Sidestepping yet another of Ester's lunges, Rethys turned around and swung the wooden sword in his hands, flinging her icy weapon away for the umpteenth time today. He won this bout as well, adding another to his streak of victories.
He stood there, panting with effort as he struggled to even stand, the battered training sword slipping out of his weary hands. The wind beat around him, as did the sound of cheery clapping from the soldiers onlooking the spars. Ester had not gone easy on him.
He looked over at her, panting with labored breath, hands on her knees as she too struggled to stand upright. Yet it was still there, that obnoxious, stubborn, but genuine smile. She was apparently having the time of her life, for some reason.
'Gods... what is this girl made of...' He sighed inwardly.
His duels with Ester, apart from getting him more accustomed to his new, smaller body, were quite the wake-up call, as well as a true storm of confusion, relief, and genuine fear.
If at first he thought of taking it easy on the young girl, his body seemingly had other ideas, and he found it reacting with the full extent of its speed and power to every gesture of aggression toward him, whether true or perceived.
This kind of intensity was nothing new to him, having been accustomed to quite literally foreseeing the flow of battles through his Origin senses. All things had ether, after all, ether that he could once read like an open book.
Yet now... he found that not only did the process not necessitate him actively using his magical sense, but that it was also completely outside of his control.
Confidence was replaced by the genuine horror of potentially hurting the girl, as one real hit from him would've taken her out instantly. But then it turned out that his new body had nowhere near the strength needed to inflict real harm on Ester, which was good, but that it also lacked the strength needed to keep up with her as well, which was not good.
The first few duels of their continually extended spar were balanced, with Rethys losing a few to Ester's superior strength and technique, and her failing a few herself to Rethys' brutal reflexes. But duel after duel, he eventually grew increasingly accustomed both to Ester's style and to his own abilities, allowing him to win every single one by simply blocking every attack she threw at him and then disarming her.
Yet Ester's ceaseless assault never let up.
This culminated in this last bout they had, which Rethys dearly, profoundly, extremely hoped was the last the girl was capable of. It made sense for him to be near tireless now, but she was also beyond impressive.
"Well fought!" Knights and mages clapped and applauded from all around him.
"Nicely done, Lord Rethys."
"Masterfully executed!"
'Well done again Rethys!' Sevi cheered.
"Can you all just... please shut up..." He groaned, prompting chuckles from everyone.
'What were they even cheering for?' Rethys thought.
He hadn't shown any skill worthy of such praise. He didn't even know how to properly wield the training sword, swinging it as he would a wooden stick instead.
And then there was Ester.
"Reth..." She called; her voice still hoarse from exhaustion. "Let's go again..."
Yet the moment she finished, she flopped back unto the ground, her body unable to keep up with her overwhelming enthusiasm. Thankfully.
The surrounding knights of Valros took that as a sign that the spar had finally, officially ended, gave the two a final round of applause and approached them.
Rethys was approached by two knights that handed him potions and more of those words of encouragement, while a mage healed him with Restoration magic. Soft, teal light enveloped him, healing his soreness, and the potion restored his stamina and cured the exhaustion of fighting. In but a few moments, he felt as good as new, which in its own right was quite a dizzying experience.
The soldiers showered praise on him, commending him for his great affinity for battle and his shrewd strategic acumen, whatever those meant. Yet sensing that their actions were very much genuine, he felt forced to respond, if only to nod away their compliments.
Eventually Ester approached him, taking his hand and dragging him away.
"Come on Reth." She announced, prompting an exasperated groan from him. "Don't worry, it's not more fighting. I still haven't shown you the best place!"
"Alright..."
And as the two walked along and away from the training grounds, they reentered the estate's somber gardens, passing through them and towards an adjacent orchard.
"Again, things aren't as interesting during winter..." Ester sighed.
Rethys looked at the girl beside him. The only thing he could think of was either how flawed his impression of noble heirs was, or how strange she herself was. A spoiled but still friendly and cheerful battle maniac was the last thing he expected from this daughter of greater nobility.
Ester led him beyond the orchard and its slumbering trees, until they arrived at what seemed to be the end of the hill that the manor was situated on.
"Come." She called. "Sit."
He sat on the dull green grass, sensing its subdued, magically sustained life. Even the smallest plants had souls, and though they were starkly different from others, they were nonetheless just as indecipherable.
Shifting his attention, Rethys could see the expanse of the city of Valros stretching below, its districts, streets and buildings surrounding the manor in an almost perfect circular arrangement. It should have been noon now, yet everything was nonetheless smothered by the brutally monotonous grayness of northern weather.
His gaze wandered around the city, it took him a while to spot any sign of life, but the moment he did, he became aware of the presence of life within. He couldn't tell where these presences were and where they were moving, as the whole ensemble melded together into a true mess, yet they made their presence known to him regardless.
'It's almost as if the city itself is alive...' He mused, amused by this strange thought.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Ester said as she gazed lovingly toward the city. "It's my duty to one day protect and care for it."
And though he tried his hardest not to, he still couldn't stop himself from scoffing at her statement as he looked at the city. It could function without snob nobles, that much he was certain of.
He felt her gaze on him, and turning to his right, saw her blue eyes now taking a much more serious air.
"I'm sorry for what you must have experienced." She began. "But I want you to know that no one hates you, Reth. No noble wishes badly on their people."
'Great more noble talk...' Rethys sighed inwardly. He thought the girl different, but maybe he was wrong.
Seeing doubt written all across the boy's face, Ester continued.
"You must have terrible perceptions of nobles, considering what you've been through in Kalantor, and you're entirely justified in your loathing. Yet we cannot, and, sadly, perhaps can never help those in similar conditions to yourself, utterly disgusting as this may sound."
"What do you even mean?" Rethys asked, scowling at her explanation. "Your family took me in, didn't it?"
"Only because you've already connected with your powers and are no longer a danger because of them." Ester clarified.
"What of those who don't have any magic. Most in the slums spend their lives without seeing a single gold coin, much less magic..."
"It might come as a shock, but before the awakening of magic, it is impossible to tell talent without thorough observation to perhaps spot early signs of manifestations for those in the inert stage. Even those in the active stage may not display signs until it is too late. And by the time they reach the awakened stage it is a matter of chance whether they retain themselves, and thankfully you kept yours..."
'She speaks true.' Sevi chimed in.
"Would you volunteer your very life to take care of the unfortunate, presumably in an orphanage, knowing that their past predisposes them to have dangerous, or even lethal outbursts of magic at those around them? Would you dedicate the necessary help and guidance, knowing that the Kingdom bleeds even now?" She explained with a sad voice.
Seeing that Rethys was listening to her explanation now, she continued.
"I'm not justifying our failures. Simply know that there is no easy solution to this, and that we've tried before. My father tried, the one before him tried, And I'll probably end up trying when my time comes. Yet until a solution is found, helping those gifted with powers and in such situations remains a luxury the kingdom unfortunately cannot afford.
"I know this won't do much to change your mind, but I hope at least it explains your future going forward. A mage's life isn't all power, prestige and riches, it's a never-ending struggle against the world to protect what's ours. I am truly sorry, but I can't say any more than this, even though I am just echoing father's words. You'll come to know the rest during your time in the academy."
Rethys didn't respond, only shifting his attention back to the expansive vista of the city below. He didn't know what to think of all this, and didn't feel like being unreasonable when Ester went out of her way to try and help.
His indignation then only simmered down as he recalled his time in Yvtar, witnessing the horrors brought upon by misuse of ether, and remembering that a mage's life couldn't be so simple, even here in Voldren.
"Sorry for souring the mood like I did." Ester smiled apologetically.
"It's fine." Rethys answered. "Thanks, anyway."
Silence reigned afterward, as the two looked toward the city and took in its sight. The dreary weather and the modest city still made for a surprisingly good distraction, all things considered.
'She is wise for her age.' Sevi commented, and Rethys could only agree.
"Oh!" Ester interjected. "We MUST talk about our spar!"
At the mention of their fight, Rethys tensed up. What he had shown there was completely outrageous for someone of his age, and very suspicious.
"Not only are your battle instincts superb, but you also have great endurance. Gods, you even outdid me. You must have awakened some secondary aspect related to battle besides your element... I knew it, the path of the sword is the one for you."
"Huh..." Rethys sighed, surprised at how easily she accepted it.
Either what he had revealed was not as outlandish as he had thought, or he hadn't actually revealed as much as he thought he did. Regardless, this was quite the relief.
'Now that I think about it... I don't know for sure how strong I was before the change...' He pondered.
"So... when do I start?" Rethys asked.
"Oh, you... don't, really." Ester answered. "Not before entering the academy. Teaching magic outside of the kingdom academies' premises is strictly forbidden. Even for me, father hadn't yet imparted any of the Valros legacy unto me, and wouldn't until I finished my academy years."
"I see."
"In any case..." Ester announced as she stood, dusting her clothes. "That's enough dawdling around, let's go back inside. We still haven't got you situated, and oh, I forgot that you would need to do a lot of studying in the coming weeks to catch up to the academy's level."
"Didn't you say..."
"Oh, that only applies to magic. These studies will be about boring things!" She announced with a smile. "I know, I dread them as well. History and geography and all that drivel... it'd be fine if it were about our domains but... oh well, I shouldn't complain too much. Let's go."
The walk back through the manor's grounds was quiet, interrupted only by the soft rustling of wind and the occasional servant passing through, whom Ester greeted by name every time.
Rethys walked on in silence. He couldn't help but ponder about the girl's words.
'Do you wish to know of what Ester had referred to, earlier?' Sevi asked, her melodic voice making an appearance for the first time in a few hours now.
Rethys couldn't help but wonder what she does in her free time. Nonetheless he motioned an affirmation with his hand, prompting her to speak.
'Hmm... where do I start...' She mulled over it for a while. 'In a sentence, slackers quite simply cannot live on Tevohs, their existence is not tolerated by the very world, and we humans are no exception. Everything mankind builds, their kingdoms or domains or republics or what have you, all come at the expense of nature, Tevohs herself and her lands of untamed wilds, and we must show that we deserve her favor.
'Every land that is not wildlands is founded and cared for by something or someone powerful enough to object Tevohs' rule, and competent enough to care for those underneath their banner. If they are not powerful enough, or are selfish enough, then the wild will reclaim what belongs to it, and in much greater force than their occasional skirmishes.
'In the case of the Kingdom of Voldren, I assume this particular being to be the kingdom's founder, Voldren himself. If his legends and legacy are anything to go by, he is most assuredly still alive in some capacity. We would know for certain once I study this place's history in greater detail.'
Hearing what he did, Rethys paused for a second, surprise overtaking his mind entirely.
He had heard legends of course of the kingdom's founder, as anyone would living here for any stretch of time. And hearing that the king from the legends was probably still alive was still quite a surprise, even for someone who didn't particularly hold them in much regard.
"Reth are you alright?" Ester asked, noticing his surprise.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me."
The girl didn't seem satisfied by his answer, yet still kept her reservations to herself.
'Oh, and the continent of Inverra is also home to Veternas...' Sevi continued. '...which by itself sets every country on the continent in a state of permanent war. If the name sounds familiar, that place is where the anti-magic metal Veternium originates, a country of deathlands in the far, far north of the continent from which dangerous, elemental creatures of Void continue to pour in. Speaking of, I do wonder how this kingdom deals with this threat... especially with a territory as large as theirs... much to discover indeed.
'But yes, that is the long and short of it.'
Nodding to himself, Rethys remembered the feeling that the dark metal shackles had inflicted on him, and the strange ether they contained. Now he knew what it was, the element of Void, and knew that whatever it did could still be counteracted by Origin.
Eventually, after enough absent-minded pondering by Rethys, the two reached the manor, and then his own quarters.
"Wait here, I'll be right back." Ester announced.
Rethys simply took a seat on a nearby armchair, yet not a minute passed before Ester burst into the room again, this time carrying a truly terrifying stack of books.
The sight alone was mortifying, if Ester's intensity was anything to go by.
"Don't worry Reth!" She declared as she set the books down on the table, which buckled in protest. "It'll be over before you know it!"
*****
"Rethys... Rethys wake up." Sevi's voice resounded in the dimly lit room.
"I'm awake..." Rethys responded as he opened his eyes. "Is it time already?"
He stared up at the now familiar ceiling of his room, from which dim light cascaded down from the ornate, magical chandelier.
"It very much is." Sevi answered. "I assume Ester will barge into your room in an hour or so."
"Of course she will." He shrugged.
It was his fourth week now at the Valros manor, and the day of his departure to the Royal Academy of Naldras, where he would finally learn magic after not making even a single speck of progress in nearly a month.
During these past weeks, his schedule consisted entirely of being "tutored" by Ester on all sorts of miscellaneous subjects using draconian methods of simply learning harder all the time. The moment she even caught a hint of him keeping up somewhat, she'd increase the intensity of her demands and instructions.
And then when she tired of it herself, she would spar with him instead. She made some effort to teach him swordsmanship, though eventually gave up as he failed to absorb her lessons, instead defaulting to his own style, which consisted entirely of reacting to the opponent's movements.
"Come now, there is no need for such an attitude." Sevi chastised. "The girl means well."
"I know..."
His stay with the Valros family was far from bad. The greater nobles never pushed him, aside from Ester's quite innocuous enthusiasm, and treated him with respect and friendliness. His interactions with the noble couple were limited, being limited only to seeing them during dinners and the Archmage occasionally joining him and Ester's lessons, yet all the impressions they left on him were positive.
By now he had come to accept their forthcoming helpfulness, yet it never made it any less strange.
He shrugged his thoughts away and rose from his bed, extending his senses outward, though only as far as the room went, beginning his morning training.
He had insisted on regaining his control over this ability of his, and eventually, with some convincing, Sevi capitulated and agreed to help him master this power, though exceedingly slowly and carefully.
Through many a sleepless night, he went from applying his senses by physical touch to once again extending them out into the ambient ether, allowing him to commune with it again. His goal was to reach a similar state to the one he had before without being overwhelmed by its influence.
He reached outward with his senses, scanning the room and all in it, from the items around him to the enchantments decorating them, and then moving on the to the soft winds of the ambient ether, taking great care not to encompass too many things into his perception at once.
He thought back to the times when he could feel the entirety of all that his senses could reach.
He shuddered, realizing the sheer absurdity of such actions, and the peril he had placed himself in back then.
Eventually, as he pored over things time and time again, the door slammed open as Ester rushed inside.
"Today's the day Reth!!" She announced. "Get ready, we need to move."
'Dawn barely even broke...' He sighed as he looked at the curtained windows.
"I'm up. I'm coming" He actually answered.
Ester waited for him outside while he dressed and prepared, and by the time he came out, she was already positively brimming with enthusiasm. She seemed about to teleport all the way to the capital purely from sheer excitement.
"Oh, the uniform truly suits you." She remarked.
"Does it...?"
He looked down at his clothes. They didn't impress him much, as they looked just like regular noble-wear, their only standout feature being the stark coloration of black and red with golden accents, the color of the Voldren Royal family's crest and banner.
"Any way, let's go." She said as she dragged him with her toward the teleporter room, only stopping once the two of them were on the platform.
The noble couple appeared shortly after, giving goodbyes to the two youths as the teleporter charged up.
Eventually a few attendants stepped onto the teleporter as well, and as the shimmer of magic hung heavy in the air, it didn't take long for it to trigger, bringing the two to the capital of Voldren, the Great City of Naldras.