To Be One

Chapter 13: Most Possible Way

“WE DID IT!” Pearl was jubilant. She shouted happily extending her hand holding the paper up to the sky, jumping repeatedly like an athlete achieving a gold medal in spite of being injured. Janine fell down on the grass and there was a smile hinted on her face, in the back of her mind she thought, ‘Finally.’ The girls reached their first objective, and that is to have a grip of mana control. Jade took a deep breath lying on the grass and looked at Edward and Yujin who’s walking to their direction.

“We did it,” Jade whispered with a smile turning towards Yujin.

“Yes you did… Need a hand?” There was a slight grin on the redhead’s face showing how proud he is. He offered his hand and Jade gradually took it. He helped her stand.

Glory who was sitting on the grass was just giving a blank stare to the paper she’s holding. It was cut with a zigzag pattern and somehow its texture got crisp. There was weariness all around her face but it turned into a slight smile when an image of Andrew suddenly flashed in her mind, she put her hand on her ċhėst and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and looked at everyone’s happy faces.

“Congratulations,” everyone was cut off by the sound of someone clapping. It was Asher, there was a grin on his face, beside him is Noctis walking with his hands inside his pocket. “All of you passed the first step. You’re the first Earthlings who was able to achieve mana control.”

Even it sounded appreciative, everyone’s happy faces disappeared, they knew starting from now on will be one step more dangerously and mad serious. “What are we going to do next?” Glory stood up and looked at the albino.

“Eager aren’t we?” Asher moved forward while narrowing his eyes looking at everyone’s faces. “All of you. Show me the papers you’re holding.” He ordered around. The girls immediately raised their hand and showed each of their papers. Glory and Janine’s are somehow similar, cut in zigzag pattern while Pearl and Jade’s was cut in a straight line. Asher and the rest looked at it. Different reactions was painted on their faces as if they were investigating some science project. “This is interesting…” The albino whispered.

“What… Umm is there a problem?” Janine asked with her emerald eyes being curious.

“No there is none. In fact, the results are remarkable regarding that you’re Earthlings.” Asher fixed his glasses sounded so interested in the results. “However, there will be little changes in the training from now on.” The girl’s attention was caught up. “I did said that you have two objectives for this training right? First is to perfect mana control which you already achieved right now and the second is to perform a Ganlon.” The albino paused and looked at Janine and Glory. “However seems like casting a Ganlon is impossible for some of you.” His pair of golden orbs looked sharply at the two.

“W-What do you mean? We can’t perform a Ganlon?” Glory’s voice cracked. She already achieved the first step for saving Andrew yet there is already a new mountain that blocked her way. Disappointment was about to bring tears in her eyes.

“You see there are types of people in our planet,” this time it was Noctis who spoke. “Those who can perform a Ganlon and those who are not.” Everyone was surprised when they heard of it. For Janine and Glory, it seemed that what they are striving for had already been crushed.

Asher turned his gaze towards the soft-honey head girl. “The purpose of that paper is to determine whether you are capable of casting a Ganlon or not. Papers cut with a zigzag pattern only means that the user’s mana is not qualified for that.”

“So that’s it… Even after all of this-?!” Glory’s words were unfinished when Asher cut her off.

“Relax. There’s no need to have such a face.” Asher replied. “Even if you cannot do a Ganlon, we cannot deny the fact that you had a control now of your mana.”

“So is there still another way for Glory and Janine?” Pearl asked wearily, worried deep down for her friends especially Glory. Among them, she is the one who was eager for this training.

Asher eyed Pearl. “Of course, who do you think you are talking to?” He folded his arms and start explaining things to everyone. “Right before we start, I already thought it through that this might be a possibility so I already asked Noctis and the others for their help. Pearl and Jade, you will go with Edward and Yujin. Your papers cut with a straight line means your mana are compressed and manageable. Performing a Ganlon should not be a problem to the both of you.”

Jade nodded vigorously. “O-Okay!”

“Wait, you mean we… We’re going to perform those flashy things like you did right now? Like for real?!” Pearl asked in a surprised manner, gesturing with her arms crisscrossed.

“O-Of course not!” Pearl nervously replied gulping.

“Well, then you can start now. Edward will be your instructor,” Asher added.

Edward stepped forward gave off a gentle smile. “Looking forward to work with you two.”

“Can we really do it?” Jade whispered to herself looking on her own hand.

“Simply do all that I know you can, and surely you will be able to do it,” Edward said still smiling with his thin lips and looked at Jade with his turquoise like orbs reassuring. Jade gently smiled back as a response. She thought, Edward was really gentle and caring to all of them. Janine is sure to be lucky with him.

“And what are you going to do?” Pearl asked Yujin.

“Tch. Edward is enough to teach you two. I’m just going to take a nap…” The redhead yawn and extended his arms.

“How boring of you.” Pearl pouted with her hands on her waist. “Jade aren’t you going to stop him?” Jade just shook her head and smiled back to Pearl.

“He already said that Edward is enough for the two of us, right?” She said as she watched the redhead walked away. Pearl didn’t answered back and the three of them walked to somewhere else to start their training. Noctis, Asher, Glory and Janine were left behind. Janine was uncomfortable being with these guys. She knew how bitter Glory is towards the albino, and the fact that Noctis didn’t really seem to bother about it was already increasing the unpleasant mood. “You there…”

“Why so tense? I’m not a monster,’ Asher scoffed.

“Oh yes you are,” Glory whispered to herself. Surely it was loud enough for the four of them to hear it. Noctis was taken aback and couldn’t give a reaction while Janine was just waiting for some counter back from Asher. Obviously the albino heard it and gave Glory a sharp-knife look but she was just looking away; whistling as if dodging the stare.

Noctis not being in the mood to watch or hear some cross talk cleared his throat and somehow saved the failing mood. “Anyway how does the both of you feel?”

Janine answered. “I-I feel a bit different, it’s like a dam has been demolished and water pour down continuously inside my body. I can’t exactly explain how I was able to do it, it’s like what Asher said. I should just unified myself with everything that surrounds me,” She looked into her own hands, remembering the very first sensation she felt when the mana was released in her body. She was at that state, when at that moment she sensed something an unwanted from Asher. She can sense the decreasing rate of the albino’s mana and it alarmed her.

‘Was he aware of this?’ She thought. She looked at the albino with concern until their eyes locked up.

“What?” Asher asked.

Janine replied. “N-Nothing.” She had a worried look on her face, though she shook her head secretly and cleared her mind. She thought, there’s nothing to worry about Asher. What should she be worrying about is their training, There is only a gentle resignation in her that something will happen in the future- perhaps something that will change everything. What could it be this time? Her heart remained quiet.

“I see. How about your body? Do you feel drained?” Janine’s thoughts were disrupted, Glory and Noctis are having a conversation; the ravenette was just doing a simple casual talk with the soft honey head girl until Asher open his mouth.

“Since the two of you are not capable of performing a Ganlon, I decided to put you under a training suitable for the nature of your mana,” Glory looked at the albino with her brows knitted together.

“I did say before that mana has been cultivated into different many uses right?” The girls nodded. “Throughout the ages, people have found and used it in its various forms, as though drawn towards it. There was no exact reason stated on historical literatures, but let’s say it was brought up by the people’s nature of innovation,’ the albino explained.

“So what you are saying is…?” Glory asked with one of her brows raised, curious.

“Well, rather than explain it, why don’t we just do it?” Then appeared a wooden sword from his right hand and it flashed with a blinding light. Both Janine and Glory closed their eyes and when they took a peek, their eyes grew wide on how fast the albino did it. ‘When did he?!’

“Look closely,” Noctis whispered.

“What is going to happen?” Glory asked.

“He’s going to demonstrate the method you’re asking,” Noctis simply answered. Glory never knew that she was unprecedentedly nervous, but this time her thoughts were clear and it’s not like before. She hold her own hand tightly to fight the feeling. Now, all she knew that there are no reasons to get worried. ‘Have courage and take a step!’ That was in her mind.

“Hahh!” Asher was reinforcing the mana to the wooden sword making it to lighten up more, even its light was dazzling, the force on it is raging like flames ready to burn an entire city, that’s how fearsome the energy he is releasing.

‘No way, he still got this much mana?!’ Janine thought in surprise.

The albino took a stance facing an old and tall tree with a height of two hundred and fifty one feet which was living for centuries! His golden orbs are focused to it, his breathing became unified with his mana beating like a heartbeat and he started running towards it. “HAHHHHH!” He screamed as he was reaching.

“HAHH!” Asher continued with his silver and thick long hair running through the wind, his speed doubled and the mana in the wooden sword changed its shape into a much sharper and thinner form, he dashed and was preparing to swing the sword! He was so fast that he leaped further near the tree, he didn’t budge, there was no sign of doubt on his perfect face, nor the golden orbs of his was piercing its gaze- thus, the mana blade of the wooden sword touched the trunk of the tree. With such a powerful swing, it created a bang of gust that like of a typhoon, spitting echoes of an ear-splitting sound of a falling tree.

*****

“Take this!” Pearl forcedly shouted with her hand extended in the air but then a smoke just puffed out from it. Suppressing the urge to laugh so hard, Yujin covered his mouth but then he didn’t managed, so he laughed anyway.

“Don’t laugh at me!” Pearl hissed at the redhead. Jade just gave an awkward smile and turned her gaze at Edward. “Oh come on why I can’t do it? This is exhausting!” The caramel haired girl murmured in a frustrated tone.

“It must be the incantation!” Yujin stopped his harsh laughing and looked straight forward at Pearl.

“Really? Then can you tell me what should I do?”

“I wouldn’t if you don’t say ‘please teach me the most handsome and truly adorable master of everything!” The redhead replied teasing Pearl.

“Oh enough!” Pearl picked up a pebble and throw it at the redhead, but the other one easily dodged it.

“Fine if you don’t want to, then just repeat what I’m going to say!” Yujin dodged another pebble that Pearl threw at him. “Just holler as loud as you can ‘With the power of the moon that dwells within me, power of justice! Power of love! I’ll punish you with my heart’!” Yujin finished off with a funny pose.

“You won’t lose anything if you try,” Yujin still insisted.

“Argh fine! Whatever!” Pearl posed herself. “With the power of the moon that dwells within me, power of justice! Power of love! I’ll punish you with my heart!” And with that, Pearl imitate also the funny pose gesturing a heart shape with her hands on her ċhėst, but then she just realized she was just being played again.

Edward and Jade just gave an awkward reaction both thinking, ‘She really believed Yujin.’

The redhead laughed so hard again holding his stomach and kicking off his feet on the ground Pearl was about to throw some pebbles at him but then a roaring sound from the west just caught their attention, after the sound, is a gust of wind coming from the same direction.

“W-What is that? Was Yujin’s fake incantation worked?!” Pearl asked with eyes grew wide witnessing the fall of a giant tree, it echoed throughout the whole place in captured by the Barranca.

“Probably not,” Edward smiled awkwardly but then that smile formed into a frown. His turquoise orbs became darker. “Seems that they already started their training.” He said, voice being low with a hint of solemnity.

“No fair, they’re having fun over there. Maybe I should join their training,” Yujin said, arms folded, fussing over the suggestion.

”Training?” Jade asked with watery gaze reading through the situation. “Will they be alright, I mean Janine and Glory?”

“I don’t know, but what can we do is to believe in them. I know you’re worried but you should focus on your own training too.” Edward turned back at Jade. Jade looked down and clenched her fist. ‘Please be safe.’ She prayed in the back of her mind.

*****

Both Janine and Glory couldn’t take their eyes off the giant tree that has been cut off. They couldn’t able to see how Asher did it, all they knew is that, the sword he’s holding somewhat changed its form before it touched the tree.

‘What was that? Was that mana?’ Glory thought to herself. ‘No doubt about it.’ Right now, she can clearly see Asher from the distance, showing off his back still holding the wooden sword in his right hand, the white and fearsome energy is still present and just by staring at it; it’s very destructive. ‘No.’ Glory shook her head. ‘Asher already demonstrated how destructive it is. That wooden sword merely became a tool for the mana to hold on, just like how the mana works inside our body. Before, I don’t have the slightest idea of what will this training would be. But after him showing it, my mind gained the idea. He said that we are not capable of performing a Ganlon. So, was he implying that we’re going to defend ourselves with…Weapons?’

Glory swallowed her saliva realizing what will going to happen. She clenched her fist. ‘There is no other way, we must do this.’

“By now, I’m pretty sure you had the idea what you are going to face, right?” Asher turned to back to us and he swing the wooden sword, with a blink of an eye, the mana that resides with it vanished.

“We’re going to bring down a tree? Is that what you’re saying?” Glory curiously asked.

“Not quite. Bringing down an inanimate object like a tree is not an aspiring endeavor.” Asher replied fixing his glasses.

“I don’t want to hear that for someone who just cut a hundred year old tree,” Glory folded her arms and eyed at the albino.

“Forgive my behavior for I was carried away. Anyway, who you are going to bring down is… Me.” The two was quite uncaught when they heard what just the albino said. They looked at each other and returned their surprised faces back to Asher.

“W-We’re going to fight you? How?” Janine asked with a lopsided grimace looking at the albino.

“That’s what this training is all about… here…” The albino suddenly throw a bow. Janine jumped back in surprise trying to catch the flying bow towards her, fortunately she was successful to catch it and gave out a relief sigh.

“You know that’s dangerous!” She shouted back to the albino.

Asher smirked and simply replied. “I was just checking your reflexes… You’re going to use that for this training.” Janine suddenly looked at the bow she was holding. It’s the usual recurve bow that she uses in her practice at school for the archery team. Her eyes locked at it until she just realized something.

“Wait… I’m going to use this..? In a fight?” She asked and her lips turned down. Eyeing the ground with much hesitation rising on her own body.

“You’re good at that thing right? Then why don’t use it as your advantage in this training?” Asher turned his attention to Janine to indicate his only intention with the training. “If you’re having a doubt about this, you can quit you know?”

“What a harsh thing to say!” Glory managed, after she saw that Janine was having a hard time whether to accept and do things like Asher said.

“Shut up shortie, we don’t have enough time to argue about this thing. Time is running and I can’t afford to cast the Barranca any longer,” Glory couldn’t utter a word after she realized the albino is rapidly losing his mana. She silenced in frustration with that knowing. On the other hand, Janine was actually aware of Asher’s alarming condition, it’s just that, she never thought of archery to use in such vulgar reasons as to use it to fight. She was doing archery ever since but it was hardly for sports. Moreover, there’s the fact that she only targeted inanimate objects and never a moving one like an animal, or what she never wanted to do- to aim it a person.

Her emerald orbs were fixated to the bow, she was holding it tightly with the thought of a very hard and uncomfortable decision. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Fine,” she finally managed. Asher and Glory both turned their attention at Janine. Even Noctis who was quietly standing beside her secretly glanced at her. “Let’s just do this.” She said firmly.

Asher nodded quietly and handed out the wooden sword he’s holding to Glory. “Here’s for you.” Glory quietly took it and looked upon it as she imagined how the albino was able to do what he did earlier.

“But I’ve got a question,” Janine spoke. “How I’m able to use this if I’m out of arrows?” She asked, holding out the bow.

Asher gave a smirk and fixed his glasses. “There is a simple answer to that. You just need to produce your own arrows.”

“With my mana? Is that what you are suggesting?” Asher nodded for the quick understanding of the lady.

“I let you two to figure out on yourselves how to fight me and just to hype things out,” Asher picked up something inside his pocket and show it to the girls. “For you to pass this training, you should take this medallion from me.” The girls were surprised when they saw it. It’s the same silver medallion etched with a tortoise and a snake that they found back at Andrew’s room. “I’m sure this belongs to your boyfriend right?” Asher referred to Glory. The other one was quickly flustered when she heard it.

“He’s not my boyfriend!” Glory barked angrily.

“You keep on repeating that he’s not your boyfriend but you’re blushing. Anyway, if you couldn’t take this from me within an hour, you failed got it? And also I wanted you to come at me with the pure intention of killing me… Did I make myself clear?” Asher said firmly, the other two was struck when they heard of it and couldn’t send off a response. He tied the medallion in the end of his wooden sword and swing it facing off the girls.

“Now that we’re all settled, shall we begin?” He bring his sleeves upward and tighten his ponytail in confidence, motioning his hand to the two of them. “Come on.” His arms was sticking out between his neck and ċhėst.

Glory quickly raised her wooden sword, she didn’t have the slightest idea on how to use one but she guess she just needed to try. Asher made a grin, looking at her. Janine on the other hand was observing quietly.

“Do we have a plan?” Janine whispered at Glory.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t have any. I just figured out that we should test and see what he’s going to do,” Glory replied without looking away at the albino. “How about you?”

“The same,” Janine laugh nervously.

“Well I guess we just need to figure him out! I’m going through!” Glory started to charge and this time everyone was surprised when the wooden sword she’s holding glow a white light similar to what the albino did earlier, it was not as fearsome and it doesn’t bright that much, but she was able to do it. Asher grinned witnessing it. ‘She’s learning, she already figured out how to fuse her own mana to the sword. She’s quite fast to comprehend.’ He thought. ‘But recklessly charging towards the enemy without any plans is a death wish.’

Glory was near to the albino and she was about to swing her sword but then Asher neatly dodged it by stepping calmly backwards. Glory missed, she never saw it coming, and she was absolutely surprised. ‘He’s fast!’ she screamed in her thought. ‘What happened? He was right in front of me just a second ago?! He dodged it this possible?’ Her earthly orbs followed his movements, there was a small gap between them but close enough to feel his breathing. ‘Let’s give another try!’ She suggested. She tighten her grasp to the sword as she was about to throw another swing.

The albino made a huge step backwards avoiding the girl’s attack just in time. “Too slow!” Asher yelled. At the very moment his sword instantly glow that sent sparks of different shade of white before swinging it to the girl.

“Glory look out!” From her distance, Janine desperately screamed in the top of her lungs, warning her friend.

“HAH!” Glory gasped in supreme shocked. ‘There’s no way I can dodge that!’ She screamed in her thoughts. A severe burn-like pain pierced her right shoulder and shook her body. She scream as she was struck by the attack. She was hit- a horror that was more intense than pain that turned her head white. She fell off the ground and was grouching over the pain that runs at the base of her shoulder.

She send off a furious look clenching her fist thinking, ‘He was able to fuse his mana into the sword with just a blink of my eye and his movements are absolutely clean!’ Then she took a glanced beneath her. ‘We were under this pile of dead leaves but Asher is very good at moving without making any sound. Even though the place was covered with dead leaves, he made no sound at all. He’s really amazing! But…’ Her attention turned to her hurt shoulder.

“That’s how you eat dust,” Asher said with his griming eyes locked at the girl.

Glory was hesitant given by her situation but she still stood up even her legs are shaking from the pain. She breathe hard and looked at the albino with fierce. ‘Anyway, I just need to figure this whole thing out before he could attack me again move!’ She decided, tightening her grasp to the sword. Her moves are limited because of the intense pain and fear, but she still moved her legs.

“HAHH!” Despite her condition, she dashed through with a roar as her sword glow and changed its form in the same manner of the albino’s.

“Tch. Don't do your best unexpectedly!” Asher said raising his sword with his right hand. Glory swung the sword efficiently but the albino just blocked it with another swing.

“TUG!”

It was the sound of their wooden swords hitting at each other. Noctis was observing, in his own thought, it’s obviously that Glory is in a great disadvantage; in physical, knowledge, and in experience. All of those where she lack battling compare to Asher who was a soldier of their kingdom was a wishful fight but of course, this is a training. Asher was only holding himself but still, with the difference in their level… ‘Would they be able to get the medallion?’ The ravenette asked in the back of his mind.

The two continued to face their swords, “You swing like an old lady! Is this everything you’ve got?” The albino said mocking her.

“S-Shut up!” Glory was obviously struggling from Asher’s fortified strength and also from the pain on her shoulder but it raised even more when Asher added a little force on his sword. The force made a quick impulse between their swords. Without seeing it coming, the girl lose her focus. The shock from the impulse stung her hand, making her to let go of her wooden sword and flew off the grass. The distraction created a chance to the albino to capture her right arm flipping her over with a blurring speed. She was easily dropped down facing the ground with a resounding sound. “UGH!” Glory ġrȯȧnėd.

Noctis closed his eyes, shaking his head in defeat. ‘Yep, she couldn’t do it.’

Glory was desperately trying to move but both of her hands were immobilized by Asher’s. “You charged towards me without any plans ahead. Did you just think that things will do on its own by luck? You’re being naïve.” Asher said firmly without letting off of her. “Nothing is as crucial in a fight as knowledge of your surroundings. First you have to learn to see what the enemies are doing and prevent it. In this case, you just did the opposite, your quick temper runs over your head.”

‘He’s so fast! I didn’t even see it! It’s just only the beginning of this training, yet I already felt that I’m threatened.’ Janine thought to herself whilst taking off her eyes at the albino. ‘What should I do?’

The soft honey head girl was still struggling with her petite shape. “It’s useless. Your strength are all scattered throughout your body and disturbed. Looking at you, you’re merely like a worm caught up by a bird’s talons.” Asher still mocking her. Hearing it, Glory gritted her teeth with brows meeting at each other. Then Asher shifted his gaze at Janine, the lady felt the disturbing intent of his icy stare and prepared herself. “If this is a real battle, shortie’s life here is in danger and she can be killed at any moment.”

“STOP CALLING ME SHORTIE!” Despite of her situation, Glory barked at the other one but the albino only smirked at her, he averted his gaze towards Janine.

“You must be thinking, ‘I should do something and help my friend’ right? Now let me see how you are going to help her.” Asher’s clear smile eloquently speaks of his mighty background and power.

Janine was obviously disturbed by the thought given, she gazed at their direction with perceived hazard. ‘He’s right, if this is a real battle, Glory and I are in grave danger, especially her but what can I do? Can I really produce my own arrows?’ She looked at the bow she was holding and stare at it with eyes oozing out desperation. Her hands were shaking. ‘I’ve never aimed my arrow to a human, and I never thought of doing it! What should I do?!’

“Time is running you know. If you didn’t do something… Then…” The wooden sword Asher was holding instantly glows and purposely aimed it on Glory’s neck. “You wouldn’t want to see her head flying right?” With a cold smile, the albino told that, and fear ran through all over Janine.

“D-Damn you!” Glory growled low, seething anger while still trying to get out of the albino’s tight grasp.

Janine gasped in frustration. Her emerald orbs glisten as the tear is coming up. “P-Please stop it!” She pointed out with her hand trembling but Asher didn’t bother and stare her back with his cold and deadly eyes.

“I told you, if you want to finish this training, then come at me with the intention of killing. If neither of you can show that to me, then just quit already.”

In an instant, her whole body freezes and freezes. Instinctual fear suddenly swells in her, cold sweat gushes from her whole body. Fear and desperation made her sick, she bit her lip and tighten her grasp on the bow. She closed her eyes, she was well aware that she’s the only person who could help Glory but the crawling feeling of ill emotions mixing altogether is fogging up her head. ‘Please someone help me!’ She miserably prayed in the back of her mind.

“Janine!” She suddenly opened her eyes and looked at the ravenette. “In moments of desperation, be calm and take a good view of the situation. You’ll surely found a way to turn things around!”

She gulped and control her breathing relieved by the ravenette’s words. ‘Noctis’ right! I should stay calm and find a way to solve the problem, it may be hard and unimaginable but the only certain is, there will be always a way! There’s no need to be afraid of trying, be afraid of not doing such thing!”

She extended her left arm which is holding the bow, she positioned herself that looks like of an archer and closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She remember the first training when she fused her mana to the paper. She just need to do the same but this time, visualizing an arrow on her hand. Noctis who was just observing the training gained his attention towards the lady, he smiled secretly. And in just a moment, she emitted the same white light on her right arm, her long silk black hair and her clothes were dancing along with the flow of the mana she’s about to release!

From the distance Asher’s eyes grew wide but it was changed immediately into a grin. ‘Now that’s what I wanted to see…’ He thought to himself.

“Haah!!!” She roared as the mana on her right hand started to form into a thin-like arrow shape. She can feel the coolness of that sensation, and when she opened her eyes, she was astounded! Yet was still screaming with her right arm emerging to the bright and cool mana she was releasing. She was fighting back with the unmanageable force but she didn’t setback. “Argh! Ahh!! Hahhh!!!”

“Janine…” Despite of her own situation, Glory was awed yet worried about her but at the same time she thought that this is a challenge only to be fulfilled by her friend only. ‘Please, you can do it!’

“Hahhh!! Ahhhh!!” Janine continued to fight back the intense mana from her own hand. She was sweating bullets and the tension in her muscles are increasing, it seemed that the weight of her right arms is increasing every second due to tension and fear. She was about to break down with experiencing it all at once.

“Janine!” It was Noctis’ voice again who reached her. She instantly looked at the ravenette with such fear and hesitation. “Clear your mind and calm yourself! You are the one who’s in control, therefore controlling and forming an arrow shouldn’t be a problem to you!” His words has gotten through her and when she looked at Noctis’ eyes, she somehow got a hold of herself.

The fear before her emerald eyes was changed into eagerness and confidence, she positioned her right arm near the bow and concentrate more. ‘Relax… Visualize an arrow and focus on your target.’ She disciplined herself and took a deep breath. ‘Form a shape… Form a shape…’ She repeatedly said as the arrow forming from her own mana got its shape more of an arrow-thin like physique, its energy is streaming perfectly and powerful enough!

“Now shoot it!” Noctis ordered out. Janine looked at the ravenette, she nodded and fixed her gaze at Asher, her target but she was surprised seeing how the albino was smiling at her.

‘Now… Let’s see how strong that thing is.’ Asher prepared himself for the attack. Then he squinted his eyes with a grin for some reason.

‘There’s no time to hesitate now!’ Janine said to herself. “RELEASE!” She let out a scream as she let go of the powerful arrow mana, as it dashed through the albino’s direction. It was so fast and looks like a bird jet, everyone was anticipating what will happen next, Noctis, Glory and Asher was all following its direction.

There comes a huge explosion with a banging sound that echoed along with a blinding light and a gust of fearsome wind run through the whole place making the dead leaves flying all over. Janine covered her face with her arm and when she realized everything around her was already calm, she opened her eyes.

She didn’t move and only did stand on her position, she was panting hard, patiently waiting for the dust cloud to fade away. Confidence was present all over her face. “D-Did it shoot him? T-There’s no way he couldn’t dodged that.” She mumbled to herself but then her eyes focused on the dust cloud as she a silhouette standing there.

The dust naturally faded and at that very moment, her eyes grew wide as she saw Asher untouchable! “W-What?!” She blurted out. She found the albino stretching his right arm. ‘D-Did he just blocked that arrow with his bȧrė hand?’ Asher didn’t dodged the arrow instead he faced it head on! Janine was astounded and quite taken aback by the albino’s doing. But blocking the arrow made Asher to loosen his grip to Glory. Glory who just got an idea suddenly bite the albino on its hands.

“Damn! What the?!” As expected, Asher was in pain and unintentionally let go of her, shaking his hand to release the pain. “What the hell biting me?! How impudent! Resorting to that kind of cheap trick?!” He barked towards Glory.

Glory for the first time giggled seeing the albino in such a rare and golden expression, she stick out her tongue and make face. “Hah! Call it what you want! You deserved that anyway for calling me shortie!” She then immediately run to Janine. The albino just hissed at her.

Janine rushed towards her with concern in her eyes. “Are you okay? Your shoulder…”

“Janine you’re amazing!” The girl immediately hugged her friend. Then Glory gave a soft smile and shook her head. “I’m alright,” she answered and looked back at Asher. “But he’s dead serious about this training,” Glory warned Janine then looked at her own hands, she really felt the difference of their strength just by him pinning her down. She knew immediately before biting Asher’s hand. He had timed and positioned his thrusts to be easy for her to breakthrough of his grip. He purposely freed her. They both look at the albino.

“Now what will be your next move?” Asher posed himself, waiting for the girls to attack.

*****

Thirty minutes has passed, meaning there’s only another thirty minutes left for Janine and Glory to get the medallion from Asher. “We need a plan,” Janine whispered only for the both of them to hear.

“I agree. He’s too much for us, he’s strong, his movements are quick and there’s his smart brain. This whole training was just a child’s play for him. I’m afraid normal attacks won’t work at him,” Glory gritted her teeth and looked down as if she was searching for some answer, until she realized something.

“These leaves…” She murmured as she looked at the earthly and scarlet colors of it. She remember when Asher repelled the arrow Janine shot, it caused an explosion, she can’t see what happened because the bright light and all of the fallen leaves blocked her sight plus the dust. “That’s it!”

“Umm… What is it?” Janine asked worriedly. Glory gave off a stare brimming with confidence.

“May I ask, how many arrows can you produce at a time?” Glory questioned.

Janine hesitantly looked away with her fist on her ċhėst. “I-I’m still new to this kind of thing and concentrating my mana requires a short of period of time.” She looked back at Glory. “I needed at least ten seconds before I can shoot a single arrow.” The soft-honey head girl placed her finger beneath her chin and wondered, succumbing into her thoughts.

“That will be enough. There might be still a way to get that medallion.”

*****

“Are you ready?” Glory asked looking at Janine on her side.

“R-Ready not ready!” Janine nervously answered but Glory hold her hand. She smiled as a response and nodded.

“Let’s do this!” Glory roared as Janine positioned herself. She closed her eyes and deeply take a breath. The mana started to reside on her right hand, it glows and were unarguably manageable unlike before. She continued amassing the mana until it gradually increased its size bit by bit.

“HAHH!” Janine screamed with her intense eyes looking at Asher.

“What are they doing?” Noctis mumbled to himself. He looked attentively at the two. “Looks like they’re planning something.”

“Amassing your mana to make a large and powerful arrow eh? I commend you for thinking that way,” Asher strike grinning then he fixed his glasses. “But doing that is futile!”

The mana Janine was amassing continue to become larger forming an arrow shape like energy. Just by sensing it, it’s obviously powerful in a special degree than the arrow she shot earlier. “Hahh! Ahh!” She screamed at the top of her lungs. Glory prepared herself and hold her wooden sword tightly.

“Janine now!” Glory ordered and Janine gradually released the arrow. There was like a thunder sound when the arrow went over in a blurring and powerful speed, it dashed through making the fallen leaves on the ground to dance mid-air with its force! Asher prepared himself and raised his hand facing the incoming attack. The arrow is already reaching him and before it touches his skin, he repelled it using his mana.

Bringing to the same result like earlier. It caused a giant explosion making the leaves from the ground to hurl with the impact from it, it was so bright that Noctis from the distance couldn’t see way through it.

Janine covered her eyes from the blinding light. ‘This should do it!’ She said to herself witnessing how the leaves and dust flew off covering almost the space where they are.

Asher completely blocked the attack. He was catching his breath. ‘That was quite powerful. She was be able to release this much force in that single attack by compressing all her mana and blowing it all at once. Impressive.’

“I told you it’s futile. That won’t work on me-” Asher was cut off. At that moment, there was a grin on Noctis’ face as he saw what happens next! Glory appeared in front of the albino with her sword already fused in raging mana!

“That attack was just a diversion!” She said smirking at Asher, and jumped to swing her sword towards him. ‘Please hit him!’ Glory secretly hoped’

“HAHH!!!” She roared as she charged forcedly.

Asher calmly avoided the first swing Glory gave ‘I see… So that’s their plan… They used the terrain as their advantage and made a plan to divert my attention from her who’s really aim is me. The arrow Janine shot wasn’t meant for hurting me, it’s for blocking my sight! Really… They’re learning.’

He took a step backwards to send off an attack but then his body couldn’t adjust faster when he felt something weird. His eyes grew wide at the very moment, there was a mere second he couldn’t move but he still tried as he forced his arm to block Glory’s attack. ‘Damn it! I’m reaching my limit!’

Glory on the other hand saw through that the albino was disturbed. She sensed that his mana declined in a flash. ‘This might be my only chance!’

Seeing that the albino was about to block her attack, she swiftly changed the direction of her attack from dashing straight forward to blatantly swinging it from her side.

“HAHH! She screamed and was able to hit Asher’s sword before he could even block it.

“What the-!” The albino barked out. His sword flew off the same way he did on the soft-honey head girl earlier. Asher lose his footing cause of the disruption with his mana. Annoyance was present on his face as his jaw clenched but then he closed his eyes and calm himself sighing. He knelt down and slowly looked over at the sword which fell behind him. Glory knelt down and took the medallion from it and show it to him.

“We did it!” She said eyeing the albino ensuring that they passed the test. Asher looked at her with no emotion but then a grin on his face appeared.

“Yes you did…” He said and just like that Glory jumped in so much bliss savoring their win, Janine who was running towards their direction stopped and smiled at herself when she saw how happy Glory is. It was her first time seeing her smiling purely since then.

“How pitiful.” Noctis said looking down Asher with a smirk.

“Oh shut up. I just reached my limit, that’s all.” Asher picked up his glasses and stood up then shook off some dust on his shoulders. “Despite that, I couldn’t say that their win is by mere luck,” Noctis averted his eyes at his direction listening. “They were able to unleash their own ability in such a short time that normally would be impossible.” They both look as Yujin, Edward, Pearl and Jade came off running to their direction waving their hands to them.

“Still, threatening Janine like that doesn’t counts.” Noctis told Asher brusquely. “I almost jumped in.”

Asher gave out a sigh, not bothered in the slightest. “I knew it had to be done. Of all people, you knows best that our world revolves in never-ending threat and pain. The girls must realize that, after all this is not just a game.” Noctis looked down, staring at the fallen dead leaves, he understood what Asher said, remembering some old and painful memories. Asher paused and wears his glasses. “Even so, their success in their training must be the product of their shared, intense will.”

“What are you implying?” The ravenette asked.

“Tch. What I’m saying Noux is that, I’m starting to understand now why the three of you agreed to let me train them…” Noctis formed a smirk with his thin lips hearing that from the albino and looked up at the sky. The Barranca started to disappear as well as the Nemossagi. The bright stars and full moon greet them as the color of the surroundings started to bring back from its original look.

“I’m intrigue to see what will happen next…” Asher spoke as he turned his back to the ravenette walking away. Noctis’ eyes followed his direction.. “Anyway, that’s already been decided as this training is over.”