New Friends

I was sitting on my bed thinking about the fight. I was able to move the way I wanted but my strength and speed were too low.

I flexed my arm. I am not very muscular, but I'm not weak either. My style of fighting doesn't require much strength but dexterity and speed.

'I need to get stronger if I am going to fight stronger opponents.' I thought to myself.

The door to my room opened breaking me from my train of thought as I saw Terra Araki and Ark walk inside.

Ark seemed hesitant, his hands fidgeting at his sides, while Araki sauntered in with his usual grin.

Terra was acting normal with a slight sense of reality mixed in but was acting like a friend should, happy I was alive and she came over and hugged me. 

"Hey," Terra said while hugging me "how are you doing so far? The fight yesterday was intense!"

I nodded as I sat up straighter. "I'm fine. Just... thinking about the fight... and maybe a little tired."

Araki plopped down on a chair near the bed, his grin widening. "Thinking about how you took down an entire pack of Hellhounds and their Alpha by yourself? That was insane!"

I laughed at his antics and said. "Not exactly. More about how close it was. If I'd been any slower or missed a single step well... I don't really need to say much more, do I?."

Everyone understood what I was saying. The fight was too close and if anyone else tried it they would have died.

Ark shifted nervously and shyly said. "But you didn't. You moved so fast and managed to kill them. It was like you'd been fighting monsters for years."

I glanced at him and let out a small chuckle.

"Your not wrong. I have been an Adventurer for about 5 years now but even with all that time and experience it almost wasn't enough."

Everyone was silent for a second and I added "Don't misunderstand me. I know my limits and I know what I did was foolish. It was a gamble that worked but no matter how much experience you have there is always the possibility for failure."

"I am saying all this to remind you that even someone who could slay dragons and Devils can always fall to a goblin arrow or spider bite. We are not immortal and death is always a threat."

I paused, letting the quiet moment settle. But then I looked at everyone, Terra, Araki, and Ark. 

"You know," I said, smiling faintly, "It's not just about how strong you are. It's about learning from the times you almost fail, so next time, you won't."

Terra grinned and punched my arm lightly. "Sounds like a lesson you're still working on, huh?"

I laughed, feeling the weight of the conversation lightened. "Yeah, well, who said I was perfect?"

I gave a smug smile as Terra elbowed me in the side.

We all laughed as the tension in the room dissipated.

Then Araki broke the silence, his curiosity bubbling over. "Jack, I've been meaning to ask, how do you and Terra know each other? You act like childhood friends."

"You're not wrong. My aunt works at her estate," Jack said, keeping his tone light. "After my parents were... killed, I went to live there and her family gave me a place to stay. We grew up together and have known each other ever since. I owe them a lot."

"oh is see." he said then hesitated and added, "S-sorry for bringing that up." 

I gave a dismissing wave and said "It's fine. They passed a long time ago. I keep them in my heart and will always thank them for the life I live."

I noticed Ark standing a little away and spoke to him "Are you going to join us or are you just going to stand there?"

Caught off guard by my question he hesitated.

"Sorry, it's just... I'm... not used to this kind of situation," he said while rubbing his arm.

He was clearly nervous so I said "Don't feel pressured to join us if you don't want to."

"N-no, I want to its just..." he said

Araki finally noticing Ark's awkwardness pulled up a chair and forcefully pulled Ark and had him sit.

"There now you don't have to worry about feeling nervous waking over!" Araki said and turned to me and Terra for approval but we both gave him black stares.

We all started to introduce ourselves as apparently none of us had done so yet for some reason.

Terra introduced herself as the daughter of Lady Miranda Rondo, The current head of the Rondo Family. She is a plant mage and has been attending the academy for 3 years. She also boasted that she is also known around the academy as one of the strongest mages of her year.

She did warn us all that the nobles and commoner students have a large gap between standing here but she is one of the major supporters of the Academies equality group but sadly they haven't done much as of yet as it was formed last year.

Araki introduced himself as the eldest son of the Adventurer Rirki, A B+ Rank Spearman Adventurer.

He explained that he comes from the Blackvine Lizardman tribe that lives near a mountain range a few weeks away from here. He said he was attending the academy to learn more about archery and how to cast magic for himself rather than using magic circles. 

I know the third reason for him coming here but kept it to myself, it wasn't my secret to tell.

Ark did ask how we knew each other and he told him that our parents were close friends and Rirki was my spear fighting teacher when I was young. We met when Araki came along with his father when coming to visit me after moving to the Rondo Estate.

Ark went next and said he came from a small village in another kingdom. He was raised by his grandfather.

His grandfather was the one who suggested attending the academy as Ark wasn't very social and also needed to know how to fight and defend himself.

He did hesitantly reveal it was because his grandfather bribed the headmaster that his score was increased it was.

He also doesn't understand how his score was higher than most people who did better than him.

The rest of us all gave each other a look as we all knew the reason and silently agreed to talk about it another time as this wasn't the time.

I was the last and introduced myself explaining who my parents were and showing the spear and wand they made me before they died.

I did explain to Ark that they died in an Orc attack 10 years ago.

I said I was attending the academy to learn more about magic and cast stronger spells, get better at fighting, hopefully, find more spirits, hopefully, find a party I can join for quests at the guild and possibly learn alchemy.

Araki and Ark stared at me surprised by my long list while Terra smirked and said "It's longer than the last time I heard it."

Ark and Araki turned to her in a surprise and I said "What? Potions are useful when on quests but are expensive. If I can make my own it cuts costs by half."

She nodded and we talked a little bit more about our pasts, making sure to include the still-shy Ark.

Thankfully Ark was opening up quickly and getting comfortable with us. It was nice to see him like that and not hide away from us.

After some time Ark asked, "Um, Jack I have been meaning to ask... what was that blue creature from the arena?"

Araki, hearing the question, stared at me wanting an answer.

I let out a chuckle and said "I was planning on hiding it for now but I guess it is out. I am a Spirit summoner and the Blue creature you saw was Volt, a Spirit known as a Lightning Tiger."

Araki excited by my response shouted "You're a summoner!? Why did you never tell me?!"

I gave a small shrug. "You never asked."

he gave me a blank stare as Terra laughed.

"You serious?" he asked

"yep," I responded

Terra rolled her eyes but smiled. "To be fair, spirits aren't exactly the kind of thing you bring up in casual conversation."

"True," we both said after a few seconds

"Anyway, how many do you have and what can they do?" Araki quickly asked

I turned to Terra and she nodded interested.

I turned to Ark who was nervous but I hint of curiosity was visible in his eyes.

I sighed, got up moved to the center of the room, pulled out the black book and placed a hand on top of it.

Summoning for me was extremely easy as all I had to do was say their name, but when with other people I always put on the act of it taking time unless in combat. (they never seem to question when it doesn't take time in combat)

I mumbled a few words under my breath making it seem like I was performing a ritual.

"Summon, Spirit of the skies wrath! Volt!" I said extending the summoning chant to make it sound cooler.

The circle appeared floating in the air and lightning crackled around it just like it did in the arena.

Ark and Araki wanted in amazement at the spectacle before them.

Just as the circle appeared, voices echoed down the hall, growing louder. Moments later, Orin and Zek stepped into the room, both stopping short at the sight in front of them.

"What's going on here?" Orin asked, he said in surprise.

Zek's wide eyes darted around the room and finally landed on me standing in the middle of the room. "Is that a summoning circle?"

I nodded and smirked. "You just in time. You can meet an old friend of mine."

Orin grinned, stepping closer. "Awesome!"