Sorcerous Stabber Orphen

Wolves, gather in the forest

Chapter 1 The forest priestess

Well, thats the last one.

He finished readying himself for another hit, he hit Cleo in the nose this time, she let out a

faint groan. They were in the forest, sunlight was pouring down through the trees. The trees

were several meters high and organized into groupsthey werent far from the main road,

but this wasnt a tourist attraction. In the future it would have been refreshing to take a stroll

in this forestexcept Cleo bought herself a purple sweater and shorts at the local market.

She had to buy new shorts since her old ones were dirty, naturally Cleo was angry

Orphen chucked at this. He was a black sorcerer around twenty years old, and he was

laughing. He had black hair, black eyes, a medium build, he didnt look all that special. Most

of his clothing was black, he wore a silver pendant, a dragon wrapped around a sword. It

looked sharpand sinister, it gave off a poisonous vibe.

He put a bunch of wooden strips onto the ground, then proudly said:

I won the gameany objections?

No

Cleo said reluctantly, as she lowered her voice.

Im getting sick of this!

Losing can be hard.

He said, as he rubbed the scarf on his head.

But now we get to the best part of the game, since you lost ten rounds you have to do what

Of coursehow could I forget? Ill just go and make something terrible to eat.

Cleo said, as she kicked a bowl in his direction.

Easy, I was only joking.

She glared at him, holding her sword all the while.

Dont think a little fencing training can make you a match for me, I was trained in the Tower

of Fang, remember?

Orphen pulled out his dragon pendant. It was a dragon wrapped around a sword, proof that

the wearer was from the Tower of Fang.

From weapons to magic, I was taught it all. You are no match for me.

Well, thats nothing but pure rhetoric to me. We wont know who the best is unless we have

a little duel. What do you say?

Youre starting to sound like that Vulcan guy

Orphen could see that her eyes were half open, he sighed.

Okay, what else do you propose?

I know!

Cleo said angrily, as she grabbed her sweater.

WellIll go and chop firewood or do the dishes.

No, I dont want to have to go looking for you. Or have you doing something easy.

Orphen thought for a moment, he knew he had to give her something to do.

Your statement is very suspicious. Are you saying you want me to do all the work?

Simply put, yes.

Orphen slowly walked towards the wagon, he pointed his finger towards a simple chest.

What do you mean?

She asked, Orphen could feel her muscles twitch.

You asked me what I meant! This is what I meant! Last time I told you to help me sew the

broken shirts, and thats exactly what youll do.

What? None of that was my fault, you cant make me do all that work. This is slavery!

I won the game, this is your punishment. So dont try and change the subject.

I didnt try and change the subject.

Good answer. Now get to work.

Cleo was full of rage.

Well, dont blame me if all the clothes are sewed back together with handkerchiefs!

Quit your whining!

Orphen shouted. But he wasnt a stranger to handkerchief stitched clothes, when he was

young his sister would do this all the time. One time he received a pretty handkerchief patch

was a present from his sister, he had always wondered if this was intentional, since there

was a lot of rags she could have used instead.

Ah, as expectedit really is a huge forest.

The thick piece of paper he was holding was a map, it displayed the entire continent. The

region he was looking at was the Fenrir Forest, which accounted for more than twenty

percent of the continent. One of the last places which hasnt been fully explored on the

continent.

There should be all kinds of wild beasts in this forest.

The blond haired boy with green eyes said. He was almost fifteen, he wore a black shirt,

black leather trousers, most of his outfit was black, and it really didnt suit him at all. But

nevertheless he wore it.

(Someday Ill earn this attire.)

He optimistically thought, since he would have to wait until he became a decent sorcerer.

According to the legend, the goddess of existence should be here, but the powerful dragon

race guards it

He said as he looked up. The forest was a lush dark green, trees and bushes were

everywhere.

He unconsciously said.

Theres a spring.

He wasnt near a rivernearby there was a swamp but it was too dangerous, so he

avoided it.

The young boy walked until he reached the spring, most of the lush trees and bushes were

gone now, suddenly a spring appeared in front of him. The water was calm, there wasnt

even a trace of ripples in the water. It was more like a small lake than a spring actually, there

was plants under the water, this gave it a wonderful colour.

He got closer to the water, and gently stroked his finger in it, causing some ripples. Then

suddenly

It sounded like something fell behind him. A few meters away was a long serpent, it came

down from the tree above.

He subconsciously raised his hand and said:

Nice meeting you here

The serpent responded to his sentenceit saw it as a challenge and moved quickly

towards him, its black scales glistening in the sunlight.

Instinctively, the boy waved his hands and shouted:

Sword of light, whom I do release!

A wave of light and heat appeared in front of the teenager, the serpents jaw and lower body

was blown off by the explosion, it went into spasms for a while before finally dying.

This forest really is dangerous.

He said as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Great, I did it just like Master. I must remember how simple it is.

He then took a look around. The use of fire in a forest is very dangerous, he was lucky the

forest had adequate moisture, otherwise he might have caused a blaze he wouldnt be able

to control.

He thought about this, then all of a sudden he heard a voice.

A Sorcerer

The boy looked around for the origin of the voice. He opened his mouth, but he was unable

to speak.

There was a woman standing on the opposite side of the wateror rather a young girl, he

estimated that she was about the same age as him, maybe younger. He looked into her

eyes, he could feel a powerful force peering out at him.

(Did she step out of the bushes to fight?)

He didnt know why he thought that, maybe he was just surprised by all of this.

The girl continued to look at him, she wore an expression of dismay on her face. Majic

thought that maybe it would turn into a beautiful smile. Her black hair was really straight, it

went all the way down her back. Her dress was even more surprisingit looked like her

body was wrapped in a thin bathrobe made out of silk.

Excuse me, Miss?

He was wondering if the girl could even speak.

You are a sorcerer, right?

Me? Well, noIm just a trainee.

He hastily replied.

I seeso you are just a trainee?

Yeah, my Master is much more powerful than me.

Ohso you have companions with you

The girl muttered, then she fell silent. Majic felt a little bored, he scratched his head.

(This woman gives me the feeling of isolation, her attire is also bizarre considering we are in

a forest.)

Well, whats your name?

Fiena

Thats a good name.

He said some flattering words, she faintly smiled when she heard them.

Thank you, whats your name?

A-Are you a noble?

SheFiena noticed the colour of his hair, ordinary people didnt have blonde hair.

No, Ive got nothing to do with nobility, I was just born this way.

While he did find it flattering, he would always object to people thinking he was a noble.

Fiena came closer to Majic, he did the same.

As she walked, she said:

Why are you here? People from the human world dont come here, its a secret place.

As she was walking, her shoulders moved left to right. Majic replied:

I was walking, I guess I got lost.

He then took out the map from his pocket and showed it to her.

OkayIll bring you out of here. The forest is very dangerous. It can make

peopledream.

Thank youbut, what do you mean by that?

Majic stopped and asked. She just shrugged and didnt answer.

Can I ask you a question?

Majic crossed his arms.

What are you doing in the forest?

She answered him right away. It was likeshe was waiting for this opportunity.

My strength lies with my contact with the forest, I cant leave.

Ah?

Fiena solemnly continued:

In the forest, I can use my power. Just like you.

You can do that sort of thing?

Majic asked, she nodded her head.

Yes. Im suffering from a dominant force.

Oh. So you must be a priestess.

Majic exclaimed as they walked in the forest. Of the continents most well-known three

goddess of fate, Fiena appeared to be a member of a frontier faith.

(Master should know more about this, though Im sure he would probably laugh at the

uncivilized religion or something like that.)

I guess being a priestess is pretty tough.

Majic said in a relaxed tone.

Ivebecome strong.

She said in a low voice.

The power, it

Majic patted the back of her head, he said slowly:

Is this stuff really important?

Yes, to me it is.

Fienas answer was a little ambiguous, she looked at Majic, then said:

You have companions, so can you ask them for help?

YeahI guess so.

Majic thought about his MasterOrphen.

A shadow appeared over Fienas eyes.

I cant. I can only obey.

Ah?

Majic didnt understand what she was saying. He gave her a puzzled look, then followed her

Suddenly, she turned around and grabbed her chest, then she said:

You came from the outside? The outside world.

Outsideyou mean outside the forest? Yeah, we came from there.

Majic didnt know how to answer her. Fiena continued to listen, her eyes shimmed in this dull

moment. Her black hair fluttering in the wind.

What has become of the outside world? There is a village nearby called Sorichian, did you

pass it?

No, though we might be heading there next. We came from the south.

The southyou say?

Fiena mused for a moment, she wanted to know more about the outside world.

Where else did you come from?

Well, I came from Totokanta, then we spent some time in Alenhatan and Kink hall. Me and

my companions have been all over the place.

He said as he looked at the map. Fiena leaned towards him, she looked at the map too.

When her bare arm touched his elbow, Fiena curiously asked:

I can see the Tower of Fang on that map, did you study there?

She looked at Majics black sorcerer clothing. Majic shook his head and put away the map.

Though one day I would like to study there, they offer good scholarships.

By the way, you said your master is powerful?

Yeah, he was once a candidate for a top position in the Tower of Fang.

Is that true?

Her tone was like that of a joke. Majic had a wry smile on his face.

Im jokingif that was true, I would be the disciple of the continents strongest sorcerer.

She immediately agreed.

Isnt it better to be just a disciple?

No, I dont think so.

Majic simply answered. This was from his heart, he didnt want to be under someone

Fiena gently said:

You dont sound too positive.

Her eyes seemed infected with a muddy colour for a moment, then they went back to

(It seems this girl has two different faces, a priestess and a normal girl.)

Im guessing you are a native to this place.

She gently nodded, Majic said brightly:

You cant possibly live in this place, dont you live in a nearby village?

If this was true, Majic intended to go to this village. But she shook her head, and answered in

a priestess voice:

In this forest, there are villages. Although they arent on the map.

There are?

Majic asked, she made a gesture towards the surrounds, then said:

The people in the villages say the forest has powerwe call it the great heart.

The great heart

Majic repeated the name.

Frontier religions, in fact not all exist in the frontier regionsmany of them exist on the

outskirts of cities like Totokanta. So youve just got to look for the presence of these

religions. In fact, a new religion was created in the city of Kimurakku only a couple of

hundred years ago.

(This great heart, it may turn out to be a third-rate religion or piece of art.)

Fiena went onto say:

Dont you like it?

I do, it sounds interesting.

Majic didnt know how to answer. Fiena spoke in an invitational tone:

Im certain that you would be welcome in the village.

Ah?

Majic felt very strange. Fiena continued talking:

Youre beautiful, Im sure youd make a good priestess if you stayed.

Upon hearing this, Majc fell head first, tumbling into the ground.

He said, as he stood up and brushed the soil from his body. His face became a little

contorted, he didnt know how to react.

Youre not a girl, are you?

Occasionally people seem to think so.

Dont worry, boys are still welcome.

Well, lets hope these villages are really interesting.

Majic said. Fiena smiled.

I was also surprised when I first came here six months agoalthough I wasnt born here,

I think of it as my home.

Fiena began talking as they walked, her tone was kind of monotone. Then all of a sudden

Fiena stopped, her face became serious.

Whats wrong?

Majic asked. She looked at the surrounds, then said:

Im sorry.

What?

Majic didnt know what she meant, he stared at her motionlessly.

Theres still time, you should escape

She whispered. Then suddenly, whispers could be heard in the forest.

Compassion is a virtue, but dont betray us, Fiena.

A voice said.

Majic was surprised, he tried looking for the source of the voice. Then, a tall man slowly

stepped out of the lush vegetation.

Two other people followed soon after. The three men looked like farmers, they were holding

hatchets and spears.

One word instantly appeared in Majics mind, trap.

W-Why?

Majic faced Fiena, she shook her head and didnt answer him. She then spoke to the tall

Like fish in a river. The sorcerer has companions, they will search for him soon enough.

Two birds with one stone, eh? Good work, Fiena.

The man began to walk towards Fiena at a slow pace. He had a pointy beard on his chin, a

solemn look on his face, looked around thirty or forty years old, his sharp eyes would also

make anyone uncomfortable.

He smiled at Fiena, then said:

The sorcerer must be punished, we cant let him get away.

And

Majic suddenly felt another man approach him from behind, he turned to face him. This one

was different from the others, he clearly seemed to be military, his outfit was a leather shirt

and jacket, but the military badges were obviously removed. He also had a vast assortment

of knifes on his jacket, and a scabbard at his side.

Well be ready to meet his companions.

The tall man went on to say:

The forest belongs to us, anyone who casually enters it must be punished.

But I though the forests management rights belonged to the Kimurakku church and the

Royal Family?

The tall man laughed.

Haha! Are you expecting that to mean something?

You mean

Kimurakku was the churchs headquarters, they have a presence all over the continent. The

Royal Familythey are the combined forces of the aristocracy, to say the least.

We have Fiena.

Then, the tall man placed a hand on her shoulder. Fiena winched in fear. Now all the mens

faces were filled with smiles.

(These people, they are strangeare they some type of mad cult?)

Majic thought.

(I dont think Ill receive any mercy. If master was here, hed certainly wouldnt stay.)

But

Majic sounded smug.

Majic slowly walked towards the tall man, he tried to remain calm.

Am I allowed to shout?

Huh?

The man in the army jack didnt react. The tall man said:

Calling for help is useless. Your comrades wont hear you.

Oh, I know that.

Majic made an innocent smile.

Just for a moment, I want to shout.

You are a strange guywhat are you going to shout?

Its

Majic looked towards the man, he then took a deep breath and shouted:

Master, you are a fool who occasionally gives me something decent to eat.

He said with all his might, he then grabbed Fiena by the arm. He pulled her from the mans

arms, then took a few steps backwards.

What did you just shout?

I was just nonsense.

Majic smiled and shrugged.

At this pointthe men were stuck in a daze, then large pieces of black stuff started to fall.

Aaaaaaah!

The men started to scream. Falling from the tree was a serpent, it had fallen off one of the

trees branches.

Ahhhh!

It suddenly landed and crushed one of the men, they were flung into a panic.

Makudogaru!

That seemed to be the tall mans name, though Majic didnt really care.

Just run away

Majic pulled Fienas hand. She didnt fully understand what was happening, she blinked and

W-Whats going on?

Its magic. I just shouted and it was converted into an incantation, it broke the branches.

Not just black sorcerers, but any human on the continent could use magic as a sound

medium. In other words, the contents of the incantation doesnt really matter, as long as your

voice is used a medium, the magical effect will still launch. However, it does require a certain

level of concentration.

Majic glanced at the snake fighting the men, he seized Fienas arm.

Weve got to run away, now!

B-But

What!?

Majic unconsciously shouted.

My success rate with magic isnt too high! I wont be able to use the same trick twice. Weve

got to move.

We wont make it.

Fienas voice was full of doubt. Majic became annoyed, he pulled her arm.

Dont you understand, if you stay youll be a priestess forever!

Huh?

Fiena blinked her eyes a few times, she was bewildered. At that time

It was a loud sound. Majic suddenly felt strange, he had let go of Fienas hand.

What happened?

Majic looked backwards, the men had stopped panicking. Makudogaru was staring directly

at him, his face filled with anger.

Majic stared at him motionlessly, he felt a silent horror come over himself. Makudogaru

pointed something that was made of metal towards him.

Bang

A flash came from the piece of black iron, at the same time, Majic felt a strong impact on his

stomachall of the pain was concentrated in one point, it was enough to send him

crumpling to the ground.

Ahh!

Fienas scream sounded so far away. He felt like he was being sucked into a never ending

hole into the ground, it was an unrelenting feeling.

!

His vision quickly degenerated into an array of white light, at this rate he would soon lose

consciousness, but the footsteps of the men kept him awake a little longer.

!

It sounded like the men were in a bitter quarrelit seemed to be about Fiena.

Endless chills were now going through Majics body, he knew if this feeling continued he

would probably die. In his last seconds, Majic heard Makudogaru say something.

Fiena, give him treatment.

She responded in a very low voice, he couldnt hear exactly what was being said.

At the same time, his cold and trembling body was suddenly surrounded in warmth. This

feelingis it her hand? Somehow she was injecting heat into his body, soon it would

flow throughout his entire body

(Endless fallingFienacant escapeforestpriestess manin his

handblack iron)

In the chaos that was Majics consciousness, he finally realized

It was a pistol.