6 Departure

For the first time, the middle-aged man felt threatened. Time seemed to havefrozen. Just before the dagger touch his skin, he managed to free himself from the restrain of the shadow. Lightning magic was immediately activated to counter-attack the man with the dagger, but unexpectedly he felt a sharp pain on his other side.

Antony turned instictively to see what happened. Unexpectedly, he saw his son John smiling at him while waving a black dagger around as he was mocking him. The figure that he was trying to attack so desperately a minute ago had disappeared like it never existed. The old man lowered his head to see the wound that have appeared on his body dumbfounded.

" Unexpectedly your dagger is cursed. This wound will probably never close unless you desire it yourself. That would have happened if your magic was stronger than mine" As he talked electricity flowed in his body. A small scream could be heard from Antony's wound. A black light emerged out of his body and returned to John's dagger.

"You little brat, to think that you would actually manage to injure me.How did you trick my perception with just the element of Darkness". Antony couldn't understand. How did John suddenly appear from his right side to the left. What he was training so many years for if he was being toyed by a junior.

"Hahaha! How did you like my trump cardfather" John laughed happily as he continued "Like Vladimir who awakened his third element this past year, I also managedto grasp some understanding in the Light element" John said proudly.

" You actually achieved to unlock a second element! But I didn't see the use of any other element except from Darkness"

" This isn't strange. Usually the element of Light is normally used to heal wounds or for purification. Its actually the exact opposite from the element of Darkness but at the same time they both are the two sides of the same coin. Manipulating the brightness in an area allows me to interfere with my prey's visual field. I never became invisible, it's just that you couldn't see me.In a similar but more complicated way I created a momentary mirage of myself. Anyway, this was the combination of the elements of Light and Darkness according to my understandings and not the manifestasion of only just one element as you thought. You just fell in my trap father".

John stopped to take a breath and then walked near Vladimir in order to support him. Antony didn't prevent him. He stayed motionless, lost in thought. Finally he shook his head and looked at the two youths.

"Forget it. Managing to deal some damage to me with your level is the proof of your talent. Just try to keep some low profile in the Imperial Academy or else you' ll scare everybody there. Well young men, congratulations for the completion of your training". Antony said with a smile.

The two teens were taken aback by this unexpected announcement.

"Father, it's not like I want to complain but we haven't won yet"

"Father, although rare, Vladimir is actually right. A small lucky wound is far from the goal you set for us three years ago"

" What do you mean by this, bastard! I am always right. Reality has proven so. Why do you think I have so many followers!"

"Please don't tell these poor girls that you only see themas followers. You' ll see how cruel reality can be"

" Alright guys that's enough. Don't tell me you actually thought that you could win. I am a S ranked adventurer. My fighting capability is enough to fight solo against a dragon. It's already a big achievement that you fought so well when I used 10% of my power"Antony said quickly. The fact that he was injured was already a big slap on his face. His pride couldn't endure any more hits.

"Let's go to eat dinner. Today I'll let you drink a little" Antony said as he started to leave the area. The two youths didn't delay either as they started to follow him quickly..

****

The night passed quickly while shouts and laughter could be heard from a small log cabin. Before long, the morning finally came. Unlike the previous day that it had sunshine, many clouds started to gather threatenly on the sky, boding a bad weather.

In the center of the Moon Village, a temple dedicated to the Goddess Maria existed. A priest was standing outside of the temple with impatience written on his face. Before he lose his cool three figures started to aproach him.

" At last you decided to come. It's almost noon bastard Antony! You two too! Oh Goddess Maria give me power to keep my calm"

"As always you like to be dramatic Jonas"

"Its Father Jonas! Do you think that I wear these cloths for a show?"

"Whatever you say. I came here to entrust you my two sons. Do not involve them in anything shady"

"I' ll ask again. Do you think I wear these cloths for a show?" Father Jonas wanted to retort but in the end he decided to give up. Exhausted from this kind of comedy skit(?) he made a gesture to the two youths to come closer.

" Listen well kids, the journey until the capital will take around ten days. It's impossible to travel so far with only the three of us. It's definite that we will meet beasts or bandits". Father Jonas said severely. He checked if he had the two teens attention and continued. " Princess Andriana will let us to travel with her and her Order". Upon haring this, both John's and Vladimir's eyes almost popped out from the shock. "Do you understand brats? If you insult in some way the princess, then even the gods won't be able to save you" the old priest said loudly. After seeing the two boys socked expressions he let a satisfied smile.