Aura
Chapter 6
Aura
Two demons sat at a dining table, as servants brought in their feast
"In fifty days', time we will carry out an attack on the Fighting Arena in Gilbert territory", a thin, tall demon with antler-like horns spoke. Tearing into the flesh of a screaming human, still alive and in pain, he feasted on his intestines only to spit it out, "I thought rich assholes tasted great. WHAT IS THIS?"
A demon in black armor quickly cleaned up the mess
"Lord Greed, it has been confirmed by the spies planted in the Department of Education that Baron Gilbert will be attending Titan Academy's Autumn Festival to celebrate his eldest son winning the Class Battle", a short demon with a single heavy horn in the middle of his head respectfully answered, "an attack on his lands will serve as a great distraction for the theft"
"YES! Carry out the theft with utmost importance as it was personally requested of by Lord Envy. I hear he is currently busy with a great undertaking", Lord Greed stared at the single-horned demon
Gulp, the demon shivered, "of course, the reward bestowed upon his Lordship Greed is something that was recently found. A fourth-grade teleportation scroll"
"Good! Good!", Lord Greed laughed in a sinister tone
Pitfall (Day 1)
"Today you'll learn aura", Sir Arnold spoke in a deep, gruntling voice, "there are six forms of power in this world are Divinity, Aura, Alchemy, Necromancy, Cursed Energy and the Runic language. Divinity is what you are bestowed upon at the age of twelve. Everyone in the world is blessed with divinity. Aura is the manifestation of your soul. Only one in ten thousand people can draw out an aura. Alchemy is the study of potions, and its tower is present in the Kingdom of Hozart. Hozart is the in southern continent, and it's the second most powerful kingdom in the world --- second to only ours, Vratis. Necromancy though looked down upon is still practiced by a few reputable organizations like The Death March. Necromancy can only be practiced on animals or monsters, never humans. It's a law set on this world by the God of Death. Cursed Energy is one used by demons and their users are ordered to be killed on sight. There is the runic language but its practice is also considered evil. The Runemasters of this world are few and most are shrouded in mystery, so not much is known of it"
"Is the runic language a well-guarded secret of the royal family?", Sarah raised her hand excitedly
"Far from it. Royals hate Runemasters because they perceived them to be arrogant and untrustworthy. Most runemasters still keep their identities a secret, wearing masks to cover their faces. The hate against runemasters is real and they are hunted as spawns of The Devil", Sir Arnold lectured, "enough about runemasters, today you're here to learn aura"
Picking up a twig, he slashed it downwards, "Without aura, it is merely a twig", suddenly a golden hue covered the twig, and palpable energy radiated from it. Arnold slashed the twig downwards again, this time it cut the air and the clouds above, "with aura, it's an incredibly dangerous weapon"
WOOW! the kids remarked
"The final stage of an aura is when it takes a particular form. Mine takes the shape of a flag, for reasons I'm not aware of", Arnold drew out a greater pool of aura, and the golden hue took form. A waving golden flag itched with the feeling of dominance
"Unlike mana which feels cool and refreshing, aura feels warm and inviting. Look within yourselves and try to feel it. Sit down and meditate", the teacher proceeded to walk away
Merlin's realm (Day 1)
"AJ I'm going to forcefully push my mana into your body. Let's try creating your mana points as I taught you how to. Try your best to not pass out --- otherwise, you'll suffer irreversible consequences", Merlin sat behind AJ and placed his hands on his back
AHHHHH! AJ screamed as his body contorted in weird shapes. His brain felt as if a nail-fitted bat continuously hit it, and his bones felt jelly-like
Pitfall (Day 2)
"To become a Level 1 --- Aura Knight, you need to be able to feel your aura. Level 2 --- Aura Knight, can use it to cover weapons. Level 3 --- Aura Knight, can use aura to varying lengths. For example, using it to extend the area your attacks cover. At Level 4 you are no longer Aura Knights, but an Aura Master. At Level 4, your aura takes shape. There are just fourteen Aura Masters and I'm one of them", Arnold puffed out his chest
"Then who's the strongest Aura Master?", Sarah asked
"The current Duke of House Endorsa, nicknamed Angel Sword. House Endorsa's inherited divinity is Wind Manipulation and Duke Endorsa's aura takes the form of twelve wings, which is why he got the name", Arnold explained, "continue your meditation"
Merlin's Realm (Day 2)
"I'll personally oversee Sarah's training until she brings out her dragon wings. AJ try communicating with your monsters telepathically", Merlin wrapped his arm around Sarah and flew away
AJ conjured his monster gate. An oval-shaped portal with a mural of various, different monsters moving about. Out of the portal flew a small four-winged bird and AJ tried to telepathically command it over and over again
Pitfall (Day 3)
"Congratulations! Sarah, you're now Level 1 Aura Knight", Arnold patted her head, "AJ keep meditating, you'll get there soon. Sarah follow me, I'll teach you further"
Merlin's Realm (Day 3)
The four-winged bird lazily sat on the tree branch as AJ jumped up and down in frustration
Pitfall (Day 6)
"Now that you can finally feel Aura, I'll guide you to cover your weapons with it", Arnold placed his hand over AJ's shoulder, "Sarah is already a Level 2 Aura Knight. Sarah --- show him your progress"
The girl covered her spear in a bright red aura. It felt thirsty for blood
"OK, cover your weapon with aura for at least thirty minutes and then rest for twenty. Repeating this cycle over and over again", Arnold instructed, "AJ let's go"
Merlin's realm (Day 6)
The four-winged bird flew right and then turned left before rotating in the air as AJ rejoiced. Both Merlin and Sarah appeared in the sky. Merlin floated on a magic circle while Sarah fluttered her wide, red, scaly wings, carefully descending
AJ rushed over and hugged her for her accomplishment. Merlin watched his students discuss their training
"Everyone. Gather. Starting today, you'll be refraining from the use of divinity. Instead, you'll cover your bodies in mana and fight hand to hand. Wear these bracelets --- they'll set the threshold for the strength and speed you can use during these fights", the kids wore their bracelets and took their stance
Pitfall (Day 9)
"Sarah is on her way to becoming a Level 3 --- Aura Knight. That's amazing growth. AJ, has yet to cover his weapon in Aura", looking over his shoulder at Ajax who wallowed in self-disappointment, he advised, "take a break for three days. Don't forget to continue your practice. AJ, slow down and look inwards. What you're missing is realization"
Merlin's realm (Day 9)
Sarah threw in a left cut. AJ brought up his knee cutting off the punch's momentum. He moved forward, grabbing her shoulders and jumping high. Successfully twirling over her head, he threw her off balance and pushed her to the ground: face first. AJ moved back. Sarah got up. They once again charged at each other. AJ threw in a right jab. Sarah blocked it with an open palm. She continued the motion by throwing in a right jab of her own. Pushing down his elbow, AJ blocked it. Leaning his shoulder into her chest, he dropped low to grab her left leg. Sarah stepped to the right, creating space
"STOP!", Merlin shouted
Walking closer to his panting students, he smiled, "that was an amazing duel. AJ --- your form of battle is polished and unpredictable but you lack an essential part of combat. Try finding what it is. Sarah, create your own rhythm during battle. Keep pace and manage your stamina well. Both of you, take a two-day break"
Maxwell Residence (Day 10)
In a pink room, by a baby cot made of Mystic Trees, stood a beautiful woman humming a relaxing tune. AJ entered the room sighing heavily
"Don't ruin the atmosphere of your baby sister's room", Ella puffed in anger
"She's yet to be born. She wouldn't know", AJ replied
"Ajax Maxwell, I'll let you know that babies are very perceptive, even in the womb", she walked over and kissed her son's forehead, "so tell us what has caused you this much frustration"
"No matter how much I try, I can't draw out aura. Also, my style of combat itself is incomplete but I don't know what it is", he informed with his head dropped
With a smile she led her child out of the room, "Go wear your summer clothes and meet me at the entrance in fifteen minutes"
In a floral shirt, purple shorts and straps, AJ accompanied his mother who was dressed in a light blue sundress. Climbing onto the winged chariot pulled up to the clouds by six Pegasus, they made their way to the countryside.
AJ looked down to admire the stone streets and the different colored roofs; the bustling shops and the training knights right outside the towering city walls. The knights carrying bows walked on these very walls, and waved AJ 'goodbye' as they passed by. They flew over the forest that covered the east of the city's border. The trees grew tall and aggressively as they competed for sunlight. A dark smog covered its floor and it felt deadly. The forest itself growled in anger and looked evil
"That's the Poison Forest and one of the five uninhabitable places", Ella pointed
At times colorful birds with curved beaks, flew alongside the chariot. When the forest cleared, small green hills came into view. Large lizards raced up the hills to small, round houses made of clay. Atop these lizards rode spotted blue cat-like humanoids screaming in delight.
"They are the Spotted Cat Tribe and are very hostile to us Humans. We've fought many times but are now in a pact where attacking each other is prohibited and so is stepping in each other's lands"
When the hills disappeared, a calm river took its place. Cool air blew and the sky was now pinkish-gold. Clear crystal lotus flowers floated on the surface of the river as it flowed into a still lake. The chariot descended by the lake and Ella and her son came out. The lilac grass swayed in the air, trying to climb onto the white trees. Emerald birds sang overhead and yellow daisies danced
Ella took out a pair of stools, canvases, paintbrushes, pens, easels, paints, and other art supplies, arranging them with a help of small winds
Breathing in the mana-filled air, AJ quietly sat on a stool by his mother's side
A few minutes later, massive whales, each with five large pairs of fins flew above. Their purple, tapered bodies shimmered as the sunlight hit it and their pink undersides bellowed as they sang their songs. A mix of calls and whistles filled the skies. These majestic beasts took their rightful place among the clouds
Picking up a brush and dipping it in paint, Ella began to draw, "My friends and I would race to this very lake in time for the Sky Whale Migration. AJ, I'm glad I got to share this experience with you"
Ajax too started to paint
"Art is a form of expression. Focus on the single stroke and nothing else. Clear your mind of objectives and just paint", Ella fixed her son's hair
Ajax did so, and his mind cleared. Everything flowed through. For the first time, he felt everything. The fish flipping in the lake, the busy birds building their nests, the hungry, jet-black wolves sharing their prey in the distance, his mother's love filling the air. Every living being was thrumming with magic. The world itself had a fantastical allure. AJ drew and with each stroke, the thoughts that plagued his mind, vanished.
"For me, Art is 'Remembrance'. AJ, darling, what is it for you?", Ella asked
AJ looked inwards and felt the inviting aura, he drew it out and covered his paintbrush with it. With each stroke, the painting breathed life. His aura changed colors as he continued to draw. He painted the swimming whales and the ever-changing clouds; his happy, pregnant mother and the dancing flowers; the still lake and the hovering sun
"Mom, its FREEDOM", Ajax excitedly answered
The painting captured the entire experience, the cold breeze and the relaxing songs. Like a video: the Sky Whales in the painting swam too
To the cutest sister ever,
Ajax Maxwell
He signed at the bottom left corner after completion