[1715] – Y07.215 – The Darkness In Their Hearts V

Theo panted, for he was nearing forty now, and yet the man who was more than a decade his junior was so easily defeating him.

“You trained hard,” Jurot said, letting Theo step away, the older man stumbling to the side. Thomas prepared himself, the man in his early thirties, and it was he who was considered one of the golden ones, alongside Theo. Unfortunately for Theo, he was slightly too old to begin training truly to reach a great height, and though Thomas, too, was a little older, he was only now reaching beyond his prime, and he could ride the wave to continue, though in this peaceful place, known as the Iyr, he would only eventually become an Expert if he continue to train hard.

As Jurot defeated him and prepared himself for Alfie, he considered how they could sharpen their steel properly. Aria stretched, and she was one who, should she have wished, have become a great Rage Dancer like Jurot, for she was perfectly suited for it, but she decided against it, instead focusing on wearing steel, for she was too afraid of fighting without it.

‘Even so, they are decent…’ Jurot flexed his muscles, for he was only a half a year or so older than Aria, and should she have begun her training earlier, and had stepped out with them, she would have already been an Expert, just like…

“You may train between yourselves this day,” Jurot said, looming over Alfie, who blinked, for why had he decided that just then, and not before the Iyrman had beaten him?

Jurot approached the business, though when he didn’t spot who he needed to, he made his way to find Korin, who was sitting with the figure he wished to speak with. Lani stared at Jurot, though as he regained his composure, he greeted them properly.

“Kal Korin, Kal Lani,” the Iyrman called.

“Jurot, what is it that you require?” Korin asked, and seeing as he had worked up a light sweat, he assumed the Iyrman was currently training the others.

“I require a spar with Elif.”

Lani had begun to stand, but she paused, tilted her head. “Elif?”

Elif’s eyes darted between the pair. She had already begun to learn the Aldish tongue, but when he said spar, didn’t that mean…

Elif stood in her armour, that which had been provided to her by the business, full plate, and as she stared at the Iyrman before her, she shuddered within her armour.

“Do not worry,” Jurot said. “I shall not dance.”

‘Dance?’ Elif thought. ‘Ah, his anger dance?’

“You may come.” Jurot said, awaiting the woman, and as she swallowed, she charged forward. Lani had already begun to spar with her previously, having taught her the basics, but she had mostly trained by herself, even as they returned, so as she swung, she was uncertain.

The first swing went wide, but as she grasped her sword tightly in hand, she spun her body, and Jurot bobbed, his head swaying backwards as she threatened to take an eye. Elif blinked, and as Jurot’s axe returned, she lifted up her shield, and as she was forced back, she winced, but clasped her sword tightly in hand.

“Again.”

She charged forward, though this time Jurot brought his shield up, and his axe struck against her chest, and as it struck her against the side of her helmet, the woman stumbled backwards and fell, panting for air.

‘What is he…’ Lani thought.

“Oh?” Korin mused. “Is she an Adept?”

Lani turned her towards her brother, the fool, and though she made to speak, he turned to look towards Jurot who held Elif up.

“It seems you have stepped into the realm of an Adept.”

‘What?’ Elif thought, blinking, but as she turned, Korin translated it. ‘What?’

“You require some training on the battlefield, but it is true, you have stepped into the realm of an Adept.”

Elif blinked. She turned towards Jurot, then back to Korin, then to Lani. The utter bewilderment on her fact said it all.

“Seeing Adam fight has probably assisted you, and your training had paid off, but you shall require more sparring,” Jurot said, and as Korin translated, Elif frowned, only for Korin to continue.

“No, no, I will spar with you,” Korin said, causing Elif to let out a sigh of relief. “Do not forget I can use magic.”

Elif flushed.

“Oh?” Adam mused, having taken a few days off, and he was no longer quite as pale or gaunt. “Right, right, I guess they did swallow up quite a bit of XP. I think it was like seven thousand or so, so they’re a step between Adept and Expert, I think.”

“Her senses are too relaxed, we will need to spar with her, but she may be half way to Expert already.”

“Right, right, I totally forgot I was meant to keep fighting in order to train them up,” Adam mused, grumbling to himself. ‘I should have continued fighting…’

“Daddy!” Konarot called, rushing up to her father once she was done with her schooling for the day, and she climbed up beside her father to hug him, as the others always swarmed their father.

“Oh? Where are your little kakas and papas?”

“They are with nano and babo, to help with preparation for festivals.”

“Aren’t they too young to help?”

“Kaka is smart, and papa is strong,” Konarot returned.

“Ah, of course.”

“Of coas!”

“So, I can spoil you all today?”

Konarot flushed, her tail swaying. “Just a little bit?”

Adam cackled, wrapping his arms around his triplets, and they assaulted one another with their innocent affection.

“Daddy, I can draw a lovely sword?” Konarot asked.

“Of course you can.”

“You will enchant it?”

“I will ask the Enchanter to enchant it,” Adam assured, brushing her cheek tenderly. “Who is it for?”

“Mm… Daddy?”

“Daddy uses an axe though?”

“I will design an axe.”

“Oh my, oh my!” Adam leaned in to kiss her forehead.

“I will design a shield,” Kirot said.

“Oh! A shield for daddy?”

“A shield for papo.” Kirot side eyed her father, whose lips formed a tiny circle. “If you are a good boy, I will design you a shield too, daddy.”

“I’m never getting a shield!”

Kirot cackled, hugging her father. “I will make it for you, daddy!”

“Ah! My daughter, she is too sweet!”

“Daddy, I can design a ring for you?” Karot asked.

“Oh? A ring for me?” Adam asked, and the boy nodded.

“Um, you can, um, it will help you.”

“Oh? It will help me? How?”

“Um…” Karot thought. “To make potions.”

“How will it help me make potions?” Adam mused.

“It can give you a bonus, like a sword, but not for fighting, for alchemy.”

“Ah, a bonus for…” Adam paused, blinking. He leaned in to his son so suddenly. “Eh? Karot! You are smarter than even Jirot?”

Karot flushed. “No?”

“Oh my! Karot! You are so wise! Gosh! You really are mummy’s son!”

Karot flushed harder, his tail swaying gently behind him.

‘Is Karot my son? He’s too wise!’ Adam turned to look to Jurot, who held Adam’s gaze, and considered how Karot was a genius.

‘Ah.’

PATREON FOR 30+ CHAPTERS!

He is his mother's son.