The Child of Light and Shadow

Dancing Mad

Just as I predicted, Ryan sent an assassin after us. The guy is good, since Yukiji was the only one able to hear him, but he still got caught, and now it's only a matter of time before he goes for the kill and gets caught in our trap. If you're wondering about the training we did, well, it wasn't so hot. I learned how to make water – in that I can make water pour out of my palms. I can't shoot it forward, and I can't even control it once it leaves my body. The only thing I can do with water magic is fill a tub, and even that would just be cold water. We'll be skipping that element in future lessons. Snow had no trouble with it. In fact, he created a barrier of water around himself within the first ten minutes. I can't believe I used to consider myself a prodigy. No wonder I wasn't chosen. Are the other two contestants as talented? If so, I've got to try and get them on my side, too.

The footsteps trail down the rooftop, getting closer to the window. I turn toward Raksha. "So, picture my mana as something solid, then push it instead of guiding it? That's how to use ice magic?"

He gives me a puzzled look, and I almost slap him. Play along, idiot! An elbow shove from Yukiji sets him at ease. Only Snow seems to not know what's going on.

"You have a lot to learn about the Apostles," I whisper to him, then raise my voice a bit. "Then, when we know everything, we'll strike. Medea won't see it coming." I nod at Raksha, who prepared some wind magic. The wooden window is kicked in as the assassin enters the room, only to get blown back out through it by the djinn's attack.

"W-What-" Snow starts to question, but I shush him.

"We'll explain everything later. Right now, we've got some experimenting to do."

With Raksha's help, we drag my would-be-killer into the room, and then I sense some more mana up on the roof.

"You better have something for me, Obi."

The guy pokes his head out, making his golden, cat-like eyes seen. "No dice, kid. I'm still a spy for her, remember?" As I open my mouth to complain, he rushes the explanation along. "Don't worry! I'm telling her random crap! I'm just here to pretend I'm spying! Can't be a spy for her if I'm never around you guys!" I frown, but nod. Then the assassin we've knocked out comes to, and rushes outside, pushing past me. I try to give chase, but my short legs and lack of physical skill make me a liability. Raksha does his best, but can't actually manage to keep up with a professional fighter. Yukiji comes close to the man, but has the same shortcoming as me, and her legs get in the way. The assassin leads us further and further away from the inn, and I sense Snow coming after us. As we keep moving, a knife flies past me, then gets stuck in the assassin's back. Looking up, I see Obi standing in a tree, smirking down at me. He jumps down, then gives me a bow. "At your service, master." He's the one guy I'll allow to refer to me by title. "So, that guy doesn't work for Medea. Never seen him before."

"Adrian," Yukiji explains. "One of Ryan's."

I look down at the still writhing man, and decide this is the perfect time to test something out. "I'm bad with elemental magic, Raksha. Now's the time to teach me spiritual magic." It's very different in both concept and execution, and the results are much less physical. It's a form of magic that allows one to enter another's mind, or do direct damage to their soul. The strongest spiritual mages can pluck out a person's soul with a single look. It's a more dangerous and less predictable type of magic than elemental magic, but it's rarer. No one can master both it and the elements; It's just not possible.

"Are you certain?" asks Raksha, and I nod. "It's dangerous."

"Did you fail to notice the killer on the ground? I'm already in danger."