ceremony. This ceremony will allow the child to create a mana circuit. This will allow for magical energy to be controlled and created. The host is ready for the Awakening ceremony. Complete the Awakening ceremony]
Reward: Mana Circuit lv. 1, Magic ability