Wizard Runners
Chapters 10
Aev looked at the city in front of them with excitement.
It had been months since they last visited something bigger
from a village, and he yearns for the feeling of being around other people
Mr. Joko.
“I almost forgot,” said Mr. Joko. He tapped two fingers
the head of Aev, and the seal that covered the forbidden Aev Realm disappeared.
“Why did you delete it?” Aev asked worriedly.
With the missing seal, he was instantly worried about being found by the Academy.
“There should be no Academy magicians near here,” says
Mr. Joko. “And we will visit someone who can help you
hide.”
Those words didn't convince Aev much, but he didn't
I have a choice but to accept it.
When they entered the city, Aev was reminded of Ghonas. That
it accommodated several thousand people, and the houses looked old and comfortable,
with smoke drifting from the stone chimney.
They followed the main road for a while, passing through
houses and shops, with the townspeople occasionally glancing at them with
curiosity.
Finally, they reached a large wall
it seems to cut right across the city. In the middle of the wall is a gate
open, with a few guards in front. Each one carried a wooden spear
long with shining steel tips, and they looked alert but
relaxed.
When Aev and Mr. Joko approach, the horse-drawn cart
behind them, a guard stepped forward.
“What is your business in the convent?” He asked . His voice is not
friendly, but assertive enough to explain that they can't get in without
a strong reason.
“I'm coming for Windballad,” said Mr. Joko.
“You're here for Grandmaster Windballad?” ask the guard
that, emphasized the title of the man.
“Tell him an old friend came to visit him,”
said Mr. Joko.
“An old friend?” The guard looked hesitant, but
after a moment of hesitation, he sent one of his friends into the gate.
Aev and Mr. Joko spent a few minutes waiting
the guards were watching them. It is clear that they have doubts
about the old man who casually called out to their master.
“Fireheart.” The man who stepped forward was tall and skinny, and,
with a light brown skin and a long beard. He was wearing a jet black robe
which is in stark contrast to his snow-white hair, and Aev can't
don't think that this is what a witch should look like
true.
“Windballad,” said Mr. Joko with a smile. “A long time ago,
you're *******old.”
“I thought you were dead centuries ago,” Windballad said,
laughingly. “Because you're still alive, I think you're giving up on the crusade
your little one?”
The century? Aev doesn't think much about Mr. Joko's age, but
now, he realized that the man must be much older than he was
imagine it.
“I keep busy,” said Mr. Joko with a shrug
who are not committed. “And what about you? Last time I was here, though,
all you have are three huts and an outhouse. Now you really
have your own city?”
“I take some students,” says Windballad. “Then
some merchants showed up, building a few shops .. Just a century later, it was,
they have built an entire city, right in my backyard.” With
a warm laugh, he added, “Do you believe the townspeople are calling
I'm Mr Windballad today ? ”
Mister Joko and Windballad kept talking as they
walking through the gate, Aev follows behind them, while the
guards took care of the carriage and the horses.
Inside the wall, Aev saw dozens of buildings, scattered
around the temple grounds. Most of the buildings are quite small, but in
in the middle of the field was a building the size of a large house.
“I know you've been an intern,” said Windballad while
looking at Aev as they walked towards the large building. “Finally decided
to be an honorable witch?”
Mr. Joko frowned. “He's the reason I'm here.
Academy—”
“Academy?” Windballad interrupted Mr. Joko, his expression
suddenly serious. “We'll talk inside.”
They entered the building, and Windballad guided them
through several long hallways, it finally led them to a spacious room
it contained a large table, several chairs, and many bookshelves. In some
the wall without bookshelves hung paintings, displaying various scenes
skirmishes.
“Sit,” says Windballad, pointing to the chair. “Now, what
talk about this Academy?”
“I found this boy a year ago,” said Mr. Joko.
“He has a forbidden Realm,”
Aev grimaced to hear his secret being discussed openly,
but he remained silent.
“Notted nature?” Windballad's expression became problematic.
“And the Academy know about this?”
Mr. Joko hesitated. “They know part. They don't
know who he is, or where he is.”
“Come, Son,” Windballad told Aev. “Let me
checking.”
Windballad put his hand on Aev's head, and expression
concentration appeared on his face. After a few seconds, he lowered
his hand, gestured for Aev to sit back down.
“It's a bit troublesome,” he told Mr. Joko. “What
want you to do with him?”
“That's why I came to you,” said Mr. Joko. “Bocah
it needs a good teacher, someone who can keep it safe from
The Academy.
” Windballad knit his eyebrows.
“There are several other places where he will be safe,” said Mr. Joko.
“There is a main clan, Imperial Family, Grand Association …
Why bring it here?” Windballad asked with a serious expression at
her face.
“Both the Imperial Family and the main clans are full of
academy spies,” said Mr. Joko, shaking his head. “Sedet for
Great Society.he would be in almost as great a danger as.
Academy.”
Windballad spent a few moments in mind, then
nods. “You two can stay here for a while,” he said.
“But protecting your apprentice won't be as easy as you think. The academy has
grew strong these past few years.”
Master Joko glanced at Aev. “I think we better
continue this conversation on your own,” he said.
Windballad nodded, then made a strange move with
right hand.
A few moments later a man entered the room.
He was short, with olive skin and a sharp but friendly face.
“You called, Grandmaster Windballad?” the man asked,
bow politely to Windballad, then once again to Mr. Joko.
“Master Usep,” says Windballad, pointing Aev. “This young man
it was Mr. Joko's student. Prepare a room for her, then ask her to join
When Aev follows Master Usep out of the room, he
hearing Windballad and Mr. Joko continue their discussion. A few times, though,
word ‘Academi’ sounds.
In the hallway, Master Usep stared at Aev. “What's your name, student?”
he finally asked.
“Shun jin,” says Aev.
“Alright, Student Jin,” said Master. “First, let's take a shower and
some clean clothes. I brought you
“Almost half a year,” Aev said with a nod.
“I myself have never loved travel,” said Master
Useps. “There is no bath close enough on the road.”
With that, he guided Aev away.
———
Half an hour later, Aev stood in one of the buildings
small in the temple courtyard. He had just been bathed and was wearing a clean linen robe
the one Master Usep gave him. Very suitable.
“Much better,” Master Usepsays with a view
approves. “Now, let's take you to the training hall and introduce you
with other students.”
When Master Usep guided Aev across the castle grounds, they
passing through several large groups of plain-clothed youths who were
practice different forms of combat.
“This is the latest applicant,” Master Usepexplain.
“Those who prove themselves worthy will receive the Realm and become students.”
“They don't need the Realm to join?” Aev
asking, given how the Academy only accepts those it already has
Realms.
Mahir Kadir shook his head. “Grandmaster Windballad
believe that the most important thing is effort, not talent.”
Hearing this, Aev felt his respect for Windballad
sprouted.
Right before they reached the huge stone hall
assumed Aev was a training hall, Master Usepstopped, then turned to Aev.
“When did you start your training?”
“About a year ago,” said Aev, considering what
sir Joko told him. The lies started to make him uncomfortable.
“Ah, so you just started,” said Master Usep. “Mistress
have made an impression at the monastery, and the other students will be eager to
test themselves against you.”
“Will there be any problems?” Aev asked.
“Problems? Of course not,” Master Usepsays with
scowl. “Only with one year's training will you not be
a suitable partner, so do not force yourself.”
When they entered the training hall, Aev saw some
dozens of young men and women competed with wooden training swords. When they
stepping into the battle came to a halt, and all eyes were on them.
“Learner,” Master Usep said in a loud voice. “This
is Master Joko's apprentice, Student Jin. For now, he will join
with us in training.”
Excited mutter passed the group. It is clear that students
already heard about Grandmaster Windballad's old friend.
“Can I compete a few rounds with him?”
“Start Hammer, go forward,” says Master Usep.
The young man did as he was told, smiling
widths.
“Jin Initiative,” says Master Usep. “Bula Learners are
one of our better swordsmen. If you want, you can
fight against him, but do not feel depressed.”
“I'm fine being one or two,” said Aev.
After months of fighting against Mr. Joko, he is convinced
his skill.
Master Usep gave Aev a wooden sword, and Inisitive Guha
stepping forward to face him, his expression excited.
Their first few exchanges were restrained, respectively
refrain as they test the skills of others. After a while,
the fight becomes stronger, and Aev soon discovers that the
Guha was completely different from hers.
Where Aev uses a minimally controlled force that
taught Mr. Joko to him, bulla is a movement that is constantly moving,
almost danced around Aev as he unleashed attack after attack.
For a moment, they were almost as suitable. While Aev is in trouble
facing Bula's constant intuitive movements, using Master Joko's techniques
he could conserve his energy and attack only if necessary, respectively
his blow interrupted Bula's attack.
Finally, Guha
slipping his sword past Aev's defense, in an instant struck his chest
and arms. Before he could recover Guha did another quick punch,
sending Aev's sword flying.
“That was Amazing!” Guha students say words
that was before Aev's sword touched the ground. “Special technique like this! We've got to
compete again!”
“I think that's enough for now,” said Master Usep. “Learners
Li has just arrived. You two will have more opportunities to
compete.”
Student Bula nodded reluctantly, and Aev exhaled
breath relief. The fight was exhausting.
“Master Usep.” A young woman with pale skin and
black hair stepped forward. He looked almost five feet tall, but
her gentle face was filled with confidence.
“What's up, student Jiang?”
“Can Student Li possibly show us some
the magic he has learned from Mr Joko?”
“Learner Jin has only been practicing for a year,” said Master Usep.
“That I don't think it will—”
“I'll do it,” Aev cut it. After losing in
the fight against the Guha Student, he wanted to prove his skill.
“Are you sure?” Master Usep asked.
Aev nodded. “Can I use one of
that target?” He pointed at the wooden target standing on the stone wall, around
ten steps from him.
“Of course,” says Master Usep.
Smiling, Aev turned towards the target. Master Joko
had stopped him from practicing his magic as they approached the city,
and now, Aev's body was filled to the brim with Essence.
Focusing his concentration, Aev mustered all of Essence
The fire he can. Then, with a wave of effort, he sent out a fireball that
darting to target. It attacked with a roar, instantly burning the target.
Aev beamed with pride. This is the best fireball
which he has made so far. Satisfied, he turned around, only to find
the students looked at him with wide eyes and surprised faces.
“You are a student ?!”
“What was that earlier ?!”
Confused, Aev turned to Master Usep. He hopes for students
others will be impressed by his performance, but this reaction goes far beyond
his hopes.
“You said you were a student, right?” Master Usepbert
with a serious expression on his face.
Aev nodded.
“What stage have you reached?”
“Stages?” Aev asked. “There are stages?”
The hall became quiet.
