(This chapter and a couple more will be from a different perspective. It is needed for the plot of this volume and many more.)
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Every story has its beginning—not always at the start, sometimes in the middle, or even at the end. It doesn't stop until, well, you do. But today, his story begins, right here, right now.
First and only son to the head of the Iskai clan and the one with the most exportation placed on him to do well, in his battle, or else his entire life will be over before it even began.
"Take in deep breaths, Kensai." A man comes up to him as he pants vigorously while looking down at the floor with his legs spread wide open.
"I'm trying," Kensai says while raising his head to meet the gaze of warm eyes, peering down at him.
His mentor, Hanz. Since it was a rule that the head couldn't train his heir, he was given the best mentor this village /clan had. Now, he is prepared for his first fight which determines if he is ready to ascend to the title of next in line, if not he will be banished from the clan since a useless heir is a waste.
"It's alright you got this." Hanz rests his caulis hands on his head and ruffles his blond tendrils of hair gently while grinning. "Remember when it comes to mana you feel it. Feel the mana around you, absorb it, and let it out." He instructs doing a demonstration as well, forming a transparent blue dagger in the palm of his hands.
"Right." Kensai nods, taking in air and breathing it out through his mouth, closing his eyes in the process.
Everything seemed to slow down, the sounds of chatter beyond the wooden going quiet, the sound of the wind blowing the dust away, seemed to freeze in time as he opened his eyes.
Before him is like an x-ray, he can see even see passed the wooden doors, and the blue mana all around him. Putting his hands out, he breaths out while clenching his jaw together.
"Concentrate, and reform," he whispers his voice barely audible.
The blue participles come together forming a small ball of blue energy then, slowly forms into a pin, then into a dagger, and then into a large transparent sword.
"Right." He exclaimed as time seemed to resume his glowing eyes from just a moment ago disappearing, turning back to normal, and he pointed the sword right at Hanz's neck with a grin on his face. "Like I said before, I'll become a hero." He reminded him of the words he had always said to him.
"Alright." Hanz steps back waving his hands into the air, while smiling back at him. "I get it, I get it! But if you fail there I will personally embarrass you in front of everyone.
"I know." He scratches behind his head, as the sword bursts disappearing into thin air. "Now. I'm ready." He finally finds back his confidence, ready to face his challenge outside.
"Ok, may the gatekeepers guide this duel, and all the previous clan heads watch and accept you." He repeats the words they tell all the heirs before their battles.
Stepping forward, he pushes the door open, the bright sun greeting him, and for a moment obstructing his vision, as the cheers block out any other words from Mister Hanz.
Stepping onto the dirt floors, he waves at his people with a smile on his face, one that rivals the sun. He knew he was going to pass, and he had to no matter what so He'll give it his all even his life, because if he doesn't win, what sense does it make living on?
"Kansai Iskai, son of the Monsuk Iskai, proclaimed heir but if he passes this test he'll be the next in line to being the heir of the Iskai clan!" A man shouted and shifting his gaze to him he noticed he stood next to his father's chair under the shade, to block to sun's rays.
His father, Monsuk, sits there with a confident smile on his face as he looks at his son proudly. His deep shade of brown hair reached his shoulders, his slightly tanned muscled body barely covered by his traditional clothing as he slouches on his seat.
Right next to him is his mother, with long blond hair that almost reaches the floors, like melted gold. Her eyes just like the both of them a bright shade of blue, and the elegance in the way she sits with her legs crossed makes it apparent she knew her worth as the head's wife.
Lady Lavender, that is what they call her, this clan's treasure and the trophy to head.
"Now!" The man shouts again. "Without further or do, bring in the monster!" the metal doors open slowly in front of him.
"Good luck my love." His mother mouths to him. "I love you."
He nods reassuring her and his father. "May the gatekeepers guide this duel, and all the previous clan heads watch and accept me." He whispers before, a boar burst through the doors.
Its eyes were a deep red glowing as it puffed clouds of mist into the air, as it looked right at Kensai, ready to destroy him. "Mana is this clan position, this is my birthright, and I alone as the next head can regenerate my mana endlessly."
'With a drawback too of course.' He thought to himself.