Kai walked down the street in anticipation, he heard there would be a visitor to the north, but he did not know who and did not really care, as long as he could keep himself happy and occupied, the politics could stay their own.
"Hey, Kai," someone called from behind him, he knew who it was, but he didn't wish to see the person, so like a cat, he ran nimbly among the passersby and people in the village.
"There is no way I am going to exchange words with that idiot," he muttered to himself as he ran.
He wasn't scared, he just didn't like Josh.
"Get back here," Josh screamed as he kept running after Kai.
"Why, Just why are you chasing after me," Kai screamed back.
"I just want to talk, are you scared," Josh taunted, and just after that, those behind him also burst out in laughter.
Screech,
They could swear they heard a screeching sound.
"You think I am scared," Kai stopped abruptly from running, the speed he used to stop made a screeching sound, "Bring it on, you fools," he screamed as he walked back.
"Alright, spit it out, I have somewhere to be," Kai said, sounding impatient.
"I heard you killed a level three shadow beast," Josh cut straight to the point.
"Mhmm," he said, nodding his head, "Why," he asked impatiently.
"I also killed a level 3 beast," Josh said.
"Is that why you called me," he looked at Josh as if he was stupid.
"No," Josh answered, feeling proud, "I used the skin of the beast to make a ball," he added.
Kai was already having a bad feeling about this.
"I challenge you to a duel of Kickball," Josh screamed the last part so that everyone could hear.
There was some mumbling from the passersby and even kids around, Kickball was a game of the North, They used magic-enhanced balls for competition, it was a team game if it was friendly, but one on one if it was a duel.
The kickball was played with the legs and it mustn't touch the floor, it was a game where magic is used for every play.
"You really want to do this, Josh," Kai asked, his voice low and controlled.
Josh grinned, showing all his teeth, "Afraid you'll lose your title, Kai,"
Kai scoffed and shook his head, "You wish, Fine, I accept your challenge, Let's do this now,"
The crowd quickly formed a wide circle around the two competitors, while a sorcerer among them immediately conjured a barrier so the spectators won't get hurt. Murmuring with anticipation, the crowd got ready for an epic match.
The air crackled with energy as Kai and Josh faced each other, the magic-enhanced kickball hovering between them.
Kai took his position, his body tense and ready, Josh stood opposite him, a cocky smile on his face.
Kai smirked, his eyes glinting with confidence. "You might have slayed a level three beast like I did, but you shouldn't challenge me in Kickball."
Josh clenched his fists, his determination unwavering. "We'll see about that."
The ball shot into the air, and the duel began. Kai moved first, his telekinesis sending the ball rocketing towards Josh. Josh reacted swiftly, summoning a wall of earth to deflect the ball. It ricocheted off the barrier and soared back towards Kai, who effortlessly redirected it with a burst of fire.
Josh leaped into the air, twisting his body to meet the ball with a powerful kick infused with water magic. The ball hissed as steam erupted from the contact, but Kai was ready. He used his telekinesis to halt the ball mid-air, then sent it hurtling back with a fiery spin.
The crowd gasped as Josh barely managed to dodge the flaming projectile. He landed and immediately summoned a wave of earth to propel himself forward, aiming to intercept the ball. But Kai was relentless, his control over fire and telekinesis making him a formidable opponent.
With a final, desperate effort, Josh launched himself into the air, his leg swinging to meet the ball. But Kai's eyes blazed with determination. He enveloped the ball in flames and sent it hurtling towards Josh with incredible speed.
Josh's eyes widened as the flaming ball struck him square in the face, the impact sending him tumbling backward. The crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and gasps as Josh hit the ground, the ball rolling to a stop beside him, still smoldering.
Kai stood tall, victorious, his eyes never leaving Josh. "I told you, Josh. Kickball is my domain."
Silence fell over the crowd, Then cheers erupted.
Kai had won.
Josh fell to his knees, disbelief etched on his face, Kai walked over to him, extending a hand.
"Good game," Kai said, a small smile on his face.
Josh looked up, surprise replacing his shock, Slowly, he took Kai's hand and stood up.
"You won, for now" Josh admitted, grudging respect in his voice but a will to challenge Kai again in his eyes.
As the crowd swarmed around them, Kai couldn't help but feel proud, He had defended his title and gained a new respect from his rival.
"Sigh," Kai sighed loudly as he walked down the village, he had enjoyed his victory, defended his title, and won a duel against the cocky Josh, remembering that part he couldn't help but muse to himself, then burst out into laughter, yeah, he was still awesome.
Going to see Mr, Geralt was best for him, and besides, he had already made progress in his alchemy, He was just a few meters from Mr, Geralt's place when Mr, Geralt sighted him first, he wanted to lock his shop immediately but how would Kai let him,
"Master," He called out loud, there was no way he was going to let him run, he had to let him know he sighted him too,
"Ahh," Mr, Geralt gave a defeated sigh, he wasn't fast enough,
"What is it this time," Geralt asked, he was still in his adorned eastern robe, you could tell he was from the eastern kingdom from how he dressed and acted,
"Umm, yeah, I came to show you something fun master," He said with brightened eyes, but looking closely, you could tell Mr, Geralt had no chance of refusal,
"I got myself into this," Geralt sighed defeated, He came from the east, there was no magic there but something else, he planned to travel round the world and make a name for himself, upon stepping foot in Ariel kingdom, he found his way to the north, while picking the name Geralt as an alias, but alas,
"I shouldn't have taken him as a student," he thought,
Kai bounced on his toes, excitement radiating from him, "Master, you won't believe what happened today, I had a duel with Josh, and I won,"
Geralt raised an eyebrow, "A duel, What kind of trouble have you gotten into now,"
"No trouble, Master, It was a Kickball duel," Kai grinned, "You should have seen it, I used my flames and telekinesis, and Josh tried to use earth magic, but he was no match for me,"
Geralt's interest was piqued despite himself, "Telekinesis, When did you learn that,"
Kai's grin widened, "That's what I wanted to show you, Master, and I have something else, an invention of mine, it would help in slaying those shadow creatures easier," He bragged
Geralt stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Interesting, Very interesting indeed, Perhaps there's more to you than I thought, boy,"
"So, will you teach me more, Master?" Kai asked eagerly,
Geralt sighed again, but this time there was a hint of a smile on his face, "I suppose I have no choice, Come in then, Let's see what other trouble we can get into today,"
As they entered the shop, Geralt couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, taking on this enthusiastic student wasn't such a bad idea after all, Even if it meant his quiet days in the north were numbered,