The day after the library flood incident, Adrian is still doing his routine of waking up before light of dawn rises to train before Marylyn wakes up. Of course, Ralph is with him.
"I forgot to mention this to you yesterday young master because we are so busy to save the literature in the library. As of yesterday, your parents asked me to take care of you and be your personal butler before you enter the academy. In addition to that you are given permission to venture outside to border but only 5 km away." Ralph tells Adrian yesterday's news.
"Hah hah… That is great Ralph… hah hah. But… can we talk about this later… hah hah. I'm focusing right now." Adrian pants heavily while fighting a hologram that only he can see. Also, it hits him hard.
The hologram that Adrian was facing is Kyle Shields. He is 21 years old and just reach Crescent Moon stage when Adrian 'Analyse' him when he met him when he is 5 years old. He is the perfect practice partner for now. Although Adrian is still 1 Star stage and fighting the hologram empty handed, he could still hold on while executing Fist of Adam martial arts and basic spells.
Adrian had to remember he can only show one spirit weapon to people. He will have an armory full of overpowered weapons in the future but for now he needs to rely on himself. Patience is key to perfect practice.
Speaking of weapon in the armory, he still had not tried Durandal special ability 'Mana circulation +'. When in the Star stage mana manipulation is key to breakthrough. That is why many people had their stats in the one hundreds in the Moon stage.
Also, they didn't work out and understand about mana since they were young like Adrian who get the most benefits from the mana awakening double stat bonus.
"I test out Durandal special ability later. Now it time to finish this." Adrian put his thoughts aside and glares at hologram Kyle, watching its every simulated movement and mana.
Hologram Kyle summon its spirit weapon 2 small shields on his arms but the shields had a sharp tip on his fist side. It had perfect offence and defence. Hologram Kyle cast earth magic as a launching pad and created a wind tunnel to boost its speed. Charging full speed to Adrian.
Adrian had already in a counter stance following the guide in the Fist of Adam manual. Fist of Adam is created by one of the primordial humans, Adam. As humans are the weakest among the other primordial beings of Etterra, Adam invented an ingenious fighting technique that can help humans contend with the other beings. A technique specifically for a tiny existence against a giant.
After asking Aria to demonstrate the moves using 'Battle simulation', Adrian finally understand it after 5 years. It is a technique perfect for countering by manipulating the mana flow against the opponent.
Hologram Kyle gets close to Adrian wanting to stab it shield at Adrian's head. Adrian saw the fist, he uses the same frequency mana flow to fight against it and move his arm under the hologram's arm neutralizing the mana flow. Adrian then taps the hologram's elbow with mana and it automatically lift it up a bit from the ground losing its footing.
Adrian collects mana in a swirl to his fist and punch hologram Kyle's stomach. It spews out holographic blood and its bloody went limp and disappear.
"That final move, Fist of Adam, should manage to tore through the primordial dragon's arm. The manual says. It seems like the early stage of learning it can only destroy human organs not fully explode the body. Why is an amazing technique doing rotting away in an antique bookstore? Still, what an amazing technique you created ancestor." Adrian praises the human race ancestor in his thought.
"Okay Ralph… hah hah. What was that news… hah hah about you being my butler all of the sudden… hah hah and the border?" Adrian asked while panting and conjuring some water to drink.
"I must say young master your training looks like you are fighting a real opponent. Yes, as of yesterday I'm your butler and you can go to the borders with a condition of only 5km away. Master Malcom's orders." Ralph praises Adrian and giving him the news.
"I see. Dad and mom must have made that decision after seeing my spirit weapon. Tell me about the borders, what lies beyond it? I already know our borders are facing the Amaranthine Empire." Adrian asked
"What lies beyond the borders is a large forest full of monsters from weak ones to strong ones to hidden ones. Strong mercenaries are often task on guarding a caravan to transport goods between Twilight Kingdom and Amaranthine Empire." Ralph explains.
"Beyond this training ground, there are barracks for the border guards and it is a 5 minute dash to reach the border walls. The border had 1 commander, 10 captains and thousands of soldiers who most of them came from the Light Edge town near the estate. The commander is master Malcom of course." Ralph adds.
"I understand. Dad wants me to gain experience beyond the borders. I can also meet the soldiers and train with them? You will also be with me, is that right?" Adrian made his conclusion after knowing what his parents expecting of him.
"Yes. That is fully correct young master." Ralph expected no less from Adrian.
"I will pay a visit to the borders early next year. I just awaken my mana 2 days ago. I want to see Marylyn's growth as well." Adrian states his intentions. He actually doesn't need to go outside to fight monsters right now because of 'Battle simulation' feature but he still wants to see some monsters in real life.
"The young miss growth?" Ralph confused with Adrian's statement about his little sister.
"We just have to see. Now, there are still time left before the sun is up, I want to continue with more physical exercise." Adrian said while continuing training until sunrise.
Adrian finishes training and cleaning up the training grounds went to his room to clean up, bringing along his butler preparing an ice cold bath for him.
Opening the door to his room, Adrian and Ralph saw Marylyn who is still wearing pyjamas reading his books in Adrian's room.
"Mary? You woke up early today? Are you enjoying the books I wrote?" Adrian is quite surprise see Marylyn in his room but he is not mad at her.
"Big brother? Do you woke up early to train while having time to play with me during the day? Do you do all this for Mary before big brother go to the academy?" Marylyn feels touched because of her big brother sacrifice his time to sleep to have enough time to train and take care of her.
"Yes, because I'm your big brother. It is my responsibility to play with you when you are still little and protect you when you grew up. I'm fine. I have everything I wanted right here and I don't want to lose it." Adrian hugs Marylyn letting she know that he always loves her either near or far.
"Big brother when I look into your eyes, you look sad like big brother have lost something before. But… but Mary will work hard to help big brother as well so please protect me big brother." Marylyn hugs Adrian back.
"I always will. Always." Adrian cress Marylyn's hair while making his promise.
"So this is the 'growth' that young master and the madam speaks about. This family is amazing. I'm honoured to die within this family when my lifespan comes to an end." Ralph thought after seeing the siblings resolve their feelings and moving to the bathroom to prepare an ice bath.
"You are stinky big brother." Marylyn pushes Adrian back.
"What is wrong about that? Come give your loving big brother a biggg hug." Adrian extends his arms wanting to hug his sister in his sweat.
"No stinky brother. Hehehe…" Marylyn runs away avoiding from being caught.
"Let's take my time preparing it." Ralph thought in the bathroom when hearing the siblings are active early in the morning.
[Name: Park Jae Sung] [Age: 10] [Level: 1 Star stage]
[STR: 109] [AGI: 107] [END: 111] [INT: 107] [Mana: 110]
[Affinity: 10 Elements]