Kyuma's Robot

A cardboard box moved along the snow of Masugo Aelig’s land. Of course, without hesitation, thick slices of ice headed for the box. The box suddenly disappeared as Aelig came walking out with white mana lines covering his body.

Aelig: “Ha! A Yellow Egress Chaplet. But, where did you go?”

He looked around the misty area that constantly snowed and pushed away that mist with his full control of the territory. However, he still could not see the box even in the extended area of clearness that he created. Aelig reached his index finger out to touch the air. He laughed, knowing that a Cryosphera Chaplet was used as well.

Aelig: “Is your plan to make the area hotter? There is no other land in the world that is as cold as this.”

Aelig dropped an Aqua Chaplet on the floor, which usually produces a flood so big that it destroys cities. When he dropped it, water filled the area so large, but instantly froze. Aelig laughed cockily, proud of the land that he ruled over. The box rattled forward, shook around, and out came a small robot with red eyes and blonde hair.

???: “Please don’t destroy me! I worked hard to build this!”

The mouth was like a speakerphone that was circular. A kid’s voice came out of it, but he was nowhere to be seen. He voiced his first name only as Kyuma and didn’t give anymore information. He waited for what Aleig wanted to say.

Aelig: “Why are you trespassing in my land and why are you using chaplets?”

Kyuma: “Okay! Okay! I lied. My father built this robot for me because of my medical condition. I am 8 years old, but I’m supposed to die in the next 2 months. I was born in Centennials Parrel. I wasn’t supposed to make it past 1 year old, but my dad got me out. He was working on a cure for the curse, but never found it, so he made me this robot suit that connects with my mana that I can control while I’m somewhere safe.”

Aelig looked closer at the machine, mesmerized by this invention. ‘Glorious,’ he thought. ‘This kid’s father figured out a way to infinitely use a Manipulator Chaplet to keep this machine running. This isn’t just the kid’s though…It’s his father’s mana too, meaning…”

Aelig: “Hey kid, when did your father die?”

Kyuma: “About 2 years ago, why?”

Aelig: “Hmm, long story short, he’s not dead. I’m intrigued. I do enjoy a good betrayal.”

Kyuma: “Huh? My fath–”

Aelig: “Well, so long. Get off my land before I stick this blade through you.”

Kyuma: “Wait, wait, wait. My father is alive? But I saw him die? What do you mean?”

Aelig: “Don’t know. Maybe a Concealment Chaplet on his body. Who gives a crap and who knows what’s possible nowadays. I just keep my lands safe from stupid intruders like you who live in a stupid box.”

Aelig flicked his body away from the border and walked away. The snow continued to fall hard, resuming the intensity of it from before. ‘Amazing!’ Kyuma thought. ‘He knew I used a Cryosphera Chaplet. I could learn a lot from him!’

Kyuma marched back to the line of the border and took one large step across. Aelig’s ferocious body came out of nowhere, sticking his hand out and flicking him yet again back across the line before disappearing. Kyuma yet again did the same thing and was flung back this time. He did this over and over and over again until Aelig finally spoke.

Aelig: “I can do this all day long.”

Kyuma: “What if intruders come? You can’t hold me back and them.”

Aelig: “Says who?”

Kyuma: “Says me!”

Aelig: Your words are worth their weight in grass.”

Kyuma: “Yeah? Well there isn’t any grass here, so let me through.”

Aelig: “You’re stubborn. I like that. Fine, I’ll ask. What do you want?”

Kyuma: “I want to learn how to use swords and mana.”

Aelig: “Pointless. You have 2 months left to live. What do you plan to accomplish with that little time?”

Kyuma: “I don’t care. My father dedicated this robot to me and I’m going to use it to the fullest. I’m going to learn how to become a master swordsman.”

Aelig: “Stupid kid.”

Aelig flicked him back over the border, continuing the cycle over and over again until nightfall. Aelig went back to his castle, thinking that Kyuma had given up, but he hadn’t. This went on all night long and then for another night.

Aelig finally was at his limit having lost 2 nights of sleep.

Aelig: “What is wrong with you?! Do you not need sleep?!”

Kyuma: “Not until you teach me the ways of the sword!”

Aelig: “How about I just kill you instead? Would that be better?”

Kyuma: “Then do it! You should’ve done it 2 nights ago!”

Aelig: “Stop yelling!”

Kyuma: No!”

Aelig did not know why he didn’t kill the boy. He always killed those that stepped over his border. Perhaps it was the previous meditating he had done that calmed his mind. Still, nothing had ever stopped him from killing someone, so he questioned why now.

Aelig: “Listen to me kid. You can’t just come in here and force someone to do something. If I knock these parts off this stupid robot, then you won’t be able to do anything, you understand?!”

Kyuma: “Yeah, whatever. Now teach me.”

Aelig: “You get 1 hour. That’s it. I’m going to teach you everything you need to know, but don't be disappointed about this information. This world is cruel and only the top 10 Swordsman and a few others know about the truth of mana. I in fact taught myself because I am worthy of greatness. Come, follow me to my domain.”

Kyuma followed Aelig to a ginormous castle made of ice. He couldn’t describe it in words even if he wanted to, but everything was covered in snow or ice, big enough to hold over 50,000 people. He thought, ‘Nobody needs a place this big.’

Aelig sat down in the middle of a gigantic room, not on a throne or a chair, but simply on a patch of snow. Kyuma did the same as another patch of snow was created right across from him. Aelig closed his eyes, sat in silence, and waited. White mana bursted out of him, much like a Manipulator Chaplet. The lines from his body shot out, but white aura also engulfed the area like bright flames.

Aelig proudly opened his eyes, continuing his mana flow. He just wanted to show off to Kyuma, considering nobody had come to challenge him in a very long time besides for Arata who left.

Aelig: “Rule number 1. There is no way to boost your mana in your physical body or robot body no matter what without using chaplets. It comes with age and training, but you don’t have time for that. Rule number 2. You will call me Ice King of the North, not Aelig for this next hour. Rule number 3. The only way to be great is to be smart with chaplets and have a great sword, unless you are born like me with super strength. Here, this will explain it better.”

Aelig stuck out his hand, whispered something, and then all of a sudden Kyuma was on the same wavelength as him. He felt like his brain was one with the Ice King’s and felt this sense that he was in his brain, thinking his thoughts, but also controlling him kind of.

The feeling went away a few seconds later, and Aelig’s mana died down. What came next was astonishing to Aelig. The kid had mimicked his powers and mana from what he had just shown him. He even chanted one of his powers called Ice Thorn, which targeted a pillar of ice on the wall, shattering it completely.

Aelig: “I-I couldn’t sense it before. Amazing! You…Your dad found the Copy Chaplet. Impossible! I thought Michiaki hid it. You just unknowingly copied my abilities. That chaplet can scan and copy anything, even some of the best chaplets, and allow you free use of them. It’s a crazy and insane power that Michiaki didn’t want anyone to have, but you had it! Whoever gets their hands on that next is going to have a good time. Interesting…Kyuma!”

Kyuma: “What?”

Aelig: “I’ve had an epiphany! What's to say you become my disciple?! Stay here and train with me! You might even be able to break that curse with my help!”

Kyuma’s robot eyes lit up and he jumped for joy. He nodded his head yes, and they clashed their mana together, destroying the castle completely as it fell to the ground.