A warning
Which means my father sent them.
For what?
To kill me?!
Did he hate his son this much? Or did the old geezer know that I am a reincarnated replacement? Can I really be that unfortunate?
These thoughts ran through my mind as I pushed back at the attacker when we locked swords, putting my back on it. The assassin drew back, gave me a meaningful look then vanished with a burst of purple flames. I wasn't that bordered about that though as the minds of the others all surrounding me disturbed me more.
"Who are you people?" I asked. I didn't get an answer. Is this a test? I hoped. Is Jack or Viesh watching from somewhere to see if I was worthy like they did to Amy in the novel? That's it right? Then let's give them a Highvoidesque performance. "You ignore me?" I sneered in act. "Then I will take the answer off your dead bodies! Come on come out twigs, enough of the hiding I can sense each one of you little insects!"
From the bushes and trees around me men and women clad in tight black ninja cloths just like the first guy's appeared. Some even stepped unto the path ahead and behind me. I was surrounded. Hey I can't fight this much, this isn't fair!
But I didn't show that on my face. Instead I sneered at the assassins. "All the village against one boy," I laughed. "Pathetic I'd say. But smart, I'm flattered."
The first guy stepped in front of the group. It was still troubling not to see his face. "We are not your opponent," he said, his voice was smooth and pleasant.
"Oh? what a relief. Do send the unfortunate ones over,"
"You mock us," a woman said from behind him. I turned to her but with her eyes covered by the mask it was hard to hold her gaze, though I tried. "But," she continued, "I do hope your skill is half as sharp as your tongue,"
I scoffed and said nothing just looking at the dozen of ninjas before me. "Ah fine," the guy said, "Mui, child please come forward,"
"En,"
A line in the group parted slowly from the back as someone made their way forward. I looked on curiously. What appeared in front of me baffled me but I had long since trained my poker face and didn't react. I just looked on with cold disdain.
What appeared before the group of ninjas was a small female ninja maybe my age. Her head and face was masked too. Hey how do they even see? But that aside if this is like those shitty novels I use to read you'd be screaming ouch another 'harem' member right? But here I am genuinely in trouble. Of course I don't know who this child is. I mean I might have read the story but it's not like I know everybody. Besides, the author didn't focus on the Highvoids, not to talk of their secret assassins, to fuel fear about them.
That means I'd have to go into this blind, not knowing what to expect. That doused my rising confidence of seeing a child some.
Ah! Let's get this over with. I fell to a stance; my feet spread shoulder width apart and my sword held with both hands. I took a deep breath and exhaled, relaxing my body. I wasn't stupid. I had read a lot of fantasy stories to know this wasn't going to be easy.
The girl, Mui, drew the sword on her back. A rusty great sword. I didn't like it. Do these people all have treasure swords? Damn I need one too. Maybe I can take her's once I defeat her. Yeah, let's do that.
The ninja girl strode to me with grace and confidence surpassing her age. I blocked her first strike, a lightning fast but heavy swing that pushed me back a little. I was a little surprised. I had not felt her mind spike with electricity like it would have done if she had used her powers. It stunned me, I would never have thought a girl of her age could generate such strength without powers. Still it was just for a girl of her age, she wasn't half as strong as Karlos.
Her next swing I blocked easily, redirecting the force away from me since I had expected it and sent a kick at her. She drew back in haste and I kept my leg stretched in the air for a moment for show before placing it back down. She wanted to move over again but I tapped my feet on the ground as if I would kick off it, then stopped, she hesitated; then I kicked off the ground anyway and came flying at her swinging my katana down sharply.
I was surprised as she contorted her body and dodge the sword by a razor thin margin. What speed!!! I missed badly and lost balance as I landed. I knew her counterattack would follow and I wouldn't be able to block, maybe I could dodge if I dived forward hastily but that'll only further put me in a disadvantage. Instead I mind blitz her. She gasped and I kicked her away, before closing the distance and pointing the edge of my sword on her neck.
"Ha ha ha ha you loose," I laughed then turned back to the other assassins. "Are we done here?"
"Just one more thing," the first guy said. "You father sent you a warning. He said you'd better not plot against the Highvoids or you'll die along with your mother and your pretty girlfriend,"
I frowned. "Fine," I said, "but tell him my message too. I want the permission to compete with Sin for the head of the house,"
It was like someone pressed the mute button, everyone became silent. Mui rose up, sheathed her sword, bowed to me and joined the others. "Okay," the leader finally replied after glancing at her. He snapped his fingers suddenly and four portals opened at all sides. They surface were dark purple mist. The assasins started walking into it.
The man turned to go after his men when I asked. "Who are you anyway?"
"They call me Viesh," he answered.
"Oh, then safe travels,"
"Good luck too.... Sin is not..." He hesitated.
"What?"
Viesh shook his head. "It's not my place.... Though I wish," he turned and walked into the portal. The portals all vanished as the last of the assassin passed. The forest suddenly became silent. I stood there with a frown in my face for a moment, then shrugged and sheathed my sword and continued on my way.
Still why did I challenge for a chance to succeed Jack Highvoid you might ask. That's because just as the little princess said they'd think I was playing politics no matter what I do so I'd best give them a none threatening motive behind my actions. They'd think I just wanted my place back as heir, maybe that was why I challenged Sin for a duel to prove myself, they'd say of course. In the end of the day it all depends on what they think.
On another note I'm glad that I got free license to be in the academy. It wouldn't be a smooth sailing road I suspect but at least I don't have to fear Jack Highvoid, the scariest person in this world, wants me dead. Hmm... I gotta tell Kina to send a message to my mother about the development so she doesn't worry.
Ah,
Scar's is somewhere in my doom run to make my life hell. But I'd survive somehow. It's what I do best.
In both lives.
Arc ends
THANKS for you reading. please leave a review if you have the time. See ya in the next arc. Bow from Ensii.