The early morning air is cold, very cold. The leaves had already shed leaving the trees bare. It hadn't started snowing yet but the cold will make anyone felt the chill in their bones. Still, in the Cross county personal training grounds. Two figures are seen training their bodies away.
A man's body is steaming as he manages to finally breakthrough from his shackles. He went to the boy that is dancing with a staff and kneels down.
"Thank you for your teachings and opportunity that you have given me young master. This Ralph will be forever in your debt." Ralph said words of gratitude to Adrian who is practicing Emerald Dragons Rising spear technique.
"It's from your own efforts. Be proud of yourself for pushing through it. Now, summon your spirit weapon." Adrian says some words of encouragement to Ralph and stops his movements. He points his staff to Ralph and ask him to summon his spirit weapon.
"Bu… Yes, young master. Equipped." Ralph hesitates but he kept quiet and summons his spirit weapon.
"Analyse"
[Name: Ralph] [Age: 48] [Level: Convex Moon stage]
[STR: 210] [AGI: 280] [END: 230] [INT: 260] [Mana: 4020]
[Affinity: Wind]
"He's efforts are paying off. It increased exponentially for the past 2 weeks of training. I also give him permission to train in the evenings I was practicing spells. This guy sure owes me big time." Adrian thought while smirking.
"Status"
[Name: Park Jae Sung] [Age: 10] [Level: Half Moon stage]
[STR: 340] [AGI: 346] [END: 365] [INT: 542] [Mana: 3720]
"But he still can't beat the effects of 'Pearls of the Lake' and becoming a spiritualist." Adrian smirks wider reminding the night he took the gift Cassiopeia given him.
"You are showing a creepy smile." Cassiopeia give a reminder.
"Sorry, Cassie. I just remembering your gifts. I greatly appreciate it." Adrian apologizes to his spiritual companion.
[Name: Cassiopeia] [Type: Spiritual force]
[Mana: 2790] [Level: Crescent Moon stage]
[Affinity: Water]
Arian also give some mana to Cassie when he takes the 3 Pearls of the lake or else he would be on the border of Convex Moon stage.
"Young master, where is your spirit weapon?" Ralph curiously asked while holding his broadsword spirit weapon.
"Don't need to." Adrian said brazenly and instantly made a move.
"If you are not… Urgk." Ralph wants to reject the spar as Adrian didn't summon his spirit weapon but Adrian instantly attacks him, not giving him a chance.
The wooden staff clad with mana was blocked by the broadsword. Adrian took another swing at Ralph but he blocked it. He felt pressure from Adrian's strikes.
Ralph didn't care about weapon difference anymore. If Adrian wants to spar, he had to oblige. He also started utilize mana and started to watch Adrian's movement. Ralph can only take attacks from Adrian as the spear had a range advantage against a broadsword user. His instincts tell him if he takes the risk and step forward, he will die.
Had no choice, since this is a free spar magic is allowed. Ralph uses his signature move Double Rhythm. It's Ralph self-made magic. Every swing of his sword is completed a 'Windblade' will automatically be conjured to the enemy's direction.
Adrian already predicted this as he had fight with hologram Ralph before. He got crushed by this spell. The 'Windblade' will appear suddenly in a 360 degree scope. As long as the condition 'complete a swing' is fulfilled a 'Windblade' will appear. Even though it sounds overpowered, the counter is very obvious.
"Cassie" Adrian conjure mana and silently cast spirit magic.
"Alright." A water ball immediately shot from Adrian's shoulder to Ralph hand, in casing it in water. The water on Ralph hands shot tendrils towards the ground.
Adrian just needs to use 'Freeze'. Bounding his hands, preventing Ralph to complete a swing. Adrian rushes in and point the wooden staff on Ralph's neck.
"I lost. That is a very fast casting speed young master. Switching from an element to another in a split millisecond is only a genius among genius talent." Ralph admitting his defeat and praising Adrian while he is still bound. He also didn't realize Adrian is already Half Moon stage. As long as he did not circulate mana, no one will find out. Adrian is learning from his mistakes.
"Really? Ahahaha…" Adrian playing dumb not telling Ralph about Cassie. Being a spiritualist is like having a 'Parallel thought'. Looks like there is only one person but it's actually two. As for someone who is fighting Adrian, they will fight against 2 Adrian and 1 water Adrian.
"That is a good spar. I think I need to also do some basic sword practice. As for beating a spear user, I need more experience. Marquis Black is actually a spear user if you are wondering young master. I got beaten by him instantly last time. You should remember it too, the time you fall and lose your tooth." Ralph reviewing his shortcomings and give an info about Oscar.
"Enough with the 'losing a tooth'. So, your got trashed by a spear user. You do need practice. I can entertain you in any morning." Adrian made a remark and welcome to spar in any morning practice.
After finishing up practice and cleaning up, Adrian had breakfast with his family.
"You grandparents and aunties will arrive today. Don't be nervous, okay? It is just a happy family gathering." Amanda feels very excited that her parents and sister comes to visit.
"I'm not." Adrian spoke expressionlessly while keep wolfing down his 2nd serving.
"Um." Marylyn looks nervous but when she looks at her big brother, she knows everything will be okay and gets her appetite back.
While Malcom wears a grim expression while biting his nails for breakfast. Amanda don't know what to comment seeing the different reaction on the table. Ralph at the side sighs but shows a small smile seeing the family like normal.
"This is what I call home." Ralph thought and goes to the kitchen to bring Adrian's 3rd serving.
There is no sun shining but counting the hours it should be around noon by now. Four Snowstalkers land in front of the Cross family estate. Sound of hoots and flapping wings is heard at the main entrance.
"Welcome, Marquis and family. Please let us carry your luggage to the guest rooms and come inside to warm yourself up." Ralph bows and asked the maids help to carry the bags upstairs.
"Hey, Ralph. Now, where are my grandchildren? BOY!" Oscar is excited to see his grandchildren and shouted out with the use of mana, calling for Adrian. The whole mansion heard the deep voice.
"I'm right here, old man. You don't have to scream. We hear the Snowstalkers hooting but going down takes time." Adrian finally arrives at the main hall with Marylyn while covering her ears while casting some Light magic ensuring it endures the loud shout.
"Eh? What happen to calling me 'grandpa'? And where is 'rushing to your grandpa that you had not seen for a long time'?" Oscar feels like his expectations is being crushed.
"If you had no moderation, you're just a senile old man. Are you okay now Mary? Can you hear? Snap, snap." Adrian made a remark and snapping his fingers next to Marylyn's ear. Marylyn nodded and hides behind Adrian.
A woman with a long greying light blonde hair frown after seeing the little Marylyn had been hurt by Oscar's shout and give a murderous glare towards Oscar. She hugs Oscar from his back.
"Gwen, not now. Not in front of the kids." Oscar felt embarrassed that his wife suddenly hugs him.
Late to realize, Oscar's feet is not touching the ground anymore. He saw the 4 owl-like creatures outside are upside down. Then…
*BOOM*
A Supplex buries Oscar to the floor from the head to waist. The mansion floor cracks forming a large spiderweb like pattern in a 20-meter diameter. The entrance wall is also cracked from the impact. Windows shattered along with it.
Malcom and Amanda immediately arrived to the entrance hearing the loud noise. Ralph and the maids also rush to see what happen. Upon arriving, they saw an aged lady massaging her stiff shoulders and a pair of legs pointing to the sky.
The three Black sisters groan seeing their parents behaving like this. Malcom faints. The mansion servants shiver seeing the elderly lady wrath. Marylyn buries herself on Adrian's back, holding it tight. Adrian keeps shielding his sister while crossing his arms.
"I apologize for this big oaf for hurting you children. I'm really sorry little ones. Are you two, okay?" The woman apologizes while coming closer to the Cross siblings.
"I can use mana. You don't need to worry. Grandma, I presume?" Adrian maintains a heroic stance.
"Gweneth. Grandma Gwen if you will." Gwen shows a big smile seeing her 2 grandchildren.
"Analyse"
[Name: Gweneth Armitage Black] [Age: 59] [Level: 3 Sun Power]
[STR: 500] [AGI: 420] [END: 390] [INT: 670] [Mana: 31200]
[Affinity: Light, Dark]