SSS Rank Sword Mage: Awakening Starts with Weakest Mana Affinity Chapter 56: Practice match

The morning sunlight spilled over the field as we set out to wait for Father. After so convincing, we got Mother to allow us to wait for him near the barrier, specifically at the Cornerstone.

Astraya, Morad, and I stood there, forever anxious and waiting. Yet, standing so close to this protective layer made us wonder what was really beyond it—the outside world.

Morad bobbed lazily in the air beside , his fins swaying like ribbons in the breeze. He was already showing off.

Astraya stood a little apart from us, her arms folded, her eyes locked on the space ahead. I could tell she was nervous, her lips pressed thin as she muttered to herself, "A royal Aeromancer, from Aetherhall…wonder what Aetherhall looks like?" she murmured, still audible to my ears.

"Astraga, haven't you ever wondered what's beyond this barrier, you know, what's on the other side, since we've been here for so long?" Astraya asked.

"Hmmm, you're right, Astraya, I have always wondered." While I said that to her and Morad, showing so level of confusion, I thought of only one thing: the Shadow Demon. If only she knew how terrifying the creature was, I doubt she would want to know what awaits us, but Derrick damaged it greatly. He said that would buy us so ti.

"Wait, why are you two saying those words like this at each other? Saying words like Beyond? Outside? This so-called barrier? I don't see any barrier?" Morad asked, surprised. "What do you an, barrier?"

"Wait... Haven't you guys not been to other places aside here?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"Us? No," I replied.

"No?" he questioned. "Why?"

"Well, as much as we would love to see, we can't," she said to Morad, as Astraya added, "That's majorly because there is a barrier preventing people from seeing us and us seeing them. You know, typical barrier stuff." She said this in a jokish tone to Morad.

"Wow… Astraga didn't tell you that already?" Astraya looked surprised.

"Well, apparently, being born wasn't enough of a problem," I said. "But being born a twin has even more consequences. As Mom and Dad say, it's a taboo, aning it's bad or forbidden, as a powerful mage had made it outlawed. From what I get, it's more or less a personal decision soone who doesn't want twins to exist in this world," she pointed out. "So, to not die, we get trapped here."

"Astraya, don't say it like that. It's a serious matter, you know," I cautioned her.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, but that demon or drogan, whatever, I'm sure theyre not all that tough!

hmph

I'm sure Mom would be able to take them all, yes, with just a spell!"

She folded her arms, pouting for no reason only she knew. I, however, knew the madness I faced and still couldn't forget it.

"Demon? Woooow!" Morad gestured. "I do know anything demon is bad news." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NoveI★Fire

Astraya raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm, how do you know? I thought you just beca a Mana Beast yesterday." Her eyes lit up. "Wait, don't tell you've been to the outside world! You know what it's like?"

Crap, this wasn't good. Morad and his mouth! I coughed to draw her attention away as I gave Morad the Motherly Stare they give their kids when they say or do anything stupid. But Morad thought I was telling him we also could take on the threat.

Morad looked at . "You okay, Astraga? Why are you staring like that?" He then said, "So, what do you think, Astraga? Think we can take it, team up, and beat the demon?"

"No, we can't! We aren't strong enough... yet," I stated firmly.

"Well, maybe not you guys, but I'm sure I can put up a good fight!" Astraya retorted.

"Hmph," she muttered under her breath.

"Oh, really?" I said with a sarcastic tone. "And why is that, huh?"

"It's obvious! Dad already said it—I was going to be a powerful mage!" She climbed onto a rock, posing with her arms on her hips.

"Wow, Astraya, I love your confidence! What's your core type?" Morad piped up, fueling her ego.

"Hehe, I'm a white mana core," she boasted.

These two were a bad combination; they would definitely get in trouble later on.

Morad then added, "Well, I'm a Blue Mana-type Dragon Seed!"

Astraya, now rembering she hadn't asked him about his Mana Beast powers, beca more interested. "A Water-type Beast? That's so aweso! Now I want a Mana Beast even more!"

She looked at Morad with admiration, as if he were so cute stuffed toy she realized she needed badly to also play with.

"What about you, Astraga? Ohh I rember You have all the" I imdiately covered the blabbermouth of a Mana Beast.

"What was he about to say, Astraga?" Astraya demanded.

"Hahaha, nothing!" Phew, that was close. I have to find a way to distract her, as she was the type of person who hated it when soone hadn't finished their sentence, especially if it was about secrets or information. Think, think! How can I distract her? And then it hit ...

Astraya stood a little apart from us, her arms folded, her eyes locked on especially. I could tell she was already itching to know what I stopped Morad from saying, and he wiggled in my grasp. Her lips were pressed thin as she muttered, "Well? What was he about to say? It's clearly sothing, brother."

"I have an idea," I said, trying to divert her attention. "Astraya, how about Morad and I show you what we have been working on? And we can also see how strong you've gotten, since you believe you can take on the demon."

My plan worked! She imdiately looked excited. "I have been wanting to test my skills! I also have new spell techniques I've been working on. Yes, let's test this out! Good." She was sold. Nice, Astraga, I praised myself.

"Alright, get ready! Morad, let's show her the Iron Tail!"

"Iron Tail, huh?" she smirked. "Hope you know I've been training with Mother. She even told if I kept on at this pace, I'd be a prodigy Aeromancer. But that aside I also don't want to hurt you guys."

"Don't worry Astraya, we'll be fine. And besides…" I gestured toward Morad. "…think of this as practice. You've never gone up against a Mana Beast before."

Her gaze snapped to Morad, and a smile tugged at her mouth. "Well then... what are we waiting for?"

Morad puffed up at once, his scales shimring with a faint blue aura. "Yes, let's do this! Morad the Magnificent, at your service, brother. But beware my water is sharper than steel!"

Astraya rolled her eyes from her position farther away. She cupped her hands together to her lips, facing us. "Talk's cheap. Just fight."