After that oath, their interest in magic peaked. The village elders, who know the fundamentals of magic, offered to teach them under their care.
Both of their magic was still uncontrolled and could possibly place them in danger, so they were never permitted to use it. However, seeing the determination in their eyes, their parents agreed to let them learn magic once and for all.
However, if their life was ultimately put in danger, they would stop using magic; that's the deal.
Magic, in their very small village, is rare. Only a handful of elders could control it. Though the majority are born with magic energy, everyone just doesn't have the aptitude to train and control them.
Some, like their parents, resort to physical strength and the use of weapons, especially when hunting wild animals.
The village elders doubted that these two would become magicians, but they answered the children's plea nonetheless.
...
The days bled into weeks, and weeks bled into months. It has been exactly six and a half months since their oath. Under the careful and watchful eyes of the elders, Tsukishiro and Yoko trained relentlessly.
The two of them were always together—Laughing, dreaming, and training. However, as days pass, over and over again, a gap between them widens.
To everyone's shock, Yoko was a prodigy. At just the young age of 8, she easily handled her light magic, even going as far as beating every elder all at once. It started as a faint light, but now, her light transformed into beams, dazzling arcs, and shockwaves, sending immense light all over, enough to blind anyone temporarily.
The village admired and applauded her talent.
However, shadowed by her brilliance was Tsukishiro, who was struggling immensely with his magic. Until today, he couldn't consistently use magic, as he easily got tired. He can't get the hang of it, causing it to shatter all over and damage trees and even houses.
The Elders, although expecting the results, were quite disappointed with him.
"Both light and dark magic are rare aptitudes. Maybe you need time to discover yourself and your skills further." The elders advised him.
With a heavy heart, he accepted their comments.
Nevertheless, their friendship never grew cold. They always trained together, and sometimes, Yoko taught him a thing or two.
And right now, they found themselves in the woods, continuously training.
...
"Hah!" Yoko exclaimed as she shot a beam of light from her palms, with magic force enough to disintegrate the tree in front of her into ashes.
"That was good, Yoko!" Yukishiro, who was behind her, applauded, still in astonishment at her talent. I wish I could do the same things that you can do..." he added, his disappointment suddenly visible in his voice.
Yoko noticed this and turned around to face him. "I'm sure you can cast those kinds of magic too! You just need to keep practising!" She encouraged. Although in doubt, Yukishiro smiled.
"Here, let me guide you. First, stretch your arms out."
Yukishiro followed her instructions very carefully.
"Then, to release magic, you must first gather it in one place. Put all your force at the palms of your hands! Then, release that force!" Yoko said before launching a ball of light toward the trees nearby, the impact leaving an explosion and completely shattering the tree.
"W-Wow."
"Try it!"
Yukishiro focused his energy and force on his palms, as he was told. He gritted his teeth hard and continuously pushed on. However, after many seconds of trying, it was still to no avail.
"I-I can't do it," He said as he panted,
"Try, and try, until you achieve it. I believe in you!"
Inspired and encouraged by Yoko, he can't give up now. He raised his palms again, and this time, he was resolved to succeed.
Again, he began gathering energy on his palms. He gritted his teeth, and his face was shut tight, extremely focused. After a few seconds, a small vortex of black energy gathered in his palms.
Then, Tsukishiro released the gathered energy, and it hit a tree. The impact left a crater on the tree, and his body fell onto the floor, exhausted.
"You did it!" Yoko celebrated as she crouched down and hooked the tired Tsukishiro. Upon hearing it, his eyes widened, and he immediately sat up.
Upon seeing the crater left by his magic, his eyes widened even more, and he was taken by immense joy.
"I-I did it!" He yelled out, raising his hands in the air, fists closed.
"I told you! You can also do magic with just enough practice!" Yoko said,
"You're right! But you know, yours is still better. Mine is a bit small, hehe."
"You will get stronger too. I believe in you!"
Just then, the elder finally got back. Upon noticing the elder, Tsukishiro immediately ran towards her and, with gleaming, excited eyes, pointed to the tree with the crater.
The elder's eyes widened in surprise.
"You did that?" She asked,
Tsukishiro nodded his head joyfully.
The elder smiled and patted Yukishiro's head. "Good job, little one."
Upon hearing the elder's praise, Tsukishiro became even happier.
...
Another two months passed, and through relentless training, both of them improved. However, the gap is still present within their strength. It just seems like Yoko is in another world.
With now knowledge in magic, they now use those skills in contributing to hunting wild animals for food. And on this certain afternoon, it isn't any different.
Yoko casually flipped and jumped over a huge boar, and while in mid-air, shot several light beams, easily killing the huge boar. She wiped her face with a cloth as she landed on the ground. Around her were dead bodies of many pigs and boars.
On the other hand, Tsukishiro only defeated three.
The elder, who was satisfied with their hunting, curls her lips in a smile of satisfaction.
"That settles it, we should go back lads." Both of them nodded.
Tsukishiro and Yoko walked right behind the elder. However, as they walked, a wave of magical energy washed over them. It wasn't just a wave, it was magic, dark and sinister.
Magic, in their area, was rare. Was there someone from the City visiting?
But there isn't anyone to visit today.
However, before anyone could react, a wolf, out of nowhere, suddenly lunged towards Tsukishiro. This wasn't just an ordinary wolf, it was enhanced by a dark aura. It was a monster, an animal embedded with magic.
Its lunge was too fast for any of them to react, causing it to bite Tsukishiro by the arm and completely push him down.
"Lass!" The elder was about to react and cast some magic over the wolf when suddenly, dashing at the speed of light was Yoko. At a speed that even the elder couldn't follow, Yoko effortlessly decapitated the head of the wolf.
The elder was speechless and astounded.
How can an 8-year-old child do this? She could even rival the magicians from the city! A prodigy, indeed!
As Yoko landed on her feet, the elder noticed that she didn't use a weapon. Instead, a huge hand with sharp claws, twice as big as her hand, made out of light magic, was suspended just above her hand. It seems to follow, or mimic, every, even the slightest movement of her hand, and even in its current position, it followed the position and angle of her hand.
She didn't use a weapon. Instead, she made a weapon. This isn't just an ordinary level, this is inhuman. The elder thought to herself, astounded and in disbelief at what just happened.
"Elder, please help Tsukishiro!" Yoko yelled out, who was already by Tsukishiro's side. The elder snapped out of her shock and immediately rushed towards Tsukishiro, who was yelling out in immense pain.
The sharp teeth of the wolf almost cut off his whole arm. Blood was gushing out quickly all over the place.
"Stay still, lad. I will heal you!" The elder said. The elder quickly placed her hands over Tsukishiro's wound, her magic flowing into him. A soft, pale light began knitting the flesh together, but the deep wounds refused to close completely.
Unable to contain the pain and blood loss, Tsukishiro passed out.
"These aren't ordinary wounds—these are embedded with dark magic." The elder said.
Seeing her best friend in such a state made her tremble. Her heart pounded hard in her chest. It stirred something inside her. She needs, to help. Her friend, needs her. Before she knew it, tears unconsciously began flowing from her eyes. "W-Wake up!" She yelled out.
The elder tries her best, however, to no avail. Even she, is beginning to weaken due to the severity of his wound.
Out of desperation and fear, she placed her shaking hands over him. She had no clue how to project healing magic, however, she imitated what the elder was doing, hoping with all her heart that it would work.
And as if a God responded, a golden aura flared around her, ever-so-brighter than before. The elder, who was on the verge of passing out, noticed this and was shocked.
The golden aura shined brighter, as her palm glew ever-so strongly. And, like a miracle, Tsukishiro's severely wounded arm began healing. Strings of fiber, muscles, and skin began forming as it slowly regenerated.
The dark magic was completely expelled.
The elder was epechless. This is inhuman for an eight-year-old to do. It seemed impossible, but it was working.
His wounds began to close faster than before. His breathing steadied, the color returning to his face. And at last, he was fully healed.
But given that Yoko was still nothing but a beginner, her vision immediately faded due to overconsumption of her magic ability. Her body swayed and collapsed, but before she fell, the elder caught her.
She looks at the young child in her arms, still unable to process what had just happened.
"S-She, healed him." She murmured under her breath.
"She did... the impossible... this is more than just being a prodigy."