Child of the Ether (Summoner Fan Fiction)

The Training

Yang-Jian returned on the next day, slightly bewildered. Arcturus was already there, waiting for him. As Yang-Jian walked past, he could still see a shadow of darkness upon his face. Yang-Jian felt sorry for him, yet he also despised that look, the constant look of disappointment, the constant sadness. He walked towards him silently and was led towards the woods.

 Neither of them spoke until they were deep within the forest. Arcturus turned to face the boy and relaxed a little, the wrinkles on his face seemed nicer and more welcome though still dangerous at the same time. Suddenly, a very distressing thought occured to Yang-Jian, was this a trap? No-one had ever smiled at him before.

"What is the matter child?"Arcturus commented, seeing the panicked look,"Not as tough as you look eh? Worried that I'll be too harsh on you with the training?"

"N-No, it's just that... no-one has smiled to me before like that and i thought this might be some sort of a trap, I mean we're in the forest and no-one can hear or see us." Yang-Jian replied, he realised now that if it was a trap then he was already dead.

Arcturus laughed,"No, of course this isn't a trap, If I was to kill you, you'd already be dead."

Yang-Jian relaxed a little, but the comment stayed pounding in his head if i was to kill you, you'd already be dead. This guy must be strong he thought to himself, strong and maybe even a little arrogant. It's a good thing he doesn't want me killed though. Yang-Jian realised that what he said was probably true, yet he was still scared as he was just an orphan, what would a battlemage want to do with an orphan?

Arcturus, seeing Yang-Jian relax began to talk,"Now, seeing as you have no, or little magic that means that we will have to start by achieving strength, then mobility and then instinct will come to you. OK, so, if you can punch a hole through this oak tree within two months I will teach you. If not, then I'm afraid you aren't worth my time.

"W-What?! I thought you already agreed to teach me! TWO MONTHS!!! That's way too long what am i supposed to do against those bullies at the orphanage?"Yang-Jian cried in outrage.

"You mean, you think you can do it in less time?"Arcturus whispered."OK then, I'll send someone over to inspect you and when you finish it I will teach you. You are not aloud to seek outside help or use any magic if you have any. For now though, I have important business to attend to."

With those words he left, striding through the forest leaving Yang-Jian bewildered. What the hell did the man mean? Punch a hole through a tree? What the hell? Was he crazy?

I can't do it he thought, I simply can't do it! It's impossible! But still he tried. His first his blow did nothing to the hard oak wook, simply bouncing off it. He sighed and tried again with a little more strength. The wood remained unscarred. Yang-Jian, by this time was getting really angry and he swung once more, this time with such great force that his hand came away bloodied and there was a small dent lying in the wood. Yang-Jian cursed in pain as he held his hand up, a splinter of wood stuck out of it at a weird angle. He plucked up his courage and yanked the thing out.

Yang-Jian assessed the damage he had caused, not a lot to be frank and it didn't look like he would be punching a hole through the tree anytime soon. Still, he raised his left hand and this time used a more practical amount of energy. As he withdrew the hand, it was bruised and battered but he kept going for a few minutes with his left hand. Still, the tree looked as strong as ever.