During the journey in the horse-drawn carriage, Shion looked overjoyed as he gazed outside. His cheerful smile even revealed his teeth. Shion raised and clenched his fist while shouting:
Shion:"Come on, old man! Faster!"
Coachman:"Eheheh… but forgive me, prince. We won't be arriving in just one night."
Shion:"Hihihi… I know that, that's why I'm asking you to go faster so we can get there sooner!"
Kharim:"(while reading a book) Stop troubling the old coachman, Shion. We've only just left the palace."
Shion:"Hah? So what? Old man here almost wanted to do it earlier. Right, old man? (looking at the coachman)"
*The coachman only grinned while chuckling softly*
Kharim:(turning a page) It's pointless, Shion. You'd better just sit here."
Shion:"(annoyed) No way. Blwee…" (sticks tongue out)"
*Shion leapt forward and sat next to the coachman. With delight, he raised both arms and laughed freely*
Shion:"HEHAHAHAH… Let's go, old man! I want to leave at once!"
Coachman:"Hahahah… Very well, if that's what you want."
*The coachman then whipped the horses, making them move faster. Shion grew even more excited, laughing with joy, while Kharim kept on reading his book—yet this time, he could be seen smiling*
As evening approached, the coachman guided Shion and Kharim over a hill with a green lake far below on their right-hand side. He passed through the beautiful scenery in calm silence: Kharim had fallen asleep clutching his book, while Shion, resting beside the coachman with his head leaning inside the carriage, slept peacefully as well. The coachman drove on, carrying them gently through the serene and picturesque view.
However at the time when the atmosphere was calm, it was seen Kharim and Shion were shocked with the carriage that suddenly stopped, they then became awakened because something happened to their horse carriage. After Kharim realized the horse carriage stopped, Kharim decided to go out, while Shion was still stretching his body while yawning.
Shion: "HOOAAHH… Have we arrived?"
Coachman: "Uuh… Sorry, Knight. It seems there is a problem."
When Kharim approached the origin of the problem, Kharim then saw the right wheel of the carriage had a crack that even almost broke. Not long after, the coachman came and immediately hurried to look at it, while Shion followed. The coachman looked panicked.
Coachman:"Oh, noo… this is bad."
Kharim:"Why the wheel can crack like that, Grandpha?"
Coachman:"I also don't know, Sir Kharim. Suddenly the wheel just became cracked."
Shion:"(approaching them) What is with you all?"
Kharim: "Look, the wheel is cracked."
Shion: "Huuh? Just cracked only. Why be afraid?"
Kharim: "Just cracked, just cracked. If used again, maybe the wheel will break."
Shion: "Then what to do?"
Coachman: "I can fix it. Allow me to give me 20 minutes."
Shion: *(while thinking). (smiling widely) "Alright, 20 minutes."
*During the wheel repair, Shion and Kharim sat on a tree trunk nearby. The two of them were watching the coachman, but only Shion was still sleepy until he almost wanted to sleep*
However when he was about to fall asleep, at that moment Shion noticed a small knife was thrown toward him. Shion immediately deflected it with a small knife that he also took out. Kharim, who from afar realized, saw that small knife deflected.
Kharim:"Someone attacked you?"
Shion:"(while standing and serious gaze) Yes. I want to check it, you just stay here, Brother."
Kharim:"(surprised) Hey Shion, wait!"
*But Kharim could only stay silent and watch Shion go*
When Shion ran several tens of meters from the place of Kharim and the coachman, Shion finally stopped in the middle of the trees that were spaced apart from each other. There he carefully observed his surroundings.
Shion: (in his heart) "Who did it? (Realizing something) Wait a minute. Someone threw a small knife, but is it possible to throw it this far?"
*Suddenly the sound of someone's voice was heard, the tone so heavy*
"Oh, it was me who did it."
Immediately Shion was shocked and quickly turned to the source of that voice. When he saw, Shion was quite surprised with the black figure behind the darkness covered by the shadows of the trees there. However, that figure truly had a small body, and its form did not really look like a Cerdiva, but the voice sounded like a man.
Man:"I was the one who threw it."
Shion:"Who are you?!"
Man:"It should be me who asks. Are you Sibalih Shion?"
Shion:"So what if I am?!"
*The man only stayed silent while closing both his eyes. Then at that moment the man took out 8 small knives that were thrown toward Shion*
Shion: "Huh? What is this?, you're underestimating me huh?! KAITEN…!!"
With a single strike that his fist carried with wind, Shion succeeded in throwing away all those kunai. While Shion with his kunai, he ran toward the black figure. But the black figure only stood still watching Shion.
Man:"Only that much is still not enough Shi—"
As Shion was running, Shion used KAITEN again on his small knife. After that Shion jumped to the tree trunk right in front of the black figure. Then after jumping, he threw the kunai that already had KAITEN. So that the tree trunk, even the tree, was also destroyed. After Shion landed on the ground, Shion saw the thick dust, and had time to see that black figure. The figure only stood with eyes that turned white, until finally truly disappeared. Not long after, Kharim appeared from the place of that figure, Kharim's face looked so worried seeing Shion, but breathed in relief when he saw Shion.
Kharim:"Hhhaahh… You just make me worried!"
*Kharim leapt and walked closer to Shion*
Kharim:"So? Who did you fight?"
Shion:"(while putting away kunai) I don't know, I don't. I didn't even have time to see his face."
Kharim: "I see. Then fine, let's go back, the wheel has been fixed."
Kharim then walked back. But Shion only stayed silent for a moment because he thought about the opponent he faced earlier who did not look like what form it was. Then afterward Shion followed Kharim. Now after they went back inside the horse carriage, they continued their journey again. After they returned, it was seen in the dark shadows, there was a mysterious man grinning at them.
*After they continued the journey, Kharim still asked Shion*
Kharim:"So? Who did you fight earlier?"
Shion:"I already told you I don't know. I didn't even have time to see what his face was like."
Kharim:"Then it's clear that it was only a mischievous person messing with you."
Shion: (annoyed) "To hell with mischievous. If you don't know me then don't act familiar!"
*Kharim only stayed silent staring at Shion before Kharim looked forward*
During days and days they moved, the three of them had passed through many villages in city after city they visited. Shion often went to food shops and ate a lot of chicken meat. People who knew him joined together with Shion. Meanwhile Kharim bought several books. When they arrived back at the horse carriage and the coachman was already waiting, Kharim brought a package containing many books. Meanwhile Shion brought 3 chicken meats each as big as his body. One was carried on his shoulder like a bag, the other 2 he held while lifting them. Kharim spoke while scolding Shion, while Shion replied to him. The coachman only smiled seeing it.
Continue on the next day. In the afternoon when they were on the bridge between wide lands, the coachman brought it leisurely. Kharim, who liked reading books, read a book while sitting on the edge of the horse carriage. Meanwhile Shion was running chasing a big animal full of meat. After that he managed to catch it. The coachman laughed, while Kharim was annoyed with the ridiculousness.
Day after day passed, finally on the cliff plains, they already saw the center of SHAHRAD city down below there. The two of them looked happy when the city center was already visible. Especially Shion, he was more enthusiastic seeing it until he went down from the horse carriage and ran to the edge of the cliff.
Shion:"Yay-yay…!! Finally I can see the city of Shahrad!"
Kharim also went down from the horse carriage and ran to chase Shion, the coachman only smiled seeing them. After Shion arrived at the edge of the cliff, Shion was more cheerful and looked at the center of Shahrad city.
Shion:"(loudly) Wahahhh… This is so cool…!!"
The city of Shahrad, many buildings stood, there were several large squares, wide and crowded citizens, and a kind of colosseum building stood in the middle of the city. Kharim, who just arrived, was shocked and amazed seeing the city of Shahrad.
Shion::"(eyes sparkling because of joy). (even louder) "WHOO…!!! City of Shahrad, I'VE COME…!!"
Now they moved again. The coachman brought them into the city of Shahrad. After entering the city of Shahrad, so many people were bustling with their own busyness. Along what they passed, starting from the market, pedestrians passing by until the many horse vehicles crossing, all still crowded with people. They who saw the market in Shahrad so crowded, Shion looked amazed with the condition of the environment there.
Shion:"(amazed) So cool…! Shahrad is very nice!"
Kharim:"Hhhaahh… what is the difference with your residence?"
Shion:"Of course different. Here there are more citizens."
Coachman:"Magical Steel is not located in the city center, that school is at the edge of Shahrad city center."
Kharim:"That means we will pass through this city center?"
Coachman:"Exactly right."
Shion:"(looking with more amazement) Wow… So this is the city center? So crowded!"
Kharim:"Haven't you ever been in the capital city?"
Shion:(while looking at Kharim) No. Besides, the palace is in the city of Airstelec, not in the city of Shahrad, so I don't know about this city. Father is strange too, why is he the leader of the country but his palace is placed in Airstelec, even though it should be in Shahrad."
Kharim: "I don't know either."
They passed through the city for a long time. Long story short, finally they entered an uphill road that led to the hills. The uphill road was decorated with many ornaments such as leaves shaped from trees, and other things.
Until finally, the two of them could see the building of Magical Steel, the place for students who would become a Fighter, or become a servant in their country. For a moment the two of them were so amazed with the appearance of the school of Magical Steel from afar. Where the appearance of the school was filled in the front yard with a very wide field, then 2 buildings that faced each other. And covered by the front part to cover the side parts of those two buildings.
Many students entered the school, but for Shion and Kharim, the two of them were still inside that horse carriage while the horse carriage moved slower and slower. The school of Magical Steel was not fully visible yet, the appearance of the school of Magical Steel became clearly seen when they got closer.
Kharim:"(speaking to Shion) Yes, this is Magical Steel, where they will become Fighters. All types of jutsu DOJUTSU, KAIJUTSU. Then the basic elements like KAITEN, MISSUI, DENRYU, GENSEEKI. All are here."
Shion:"Eehh… (astonished) So not only is there the Kaiten element, but there are many more?"
Kharim:"Yes."
*Shion became more happy seeing that school. Then he became more cheerful until he laughed*
Shion:"Hahahah… now I will be more happy. The more rivals the more fun it will be."
Kharim:"(glancing at Shion) You better not be happy first. Some say this year is quite difficult because many use jutsu and magic that are capable at their young age."
Shion:"Where did you hear it?"
Kharim:"(sighing) The citizens of Airstelec themselves often talk about it, even at every new student admission it is always this academy school that becomes their talk."
Shion:"(looking at Kharim so amazed). (slightly smiling while grinning) "Wow brother… I really didn't know your ears are sharp too. In this cold, your ears are sharp too huh."
Kharim:"You noisy!"
*Shion laughed seeing Kharim who was always cold, now showing his annoyance to Shion. Shion then stopped laughing and smiled while looking forward*
Shion: "Why be afraid? I can already use KAITEN, right?"
Kharim:"(shaking his head) You, I already taught you for 7 years but you can only use your hand ability and punch, and also your other fighting skills are not very good. Different from you Shion, they are quite experienced in fighting, even it could be your position is the lowest among all students. You must study more."
Shion:"Huh? Not really. I can fight well, and also I can use my jutsu myself well. The proof is I could fight that mysterious figure earlier."
Kharim:"Most likely just playing around."
Shion:"(annoyed) Hhmph?! You look down on my strength?! I am already stronger for now!"
Kharim:"(slightly smiling) Sure?"
4 YEARS AGO
In the daytime that was slightly bright, there were Shion and Kharim who were walking. At that time Shion and Kharim were on a journey from the palace to go to play with their four friends like children usually do. But while the two of them kept walking, Kharim spoke to Shion.
Kharim:"Hey Shion, how about we train? You also must sharpen your ability, right?"
Shion:"No, I'm lazy now."
Kharim:"(seeing Shion become gloomy) No, you must train. With that you will become better in fighting and jutsu, even your fighting style itself is still lacking."
Shion:"Ugh… I'm tired brother. Besides your fighting style is not necessarily good either."
Kharim:"Wait? What?"
Shion:"The two of us still lack knowledge of fighting, how can you teach me that far? Even just teaching me to use KAITEN, that already I'm thankful."
Kharim:"That's why I invite you to train. You are so stubborn, your fighting style is still lacking, don't want me to invite to train either."
At that time Kharim was silent while thinking about something as they walked. Then Kharim had his idea, while Shion only glanced at him, then Kharim looked at Shion while saying:
"How about we duel?"
Shion: (looking at Kharim) "Duel? If I win what is the bet?"
Kharim: "If you win, I will give you a Ruby stone that is trending now."
Shion: "Ruby stone? (thinking) Oh, the stone that has an aesthetic carving with its material ruby stone and its beauty when shone with light. That one?"
Kharim: "Yes. If you win a duel with me I will give it to you."
Immediately Shion became excited after being given that fantastic bet. Then with his spirit, he gave a thumbs up to Kharim, then smiled while saying:
"Alright I will duel with you brother. But if you lose you must keep your promise right?"
Kharim: "Don't worry, I will give it to you if you win."
*Shion looked so happy, until finally he stopped in the middle of the road, then surpassed Kharim's step until standing in front of Kharim*
Shion: "Alright, I know a place that is good and suitable for us to duel."
Long story short the two of them were at a certain green field, but not very wide. Where that place had small beautiful flowers, and newly grew.
Shion: "Don't regret it okay. That bet is no joke.."
Kharim: "No."
Shion: "Hahaha… Alright, let's fight." (while clenching both hands)
Kharim: (while also clenching both hands) "Let's go!"
*And now the two of them began to fight*