Valerian, The Legendary

Chapter 22: Growth.

Valerian kept gazing at the lady in front of him for a long time. He did not say anything and neither did Priscilla raise her head to look at him with impatience.

Despite the hate and bias in his heart for humans, Valerian was not going to just kill someone for no reason. At this moment he was thinking about how he used to suffer the same way and would bow his head to Gloria.

This action of Priscilla made the cold in his heart recede. He lowered his hands and cast a spell, ‘Luminare.’

The library was again lit up well with a gentle golden glow. The maid raised her head and the boy nodded to her faintly. Priscilla nodded and said, “You will not regret this. I will teach you everything I know.”

Valerian bowed his head to show her gratitude. Priscilla said, “It is already very late today, you should go to bed. We will start in the morning. Is that alright with you?”

Valerian thought about it and nodded. Indeed, it was very late, he nodded and after putting the books back in their places he left the library with Priscilla.

The maid took him all the way to his room and left after wishing him a good night. When she came to see Azula, she found that the princess has also retired for the night. She left to get some rest too.

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The next morning, Valerian woke up, freshened up, and went to the library after eating a loaf of bread. This was his new routine, and on the other side, Azula held the examination and successfully recruited the needed personnel.

During this time, she found Valerian one more time. The thing that concerned her after the new people took office was that they were all humans and might succumb to the demons of greed and corruption.

She discussed it with the others but did not come up with any plausible method. She found the young boy reading books in the library and he said, ‘You can have them set up public offices, this way everything they do will be in public eyes. However, give them enough security. Tell them it is to gain the trust of the people in the city and to help them outgrow the painful experiences they had with Causus.’

Azula was surprised one more time. She improvised this idea into a more conservative version. The sensitive issues were to be dealt with in secret while the normal things could be done in the public eye.

Valerian was then handed over to Priscilla who taught him offensive and controlling magic spells. The two people were able to train with a peaceful mind and the results were great.

The young boy was easily able to learn the spells. Although he was limited to the second grade that was because the mana reserves in his body were low.

Priscilla was shocked to see that he was so talented. So much more than she could have guessed. Any spell, whether it was fire element or shadow element. Valerian was able to master the intensity in just a handful of tries.

Weeks passed and just when Valerian thought that he was getting stronger, Rectus found him. The mage has been acting rather coldly towards Valerian, not that the boy cared.

Valerian happened to be practicing with Priscilla when the elusive mage found them. The guy said, “I have a question for you. Do you think you are getting stronger?”

Valerian was shocked by this sudden question while Priscilla had a bad feeling. The child thought for a bit and said, ‘Will you not know if you test me?’

The two elders were shocked they did not expect him to reply in such a manner. If he was to say that he was getting stronger then Rectus could have called him overconfident, and if he was to say no, then the training was a waste of time.

While Rectus chuckled, Priscilla did not know how to react. Rectus said, “My sister left you with some tools. Very well then, since you have mentioned for me to test you, then a test it is.”

Rectus raised his hand and said, “Ferrum Ventus.”

He directly cast wind blades at Valerian. The boy was not slow to react, as soon as he heard the words of the man in front of him, he was prepared. He cast a spell, ‘Custodiens Vitium’

Vine emerged from the ground surrounding him in a sphere. Valerian could sense the wind blades cutting in on the layers of vines, but he did not panic.

Priscilla has told him not to lose calm in any situation. He has learned his lessons well. Valerian gazed at the man attacking him through the small gaps in the vines and based on this partial sight, he cast another spell, ‘Flamma Liga.’

Chains of fire appeared and tightened around Rectus. Valerian smiled and when the wind blades vanished slowly, he dispersed the guarding vines around him and caught sight of Rectus, tied with flaming chains.

However, before he could celebrate he spotted a smirk on Rectus’s lips. He knew at this point that things were far from over.

Indeed, just as he thought, Rectus mumbled, “Gale Corpus.”

Priscilla said loudly, “That is a high-grade spell, what are you even trying here.”

If it was herself facing the enemy, she would not have said anything, but the one facing the attack was a rookie, and that too a child.

However, before her words could finish, Rectus vanished from the binds, and the wind in the training ground picked up the pace. Valerian leaned forward, yet he was forced to retreat from the pressure of the winds.

Suddenly, Valerian sensed movement behind him, and heard a voice, “You think the world will give you a fair chance at reaching the goals you have set? No, they will suppress you, with power and with the mind. You are too naive.”

He raised his leg and was about to kick Valerian when the boy suddenly burst into dark smoke. The spell he used was a second-grade spell, ‘Umbra Disiectio’.

Then he vanished from the place and appeared behind Rectus. Then he cast another spell quickly, ‘Ignis.’

Rectus was not so easy to deal with he dodged the spell cast by Valerian and then rushed up to him, then he grabbed his collar and said, “You think that you can cast two-second grade spells, with two grade one spells, and you can survive a battle of life and death. Keep this in mind, protect your life and live to fight another day. Do you understand what I said? I can dodge all your spells and then kill you when you are exhausted.”

Valerian was gazing in his eyes sternly. It was as if a battle notice, that he will take over this man. Rectus snorted and pushed the child slightly. Then he left the training ground.

Valerian stood with his back straight like a ram, but once Rectus was out of sight, Valerian fell to the ground with his eyes closed. The mana in his body was drained and now he did not have the strength to even stand up.

Priscilla rushed up to him and quickly took him inside the palace. She could not cast a healing spell, so she was headed to find Azula.

She will be complaining about her Rectus being rowdy as well. She ran with the boy carried in her arms like a princess. Her speed was quick and they arrived in front of the study in a few moments.

She knocked on the door and heard a soft voice, “Come in.”

Priscilla pushed open the door and rushed in with Valerian in her arms.

Azula was shocked, she gave up the work in her hands and asked, “What happened?”

Priscilla replied, “Rectus had a fight with him out of nowhere, and then he cast a grade five spell. He preached that the enemy will not give him the chance. Valerian held his end against him.”

Azula did not hear her words and said, “Settle him on the couch.”

Priscilla hurried and Azula came closer to check the boy and then she heaved a sigh of relief, “Just exhausted his mana. A good night’s rest will cure him completely.”

Priscilla nodded and then cast a concerned gaze at the boy in front of her. Azula said, “Do not worry, he is not as fragile as he looks. It is time that you teach him how to use his body in battles too.”

The girl did not mind the extra tasks but was concerned about Valerian. Azula cast a gaze at her and said, “Calm down, have some tea, he will be fine.”

The two people then nodded to each other and began to savor some tea and cookies. The more Azula talked the more surprised she was after hearing to what Valerian did in the training ground today.

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