Hizashi No Kage

  Chapter - 3

  Akash used to sit by the pond every morning to meditate and master his magic. He was doing the same today too, but today he felt a kind of indifference.

  It was around 5:00. Cool breezes were blowing. He was sitting on a large rock, using Light Radar magic. This had been his daily routine for many years, and as always, his axe was kept right there — because after meditating, he had to take the axe and go chop trees. The axe never left his hand while working, and the flute never left his hand while resting.

  The range of Akash’s Light Radar was so vast that he could sense every event happening throughout the entire forest. But today, a major incident occurred.

  Akash sensed a monster — it was a Hobgoblin. But it was very far from the village, so there was no cause for worry. Just then, Akash also sensed the presence of a horse-drawn carriage. That carriage was heading straight in the direction of the monster.

  Akash immediately picked up his axe and ran.

  This was the shortest route connecting Musasia to Tyrope, the very path on which the horse-drawn carriage was currently traveling. The path was a bit dangerous because it passed through the forest, but this family had thought that in the morning hours there wouldn’t be much risk.

  Three people were sitting in the carriage — Samuel, his wife Martha, and their son Bob. They also had their coachman-servant, a warrior who was responsible for the safety of all of them. The coachman’s name was Magma.

  When Magma’s eyes fell on the Hobgoblin standing a short distance away, he immediately pulled the reins. The goblin’s gaze also fell on them. Samuel stuck his head out the window to look and froze in shock. He immediately got out along with his family.

  “Magma, protect us!” he ordered.

  Magma glanced once at his master, then at the goblin, and immediately ran away from there. Samuel couldn’t believe it. The horses also started jumping in fear. Samuel’s family ran in the opposite direction.

  First, with two punches, the goblin smashed the heads of both horses, then chased after the family. The goblin was getting closer and closer. Death for everyone seemed certain.

  Bob showed courage, stopped, and turned toward the goblin. “Thunder Spear!” He attacked the goblin, but the attack had no effect because his magic level had dropped due to his fear. He was now within the goblin’s reach. The goblin raised one fist in the air and prepared to strike.

  The parents screamed. Bob was so terrified that he couldn’t even move. The fist was about to land on him when suddenly, from the right side, a shining object came flying at high speed and sliced off that arm of the goblin.

  It was the axe that Akash had thrown — he had come running at full speed and reached there. Now the goblin turned its attention toward Akash and charged at him with an ear-splitting roar.

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  Akash immediately activated Light Shield Dome. The goblin kept attacking repeatedly.

  Samuel’s family watched in astonishment.

  Akash first retrieved his axe, then channeled Sword of Light onto the axe and, in just one or two strikes, completely finished off the goblin.

  After everything was over, Akash took all of them to his home.

  Before leaving, he glanced once at the two dead horses and thought to himself, “I wish I had arrived a little earlier.”

  The Snow family hosted Samuel’s family very warmly. Samuel was a big merchant from the capital. Having such an important person in their home made Bron feel truly blessed.

  Akash took Bob around the village for a walk.

  In the course of conversation, Samuel and Martha told them that their family was going to the Krans country on the Tyrope continent to get Bob admitted to Wand and Sword Academy. Bob wanted to become a mage.

  In the course of the same conversation, Bron and Angela also mentioned that they too had wanted to send Akash there, but now it was no longer possible.

  Hearing everything, Samuel immediately said,

  “Hey, such a talented boy must definitely get admission.”

  After thinking for a moment, he continued,

  “Look, Bron, I am a merchant and it is my principle that I never keep anyone’s favor. Akash saved all our lives. This debt I can never repay, but by helping him I will consider myself fortunate.”

  Angela and Bron could hardly believe it — could someone really pay such a huge amount for someone else’s child?

  On the other hand, Bob had also told Akash all the details about admission to Wand and Sword Academy, but Akash hadn’t shared his own story with him. For a moment, the thought even crossed Akash’s mind to ask for the fruit of the favor he had done, but he immediately scolded himself for thinking such a petty thing.

  When both returned home, Samuel was the first to speak:

  “Hey Akash, will you come to the academy with us? I want to get your admission done there along with Bob’s.”

  Akash understood the matter quickly. After thinking a little, he said,

  “Sir, if you want to do this only because I saved your life, then please don’t.”

  Samuel immediately replied,

  “And why not?”

  “Because I didn’t do it for any reward,” Akash said clearly.

  Angela started laughing and said,

  “See, I told you he wouldn’t agree.”

  Then, one by one, everyone started convincing Akash that there was no question of favor. Samuel and Martha simply wanted to help fulfill Akash’s dream.

  Akash himself wanted to go — how long could he refuse?

  In the end, arrangements were made for three bullock carts — one for Samuel’s family, one for Akash’s family, and one for some villagers. Samuel was saying just one cart would be enough, but the villagers didn’t agree. Seeing such goodwill from the villagers, Samuel and his family were deeply touched. They had only ever seen the cunning ways of merchants until today.

  It was also decided that Bron and Angela didn’t need to travel such a long distance for Akash’s admission. Samuel himself would act as his guardian.

  Around 1:00 in the afternoon, they set off, and around 6:00 they reached the border. After bidding goodbye to Bron and Angela, Akash entered the Tyrope continent along with Samuel’s family. From there onward, security arrangements were very strict anyway, because the level of development in Tyrope was extremely high.

  Around 10:00 they reached Elfo city in Krans country. They took two rooms in an inn there. The academy was also in this very city.

  The next day, Bob filled the form for mage and Akash filled the form for knight. The fee would be paid later, after passing the entrance exam.

  The entrance exam was 3 months later. There were two stages — first a written exam, then a practical exam. Whether for mage or knight, the structure was the same.

  So for the next three months, Akash and Bob immersed themselves in preparation. Samuel also arranged books for Akash.

  Morning and evening, both did two hours each of physical exercise and practice. The rest of the day was spent studying. During this time, Bob helped Akash a lot. Akash’s education had not been regular, so some subjects he already knew and some he was seeing for the first time.

  Bob was sharp in studies. He solved all of Akash’s doubts.

  Then came the question of swordsmanship.

  No one can learn sword fighting just by reading. Akash had never held a sword till today, and the practical exam required swordsmanship. (It was not necessary for a knight to be expert only in swordsmanship. Mastery in any weapon or any martial art allowed one to become a knight, but it was expected from all candidates that they at least know the basics of sword. This was an unspoken rule. That’s why the practical exam always included a sword fighting test.)

  Bob advised that in three months Akash wouldn’t be able to learn much, so he should focus only on basics of sword — meaning even if he learned just one stance, he should master it perfectly. Akash understood.

  And it wasn’t as if Akash had no idea at all about wielding a blade. Even if not a sword, he had been using an axe since childhood, and he had read many books on swordsmanship — precisely for this day. Those books had already built his understanding.

  And Akash also increased his practice hours.

  Bob and Akash had prepared very well. Bob, of course, had been studying regularly for years, so passing the first paper was not difficult for him. The difficulty came for Akash. His paper passed by just one mark. But anyway, he passed.

  Now the second paper was — 10 days later.