CHAPTER 16: ONE OF THE RAREST IN EXISTENCE

The sound of the wind rustling through the trees accompanied the steady rhythm of Imperial's training as he moved through the motions with practiced precision. Kaien's gaze never wavered, his focus split between guiding his pupil and observing the new arrival who had stirred up unexpected curiosity in him. Ari, perched quietly on the bench, was still watching, her eyes not just on Imperial but on the environment itself—every detail of it. She was a silent observer, but the intensity of her presence couldn't be ignored.

As Imperial executed his strikes and parries, his movements fluid and fast, Kaien couldn't help but note the sharpness in Ari's focus. She wasn't just watching; she was studying, calculating. It was subtle—her quick glances toward the way Imperial adjusted his stance, how his blade moved with the changing flow of his body. Every subtle nuance was a clue for her, and she absorbed them silently. There was something different about Ari, something Kaien couldn't quite place, but it intrigued him.

His thoughts were interrupted as he caught sight of her shifting on the bench, ready to move. "Want to try some sword drills?" Kaien asked casually, as though offering her a simple challenge. He didn't expect her to rise so quickly, but she did. It was as though she had been waiting for this moment.

Ari's stance was measured, confident, almost like she had wielded a sword before, even though the casual observer might have assumed she was just an onlooker. Kaien handed her the practice sword, and as she gripped it, there was a certain elegance to her posture, a steadiness in her hands that made him raise an eyebrow.

There was something deeper at play. Kaien's eyes narrowed slightly as he assessed her without seeming overtly concerned. There was no hesitation in her movements as she settled into her stance. She wasn't a beginner. No, she was someone who knew what she was doing. That realization prompted a small smile of amusement.

"Imperial," Kaien said, his voice laced with a hint of playfulness. "Duel her. Let's see what she's got."

Imperial, never one to back down from a challenge, cracked his neck and grinned. "This'll be easy," he muttered under his breath, confident in his skills.

Ari, however, wasn't someone who would make this easy. As Imperial charged forward, his blade aimed to strike with precision, Ari moved—fluid, almost as if the wind itself guided her. She dodged and weaved with an ease that startled him. She wasn't just quick; she was calculating, anticipating his every move. His strikes cut the air, never coming close to touching her. She moved with the grace of someone who understood not just how to defend, but how to redirect the energy of an attack. It was like she was dancing around him, making him feel more like a slow-moving target than a seasoned fighter.

Kaien stood, folding his arms, an amused expression on his face, as he observed the way the battle unfolded.

Imperial's smile faltered as Ari effortlessly outmaneuvered him. "Alright, your turn," he muttered, his voice tinged with a bit of frustration.

Ari didn't hesitate. She darted forward, her movements unpredictable, her path curving in ways that kept Imperial on his toes. As she reached for an opening, she suddenly disappeared in a blur, and Imperial's expression shifted from confidence to confusion.

"What the—?" Ari gasped, spinning around as the air shifted, and Imperial was nowhere in sight.

Before she could process what had happened, a hand tapped her lightly on the shoulder. She spun around, and there he was—Imperial, grinning at her, standing behind her with a confident smile.

She had been outmaneuvered, but she wasn't deterred. She swung her sword again, but once more, she found herself empty-handed. Imperial was quicker than she could track.

"You're not the only one with tricks," he teased, his voice full of playful pride. "That's my new move—Thunder Step." He looked at her with a smirk, his fingers crackling faintly with residual energy. "Or you can call it Lightning Walk. Feels like teleportation… but faster."

Ari blinked, clearly impressed but not intimidated. "You move fast," she acknowledged, her voice low and steady.

Kaien chuckled, but his eyes were drawn to Ari now. Something had shifted in the air—he was no longer just observing a duel; he was observing something far rarer. He stepped forward, breaking the banter between Imperial and Ari.

"Ari, what's your magic nature?" Kaien asked, his tone serious.

Ari hesitated for only a moment before answering, her gaze steady. "Light," she replied.

Kaien froze for a split second, processing her words, before his expression shifted into one of surprise, followed by clear admiration. "Light magic?" he repeated, the shock clear in his voice. "That's… incredibly rare."

Imperial, having finally caught his breath, blinked at them both. "Rarer than mine?" He was genuinely curious, but also somewhat amused.

Kaien nodded, a quiet seriousness creeping into his gaze. "A hundred times rarer."

At that, Imperial dropped to his knees in dramatic fashion, poking circles in the dirt with an exaggerated stick. "I'm cursed…" he groaned. "I can't even control my lightning properly yet, and now she's got one of the rarest types in existence?!"

Kaien shot him a sharp look but didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned to Ari with an expression that was both calculating and warm. "You can train with us anytime, Ari," he said, his voice carrying a deeper note of respect. "In fact… I specialize in light magic, too."

Ari's brow furrowed slightly. "Wait, I thought you were a lightning user?"

Imperial couldn't help but interject. "Yeah, that's what I thought too!"

Kaien chuckled. "Some gifted individuals—especially those with strong physical talent—can wield more than one type. It's rare, but it happens. Usually among royals. Sometimes, exceptional commoners too."

Imperial's eyes widened as the full realization dawned on him. "Wait… you can use both?"

"That's how I became a general of the royal army," Kaien replied with a calm smile. "I wield both Thunder and Light magic. But don't let that go to your head—Light magic is one of the rarest types known."

Ari stood silently, processing the weight of what Kaien had just revealed. "There are three magic types that stand above the rest," Kaien continued, raising three fingers in a deliberate motion.

"Dark Magic—the rarest.

Light Magic—the second rarest.

Gravity Magic—the third."

Kaien's gaze fixed on Ari, his expression growing more serious. "There may be more undiscovered types out there, but for now—those three top the list. And you, Ari, happen to possess the second-rarest magic known to exist."

Ari's breath caught slightly as she absorbed his words. For the first time in years, she felt the weight of her abilities in a way she had never understood before. The life she had been leading, so isolated and alone, suddenly felt different.

The world was full of hidden depths, and Ari was beginning to realize she had only scratched the surface.