A green energy began to appear at the edges of Ilika's body, it carried with it a feeling of lightness, and a certain ferocity. It was the like the wind, which could be both a gentle breeze and a fierce storm. A whirlwind, albeit weak, and almost unnoticeable emerged, covering Ilika's sword.
'So this is magic.'
Ethan thought, as his trained eyes caught the faint 'magic' immediately, and he focused on it. This was a phenomena he had read about only in books, and tales. Ethan's generation had limited involvement with the invasions, after all. Thanks to his Grandfather.
He had merely read about Alapurians, and their infamous magic, in his days back at the Academy. Although this was nothing compared to what was written in the books. The Dreaded Siege magic of the Alapurian mages was something else entirely.
This was the basics, but even so, Ethan was immensely interested in it. He saw it take shape around Ilika's blade, and offer a slight enhancement. It was pathetic, but at the same time, mesmerizing. Ilika charged forth, with parts of his body covered in a slight wind as well, but unfortunately, it amounted to little.
Ethan swiftly defeated Ilika, and the only thing that caught him off guard was the fact that Ilika was able to fire off his energy, in the form of a crescent blade. It was the only time Ethan had to take him somewhat seriously.
Not by the threat of the attack, but how easily Ilika had managed to do it, and how stable it was as well. That was something that would take a Vakuman man a lot of training to do. However, time had run out. Ethan had other things to tend to, and as bells of the church rang, the lesson was over.
He gave the tired Ilika a pat on the back. The boy was heaving with sweat, his knees were shaking and he couldn't properly hold his sword. Ethan had made sure he didn't train him like a Vakuman would... but it appears that Alapurians had a weaker physique than expected.
'A ten year old kid would beat the shit out of you...'
But then again, the blast of energy he had fired off would be fatal to a ten year old Vakuman as well. Ethan gave Ilika a few more pointers, and he saw the boy vanish into the village with a beaming smile on his face, betraying the grueling training he had just gone through. Ethan took a deep breath, and his body flared with Ki before he vanished.
The affinity to wind may grant Ilika a burst of speed, but it was nothing compared to Ethan's own enhancement. Speed was, after all, his forte as well. Ethan had never focused on pure power, but rather speed and endurance. He knew his meager amount of Ki would never be able to increase his strength to an incredulous level...
But speed was another thing entirely. Ethan used his Ki to sprint towards the forest of the Beast God, and he went deeper and deeper, effortlessly running through the lush greenery without harming a single flower.
His goal was simple, the clearing he was found in. Ethan had made a habit to visit this place whenever he could, and explore deeper.
The Huntress had never left his mind, even in this small period of tranquility. She was always present, and Ethan would get his answers sooner or later. He visited this place to inspect it, and even though he knew it would always be the same.
A part of him wished to find that strange path once more, the strange cave, and figure out how the Huntress was related to his family. As the heir of the Rakaru family, it was his duty to find out.
Regardless, it was the same this time as well, much to Ethan's dismay. Nothing different was present here. Ethan sighed, and ventured deeper into the forest, finding nothing of note, except for a few paths and strange gates made of wood along these paths.
They formed a sort of wall, a barrier that only allowed members of the Beastly Aris, or those chosen by the Beast God. This was a magical barrier Ethan was unable to pass, no matter what.
It lead to the inner forest, and then to the majestic Helios Mountain Range and beyond that, the most holy place of the Church of the Beast, called the Sanctuary. It was at the furthest corner of the world, and an enigma to most.
Apparently, Beast God himself resided there, according to Igimo. Ethan wanted to study these so called 'gods' of Alapur, especially the one responsible for a thousand years of war, but it would have to wait.
He turned around, and went back to the village. The next few days were simple, he merely trained and instructed Ilika, and learnt as much as possible from Igimo.
And then, the day to travel to Miniac came.