Chapter 17: First Practice

While hopping around, Kuroto lead Aruta to the back of the mansion. There, Aruta see a fairly large field.

"Wow, the field is huge!" Aruta exclaimed.

"This is our field. If you want to play or exercise, we can use this field," Kuroto said. "Okay, since we're already here, I want to teach you a few things first."

"Alright!" Aruta said enthusiastically.

"Since you're new to this 'LYNK' thing, I'll teach you the basics first. First, I'll teach you about LYNK magic," said Kuroto as he and Aruta entered the field.

"LYNK magic?" Aruta asked.

"Control over fire, water, earth... wait, why does it sound like a movie? Ah, never mind. Basically, any strange thing you see, like magic in movies, is LYNK magic. And to use LYNK magic, your LYNK energy must be stable first," Kuroto explained.

"LYNK... energy?" Aruta was still confused.

"Do you remember the strange red aura that covered your hand last night?" Kuroto asked.

"Ah, yes, I remember," Aruta replied.

"That was LYNK energy. And the sign of someone with stable LYNK energy is that they can see the strange creatures you encountered. Those creatures are called junoi."

"Hmm, I see. So how can LYNK energy become stable?" Aruta asked.

"Hmm, there are three factors. First, LYNK energy can stabilize on its own. You could say it's fate if someone's LYNK energy stabilizes. For this first factor, the stability of LYNK energy is permanent for that person. But we can't control when the LYNK energy will stabilize. It could be right after they're born, or even when they're old," Kuroto explained.

"Hmm, I see," Aruta said, nodding.

"The second factor is when they're threatened by things related to LYNK magic. I remember Mono told me that your two friends were able to see the junoi chasing them. They could see the junoi because of this second factor. But this factor is only temporary," Kuroto explained.

"Hmm, what about the third factor?" Aruta asked.

"Manifesting it yourself. This factor is very rare, but it's not unheard of. We still don't know if the LYNK energy from this factor will be permanently stable or limited. But even if it's limited, it should last much longer than the stability from the second factor," Kuroto explained.

"Even with these three factors, there are very few people with stable LYNK energy. Remember, having stable LYNK energy is different from being able to use LYNK magic," Kuroto continued.

"I see. So the mages here are quite rare," said Aruta.

"Ahaha, you could say that. Oh, and one more thing. Actually, everyone in this world has LYNK energy. The difference is whether their energy is stable or not," Kuroto explained.

"Wait, everyone has LYNK energy?" Aruta asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yup. For those whose LYNK energy is unstable, the energy leaks out. And if the leaked energy gathers and becomes abundant enough, new junoi are born," Kuroto said.

"I see," Aruta said, nodding again.

"Alright, now I'll explain LYNK magic to you. LYNK magic is divided into two types. First is the basic technique, and second is the LYNK technique," Kuroto said, starting to walk toward a rock twice his size. Aruta followed him.

"LYNK energy can be used to enhance physical strength, add effects to attacks, and so on. You can make your punches feel like being hit by an elephant falling from the sky if you can."

Kuroto stopped in front of the rock and flicked his finger. His middle finger began to emit a small amount of LYNK energy at the tip. When Kuroto flicked the rock, it shattered into pieces.

"Cool!!" Aruta exclaimed with sparkling eyes. "By the way, you mentioned the LYNK technique earlier, right? What is the LYNK technique?" Aruta asked.

"The LYNK technique is a technique that originates from the user. The LYNK technique is LYNK energy that has taken the form of LYNK magic, whether it's controlling fire, water, or something else. Usually, each person only has one LYNK technique, but if someone is capable, they can have more than one. It could also be due to a family inheritance. So one is their own LYNK technique, and the other is a family-inherited LYNK technique," Kuroto explained.

"Cool!! Do you have one?" Aruta asked.

"Of course. Want to see my LYNK technique?" Kuroto asked.

"Yes! Yes! I want to! I want to!" Aruta said, jumping around.

"Then try to punch me as hard as you can," Kuroto said.

Aruta was surprised and said, "Huh?! Punch you?"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Kuroto said casually, putting his hands in his coat pockets. Kuroto didn't look prepared at all.

"Eh?! Sorry if it hurts." Aruta dash forward and punching Kuroto's face very hard. "Huh?! S-sorry, are you hurt?" Aruta asked. But when Aruta blink, he found himself back in his original position before he dash toward Kuroto, while Kuroto was still standing casually in front of him. "Huh? What happened??" Aruta said, confused.

"Ahaha, try punching me again," Kuroto teased.

Aruta dash toward Kuroto again, and the same thing happen. He return to his original position. Aruta repeat it several times, but the result was always the same.

Not long after, Mono arrive at the field and saw Aruta trying to punch Kuroto. "Hah, that old man. He doesn't seem fit to be an elder," Mono muttered as he walking toward Kuroto.

"Good afternoon, sir. Why was I called?" Mono asked, and Aruta stop trying to punch Kuroto.

"Eh... Where's your big sis?" Kuroto asked.

"She's being punished at school. He broke a window while playing baseball," Mono answered.

"Huh? Didn't your sister help the teachers earlier?" Aruta asked.

"Yeah... he run off to play. So her punishment got doubled," Mono answered.

"Then you alone are enough... I think," Kuroto said.

"Is there a mission?" Mono asked.

"Hey, have you forgotten?" Kuroto asked, nudging Mono's shoulder.

"Huh? oh, about the duel?" Mono asked.

"Duel?" Aruta asked.

"Learning is more effective when practiced directly, right? Go to the center of the field and duel with Mono," Kuroto said, walking away from Aruta and Mono. "This will determine if you're worthy of joining the Juntoshi Mage," Kuroto said in a calm yet sharp tone, turning his back to Aruta.

"Come on, Aruta," Mono said.

"Alright." Aruta and Mono go to the center of the field and facing each other.

Aruta looking to the edge of the field and see Kuroto walking away without stopping. "Huh? Mr. Kuroto, where are you going?" Aruta shouted.

"I haven't had lunch yet, I want to find some food first. Wait, what time is it... Kuroto checked his phone, oh no, it's already 4 PM!! I'll go now. Just practice with Mono for now," Kuroto said to Aruta and immediately ran off.

"Huh, that guy," muttered Mono. "Are you ready? I won't hold back," said Mono to Aruta, taking a stance.

"Yes, I'm ready!" Aruta replied.

"Come at me," Mono said firmly.

Aruta charge at Mono. He dashing past Mono's side and go to behind him. Aruta jump and land a punch with his right hand. Mono quickly turn and catch Aruta's hand with his left hand. Mono's right hand was instantly enveloped in LYNK energy, and he punch Aruta's stomach hard. Aruta immediately cough from the impact.

"Ugh, it feels like being punched by a gorilla," Aruta muttered, holding back the pain.

Aruta was still in pain, holding his stomach after being punch by Mono. Without waiting, Mono begin to punch Aruta repeatedly. Aruta could only take all the punches Mono landed on him. Finally, Mono's right leg was envelope in LYNK energy. Mono jumpe and land a hard kick to Aruta's head. Aruta was sent flying quite far from the kick.

Aruta fall face down on the ground, covered in wounds. His forehead was bleeding, and his nose was also bleeding.

"You... couldn't... be patient?" Aruta said in pain.

"Your enemies won't show you mercy. Remember that!" Mono said, approaching Aruta. Mono stand in front of Aruta and say firmly, "Get up quickly and fight me now."