"Why is it so hot?" He thought to himself as he lounged from above on one of the thick branches of an ancient tree, perhaps five or so meters in the air. He was surprised, to say the least especially considering that it was almost three in the morning and there was little to no humidity to cause the heat to stay around. "Perhaps the forest itself is capable of retaining the heat." He was glad that he had left his armour at the bed and breakfast as he didn't know whether or not he could cope in the heat with it on.

As for the reason why he was up in the trees in the first place was his desire to test out a few of his new found abilities he was informed about them by various members of the Neko race as well as their society by in large and in all honesty he didn't really consider them in the highest of regard. Though drawing back to his own abilities he learnt he was capable walking on things with ease that he normally couldn't and could see things many could not in the dark. As for the usefulness of these perks, time would tell though he was already starting to plan out some uses in combination with his magic itself. Perhaps he would be able to test them out in combat soon that was not up for him however as the last person had fought was incompatible with fighting his own magic and thus a poor gauge on the matter.

Unlike the very few people who wandered the East Forest that dawn, Hyōen didn’t question the heat nor give it any notice. Perhaps his magic was pulling a trick with everyone again, or perhaps it was just the normal climate around Magnolia Town. He did just arrive the evening yesterday, so he’d only been around here for a few hours. Too thoughtful to sleep, he decided to empty his mind at the large, wooden ecosystem just outside the borders of the town’s buildings. Coda was enjoying the heat herself, flapping her wings occasionally to cool down when the warmth exaggerated. Speaking of warmth… it reminded him of his magic. Now, Hyōen was a so-to-call new-beginner when it came to the solid, real life of a magician or wizard, in which he thought: Walking around with mana would be useless if I don’t pull myself together… I should practice a little.

His thoughts swelled around as his feet approached a large, elder tree in the middle of the forest. Memories of his ‘ballads’ at Orchidia and their restaurants still haunted him, because frankly, it would sound as if he was some kind of violent enemy. Now, things did cool down by time thanks to a certain guildmate, but heck, even a Rune Knight back there caught words of it. What if they all knew? At least, Hyōen didn’t spot any other Rune Knights in the area; actually, the only one present was the blonde-haired male on top of the tree. Now, at first sight, he didn’t look like a mage, but neither did Hyōen himself. The male asked out to why the heat was at this level right now when the Fire Mage showed up, and just in curiosity, he answered: “It’s a very dark forest… I guess that it absorbed a lot of the sun’s heat from yesterday.” He did smile a little, just to show that he didn’t intend to annoy nor interrupt the other male in any way. Coda wanted to greet the male by shrieking a bit, but... her shrieking sounded faint compared to usual.

A man's voice unexpectedly replied his enquiry regarding the heat within the forest itself claiming it was perhaps due to it haveing absorbed it in the days prior. He did have point though otherwise, it wouldn't be just so hot as it is right now. As he finished speaking, however, a bird of sorts chirped at him, "A Bird..." He thought to himself before he got turned to get a good look at the person speaking to him. A rather plain individual, not much to make him stand out of the crowd unlike the now cat ears Holy Knight, the first part being evident to all by just looking at him and the latter being known to none save for Alice and the Holy Knights themselves. Wanting to understand why the man had come to him, he spoke to him as he began his rapid climb down the tree aided by his claws and cat-like reflexes. "What brings you here to these parts of the forests? Are you just here to see the tree itself or is there some other motive at play?" After landing on one of the exposed stumps he looked at him from a distance of roughly 10 meters and rested his back on the hard smoothed surface of the tree with his left hand in his pocket and his right hand still bound in a bandage slightly raised as if to defend himself if need be. Truth be told if this unknown individual posed a threat to him particular because they were in the forest he wouldn't hesitate in the slightest to weight down his judgement upon him.

The feline male suddenly asked Hyōen of his motives out here, whilst sliding down the tree. His very movements reminded the Fire Mage of a cat that would always fall on its feet, which in truth astonished him. Perhaps it was the first time that he ever met such a humanoid, yet non-human individua out of Worth Woodsea, because he surely had no memories of meeting one before. “U-Uhm… I was just taking a walk, like…” he spoke back to him, “Well, to be fair, I didn’t want to interrupt you in your sleep or anything… don’t mind me, I’ll just find another place to train.”

Coda began flapping her wings furiously when Hyōen approached the blonde male, a thing that really worried him. Was it because of those rather apparent, cat-like ears of his? He did have a thought about the relation between birds and cats, but that would really cause troubles if he intended to stay nearby the entire night. What if Coda was to assault the man? “… Ehh,” Hyōen stammered to the constant shrieking, “It seems that Coda isn’t liking you at all. Don’t worry, girl, it’s alright…” He stroke the raptor’s forehead with an index finger to try and calm it down again, which appeared to only work temporarily. Perhaps it wasn’t that good of an idea to encounter strangers out here…

He would’ve turned his back and walked further into the forest if not for the magic power that he sensed earlier. That was when a rather splendid idea came to mind as he looked back to him. “O-Oh, actually..!” he spoke up in enthusiasm, “I actually have a favour to ask… but first, what’s your name, fella'?”

Kon did little as he listened to the man's explanation for being in the forest, at first claiming he was merely out here to take a walk before changing his reasoning to train, by in what art he wondered, was it physical or far more mystical such as magic. Oddly the man began to approach him, despite his stance and evident show of displeasure towards his mere presence, Regardless of this, he continued to speak this time in part towards his bird. He was never that fond of birds, to begin with however something inside of him seemed to have changed making him more aggressive to them. Regardless however once the man approached perhaps 7 or so meters from him, Kon drew up his hand far higher as if to tell him no further with his palm stretched out. Interestingly the conversation drew on towards himself now, primarily his identity, his name.

Wanting to keep his name a powerful thing hidden from a complete stranger who merely walked by, he tilted his head from left to right. "Hmm how can I toy with this fool, who thinks he can just walk up to me like this?" He thought to himself before clicking his fingers in his drawn out hand, Speaking to the newcomer this time about this plan. "I will reveal my name to you if and only if you can defeat not just myself but also this." Staring straight into his eyes he wanted to get a good guess of his character, so far there wasn't much to tell.

Whether or not should the man accept his offer meant little as he would promptly climb up the tree with ease in mere moments that would take an average man several minutes before sending down Seraphiel from the sky breaking apart a portion of the forest as it came down, only completely forming as it approached the ground all the while it cast its flight spell and preparing a weighty magic embedded blow. This monolith of a summon whilst large would be afforded enough room for him to place himself behind the unknown individual preventing him from retreating. As the position positioned himself the blow which he had been preparing since its formation would strike the man causing him to be sent flying in the same direction as the blow by a staggering 10 meters.

     

SPELLS USED

   Summon: Seraphiel
   Seraphiel's Dominion
   Seraphiel's Devotion

     

MANA: 1850/2250

Seraphiel

Name: Summon: Seraphiel Rank: A Mana Cost: 200 Requirements: Redemption Magic Type: Summoning Element: Light Range: 20 Meters Cooldown: 4 Posts Duration: Sustain Effect: The user raises their hand as white light crashes down from the skies summoning Seraphiel. Seraphiel hovers one meter above the ground. DESCRIPTION: Type: Light Health: 3x S-rank Mana: None Height:  13"1' | 4 m Weight: 440 lbs. | 200 kg Personality: Seraphiel has no personality and simply does the bidding of its summoner. Physiology: When it is summoned, it bathes the area in holy white-blue light and brings a slight fragrance to the air. While its head and body are obscured it is covered with numerous glowing feathered wings and is decorated with royal tablets. At the front of its head, a glowing divine magic circle is emitted. Statistics: Strength: 40 Speed: 25 Endurance: 40 SPELLS: Name: Seraphiel's Staff Rank: B Mana Cost: 100 Requirements: Redemption Magic Type: Offensive Element: Light Range: 15 Meters Cooldown: 3 Posts Duration: Instant Effect: Seraphiel points its staff which is 2 meters long at a target and releases a beam of white light from its tip a target. The beam has a diameter of 1 meter, this beam deals b rank cutting damage. Name: Seraphiel's Dominion Rank: B Mana Cost: 100 Requirements: Redemption Magic Type: Supplementary Element: Light Range: 5 Meters Cooldown: 3 Posts Duration: Sustain Effect: Seraphiel can fly up to 5 meters as long as Seraphiel's Dominion is sustained. Name: Seraphiel's Devotion Rank: A Mana Cost: 200 Requirements: Redemption Magic Type: Offensive Element: Light Range: 20 Meters Cooldown: 4 Posts Duration: Instant Effect: Seraphiel imbues its staff with light and hits a target with it, blowing them 10 meters backwards regardless of their defenses and armor, all the while dealing A rank Bludgeoning damage. Name: Seraphiel's Lightbringer Rank: A Mana Cost: 200 Requirements: Redemption Magic Type: Offensive Element: Light Range: 20 Meters Cooldown: 4 Posts Duration: Instant Effect: Seraphiel points its staff in the air and as a circle with a diameter of 3 meters within a range of 20 meters begins to light up on the ground for 3 seconds after which a light crashes down from the skies instantly causing A rank cutting damage.

Apparently, given by the man’s actions, he seemed rather uncomfortable with Hyōen’s presence. That didn’t faze him much, though, as he was just intending to test things out and nothing more. Crossing his arms, the Fire Mage awaited a response whilst thinking: Then again… perhaps I shouldn’t just ask random people. Who knows, this guy could be worse than I thought… or maybe I’m just getting paranoid. Hyōen had no idea of this person’s level of magic, so thinking things through wouldn’t help much. He started this on his own, so he’d better get through with it. Besides, it would be a good lesson and experience for the early mage.

Surprisingly, the feline person responded that if he wished to know its name, then Hyōen had to defeat him… as well as his sudden companion that descended from the skies above them. Hyōen’s eyes quickly focused on the creature that came forth with an intimidating speed. Its staff was quickly aimed at him, in which he had to launch himself away using his Fire Magic. However, given by the speed and momentum of his attack, Hyōen decided to launch himself back by quickly kicking the ground as quickly as possible. Then, his feet ignited like a space shuttle, pushing him further back from the attack that was still aiming at him. In order to attempt to slow it down, he pulled his head back and proceeded to breathe out a volley of fire bullets directly from his breath. The attack was solely aimed on the golem, while he began losing track of the actual opponent’s position due to the surprise. Despite not being able to dodge the attack that would inevitably hit him, he hoped to at least land his counter well. The magic blow did hit him, and as expected, it would launch him 10 meters into the woods from his earlier position, a lot of pain travelling through his body in that moment.

Stats:

Kon shook his head in disappointment as he watched from above, grabbing a nearby apple that was conveniently in the pocket of his pants and taking a bite from it. "Oh well, I thought this one would have at least been able to put up a challenge." He thought to himself as he watched the individual attack Seraphiel all but in vain before getting blasted away from the area with a mighty swing of the summons staff. Suspecting that the man had no further interest in fighting him nor was just simply now incapable, Kon bit partially into his apple and cast away his summon causing it to turn into fragments of light with a flick of the wrist. Kon spoke down from the tree tops directed towards where the man had been thrown so that If the man had happened to be still awake after the blow he could still listen. "Hear me and Fear me, boy, don't come after me otherwise you won't just be laying there on the ground."

Not seeking to be interrupted further by this individual or any other if they had happened to come through this way, Kon continued to climb the tree to its peak and then began to dash up the treetops deeper and deeper into the forest. He needed some more time to think about what he was going to do with his life and newfound power. Still clinging to one of the trees within the woods, Kon looked out into the sunset as he continued to sweat underneath its glow. "Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day."

[Exit]