The past few days gave a myriad of questions that Xerxes couldn't understand; it was exactly this feeling that he hated so much. Being in the dark, better put, being powerless against his destiny.
Though he was happy about the increase in power, something felt wrong. It was what to make of it, and was this truly strength he was gaining by himself or from an outside force?
It wasn't something he could answer, so that brought him to today. He had made a request that both Aemon and Conrad would meet him and Airi; he did want training, but as mentors to him, he would like some guidance.
However, that was going to be tough when he was facing Aemon. He and Conrad were both facing him this time to evaluate Xerxes' strength, not only by himself but in a grouped scenario.
"Xerxes, cover my right!" Conrad yelled, whilst pressing forward, each step as wide as if a beast was leaping through fields.
Aemon was fixated on Conrad, as that was his imposing threat. On the other hand, Xerxes was going to support his sword instructor; to do that, he needed to draw his attention. Concentrating fire mana in his right hand, fire began running rapidly from his palm.
Supplementing that power, in his left, Xerxes began uplifting the potency of his fire with wind magic. Conrad was informed of his second mana affinity before the battle had started, and it was safe to say he was in shock, but didn't expect anything better from Xerxes.
Aemon, on the other hand, had no idea Xerxes had awakened yet another type of mana, despite only being a Tier 5 mage, which gave Conrad all the time he needed to subdue Aemon's surprise.
"Solar Wind!" Xerxes roared, as the spell wreathed in flames howled across the battlefield, trailing embers left in its wake, as it devoured all in its path, Aemon being no exception.
The spell made contact as there was an eruption of flames that danced in glory around Aemon. Conrad raised his sword and thrust downwards directly into the figure; a loud crack that didn't sound human emanated.
A hand gently landed on Xerxes' shoulder, his guard not ready enough to deal with a threat. "I thought I had shown you enough. Attempting to blind the path between me and you with fire won't work, and it never has, Xerxes," Aemon stated, with words that were definitive and final.
Xerxes smirked. "Who said anything about it having to be my fire? Airi, now!"
The phoenix soared through the sky in a streak of blazing gold, her flames intensified with each beat of her wings.
Airi's focus narrowed, channelling the searing fury straight at Aemon, who felt the weight of the attack pressing against his senses. The next instant, she crashed into him like a meteor, detonating into a blinding inferno.
Xerxes immediately leaped forward, grabbing his wrist and deployed a gush of wind that invigorated the flames' hunger, as Conrad leapt in, his blade singing through the air before it struck Aemon, hurtling him across the scorched field, earth and grass torn as he fell.
Yet even as the smoke curled and embers danced in the air, Aemon rose unscathed, unshaken, brushing off the assault as if it were nothing more than a breeze.
Xerxes was beginning to understand more about Aemon after the countless spars they had—something that couldn't be taught but gained. It was heart.
Despite being hurt, exhausted, broken, a true mage always had the heart to continue, and that was sometimes what ensured someone's victory or defeat.
Xerxes couldn't put a finger on the extent Aemon was willing to go in battle, but something told him—from his expression, the radiation of mana, his confidence, and everything about him—Aemon could go at this for hours, even days.
Aemon began walking towards them. Conrad gripped his sword; Airi's eyes narrowed. "How should we approach this, Xerxes? I think I only have three-no—no, two—attacks left before I'm at my limit."
As if peeking into Xerxes' mind, Aemon asked, "Are you done strategising with Airi? Your face is giving it away. Forget it, this time, I won't give you the chance I had given you before. Now, it's my turn."
Instantly, two pillars of earth pushed against the backs of Conrad and Xerxes, pushing them forward with speeds greater than what any of them were able to handle. Xerxes tried to push himself forward and activate his soul shard to stabilise him, but it was too late.
Aemon's arm lashed out like a steel whip, striking Xerxes with the force of a battering ram. His head slammed against the earthen pillar behind him, the brutal impact robbing him of even the chance to resist the darkness closing in. Consciousness slipped away before he could hit the ground.
Before Xerxes had begun to fall, Aemon was already upon Conrad, his blade clashing against Aemon in a storm of motion. Unlike Xerxes, Conrad was more fortunate and had the privilege to fight.
As his world tilted, Airi's voice echoed in the distance, and the clashing of power began to grow quieter.
Some time later, Xerxes had awoken, and night had fallen. Aemon and Conrad were talking, the both of them fine, albeit.
Conrad, even with his power, was no match for his father, even after years of training and being in his physical prime. Aemon was talking about Xerxes' improvements and the growth he couldn't have ever expected.
Additionally, there were a few words of concern that were along the lines of, "It may not be safe," but the rest was a blur as Xerxes began to rise.
They quickly changed the conversation topic, with Airi awaking at the same time as Xerxes, she too having taken a rest.
"At least you're not dead." Aemon chuckled. "I hoped so, at least. If you were truly dying, Airi could have used her healing flames!"
Xerxes held his head. "I thought I died too. Aemon, did you have to use so much force? It feels like I died a hundred times over…" he groaned.
"You need to develop heart and the will to keep going on, even when you don't seem to be in control. Back in my day, I remember fighting for two whole days, whilst others were capable of so much more!"
Intrigued, Xerxes questioned the validity of the statement. "Two whole days? How is that even possible? Are you messing with me?"
Conrad shook his head. "No, Xerxes. Even within the outpost, there are people like that. The person I am referencing is the lieutenant—he's a badass through and through, that's for sure. His willpower supersedes mine, and that is what leads to his great power, that leads to most great warriors' power."
Xerxes followed up with a question. "So, what does having power mean?"
Aemon looked out to the city and all those who relied on his power. "To know power is to use it nobly, to protect those whom you love and propel this world into a greater state for the betterment of the people. That is what power means to me; that is what I feel is my purpose."
Taking a pause, Aemon looked at Xerxes' face, who was weighing the words of his statement. "My question to you is: what does it mean for you to have power?"
Clenching his fist, Xerxes adamantly said, "Power isn't judged by the potency of mana, or the expertise within the sword, but the symbol you create. And I need to become something akin to that; that is what power is for me. Of course, I need strength to back up my ambition. I need the will to keep going forward, and those both will mould my dreams."
Aemon then materialised an earthen sword within his hand and pointed it forward. "To our dreams and success—how about that, Xerxes, my boy?"
Conrad put his sword forward, touching the tip of Aemon's earthen blade. "To our dreams and success."
Completing the seal, Xerxes mimicked the words. "To our dreams and success."
Aemon allowed the sword to crumble; then Conrad retracted his sword, as did Xerxes. Aemon got up from the grass, helping his son up, as he began to stretch. "For the next day or two, training is cancelled. Then, we will party from dusk till dawn."
Conrad sheathed his sword. "It's time for me to prepare Leiya's gift with Aliya. You going to be alright by yourself, dad?"
Aemon chuckled. "Who said anything about me being by myself? I've got an amazing young man with youthful strength to help, don't I, y'know at this age my back is running into problems?" directing his gaze towards Xerxes.
Xerxes scoffed, "As if! You're probably the strongest person in the world." Though his words wouldn't save him from the slavery he was signing up for, but he wasn't going to be alone.
Trying to creep away, Airi was subtly flying. "Nope, you're destined to me, so you're destined to stay with me and help me."
Then, for the next few days, Xerxes and Airi were forced into doing Aemon's work, whilst he shouted at everything, not wanting anything to be imperfect.
He had gotten to know the townspeople extensively well and realised all the pure souls that Aemon had created through his leadership.
He truly was lucky for how things had turned out.