A World Of Decree: And The Seven Laws

Paris was gifted with friendly cheers and a hug from Laena as everyone quickly ran over. Her smile was shining bright into everyone's face, knowing damn well she wasn't ashamed of their points stripped away.

Calvin was the first to say a word to her in a worrisome voice, "How are you feeling? Do you still feel any pain?"

Finally settled in place, she responded like a friend would, regardless if she was speaking to her professor, "I'm actually okay for once. It's a feeling I can't describe, but it feels… Good."

"I'm glad. Griffin's magic is one of a kind, being able to actually manipulate bone marrow in living beings is quite an interesting sight."

"So that's what it was?" Faibel broke their conversation in disbelief. Ashamed at himself for not figuring it out sooner. Calvin could see the frustration building up on his face, deciding to put his hand on Faibels shoulder. They locked eyes, with no words Faibel stared deep into Calvins gaze, calming himself down, and turning his attention back to Paris and everyone else.

Calvin rose tall above everyone else, getting everyone's attention after a mellow wave of silence, "Alright everyone. As you must have realized we have lost all our points due to Paris surrendering."

Paris jumped to conclusions very rapidly, not letting Calvin finish his sentence, "Hey! I'm sorry I lost our points. But to be completely honest I took a deep toll from this on myself. And besides, I was the only one who got like half our points anyway!"

Everyone else knew she was right, she could tell by their eyes not being locked with hers.

"Paris, you didn't let me finish. In fact, what you did today was amazing, I will talk to you about it after everyone leaves here. In regards to the points, I have been thinking of finding a fairly easy borderless mission for us to do together." He slowly pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket, looked at it, and sighed. "However, for me to truly make sure it's safe, I have to scout it out first, and see what it holds. This may take months, but I promise you I will get an answer to you as quickly as I can."

Faibel stepped up, ready to argue, "That doesn't make any sense. Why do we have to wait for you to scout the safety of a mission? What if you go and get yourself killed? Then what do we do."

Calvin laughed, "Well I have a few tricks up my sleeve you all don't know about. But if it were to come to the worst possible outcome, I have a friend in the school that will take care of everyone and everything close to me."

Calvin folded the piece of paper back into his right pocket, leaving a tiny corner of it visible for Rina and Faibel to notice.

"Anyway. You all are free to leave, except Paris of course."

Within an instant of Calvin finishing his sentence, Cartuja bolted out of the Arena. It didn't take long for Rina to say, "Typical," and follow suite. Before she could use the rift in the Arena for a simple leave, Atlas caught up to her, a little hesitant to ask.

"Rina! Wait up!"

She turned around, unexpected at first to see Atlas running at her with a smile on his face.

"Oh. Hey Atlas, what's up?"

Atlas didn't know how to properly word his sentence, saying words that stalled his true train of thought, "Well I was wondering if. Um… How would you.. Do you want to…"

She could see him slightly blushing, making her feel a little nervous of what he could possibly ask her. However, she also felt something that wasn't familiar to her. Her heart rate exceeded her normal 65 beats per minute, elevating the heat in her body, and yet frozen in place.

"I was wondering if you wanted to train with me? It's just that I've been kinda secretly training by myself... and realized it might be easier with someone to help me point out my flaws and what I can improve on."

She released the deep breath of air she was holding in, relieved this was a simple question to answer. In fact, she was hoping he would ask that at some point so she could witness his magic for herself. Her heart rate lowered to normal levels, releasing her high body temperature and putting a happy voice into her head to direct her words of choice for her answer.

"Oh, Of course! You're actually not the only one who's been doing some practicing on their own," She winked dramatically for him to notice, "Me and Paris have actually been somewhat training a little together in the Arena's when we both have the time. I think after today, our little fights are going to get serious." They both laughed, excited to see each other's capabilities on the field.

They headed off to a different Arena, both grabbing a rift in the form of a small handle, followed by an activation of agreement on "Arena 22."

Arena 22 being one of the smallest, and unchangeable, it made for a very solid training atmosphere. Small, rubbery and metal-plated mannequins located on one side, and large targets on different objects located on the other. The ground was made of a very sturdy material, colored pitch black throughout the area. The spherical walls which engulfed the space were white as day, no marks or even a single scratch was ever made on the mysterious material. Small obstacles ranging anywhere from 2 foot high cubes to 6 foot tall shapes lifted off the ground, matching the color of the floor they stood on.

This was Rina's favorite arena, where she and Paris leave class to practice every tuesday and thursday after 6pm. Atlas on the other hand usually trained by himself in arena 16. This was the closest one he stumbled upon that resembled his initial training with Calvin in the trees. The environment around helped him stay calm, with the fresh breeze of nature to help his breathing and control.

When they arrived, the rift below their feet was formed into a small handle like usual for when they were ready to leave. In the meantime, Paris was still with Calvin in the Arena of the guild battle.

Everyone else already departed, leaving Calvin a slight clue of what Paris might ask. "Professor?"

"You know I've told you many times you can just call me Calvin, Right?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I wanted to ask you about my sword."

Calvin chuckled, knowing it had something to do with this, "You know my friend, Professor Zell will be more than happy to answer any of your desiring questions. He knows a lot more than me."

"I actually wanted to ask about your magic."

Calvin was surprised, he tried quickly to hide it as much as possible but it was very obvious, "My magic? Well… That was many years ago Paris. I hardly remember what mine was-"

"Don't lie right now," She interrupted him rudely, "What. Is. Your Magic?!"

Calvin could tell the last two months she's done her research. Clearly studying this world as much as possible.

"Magic is passed down by generations with certain tweaks and abilities that are unique to the individual. Meaning you're not the first one to have your skill set. In fact, you might be the last."

Paris' eyes widened, getting a response she wasn't expecting. Calvin paused for a moment to let her sink in some thought before he continued, "This means one of your great ancestors had your magic, and created your hidden blade to pass down through multiple generations."

"But this doesn't make any sense! Then why do some people not have magic in the first place? Or even know how to use it if they do have it?"

"We don't know," Calvin paused for a moment, "24 years ago certain events started taking place, unusual events too hard to describe with words. As you know, not everyone has magic in this world, only ones that were born with it have a chance of acquiring inhuman powers. Some are born with it but never even come close to their utmost genetic peak due to never getting the guidance they need."

"So.. My sword will vanish when I unlock my potential?"

"Yes and No. Your blade is a guide for you, which doesn't mean it will disappear. I for one never had any guide or any equipment to help unlock my potential, I had to teach myself how to use my magic. So think of your sword more of a guide rather than a key to c.h.e.s.t. Or perhaps it might even be that, there really is no way of truly knowing unless that seal breaks." Calvin quickly realized what he just said, regretting his decision to share information too deep for Paris. He could easily see it in her reaction to his response.

"What happened 24 years ago?" Her face was now filled with concern and horror. Linking all the clues together from their conversation to reveal a troubling hypothesis.

"That's enough for today. We should get going."

She was frustrated but knew there was no point of arguing. As Calvin turned around to walk towards the rift handle in their Arena, Paris noticed he pulled out a piece of rigid paper from his pocket as he walked. He stared at that paper like his life was on the line, before quickly putting it away and departing from the scene. Paris was suspicious, knowing Calvin isn't telling her everything he knows. However, he was now gone, and she had no choice but to follow suite.

Back at Arena 22, Atlas and Rina were ready to begin. Rina was eager to see what Atlas has learned in the past two months, knowing damn well he didn't slack off like Cartuja.

"To be honest, I haven't actually tried to learn any new spells. I've truly just been trying to perfect the only one I know," Atlas claimed boldly before his attempt at punching one of the mannequins on the sides.

"I've been doing the same pretty much," she laughed, but knew deep inside she was covering up her hours of practice with Paris and alone on some days as well. Now that Atlas had an audience, and a girl to impress, he knew that 100% is the only thing he can give.

He began running towards the mannequins, slightly leaned forward, grasping the air into his lungs to control his steps. Rina noticed he wasn't running normally. In fact, he was running a lot faster than she's ever seen someone run, besides Cartuja of course.

Atlas was guiding his concentration into the bottom of his feet, synced with every step he took on the hollow ground. It seemed as if he was gluiding so smoothly on the surface, like a master at his craft. As he approached the mannequin he caulked back his fist, Rina noticed his eyes glowed for a split second before he delivered the finishing blow.

As soon as he released his fist from being motionless in the air, he guided it straight towards the mannequin, "Augment." The poor lifeless body dissipated into a million pieces, on top of the impact being so forceful in the air that it even decapitated mannequins to the left and right. Each were roughly 10 feet apart, and still felt the impact of the blow. If the ground wasn't built for this type of commotion, there would be some dents and marks left without a doubt.

Atlas quickly regained his conscious self, still filled with energy, ready to go again if he d.e.s.i.r.ed. Instead, He turned back at Rina, giving a quick grin with a thumbs up, hoping he did not disappoint her expectations.

For Rina, Atlas surpassed them. She had to double take the situation to reassure herself that this was indeed Atlas and not an imposter. The mannequin that Atlas attacked was made out of pure medal, solid to the core. She had no idea what to say, and was ready to show him her progress as well.

"I gotta say I am more than impressed. Seems like you really put in the work for the past two months, damn."

"Well you know…" He was quite embarrassed, but kept his cool in front of her, "just had a little free time here and there.."

"Don't worry. You're not the only one that's got something to show," she smiled, ready for him to experience the same surprise she was bestowed upon moments ago.

Rina began to raise her hands from her sides, simultaneously as her blue eye glowed bright in sequence with her motion. Slowly, but very controlled small bubbles of water started to form all around the arena. She was using the already present oxygen in the room and creating her own hydrogen molecules to bind onto the oxygen receptors.

Once they reached the shape Rina d.e.s.i.r.ed, she started to direct the flow of the bubbles with her hands. They quickly formed a small wave, flowing through the arena like a paper airplane in the wind. After a few turns and cruises, she launched the water against an entire stack of rigid mannequins.

Her water wasn't normal, it was sharper than blades, slicing the metal like paper. Atlas was blown away by her performance. It was so smooth, so controlled and yet so viciously deadly.

As her eye returned to her normal state, Atlas ran over to her, unable to think of any words to describe how amazed he was. After realizing he needs much more practice to even compete at her level, he praised her greatly, "Wow! That was amazing! How did you manage to get such good control of your magic in just two months?

Rina laughed a little, she was more impressed with Atlas' performance than hers, "You kidding? And here I thought you were the impressive one? You controlled your movement with every step, I only had to focus on one thing.."

It took a second for Atlas to realize it but she was right. However, after practicing so much he didn't even try to focus on his movement. It was like his mind moved on his own when on the battlefield, controlled by his senses and actions that needed to be performed.

"Huh… I didn't even notice I guess. Well, at least we've improved a pretty good amount since we had those one-on-one fights at the Guild."

"Good amount?!" Rina was a little shocked by that remark, "I'd say we've improved more than just a good amount."

Atlas chuckled quietly, "Yeah! I guess you're right."

"Listen, Atlas. I have something I want to tell you as well."

It was now Atlas's turn to get suspicious and nervous of what she might ask.

"I've been with Calvin a lot recently. Every time I'm with him or ask him about mine and magic in general, he either ignores me or changes the subject. I've also seen him constantly look at a dirty looking piece of paper in his pocket countless times," she paused making sure she had his full attention, confirming that she did before continuing, "He's hiding something from us."

"Hiding something? Come on, everyone has secrets they don't want to share. It's probably some out of school stuff."

"No. The way he's acting is extremely shady. This is not some family business or whatever, this is serious."

Atlas could tell by the tone of her voice she was being completely honest with him, scaring him a bit about what Calvin might be hiding.

"Well, what do you want to do? Just walk up to him and ask, 'Hey there Calvin, what's that piece of paper in your pocket you always look at?'"

"Not exactly, although that might not be a bad idea."

Atlas couldn't tell if she was serious or not, hoping she was being sarcastic. To his luck, she was, "We're going to need to look at it at some point when he's not in his office."

"But didn't you say he always carries it with him?"

"Not 100% of the day. We're going to need to sneak in during the Halloween festival next week, and hope he leaves it in his office."

Atlas responded without a second of hesitation, "Sounds like a plan I guess." Knowing he might spend alone time with Rina, he was not going to pass that opportunity down. He was more surprised that she told him first before anyone else.

"Alright then, We'll make a plan with one other the night before the festival."

All of Atlas's plans of being alone with Rina were instantly crushed, but he remained positive, strong, and ready for what's to come.