Wizard Runners

Chapter 17's

A leaf floated in the air in front of Aev's face. He used a piece

Wind Essence, and slowly drifted a step away from him. Another touch from

Essence, and it's back drifting. Again he used some Essence –

a gust of wind suddenly struck the leaf, tore it apart and sent

debris flying in the distance.

“Why do you keep doing that?!” Aang Feng scowled at him.

“Stop using so much Essence. You move a leaf, you,

not trying to blow up a house!”

Aev sighed. When he tried to restrain himself, he was still having trouble

controlling the Essence he used.

“You should keep practicing,” said Aang Feng, sounding irritated. “Your strength

useless if you can't order it.”

Aev nodded apologetically. He tried his best, but even though he

it has improved a lot these past few months, he is still far away from

reach the level he needs to reach.

Over the past few months, when all three initiates spent a lot

their time to train together, they were naturally getting closer. For Aev, though,

The Initiates of Aang and the Initiates of Bula had become Aang Feng and Amar.

Aev and Amar quickly become friends, both enjoying the game

their daily sparring and banter that comes with sparring.

Aev and Aang Feng, meanwhile, were not really friends, but

now his initial coldness towards Aev has disappeared.

Especially now that he understands his character better. He is a fanatic in studies

magical, chasing excellence to the point of obsession. Sometimes it leads

into the clash when Aev fails to live up to his standards, but his guidance is evident

he was invaluable in his studies, and he knew he had to thank him for

many advances.

However, there was only so much help he could take in a day.

No matter how skilled a teacher is, the lessons are rarely fun.

“Sister Feng, I think I've spent too much of your time,” said Aev.

“Maybe we have to continue tomorrow?”

“You tried to get out of training?” he asked, a suspicious look appeared

on his face.

That is, of course, exactly what Aev is trying to do.

　

　

He shook his head. “I appreciate your help, Sister Feng,”

he said he did his best to look sincere. “But of course you are sure

want to practice Windblade?”

A complicated expression appeared on Aang Feng's face. It is no secret that

his slow progress in learning Windblade's spells frustrated him

without end, and he spent every moment that was in training.

Of course, Aev makes use of this whenever he wants to get out of

the lessons he was given, which happened more often than he wanted to

he acknowledges.

“I don't think there's any point in continuing now,” he said after hesitation

momentary. “Good. You can practice by yourself.”

Aev could not help his smile completely. Immediately, Aang Feng pouted

revert.

“Do not think that you can slack off with Brother Amar,” he said.

“If you haven't made progress tomorrow, I'll get you to practice two

times longer,”

Aev waited patiently until he left. When he disappeared into the cabin, he,

he rushed to Amar, who was practicing his swordplay a little more

far in the valley.

“Brother Wei An!” Amar called as Aev approached. “You little

debate?”

Aev grinned. That's why he came.

While he struggles with the slow and precise control of Essence

taught Aang Feng to him, he was happy to use Wind Essence during

match against Amar.

In a fight, there are not hours of careful trying

control floating leaves. Instead, he could use his Essence

by leaving Jinar, acting and reacting in an instant, weaving science

the sword and magic were together without thinking.

And if he occasionally blows up Amar when he draws Wind Essence

too much, it just helped him win some wins that

much needed.

While his progress with Aang Feng was slow, he had advanced rapidly within

the use of Essence during the fights that Amar taught him.

　

　

At first, Amar barely needed to use Essence at all

as they argued, instead of relying on his sword skills to

match Aev, though Aev uses all the Essence he can in

their fight.

But as Aev's skills improve, Amar is forced to

using more and more Essence to match it. Now, Aev

Essence in the fight.

Of course, it goes without saying that if Amar does not hold back

using Essence, he could still easily defeat Aev in one

exchanges.

With a smile, Aev raised his sword, and Amar did the same

same.

“I'll catch you this time,” Aev said with a grin.

“We will Jinhat it,” replied Amar, then immediately attack.

They argue for a few hours, and Aev is happy to learn that

his skills are still improving rapidly. Maybe he can't with

meticulously control one floating leaf, but he had a slight difficulty

in using Essence to increase his sword attacks and fend off

counterattack.

When they finished, both of them were exhausted. After bathing in the river, they

head to the cabin, where they search the cupboard for food.

“What did Kadir Adept bring to us yesterday?” Aev asked.

Amar's face fell. “Same as usual. Rice, beans, and

some vegetables.”

“Again?” Aev grimacing. Mahir Kadir has many virtues, but tastes

good food is not among them.

“There is something we can do ..” A naughty shine appears in Amar's eyes.

“What is it?” Aev asked excitedly.

“There are a lot of good food in the city,” Amar said. “If we go now,

we'll be there midday.”

　

　

“If Adept Kadir knows ..” Aev frowned. “But how nice

eat bacon bungbulan for a change.”

“My thoughts are exactly,” says Amar.

“But how do we convince Sister Feng?” Aev asked.

“Let me do the talking,” said Amar while grinning. “I know him more

good than you.”

They found Aang Feng next to the cabin, sitting on the grass with a

the book in front of him. There was a strong expression of concentration on his face.

When he heard Aev and Amar, he looked up. Soon, a frown

it appeared on his face.

“Shouldn't you two be practicing?” he said .

“Sister Feng Feng,” Amar said. “Are you hungry?”

“What does this have to do with something?”

“Brother Wei An and I thought we might go down the mountain, and

finding something nice to eat in the city,” Amar smiles widely when

he spoke.

“Truly no!” Aang Feng replied with a shocked expression. “Are you

is it crazy ?! What if we were seen? What if Adept Kadir comes along

when we go?”

“Mahir Kadir was here yesterday,” Amar said. “And during the day, para

the other initiates will all be practicing in the monastery. We're going back here

before night, and no one besides us will know.”

Aang Feng shook his head. “That's impossible,” he said. “Only

idiots willing to take such risks, just to eat.”

“We can eat dumplings,” says Amar.

“Pangsit?”

Amar nodded. “And the bakery has the cakes you like. Already

how long since you last had it?”

Aang Feng's eyes widened.

———

“This is a terrible idea,” said Aang Feng. “Truly terrible,”

he said it repeatedly, but still, he accompanied Amar and Aev

down the mountain path. If anything, he looks more excited

than them.

After a few hours of carefully navigating the narrow path down

mountains, they reach the city. It was past noon, and a long journey

it made them hungrier than when they left.

“We will visit the bakery first,” Aang Feng said firmly.

“After that, we will get dumplings.”

Neither Amar nor Aev dared to argue with him, and they walked

into the city, slowly traversing the narrow streets. Even if there is a little

the chance to meet their initiates, they are careful to

it does not attract attention, and they avoid more crowded areas.

Just as they were about to reach the bakery, Aev saw a group of men

heading down the road. The six people in front were riding horses, and a dozen

follow on foot behind them. They all wear

the white robes were clean, and all carried swords by their sides.

Aev immediately felt a wave of fear.

“Who are they?” he asked, but he was afraid that he already knew the answer.

Aang Feng turned towards the group. When he looked at the group, his face

turned pale in an instant. “They are from the Academy!”