I can react faster now, few steps from my distance I traveled faster than him. Before he can land a hit with his wooden sword I jump higher than his heights, then I twist my body from back to front performing a round kick attack to his head.
Surprisingly he was able to dodge my attack and keep up with my speed.
'Surely adopting to his enemy's skill is his specialty.' I noted.
As soon as my feet touch the ground he launched a multiple charge attack towards me. As he strikes left to right nonstop, his agility is increasing his speed increased as well. Moreover his ability to smell makes him able to predict my movements, reading me like an open book. My father is not a like other typical magic user, he's a Pro-hunter after all.
I knew it from the beginning of this fight it won't be easy, but that's before I met the fox. I focus my energy to my souls, I close my fists gathering mana as much as possible. And then when I saw him bolts towards me, I punched the air in front of him launching a magic energy ball made of pure mana. With such power it throws my father few meters away sending him throughout the whole fields.
Smoke and dust filled our surroundings…
"Dad?!" I paused and shouted concerned for him, but it seems useless, although he struggled picking up himself from the ground he was smiling.
"He.. hehe… hehaha… HAHAHA!" He laughed slowly but proudly. "Nat! I knew it! My boy is a genius!" Defeated yet confident smile shows on his face.
He walks towards me as he playfully swing the wooden sword. Right before he reach in front of me. "Look… there's nothing I can teach you now, next year you will enter to the academy. So you should begin your study in school." He pointed the edge of the sword in front of my face.
A voice a from a distance suddenly speaks. "Looks like there is some interesting kid in this small village." A man covered in dirty hood, wearing a rather shivered thin plate armor. His a few distance away from us, yet I could feel his immense magic mana surging from it's body.
"May I know your name kid?" The man ask.
"Perhaps you should introduce yourself first to him." My father tittered.
The man ignored my father, as his eye focus on me and his aura shows deep interest. He crossed his arm. "I'm just a traveler passing by. Answer me kid, do you want to become strong?"
Tha man walks toward us to get a little closer. As he approaches, the atmosphere gone colder and colder. Every steps he makes consist of overflowing mana. What more interesting is that everything he steps on, freezes.
"Yes" I answered.
"Well if you want to become stronger, come to me at the bottom of that mountain." He point his finger towards the highest mountain located in south east. "You will find a white boulder rock, meet me there once you're ready."
Then the mysterious man disappeared in front of us like a shattering snowflakes. As the man leave, I let out a heavy breath. My father was left in deep thoughts.
"That guy, he's strong." My father curiously said. "Anyway, lets get back home, your mother probably waiting for us."
Another year had pass, my father did not teach me anymore, so I practiced everything I learned from him. Like breathing, exercising, meditation to harnessing mana and more. I never stop practicing, but I don't feel any changes. I can't even control my power completely. The school won't teach me that until I reach 8 star.
Today was the first day of school, I might find a new friends there so I'm kind of nervous.
As I walk towards our school I overheard three woman gossiping to each other.
"Do you know that there was a bandit roaming in the near villages?" A random woman muttered gossiping to another two woman.
"Really?" The other one ask "Yeah.. I heard they were scape prisoner." She answered.
"It's dangerous at night for us, I hope that Nightwatch Patrol catch them as soon as possible, I don't want my kids get in danger." The other woman speaks.
"Why would we rely our safety to the Nightwatch Patrol? Do the Pro-Hunter is better than them?" The other woman ask.
"Are you an idiot? Pro-Hunters is not going to hunt some cheap scape prisoners."
The news that some scape prisoners spreading across villages is alarming, yet the Central Imperial Guard is not giving a damn thing about this. Not even sending a Pro-Hunter to catch them.
Not long enough I finally reach my school, where I will study and meeting a new friends.
"Woaaahhh!" My eyes widened with excitement as I saw the building of our school. "So many students."
As far as I know this school is teaching only 1 star to 8 star Students.
As I walk, I came across to a boy, he's quite loud and noisy one. Silver white hair, brown eyes and wearing two silver earrings.
"Waahhhhh I don't want to go to school!" He shouted.
"Why are you crying idiot, it's not like we're staying here forever." The girl replied.
'Is that girl with him?' I ask myself.
"Yeah but I hate people!" He replied. The girl then slap her and pinch his ear dragging him inside the building. "Madam Lillia will scold us if we don't go to school remember?"
She's scary, I can see myself and Selene with them. My lips smile closed-mouthed.
As walk inside the building I carefully look every rooms, each one is full of students. Think about it, before I died I'm older to any of these kids. Until I finally find my classroom, I walk inside the room, there we're about 18 kids here and every seats is taken. Coincidentally the available seat is near the two kids the girl and the noisy boy outside.
'They still arguing.' I muttered. Not long enough the class began when the instructor arrived.
"Star represents ranks. A five year old student like you is 1 star. 2 star refers to 6 years old kid, 3 star refers to 7 years old and so on. If you successfully graduated at 8 star, then you will enter the Manifestation Stage Training." The teacher paused, seemingly examining each of her students if they are still listening. Then she continued.
"So the kid 13 years old can learn the manifestation of thier animal spirit. If you are lucky enough to manifest your animal spirit before turning 16, we will recommended you to "Imperial Magic School" to learn and harness your power. But if not, then you can study in some normal academic school across the empire." And the bell ring, a signal that the classes are finished.
I stretch out my arms as I yawned. 'I really hate school.'
"Uurrghh finally done." The boy whined. "Go on, we still have one last class to attend after lunch." The girl push him out of the seat. "Whaaaatttt?!" The boy shouted again with wide eye. "Yes and our teacher will be Mister Ginger." The girl asnwer him.
'Are they always like that?' As I watch them leaving the room.
"You mean mister penis head?" The boy replied. "He's not penis head, he's just bald you know." She continued to drag him.
I followed them to cafeteria where they eat. Upon seeing that there are vacant seat on their table I quickly walk towards them.
"Hello I'm—" She cut in "Do you think I wouldn't notice? Why are you following us?" I'm completely speechless as she fiercely ask me with her eyes sharp yet curious.
"I'm… I.. I just—" she cut me again "Did Madam Lillia sent you to spy on us?"
"No, I just— wait who? I'm not, trust me" I answered "I'm just a regular student" then I smile genuinely.
Thankfully she calmed and believed me.
"Okay, looks like your not lying, by the way my name is Mika and this is—" she introduce herself and the boy cuts in. "I'm Luis, and she is my future wife, we're not siblings by the way." He smile broadly.
"Shut up!" Mika disagrees.
Turns out they are orphaned and Madam Lillia is thier legal guardian. They were abandoned since born, so they don't have any idea about their parents. Now Madam Lillia support them for their studies. Base on their story Madam Lillia is a strict person but very kind to them and even though they always get scolded Madam Lillia cares for them like they are her real children.
Three years had pass after that meeting in cafeteria, they became my friends since then. Three of us always get together. We search and catch some wild magic beast, camp in the forest, play tricks to some random people, catch a fish and cook them into a charcoal we can't even eat and many more. I even introduce them to my parents.
I never realized how happy I am with them, I finally have some friends to treasure a memories with. Yet it did not last long.