' The air was chilly and warm at the same time, the sound of birds chirping in the air and the scent of wet grass and aroma of soup filled the air.
Baka Sensei stirred on a simple mattress, eyes opening to a cozy wooden ceiling—Iroh's home inn. He sighed deeply.
Baka "It seems I overused my Dark magic again… my arms feel kinda numb." he stares at his katana resting beside the wall.
Miki hearing his voice entered quietly,checking on him.
Miki 🗣️ "Baka Sensei—you're awake. Are you feeling any pain anywhere?" she says in a gentle voice.
Baka (sitting up slowly): "Not really… though it'll be hard to move for a couple of days."
Miki "It would be better if you didn't move at all "When you fainted, we carried you here to rest. I used my healing magic to ease the strain on your body… I didn't sleep well last night but it's alright I'm just glad you're alright but seriously Baka Sensei you need to start taking your well-being more seriously.
Baka "Sorry about that." (lies back down) but we can always count on you to handle situations like these I see great potential in you Miki just continue to work hard.
Miki's inner thoughts as her Sensei praising her just a little made her happy "Thank you Sensei.
Seig, Athuria, and Mr. Iroh barges in the room.
Seig "Ohh! Baka Sensei is awake! Your Dark Magic is amazing seriously you have an amazing magic element… but if it puts that much strain on your body, it may not be worth it." we're just worried for you you know.
Baka "Sorry…"
Athuria scoffs sorry isn't going to cut it for making your students worry like that show off.
The trio knelt quietly beside his mattress—quiet show of love and respect for their eccentric sensei.
Iroh "He did manage to take down a very powerful rogue magic knight with the help of you three… so we probably don't need to worry for a while."
Miki "Anyway just curious but… that kid with the mask earlier Just who was he?"
Baka " That mask is what the elite knight assassin unit wears." (notes: S.W.A.T assassins exist in Camelot and the rest of the other kingdoms too)
"They're a group of assassins and researchers that prevent kingdom secrets from leaking and eliminate rogue knights who betray their homeland then they quickly dispose of the body just like with green Phoenix but my gut instincts are telling me something off about that kid I just can't seem to put my finger on it.
Meanwhile, in an abandoned building at the lightning kingdom—Az stood over Phoenix's "corpse."
Az "First, I'll cut the bandage mouth cloth and then push down 2 inches deep at 100-120 compression per minute (he rubs his palm together creating friction as electricity sparks and presses it on Phoenix chest)
Phoenix's hand suddenly gripped Az's wrist as he laughed weakly.
Phoenix "It's alright." (eyes red as he coughs repeatedly)
Az (casual, unfazed): "What? You've already come back to life."
Phoenix sat up to putting his hand on his chest to feel his own heartbeat.
Phoenix "Damn… you really are rough."
Az "You too, Phoenix. Please don't move so violently after a cardiac arrest—or you'll really die."
Phoenix "How long do you plan on keeping that shady mask on?" (frowns) "We both know you're not from the Lightning Kingdom S.W.A.T."
Az removed the mask.
Az "Sorry, older brother… but it's been really helpful in trickery. If I hadn't rescued you, you really would've been killed."
Phoenix "If you were going to put me in a temporary death state or cardiac arrest, you didn't need to electrocute me so violently. My my You really are a nasty ittle bro."
Az shrugs "It couldn't be helped. Besides,You'll be numb for about a couple of days and unable to move so take it easy for a while."
Phoenix "You're so innocent, smart, and untainted… that's what I like. Ever since I found you on the streets and decided to take you in as my little bro."
Az "Well… I'm still just a kid, after all, And I'm still grateful (looks up at the sky) The Rain clouds have lifted. Will you be alright next time?"
Phoenix "Next time… I'll be able to see right through Baka Sensei absorbtion technique and I'll have my revenge against those three brats seeing their blood spilled everywhere will be a delightful sight to see.
Back at the inn—
Iroh "Do you mean that he's still alive?
Miki worried "it can't be Phoenix is dead right we all saw it?
Baka "Even though Phoenix is dead, I'm feeling this indescribable uneasiness. My gut instincts are telling me something important… like I overlooked something."
Seig "What's do you mean Sensei? Spill it out?!
Baka "Well… it's probably that Green Phoenix is still alive. That kid in the mask must have tricked us into thinking he was dead."
Athuria "But Baka Sensei—you made sure he was dead."
Baka "Yeah… I did. But he was probably in a temporary state of death.He must have used that lightning strike to send a massive current throughout Phoenix body which can disrupt the heart system and cause the heart to stop,the shock can also stop breathing making it seem like the person is dead but really he's still alive. The first thing I suspected was that he carried the body—which is three times heavier than him—instead of just cutting his head right there on the spot. Secondly lightning strikes can cause neurological effects such as confusion or unconsciousness From those two factors….the kid wasn't aiming to kill Phoenix. He was rescuing him." (frowns) I'm such an idiot i can't believe I'm figuring this out now but that kid totally played us.
Iroh "Hmm i mean this all sounds reasonable… aren't you overthinking this too much?"
Baka "No I'm not If something seems fishy then we have to make preparations before it's too late."
Seig's eyes shone—enthusiasm mixed with worry and a hint of fear.
Miki "Baka Sensei… what do we do to prepare? You won't even be able to move for a while."
Baka (already opening a can of beer,wipes mouth): "Obviously… training."
Athuria "Wait—even with training, we're not gonna get that strong. Our opponent is a rogue Rank 1 or 2 knight—even you had a tough fight!"
Baka "Wasn't it you three who saved me during my difficult battle? You've all grown quickly I'm proud of you three.
Iroh's grandson—Inari, a 5-year-old boy—burst in the room.
Inari "Welcome back, Grandpa!" (hugs him, then looks at the team 7 with disdain)"Grandpa… these three will die. There's no way they can oppose Elon Musk and win."
Seig "What the hell did you say, you little brat?! Now listen up—I'm a magic knight who's gonna become King of Knights one day! I don't care if it's Elon or Phoenix or that mask kid—I'm not worried about those guys at all. I'm gonna be a hero!"
Inari "A hero? That's ridiculous. There's no such thing.😒"
Seig 😠 "What did you say little kid?!"
Athuria grabbed Seig's jacket around his waist.
Athuria "Hold it, Seig. Be calm."
Inari "If you don't want to die, hurry up and go back to Camelot it's for your own good." (leaves and heads upstairs)
But Seig wasn't hearing that—Seig released his grip from Athuria stormed upstairs.
Seig "That brat… I need to tell him a thing or two."
He paused at Inari's door—heard the boy crying over his dead mother. Suddenly Guilt and sympathy hit Seig hard as his stubborness calmed down in that moment knowing this is something personal for inari too….followed by a sudden spark of determination.
The next day—training time. Baka hobbled on crutches,not fully recovered.
Baka "Okay… time for training. But first, I think I should explain mana for a magic knight—from the basics."
Athuria 😒 "At this point, who doesn't already know? Unless they weren't paying attention in class."
Seig 😄 "Of course we know! It's called mayo, right?"
THWACK! Baka's crutch knocked Seig's head.
Baka "It's not mayo—it's mana. Try paying attention. Miki—mind explaining?"
Miki "Mana is energy—or life force—that a magic knight needs for casting spells. It's made up of physical mana gathered from every cell in the body… and spiritual mana channeled through an inanimate object—like a sword, book, or broom. It builds through physical training and experience… just like Baka Sensei." and we use mana in our bodies to amplify our specific magic element and use magic techniques.
Seig "Ohh… whatever. I may not understand difficult explanations, but I'll learn it with my body."
Athuria "Seig… it's actually right. Though I hate to agree—we're already able to use magic and techniques of our own.
Baka (gulping beer): "No. You still haven't learned to use mana efficiently. As Miki explained—using or combining mana means mixing physical and spiritual energies with the body. The amount changes based on the technique. Even if you gather lots of mana… without controlling it in a balanced, efficient way, the technique effectiveness gets cut in half—or doesn't activate at all,That's mostly Seig's problem."
Athuria "Then what should we do?"
Baka "You need to learn to control mana with your body. I noticed that the two of you still don't know how to use substitution magic which is the most simplest magic technique anyone with mana could learn basically to switch places with an inanimate object within a reasonable proximity to substitute but note that excessive substitution more than four times can significantly drain a magic knight energy if used repeatedly within a short time frame approximately 24 hours.
So for today's training All you need to do… is bell ringing. Luckily Iroh had this bell tower outside his house so I asked if I could borrow it. This is a 50 foot tower I filled the inside with booby traps so you can't climb in and climbing on the walls or using your magic is out of the question, now if you look up you see they're glass cups on top at the edges of the tower right beside the bell so all you have to do is switch places with the cups and ring the bell (smirks) should be easy enough for you two right.
Seig and Athuria stared at the tower in disbelief.
Baka "In summary, the core of Substitution magic technique is about quick reflexes, Mana control, and proper timing to avoid attacks by swapping with a nearby object, creating confusion and allowing the user to gain the upper hand in battle. Miki care to show them a demonstration.
Miki "ok sensei first of all you need to be highly aware of your surrounding and timing. The success of the technique depends on the user's reflexes and the environment. The user needs to perceive an incoming threat and act instantly to substitute at the right moment then you channel Mana to activate the technique (and suddenly Miki disappears as a glass cup is now in the position where she was standing a second ago and we see her at the top edge of the tower ringing the bell.
Seig smiles "wow Miki you really are amazing
Baka "Now without further ado begin
They focused.
Seig rushed ahead—impatient closing his eyes forcibly trying to concentrate his mana.
Athuria tried to concentrate—her Mana control was splendid… but the execution of the technique as she stumbled on the floor her face showing hints of frustration.
Seig forcibly tried to concentrate then started holding his head in pain as if his head could explode then he gave a small fart and chuckled rubbing his head slightly embarrassed
Seig "oops my bad
Miki giggling a bit covering her mouth
While Athuria looked annoyed at Seig pranks
Baka grinned "Well… the difference between Seig and Athuria seems about right "Looks like Miki.got IQ, strategic thinking, and underdog determination and a well understanding of Mana and how to use her technique efficiently She might be the closest to becoming King of Knights… unlike someone else that I know 😑 And the Silva royal bloodline isn't really that great."
Athuria and Seig annoyed by Baka Sensei teasing both retaliated at the same time "shut up baka Sensei you're ruining our concentration.
Baka inner thought "That said—Seig and Athuria: one the vessel of the Dragon King, the other only last member from Ice clan royalty You both have incredible hidden mana that Miki can't match. If this training goes well… it'll become your biggest asset."
Seig "Hell yeah! First I'll catch up to Athuria and then you Miki. I'll do it for sure!"
Meanwhile, back in the abandoned building—Phoenix rested on a bed, Az tending to him. Elon Musk stormed in a short chubby man wearing an expensive suit,bald head and dark glasses.
Elon Musk "Unbelievable—you got beaten and had to come back? 😒 You're making the Lightning Kingdom knights look like total weaklings. You can't even clean up after your two subordinates… and you think you're a demon? Don't make me laugh. Hey—why aren't you saying anything? Have you forgotten I'm paying you?"
He reached to touch Phoenix—but Az gripped his hand with a menacing glare.
Az "Don't you dare touch my brother with your filthy hands." ( he twists his hand in excruciating pain)
Elon Musk (screaming): "Stop—you're gonna break my arm!" guards he screamed A bodyguard bodyguard thug moved in—but Az halted him instantly,pointing a dagger at the thug neck.
Az (eyes ready to kill): "I wouldn't do that if I were you… because I'm pretty pissed off right now. 😡"
The Guard backed off and Az released Musk as the tension calmed down.
Elon Musk "Just remember—if you fail next time, the contract's off. No money. No place for you here. I'm leaving."
Phoenix "Az… that was unnecessary. You know We need his money to fuel our goal, which is power and control to overthrow the corrupt system in this kingdom,so we just have to tolerate him a little longer until we get paid the money then we can kill him and rebel against this kingdom corrupt system or else everything we've done until now will be in vain
Az "okay brother i understand.
Back at training in the lightning kingdom at Iroh home—Seig and Athuria were exhausted and tired, but kept trying to control their mana, determined to ring the bell.
Miki watched closely with Baka Sensei—cheering them on while Baka napped from too much booze.
Seig walked over towards sat on the grass in front of Miki.
Miki giggling "it seems like you still need a little help
Seig embarrassed blushed faintly: could you give me some more tips on how you did it?"
Miki "ok then
Seig "thank you Miki this technique is as hard as it seems and I'll pay you back later I promise. Let's just keep this as our little secret (he said with a bright cheerful smile)
Miki flustered felt her heart beat faster seeing Seig smile In her bit inner thought "our little secret ok then since you asked I'll help you a bit here's what you need to do first of all you need to relax your body...
Seig pays full attention
Athuria observed from afar—sharp, piercing eyes—but pretending not to care.