Second step

Year X391

Its been a year since the meeting between Blake and old man Ed, a year of training his body, hunting beasts and sparring and getting beaten by old man Ed.

At first Blake's physique became abnormally large and grew worried that his bulging muscles might explode, but Ed had told him that this was required for the next step of his training, and so, this year they began his magic control training.

Through the year, he learned all sorts of magical theories and even politics and etiquette from the old man, although Blake doesn't why he needed to learn such things, Ed was quite adamant about it so he simply went with it.

Right now he was sitting on a rock in the middle of a flowing stream and concentrating on restraining his magic to become a second skin. Also, he noticed that using the technique that the old man thaught him was meant to not only circulate his magic but also had the effect of condenseing his muscles and this made his muscle freak look gradually become more and more leaner and that his muscles became harder and tougher.

Infact his body became so sturdy that he felt he could take a hit from a tank without any damage, this feeling and confidence came from his most recent encounter with a Rockbear. He would usually get small cuts even with his huge muscles but now that his muscles became compact he only had a white line across his chest when the bear made a swipe across his chest.

It has to be known that an adult Rockbear could tear through reinforced titanium easily, so the damage it could do to a human body could be easily imagined. Knowing this Blake felt that the benefit of Ed's training was simply a cheat. "Although i didn't meet god or some R.O.B. i guess i could call this my golden finger" he thought to himself.

And it was true although a normal human on Earthland were far stronger and sturdier then compared to humans on Earth, there were also more dangers and even more powerful monsters in Earthland. A regular mage would be far stronger than a normal person even if he/she wasn't close combat oriented simply due to the large magic origin inside them but they would die in one hit against a Rockbear because it had a high defense and strength.

To compare an S-rank mage could definitely kill a Rockbear but they would still die if they got hit by it. That's how deadly they were, and to not even get a scratch from their terrible claws is a testament to how amazing Ed's technique of compressing the muscles using magic is.

However, something Blake does't know is that most mages would die doing his training as well as the magic and muscles compressing technique because you need not only an absurdly strong body but also fine control an a huge magic origin. And 99% of the mages couldn't fullfill atleast one of those criteria. He doesn't know that even melee oriented fighters wouldn't wrestle with an emboar without their magic, they would be torn to shreds.

Ed knew that Blake was special and that he would be the only one to be able to complete the training, because even he wouldn't be able to complete this training. But he wouldn't say that out loud to him.

And so, days went by and turned to months and months turned to a year.

Blake was currently compressing his magic to about 10cm from his body and his body which was bulging with muscles a year before was now compact and lean but firm. Sort of like bang and garou from One punch man. His face which looked innocent before now looked like a veteran who had seen his fair share of battles. And the scars on his body proved of his struggles.

Across from him, Ed was sitting on a rocking chair with a proud look on his face and a smile. He was stroking his beard and thinking of the last two years they had been together. There were times when they argued, yelled at each other, made fun of each other or simply enjoying a leisure talk. He truly felt like Blake and he had become family in all but blood. Right now he was thinking of the things he would have to tell him, of his secrets and worries as well as his granddaughter, Irene.

Thinking of Irene Ed had a nostalgic face and thought of how she would climb atop his shoulders and ask him to tell her stories or read a book of magic for her. While he was reminiscing Blake had finished his training and was walking towards him.

The sound of his voice woke up Ed from his musings, "Grandpa, what's on your mind, you seem to be daydreaming a lot these days. Are you finally reaching that age when you space out a lot", Blake asked seriously the first question but joking at the end.

"Damn brat! are you calling me old, i can still kick your ass thank you very much", Ed said with a smirk at the end. "Its been 2 years since that day and i was thinking that its time you learn my Reinforcement magic, but before that come here and sit down, there are matters i need to tell you before we continue", Ed said in a serious tone.

Hearing his tone Blake too got serious and sat down beside his rocking chair and said,"What is it grandpa?".

Then Ed took a deep breath and told him of is past, He was the crown prince of Dragnof and as such great expectations were placed on him from a young age so imagine the disappointment when they figured out he had no talent in any magic type, his father the king then stripped him of his title and gave it to his younger brother instead. Ed was hurt and heartbroken by this but still gave his best wishes to his brother and decided to go on a journey through out the world in order to find his own calling. So he set off at the age of 17 and went to many places where he had all sorts of adventures and learned all kinds of knowledge. It was at an unexpected magic ruin, that he found an old text that contained the incomplete technique of his magic. This lit a light in him and decided to perfect the magic and make it his own, using the knowledge that he gained in his travels and from his experience he created his Reinforcement magic and thus became a strong mage as result. He even joined a guild fot a few years and was promoted to S-rank before he received a letter from his brother now king to return to the kingdom.

And so after 12 years of travel he finally returned to his kingdom, he was welcomed by his brother with open arms and a great feast. Having heard of his feats and strength his brother was proud and amazed. After a night of celebration the next day Edmund and his brother Torhen were inside the Royal court room talking about why he had been called home. It seemed a neighbouring kingdom was taken over by a bunch of dark mages and were wreaking havoc and making all sorts of human sacrifice and experiments to the citizens of the kingdom. There was a very strong dark mage who lead them who was atleast S-rank an so they were worried that Dragnof maybe targetted next so king Torhen decided to liberate the kingdom and kill or drive the dark mages before they gain more strength. But he didn't have a strong general to contend against the s-rank mage and therefore after hearing that Edmund was an S-rank decided to call for his aid. Ed easily agreed and said that he would gladly help them and to leave the s-rank mage in his hands.

After mobilizing the army, they marched to the kingdom that now was called Urusia and they were shocked by the atrocities that were committed there. The air around the kingdom was filled with miasma and the smell of death and decay. After reaching the capital the army finally met the dark mages and a battle ensued. There was blood and death on both sides but ultimately the army of Dragnof came out on top, and it was at this moment that the leader came out and started massacring the soldiers, Ed quickly intercepted him and a battle ensued. The capital and its surroundings was destroyed as their magics clashed, after receiving a scar to his face Ed finally killed the dark mage my ramming his fist through his heart. The soldiers rejoiced on their victory and the surviving population of Urusia were taken in by Dragnof. After returning to the kingdom Torhen asked if Ed was willing to become the general of the army and train the troops to which he agreed and became the general for nearly 30 years during which he met the love of his life, Anabeth. They had a huge wedding and had a grand celebration issued by the king himself. And after a year of marriage they were blessed with a child, Edmund II, Torhen was very happy for his brother and since he and his wife couldn't have children he decided to name his nephew as the crown prince.

Ed was shocked and asked his brother if this was really alright, to which Torhen told him that it was for the best and that Edmund II had royal blood and had rightful claim to the throne. Ed could only sigh and consent to his Brother's decision. And so years flew by and finally the coronation of Edmund II was held and a grand ceremony took place, but all good things must come to an end. Later that night it was discovered that Torhen and his wife were poisened and found dead in their chambers by the maid. There was a message written in blood that said that if Ed did not come to a cave at the borders of the Kingdom, his wife, daughter-in-law and unborn grandchild would die.

And so without hesitation Ed went to the cave and found a man....no demon standing at the entrance of the cave who introduced himself as the mage he had killed in Urusia all those years ago and that he had been reborn as a demon and come to claim revenge. Ed's anger was only held back by the thought that the hostages were still inside the cave. The demon now calling himself Zekrum then used his magic to summon his wife who was held in chains, battered and bruised and told him to get on his knees and beg for her life. Ed quickly wanted to comply but heard a voice in his head and stopped. It was his wife Anabeth's voice, this was an inborn magic that Anabeth had, 'Telepathy' that enabled the caster to transfer their thoughts to people in a certain radius. Anabeth told him not to listen to the demon and that he planned to kill them all anyway and so she told him to look for an opportunity to save her daughter-in-law and unborn granchild.

Hearing her words Ed heart was in despair, broken, lost, anxious, all sorts of emotions raged on as tears flowed down his face like a river, but clenched his fists and looked at Anabeth in the eyes and nodded his head. Seeing him nod and the determination in his eyes Anabeth gently smiled at him and the last words he heard from her in his head was 'I love you' after which she ignited her magic origin to overload and cause an explosion which sent the demon flying away from the cave.

Ed quickly went inside the cave and found his daughter-in-law Merredith bound in magic supressing chains. She seemed to be in great pain and possibly in labour, Ed quickly went to her and broke the chains, he gently carried her in a princess carry and quickly ran towards the kingdom where there was his son and army waiting for him. After delivering Merredith in her husbands arms, Ed turned back and went after the demon.

Returning to the cave he saw Zekrum was waiting for him there, he had severe burns and a missing eye from the earlier explosion. Without a word he activated his magic and then a battle ensued. The forest 2km around the cave was completely decimated by their devestating fight. After 3 hours of fighting, Ed was bloody and panting, he had broken most of his ribs and his left hand was uselessly hanging on his side. His opponent wasn't any better with his right arm being torn of by Ed and left eye missing. Ed then said in hoarse voice,"This is for my wife" and concentrated all his remaining magic into his fist and charged, the demon roared and also went for his final assault. After the explosion caused by the collision and dust cleared, Ed was barely standing with his fist through the heart of Zekrum, just like their first fight. As the demon fell to the ground dying, he uttered his last words, "I curse your lineage and all male descendants will die at birth", after which a black and blue color magic was visible coming from his body that disappeared into the air.