Chapter 1.12 — A Mother's Lesson… A Son's reluctance

  I can’t believe that two years have passed since I came to this world.

  But… still the question I keep pondering on…

  “—Why?”

  ———

  ———

  “Keep your head in the game!!” Jen shouted fiercely as she leaped forward.

  I raised my sword in a panic as she swung her sword overhead—a heavy clacking sound echoed as our wooden swords clashed…

  “Uhh!” Crap… her strike’s—so heavy!!

  I was overwhelmed by the pressure and fell to my knees as I continued blocking the strike. The scent of oak filled the air as tiny splinters peeled off my wooden sword.

  I gritted my teeth as my palms burned from the sheer force. Jen grinned as she was pressing the sword down, pinning me down.

  Jen’s face became serious as she raised her sword high—striking down hard.

  As I blocked her strike, my body gave out—losing my balance as my butt hit the ground.

  “You’re just gonna take that?” Jen’s expression hardened, as she towered over me.

  I breathed heavily as I slowly stood up. “huff… huff… It’s too much Jen, I’m only seven you know?”

  Jen raised her sword at me—narrowing her eyes.

  “That’s why you need to get in shape fast… you’ve been wasting

  all that time either studying or tutoring!”

  Jen leaned in closer. “You are too soft! That’s why I’m not gonna hold back!”

  I furrowed my brow, “it’s not my fault that Tess forced me to study—”

  —her sword came swinging sideways, but before I could think, my arms moved on their own—instinctively blocking her strike, as if I already knew where it was coming from.

  I was pushed to the side, but managed to regain my balance, “huff, huff-huff.” I panted heavily, as I could feel my heart pounding through my clothes.

  “Hey, that’s uncalled for!” I complained.

  Jen’s lips dissolved into a small grin.” Ohh, you blocked it?”

  I looked at her confused, “well, of course… you were seriously trying to hit me!”

  Jen looked down for a moment… After a brief pause she raised her head looking me straight in the eyes.

  “ Your biggest flaw is your hesitation… you keep observing me, but never go on the offense.”

  “Ehh, I’ve just begun training a few weeks ago, so I’m still learning, you know… and I also hate to fight!”

  Jen’s eyes widened, as her expression turned into confusion.

  Well it’s true… yeah, I did play a lot of fighting games back then, and even won tournaments…

  …but a real battle… there’s just no way—I’m not cut out for that.

  Jen looked down as she let out a sigh. “Is that so?”

  Hmm… is it just me, or does she seem disappointed?

  “Well, that doesn’t matter… what’s really important—is that you can defend yourself!”

  She slowly raised her head… I began feeling an immense pressure from her, as she pointed her sword—straight at me.

  Cold sweat ran down my spine as my body shivered… almost causing me to lose my grip on my sword.

  Crap… she’s going crazy!

  Jen suddenly dashed forward as dust was kicked up due to sheer force.

  Fear grabbed me as she instantly closed the gap between us. I gritted my teeth… I’m dead if I take this hit—

  Her sword became a blur as she instantly did a vertical slash aiming at my left side—her sword grazed my left shoulder as I ducked under it.

  Jen’s eyes widened—She immediately adjusted her sword’s arc by raising it for an overhead swing.

  Damn it… she’s way too fast—dodge it!!

  As her sword came down, I stepped to my right as I caught the smell of oak as I felt her sword grazing my hair.

  Suddenly, I stood at her left side frozen—I blinked, as I processed what had happened.

  Jen without hesitation swung her sword in a big vertical arc, forcing me to block it—I was thrown back as I fought to regain my balance.

  Jen didn’t stop—her blade flowed from one strike into the next, keeping her momentum alive. I tried to find an opening between her attacks so I could counter with a punish—but her blade was already upon me.

  Splinters flew off my sword as the sound of woods clacking echoed—followed by a heavy thud.

  Without realizing it I had instinctively closed my eyes at that moment.

  As I slowly opened them, I could see that my sword had blocked her strike… well… almost.

  A red liquid dripped into my eyes—as a sharp pain, shot straight through my head all the way down to my spine… Apparently, Jen’s sword was now safely resting on top of my head—hence the bleeding!

  “Hey, you alright?” Her expression softened as she realized the situation.

  “Yeah, I’m… o-ok…” I replied dazed.

  As I looked at Jen, the world suddenly began to shift under my feet.

  “Umm… I’m just gonna lay down… is that alright?”

  As I sat down, the image of Jen became blurry as her voice muffled…

  …my vision darkens…

  ***

  I woke up to the sweet smell of strawberries, as the sound of Jen’s concerned voice echoed through the air.

  A blurry figure stood above me, I realized I was lying down on a bed… As I blinked a couple of times my vision finally sharpened and I realized the figure was Jen.

  As I gazed upon her, a feeling of warmth rusted from the top of my head all the way down my spine… As I looked back, a warm light was shining above my head.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Simon was sitting with his hand stretched out as light was pouring out.

  Ohh, it’s a healing spell…

  “Is he gonna be alright? Simon?” Jen asked, concerned.

  Simon looked at her with his usual blank expression. “Yes… it seems so…

  Also, why did you hit him so hard? Didn’t he just begin his sword training?”

  Jen looked away, as she became embarrassed.

  “Well yes, but I just wanted to make him stronger, you know… before his big day.”

  “Ohh I see… well I’m sure he’ll do good no matter what… so no need to go so hard at him.” Simon let out a small grin, trying to reassure her.

  Jen folded her arms as she nodded, her face slightly red.

  As I looked at Jen I began to feel a bit sorry for her… I took a deep breath.

  “You know i almost got you there—if i had’t hesitated that is.”

  A small smile formed on my lips as I teased Jen. She slowly lifted her head, as her face began to relax.

  Jen cleared her throat. “Ohh, yeah… that was really good.”

  “There, all done… now, see if you can stand without throwing up.” Simon stated in a serious tone.

  I looked at him with the same blank expression as I tried standing up from the bed.

  Just how fragile do you think I am—old man!!

  She leaned in closer. “How did you know where to block?” Jen asked with curiosity in her voice.

  “Uhm, well I’ve seen you train a lot, so I guess… I just recognized your patterns—I mean your moves!.” I scratched my head grinning.

  Jen tilted her head. “You say you don’t like to fight and yet it’s funny how well you seem to move and block, when I get a little serious.” A sly grin formed on her lips.

  I gave her an awkward grin as Simon’s expression turned even more blank as he looked at Jen. “Please refrain from using excessive violence, even in training.”

  “Hey, I’m not that violent… Am I?” Jen’s eyes grew bigger, she looked like a lost puppy.

  “Ahh, it’s ok… I’m all better now.” I waved goodbye to Simon as I walked out of the clinic, grabbing Jen by the wrist as we hurried towards the village, to our family’s magic store.

  ***

  Not long after leaving Simon’s clinic we arrived at the magic store. Grey could be seen running frantically around prepping and getting everything ready.

  “No that goes here, and that goes there!!” Grey sounded stressed as he pointed his fingers in all directions at once.

  “Ohh, dear he’s at it again.” Jen resting her palm on her cheek.

  “Hey Grey! Do you need help?” I shouted.

  Grey paused for a moment as his gaze caught ours. “Ahh, no I’m good… we’re almost ready.”

  Jen walked up to Grey, “are you sure, you seemed really frantic a moment ago?”

  “No, I’ve got it all under control… Leo it’s ready for you”

  Grey reached under the counter and pulled out something wrapped in cloth.

  Grey, with great care, handed the item over to me.

  ”Ohh… is that?” I gasped in anticipation.

  Grey with a proud grin. “Yes… it’s finally ready.”

  Jen tilted her head as she stared at the cloth, not knowing what Grey was up to.

  I unwrapped the cloth, revealing a sword with a special socket attached to it.

  “Wow Grey, it looks soo good!”

  “Glad you like it, I’ve spent weeks on that thing… took me all night to get it ready for you… also here.” Grey handed a belt that had a pouch attached to it.

  I inspected the pouch, as I opened it a handful of Manashells were tucked safely inside of it.

  “Ohh… Earth, Water, Wind and Fire shells… you gave me two of each?” My eyes widened as I gaped in disbelief.

  “Well of course… since you’ll also be learning ShellCraft alongside your studies… it makes sense for you to have a full kit.” Grey puffed his chest.

  “I truly appreciate this Grey… but ya know for a full kit—a light magic shell would also be nice!” I said teasingly, grinning.

  Grey’s eyes widened, “no way, fire shells are expensive enough… but to also add a light shell… that’s way too expensive.”

  “Hahaha. I’m just teasing… Thank you so much—I’ll cherish it!” I waved with a huge smile on my lips.

  Grey sighed as he shook his head. “Good to hear… now get to work! You don’t want Ann to wait… right?”

  I nodded as me and Jen began to leave.

  Jen then glanced back at Grey. “Make sure to come home for dinner and don’t work too late this time!”

  Grey nodded as he waved us off.

  Jen with an uneasy look in her eyes… stared straight ahead—lost in her thoughts.

  “What’s wrong Jen?” I turned my head towards her.

  Jen furrowed her brow as she looked down.

  “He’s been working really hard… I’m just worried, that’s all.”

  She looked at me with a slight grin on her lips.

  I raised a brow. “Hmm, are you sure? You seem more afraid than worried.”

  Jen froze up… she closed her eyes as she breathed a deep sigh… the atmosphere became tense as a beat of sweat rolled down my face.

  “Uhm, Jen… you alright?” My voice cracked, as I nervously asked.

  She opened her eyes as she looked at me. ”You really are sharp… I can’t seem to hide it from you.”

  Jen sighed. “I don’t know why, but Grey’s been getting tired really fast… I shrugged it off as stress… but the store is almost ready and he’s been getting a lot of help—

  still… he seems to get tired faster than usual.”

  She paused for a moment, rubbing the back of her neck.

  “I don’t know anymore… it feels like something else.” Jen slightly tilted her head as her expression turned into concern.

  “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’re just overthinking it.” I gave her the biggest warmest smile I could muster, as I was trying to reassure her.

  Jen glanced back at me as her expression changed into surprise.

  “Ohh, yeah… hehe, I guess… I am overthinking it.”

  “You know, sometimes you act like an adult… you sure you’re only seven?” Jen raised a brow as she teasingly grinned.

  I looked away as I nervously coughed.

  “Ahh, well… it’s all because of all that teaching I’ve had to give Ann, you know… She’s older than me… so I need to act a bit more mature, you know—for her to take me seriously!” My voice cracked slightly as sweat poured down my face.

  Jen stared at me as she raised her hand, hiding her lips behind it. I could feel her sly smile forming as let out a small chuckle… my face turned blank.

  “Ohh… I see… so it’s like that.” Her smile grew so large that her hand couldn’t hide her lips.

  I quickly turned my head towards her. “Hey! What do you mean by that?”

  Jen’s giggle turned into that of a school girl. “Ohh… nothing… Being young is surely nice…”

  My face turned red with embarrassment. “No, no… no—please stop it, Jen!”

  “You’re so cute when you’re mad.” Jen teased as she placed her hand on top of my hair… ruffling it.

  “... So when are you gonna call me Mother? It’s been two years already.”

  She asked with a soft voice.

  “Uhm…I… well…uhm…” I stammered, as she had caught me off guard.

  Jen sighed, as she turned her head up, looking at the clouds. “It’s fine… I know…

  it’s still too early.”

  She glanced at me with a warm smile. “Don’t worry… me and Grey, we’ll wait for you.”

  My eyes widened—I couldn’t help but to give her a big smile as I nodded.

  The scenery shifted slowly from the busy village scenery into that of a lush green forest. Before I knew it we had finally arrived at our destination, as the huge noble mansion appeared on the horizon.

  ***

  —The noble mansion of Fie Von Drachj?ger—

  I was escorted alone by one of the maids, as Jen had dropped me off at the mansion. She apparently had some other business to attend to… but honestly, I’m very happy how much Jen and Grey cares for me… like true parents would.

  Hmm, but calling them ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’… well, it’s still a bit weird.

  As I was lost in thought I suddenly began to feel an immense pressure… it wasn’t the usual I normally feel from Ann, no… this one was almost—ominous!

  A beat of sweat rolled down my face as I turned my head towards the source.

  A tall, slender woman with long braided silver hair and green eyes, walked towards me as she stared with an intense gaze—her lips curled into a smile.

  I gritted my teeth as I let out an awkward grin.

  “Ehh, Tess… hey, what are you—”

  —Tess instantly closed the distance between us as she interrupted me mid-sentence. Slamming her hand beside my face—a huge thud ringed throughout the mansion as she pinned me to the wall…

  I froze as she leaned in closer to my face. “There you are, Honeypoo!”

  Sweat began pouring down my face as fear began to settle in.

  Tess tilted her head as her smile twisted into a half grin exposing her teeth.

  “Don’t try to hide it… I know what you’ve done!”

  (That moment with Jen got me too… how about you?) ??