At the fields of green, two men ferociously swinging their wooden sword, it was a test of agility and strength. Dancing with their sword with force making the air 'whoosh', Fleisher did a quick step towards Ishino, luring him to step back. Fleisher extended his arm and cast Freichter as quickly as possible, again luring Ishino to dodge it, then Fleisher dashed to him and swung his sword horizontally.
Ishino staggered back as Fleisher simply smirked. "Ah, I have gotten shabby through the peaceful years." Said Ishino, pulling out a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping the sweat dripping from his forehead and Fleisher did the same.
The sun soon was about to reach its peak. It shone brightly, emitting great heat, causing the two who were training for hours now to sit and enjoy the passing breeze; the grass and their hair swayed by the breeze's movement. It's already been 6 weeks since they have trained. Both Fleisher and his father learned lots of things about each other.
After those 10 minutes of health break, as they started calling it, both went back to their usual training, this time testing Fleisher's endurance. When Ishino first implemented this, he was scared, but as days went by, he got used to it.
A heavy swing struck Fleisher, welcoming it without resistance. He staggered a little and developed tremors, however, his father continued to smack his chest, legs, and his back. After 1 minute of heavy strikes all over his body, he finally fell. Those 60 seconds felt like an eternity.
Falling on all fours, Fleisher trembled immensely. He forced himself to stand up to prepare for the next wave. Modest yet wide bruises are visible from his chest. Breathing became ragged and close to fainting. His father casts a healing spell which didn't remove all the pain, but it relieved Fleisher. His father soon would cast a healing spell, a big powerful one called "Cleopadrone".
Pointing the magic to his chest the part that took lots of damage, then engulfed in a large intangible dark green sphere, it wasn't just Fleisher the ground itself was healed, everything inside the sphere was healed. Light green sparkles glittered in the air fluttering. Those sparkles beckoned that the healing had finished and just the right time as Ishino gathered and prepared his mana.
"You are very exhausted today, should we cancel this?" Ishino lowered his sword as looked at Fleisher visibly exhausted and in pain along with a sorrowful bearing. Much to his surprise, Fleisher pushed himself.
"Do not worry, father. It is still Tuesday; I can rest for the rest of the week until enrolment comes!" Ishino objected due to seeing Fleisher's leg shaking, and can barely stand up.
"No, you look like you're going to collapse soon, we're going to stop the training here." Ishino's gathered mana in his hands vanished then holstered his wooden sword.
"Now, I want you to spend the rest of the day resting. Want you to be in full shape and have enough rest when the enrolment comes. You can handle my heavy strikes already, not once, but lots of times. This shows that your training paid off. I am proud of you, but I do not want you to see yourself push harder to your limits, you are still a child remember that, understood?" Fleisher has no other way to deny his father, he was right and all he could do now was listen to him.
The idea of immediately being overpowered just like in novels and manga he read before popped into his mind, he wanted to be the hero to save the world, but he was weak, he wasn't gifted—or maybe he is?
Fleisher dazed at the skies daydreaming mindlessly walking through the scenic vivid flowerbeds. As he was about to stomp on the precious flowerbeds, Ishino called out to him to watch where he was about to step. Fleisher turned grumpy due to his father disrupting him from the daydream. "Fine!"
Again, back to daydreaming this time still grasping into reality his daydream turned into deep thought. Fleisher still does not want to proclaim himself as the main character, an overpowered being that can defeat a villain that has terrorized the world for years in just months. He thought on what action he should take, what to avoid, foresee what destiny brings him to. They were very simple questions, but even for simple thoughts careful planning still is crucial.
"Ow!" Fleisher struck into a tree taking a few steps back then he let out a girlish yelp as behind him a hand touched his shoulder.
"You let your guard down." Ishino said then Fleisher puffed his cheeks as they both laughed.
"Okay, let's go back home. I want to rest!" Fleisher shouted. The two leisurely walked home occasionally would talk to each other about experiences. What Ishino found strange is that his son would talk about something he does not know about it wasn't just him it was everyone who wouldn't relate to what his son was talking about and for a young age his experiences are surreal yet he just laughed it off.
The two entered the cottage placing their swords beside the wooden door. "We're home!" Ishino's voice roared then a smooth lenient familiar voice replied. "Welcome home." Charlotte said while reading a tabloid followed by another voice.
"Well, I'll be upstairs if you need me." Ishino said walking towards the stairs.
"Alina? What brings you here?" Fleisher walked towards to join them who was sitting on a couch.
"Well, I went to visit you here. I thought you were home and wanted to hang out, I'm rather bored at home sometimes." After listening to Alina's dialogue Fleisher felt a little guilty towards Alina, throughout the years of his lifetime Alina is the only closest friend of Fleisher, and he had grown fairly fond of her.
As he was about to say an apology few knocks on the door halted him from doing so. "Son, may you open the door, please?" Charlotte looked at him and asked with eyes that could rival a puppy's eyes.
"Everything for my dear mother." He jolted out from the couch actively opening the door revealing a tall man almost battling his father's length, his limbs were large, and muscles are visible in his shirt, his face is adequate, the eyes were white filled with bravery, a large nose, black hair reaching his nape and covering his forehead, and he had a big smile with him. He emits friendly vibes yet his toned body could crush a small person like Fleisher.
Fleisher got frightened at the sight of the man unable to pronounce words, his legs trembled, just to be safe he jumped a few feet away for distance.
"Hello!" The man said, his tone did not contain wicked intentions whatsoever truth be told the way he said it made him approachable. The man smiled big secreting heaps of pleasant vibes causing Fleisher even more unnerved. Fleisher's fight or flight triggered to fight reaching for the nearby dilapidated wooden sword.
The big man noticed Fleisher's reaction and took action. "Ah! No, no, I am not a hostile person!" Hearing this it made Fleisher halt his movements, but it was short-lived as he grabbed the sword.
"Fleisher, who's that?" His mother called to him. The man heard his mother call to Fleisher and to end this situation that will just delay him, he replied.
"It is I Austin!" Charlotte perked up hearing the name. She left the tabloid on the couch before rushing to the door.
"Fleisher, call your dad downstairs for me, okay?" His mother whispered to Fleisher which he immediately did. Fleisher now upstairs still grasping the sword called his dad. Now Fleisher out Charlotte gestured to Austin to come in. "Sorry for the interruption."
"No, it is fine. Come on in." Charlotte led Austin to their table. Alina didn't know who this person is so she kept an eye out. Loud footsteps and tremors emerged upstairs Fleisher hurriedly walked downstairs followed by his father.
While Charlotte was preparing coffee Austin saw Ishino and shouted.
"Hey! Ishino!!" His voice reverberated in the room, his voice is deep and one can mistake his shouting for a roar.
"Aaaaustin!!" Ishino rushed to Austin and both hugged. The two broke apart from their hug and laughed.
"What made you come in again?" Ishino asked taking a seat from the table. Austin went back to his seat and replied.
"I don't have work this day and the next 3 days! I'm bored and don't know what to do so I came here." While the two were talking in the distance Fleisher carefully observed his father and Austin, Alina then pulled Fleisher's shirt to gain attention.
"Yes?" Fleisher asked turning his head to Alina.
"You want to go out?" She asked with pleading eyes.
"Well, uhm—we could if it doesn't contain energy-consuming activities because I just finished training." After a short pause Fleisher agreed to please Alina, he released a chuckle and prepared to go out.
Charlotte went to the two men having a conversation to give them their coffee and bread. "Thank you, Ma'am Charlotte." Austin said taking a sip from the coffee and a fair bite on the bread Ishino then followed.
"Don't mention it." Charlotte said.
At the doorstep stands Alina and Fleisher. "Mom, Dad, I'm going out for a while, I think?" His father and mother gave him a thumbs up and the two went out.
"Hmm, so that's your son? First time I saw his face. Quite the cautious individual I say." Austin said.
"Not that cautious, he's clumsy sometimes." His father said chuckling.
Fleisher and Alina found themselves strolling in the village communicating with the villagers there. The two were fairly well known because of their teacher Melissa so it was awkward for them when villagers they don't know, knew their names.
Reaching the village square sounds of activity are heard. In the village square, there were children playing around with their parents overseeing them, villagers watering the plants, merchants stationed themselves trading with the folks. The plaza is well maintained with healthy plant life, trash is rarely seen, the scene is truly superb for Fleisher.
Among the children playing, a brunette piggy-tails hairstyle girl wearing a brown t-shirt and dark green trousers, in particular, noticed Alina talking with a boy. She wants to surprise Alina and prank her so she stealthily moved using the bushes as cover.
Once Alina and the boy reached her ambush spot. "BOOOO!!!" The brunette girl yelled; Alina who had left her guard down let out a massive, "Kyaa!" It was so loud Fleisher's ear went ringing, the poor bystanders also got caught in the scream covering their ears.
Alina fell to the ground stunned; Fleisher took a few steps back his ears still screaming by that ear-piercing scream. Tears slowly start to form in Alina's eyes then the brunette knew what she has done and panics.
"Oh no, oh no, what to do!" The brunette panicked. Fleisher realizing what the situation has become, he took action. Even though this action of his is very blunt it may just work, his plan is very cringing for him though. He then kneeled to her level.
"Hey, Uhm—uhh." Fleisher having doubts took a deep breath and placed his hand on Alina's glossy sleek hair.
"Now, now, don't cry. I am here." He started to rub her hair gently it slowly took effect. The brunette could only watch Fleisher in admiration with a tint of envy that he's rubbing her best friend's head.
In Fleisher's mind while rubbing Alina's head he wants to run now. 'Please, please, can this situation end faster! I'M DYING INSIDE!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!' He's currently holding himself back from grimacing keeping the calm smile and eyes. Upon a closer look, his left eye is twitching.
Alina wiped her remaining tears and sniffed. She turns to Fleisher and stared at him with thankful and passionate eyes. "T-thanks." Fleisher had no words the only thing he could do is to nod.
'MAMA MIA!!!! DO NOT STARE AT ME LIKE THAT PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
Standing up, Fleisher extended his arms to Alina in which she took helped her stand up. "Again, thank you."
"That was so cute both of you!" The brunette cheerfully shouted stealing their attention. "Kyria?" Alina said.
"Yes! It's me Kyria!" The brunette clarified hyperactively hopping around.
"Kyria, please do not do this again in front of everybody?" Her jumping stopped. "Yes ma'am." Kyria said.
"This is the first time this past 2 weeks I have seen you come to the plaza. What happened?" Kyria's voice shifted from cheerful to worried and Alina noticed that. To stop further concern Alina explained,
"I just went to train magic with Fleisher the past days. Last week I stayed in the house because my uncle and auntie visited us."
"Ooohhhh, I see. Thanks for the clarification." Kyria again went back to her cheerful mood.
"Though who is Fleisher?" She asked placing a finger at her cheek.
Fleisher who just stood behind Alina during the two best friend's conversations finally talked. "That would be me." Fleisher waved at Kyria.
"Hello, Fleisher! Thanks for saving me back there, I didn't know what to do or how to comfort Alina. You nailed it with that head pat!" Kyria then gave him a thumbs up and a wide smile.
Fleisher's face went flushed by that. "Please don't mention that again, it's cringe...." He inaudibly said the latter.
"What?" Alina and Kyria asked.
"Nothing! Don't mind it." The three moved on from the situation before and Kyria started a new subject.
"So! What brings you guys here? Your faces are rare in the plaza. What's the occasion?" Her fast-paced talking is difficult to keep up with so Fleisher had to ask to repeat again.
"We just went here because we were... bored?" He answered.
Kyria smiled and pumped her fist. "Bored? HAHAHA! You two came to the right place! I bet you aren't that familiar here, right? Do you want me to lead to way?" Alina looked at Fleisher. "That's fine for you?"
Fleisher merely shrugged. "Yeah, the more the merrier as they say." Kyria punched the air in excitement.
"Ooohhhh! I can't wait to show you guys the good stuff! There's lots of content in this place! There's the-" Kyria's talking was cut off by a male voice calling to her.
"Kyria! Time is up, we have to go!" It was his dad calling her.
"Noooo! Bad timing! Well, sorry but I must leave now." Alina rubbed Kyria's shoulders to stop her from sulking.
"It's fine, it's fine, we can manage and still hang out next time!" The words Alina spoke brightened Kyria's mood widely.
"Really?! Then I'll be looking forward to next week! I'll go now, dad might get angry. Bye!" Alina and Fleisher waved farewell to Kyria rushing to his dad.
"Well, she's the cheerful and lively one I have met so far." Fleisher said.
"So, you don't think I'm cheerful and lively?" Alina said with a tint of anger and jealousy while pouting. "What? Where did that come from?"
"D-don't mind it." Fleisher narrowed his eyes and spoke. "SUS." Alina heard Fleisher speak an unfamiliar word.
"What's sus?" Fleisher burst out laughing.
"Hey! Tell me what's sus!" Alina begged while playfully pounding her hands in Fleisher's back.
"It's "Amogus is sus"." Again, Alina still is confused by Fleisher's weird dialect.
They played and talked until everything starts to get painted red. The sun now is setting, the people in the plaza started to leave, the same goes for Alina and Fleisher.
Fleisher now parted ways with Alina, he began to walk towards home. Then he saw Austin leave and heard him say.
"I'm sorry, it was a mistake. I didn't know we stopped accepting those." Austin then left leaving Fleisher confused about what he meant by what he said.
After Austin left his line of sight he sprinted to the cottage. Fleisher came in bursting the door panting. Everything looked fine, nothing was wrong inside.
'Maybe I'm just paranoid.' He wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead.
His father stumbled to Fleisher. "Oh, son, welcome home! You look exhausted. You two must've been playing hard." He then chuckled.
"You need to sit down, you look pale." Fleisher nod and walked towards the couch and rested.
"Not to ruin your calm moment, son, but the instant pass is revoked long before. Maybe your training won't go useless after all." His father heard Fleisher let out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank God."
Ishino was dumbfounded by that reply. 'Huh? I expected something like grief. Eh?!' Ishino still confused decided to shrug and smile it out.
His daily routine continued flawlessly throughout the day and Fleisher still has little paranoia due to the enrolment he rested peacefully today.
Day by day his daily life continued. Alina halted her visits due to personal reasons. Fleisher lived calmly inside the house resting or reading books while feeling tranquil.
.
.
.
.
"It's been a while since we've heard from this person you've chosen... Michio was it?"
"Yeah, I don't know what he's up to, but I think he's keeping a low profile... probably."
"We need to play our cards right. The Dämon-gemischt has found a way to tamper our communication with the Chosen, and this is the first time we ever have used Reincarnation. I think we are up for a good start. My Chosen currently hasn't died or found... yet, he's a noble so I think that's a good start for him."
"I agree with your first statement Spyr. Those bastards can listen to us communicating with the Chosen... this is going to be tough, but at least the Chosen knows their main objective...."
"Let us hope that they won't take action until our Chosen have matured."
"You did grant them abilities, right?"
"I gave Michio the ability to control magic freely with absurd mana."
"That's good, Lammy, but it is still up to how they use it."
"I gave mine the abilities to foresee the future and to tame beings in ease."
"All of these abilities sound impressive, but be careful with giving them absurd powers or it will take a toll in your powers and may backfire us. The Chosen still don't know they possess it, yet. If they discover their abilities fast the Dämon-gemischt may take suspicion and will hunt them... this war has gone a long way."
"We know Cyphr... I do think the two reincarnated Chosen will do a better job and probably make their way to discovering the other Chosen."
"Yeah."
.
.
.
.
5 days quickly have passed it is now Monday, the sun still hasn't risen yet but it's about to. Ishino went upstairs to wake up his son. Ishino has prepared Fleisher's needs in advance so that all he needs to do is to wait for the carriage Charlotte rented and make his way to Liberty School which is 2 miles away from the village.
"Fleisher, wake up, you have to start your journey early." Ishino whispered to Fleisher's ear while gently shoving him. A moan escaped from Fleisher's chapped lips followed by a groan. "Right..."
After a minute of stretching and staring at the ceiling, Fleisher walked downstairs where his clothes, food, and a bag full of necessities are prepared. Charlotte approached her son holding a towel.
"It's best you take a hot bath first to refresh your mind. The carriage should be arriving later." She said handing the towel to Fleisher. "Understood."
Sounds of water pouring and his little moans can be heard outside the bathroom. Ishino comforted Charlotte as she was sad that Fleisher would part ways this early.
"He's still 6 years old, Ishino... isn't he too young to go to a school?"
"You're right, but people the same age as him usually would go to school. I heavily guarantee you that he or we can still visit him." Ishino hugged his wife rubbing her back to comfort her.
"Are you sure?" Charlotte whispered and got a nod as a reply.
The sounds of pouring water have stopped and Fleisher's parents thought he had finished taking a bath, which is correct. He brought his clothes with him and wore them inside.
"I'm finished." Fleisher said exiting the bathroom.
What Ishino has prepared for Fleisher's garments was a black t-shirt with a grey vest, grey trunks, white socks, and glossy black shoes. It's fairly simple, but it served its purpose.
"You look handsome in those. Now eat, fill your stomach with hot food so you won't starve during the journey." Charlotte said complementing her son's clothes.
"Right." Fleisher answered going straight to the table where the hot food is served. It's still very early in the morning that the sun still has not made its appearance yet. Chilly wind entered the cottage making Fleisher shiver from the cold, but it was battled by the hot food and tea his mom served.
Several minutes after, sounds of footsteps and neighing horses are heard outside. "That must be the carriage. Your necessities are all here, you just need to finish eating and go to Liberty!" Ishino said kind of putting a little pressure on Fleisher.
After the meal, he sat for a while and went to grab his bag. "Well, this is quite the fast development. Mom, dad I'll be going now." Fleisher said before pushing the door open to leave.
"Yes, good luck." His parents said.
Outside he was greeted by a young person wearing green robes and a hood. "Hello, are you, my passenger?" Said the person, "Yes." Fleisher answered.
"Well then, hop in." The person said then Fleisher walked to the back of the carriage where he would enter. "We'll be going now, check your bag maybe you forgot something." Said the person. "Sure."
After several minutes of checking, everything was there. "We're good to go." Fleisher said as the person nodded and the horses started to walk.
The ride has lasted for more than roughly 2 hours now and the sun finally rose. The canopy of the forest gave good shade to protect from the glistening sun. "It's awfully hot today. Are you fine there, sir?" Said the person wielding a fan. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you." Fleisher replied going back to daydreaming.
After another hour, Fleisher's carriage came in contact with other carriages in an intersection, the roads also were refined in this area; from the rough path to the paved stone road, some of the carriages were luxurious, moderate, and low class. Fleisher was one of the low-class ones, but the ride certainly is moderate.
"What's with the carriages?" Fleisher asked.
"It's the students and future students of Liberty School gathering, sir." This made Fleisher happy that he's nearing school and scared at the same time. Judging by the carriage present, there's going to be nobles and commoners. There may be even people that are much better than Fleisher and since he no longer possesses the Instant Pass, he's going to thrive harder to pass. He gulped at the thought of failure.
The carriages all joined in one single wide road after the intersection and passed the rows of trees. Again, the road altered from a smooth stone to brick stone, this time with lanterns and few benches on the side with rose bushes portraying to be a wall. In the distance the school started to take shape. It was tall and Fleisher has yet to see the interior.
The carriage's speed had decelerated and when the person driving it looked what was the problem, his eyes widened, massive lines of carriages were in the distance, they weren't first or early. The person went back to his seat and informed Fleisher.
"Massive traffic, sir. It is going to take a long time."
Fleisher knew about the traffic just as the drive said it, but he just ignored it.
"No, no, it is fine, I can wait." Fleisher replied making the driver do a sigh of relief which made one of Fleisher's eyebrows rise.
"Sus...." He murmured.
Every 2 minutes the carriage would move but the difference isn't even huge, the traffic was time-consuming not just for Fleisher but for the others. Fleisher fell asleep inside the carriage, since the heat has passed replacing it with cold one the driver noticed Fleisher sleeping and sweat started to appear so he got off and removed the wool cover of the carriage exposing Fleisher in his usual self when sleeping; scratching, sometimes almost take his shirt off, rolling around, flailing his arm, nose picking, and other actions that made the other students and future students think poorly of him.
"Sir, wake up, we are approaching the gate." The driver whispered. Fleisher woke up later on just about time to see the tall noble gates of Liberty. It's made out of glossy and glittery materials; they were pretty durable too. Guards all clad in what looks like gold armour are stationed around the gate wielding weapons so polished it could slice through a bone.
"Err, I suggest you fix yourself, sir, it may make the guards think of you poorly. Attitude and proper etiquette are vital here as I've heard." After hearing the tip of the driver, Fleisher immediately refurbished his appearance just about the time that they reached the gates and were about to enter.
They passed through the gate smoothly, the guards didn't intervene whatsoever nor did encounter any sticky situation. Inside was shocking. The square is so extensive that it possibly may be bigger than Fleisher's village. The school also is big and wide that it can house up to more than a thousand. They were then approached by a soldier.
"Hello, if this carriage Is rented it may leave, if this carriage is private, please park it on the parking site outside. Thank you." Said the guard leaving after doing his purpose.
"Well sir, I must leave now. Good luck to you." Said the driver while Fleisher is preparing his items and ready to jump out of the carriage.
"Thanks for the ride." Fleisher uttered as the drive wholeheartedly took his complement.
After saying his goodbyes Fleisher is now alone and confused about where to go and what to do. Observing the other upcoming people, they just went inside and people outside started to go inside so Fleisher followed a horde of people.
Inside are the usual objects you would see in a school like lockers, rooms, benches, trash bins, etc. Two floors the horde already have climbed and Fleisher overheard their talking.
"There sure is a lot of people that enrolled here."
"Yeah, I do wish they have fun during the try-out, intermission, and all.".
"Hahaha, I think this year is going to be magic-focused as I've heard. Not sure, but I heard few teachers talk about it."
"Magic focused? That's rare considering it was physical past years. Well at least we don't have class 1st and 2nd period and I can rest here. Damn those stacks of assignments given to me because of that incident I caused even I didn't!"
"Calm down now at least you get grades from it."
Fleisher stopped following them and immediately realized he was following students in this school. He panicked and immediately went to the run to look where this intermission and try-out were held. The school is huge and Fleisher knew it's going to take lots of time before he can find it, worse he might find it after they finished.
Luckily stumbling upon a male lone student, Fleisher immediately asked him. "Uhh, it's just on the other side..." The student said as Fleisher said thanks while running to the other side of the school.
Reaching the other side of the school Fleisher saw a large sophisticated black wooden gate with gold elaborate patterns on it. Fleisher observed the mysterious gate and thought. 'Could this be where try-out and stuff are held? It's big so maybe.'
A hoard of voices came out of the gate. Fleisher peeked on the gate and saw a massive crowd and a stadium. "This could be it..." He muttered; slipping inside.
Just as Fleisher entered the crowd went silent as a man walked up to the stadium. "Welcome to Liberty Military School, future students."