The soldiers debated among themselves, about their willingness to fight with a child. But in Yuki's mind, she wanted to test whether the boy had the determination to fight, even if he was wounded, even if he didn't eat right, even if he was a child. To have the determination to stick to his principles and fight, even if he lost. This would be very useful, not only in the war, but for his life.
- You... Very well. - The boy answers with a little fear.
Without letting him think too much, he climbed up. Using wind magic, he increased his speed, punching the boy in the stomach.
- Come on boy, show me what you can do! Do you want to give up?
- No...huh...I'm not giving up.
He staggered to his feet. It was a hard, straight punch. And she came at him once more with a jab and quick blows, he managed to dodge, which showed that the boy has much better reflexes than boys of his age. Then, to surprise him, she landed a trip and a kick while he was still in the air and ended up flying and hitting a cart.
- Damn... - Roy said, coughing a little and getting up.
- Boy, now I'm not even using my magic anymore. Come on, let's go! - The captain encouraged him.
Roy took a breath and went after Yuki. He remembered his opponent's blows and executed them. Yuki realized that he was imitating her fighting style perfectly. But because he is a child, and that constantly , he doesn't eat right. He wasn't going to cause much pain.
- Good, good boy! - he praised, but Roy, just like her, hit a low kick, making her go backwards, then quickly hit a kick in the stomach, making her fall sitting down. All the soldiers there looked on in awe.
- HAAAHAAAAH! How interesting! - Yuki was already standing next to Roy, showing everyone that she was quite fast. Without hesitation she grabbed the boy's head and sank to the ground.
- Ouch... Ouch... - complained the boy.
- You did very well, you copy people's fighting styles, but your physique is still that of a little chicken.
- Was that a compliment? - he asked, a bit miffed.
- Come on! I still have a lot to teach you.
The boy followed the captain to a much larger barracks, it was already night. Roy went to a room where there were many tables and people ate there, it was the camp dining hall. When they got there, they chose a table and it was empty. Then Yuki went out to get food and came with two bowls of rice, beans accompanied with some pieces of chicken, a bottle, and a glass of wine. She gave him a bowl. Seeing this Roy began to eat everything in desperation.
- He commented, stuffing a chicken thigh into his mouth.
- We didn't have much to eat. And with that little, we divided it up among us. - He spoke with his mouth full of food.
- Refugee life is hard. - Yuki drank some wine. - After dinner, I will tell you what is happening out there in the world.
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
After dinner, they sat down in front of a fire in the center of the camp.
- Nine years ago. The dark lord, Deimos... - The captain began to speak.
- I know this story. Deimos was a lord of darkness. He wanted to bring eternal darkness to the world. But a great hero sealed him off forever. - Roy said, looking into the flames.
- There is still much more to it. To seal the lord he needed a large amount of mana, and thanks to a treaty, we had to sacrifice a kingdom to achieve this feat. - Yuki said seriously.
- How? - Roy looked at Yuki.
- Six years ago. The kingdoms discovered why the demon army was so unbeatable. It was because the dark lord provided some kind of "dark energy". And this was what gave his soldiers strength. It seemed that all was lost. But that hero knew that if the lord's power ran out, his subordinates would weaken. That's why we needed an absurd amount of mana. And in this world there were four kingdoms - she took a stick and started drawing on the ground. - The Kingdom of Hiden in the center, the Kingdom of Wost to the north, the Giden Kingdom to the south and the Demon Kingdom lies after Wost. The hero together with the whole nation of Wost sacrificed themselves to seal the Deimos. Now this place is called the Forgotten Kingdom. The kingdoms of Hiden and Giden have joined forces to retake the demon-dominated territories. That is why the war is not over yet. - When he finished, Yuki drank some wine straight from the bottle.
- Won't you stop drinking? - Roy asked, annoyed.
- Pay attention to what I said, let the adult drink, you stupid dwarf! - Yuki exclaimed, slapping the boy on the back.
The boy stared at the roaring flames.
- I'm going to kill all the demons. - The boy said with determination.
- I like the you attitude. But mind you, you're still a little chicken. - She stroked Roy's forehead. - That's why I want you to follow me.
Roy leaned his head on Yuki's shoulder, he had fallen asleep. She had no reaction, but put her head on his lap.
- You must be very tired- she said as she rubbed his head with her hand.
- I envy this boy. - A soldier standing next to her commented, looking at that scene.
- The captain is very beautiful, but this boy... - The other added.
The next day, Roy entered the infirmary where his grandmother was with some bandages. When she saw that her grandson was safe, her eyes filled with tears.
- Grandma! - Roy shouted, going to hug her.
- Roy... I was so worried about you. - Mary hugged her grandson.
- I'm fine. But where is the old man?
She pointed to a bed that was far away.
- Thomas was always a stubborn old man. He used his magic to protect us. - The lady said wiping her tears.
Roy approached him, he was resting.
- What's wrong with him? - he asked the healer who was sitting at a table and preparing some medicine next to him.
- He has an illness called "Double-edged sword". - He answered this by stirring a potion.
- I don't understand anything. - Roy said, taking Thomas's hand.
- It is when an individual's body is not compatible with its own mana storage. Each time the person uses it, his mana erodes his own body. This gentleman is already in the intermediate stage and needs to be treated as soon as possible. - When he finished his speech, he stood up and gave the gentleman a potion. - The bad news is that this disease has no cure.
Roy looks at his frightened grandfather. Then he let go of his hand and left the infirmary. He sat down on a grass field in the camp, near the infirmary, remembering a conversation with his grandfather.
#############
Roy was looking at the children using their spells.
- Roy, do some cool spells. - A boy said to him.
- I don't think it will work. - Roy said, running his hands through his hair.
- Come on! Everyone can do it! - The child continues.
Roy looked down at his hands, forcing himself to do some kind of spell. He tried, but nothing came out. The child laughed.
- You see. - Roy said, a little disappointed.
- It's okay, Roy. It was worth the effort. - The boy said to Roy, going back to playing.
The child left him to join the others. Roy just sat there watching them enjoy themselves.
- They can use incredible spells. - Roy said, as he watched. - I wish I could use magic to become someone strong.
Someone punched him in the head.
- Stop being a coward! Whether you can use magic or not doesn't mean you are strong. - Your grandfather said this, coming closer. - Everyone is strong in their own way, surely you will find a way. - The old man handed Roy the book. - Just like him.
- ...
Roy took the book. He looked at the cover, which contained a knight in golden armor, sheathing his sword.
- Who is this?
- He is a great hero, the strongest in the whole world, he had a magic that did not attract attention, but he still became a hero. - The old man said with a smile to his grandson. - Surely you can become someone like him.
- But I am weak," Roy shrugged, hugging his knees.
- Then become strong like this hero, and prove to the whole world that even without using magic you can be a strong warrior.
############
The reminder was interrupted, as Captain Yuki walked in front of him.
- Come on, boy! - she said in a loud voice.
- But already? - he asked surprised.
- YES! We don't have time.
- But what about my grandfather and grandmother?
- Rest assured, they are going to a refugee camp near Hiden, they will be safe there. - She backed away a little from the child. - But if you want to go along I understand...
- No," she said with conviction. - I need to stay strong...
Yuki smiled slightly. They walked to a place where the soldiers were getting ready for battle.
- Very good, Roy. Our training starts here, I'll have no trouble teaching you fighting techniques, the problem is your physique. - Yuki spoke up, getting on his horse.
- With your training I will finally be able to use magic? - he asked excitedly.
- No. You won't. - She disappointed her pupil. - But you can compensate with your skills, like a swordsman, for example. Besides, you have to get an education, you can't even read and write, I'll see if Sergeant Ruck can give you some lessons, he was a teacher before the war.
- I see. - He took a deep breath and looked at his teacher. - I am ready.
- Well done! Our mission is in a city further south, there is a backpack on your side, take it.
The boy looked, he had a backpack full of equipment and it was bigger than himself. He tried to lift it, but it was too heavy.
- Carry it on your back to our destination," Yuki ordered.
He tried to stand up again, but could not. The captain, seeing this scene, saw that the backpack was too heavy. Yuki, seeing this scene, began to laugh.
- Just to be clear, it's only eleven kilometers until we get there. When we get there, I'll change your childish look.
He looked a little annoyed, but ignored it. With great effort, he managed to get it on his back. Almost powerless to walk, he followed Yuki faithfully. She looked at him, saw his determined look, the "I had no intention of giving up" look. She saw a light shining on him. An almost inexplicable light. She briefly remembered her past.
###########
Yuki Bonnie was an orphan, growing up in a village near the capital of Hiden. She was never an easygoing young woman, with a rebellious, hot temper that, when she got angry, everyone suffered her wrath. She was a two-element dominatrix, using it to attack.
At 14, she was feared by all the boys and girls, even the adults. This went to her head, she even had a makeshift throne in an alley, to rule the thieves there. It seemed that she was unbeatable, but...
- Well, well, well, it seems that this is where the little thieves come from. - Said a man, his face only with his nose down, carrying a boy, in tattered and dirty clothes.
At the end of the alley was a little girl with dark hair, monochromatic eyes, dirty clothes, sitting on a junk throne. And she looked very unhappy with the situation.
The man threw the boy to the ground, who immediately ran off. This man had a white cape with some blue details, and some golden locks in his pockets.
- So you are their boss? - he asked with a twinkling smile.
She didn't answer, just stared angrily at him, kicking his henchmen, calling them useless.
- Come on, I'm fine, just... - A burst of fire rushed past him.
- You don't know what you're getting into, old man, no one has ever found my hiding place and come out alive. - She said with a murderous look in her eyes.
- Gee, no foundation, you can do magic like that. - He completely ignored the girl's threat.
She became more irritated, but he joked with her.
- Don't be surprised, it's the last thing you'll ever see. - When he finished speaking, the flames began to swirl, wind magic was mixing with fire magic.
With great speed, he approached the man, breaking through the walls of the alley.
-Arr... I just wanted to talk. - He said with a tone of dejection.
In the blink of an eye, she was in front of him, throwing the flames and wind over the man, thinking she had hit him. But he was behind her, she couldn't understand. With a quick reaction, she went up again, this time with more ferocity. He just dodged, with faster reflexes, only hitting places on her body that would not cause as much pain.
Yuki became angrier, fire covered her hand, making claws of flame. The mystery man opened his smile wider, as if enjoying the moment. She tried to deliver a definitive blow, but the man moved out of her field of vision. The girl's body heaved, eventually falling to the ground.
- I think we can talk now. - He sat down on the floor with her.
- I don't want to talk.
- I have learned that you are an uncontrollable girl, raised on the street, very strong, who has made a tyranny in the world of petty theft.
- And what does that matter? - she asked impatiently.
- Nothing, I just want you to come with me. I think you might have a lot of talent. - The man said, holding out his hand to her.
At that moment Yuki's body became normal. She stood up and stood in front of him.
- Why do you want someone like me walking with you?
- Like you? Girl, you're amazing, without any background in magic school, you can do really cool spells. - The man spoke with enthusiasm.
Yuki was a little embarrassed, no one had ever spoken to her like that before.
- Besides, I don't see your actions now, I think about what you can do to change the future. I see a glow in you, you can still change your future, I'm sure it will be a bright future. Don't you want that? To be someone special in the future?
- I do... But you will take care of me, Yuki asked suspiciously.
- More than that, I will train you to be someone special. So that in the future you will find someone with a light, and guide him too. - The man stood up. - Will you come with me?
Yuki thought for a moment, but realized that this would be her only chance to be someone. Soon she ran after him.
############
The captain ended his flashback with a smile, looking at his nearly dying student walking with his backpack. That day a whiny little boy who was jealous of other people who could use magic died, and a fierce and determined warrior was born.
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