353 Endless Green
The Red-headed Boy flew away, falling into the sand. The Red-headed Boy rolled away as well. When this was over, the sound of a typhoon came. It was Orion, who had just arrived.
The wind mage then asked:
“What made you attack my students, newbie?”
The girls who had been distressed watching the fight now surrounded Orion who had just arrived. It was like a fan club completely devoted to the leader of the flight team.
‘Will I get into a fight?’
[I dont think so.]
The girls around the mage began to tell what had happened. Until then the magician’s annoyed face changed back to the usual handsome pokerface. A red-haired girl grabbed the wizard’s arm.
“Eiii the wolf boy helped us, don’t fight with him!”
Another girl with long blond hair threw herself at the wizard. “You don’t need to teach him a lesson, boss.”
In reality, it was obvious to Luke that they were just taking advantage of the occurrence to rub off on Zhao’s mage. Now Orion’s face again went from typical pokerface, back to a face that showed his annoyance with the girls around him. Scratching the back of his own head, he stepped forward to Luke, ignoring the group of girls around him.
“I’m sorry, I misunderstood. I didn’t mean to disrespect you.” said the young man from Zhao, who soon bowed slightly.
But Luke did not answer the young man, and just concentrated on channeling his magic. Just as he had done the day before, the tidal breeze around him was joining with the wind flow. Until the half-wolf began to levitate in front of Orion. The Wizard of Zhao gave a small smile, understanding Luke’s response.
‘He cannot accept my apology if he has not yet proven himself worthy to receive it,’ Orion thought.
But in the half-wolf’s mind, there was something completely different.
‘I really want to get a flying sword,’ thought Luke.
The Wizard of Zhao then turned to the group of girls who were standing behind the two.
“Get a timer, if it drops before 30 minutes, I want you to remove the half-wolf from here!”
But to the surprise of everyone around, the boy began to move in mid-air. Lying with both hands behind his head. Luke’s whole body was being levitated by means of a much less efficient wind magic than the one used by Orion. This display of audacity left the entire flying group in disbelief.
Some of the young men who were watching from afar gritted their teeth as they looked on in fury. The girls who previously had Zhao’s mage as their main attraction, were now whispering as they watched Luke. But Orion just started laughing, something that further surprised everyone who was present.
“The Boss is laughing?”
“The Boss can laugh?!”
“Nhaa! His laugh is so beautiful!”
It was the first time anyone had directly challenged Orion, this display of confidence only increased the respect and admiration the Wizard of Zhao had for Luke.
Amidst all the noise, the half-wolf’s head remained calm.
‘I must take care not to sleep.’
[If you lose by trying to sleep in the air, I will disturb you about it forever].
‘But it’s kind of comfortable, just the feeling of the mana going out so fast is weird.’
[If you possessed an ordinary mana reservoir, you probably would have collapsed on the floor from exhaustion by now].
As Luke quietly chatted with Balance, just mindful in his thoughts and waiting for the time to pass. The entire flight group was watching the half-wolf attentively. Even Orion was attentive admiring the rookie’s ability.
Time was passing and with each minute that concluded, the group around Luke became more and more surprised and euphoric. Everyone was whispering about it, talking and even comparing the head of the flight group and the half-wolf rookie.
“He really didn’t use an incantation?”
“Yes, he didn’t even conjure a spell.”
“Would the Chief be able to maintain such an odd flying position?”
“I don’t think so, he always needs to channel spirits.”
It didn’t take long to complete the fifteen minutes required to enter the flight group. And even though he was warned that he had completed the challenge, the half-wolf continued to lie in the air. His goal was greater than just completing the minimum requirement, he wanted to complete the 30minutes he proposed in challenge to the mage of Zhao.
Orion Hitsukaze’s heart was beating fast, it was the first time in a long time that he felt challenged. But more than the thrill of seeing someone who could compete with him, was wondering what feats Luke could accomplish with the right guidance. Even if the rookie failed to complete the goal he challenged himself to, in the young Hitsukaze’s heart, the young man in front of him was already an ally.
So, after these long minutes. The clock had completed 30minutes. The moment Luke heard that he had reached the finish line, he climbed down. Without showing that he was tired or even worried, he kept walking to Orion.
“It’s nice to be in the team,” Luke said, holding out his hand to the Zhao Wizard.
“It shall be a pleasure to teach you, my friend,” said Orion, shaking the half-wolf’s hand.
All the students around the two began to shout with excitement. That demonstration of magical ability was something completely amazing. After this, several members of the group arrived to introduce themselves to Luke.
Everyone was eager to learn more about that mysterious new researcher. When the members had finished introducing themselves and talking to the half-wolf, the training began.
The Wizard of Zhao was now again polishing his long greatsword with olive oil. Passing that green liquid on a cloth and illustrating the long sword. But when he noticed Luke’s footsteps approaching, he stopped whatever he was doing to talk to the novice.
“How can I get a sword like that?” said Luke.
“I can order one for you, but for now, try to train with one of our test equipment.” replied Orion
The flying swords were handmade, and when a member was promising enough, he could request exactly how he would like his equipment to be made. This was the case with Luke. Orion then invited the half-wolf at an opportune moment to go to the forge of the academy, where he could specify what type of equipment would suit his taste.
This type of flying equipment was made by artisan mages. A skilled blacksmith mage would forge the equipment, then a magic circle master would engrave the enchantments necessary for flight.
Orion’s sword, for example, named Endless Green. It had four wind magic circles attached to it. Each one made it easier and improved the mastery, speed and mana expenditure of whoever used it.
‘Just what we needed.’
[Things are really moving forward].
Orion then finished preparing his long sword. And extending his hand, another gigantic red Greatsword came flying in front of him.
“Do you accept a challenge?” asked Orion.
“Do you really want to lose twice?” replied Luke.
All the members of the flight group stopped when they realized the event that was about to occur. The training track was completely empty, there was no noise on the beach, apart of course from the sound of the sea. Everyone was paying attention to that friendly race.
“I’m sure the boss will win.”
“It’s obvious he will win; the rookie has never piloted a sword.”
“But he had a great command in wind magic.”
Luke then channeled his mana into the large red greatsword that was in front of him. It was levitating a little above the ground. The moment he stepped on it, his foot caught on the weapon, as if his mana was keeping him steady on the blade.
Orion took the same course, climbing on his emerald sword. But unlike his normal runs, this time he had a smile on his face. Something that was really not at all common to see coming from the head of the flying club.
Everyone was commenting and analyzing who could win that race.
*Vuft*
The sound of a Fireball shot flying upwards announced the start of the race.
The half-wolf created two wind vortices behind his hands, controlling not only the wind coming out from under the sword but creating strong propulsion through his hands. The Sound of the two competitors advancing was echoing across the beach.
The Wizard of Zhao was launching himself forward using only the air coming out of his sword. The Sound of the blade cutting the wind could be heard from afar. An emerald magic circle appeared on Orion’s back, creating a vortex of wind that accelerated the magician even more.
The two of them went back and forth across the beach circuit, both at an extremely brisk pace. Until at a certain moment, the path was approaching the waves of the sea. Orion’s sword was creating a wind so strong that even at a distance, it was cutting through the sea itself.
Luke was not far away, but when they were both close to returning to the sand. Orion used all the energy he possessed, the smile on his face was gigantic. And so, he came in first place.
All the members of the group were speechless, Luke’s skill and ability were amazing. On his first day of training, he narrowly missed beating the leader of the flying group.
Orion when he arrived at the beach threw himself on the sand, bursting into laughter.
“Hahaha Finally! It’s been so long since I’ve had fun like this.”
The news of this race quickly spread through the academy.