The following day Kyrion prepared a hot breakfast for the kids, who seemed surprised by the portions the older boy had prepared. They were even more astonished by the amount he could consume by himself. The two kids wondered if this person was a giant pretending to be human.

“So. Do we have to walk more today?” Bastion asked.

“Yes. Cardio is one thing you’ll need if you want to become a spirit master” Kyrion set one of his weights on the table.

“What’s that?” Eden asked skeptically.

“A training tool. A type of weight actually.”

“You run around with weights on your body?” Bastion asked.

“Yeah. I’m pretty strong physically. It’s one of my foundations since I’m mostly a healer.” So Kyrion put the weight back on.

The kids were not surprised by that statement. “Why does a healer need to know how to fight?”

“I’m someone with a lot of mana. I didn’t know how to use it and when I was still learning I felt like I was the weakest person in my first group. I thought I was holding them back. Then my training began and my teacher knew exactly what kind of talents I had and helped me discover just how powerful I could be. During the past five years the main lesson he taught me was mimicry. If you can do the same thing in different way’s people will find it hard to figure out how you do it. Misdirection is a tool for survival.”

“I don’t get it.” Eden said blankly.

“Me either.”

“Have either of you been awakened yet?” Kyrion asked.

“Awakened?” Bastion asked.

Eden just shook her head.

“Well then. Looks like I’ll need to ask for a favor or two.”

Kyrion left the house with his students and then absorbed the building. The three of them watched as Kyrion led them towards the Capital. The road was built as they went along. The closer he got to their destination, the more caravans they noticed along the way. It was mid-morning when he arrived at the gates. It was time for his second breakfast, so his face looked slightly sour.

“P-purpose for entry.” A nervous guard asked Kyrion.

“Business with the school.” Kyrion picked up both of his wannabe students and showed them off.

“And you are?”

Kyrion eyed the man with an irritated expression one would have after escorting two small kids who seemed to have endless complaints about heat and tired legs. Although to be fair, they hiked a good thirty miles with supplemental healing whenever they complained too much.

“It’s the red bear!” Said another guard.

The guards retreated through the gates running for their lives.

“Does that mean I can go in?” Kyrion asked, his tone a little shaken.

“The red bear?” Bastion looked at Kyrion closely.

“I mean he’s big and has red hair. He could be anyone though.”

“I am no red bear.”

“Well then. Asela sure has an interesting taste in academies. With guards that flee like that this place has to be totally safe.” Kyrion walked through the gate, his appearance drawing the gazes of many onlookers. Quite a few seemed to be intimidated for some odd reason.

“Bunch a cowards I say.” Kyrion led the way forward.

Eden looked at the bounty board and then at Kyrion. “Well his name isn’t Alexander and he doesn’t have a scar like that. The eyepatch is a match though.”

“Come on, we gotta go.” Bastion took Eden’s hand and tried to lead her to their master, who seemed to wander off without them.

It was then Kyrion caught on to the whiff of sweet rolls and followed it to a bakery. The divine smell caught his attention. Kyrion opened the door and dipped into the bakery, being careful not to rip the door from its hinges. He’d gotten control, but accidents still happened from time to time.

Upon entering the bakery, Kyrion found that the owner was trembling for some reason.

Kyrion went shopping around for confections to pull out his bread basket before he noticed something in a basket in front of her chest.

“Excuse me? But how much are those?” Kyrion pointed at the basket of steaming donuts clutched to the women’s chest.

“These are not for sale!” The woman prepared to grab a dough roller.

“Hadn’t had a good donut in years. Well then I’m ready to check out.”

Two kids entered the shop and ran towards Kyrion.

“Oh.” The women looked down at the glazed pastries. Her demeanor shifted in an instant as she went into sales mode.

“The donuts are nine copper apiece.”

“I’d like two dozen. Visiting family, I’d like to bring a gift. These two would also enjoy the treat, I bet.” Kyrion took out ten gold knowing full well how much he was overpaying and didn’t really care.

“Good sir this is too much.”

“Consider it a tip for dealing with someone as scary as me.”

“You aren’t that scary. It’s the height and eyepatch. A lot of us have families that remember when The Red Bear was a pirate.”

“I am not the red bear. Do me a favor and let the neighbors know.” Kyrion left the baking with the baked deliciousness in his space. It was then he caught onto the scent of tasty sausages.

“Mmmm.” Kyrion followed his nose.

“Uh Kyrion. Don’t you have something you need to do first?” Eden asked.

“I’m stocking up on food. That’s pretty important.” Kyrion continued his shopping.

After his shopping, Kyrion took the kids to a restaurant for a light lunch.

After some more time wandering around, Kyrion eventually made it to the outskirts of the Norn Military Academy, later than intended. He may have gotten carried away. The money he brought along almost emptied. After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at a gate where an older man with white hair tiredly looked at him.

“I have business with the headmaster. A message from Drisil academy. I’m also here to check up on my sister Asela. These two are my guests.” Kyrion told the man.

“You know one of the flame princesses by name?”

Kyrion sighed. “I just said I’m here to see my sister. Why wouldn’t I know her...”

“Proof of status.” The white-haired gatekeeper asked.

Kyrion pulled out a green badge that he obtained after reaching the practitioner. It resembled a tree with many branches and leaves spreading outwards and up.

“Oh, high ranked aren’t you. Do you know what this means?” The gatekeeper asked.

“I’m probably here to cause trouble. Which means that I’ve been set up one way or another. I bet I’ll be monitored by people I can’t sense the second I step onto campus.” Kyrion put the badge away with a bored expression.

“What makes you say that?” The gatekeeper asked as they raised a left hand.

“A hunch.” Kyrion put his left hand over his eye patch.

A small boy with chestnut hair came to greet him. Small by Kyrion’s standards, they were of similar ages.

“Wow, you’re as big as the prince of metal.”

“That has to be Noah.”

“Wow. You must be well connected to know him.”

“Something like that. What’s your name by the way.”

“Jesse Olair. Well Jesse, if you work hard like them maybe you’ll become just as popular. The Jessintor has a nice ring to it.” Kyrion said cheerily.

“Yeah good luck Jesse.” Bastion eyed the slightly older kid with reverence.

“The sarcasm is strong in you isn’t it.” Jesse squinted.

“I was being honest. But it’s fine. You don’t have to listen to me.” Finally, Kyrion arrived at a set of double doors. Two stone dog statues stood guard on each end of the door.

“Just go on in. You are expected.”

Kyrion opened the doors and entered his entourage behind him.

A young blond man in military regalia was standing behind a desk, his arms held behind his back. He had a noble appearance and grace to himself, showing that he was of a high station.

“Welcome, Young Kyrion Mosely, I can see that you’ve taken after your master. Though I was told that you’d be arriving alone.”

“It’s hard to train out bad habits in others when you don’t lead by example. Things happened and I’ll need to talk to you about them privately.”

“Fair enough, you’re here. Please take a seat. Would you like a drink?”

Kyrion took a seat. “No thank you. I shouldn’t be here long.” Kyrion procured the letter and handed it to the headmaster.

Eden pulled on Kyrion’s pant leg. “I want a drink, teacher.”

The headmaster took the letter and broke its seal before eyeing Kyrion. “You didn’t peek did you?”

“No, of course not.” Kyrion looked down at Eden and sighed.

“If it’s a non-alcoholic mind, if my companions get something to drink?”

“I believe you.” The headmaster of Norn said with a tone that said the opposite. He then read the letter and knew that Kyrion was telling the truth.

The door behind the boy locked, and runework coated the room.

“What’s going on?” Kyrion asked.”

“Some anti-scrying procedures.”

“I see. May I ask why?”

“Kyrion. Youv’e been volunteered to participate in an expedition match between Norn and Drisil.”

“Ugg. Why me?” Kyrion scratched his head.

“To stir up the ant hill. Apparently a majority of our star team know you and think of you as a friend. The continent-wide tournament is coming up and they want us prepared.”

“Bull.”

“It’s what is said on the letter. It also said to make the fight two on one.” The note was passed to Kyrion.

Kyrion read the note and then unconsciously crumpled the ends. “So, if I don’t swear to do my best I’m to be expelled immediately?”

“Yup. It’s a strange thing to make a star pupil do.”

“I’ve been sandbagging in my efforts to gain rank at my school.”

“So they want you to lose and learn some humility?”

“Possibly, but I doubt it. Gamodren probably wants me to show off. The war is getting worse and they want you to know that Drisil is more than ready.”

“That isn’t out of character for him. Any suggestions.”

“Send your strongest and I really hope I lose. So long as it isn’t Asela.”

“She’s in the top five, but not the most durable combatant. Noah, and Isaiah then. Given your build and apparent fighting style they should give you a run for your money.”

“Great. Do I have to fight right now? Or can I meet up with my friends and catch up.”

“It’s better to get the fight over with. You can relax tomorrow.”

“I’d rather not have people scared of me.” Kyrion looked away from the headmaster.

“Kid you may be big but you’re only a practitioner of at the first threshold. It isn’t going to be one sided with you on the offensive. You’ll be outnumbered and outranked. You’re at a disadvantage.”

“Boy do I hope you’re right. I swear not to lose without doing my best in the upcoming battle between Isaiah, Noah, and I.” A chain of mana wrapped around his heart.

“Doesn’t get better. I’ll tell you that now.” The runes faded, and the door was unlocked.

“Good. Now for my other business. I have discovered agents of the Beast Blood empire here in multiple areas. They are running a slavery ring in your country as well. From what I’ve been told, there is a traitor high up there. Possibly multiple. Kyrion pulled out his map and pointed to the location where the cave was discovered.

“Whats there?”

“I’ll bet that this is an area where they hide slaves. One of the monsters I slew claimed to be a member of that empire. It hijacked the body of a bear I had to hunt down.”

“I see. You aren’t lying are you?”

“Teacher would never lie about that! He saved me from those slavers that worked with the empire. They had us working in a mine! So many of my people died there, had he not been there I’d be working there right now.” Bastion put his foot down.

“I see. Then the refugees were telling the truth. Captain…”

“Stop. If the name you say is Vendral then we have a problem.”

“Why is that?”

“He’s one of the people my sources said were dirty.”

“He’s taking them out of the city tonight.”

“Listen, you need to stop them ASAP. He’s also been procuring a ton of powerful weapons from a friend of mine. If the refugees survive chances are that they’ll either be killed or taken back to the mine.” Kyrion’s eyes bored holes into the headmaster.

“You have an hour to talk with Noah before your fight begins. Things need to go as scheduled. He will be dealt with, though do you have any proof?”

An unconscious body appeared on the table.

“This is one of them. Still alive and you could probably interrogate them. I have more but if he ends up dead in your care before he can be questioned.”

“I see. You’re holding onto your witnesses. When will it awaken?”

“In four hours. Where should I take the kids?”

“Let them follow. Chances are they’ll be in danger as well.”

“Good.” Kyrion opened the door and came face to face with someone his height. It was pretty disconcerting.

“Hello? I was told to meet with the headmast… That hair…” The tall boy seemed to have a wider frame and, all in all, more muscular mass.

“Noah! You got big. I really thought I’d passed you.” Kyrion looked at his tall, muscular brute of a friend.

“Kyrion? What are you doing here?” Noah was aghast.

“Apparently fighting you and Isaiah. Also I got two kids now.” Kyrion scowled.

“Oh? Headmaster, did you need anything? Wait, kids? How!” Noah asked from the outside.

“Just head to the arena, you have an hour. Walk and talk.” The headmaster replied.

The two boys caught up on life and training. As it turned out, Noah’s drive to grow stronger was infectious and led to his status as his team’s leader and the top student in his class regarding martial ability. Kyrion told the story of how he found two kids on his doorstep the night before when a stork dropped them off. The kids explained the truth, which seemed much darker than the stork story Kyrion came up with.

“You’ve been through alot. But I need you not to hold back. For your own safety, because I can’t hold back. My mana pool and control have grown exponentially. Had that been all then I wouldn’t be worried. I just don’t want you scared of what I show you, so this is my warning.” Kyrion said grimly.

“You’re a healer Kyrion. How scary can you get, sure you were strong, but….”

“He’s a hero! Not a healer.” Bastion interjected.

Noah looked at the odd-eyed boy who interrupted and sighed.

“I don’t like using my powers offensively but I do know how to kick up a storm if I need to. This fight won’t be fair in the least and you’ll understand soon enough. Go all out from the get go or you won’t have a chance to win.” Kyrion warned his friend.

“Eden, Bastion.” Kyrion called his two students and bent down to be at their height.

“Yes?” Eden watched as Kyrion planted something on the inside of their shirts. In a moment, a small black bud bloomed into a tiny blue flower that she had never seen before.

“Now then if anything happens speak up and I’ll come running.” Kyrion reassured the two kids.

Kyrion split off from his friend and entered the colosseum. The kids were taken to a private room where guests were supposed to watch the fight from above.

Changing out of his traveling robes which fell to the ground with a loud thud. He then carefully removed his weights, placing them into a hidden space.

Kyrion changed into some light fighting clothes capable of him moving freely. Kyrion’s muscle tone was more athletic than bulky. With minimal extra mass, he looked a bit lanky for his height. However, his monstrous strength was hidden with efficiency. Issac’s influence on his body made him well balanced. Tying up his hair into a ponytail, Kyrion then cut it with a knife making it shorter and more manageable in a fight. His hair grew too quickly to care much about maintenance when he had to give it his all. His eyepatch was tied loosely so he could remove it if needed.

Dropping his metal staff into his space because he needed to be measured and not overly destructive.