Making Progress

“Swing your sword in a downward motion after bringing it up to guard! Straight down, not a diagonal cut!” Nico ordered.

“Hah!” Kristel shouted as she brought her training sword down at the target before her. Using all her might, she nearly dropped the sword as it reverberated from the impact.

“Bring it back up! Bring it back up to guard yourself!” Nico shouted.

“S-sorry!” She apologized profusely.

“No apologies! Just listen and work! Fix your posture and control your swing, otherwise that will happen again!” Nico continued to command.

“Yes sir!” She replied as she repeated the motion.

It had been over a week since Kristel had officially begun her squire training and the results so far were positive. She had grown more accustomed to using her innate mana to reinforce her body and after continuous practice, it turned out that she evidently had a well of potential.

How deep exactly was still unknown as it seemed that she was getting stronger by the day. Though while her strength and speed had indeed improved, one week of simple sword practice wasn’t nearly enough for her to make any impressive progress.

Still, she was taking to the lessons well and seemed determined to be better than she was yesterday. It helped that with a week's worth of eating and medical treatment she was no longer the thin raggedy girl on the streets before. Having been cleaned up and given fresh custom clothes she looked like the perfect squire. Her silver hair was tied into a ponytail and she has a single hairpin across her bangs flowing to her left.

Though while Kristel was enjoying not only her new environment and the opportunity to pay back Bryson with these lessons, the boy himself was not enjoying his own lessons.

“Why do I have to know another six different ways to cast fireball? It’s fireball! A basic spell!” Bryson complained to Primrose, his tanned coloured horned anthousai magical teacher.

The two were sitting outside with Primrose teaching off a chalkboard that had been wheeled out while Bryson sat at a desk outside. Frankly, this all seemed a bit ridiculous being outside learning to Bryson. They weren’t even learning any nature spells, but Primrose being a nature spirit preferred the outside. At the very least Bryson was able to keep an eye out on Kristel here.

“You’re thinking about fire bolt or fire blast. Those are the rudimentary pyro spells that beginning mages learn. Fireball is a rather advanced spell.” Primrose said kindly.

“It’s only advanced because it's bigger and takes more effort. The process is the same.” Bryson said tossing his pencil onto his desk and leaned backwards exasperated.

“Same progress but much longer and more complex to figure out. It’s actually rather impressive that you can already cast it.” She complimented.

“I recognize patterns.” Bryson said shrugging as he glanced down at his notes, “So why do I need to figure out more ways to cast the exact same spell? I already know five different ways, why do I need to know six more?”

“To be able to cast it in any circumstance. I’m not just talking about fireball either. This will help with any spell you cast in the future.”

“How exactly?” Bryson asked sounding unconvinced.

“Each different way to cast the spell takes different amounts of time, and effort and varies in results. Some great are easier to generate power with, others are easier to control. If you can fully understand the difference between the methods, your spellcasting in general will be better.” Primrose said lecturing him.

“Aren’t I already excelling at spellcasting?” Bryson complained.

“Innate talent doesn't equate to greatness. You must always strive to be better.” Primrose said giving a look of disapproval towards him.

“Did you get that from my parents?” Bryson asked.

“Sort off. They did tell me something along those lines.” Primrose admitted, “But it is also something I believe. You’re a smart boy Bryson, I’m sure you believe this too.”

“Maybe.” Bryson said reluctantly.

“Bryson.” Primrose said gently, “I’m not saying that you need to learn all six of these methods immediately. Start with one and move on from there.”

“Fine.” Bryson grumbled.

“Good.” Primrose said with a satisfied look on her face, “Then you are free to leave, I will be testing you tomorrow on if you managed to learn one knew method.”

Bryson blinked in surprise, “I thought I still had another hour.”

“I’m dismissing class early today. You were getting bored. Not you have time to go and visit little Kristel over there.” Primrose said with a smile.

“Why do you think I’m going to see her?” Bryson asked narrowing her eyes.

“I saw you looking over to her.” Primrose said mischievously.

“I was not looking at her.” Bryson said adamantly.

“But you are going to talk to her?”

“I need to check how she is doing.” Bryson said crossing his arms.

Primrose simply stared at him smiling.

“I need know how far she has progressed with her training.” Bryson said through gritted teeth.

“Of course Lord Bryson.” Primrose said dipping her head to him.

Bryson immediately sat up and left Primrose giving some disgruntled grumbling as he walked over to Nico and Kristel.

***

In another realm a different interaction was occurring. In the deep reassesses of the nether realm, a land of misery laid a castle that had stood for eons. Screams and wails of the damned echoed through it’s chambers all the way to the throne room where a conversation was being held.

“I grow impatient Hallow.” A large horrifying muscular creature of a humanoid.

“You’ve been here for centuries. I’m sure a few more years won’t hurt.” Hallow said casually as he stood in the middle of the throne room as everyone in the room watched him.

“My armies are hunger for a fight.” The figure growled, he was twice the height of a normal man and his skin was an ashy gray. He wore a wicked crown from where his long inky black hair flowed from. There were no whites in his eyes as they were completely black.

“Szargosh is apparently not known for his patience now.” Hallow mused.

“The demon king does not need to be patient for lesser beings.” Warned a tall beautiful well-endowed woman with large curved black horns, glowing yellow eyes and flaming hair.

“That lack of patience caused you to be in this situation in the first place did it not?” Hallow observed.

“Watch your tongue cur.” The flame-haired demon hissed.

“Or you will lose your head.” A massive humanoid said approaching Hallow from behind. He was a giant by every definition, Hallow barely made it to his thigh. He was bare-chested save for a large set of shoulder pads.

Hallow turned to look up at the giant with a curious look on his face, which quickly turned into a wicked smile. He put his hands behind his back closed his eyes and leaned towards the monster.

“Feel free to try.” Hallow said in a voice so full of malice that it unsettled the giant demon momentarily.

“Enough. Both of you cease this petty argument.” Szargosh said ordered. Immediately the two backed away from Hallow.

Szargosh then focused on Hallow, “Now trickster, tell me if the plan is going well.”

“So far so good.” Hallow said as he tried to hide a smile at the trickster comment, “I trust your closet confidants and generals are all ready?”

“They have been ready for a long time.” Szargosh said staring Hallow down.

“Very good. It’s been some time since many of them have been to the real world now haven’t they?”

“Yes, they will not fail me in opening up an entrance.”

“Even if they do. There are contingencies.” Hallowed added.

“Those will not be necessary.” Szargosh glowered.

“Always good to have nevertheless.”

Before Szargosh could say anything else the entire room flashed a bright white light for a second before dimming back to normal. In front of the door now appeared an entire suit of armour.

“Who dares enter the great Szargosh’s lair?” The flaming-haired woman demanded as all the various followers of the demon king began to draw their weapons.

“Hallow.” The suit of armour said in an eerie robotic voice.

“Hello Crux, how long did it take to find this place?” Hallow said grinning at him.

“Long enough.” Curx replied.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” Szargosh demanded.

Crux’s visor swivelled to the demon king, “Making deals with demons Hallow? I will nip this in the bud.” He said as he raised an arm, in response and sensing the imminent danger the demons began to move.

Only for Hallow to raise a hand to indicate for everyone to stop, “Crux. You seem to forget that like me you don’t really belong here.”

“And?” Crux asked halting his motion to strike.

“Meaning that you have to follow the same rules I do. No touching the locals.” Hallow said sneering at him.

“Or what?” Crux asked.

“Or I get to erase you without prejudice.” Hallow said voice underlined with malice, “And I’ll continue to do what I’m doing.”

There was a long pause as they stared each other down. The rest of the room were unsure what to do. They simply stood and watched in case one of their movements would attract attention from one of the two.

“I can’t let you just do what you want.” Crux growled out.

“Then do your job and protect the people you were assigned to. Who knows? Something might happen to them soon.” Hallow said smile never disappearing.

Crux simply stared at Hallow in silence in response. After a few more moments, without another word, Crux vanished. Leaving Hallow alone with the demons once more.

“Trickster, what are you?” Szargosh said after a long pause, there was unease in his voice. For the first time Szargosh realized that what he had before him was something much more than a small-time trickster god.

“Just what I am.” Hallow said with a shrug, not even turning to look at him, “I’m off now. Make sure you get those scouts ready.” He said before disappearing into thin air.