Information

This is a work of fiction. Names, monsters, skills, places, etcetera, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2014 by FrozenArrow. All rights reserved.

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*IMPORTANT*

There is important information in the author's notes please read!

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A little time has passed since Iryl made his exit from the research facility.. Now, he was sitting on a bench near the facility thinking of what he should do!

" Sigh.. "

' To think that my spiritual energy has yet to awaken.. It's a little disappointing but, it can't be helped. I'll just have to wait.. '

With that thought in mind he stood up from the bench and said.

" Well! Whatever! Where should I go next ? "

As he said that he turned his gaze towards a place were a lot of elves were gathered and without losing time he went closer to observe what they were doing. Once he was close enough to observe, what he saw was several elves preparing their bows with arrows while waiting for the instructor to give out the signal to shoot. All the elves that were ready to shoot had a similar slender body and with a firm posture they were showing off their elegance.

" Fire! "

At the instructor's signal, arrows left the bows and flied towards the scarecrow targets. All the arrows that were shot hit their target! But, only 2 or 3 of them have made a clear hit on the red mark of the scarecrow. As Iryl observed he said in a low voice.

" That's impressive.. "

Among the elves that were training one of them made eye contact with Iryl and before long, he lost interest and with a small grin on his face as if trying to show off he turned back and prepared the next arrow.

' Uwaa.. What a jerk.. He didn't even hit the mark on the target.. Well, whatever I guess this is the training ground..'

Iryl's guess was right, here elves were training their accuracy and strength while using the bow!

After observing them for a while he approached the instructor and greeted him.

" Fir.. "

" Hello there, is this the place where I can train my body ? "

The instructor paused what he was about to say and turned towards Iryl. And with a bright face he answered him.

" Hello young one! "

The instructor would have been in his fifties if he were human. But, since he is an elf with his looks he must be around 150 years old at least. His appearance was that of a middle aged man with short red hair and a lone red eye. As for the other one.. He was wearing a black eyepatch to cover it. A huge cut was marked on his face, starting from his forehead going down to his neck. The middle aged man said after greeting Iryl.

" Indeed this is a place where you can train.. "

He then made a kind of.. Sour and sad face before he continued..

" But, only for elves with an external energy of 50 or above.. If you lack the strength to draw the bow then there is no way you can train here.. You should do some exercising to build up some muscle. Then, when your external energy reaches 50 you can come back.. "

Iryl smiled at the instructor's words and then spoke what he had in mind.

" Then I suppose I am more than qualified to train here! "

He then took his power badge out of his pocket and passed it to the instructor. The instructor was left with his mouth open as he looked at the badge and then back to Iryl.. After that he rubbed his eye to make sure that the numbers he saw were true and then said.

" 6..687.. No way.. "

' That reminds me of Narxus... A little.. '

The instructor then stood up and made a step closer to Iryl.. Iryl took a step back.. And the same thing happened foor 5-6 more steps... Then the instructor rushed towards Iryl and as if he knew what was about to come Iryl dodged the incoming instructor.. After his attempt to catch him failed the instructor said..

" Don't worry! I am only going to check your body..! "

" No! No! No! I 've heard that before.. "

But the instructor didn't stop and kept trying.. Iryl magnificently dodged every time the instructor came close to him.. The elves that were training had already stopped long ago and were left with their mouths open as they saw the instructor having trouble to catch one person.. For them the instructor was like an unstoppable war machine.. Make him angry and you are dead meat.. And now! In front of them that very same instructor was trying to catch a person they have never seen before with a smile on his face...

' This person.. If he catches me I will have to go through another scary experience... No! Never! I refuse to get caught! '

With that thought in mind Iryl kept running and dodging around for more than ten minutes.. Finally the instructor got tired and stopped chasing him..

" I understand.. Huff huff.. I won't chase your anymore... Huff huff.. So.. Stop running.. Huff huff.. "

Out of breath the instructor finally gave in.. And now Iryl stood in front of him while shivering..

" For real..? "

" Yeah.. Huff huff... I am too old for these stuff.. "

' Uwaa!! He called himself old! Gramps never once called himself old..! '

" Then can I have my power badge back..? "

A drop of sweat could be seen coming down from Iryl's forehead as he asked the instructor to return him his power badge..

" Eh..? Yeah, sure.. Sure..! Come and take it! "

" No! No! You can just throw it.. Don't worry I'll catch it..! "

" Tsk.. "

The instructor left the power badge on the box he was sitting and stood up while clapping his hands..

" Ok maggots! Those who stopped training should start running around the village.. Hmm.. 20 rounds should be enough! "

The elves that were there began to sweat.. And one of them said hesitantly.

" Isn't that a bit too much..? We won't finish before the night falls.. "

" Oh! Good point! You run 30 laps for complaining! Now get running! "

" Ehhh ?? "

" Do you want more ? "

"...No Sir.. "

" Anyone else who has any complains ? "

The elves then shook their heads and without saying anything they began running like the wind... That made Iryl think.

' Poor things.. '

Iryl then went over to the box and took his badge back. His gaze never once slipped away from the instructor.. (I wonder why..)

" So.. What was your name again.. Ah! That's right.. Iryl wasn't it ? Let me introduce myself.. People around here call me Gill so feel free to use that name.. "

" Senior Gill then.. "

Answered Iryl as he heard the instructor's introduction.

" So Iryl. What does a mons.. Ghmm..! What did you need from me..? "

' Old man that was too obvious.. '

That thought passed Iryl's mind and as a vein popped on his forhead he said in a low voice..

" Who are you calling.. "

But before he finished his sentence he sighed as to relax and tried to smile.. After that scene he answered to Gill's question.

" Nothing in particular! I was just curious of what elves here did for training.. That's all! "

" Then how about you give it a try ? With your external energy I am sure that it will be more of a game than training.. "

" Eh.. Sure. I don't mind but.. "

Iryl hesitated for a moment but quickly finished his sentence.

"..I don't know how to use a bow..."

With that last sentence the instructor's jaw fell on the ground.. But, before long he just laughed it off while saying.

" Pfft.. Hahahaha!! Is that so ? Well! There is always a first time for everything! Come I'll show you how it's done! "

The instructor then, went to where the elves that were currently running trained and picked up a bow that was lying on the ground. After picking up the bow he went over to a small tent and with his left hand took a pouch filled with arrows. Iryl was watching his actions from a five meters distance.. Then the instructor said as he moved towards the training area.

" Listen up Iryl! There are three things a good archer needs to have.. First is accuracy! Nothing can not be achieved if an archer lacks accuracy.. Through training of course one can have it perfected.. "

The instructor then took an arrow out of the pouch and made a firm posture as he prepared for the show..

" The second thing an archer needs is to have a cool head! If you can't concentrate on what you want to shoot down then there is no point in trying.. "

Gill then took a deep breath and steadied his aim towards a scarecrow that was at least 50 meters away from him.. He then released his hand from the bow string and the arrow flew in the vicinity! As the arrow approached the scarecrow, it hit on the center where a red mark as small as a fingerprint was.. But, that wasn't all, with lightning speed two more arrows followed behind it and each of them pierced the arrow previously shot! The instructor then exhaled and turned towards Iryl who was left with his mouth open..

" The last thing one needs.. Is guts! Remeber that! And it's not only needed for archery huhuhu! "

The instructor for some reason had a sinister smile which made Iryl feel a little creepy.. Then, he passed the bow and an arrow to Iryl while saying.

" Now! Give it a try! "

" Ok.. "

Iryl then picked up the bow and got an arrow ready! He held the bow with his right hand and the arrow with his left and as he stretched the string of the bow a problem occurred..

SFX: Ting!!

The string from the bow broke..

" Arara.. "

The instructor went over to Iryl and took the bow from his hands. After giving a fast examination over the bow he said..

" Hmm.. The string must have been too old! Wait here I'll get you another one! "

He then went over to the small tent and got another bow he once again passed the bow to Iryl and encouraged him to give it another try.. For one more time Iryl took the bow and got ready to shoot.. For one more time the string broke and Iryl was sweating..

After trying for a while the instructor said..

" This is the seventh bow.. Let's just leave it at that... Sigh.. "

The instructor lost all of his hope! Without giving it another try Iryl said in a low voice.

" Well.. I can just use swords can't I..? "

But that didn't escape Gill's ears.

" Swords ? Ehh.. I don't think that you will be allowed to go out hunting with them.. "

It felt as if an arrow pierced through Iryl.. When the instructor mentioned that he won't be allowed to go out hunting if he is going only with swords he couldn't help but ask.

" Why..? What is wrong with using swords ?? Why is it that only bows can be used for hunting ?? "

The instructor gave a light frown and said..

" Hmf.. (Author: That's the frown right ?) How exactly will you hunt while using a sword ? Befor you even manage to get close to your target it will have already fled! "

' What kind of logic is that ??? Is he mocking me ? Is he mocking the swords as a weapon ?? '

" So are you telling me to just stay idle in the camp ? "

" Well.. That is.. Yes! Just do that! I am sure you can help around the camp.. Well, until your spiritual energy awakens at least.. If you have a strong combat spirit contract I am sure they will let you join the hunt for assistance.. "

' As if that's enough.. Well whatever.. It can't be helped, guess I'll just have to improve my swordsmanship until my spiritual energy awakens.. Hopefully it won't take long.. '

" Well, at least can I use the training area ? "

" Of course! As long as you don't use any bows that is! "

' This old man.. Once he heard that I can use swords.. Well I'll let it pass.. It doesn't matter either way I can't use bows.. '

" Ehh.. Are there any swords in the tent ? "

" No! Not even one! "

' Why are you so happy when you admit it... At least show some remorse god damn it! '

Iryl couldn't help but suppress his rage.. He then said back to the instructor!

" Well, I'll just have to make one.. "

" Do you even know how to make swords ? "

" Nope.. Not at all! But, I know someone who can! "

And with that said Iryl left the training camp and went to search for Luke.

Time flies by and it's been 4 years since the group arrived at the training camp. The two brothers Dan and Ken became part of the hunting group. Ken was a specialist in wind magic. He already had 2 spirit contracts at the age of 13! As for Dan.. Even though he didn't excel in magic his archery was advanced in level.

Aprilia also joined the hunting team. She didn't excel in neither magic nor archery but she had an incredible amount of combined skills of water magic and archery! That also got her the title Spiritual Archer. Lilith didn't join the hunting group and just did chores around the camp. Even though her earth related magic was far superior to that of Ken's she couldn't bear the killing part of the hunt..

The only ones left now are Iryl and Luke.. Luke's fire magic was out of the world he already had 3 spiritual contracts which made him the youngest elf to ever achieve such a feat.. His archery was also at a level similar to that of the instructor Gill.. And thus he was recognised as the leader of the hunting group..!

' Who would have thought that Luke had such a talent.. Well, that's better I guess.. Having strong allies isn't that bad at all.. But.. '

" Hey! Iryl! Are you done with the dishes ? If you are done can you carry these boxes filled with medical herbs over to Mirana ? "

" Yes! I'll get it done soon! "

" Then I'll be leaving it to you. "

As for Iryl.. Four years have passed and his spiritual energy had yet to awake.. All he could do were three things.. Train, meditate and chores..

' Just how long do I have to bear with this.. I am starting to get tired of it.. Not to mention that the training is inefficient.. Well, at least my current body can withstand the first advanced sword skills.. '

Even though Iryl never showed his badge to anyone.. What it said was one thing..

***Mid Level Power Badge***

External Energy Level: ???

Spiritual Energy Level: ----

***Mid Level Power Badge***

END of chapter 9

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PS: If I can upload the next chapter it will come out on Friday and the title will be Spiritual Contract (This is not a scam..)..(I mean it!)