Chapter 17:The Secret Training Field
The afternoon sun hovered lazily over the skies as Mickey, Elena, and Draco exited the Adventurer's Guild. The streets of the capital were bustling as always, but something felt different. People stared at them in awe—news of their ranks had spread like wildfire.
But Mickey wasn't concerned with fame. He clenched his newly acquired guild badge in his hand, his thoughts burning with determination.
As they walked down the cobbled road toward home, Mickey's gaze caught sight of something.
A wide open field—lush green, spacious, and seemingly untouched.
"Hey," Mickey pointed, "look over there. That field… we can train there, right?"
Draco nodded. "Good idea, Master. But before that…" He raised his hand, his eyes glowing faintly with ancient runes. In a flash, a dome-shaped barrier shimmered around the field, translucent and magical.
"This shield blocks both vision and sound. No one will know what happens inside," Draco explained, dusting his hands.
"Awesome," Mickey said with a grin. "Let's train."
The moment they stepped into the field, the three dropped all hesitation.
Mickey unsheathed his starter blade—an ordinary one for now—but his posture already resembled a warrior in the making. Elena drew her dual daggers, the wind circling around her as if ready to obey her commands. Draco stood back, arms crossed, watching like a silent guardian.
"Let's start with something simple," Mickey said. "Elena, spar with me."
"As you wish, Master," Elena said, bowing slightly before dashing forward.
Their blades clashed in a burst of movement. Elena was faster, more agile, but Mickey's instincts were sharper than ever. He ducked, parried, and countered, their blades meeting in a dance of sparks.
"You've gotten better already," Elena said mid-strike.
Mickey smirked. "I plan on becoming the strongest Summoner in the world. Gotta start somewhere."
After a few rounds, Draco finally stepped forward. "Let me test you both."
With a wave of his hand, he summoned two shadow warriors, each mimicking his power but at only a fraction of his strength.
"These will push your limits without overwhelming you."
Mickey and Elena faced the shadow warriors with fierce determination. Mickey channeled his magic, summoning a wave of black fire to clash against the warrior's shadow blade, while Elena zipped through the air, launching wind-imbued strikes.
An hour passed. Then two.
By the time they finished, the group was panting but smiling.
Mickey looked at his hands, his aura pulsing with growth. "This power… it feels like I'm finally becoming who I was meant to be."
Draco dismissed the barrier. "We'll train here again tomorrow, Master. You're evolving fast. At this rate…"
"At this rate, I'll surpass even the legends," Mickey said, his eyes burning with ambition.