The Beginning After The End (Beckoning Fates Book 3)

by TurtleMe

  What was with this kid’s mana pool? Did he not have a limit to how long he could keep this spell up? No, calm down, Arthur. You don’t want to be impatient. Think. How can I use wind? Wind? What is wind? It’s the movement of air, right? What’s air? Oxygen? Nitrogen? So am I able to control oxygen and nitrogen as well? If so, how?

  I was growing frustrated at my lack of comprehension in my wind and earth elements. Now was a good as time as any to try and comprehend. It wasn’t just enough to shoot wind bullets or wind blades because Lucas had already prepared several levels of fire shields around himself.

  I wasn’t thinking outside of the box when I used wind. Even with mana rotation, I don’t have the necessary mana to form a tornado big enough to swallow the fire shooting at me, and even if I did, I don’t think I’d be able to last longer than Lucas. What was I missing?

  “Keep squirming! I’m sure I can get away with it if a couple of fireballs land on you even after your gear activates. You know, since I can’t cancel the blasts from the orbs once it’s been released.” He just shrugs nonchalantly as the shields around him block any spells I fire at him.

  Think Arthur. Let’s focus on fire. What does fire need for it keep burning? It needs oxygen. Can I get rid of the oxygen around me so that the fire can’t reach me? Then what would happen to me? Would I be able to breathe?

  PROFESSOR GLORY’S POV:

  Hmmm… Lucas… he’s better than I what I’ve heard. Inferno’s Cage is a pretty tough spell to master, yet he was able to cast it while running backwards. Seriously, he’s barely 13 and he can already use a domain type spell. Haa… the world sure is coming to a change, with a half elf like him using fire attribute magic, the ice princess, Kathyln, and even Princess Tess were all monsters. I get shivers down my back imagining how strong they’ll become by the time they graduate from here.

  But that brat, Arthur… What the hell was he? Lucas Wykes, since he awakened a few years back thanks to his elf lineage, I can sort of understand the level of control he has with his spells. Tessia Eralith, her being a pure lineage elf from the royal family guarantees that her skills are a few levels above anyone anywhere near her age. Kathyln Glayder, her insane mana pool and her natural compatibility with Ice attribute is what makes her a prodigy but her control and battle sense is still lacking from the fact that she hasn’t awakened too long ago, but Arthur?

  As soon as he flashed through the field to confront Lucas, I felt cold sweat. The way both the wind and earth around him naturally gravitated and danced around him. He wasn’t controlling the elements to his commands like typical mages do. No, he was in perfect harmony with the mana surrounding him, as if he was moving his limbs.

  Seems like that brat Lucas is taking Arthur seriously. Good thing too or he probably would’ve lost instantly. Currently, the spell Inferno’s Cage encompassed both Arthur and Lucas in a large dome of fire. I can tell Lucas is a bit worn out after using it, but this was a continuous spell that he could leave activated until he runs out of mana, which I don’t feel will happen anytime soon. The dome made up of tiny orbs of fire was like a death trap used by Conjurers to gain the advantage against Augmenters or agile mana beasts.

  The tiny orbs can shoot out beams and bullets of fire anywhere inside the dome, leaving the Augmenter occupied enough so the Conjurer can cast more spells.

  I focus my gaze over to Curtis Glayder and Tessia Eralith. As expected, Curtis was having a hard time. I had the chance to observe the Elf Princess practice with our Director once, and I had to say, the way she battled was exquisite. She was a Conjurer but her staff was actually a sharp blade, made of a special wood that was lighter but harder than most metals. Casting buffs on herself and using spells in synch to her movement, she danced around the vines she conjures with a speed faster than even some trained Augmenters from the wind aiding each motion and action.

  She fights in a mixed style of both conjuring spells and using close combat so she had no notable weakness. Compared to my masculine way of fighting, I can only admire how graceful and beautiful her style of combat is.

  Claire Bladeheart, on the other hand, was gaining the advantage on our Student Vice President. Clive is a rare long range Augmenter that wields a short bow capable of firing arrows at an almost unbelievably fast pace. Usually, he would be at an advantage against most Augmenters but Claire was a bad match up for him. Miss Bladeheart’s style mimicked that stick, Kaspian. With her dual elements, she creates spears of wind and fire from her rapier. She has yet to reach his level but with constant training, I’m confident she can surpass her uncle.

  I turn my attention back to the most intense battle, which was definitely Arthur’s and Lucas’. I notice that most of the students were watching their fight as well, all in awe from both of their abilities.

  “Hmm?” I couldn’t help raise an eyebrow at what was happening. That’s strange. Arthur is getting hit the fireballs now. At this rate, even with protection from mana, his gear is going to activate.

  He was dodging it so effortlessly just a minute ago too. I focus more mana into my eyes to get a better look. The dome of fire surrounding them blocks a lot of the view but I can still sort of make out the fight. It seems like Arthur is trying to do something. Is he holding his breath? What was he trying to do in this situation?

  “Torch! Fly down a bit lower!” My bond descends as he angles his massive wings to keep himself level.

  As we slowly circle around the huge fire dome that surrounded a third of the field, I began noticing some changes. Around him, for every three or four fire blast that scraped or hit him, one would completely extinguish before it reached him.

  “No…” A smile crept up on my face as I continued observing him.

  “Don’t tell me he’s actually trying to learn how to manipulate air in this situation right now…” I cover my mouth as I continue to smile in wonder. “That little monster… he has guts, I’ll give him that.”

  Air manipulation is a variation of wind magic, albeit a much harder one. Breaking down the components of any element and trying to directly manipulate it is something only the most keen and sensitive mages can do, and that’s while meditating in a perfectly calm and peaceful environment. After years of practice through meditation, the mage might begin experimenting in real life situations like incorporating it into spells.

  The blue fire technique was a perfect example of that. It takes years of meditation to reach the stage of being able to stably summon blue flames and even longer to do it fast enough for it be of use in actual battles.

  This little beast was skipping a few steps and trying to incorporate a completely new technique in the middle of a battle? My hands were trembling in excitement at the thought of being able to witness the development of a mage that can perhaps become the pinnacle of power in this school, no maybe even this Continent!

  “GROOOOAAAAAARR!” Turning my attention to where the roar came from, it seemed like Princess Tessia and Prince Glayder’s battle was reaching its climax.

  Curtis Glayder’s uniform is full of small gashes and nicks. I must admit that Curtis has done fairly well against the only disciple of our Director Goodsky, although it was most likely because of his bond that he was able to last this long.

  “You’ve forced me to do this Princess Eralith! Please be careful! PHASE ONE! KING’S WRATH!” I hear Prince Glayder roar as his body glows.

  Oh! He’s activated the acquire phase of his beast’s will. Curtis rarely chooses to use his beast’s ability because he doesn’t really consider it his own power. I had to hand it to him for having the right mentality. It’s said that some beast tamers choose to only use their unique powers instead of honing their own. Because of that, while still strong, they never really improve themselves in the long run. In order to utilize the most of the Beast Will, the user himself needs to strengthen his own power.

  As he activates his Beast Will’s first phase, a noticeable transformation occurs in him. While the amount of visible change differs by the pers
on, Prince Glayder’s change is visibly apparent. Both his deep red spiky hair and eyebrows became longer and messier while the straps that wrapped around his arms tightened from his muscles expanding. His extended canines became visible as he roared.

  *Whistles*

  This sight never fails to impress me.

  When I shift my gaze to Princess Tessia, though, who was standing on top of a series of vines, her face looked unnaturally pale. That’s odd, it didn’t look like she took any damage.

  I was quite a bit away from Tessia and Curtis’ battle since I was encircling Lucas and Arthur’s, but with mana infused eyes, I can make out even the beads of sweat rolling down the Princess’ face.

  “This is my most powerful attack. If you can take this on, I’ll admit my defeat! Please prepare yourself!” Prince Glayder’s voice became a lot louder and huskier after activating his beast’s will. He was a ferocious sight to behold on top of his bond, Grawder.

  “WORLD HOWL!” A serious amount of mana gathered in front of the mouth of Prince Glayder as he invoked his breath attack. The world lion had a powerful move that they used as a last resort against enemies more powerful then them. It was a beam of condensed earth attribute mana that could shred anything in its way if not blocked properly.

  A little worried, I look at Tessia again and I can see her mumble an incantation when the worst scenario happens.

  ARTHUR LEYWIN’S POV:

  Goddamn it! This is frustrating as hell! I can only grimace and try harder as I continue to try and manipulate the air molecules surrounding me. I’ve had little success so far but I feel like I’m onto something here. Lucas, noticing this, clicks his tongue and starts chanting spells again.

  “Flame Guardians!” He shouts.

  I let out a small grin as I realize he’s reaching his limit. Then again, so was I, or more accurately, so was my combat equipment. I wasn’t sure when this thing would start screaming its alarm so I had to finish this fast.

  As the flame soldiers gain on me, Sylvie’s worried voice booms in my head ‘PAPA! Something’s wrong with Mama! She’s going to get hit by a powerful attack and she’s not doing anything! This is really bad! Should I go help, Papa?’

  Dammit!

  ‘NO! You can’t do anything while you’re in that form!’ I shout back in my head.

  I can sense the feeling of desperation from Sylvie, making me all the more anxious.

  “NOOO!!”

  I take a quick glance up to where I heard Professor Gloria’s scream and notice she went full speed to where Tess and Curtis was.

  ‘Papa! She’s not going to make it in time!’ Sylvie echoes back, sounding even more worried than before.

  Dammit!

  Dragon’s Will, Phase one. Static Void.

  My knees almost give upon activation of the first phase of Sylvia’s Beast Will as the color of everything is inverted. This ability to shift myself outside of the world’s time and space came with a limit. I couldn’t affect anything outside of myself unless I choose to bring it in here with me.

  “I don’t have time.” I say to myself.

  As I dash through the gap between the orbs that made up the dome created by Inferno’s Cage, I pass by the frozen Professor on top of her mount, Torch.

  Quite a bit ahead I see Tessia as she’s already fainted and falling from the conjured vine she was standing on, clutching her abdomen as a massive breath attack released by Glayder was almost upon her.

  Sylvie was right. If I left it to Professor Gloria, she wouldn’t have made it in time. I could only purse my lips in dread as I imagine my precious friend dying.

  I sped up, my vision growing blurry as I run out of energy. I was almost at my limit.

  Fuck. Hold on, Arthur. You can do this.

  I make my final dash towards the area Curtis and Tess were fighting and as I jump off a crumbled vine, I wrap my body around Tess and create a barrier around the both of us with the little mana I had left.

  Haa…. This is going to hurt.

  I release my first phase and as the world reverts back into it’s original color, I feel a tremendous searing pain on my back. Before I could even scream, my vision fades and the last thing I hear before passing out is the shrill sound of my gear activating.

  Chapter 56: Family Gathering

  PROFESSOR GLORY’S POV:

  I’m too late! Fuck! What happened to her? Why did she suddenly collapse? Is something wrong with her mana core? Why now?

  I could only watch in horror as Prince Curtis’ breath attack made its way towards Princess Tessia. With absolute no defenses around her, was she going to live? If so, would she even be able to continue being a mage? Forget mage, she might have to live the rest of her life as a cripple!

  I could feel tears well up in my eyes as I desperately made my way towards them, but I knew I wasn’t going to make it. What would the consequences be? I would be happy if it just ended with me getting fired. I was more concerned that this would start a civil war. During this important time period in the Continent, was I going to be the cause of the split between the three races?

  “BOOOOOOOOM!”

  “NOOOO!!” I scream in dread as Curtis’ World Howl engulfed the Princess. Prince Glayder had a look of shock in his face as well when he realized after releasing his attack that Tessia was already unconscious. There was no way, though. There was no way to stop the attack.

  After what seemed like hours, the beam slowly dissipated and what I saw shocked me even more than the worst possible scenario I imagined.

  In utter incredulity, I just stammered. “A-A-Arthur Leywin?!?”

  How the hell did he get there? Just moments ago, he was occupied inside Inferno’s Cage by Lucas. Instant teleportation? Was that even possible?

  No… no no… no… that wasn’t possible.

  I jumped off of Torch as soon as I got close enough and rushed towards Arthur and Princess Tessia. Arthur was in bad shape. Most of his clothes were disintegrated, with only patches of his uniform intact and a strange bandage around his left arm. He was bloody all over and I could see deep gashes near his sides where a rib bone was visible. His body was wrapped around the Princess and from what I can tell; he used most of his mana to protect her. Thanks to that, she was almost unscathed.

  The rest of the students all rushed out of the viewing platform and made their way here. Fortunately, the Princess was okay but Arthur needed immediate attention. As soon as I got close enough to try and help them, though, Arthur’s little bond stopped me in my tracks.

  “Grrr…” Normally, I’d find the cute white fox that rides on top of Arthur’s head to be cute but right now, the killing intent it was giving off was anything but cute. The amount of pure menace radiating from that little fox was no joke. It seemed to be protecting its master and Princess Tessia.

  “It’s okay little buddy, I’m only trying to help.” I try to slowly ease my way closer but its growl only gets louder. Torch, who was normally unafraid even in chaos of battle, was holding me back with her beak clutching the back of my shirt.

  “P-Professor, I-I didn’t mean to. I mean, I didn’t think Princess Tessia would suddenly faint.” Curtis runs to me, his face pale in fright.

  “It’s alright, I know. I don’t know how, but Arthur managed to protect the Princess. His bond won’t let me get close to them though.” I clench my fists in frustration. Arthur needed immediate attention. Why was his bond risking his master’s life by doing this? What was it trying to protect? Curtis’ attempts at trying to get Arthur and Tessia failed as well, so we all just stood around the two of them.

  Every attempt at getting even a step closer to Arthur and Tessia resulted in the bond lashing out at us. “Someone get Director Goodsky!” I barked out. Some of the students regained their senses but when they were about to leave, a loud screech filled the air.

  From above, a green owl soared down and landed in front of Arthur’s bond.

  “Kyu!”

  “Hoo~”

  “Kyu kyu
~”

  “Hoot!”

  “A-are they communicating?” Prince Glayder couldn’t help but stammer out in confusion.

  “I-I think so?” I scratched my head at this. Can mana beasts of different species communicate?

  As we all stood there, watching a white fox and a green owl ‘talk’ to each other, a couple of minutes later, Director Goodsky arrived looking quite flustered.

  “Oh my.” She kneeled in front of the two of them but this time, Arthur’s bond didn’t do anything to stop her.

  “Director Goodsky…” Before I have the chance to tell her what happened, she stops me.

  “Please. I’ll hear what happened later. Taking these two to the infirmary is top priority. I will take the two of them myself. Go contact Guild Hall and have them send over their top healers.” She said while levitating Arthur and the Princess.