Chapter 7: Geography and night training


    "- Well then I''ll teach you howto read our language, but before that, canyou tell me that this happened just now? You disappeared with Maria and Krista and when they returned they were odd, silent, they weren''t even looking at each other !


    - Believe me, I did not myself really understand what happened, but that''s the same aswhen you caught Nero when he waschanging, it is better not to talk about it..."


    She blushed thinking back to the incident and said nothing more


    "- In fact we can first start by geography ? So that we knowa bit where we are.


    - Mmm ... yes you''re right, especially as the grandfather said you''ll receive quests from the guild, if you need to move you should knowas much as possibleabout the region. " With that she fumbled in the scrolls of the library, fished several out and spread them on the table. During the operation Sig asked how his cousin wastoday at the training.


    "- Well, he controle his energy a lot better than you but produces less than you. Hehappens to use its handling of water to form blades and uses them to strike with movementsKrista thaught him. And he canfish without a problem with that also. "


    Sig whistled, impressed :


    "- I''m looking forward to that, and you have not been as mean to him than me?


    - What do you mean by that ?! I''m hard on you because if you do not control yourself you''re going to burn the village!


    - Haha yes that''s true.


    - It''s not funny you know! Anyway this is the map of our known world. " She opened before him a great parchment which contained a sort of Big Island, some areas in the ocean and on the edges of the parchment were virgins.


    "- These blackareas are unknown right?


    - Yes, the central continent is the main parts of the world of men. The kingdomwhere we are issurrounded by many others. Here it is"


    she pointed to a small part of the south - east of the Big Island.


    "- Hereis theBroken Continent, further south - east and between the two continents is a large number of islands.


    - Looks like there is not much on it" said Sig, then he noticed that the edges of the two continents could fit.


    "-The central continent is from thebroken oneright ?


    - Yes how did you guess ? asked Lucia surprise.


    - The coasts of both can fit together if they are put close to each other,look " he grabbed the map and folded it for the coast to coincide.


    "- There, and I guess that''s where the name Broken Continentcame from ?"


    The young man''s mind vivacity still surprised Lucie.


    "These cousins are not just wild beast withexcessive physical force ..." shethought. She did not know that this kind of knowledge came from the far more advanced education of the young men. When he was in his original world, a knowledge of this type was the most basic for them. Then she continued:


    "- Actually it''s called the Broken Continent because years ago a cataclysm struck him, the men fled to the tip of the continent and the latter broke away, forming the central Continent today. The Broken Continent it is only a barren desert where only treasure hunters are going to find artifacts of ancient civilization. Besides the sea between the two is very dangerous, currents and reefs sunk many ship and pirates are rampant among the islands, hiding it when armies are sent to hunt them down.


    - And the continent that we only see the coast to the west ?" Lucie remained silent a moment and then replied:


    "- It''s the Dark Continent. We have not discovered because its access is almost impossible because of the ocean that separates us from him. It''s called the Brumocean, a kind of eternal fog prevents the vessels to locate in itand there arereports of sea monsters roaming in the fog. The few survivors who returned of thejourneys undertaken to discover this continentonly allowed usto have a rough drawing of the coast. Well we will look at what is within our reach right? She folded the big map and unfolded a smaller but highly detailed one of the Central Continent and some surrounding islands.


    "- The continent is divided into four great empires which are also cut into various kingdoms and duchies. We are here in the Duchy of Baram, our neighbor to the east is the Duchy of Plegius, we belong with the Duchy of Tristys of the HelioEmpire. The small kingdom of Celestis, here in the West, has no empirical affiliations and is composed of only oneextremely rich and powerful city. The empire which is next to it is called Auroris and is composed of the duchies of Raid, Ultia and Kalos. We are often in conflict with them. In the north in the chain of theBroken ToothMountains is the inhospitablegreat kingdomof thebeasts-men, and inthe north - east is the Kalimdor empire which is a federation of several kingdoms more thana true empire. There is also the ScarletArchipelagoI mentioned earlier you who is the pirate hideout. So much for the general geography of the continent".


    Sig had took a feather and ink and tried to write with, but it was not used and bore a holein the parchment given him by Lucie.


    "- This is your language ?"she asked, looking at his writing.


    "- Yes, but I do not usually write with featherso it''s not really clean.


    - As long as you understand, but you need to learn ours.


    - Of course, this is to show it all to Nero after.


    - We move to our empire specifically ?


    - Please "he replied, smiling.


    "- You''re slower than Sig" says Tatch tactless,


    - Yes, but I''m not somekind of drega like him !" Nero said while pulling the plow.


    - Nero, move! It is already late.


    - Yes Yes ! Raaahaaa! "


    " - Here. This map thatshows the Helio empire, the capital is at the foot of a lone peak: the Earth Fang. From it flowthe Cloud-Snake River passing in the Imperial capital and gives the impression of floating between cloud and rock, this is an incredible sight to behold. The river then divided into three, onejoins the main city of the Duchy Plegius where the guild of fighters of our empire is. Here in the Westis our duchy :Baram with the city of Elya crossed by a riverfrom the city - kingdom Celestis. and a little west from Elya, marked by a star,is our village, at the edge of the forest of Sylvan Giants.


    - And this city in thenorth?


    - It is under the direct jurisdiction of the capital of the empire, its central place on the continent is ideal for trade with neighboring empires.


    - And I guess completelyin the East is Tristys.


    - Yes, it is in this duchy that you''llfindthe Academy of mages of theempire . It is a bit far away but the radiance of the academy profie the empiremuch, plus there isa crystalline mine.


    - Crystalline?


    -Magic crystal.


    - Hmm wait I note all ofthis. "


    "- It''s over! Hahaha well played monster hunter !" Roic said, tapping the shoulder of Nero.


    - Aouch aouch! The plow was thereRoic! Do not hit me here !


    - Thanks again Krista, Nero, for thehelp. Without you we could not have done all the fieldin time. I must confess Nero,I was not very enthusiastic when the chiefhas made you as the new defenders, you just eliminated a monster who terrorized us, and your appearance was a bit scary. But I was wrong to doubt you, I beg you to excuse me". Lousia bowed his head facing the mestizo.


    - Aaah Louisa raise the head! I would have react the same wayif I were in your place!


    - Thank you to forgive me anyway.


    - Nero, we''ll join the other two ?


    - Yes I''m coming! "


    "- Lucie, Lucie ! Krista and Nero are there". The chief had called from the entrance.


    "- So you two, the lesson absorbedyou it seems"he said while allowing thetwo young people to enter.


    - You rest wellwhile I pull a plow in thefield huh Sig?


    - Haha I pulled it thismorning withoutcomplain! And there I was working for you too, I noted thingsthat I would pass to you tonight.


    - Goflush a little Sig, andNero I want you to wash completely, you''re still sweaty. I''ll make dinner.


    - Thanks Lucie, we''ll starve without you. "


    Nero left the house followed by his cousin and together they went to the hot spring once again.


    "- Wait I want togo home to put the notes I took.


    - Oh whathave you noted by the way?


    - Geography of the world and a little bit ofpolitics and history.


    - Not bad for an after noon. We fell into an interesting world then ? Well, even more than he isnow?


    - Very interesting if you ask me. Full of opportunities for both of us with our talents and powers "Sig replied with a strange smile and a gleam in his eye.


    -You, you''re using your brain function at full capacity to make plans. I have to worry?


    - You''re my cousin, no,even my brother, I would never do you wrong. But such a world where one has unbelievable powers I think we should enjoy it ...


    Sig put the notes in a trunk that was at the foot of his bed and then they came out again in the house.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.- You''re going to take a bath ?With what happenedthis morning ?


    - It was not because of the bath ... I was not really able to enjoy it.


    - You''ll explain now?


    - Yes Yes. It all started a long time ago ...


    - Seriously.


    - Roooh ok. You must have seen that I disappearearly in the preparation of food, too noisy for my taste. "


    Nero nodded.


    - So I went here to bathe and relax after the morning spend pullingthe damn thing instead of their creature which got eaten.


    - Fortunately Tatch is not there to hear you.


    - True... well I went torelax in hot water and there ... "


    Sig then told him what had happened in the bath, how a shyMariaappeared andthen the arrival of Krista and the fact that she also joined the two in the water.


    "- Wait wait you were with the two in the water! I know you had success and can manipulatewell but there ...


    - I was just as deluded that you believe me. I could not believe. I finally get out because I literally felt my blood boiling in my veins. I think my affinity with fire will affectmy calm in challenging situations ... like that.


    - I also think we still retains too much, we must exercise more if you ask me.


    - Yes surely.


    - Tonight after dinner, we will train together.


    - We''ll wait until the village is asleeps, we''ll go to the other side of the lake. Nowait, it may be too close again, how about we gointo the forest?


    - We will not see anything I think.


    - I''ll light torches, we''re also going todig a hole big enough that you''ll fill with water.


    - It''s exhausting toproduce water you know, it''s easier ifI take water fromthe lake and bring itthere.


    - You''re sure? It will be far.


    - It''s okay.


    - Ok let''s going out, the girls must wait for us.


    - It''s okay with Krista? Although she seemed quite normal, well except a few misteps.


    - ...we''ll see ".


    They wentbackto Lucie and her grandfather''s place, a broth warmed gently, and Lucie took a nice loaf of bread to accompany it. Sig whispered to his cousin:


    "- Perfect, a light meal, we''llbe morecomfortable for tonight".


    Then aloud :


    "-Whatbroth is it Lucie?


    - This is a remnant of this afternoon, Roic gave me some to prepare a mealto thank you.


    - Haha that''s nice but we should begin to cook for ourselves too, we can not rest on your cooking skills all the time, Nero added by making a wink which made her blush slightly .


    "- Don''t you worry about it, itdoes not bother me "


    Sig then whispered a bit strong:


    "- Back homeit is said that a man''s heart is through his stomach ".


    And he concludes by looking at his cousin and Lucie in turn. This time the latter was completely red but did not answer, because ofthe presence of her grandfather and Krista. This one had also heard what the young man had said but he sensed no reaction from her, hereyes still looking likesteels. Nero was discussing with the old man about the day andthe help he and his friend could bring, he did not hear the remark Sig made.


    "- Well, take place,I will serve you.


    - Wait Lucie, youprepared the mealso let me serve it at least " proposed Krista.


    She took the ladle and poured a bowl each then took the loaf of breadand cutwith a knife thatcame out of nowhere a few pieces for everyone. The headchief tried to serve alcohol but his granddaughter scolded him.


    "- Humph I am the leader of this village I have the right to drink anyway" he groused. The meal took place joyfully and finally everyone parted after tidying thing up.


    Nero and Sig returned home and settled in their respectivebed butSigtook the notes he had taken and gave them to his cousine before that.


    "- Well read that while the village fallsasleeps.


    - Oh, thank you, Lucie let you take the cards too?


    - Only one of the central continent. " Nero consulted the notes and the map and he quickly saw why his cousin was so excited about is world ...


    They remained two hours talking about this new world open to them and decided to take a look at the village. Quietly they roam around it, topped in black clothes as the night around them, and saw that the whole village was asleep.


    "- Perfect, we will seek water and go in the forest" Sig blew.


    Nero then plunged his hands into the water and drew around him a large amount that he madefly with him to the forest. Hefollowed Sig who had memorized the little map of the area that Lucy hadshow himbefore Krista and mestizo came. Illuminated by the flames made bySig that was flying next to each of them as wisps, they reached the forest without difficulty, especially as the wooden giants were easily spotted despitethe night.


    Sig pulled his cousin a little away from the path, not too far for them to find but just enough to be in private.


    "- The forest is impressive, be it byday or bynight "said Nero whistling his admiration.


    "-You really feel small next to it.


    - Yes, it''s true. If we did not have magic, armories bracelets and gigantic strength I really feel uncomfortable.


    - Me too, especially with the kind of creature lying around in this world. Well you we lit torches we''ll sees a little more, no?


    - I''m your personal lighter or what ? " Answered the inflamed,laughing. He lit six torches that he disposed in a circle in the small clearing, then using his bracelets he conjured a pickaxe.


    "-Ah cool it is considered a weapon! "And began to dig a hole in a rock by heating it with flames and then breaking with the pickaxe. He quickly came to a rude basin shape that Nero could fill with its water.


    "- Whew ! Ok finished preparing,can youclimb to the top of the treeand tell me what time it isapproximately.


    - Ok wait for me. " Nero jumped and climbed to the tops of trees, it could then see the beautiful sight of the surrounding valleys in the moonlight, reflecting the lake and even off the village asleep.


    "- You should come up here! The view is ... awesome!


    - Raah ok I''m coming" Sig, agile as a monkey, quickly joined him and together they remained a few minutes in silence to observe the world and stars.


    "- It should be two hours in the morning I think from the position of the moon.


    - You know what time to wake Lucia Krista ? And how the hell are you able to tell what time it is ? We''re not in our world anymoreasked Nero pulled from his reverie.


    - Lucie told me. Oh and they wake up between 6 and 7 hours I think.


    - ... You asked her something like that ?Whatever let''smove "


    They descended and began facing each other,Nero conjured theblade he had used on the first day against the raptodrome Sig and his tonfas.


    "- Are you ready ? "he asked.


    "- Obviously ! " And they jump at eachother.


    Like the first day they arrived, when they were in the temple, the two cousins fought, finally letting their true strength express themselves, each of their blows couldbreak bones. Sig, accustomed to fight with his past of practicing various martial arts, could use his membersas well using its weapons to attack which provided him a larger range of action than his cousin. However he had a greater lenghtenswith his sword and the lesson Krista had thaughtalready brought its fruits, he maintained distance Sig with his blade and pierced his defense easier. It was not a fight like the lake, they were more disciplined, less random in the movements. They almostdanced one with the other, separating just when the other hit. No more jumps and dodges, just strikes and conters.


    "- Let''s take a break... "proposed a perspirantSig.


    "- Yes, agree..."blew Nero in the same state.


    "- Youreally improved, you know, I couldn''t attack likean animal like last time, I had toremember some of my best boxingand tai jutsu movesto counteract your blade with my tonfas.


    - Sure you were ... more martial in your movements compared to the last time.You restrainyourself right? It''s really hard to block since you can hit with your legs and your arms. And you hit terribly hard, my arms are trembling because of all theshocks on my blade.


    - HinhinI must use my fightingknowledge my dear! Ok, we''ll moveto Magic ?


    - And you want to do this how?


    - I throw you knives and you hit them with a water stream ?


    - Not bad, that makes me work my reflexes and my mastery. Ok bring it on"


    Following the idea of Sig they continued their training, alternating the launcher and the target, Sig hadtocondensedsmall fireballs, powerfulenough to stop a knife but not too powerful to burn the forest. Nero extinguished the fire thatstarts with the water supply they had done.


    "- I have the feeling thatdawn is coming Sig.


    - Shit we werenot careful, we have togo!


    - We''re all sweaty !


    - Take some water and put it around my hands I''ll heat it while we return to the village! "