The Third Party - Chapter 75

3rd Person’s POV (12 yrs., 8 months and 1 week old)

“Apart from such an unpleasant experience, I don’t think what master said should be taken into deep heartache.” suddenly said Ken as he served his group the delicacies he heated for a few minutes.

These were the goodies he baked from earlier, and many at that. ‘Never thought I’d be talking about a topic concerning her again this early’ he thought and sighed inwardly to himself, ‘If only they weren’t able to hear that conversation from the Masters.’

The group stared at him in confusion. He glanced at them and back to the Masters.

“Arcane Magic: Sound Alteration.” He casted suddenly, enveloping everyone in a translucent bubble of purple energy then slowly turned invisible. The process was fast so as those that were fairly distanced from them didn’t notice much.

Now they were even more confused, why was there a need to use that spell? More importantly… Their minds ran 1 kilometer an hour conjuring thoughts in their mind pertaining to the situation.

Ken stared awkwardly at them knowing quite well that their thoughts where elsewhere with that cast out look, after all he was the one who taught them to survey their situation first especially when they’re in a predicament.

But not knowing what they were facing was scary, since Ken suddenly conjured a barrier around. Ken coughed to get the attention of his friends.

“Sorry for startling you guys but I’m only talking about the people our Masters faced at the south border.” they were relieved, so it was just that, but… what about the princess? Is she going to be affected by it?

“Princess, I know that this may seem disheartening, but don’t worry too much about it, our masters may have known that it was your people who did it, but it doesn’t necessarily point out to you.” He said.

“But I’ve caused you and the others trouble.” she said.

“True, but it wasn’t you who sent them here, right?” said Ken. The princess nodded meekly, head hung low. “Then it’s not her highness’ fault, it just so happens that one of your people had an interest in my weapon.”

Princess Lang felt relieved after hearing that, but having knowledge that her people had an interest in Ken’s weapon bothered her. Unsettles her.

She was aware that their kingdom does have artifacts of their own but considering Ken’s weapon as an artifact and wants to claim it, is kind of abnormal. She’ll have to know about this soon.

Anyone who had eyes would be able to recognize the shift of temperament to the princess’ visage, but chose not to dwell on it. After all, other people’s business are not their business, except for when they talk about it to others, so it kinds of become their business.

“Assailants aside, let’s finish these cookies first so that we can continue on with our day.” The rest gave Ken a nod and dug in on the delicacies before them, engaging in small talk here and there.

Ken had taken down the barrier earlier just as they had finished talking about the topic before.He reveled in the delighted reaction of his friends. Knowing someone appreciates something you created, or in this case, cooked, is heartwarming.

“Icarus, let’s spar later.” said Ken. The person in question only gave him a nod and returned gobbling up more sweets. Ken nodded as well.

Well it was to be combat class next, either they find a partner to spar or they go on and do some other things as well.

“Saber can you come with me and get some herbs by the forest?” asked Allen.

“Sure.” replied Saber not really minding as his expression was still on a stalemate, not that Allen minded.

“I want to come too!” said Glen enthusiastically, while munching on a cookie, the two agreed further pumping up Glen’s excitement.

“Lila, want to partner up?” asked Riyah, to which Lila smiled.

“Sure.” The two girls ended up in a discussion whether which person should be a long range or short range combatant.

That leaves Wilbert, Celine, Princes Lang and Flin to choose for themselves who they’ll want to partner up with.

“Would you like to partner up your highness?” asked Flin out of nowhere. Princess Lang faced him and thought to herself why not. She agreed and the two of them discussed what they shall be doing after the afternoon.

‘Guess that leaves the two of us.’ Thought the two left in their own devices.

“Shall-.”

“Let’s-.”

Said the two at the same time, but knowing that the other wants to partner up with each other, they silently agreed to each other’s request and nodded at one another.

Not that they’re cold to each other, in fact it’s quite the opposite, they are secured with each other that only with subtle or normal cue’s or hints, they’ll understand what the other means, as well as with Ken.

The two waited in silence not talking with one another, just basking in the comfortable silence the two were in, a subtle smile on their faces. Thinking to themselves how they’ll approach their spar later.

The group walked towards the field, clothes and weapons ready, without the other three as they have went out earlier before them.

The four pair each occupied 1/4 of the space of the field, while setting up a barrier on the way to their locations. The action came naturally for them as they have done it frequently as well in the past few weeks.

A lesson taught to them in controlling their magic as well as using their limbs simultaneously. Of course there are times where they did both, but that was what anyone could see on the surface.

For they had only sequenced their actions to not interrupt their spell casting, for example, jumping towards a location, while mid-air cast a spell, then land, so they could see and feel the difference when doing both at the same time.

Blame Ken for the first example for he was the one who taught it to them, giving a fixed mana on a spell making their sequencing of actions very easy to execute.

Imagine the difficulty they had undergone once executing the action. But there was no problem after they got the hang of it.

“Icarus, you ready?” asked Ken.

“Yes! Don’t keep me waiting.” He replied. Ken conjured a fire ball on his right hand but stopped abruptly entering into thought. Icarus stared at him confused, seeing that contemplating face of Ken, he slightly tilted his head.

Ken smiled to himself and said… “I’ll be doing something different this time.”

“Okay?” replied Icarus. Ken’s smile broadened, and the chaos ensued. Ken conjured small fire balls one by one, Icarus dashed forward towards him and slashed, but Ken’s form distorted, like a mirage’s spell being disturbed.

“Over here.” shouted Ken from behind and casually walked backwards while creating more fire ball. Icarus turned around but noticed the fire balls not attacking him, he questioned it for a moment, but decided to shrug it off and dash forward towards Ken to slash again.

But then again Ken’s form distorted, Icarus tried again and again, used a pinpointing spell to track Ken but to no avail, he was still unable to slash at Ken, not even once. But he wasn’t annoyed, he’s amused at what Ken is doing.

“Ken, are you toying with me?” asked Icarus, standing at the middle of all the fireballs.

“Nope, like I told you, I’m doing something different.” replied Ken a distance away still creating fireballs, this time with both hands. A magic circle situated on both hands that could might as well be considered as shields for him.

“Finish it then.” Icarus sheathed his sword and crossed his arms, for no matter how much he’ll slash at the guy, he’ll never be able to. Such is being under the machinations of Ken.

Ken tilted his head slightly confused, but knowing that he has the upper hand, and that Icarus conceded to his plans, he shrugged to himself, and finished one last fireball before dispersing the magic circle.

“Are you ready?” Ken asked, to which Icarus only nodded, feeling his senses tingling, but not knowing what will happen, he stood guard, that carefree visage from earlier casted away.

“Fire Magic: Fire Balls!” Ken said, but instead of creating more fireballs, the fireball in the air suddenly detonated causing a large shockwave to resonate everywhere, pushing everyone including the other pairs, their figures flinging themselves towards the edge of the barrier.

Their bodies collided with the barrier almost knocking them out. They slowly gathered themselves, and stared at the corner where Ken and Icarus were fighting, what was this person up to.

Of course they are upset in their own predicament, for who would rudely do something like that. Apparently they already know the culprit, they all frowned while looking at Ken.

When the smoke receded they stare dumbfounded, as they watched two figures where Ken and Icarus were situated, both unmoving.

Unknowns to them, Icarus was staring wide-eyed at Ken for the sudden scare, possibly of his life. His body frozen still, as Ken was fighting a laugh from erupting.

Icarus gathered his bearings and roared at Ken, approaching him fast. This made Ken release the laugh he was suppressing, but he didn’t let Icarus catch him as the two ran around the area, just within their own vicinity.

The rest could only sigh. Did that shockwave really have to affect them?

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