Growing

Leo was bewildered. After all he didn't expect that this fateful day will be that near in the future.

"How come it is so soon?", he asked.

"When a person is under special or extreme conditions, like a intense mission, their body will undergo some emotional changes.

Similar changes appear on the day of awakening, so as you were already on the verge, that exploration of yours pushed the day closer."

Mr. Sieg explicated.

"The awakening is a process in which one matures, so it will affect anything, not only your body.

When you could not even use a simple spell now, after that day you can have a much better control, body control or thinking process."

Leo realized the importance, wishing that fateful day would come soon.

'Then I can use magic to my heart's content, and won't be at such a disadvantage against other casters.'

"Until then, we move on with the next exercise. Try to direct your inner Energy to your arms, into your hand. When that succeeds, imagine a vortex in your palm, using that energy."

Siegfried ordered, proceeding with their training.

Just as Leo thought to have grasped the trick, he was proved wrong.

Although directing his energy towards different parts of the body was relatively fast accomplished, creating a vortex was not easy. He tried it over and over, but the energy, directly after escaping his palm, would disperse, not allowing him to control it.

After the lesson neared its end, Leo still could not create the task placed by Siegfried.

But he felt not frustrated. Knowing that this mysterious power is completely new to him, being able to feel and direct it is for now enough.

"Don't be dejected.", Mr. Sieg encouraged him.

"The road to control Magic out of your body is the hardest task. It will at least last until next week, then you can probably utilize it."

"My friend, a person knowledgeable about many races and monsters, told me once about the dwarven race. He seemed to encountered one recently, and came to tell me by a cup of coffee.

Your race is known to have a harder time learning extern magic. But excels at using interior power, which I can support, seeing you master it so fast."

Leo felt it, too. Directing the magic in him felt almost natural and intuitive. Whereas creating a phenomena outside his body was a lot harder.

"But what use is the interior energy in comparison to exterior energy?", he asked.

Looking at the hourglass nearly empty, he explained short:

"With exterior Magic you can create visible effects, like heat or influence the environment.

Interior energy can support your body or mind, strengthening your skin, bones or fortify the soul."

"What is the stronger one? Or are they equal?"

Not knowing if his racial trait is beneficial, he inquired nervous.

The hourglass now empty, Siegfried explained still patiently:

"It depends how one utilizes it. Many soldiers in the army are taught to use interior Magic, as it can be used a lot faster and even without elemental affinity. Whereas exterior can be used in different scenarios and long ranges, making it a big advantage in large battles."

He stood up from behind his desk, walking around it and took a bottle of wine.

"Our lesson for today is over, Mr. Caesar. I expect you tomorrow," sipping at the wineglass, he shot a serious gaze at Leo, which made him twitch involuntarily," and hope your adventurous side can hold itself back, at least your contract is fulfilled."

Leo felt a light shudder, identifying the warning Mr. Sieg spoke.

'Guess coming beaten up to work is not a good idea.'

He bowed to Siegfried, his expression loosening a bit due to that gesture.

Walking out the study, he saw Sophie leaving with Silvia from another room, on the way to the training field.

She noticed Leo, striking up a conversation.

"I heard from Silvia you came here in bandages and hurt. Why? What happened?" Her eyes were full of curiosity, as she never left on her own.

Silvia contributed to her inquiry:

"That would be a good opportunity to let you share some of your experiences. Battle situations and how you overcame them is a part of the training, too."

The normally formal maid glanced at Leo, winking at him with a barely visible smile.

'Is she doing this for my sake?' he wondered.

In all honesty, he was in a bad shape, needing a good rest and relaxation.

Together they walked then out, but before proceeding onto the field, Silvia readied two chairs at the door, on a little spot of land. Next to it was a small pond, some fishes swimming around in it and the edges decorated with reeds, long grass and flowers.

"A relaxing place." said Leo, instantly liking this spot.

"I think so, too." Sophie agreed. "I often come here when I'm bored of studying or etiquette lessons. It calms me down, making some problems float away."

Leo did not think a girl in her age would need such a place. After all the childhood was supposed to be a safe time, used to grow up and learn as much as possible, making friends and experiment.

'Then again, I'm myself a child here, but already were in more dangers than I thought there would be.'

They sat down, and Leo began to tell his story.

Beginning how he met this girl, Zero, followed by their journey to the forest area and the arrival by the lair.

He told her about the battle, the trap by the Shaman and the betrayal of Zero.

Sophie was a great listener, not interrupting him, only commenting special parts with gasping or excitement.

When he came to the part where he sacrificed his shield and used the Shamans spell to escape her fist shot upwards, bursting out with a moment of agitation.

"That was such a cool idea, how did you think of that?", she asked, lifted up of her chair from tension.

Leo shrugged his shoulders:

"Just came to me that moment. After I gave up hope, I refused to succumb, trying it at least.

Sadly my shield got destroyed, but as you see, I lived."

He continued, talking up to the point where Laurence and Holo picked him up.

"They saved my live, and I owe them big time."

Sophie nodded. "I heard of them before, my father likes to trade with them some fur once in a while.

Maybe they will come over for business, then I can thank them, too."

"Why would you thank them?" Leo wondered.

"'Cause they saved my rival, and searching for a new one would takes too much time." she replied.

Leo had to grin. This exclamation was just adorable.

"But that sewing kit saved you, right? I need one of these."

Leo agreed. 'I should stock up on some kits, never know when they come in handy.'

"Hey, can we recreate that fight with the Shaman?" asked Sophie, pulling him out from his thoughts.

"What?" He asked wondering.

'That fight? How? That thing used some pretty strong magic, and had at least 15 lackeys.'

"Not exactly of course." she assured him.

"Father said I have a great prospect as a magician, only learning to use a sword as a backup."

'Only as a backup?' He was shocked. After all she trashed him with this often enough, and now she said magic is her strong point.

"Can you use magic?" he checked, as she hadn't her awakening either, she should not use any elemental types.

"Of course, at least the rough form. Like a projectile of rough energy or simple self enhancements."

She boasted. But it was not enough, as she added proudly:

"But my magic contains traces of my element already. Father said my affinity is so good and the day of awakening not far."

She took a stance, gear already put on in but a moment and a practice wand in hand.

Leo sighed, his body silently protesting. But after talking with her about this moment, he also had the need to recreate it somehow.

'What can I do better, and what should I have done.' he questioned. In this environment, he had no time to think, leading to him making mistakes.

He made some movements, warming up his body. Wearing the protective gear, the hammer and a borrowed shield, he positioned himself opposite to her.

Before readying up, he noticed the small change around him, as if the energy gets pushed away.

He felt that before, so Leo lifted the shield, protecting his body and face. He crouched slightly, to protect his legs somewhat, too.

"Sophie, what the heck?" he shouted, peeking out from behind his shield.

She laughed, clearly proud of her attack.

"You said the Shaman opened up with a surprise attack, so I chanted already when you got here."

'That little-'

He did not finish his train of thought, as he saw her already swirling her wand, a dangerous sounding

spell forming at the tip.

"May the force of this form smash my foe, Energy ball!"

She directed the clump of energy towards him. Panting loudly, it was clear she could not cast many spells.

Leo didn't saw that right now, only the incoming ball of magic.

'I don't want to be smashed!' he thought.

Lifting his shield, an idea came when he saw the nearing attack.

'Why blocking it? Just evade it, I can mange that.'

So instead of remaining there, he rolled to the side, the shot missing him with inches to spare.

Sophie's mouth cramped up, unhappy her attack was dodged.

"You said you blocked that guys attack!"

"I did, but evading seemed like a better option." Leo retaliated.

Looking back at the point of impact, he felt right in his choice to roll away.

The ground was blasted open, looking like a small meteor hit there.

"Don't try to kill me!" he pleaded.

"As if, that would have only sent you to a healer."

'I want to get well again, not more beaten up.'

He recovered from his shock, gripping his weapon and closing the distance.

If he learned something, than that a caster should not be given room to chant.

He arrived by Sophie, swinging his hammer in a sideways motion.

Still nimble as before, she easily avoided it, using her wand as a club.

"That Shaman didn't use it like that." he complained now, blocking her strikes.

"Felt that would be the right thing to do."

Feeling the stubbornness of her attack, he used his shied to tackle he, throwing her off balance.

But she gained her footing fast, making some moves fitting in a circus.

She made a fast chant, speaking clearly but hurried:

"Push back the foe before me, wall."

Not knowing what to expect, Leo crouched down, protected by the shield. An invisible force washed over him, as if a soft wall pressed against him.

'That would have thrown me off balance if I had rushed to her.'

No real damage done, he glanced at her, observing her next move.

She had her eyes closed, concentrating hard, but without chanting.

He saw her breathing, her small chest heaving up and down fast.

The concentration she had seemed familiar, as he did the same earlier.

'She is moving energy inside herself. What will be the effect?'

He grew cautious, shield and hammer ready to intercept anything thrown at him.

The next moment, Sophie moved a lot faster than before, appearing before him in a moment's notice.

"This is the end, my win." she said, swinging her wand like a club again.

As her speed increased, he was in no position to dodge, only blocking her strike. But that strike felt like he got hit with a slash hammer.

Groaning, he stepped back, the pain in his hand flowing through his arm.

Sophie then vanished, appearing besides him.

Leo saw her, wanted to intercept, but was to slow. She smiled sweetly, swinging her wand and hitting his protected waist. The force so strong he got flung away, rolled around and laid on the ground, holding his site.

Sophie came over, heavily breathing and full of sweat. She stretched her hand down, helping him back on his feet.

"A good match, rival."