The Gambler

Halfway

                                                                Two years into the five years.
"I have something, interesting for you, Hiro." Aurelian says as he and Hiro are standing in the open field. Both of them are covered in cuts and bruises. They are wearing nothing but a white t-shirt and their pants. Blood dripping off them both. Hiro is surrounded by about 37 cards, which is lower than what he originally had.
"Oh yeah? Gonna hit me with another nuclear level spell, Archmage?" Hiro chuckles.
"Oh please, if I had actually hit you with a grade 10 spell, you wouldn't be standing there making jokes, young one!" Aurelian laughs.
"Then what is this interesting thing?" Hiro's cards all go into his pocket. The ground beneath Hiro is scorched and no longer as green as it once was. In fact, it is not green at all anymore, anywhere around them. The only thing untouched within a two mile radius, is the cabin.
"Meet Yumida. He will be training with you from now on." A boy appears what seems like out of nowhere. His short black hair that doesn't even reach his eyes glimmers in the sunlight, as if oiled. He has a slim build, similar to Hiro's in this world. He obviously has strength to back up the confidence he walks with. He wears the uniform of an unknown region, similar to the Royal Guard uniform, but black and red rather than the black and white of the Royal Guard. He has an pendant similar to Captain Jefald. 
"My name is Yumida Orincha. Captain of the Secret Order Assassins, otherwise known as SOA." His voice is rugged, but peaceful. His words wash over Hiro like a warm shower. He reaches his right hand out to shake Hiro's, to which Hiro does the same. They shake hands, but Hiro feels Yumida's grip getting tighter. His hand begins exuding black smoke, showing that he is imbuing magic into his shake.
"Oh boy." Aurelian mutters to himself.
Hiro decides to do the same, except with more force. Hiro's entire hand is engulfed in a ray of light that shimmers of every color imaginable. While it is a beautiful sight, it is almost blinding to the eye. Yumida follows suit and his hand is engulfed in a black cloud that is attempting to overrun Hiro's vibrancy. The two stand there, focusing everything into their hands.
"Enough." Aurelian says as both of their hands become normal again. They release one another and chuckle.
"Quite the grip." Yumida says, staring at the burn marks in his hand.
"Right back at you." Hiro has no visible marks on his hand. Not due to the fact that Yumida didn't injury him, they were just healed at an instant speed. Same with all the cuts that were once all over his arms. Hiro is more built than two years ago, showing in the definition of his muscles now. They are more profound and defined than before. His hair is now up in a ponytail, with a little bit breaking out and being down below his nose.
"From now on, days will be spent sparring and learning. While Yumida has already proven himself worthy in his stealth skills to become the Captain of the SOA, he still wishes to improve his magic to a superior level. We believe, sparring with you and learning with you will do that, Hiro." Aurelian says as they begin walking towards the Cabin. 
"Why me?" Hiro asks, confusion lighting up his face.
"My boy, you are able to go toe to toe with an Archmage using up to grade eight spells. You are something else." Aurelian walks through the Cabin door as it swings open just before he reaches it. At the table which they eat, is now three chairs and three plates. One plate has a large amount of berries on it, while one has none. 
"I thought everyone with magic could handle grade eight spells?" Hiro says, genuinely. Yumida looks over at him, "Hiro, right? I took a grade five spell and it put me out of commission for over six months." Yumida chuckles as he sits in the middle seat, which happened to be the new one that wasn't going to be occupied by Hiro or Aurelian.
"Oh." Hiro mutters.
"You are the exception. Even though your magic revolves around a deck of playing cards, they are still classified as a grade nine spell. Due to the fact that telepathy is a grade 10 spell, it's a lower classification due to not being able to control anything other than the cards. But you are able to do so much with the cards that even I couldn't imagine. Hence why you are able to land hits on me. I couldn't imagine using the cards in the way you do, which makes it hard for me to defend against them quickly." As Aurelian finishes his sentence, all of the wounds on him heal, and his robe appears on top of him once more.
"Plus, we can't ignore the healing magic." Yumida says.
"That's true. Healing magic along with a grade nine spell that causes such harm, is just unheard of."
"Mages usually can't do both?" Hiro asks, slowly eating his berries.
"No. Healing mages are a completely different class. They have healing spells ranging from grade one to five. Your healing is a grade five. Attack mages, have attack spells ranging from grade one to ten. Your attack is grade nine. Support mages, have buffing spells ranging from grade one to ten as well. Your buff-" Aurelian is cut off, "YOU HAVE A BUFF SPELL AS WELL??" Yumida bursts out.
"As I was saying, your buff is grade ten." Aurelian puts some honey drizzled seeds into his mouth.
"What is your buff?" Yumida asks, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"It's just a simple attack buff." Hiro responds.
"Simple? Grade ten is anything but simple, my boy." Aurelian says.
"Are we sparring after eating?" Yumida asks.
"Why yes, being as this is Táriël, or lunch to Hiro. Afterwards is more training, in this case, sparring." Yumida puts his plate up to his mouth and puts all his seeds and berries into his mouth in one swoop.
"Legh's guuuh" Yumida says with his mouth still full of food, running outside.
"He sure is excited." Hiro says, finishing his plate.
"I can't say I blame him, I am too." Aurelian smiles as all the plates disappear and they begin walking outside.