Lionheart

Exception

It had been one week since Linley had been practicing with a sword. Maud trained him harsh physically as well as mentally. Maud would often put wards around his heart so that he could learn to break them and gain access to his magic.

Physically Maud would send him for long runs, make him lift heavy load, and made him exercise regularly every morning and evening. Linley would come home exhausted and almost on the verge of passing out, anyone would hate this torture but Linley loved it, he never made any excuses and did his exercises daily.

As a result, his body was stiffer and his reflexes had fastened, although just by a bit, but it was progress. It had also been a week since Linley had practiced magic so he decided that today he would ask Maud to train him with magic.

As it was time for his training, and he reached the bank, he was surprised as Maud said, "From today onwards we will train both , our body and magic". Linley had nothing to say but agree.

"Ok teacher" he replied in a glad tone. They then took positions, their wooden swords in their hands as they circled in a ring, spying on each other, waiting for the other one to make the first move.

The attack begun as Maud slashed at Linley, Linley spun to the left and slashed in return at Maud, Maud blocked the attack with his sword and pushed him back, Linley stumbled, barely keeping to his feet when suddenly Maud started a series of blows on him.

First he lunged himself towards Linley, when he backed up, Maud jumped towards him using the sword as if it were a spear, Linley escaped by luck as he fell down, he quickly stood but as he stood Maud started another series of blows, although Linley knew he was overpowered, he never quit smiling, they exchanged a few more blows when Linley got tired and Maud ended the fight with an upper slash.

"You are getting better" said Maud, as he wiped of the sweat on his face, he then sat down drinking some water from his water skin. He offered Linley some which he gladly accepted. When they were done they sparred twice more, both of the times Linley lost, but he was satisfied as every time he got better.

Linley was even prepared for a fourth round when Maud said "That is enough for today" Linley looked at him and sat down breathing heavily. Maud sat down as well and said "Ok, now let us begin".

They both sat cross legged and closed their eyes, it had been a while since Linley used magic, so again he concentrated deep, he peered into his heart and again entered the pool he entered and absorbed some magic to use , when suddenly his meditation was interrupted by Maud as he shook him and said "Stop!".

Linley opened his eyes and saw Maud an expression of shock on his face, his face was white. Linley himself got quite afraid and enquired "What happened teacher?".

Maud stared at him and said "Could it be?" he looked confused as he stared at Linley. Linley asked him again but this time he said "Listen carefully Linley, I am going to tell you something special today so be attentive, there are as I told you before four elements and every mage has his own element."

He paused and clearing his throat said "But there are some rare exceptions, sometimes mages are born with an affinity for two element ", Linley stood there with his mouth open as he heard Maud. Maud stared at him and said "The cases of this are very rare."

"The last known exception" he smiled and said "Was your father" Linley was shocked even more, he stood there speechless but mustered some strength and said "Which elements could he use?".

Maud almost instantly replied "Your father used the wind and the fire element, the style he used was known as the scorch style, fire and wind together are disastrous as wind supports fire easily, a wind spell supported by even a little fire increases the intensity of fire by more than eight times".

Linley out of curiosity asked "What are other exceptional styles" Maud stood up and said "There are not many Linley as the cases of an exception being born are one in a hundred years, there are still enough known styles Linley".

Maud started walking to and fro as he spoke and Linley sat on the ground listening carefully so as to not miss even a word "One is the scorch style as I explained, the others are lava style ,earth and fire, ice style.......".

And thus he explained Linley the style not all but some, Linley was confused as Maud explaining him all this did not explain his reaction earlier, Linley interrupted Maud as he spoke and said "Teacher , you still did not explain why you are sharing this knowledge with me".

Maud looked at Linley as he stopped and said "Because, when you used magic today, it was completely different from the magic you infused that day" Linley still confused gave Maud a silly look , Maud smiled in reply and said,

                                                 "Do you not get it, you are an exception".