Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"We heard that you managed to move the river in two weeks and fought some enemies as well; how did you do that?" Lorene asked.

It seemed that Lorene realized that Rain wasn't an ordinary kid by the way he talked with Branden and wanted to confirm that he could protect her. While she trusted her brother, that single idea made her question his sanity entirely. It was reasonable, Rain didn't mind about those questions. Still, revealing too much information was no good as usual.

"You can't just become a strong mage by casting big spells; you need to use your head as well," Rain replied. "I used my head a little, that is all."

"I believe that all of our spies used their heads a little as well over the last one hundred years, but they didn't learn that the water snipers could use water as camouflage as well," Lorene added.

"I was a bit lucky, I felt their presence, but I didn't see them," Rain explained. "I still charged toward them, and they panicked. They revealed themselves since they couldn't attack while keeping that spell active."

"I tried to investigate you as well, but Branden stopped me from learning anything about you; he doesn't even say the reason why he recruited you," Lorene said.

"That is part of our agreement," Rain said.

"Anyway, Rain," Branden said. "You will have to protect her for a month. She usually would need a guard of ten to protect her, but you can have the salary of ten guards as a payment for the mission."

That was a whole of fifty gold coins… that was a lot of money. Rain couldn't help but think that Branden was trying to lure him with money, though. He wondered for a while if working with the usual suspects wouldn't be a better option, but traveling incognito with such a large number wouldn't work. Jori, Reca, Liss, Asche, and Terra couldn't join him on that mission.

"Well, if you are fine with me, My Lady," Rain shrugged.

"I am not. I need a demonstration of your skills," Lorene said. "I don't want to risk the lives of my future husband and his family, but if there is no other option, I am planning to take a battalion with me."

That was certainly unreasonable. Rain only accepted the job because it would be a good challenge and because he wanted to confirm if Branden was plotting something as well… just to be safe, he would warn Lotto and his family beforehand. Still, proving his skills to Lorene would be a pain. Rain didn't like to show his skills without a good reason.

"The guards of the house are getting rusty; perhaps sparring with them will do the trick; what do you think?" Branden asked.

"I truly dislike that kind of thing; it is a real waste of time," Rain said while rolling his eyes.

"Then defeat them with a single hit, and that will be over in no time," Branden said. "Let 's go.

Rain felt like sighing. It also felt like Branden just wanted him to see his skills in action and think of countermeasures… lately, Rain had been thinking a lot about that kind of thing. Always being suspicious of others was tiresome, but that is what one learns by working with Branden often.

It didn't take long for the guards to come to the garden of the house. It looked like they were used to that kind of activity… as if Branden called them to spar often. While he said that they were getting rusty, the first guard didn't hesitate in assuming a fighting stance in front of Rain… the guy was also wearing a full plate armor.

"There are no rules, just like the battlefield," Branden said. "Start!"

The guard didn't hesitate in stepping toward Rain as fast as he could. Still, as soon he took the first, the ground swallowed his leg and then began to pull him in… the guard panicked and tried to free himself, but in less than five seconds, he was up to his neck covered in earth.

"My mother likes this garden quite a bit, you know?" Branden asked. "Try not to ruin it too much. Anyway, victory is yours."

Rain made the guard emerge, and while that consumed some extra mana, he also got rid of the dirt covering his armor. At least that made the guy a bit less pissed… he became only pissed for losing to a kid instead of for being dirt.

In any case, the next duels ended pretty much the same way. Rain didn't move from his spot, and he didn't mind using only magic. It was better than showing how his fighting style improved in the last few months.

The second guard was defeated when Rain made him trip and then hit his head with an earth hammer. The third guard was hit from behind by an earth hammer; the fourth guard was knocked down after being hit by an earth hammer in the back of his head after he blocked another earth hammer from the front.

"You are pretty underhanded, Rain," Branden said while furrowing his eyebrows.

"What would you do between being underhanded and failing in your mission?" Rain asked.

"I never said that it was bad being underhanded," Branden said. "I guess we will never get along with pure knights who value their chivalry so much."

Rain valued that too, but he valued his life more. Besides, there was no point in worrying about honor on the battlefield or being like that and revealing your skills. In any case, after the tenth victory, Lorene stopped and said that she was fine with that.

"It wasn't a pretty demonstration of skill, but I can understand why Branden trusts you," Lorene said. "We will depart tomorrow at sunrise; our goal is not to be recognized in any shape or form, so think about how you can hide your identity."