Chapter 28 - A Beautiful Night (1/2)
A whole month had passed since Evan started training. This evening he and Zack were going out for a visit.
Evan ate and slept well, he spent a tremendous amount of time on magic without forgetting about physical activities. For the first time in his new life, Evan didn't look skinny. He was a tall young man with an athletic build.
As Evan had planned from the start, he had been practicing the three zero-level spells he had chosen. It was in ”Ice Veil” that he had the most success. In one month alone, he had raised his ”Awareness” of this spell to the first stage- the ”Beginner”.
Evan spent considerably less time on the other two spells. Not because he hoped with all his heart that he was an ”Amplifier,” not at all. His task was to win in sparring, and according to Zak, ”Amplifiers” were the best one-on-one fighters.
...
”Yeah, magic isn't easy at all. It's a hell of a thing.” Evan muttered quietly, sitting in his room and looking at his hands. They were intact, with no scratches, bruises, or scars. But that was all a merit of the healing herbs Zak provided for him. Only in one month, he'd suffered dozens of frostbites, hundreds of bruises from the ”Magic Missile” blasts, and countless minor cuts from the ”Summon Thorny Ivy”.
In all this time, Evan had learned one very important thing about magic in his new world.
<Without money, power and connections, you either get nowhere, or you move at a snail's pace.> Deep down Evan was discouraged by this truth. Well, he was lucky, Zak had seen the potential in him and provided him with food, resources, spells, lodging, and all kinds of help.
The same pill Evan had already used, without Zak he would never have been able to get such medicine and alchemist`s help so quickly in his life. And it wasn't the money that had an impact there, it was the connections.
<What would I do if I didn`t meet Zak? Shit.>
Knock.
Evan spent some more time thinking about how this world worked and suddenly he heard a knock on the door and the voice of one of the maids.
”Mr. Evan, everything is ready, Mr. Zak is waiting for you.” After these words, the girl quickly left.
Evan sighed, put on his armor, took his sword, and headed toward Zak.
...
”Well, lad, are you ready?” Zak was standing at the exit of the manor. Unlike Evan, he hadn`t put on the armor and was in his usual shirt and pants. There was a big, black sword hanging on his back.
Evan looked up at the brightly shining moon and quietly replied, ”Yes.”
For Evan it would be the first real battle against another magician, or in other words, the first magical battle of his new life.
The house of Zak's good friend was not far away at all. It would take them only two hours to reach it on horseback.
They went to the stable where Zak kept all his horses. It seemed strange to Evan that Zak's stables were in the city and not at his estate.
However, to his surprise, Evan did not see his last horse there.
”Evan, this is my little gift to you.”
Zak showed Evan a large and sturdy black stallion, with a thick, long mane.
”Thank you.”
Zak didn't answer anything, but just climbed on his horse and galloped forward. Evan quickly did the same and followed him.
...
After some time they arrived at the right place and Evan saw the estate. It looked very different from Zak's one. Unlike Zak, his friend was clearly enjoying his wealth.
At a glance, one could notice the magnificent work of the gardeners, many rare plants and flowers. The majestic architecture of the house itself and the precious metals skillfully used in its decoration struck the imagination. Not to mention the luxurious fountains, ponds, tea houses skillfully blended in the overall composition. All this spoke of the indescribable wealth of the owner.
”I see you and your friend are diametrically opposed in terms of luxury.” Evan said slowly.
Zak immediately realized what he was talking about and laughingly replied, ”AHAHAHAHAHAH, yes, that old fox just loves to show how rich he is.”