1 Prologue

On the borders of the Eladrian Kingdom in the year 1454 14th of May. A young man 5.4-foot tall with short black hair, fair skin, and dark brown eyes. The man was dressed in a dark shady black gi laced with chainmail, armed with a katana strapped to his back; he was riding in the night on his trusted black horse, through the dark woods of Eladrian.

"Woosh!"Suddenly a shining light shaped like an arrow came flying towards the young man's head, he hastily jumped off his horse to avoid it.

"Who is it, reveal your self!" the young man roared in rage as he clutched the hilt of his katana, raising his guard up to it's maximum; waiting to strike and kill.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha you truly are the pillar and most tenacious of the Crane clan, isn't that so Shinta Crane" an evil dark voice echoed through the dark woods, slowly a mysterious robed man holding a long wooden staff, stood atop a large tree branch that was both in front and above Shinta.

Shinta was very much unfazed by the man who revealed himself, he looked up at the man " you know my name yet I don't know who you are. However, that's not important. What is important is that you know my name, but do you know what you're messing with right now?" he said while staring daggers at this dark robed man.

The dark robed man chuckled " ha ha ha... you are Shinta Crane, 18 years old and one of the most powerful and renowned warriors of your clan. However, we also know that you are the master rank Assassin of Shadow Sword order, who struck fear across the six kingdoms, Code name Demon, revered as a god among all assassins and the most powerful weapon of the Shadow Sword order."

Shinta was slightly stunned that this enemy before him new quite a lot, ' how does he know so much about me, how much does he know about the Shadow Sword, I better probe him for more intel' he thought. Shinta took a breath and calmly asked: " you know the shadow sword order and you know of my status within it, but I fear that's all you know, names nothing more." Shinta than unsheathed his weapon ready for combat.

The robed man sneered at Shinta" despite your strength and ability your still very much a young brat, to think we don't know anything. We are fully aware that the Shadow Sword order rules the six kingdoms in the shadows, controlling wealth resources choosing royal families to rule as their puppets, fabricating wars at their convenience; we know everything."

Shinta smirked " thank's for telling me that important information but tell me who is this "we" that you speak of?"

The dark robed man removed his hood revealing a bald old man with a short grey beard with dark brown eyes, staring into Shinta's. He smiled "well you'll be dead soon anyway, so there is no harm in telling you. We are the Mage order!" the bald man raised his right hand up.

suddenly Shinta found himself surrounded by many dark robed men holding staffs. 'hmm there is roughly two hundred of these shady robed people but what are they planning. They aren't planning to beat me with there walking sticks are they?' Shinta laughed at this situation " Ha ha ha ha ha ha! do you think you'll be able to harm me with your small walking sticks!?"

suddenly one of the dark robed mages raised his staff, pointing at Shintas direction Uttering words, which sounded like gibberish to Shintas ears. 'what the hell?' he thought.

Then a shining circle with markings appeared in front of the dark robed man.

"Bang!" a big ball of flames shot out from the shining circle hurling towards Shinta.

Startled by this Shinta instinctively did a few quick backflips avoiding the ball of flames.

When the ball of fire made an impact on the ground, it caused an explosion "BOOM!" Shinta's black horse cried out in pain as it was burned to death.

Shinta managed to escape unharmed; however, there stood a deep crater before him, left by the explosion. Shinta gazed at the centre of it and saw his horse's burned corpse, seeing this, Shinta became filled with rage. His horse was like family, to Shinta killing his horse was no different from killing his loved ones, he stood there silently shocked, angry and mourned the loss.

The old man laughed maliciously" HA HA HA HA HA HA! a stupid brat who doesn't know the difference between the heavens and land. Let me tell you something, in this era you currently live. The greatest power wielded by warriors of this age is known as Chi, powerful energy that flows through the body. In this era people born with Chi are great, and people born without it are useless and looked down upon, that is what is known in this era."

Shinata was still standing there silently not uttering a word.

The bald man continued " However the so-called useless people the chi wielders look down on are not useless at all. There is another power that exists, its called mana, those who don't have Chi are ones who have mana. This crater you see before you is nothing but the tip of the ice burg when it comes to the power of mana. What you have just witnessed is called magic, and is proof that Chi warriors such as your self-are obsolete, the time of you and your Shadow Sword order are over.

Now is the time of the Mage Order!"

Suddenly the bald man felt a dark chill down his spine, so cold so dark that it silenced him he stared dumbfoundedly at Shinta.

Clenching his fist, Shinta spoke in a dark, sinister tone "is that all? You interrupt me on my journey home to attend my wedding, killing my horse and spouting rubbish about magic and ambitions. Tell me whoever you are, you couldn't have organised this ambush without the help of my clan because this is a secret path known only to the crane clan so whos the traitor?" a dark, murderous aura was surrounding Shinta as he spoke.

the bald man stuttered but soon regained his composure ' how can a boy his age have such a frightening killing intent leaking from his body' he pondered than spoke "your right Shinta crane but it is not just one traitor, your entire clan sold you out and has already pledged it's allegiance to the Mage order!"

Hearing these words Shinta howled in rage "You lie!!!"

The bald man smiled "I have no reason to lie. all we had to do was reveal all the mana wielders in your clan and offer to train them into powerful mages, making your Crane clan far more powerful than it already is. However, the price was to discard the Shadow Sword order and support the Mage order. Your group of clan elders new that you Shinta Crane would not stand for this, so they decided to sacrifice you for the sake of the crane family prospering to new heights. As for your fiance Linra Valentina, she is one of the mage order's most beautiful and most powerful mages. Who has been playing you for a fool and never loved you, in fact, there will be a wedding but not to you, for it is your cousin Barrick Crane who shall be marrying my granddaughter."

Shinta was stunned " grandaughter!?"

The bald man laughed at Shinta's confusion " HAHAHAHA! Sorry, all this talking made me forget to introduce my self. My name is Boris Valentina, and I'm here to both annul your marriage and kill you but don't worry your cousin Barrick will serve us well as our puppet; goodbye Shinta crane' he raised his hand' Kill him!"

"ARGH!!!!! "

Before anyone could react, Shinta was in front of the mage who cast the fireball, piercing his heart with his sword. He twisted the blade coursing more pain; which resulted in the mage's scream.

'how the hell did he move that fast this is too surreal.' is what they all thought.

Shinta pulled his katana out from the mage swiftly, without batting an eye watching the mage's blood bleed out. The mage collapsed on the ground and breathed in final breath than died; while his face, still frozen in fear.

Shinta Glared at his enemies "you say you've come to kill me and talk about how powerful your so-called mages are. From what I see, you all bleed and die just like any other mortal that walks this world. now than former grandfather in law, I'm going to show you how I become revered as the assassin god!"Shinta yelled as he raised his sword ready to make his next move.

Boris grew very alarmed at the situation "Kill him he must die this Man is far too dangerous, all forces attack! Do everything you can to make sure he doesn't leave here alive!" he scream out of fear.

The mages raised there staff's and began chanting there spells.

Shinta began circulating his chi through his body and his sword. His chi levels burst from within, engulfing his body in a dark blue aura. He raised his sword and uttered "Crane sword art dance of the reaper."

Shinta burst out into a barrage of after images, swarming all over his surroundings. Each of afterimages that passed through a mage it left a cut wound on there throat gushing out blood; mages were dying left right and centre.

Panicked watching their comrades die mercilessly, many mages started casting spells impulsively, hoping to hit the target. Fireballs ice spikes, lightning bolts were flying everywhere, but it was all for naught. Not only did they not hit the target but they ended up killing their fellow mages.

"Oh my god help me!!"

"he's a monster, a demon!!"

The mage's cried out in fear anguish, some of them dropped there staff's and kneeled; begging for forgiveness,

"Please don't kill me! I'm sorry, they made me do it, please spar.."

those that asked for mercy had their heads cut off before they could finish speaking; it was clear Shinta had no intent to show mercy.

Boris trembled with fear at this massacre he's witnessing. 'whats going on this is not how its supposed to be, how the hell is this brat so powerful. I tried my best to overestimate him as much as possible; I even gathered all the most powerful mages of our order here to take him down. If this keeps up the pillars of our mage order will be killed, along with the mage orders plan to take over the world.'thinking this Boris's fear turn to severe rage, he screamed "No I won't accept this! Every one Cast blizzard storm target everywhere!"

Every who was available, including Boris himself; They all raised there staff's chanting a spell. Shortly after massive clouds start to form from above. Then an enormous swarm of ice spears rained down everywhere Hitting fellow mages and Shinta's afterimages.

"ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!"

Screams and cries of pain and fear echoed everywhere. However, the after image's of Shinta had ceased, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Boris soon regretted his impulsive decision, because the remainder of his forces were wiped out, only he survived. He dropped to his knees, dropped his staff, his heart was in agony. " god's what have I done, this was not my intention!" he yelled remorsefully.

Suddenly Heavy panting could be heard in Boris's ears, startled he got up, turned around and saw Shinta standing a few meters in front of him.

Shinta was wounded he had three ice spear's pierced in him one through his left thigh, one in his left arm and one through his shoulder. His chi aura around his body was gone. However, he was still standing firm with his sword in hand.

Shinta was panting as his eyes were like that of a demon staring at Boris. He spoke in a murderous tone sending chills down Boris's spine. " I must admit your blizzard trick did some damage to me, almost to the point I may not be able to escape death this night; however, it was also a great help to me, thanks for helping me clear out the trash. Now I only have one more kill." Shinta spat out blood after he spoke.

Boris didn't feel relieved or satisfied at all he felt only pain and regret. Even if he succeeded in killing Shinta, his losses were far too high. The mage order no longer has the manpower to fight off the Shadow Sword order; this whole battle was in vain.

Shinta was slowly walking toward's Boris clutching his sword, preparing for the final strike. Boris didn't bother to run nor resist, he has lost all the will to fight. Once Shinta stood in front of him, raising his sword ready to cut Boris down. Shinta frowned " why do you not fight back or try to resist? Don't you want to avenge your comrades at least? Or at least try to kill me so there death's aren't in vain." he asked out of curiosity.

Boris kneeled to the ground with the resolve to die; he looked in Shinta's eyes."I lead my comrades to death they were the pillars of the mage order, even if I did fight and defeat you id still be executed for there loss. I only ask that if you seek revenge, please spare my granddaughter."

Shinta Spat on him " you can go to hell knowing that if I survive my wound's. Your granddaughter is going to die horribly by my hands."

Boris gritted his teeth " you!.."

"shing!" before he could finish, his head was severed from his body and rolled on the floor; his body fell gushing out blood.

After the deed was done, Shinta sheathed his sword. He coughed up blood; his wounds were hurting, but also he felt exhausted. When one utilises Chi to enhance the body and empower their weapons, it has very taxing after effects. There are two paths in the ways of Chi. One way is enhancement chi; the other is projectile chi. Projectile chi was the skill to form your Chi into any shape of your choice and blasting it towards your opponent. The other way was the enhancement, utilising chi to increase your speed strength and power and all human sense and your weapons; Shinta is an enhancement chi user.

Shinta used what strength he had left to leave this bloody scene. He managed to walk for a few hours until finally, he collapsed behind a random tree. " not yet I can still live through this" Shinta forced himself to sit up in a cross-legged position, and began mediating circulating his chi to try mending his wounds. Strangely enough, his idea was working he managed to stop the bleeding and remove the ice spear shards from his body. However due to his already exhausted state and overusing his chi to the limit. He finally lost consciousness; everything went black.