The Nemesis

A few days later,

The day of the test has come. Everyone who is participating is excited and feels happy about it, so is Edwin. Murphy wished him luck and promised to watch his skills as a spectator. Edwin headed towards the arena where the test is taking place. He is early only proctors, and two mages were there. They are finishing off the last preparation. Outside the arena, there was a training ground. Underneath the tree, he sat down and focusing on the strategy to pass the test. He recalled in his mind the things he can use and which can't in combat.

After thinking mindlessly, he stopped. Edwin ȧssures himself that he has confidence in his skills, nothing to worry about that. The problem is to deal with the spell used against him. He looked in his stuff and lay down on the ground, looking up in the sky. From far away, Myra was looking at him. She approached him. Myra said, "Well, well, well. Somebody is relaxing here instead of preparing." Edwin woke up and answered her saying, that "Oh! it's you." Myra asked him what is he doing here outside. Edwin said that he is relaxing before the test and ceremony. After all, this is going to be a big day. Later Edwin asked that how it's all going to happen. He means that the test. Myra had already achieved the rank of Zar a year ago.

Edwin wondered maybe he asked her about the strategy. Myra advised him to take it easy. It's not a big deal. Then Edwin reminded her that he couldn't do anything able to perform element type or incantation magic. His only way of combat is weaponry. First, Myra seems surprised that Edwin said he is weak at incantation type. She agreed on the fact that elemental is sort of hard to control at Ar level. Edwin told Myra that it's already a bit of a challenge to compete against others. Because 22 of 35 use a sufficient level of magic. Close combat or head-on weapon duel is not a problem.

Myra caught up on that and mentioned that defending against magic is your real problem, right? Edwin said that's his point. Myra told him that he should have kept it short and laughed. Edwin laughed too and said, now you know, what's the problem, and please do you mind giving some suggestions. Myra told Edwin that there is a two-level test for Ar rank. First, you will be fighting against another competitor. If you win or perform better than the opponent, you pass for the next round. Second, you would be fighting against Zar-level opponents. There the things will get tricky.

Edwin told Myra to hold on for a minute. He asked her if they are all of the better ones against Zar, then is Myra one of the Zar? She informed Edwin that she might be. But, she told Edwin that he should pray for not getting her as an opponent. Edwin took that statement sarcastically and responded that he would better be praying then. Again, she explained that if anyone managed to defeat Zar, the one would become Ar and eligible for faction selection. If you perform well, the proctors might make a report, and it's up to the rank committee to grant the rank. Ones who did not qualify for the second round will end up in the cavalry troops division.

That's not bad stuff either, Edwin admits. Myra told Edwin that he thinks so, then that's not bad. But she also reminds him that it would be less fun. That's like becoming a regular soldier. Later, Myra said that she had one trick to defend against the magic. It is a normal spell she invented to use by herself. Myra told Edwin that she could teach him but warned him to use it only in a tight situation. The reason behind that, it consumes a lot of stamina and magical energy within the person. But, Myra thought Edwin didn't have much time to learn it. Myra asked Edwin that did he think he has time to learn it before his match. Edwin had forgotten about it.

Edwin said time is a problem, but I have few hours. I can at least learn the basics. Myra suddenly had a thought of the power that emerges against Emil Isakov. Back on that day, she listened to the conversation between Brock & David. She asked Edwin on that matter. In response, Edwin admitted that it might be a rumor because he doesn't know anything regarding it. Those four must've put work on the made-up story about myself. Myra said, let it be. She thought that he remembers it or not some other time maybe, I'll see it. He made Emil run away, and that's a good thing.

Edwin asked Myra that she is already a Zar, then what magic does she use, and about her abilities. Myra agreed to tell Edwin. As we know, Myra has one of the 14 Zodiac symbols. The symbol of Dragon on her nape. She is a prodigy. Her ancestors used to be the warriors of Astrop before it was extinct. Myra's grandfather first came to the kingdom of Pisces. Because of his exceptional powers, he served Pisces. Following the father's footsteps, Myra's mother also used her power for the Pisces people. When Myra was born, she passed away. And as Astrop powers prodigy, she is a respected citizen and warrior of Pisces.

Astrop people mainly use lightning as their primary element of power. Unlike the other four, Air, Water, Earth, and Wind, no one can adopt the lightning element power. It's the rarest known power. Only the royal Astrop and the family of Myra's Grandfather used it. It is a saying that this power under the command of Astrop's former king is rivals to the mages' divination. When a deadly war breaks out between Astrop and Oranos, people from both sides settled on four different continents like Myra's old man. Myra explained it all to Edwin. He asked Myra that if her mother was blessed with those power, how come she married a hunter, a non-magic user.

Myra told Edwin that it is true, that her father is a hunter, and he doesn't know any magic. But, he had a loving heart for my mother. Edwin felt those words heartwarming. Myra sensed that Edwin would ask how did her mother die. And eventually, Edwin said that your mother might have been a great warrior and a good person. Myra said, let it be. For a moment, there was a silence. Myra informed him that she never found out the valid reason behind her mother's death.

Edwin asked Myra that the dragon symbol represents a unique power and story regarding it, but what are your abilities. Myra answered she honestly doesn't even know what her mother was capable of. All that Myra knows is that her mother was a patriot of Pisces and a powerful Kezar. Speaking of which, she had a unique power given by the mage. She could see through the transformation spell, even if the magic is divination. Myra possesses that ability. Edwin said so, which means you have two unique abilities. What about the alchemy and incantations.

Myra is good at elemental magic and incantations. She never paid attention to Alchemy. She wields the medium size, lightweight sword. Myra said to Edwin that they did enough talking, let's get back to work. Edwin got all hyped about that defense technique he is about to learn from Myra. Before Edwin starts learning, he asked Myra about her faction. (Combat, Sorcery, Speed, Universal) Myra told him to for now forget about that. Eventually, you'll know.

Myra warned Edwin again that to use it only when it's difficult to avoid the magic. It requires the skill and timing to do it correctly. If timing is off, one might get hit by an opponent's spell. Edwin asked that what is it called and how to do it. Myra said it is called Reis. Again, she quizzes Edwin on his incantation ability. She found out that his skill is suitable to pull it off.

Myra started speaking about Reis.

(Reis- the null barrier, the user needs to release a little bit of energy at four distant points in square form. When the opponent's spell is about to hit you, use that energy to compress. It will nullify the magic used against oneself.)