Waking from his slumber, Kota went to sit up. He grabbed his ribs in pain. "Not fully healed huh." He muttered under his breathe. He looked around and saw no one in sight. Outside the window type structure, he could see his group training with some creatures in hand to hand combat. They were rough, slinging the group around.
"He wakes from his slumber." He loud booming voice was heard even from the second floor. "Go fetch him." It said. Kota had sat back down and awaited the creatures coming to get him.
Knock! A loud thud came from the door. As it creaked open, it was the same goat person. He finally got a good look at her. Thin clothing, and a large breast. His eyes were glued to her tits. Cough. She gestured as if she could sense where he was looking. "My apologies. My place doesn't have many different races." He tried changing the subject. "Zu'u Los Zaam" It spoke. It's boobs would jiggle every step it took. With the small amount of fabric, it would be no surprise if they just fell out in front of him. "Slavery huh?" He muttered. He followed her out of the room. He still had trouble walking while he clutched his side.
"So you have awoken troubled one." The thundering voice boomed in his ears. "Call me Kota." He replied. "Then please call me king Yu." He said while trying to make a smile. "May I ask why you saved me King Yu?" Kota asked. He was unsure of why another creature would save a human. Regardless he was Safe for the time being. "I felt somthing within You. And it had interested me." Yu said while staring at him. "Unfortunately you all are too weak." He said again shaking his head. His scales shimmered as the sun reflected on them. Kota could tell he maintained his appearance well. "What is it that you want with us then." Kota abruptly asked. Awaiting the consequences, his eyes met Yu's. Yu burst out in laughter. Kota's body eased up. "Nothing Kota. I wish to see your power grow." He said. Kota could tell he was hiding an important fact, but there was no point In pushing for answers right now. He was smart enough to know that there were some questions best left unanswered.
Yu turned towards the humans and creatures training. Amelia got lifted off her feet and slammed into the ground as blood spurt from her mouth. The creature she was up against was a Gwindle. This one looked more elegant and mature compared to the one that beat his ass.
Kota noticed the groups clothes were redone. Amelia had a rose pattern on the side of her shorts. They hardly reached passed her waist they were so short. She also had bracers on her left knees and padded armor on the right thigh. Her shirt was new, as this one was maroon in color and sleeveless.
Kota looked over at Shina. Shina had really short shorts as well. They were white with black dragon etching all around them. She had a white crop top as well. She was also wearing bracers on her hands that reached up her arms to her elbow. The material looked to be of leather, but no sword strikes were leaving dents in them.
Aisha looked the same. While Lukas was similar. He wore his gold trimmed light armor. While wearing jeans and leather bracers on his arms and legs. Although the gold trimmed armor had now had shoulder guards. They looked clean and brand new, along with a new sword.
"Thank you for your hospitality Yu." Kota thanked him in a polite but serious fashion, bowing in his direction, regardless of the pain. "Haha it is of no issue. Your team here has potential. And as you have potential, it would make great allies to have." He replied with a warm smile. "But I do have a stipulation for saving your life." A greedy expression slightly crossed his face. "What is your request?" Kota asked. He knew this was a probability. He was just hoping for the best. "Let's talk over some tea." He gestured to a near gazebo, set up with a round table and chairs made of an intricate pattern from some metallic material.
As they both sat face to face, the same goat female came from under the nearby tree, as if she waiting for him to take a seat. She brought a tea kettle while there were already cups sat out for them. She poured them as Yu spoke up. "I hope you like jasmine." He chuckled. The females boobs bounced as she bent down to pour the tea. Kota's eyes caught a glimpse. "Haha a man indeed. Her name is Ahmol. Meaning Swan in your language." Kota was left astounded by his knowledge of humankind.
He soon gained his composure again. "So.. what is this request you have of us." Cutting straight to the cut, he didn't miss a beat. Yu turned towards him, a serious glare In eyes. "I need your group to go to an area, and disable a scripture, causing our kind to pass freely." He was blunt matching Kota's energy. Kota tensed, his hands slowly reaching for his blade. (I'd rather die fighting this, than allow them to reach our towns.) "Calm down! The area we trying to get to doesn't inhabitat humans." He raised his dragon-kind arms, as if to say he harmless.
Kota released his clutch on the handle of his blade. He was confused and it shown across his face. "Let me explain." He put down his arms slowly. "The Area we are trying to get to we actually don't know what's behind it. The old humans, in the passed era, controlled this area. They were known as Al. In your language it means to destroy." Kota raised his eyebrow. "So your trying to take from us again." He snarked. "This place began to us first!" His voice boomed startling the training ground. Kota held his composure. His heart was beating fast. "My apologies, anyways, this area is called Ahrolsedovah*1. {Translation*1 : Hill of the dragons.} The old humans have all passed, and no one remains. I ask you to go inside, since you are human and disable the scipture inside." Yu's attitude slightly changed as if he knew he had gone too far. "If there are any living humans in the area, I will not disable it." Kota replied with confidence. "Then we have a deal." Yu's hand was held out to mark a contract. Kota reached his hand out and shook his.
A searing pain struck on the backside of his hand. He pulled back quickly to check his hand. A mark of a swirling dragon appeared. "This is our contract." Yu spoke up. "Contract?" Kota asked. Yu just smiled and stood up. "Your group will leave in a month. For the time being, you are my guest and may be permitted to training." He said, as if he was a king looking down on his villagers.
His group was wiping they're sweat off and walking towards each other to talk. Kota stood up and walked towards his group. "Kota. Your up!" The team chattered as they walked towards him. "Looked like a beating you guys had out there." He said jokingly, while still holding his side. "Haha, they have healers here for each of us. It was rough the first day. But today ain't so bad." Amelia said as she pumped up her arms.
"Second day? How long was I asleep?" He asked frantically. "This makes it three now." Shina said. Kota was shocked to know he had been asleep for two days. "It's almost lunch time. Let's get some food." Amelia said, as she walked towards a hallway connecting to the outside.
They all sat down at a long table, as if in a cafeteria. Food was brought to them as they sat down, by two small gnome-like creatures, yet more fuzzy. The food was sizzling, but it shocked Kota. It was slimy and the food looked horrendous. To him it looked like dogshit brewed with vegetables and rabbit shit. He grunted as it made his stomach queasy. He looked up to see the rest of the group chowing down. He dipped his spoon in and took a bite. His face was already scrunched up. (Not bad) he thought as he went for another bite. "It's like a flavorful pudding stew." He said out loud, not realizing it. "Not bad huh?" Lukas teased.
After lunch was free time. They either trained or studied in the library at the mansion. After two weeks flew by in a blink, they thought they could stay there forever and would be comfortable.
"What is this?" Kota said in a frustrated tone. He flipped page after page, mana manipulation. He had asked for some books concerning mana manipulation, as this was his next step to being an apprentice 2. He had free time so why not try to expand his power. Although these book concerned creatures not of the human race, they had good insight to his progression.
"Here." He said as he read 'as controlling man's as is controlling emotion. For some races this might apply, very far and in between for this to apply.' He read as he racked his brain. He continued reading. 'Forcing your minds matter to distort your surrounding is an easy practice to start controlling mana.' He grinned and thought he could give it a try.
He turned around and reached deep in thought. (Minds matter. The place I was before.) he finally entered his mind matter. No sound could be heard and no movement. He felt revitalized in here. A purple hue surrounded the area, while darkness followed. Sudden echoes filled his head. "Kota…." "Stop…" His mind snapped back. His eyes opened as ripples of light surrounded him he felt the surge of mana around him, the lights were hued purple.
"Stop, your ruining the books." Shina yelled staring at Kota. Kota looked down to see some books pages were being torn out. He shut the flow of mana down in his body. The light ripples seized. A text appeared in front of him [Apprentice 3 : Mana manipulation - Mind matter reached] Shinas eyes widened. "Congratulations!" She praised.
He just stood there, he was feeling his body. Not with his hands but with the man's flowing around. A searing pain ran through his head. He reached his mind matter again, and noticed a scripture being burned into his mind. He read could understand it. As it read 'Galaxy Steps' He was intrigued but in too much pain. He stood up and headed to leave. "I'll see you around Shina. Im just going to lay down." He said walking out of the library.
In his room he laid with his head feeling like it was on fire. Two hours later he had sat up drenched in sweat. A knock was head at the door. "Come in". He shouted as he stood to his feet. He looked like a mess. His hair was wild and all over the place. "I heard about your accomplishment. Congratulations!" A loud thundering voice exploded, increasing Kota's headache that was just fading.
He clenched his head in pain. "Yea thank you." He muttered. "So show us your skill." Yu said while smiling. "How do you know about that." He asked. "Oh know about you humans making contracts with spirits. It's been known for a long time, back to the old humans, when we use to fight." He grumbled. Kota was astonished. "So how do you know about the spells?" He asked quickly. "Humans are not the only ones to use grimiores. I myself have one. Depending on the grimiore, it has spells engraved in it. When you have reached a similar mana point, where you and the grimiore are at an even frequency in mana, only then will you have full control over it, and use all its spells."
This was new information to him. He was intrigued in this topic, so bad so that he pushed for further information. But it was shut down quick. "Now come and show us. We will have a feast tonight for your achievement." He shouted. Although Kota knew this was just a plot so he could drink all night. Kota grew to know him as lustful and wise, yet still drinking a lot.
They stepped to the training grounds, Kota took a deep breathe. He entered a portion of his consciousness into his mind matter. He spoke softly and subtle. "Galaxy Steps" His eyes opened at the same time as he felt a vortex pull his body towards the location he looked. From the outside perspective, Kota had taken a step and vanished. He appeared around a half kilometer away. He was on the other side of the training field.
He felt his body grow a bit tired and worn out. He estimated he could manage three at most. He looked back at Yu "Galaxy Steps" have appeared next to Yu with sweat dripping from his face. His complexion turned pale, while he breathed heavily. Yu glared at him as he muttered "Old human powers." Kota had caught that, as he didn't make a scene and kept trying to relax his breathing.
"Do you know anything about my powers King Yu? Or how I would advance my power. As of now if I can only use it once while being able to fight, it is almost useless to me, and a death trap." Kota asked him after gathering his breath. "I have no knowledge of your powers. As such I cannot give you advice to advance them." He replied while walking off towards a staircase.
Kota gazed at his back perplexed by his response. (Somthing he doesn't want me to know?
Another weak has passed, as the group is outside training. They are sparring against each other. Amelia swung her staff at Lukas, as he dodge backwards while sweeping her legs with his wooden sword. She jumped over his swing with a kick going straight for his face. Bam! Her foot landed square on his face as he got slung backwards.
She felt good she had gotten a good hit on him. "Eyes here!" Shina yelled at Kota with her wooden dagger heading straight for his abdomen. He swiftly dodged left. She had spun around to aim for his neck while he was turned the other way. He reached back and grabbed her wrist, as he slung her over his back. He gave her a softer landing than normal as somthing had caught his eye.
A guard from the gate ran in to one of Yu's personal guard. That one walked over to Yu and whispered towards him. Yu's face turned a shade of red, as anger breached his face. "Bullshit!" He yelled at the guard. The guard staying quiet spoke back to him. Yu had put his hand over his face. His shout had startled the group as they looked over at him. He looked up at the training ground. "Back to training. Kota meet me in the special quarters after training." He announced.
Training came and went, as this conversation he was about to have was not good news. He knew it was not good but couldn't wrap his head around what it was. Knock! Kota knocked on the large door. Intrigueing metalwork was done on this door at a large scale. "Come in!" Yu thundered from inside. Kota stepped through the door as it closed behind him. "Sit down." Yu gestured at a couch in front of him. This room was well designed with intrigueing artwork, and crazy looking treasures. He could feel the mana in some of the artifacts.
"What is it." Kota said while sitting down. Yu's face angered. "The board has gone against me. And such has judged that you must fight in a deathmatch." Yu spoke more quietly than usual.