Author's Note

"Thanks for the chapter" Those four words are like ecstasy to me I read all these comments and im like

I've tried to use comedy to make the childhood chapters less boring.Well some people probably didn't find funny but whatever You win some you lose some yeah

As always reviews,ratings,Recommendations,Corrections,Questions and comments are greatly appreciated

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Chapter 7: Hard Work is Hard

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“That’s strange,”

“What is?”

“Well you certainly have the capability of a high level sorcerer but it’s as if there’s a seal on your powers.”

“Does it relate to the fact that I have gray eyes?”

“Most likely,”

“I don’t get it,”

“Well did you ask your parents about their family history?”

“Yeah my dad says were a branch family of the great house of Stonehawk from the Thisadora Kingdom, The house is known for producing bloodthirsty warriors, Says that it’s in our blood to enjoy blood and battles”

“Their sigil is a hawk perched on a stone,”

“And your mother’s house?”

“Ah well house Dragkagua is some big noble house from the Ganeleon Kingdom,”

“Oh and their sigil is a dragon,”

“That sounds interesting what else,”

“Mom said that supposedly that house was made of fugitives who ran away from the dragons or something like that”

“Moms says the stories change depending on who you ask,”

“Also theirs a ritual for the next head of the house where he drinks what’s supposed to be Dragon’s blood,”

“Mom says her grandfather also has bright gray eyes,”

“Dragon’s blood huh,”

“What about it teach?”

“Yes well if my theory is correct then you might be a dragon rider so in order to unlock your powers you’ll probably have to drink fresh dragon blood”

“Um isn't that like almost impossible,”

“Probably,”

“Wow teacher I’ll make it my life’s goal to drink fresh and delicious dragon blood!!!,”

“NOT!!! How the heck am I supposed to bring down a dragon, I have neither the strength nor money to hire enough strength to kill a dragon,”

“We’ll let at least start with your magic training yeah?”

“*sigh* I guess “

“Now we’re going to have to build your mana foundation first before doing anything else,”

“Now sit down with your legs crossed, close your eyes and concentrate”

“Now deep breaths, in thru your nose and out your mouth,”

“Now try to imagine energy near your chest, you should be able to feel it yeah?”

“Yeah I feel it.”

“You sure it’s not gas”

“I’m sure”

“Now try to manipulate this mana around your body”

“After that try creating a ball of mana and throw it from your left hand to your right hand”

“Is that it?”

“Yeah just practice this for a few hours a day,”

“Seriously?”

“Well we can’t do anything more until you build up your mana”

“But it’s so much work; my brother was able to summon fireballs without any incantations,”

“Yeah well you’re not your brother”

“Look Edin there are gonna be a lot of talented individuals and the only way to surpass them is thru hard work yeah,”

“Yeah whatever”

I then spent a few hours using these mana exercises

After wards I went and picked up sue from school. Together we headed to sensei’s small shed near the outskirts of the village

As always when I practice I wear my dogi which is your typical martial art training clothes

But as I was changing

“Ah not today Edin today I’m teaching you something different.”

“And what is that?”

“The art of persuasion,”

“What’s that?”

“In other words Edin I’m going to make you in to a smooth talker,”

“To be able to persuade people to do what you want,”

“I spent some years as an actor so I can teach my acting techniques and ways to start a conversation in your favor,”

“But for now we’ll start on acting,”

Sensei handed me a script

“Now this an old comedy story from back in the day let’s try rehearsing it ok?”

So I spent my mornings with the wizard Glengain trying to build up my mana and learning about magic.

Then in the afternoons I’d learn ninjitsu from sensei. Although there are many disciplines in sensei’s training. He says that by being a jack of all trades my enemies will be unable to read my movements.

I learned how to fight using several different weapons, although my favorite was dual wielding a katana and wazikashi which is a type of Japanese short sword. This method suited the now seven year old me. As a child I had to rely on my agility and speed.It had a balance of offense and defense

I also learned survival techniques. From identifying wild life to making my own potions and antidotes. Sensei’s way of fighting was not something that would be called honorable.

He showed me many underhanded tricks. From showing up late to a duel to make your opponent angry to putting pepper powder in my sheath to distract my enemy as I drew my sword.

He showed me the 18 disciplines as follows

Seishinteki kyōyō – spiritual refinement/Body strengthening using mana

Taijutsu – unarmed combat

Kenjutsu – sword techniques

Bōjutsu – stick and staff techniques

Sōjutsu – spear techniques

Naginatajutsu – naginata techniques

Kusarigamajutsu – kusarigama techniques(sickle and chain)

Shurikenjutsu – throwing weapons techniques

Kayakujutsu – pyrotechnics

Hensōjutsu – disguise and impersonation

Shinobi-iri – stealth and entering methods

Bajutsu – horsemanship

Sui-ren – water training

Bōryaku – tactics

Chōhō – espionage

Intonjutsu – escaping and concealment

Tenmon – meteorology

Chi-mon – geography

Sensei also helped me with my introverted personality. He taught me how to deceive people. How to display confidence even when everything goes to shit.It hurt by the way he literally kicked my ass and required me to smile no matter how great the pain.

He taught me the art of persuasion. In other words how to enchant anybody I came across. Although I found the persuasion techniques repulsive. I don’t like fake people but sensei was right these techniques would help with political and leadership matters.

All this training sucked hard but for some reason I felt good. I felt more confident then I had ever felt.

So I spent three years learning all these things and I was now nine years old. Sue was now seven years old and was more adept at espionage and assassination.

I swear to god that girl could hide herself in my room for a year and I’d never notice.

One day while sue and I were doing our morning exercises a big group of Japanese men came to the village. It looked like a retinue for a very important person. Then a tall Japanese man came out of a carriage. He had an aura of arrogance or more like of a leader.

He was the very image of a samurai. His clothes were elegant and crisp. This man then stepped into hawk’s nest along with my father.

Not many people could tell but even though I myself have poor observational; skills, sue and I could tell dad was nervous.

I was worried. There had been rumors in the village that some lords from Yamato wanted to conquer hawk’s nest. After all Hawk’s nest was a valuable war asset capable of providing timber and elephants.

“Onii-chan,”

“I know Sue, let’s go find out what’s happening,”

So we both sneaked in to our own home

“So Lord Freestone in Exchange for our protection you will provide us with timber and elephants,”

“Sorry but I’d be losing money,”

“Well money or your people’s lives which would you choose Lord Freestone,”

“Are you threatening to attack Hawk’s nest?”

“Lord Freestone I am not the only war lord that wants to control Hawk’s nest,”

“But I do not enjoy the slaughter of innocents, which is why I’m offering you this deal”

“And to make sure you do not betray me,”

“Boy!!Stop hiding and show yourself,”

What!?

No way did he know I was here

I was amazed at this man as I stepped out of the shadows

“Boy how would you like to live in my home as my ward,”

“You mean hostage,”

“Only a hostage if your father betrays me,”

“So Lord Freestone what will it be,”

My father looked at me and said

“Edin pack your bags,”

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