Cohen of the Rebellion

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Characters in this chapter:

Cohen Kheda: The main character.

The Elf Queen: Queen of the elf clan, Winslet’s mother.

Winslet: A she-elf, daughter of the Elf Majesty. Cohen rescued her from hunters at her youth.

“My knowledge could only explain so much. Your physical condition has led to your current situation.” Madam Elf said, “You could probably end up like this for life.”

“So to speak,” I stared at Winslet’s mother, “I can never use spells higher than Lvl.4, right?

“Positive.” She said, “This isn’t good news for you, I hope you could handle it right.”

“I’m OK.” I scratched my head, “It is so much better than none.”

“I\'m glad you can think it through.” She said, smiling, “As of now what I can is to make do with your current situation.”

“Are you suggesting there are other ways to fix it?”

“Yes, although it’s a bit earlier for you.” Madam Elf said, “I wish you could do better.”

“What is it?”

The elf reached to a yellowish booklet and handed to me solemnly. Strange letters could be seen on the paper.

“What is this, auntie?”

“This is a note written by former elf queens. There are not many advanced spells on it.” She said, “But each and every queen had written down her knowledge and understanding of magic, from Lvl.1 to top levels. It is a notebook of ideas.”

“Then, this… this… is?”

“This is the Elf Note.”

“Such a treasure.” I was confused and said, “Why am I the one to read it?”

“This is not my decision to make.” My elf aunt showed her shining and gentle eyes, “It was agreed by all elders. Don’t think too much, start reading!”

“I don’t understand the language.”

“Winslet will help you.”

Thus I sat down with Winslet, and she had the book read word by word.

“What language is it written in?” I asked.

“You do want to know?”

“Sure I do.”

“Huhhe, nope. I… am… not… telling… you!”

“Ah! Joking!?” I pretended to be angry.

“I’m kidding!” Winslet chuckled by my amusing face, “Do you know, the females are in a high position in our clan, right?”

“I know that.”

“Such thing as every queen and elder elf were female, a set of language exclusively for she-elves had developed. This note is written in female letter.

“Female letter?”

“Yeah, because of this language is dedicated for the female elves, though, nobody will be able to read even if stolen.”

“I see. Let’s start from Lvl.1.”

Winslet was careful in reading, and she stopped wherever I had trouble to understand, then she will show me. For the problems even she couldn’t explain, she’ll drag her mother, or other elders if her mother was not around until I the moment I could understand.

With all the help, I was finally able to comprehend the heart of magic. For mages, spell releasing did not lie within their power, if that was the case then, even an arch-mage couldn\'t last long.

Mana was the key to releasing spells. By consuming mana, one need to summon existing natural elements around and make use of them. For example, to make a fire spell, you need to make sure there are enough element of fire around, then decide what form of fire spell to make shape. A more sophisticated type of magic will demand more on a mage’s mana.

Since I was low on mana, I was frustrated on using anything higher than Lvl.3, so the elders have focused training on anything under that. It’s like going back to the days I was trained by Professor Webster, even more so. However, training with this many gracious elf aunties, days went fast. My progress was evident.

First, my skills in both combat and magic went hand in hand harmoniously. Now I could easily swing swords and in the meantime use magic. Affected by my previous changeful tactics and physics knowledge, I was quick in both releasing and defending.[1]

As of now with abundant training partners and explicit reading materials, there was no reason for me not to put my heart in the study and forget to eat and to sleep. Time has passed, my clothes have gotten thicker. Winter was coming.

“Cohen, have a rest.” Winslet dried my sweaty skin.

I inserted the Machete into the ground and gasped.

“Mother was here,” Winslet said, “You father has a letter for you.”

“What about it?” After a deep breath, I was satisfied battling against an elf marksman for roughly an hour.

“He said,” Winslet poked my head, “You are going home.”

“Em?” I fawned, “Why so soon?”

“Soon? It’s almost spring!”

“Right… huh, indeed.”

“I think, they might need time to get used to your change when you come home.”

“Why is that?”

“Didn’t you notice that?” Winslet’s smile was like a blossom of roses, “You have become mightier and stronger.”

“I do? Well in that case…” I came closer to her and whispered, “It shouldn’t be a problem to grab you and run away…”

“Ah! What are you talking about!” Winslet blushed, “Have you been drinking?”

These time around, my previous personality had revealed itself little by little day by day. And naturally, I made more jokes about Winslet.

“You’ve grown prettier, and I’ve sensed a crisis.” I said, “I think I might just as well ask Her Majesty sooner to…”

“You are drunk!” Winslet jumped and pushed my back, “Mother wants to see you!”

“Right!” I laughed, “There we go, speak of the elf.”

“I dare you talking to my mom about anything!” Winslet snapped, “I’m not talking with you no more…”

The Elf Queen has prepared a long talk for me to let me have a basic view of the situation out there. The Holy Temple had raised taxes in all countries, usually tripled. Such could only be explained by one reason, that our faithful Divine prayers were organizing and preparing for war.

“About your title and your designated land will be crucial to you, and us.” Her Majesty said, “Current Swabia does not have much free land to offer. Thus during your trip to Divine City, you have to try to get a land as better and larger and far away from the battlefield.”

“But will the king give me a land like that?” I asked, “My two brothers got a tiny land to rule.”

“The king trust your family like no other. In the month of your birthday, there will be only two people for titling. If you do well, then you should get this place.” The Elf Queen crossed her finger over on the map, “Between the Dark Forest and Ocean of Death; your land will overlook your fathers. Do you know what that means?”

“Means…” I gazed at her carefully, “My land will be joining my fathers with nothing in between!”

“Indeed!” The Queen looked at me in admire, “If so, not only the elf, winged-man, dwarf, sandman, and the vampire along with other races who live here will avoid this war.”

“Will they?” I asked, “Who’s the other guy titled along?”

“You father said,” Winslet’s mother paused a moment, “Your old acquaintance, cousin of the Prime Minister’s daughter, Laika.”

“How’s his foot?” For a moment, I was sorry for him, “Why do he and I always need to fight for things.”

“Word had that he graduated with honor from the Royal Academy.” Her language became serious, “You need to be cautious.”

“I know… I know…” I stood up, hands gripped on a piece of window bar and stared at the setting sun, “I know…”

I murmured meaninglessly and pointlessly glanced down and discovered a familiar face.

Winslet looked at me frightened then she vanished.

I was ready to go.

I kept my seemingly targetless chuckling which Winslet ignored.

“Her Elf Majesty!” I said, “See you around!”

“Take care.” She said, “I’ll have Winslet escorting you out, don’t get lost.”

Winslet walked ahead, pouted. I couldn\'t help tittering for her kitten-like face down the window.

"It\'s all your fault I got caught!" She turned and said.

"Hey hey!"

"Don\'t be silly!"

"You went there yourself!" I suppressed my eager to laugh again.

"You!" She turned and wouldn\'t look at me, "There is the exit, you are good!"

"Easy now." I walked by her, "Look, I\'ve kept your gem on my necklace the whole time."

She touched the stone left with my temperature and seized being angry with a hint of a smile.

"Hmm," She said, "If you lost it... you\'d be sorry!"

"I would never!" I held her hand, "Now, do you have anything to say to me?"

"I do!" She grinned, "Take care!"

Footnotes: This is something I don\'t want to translate because it might cause disturbance among the readers. I did it anyway and leave it in the footnote.

^ Speaking of which, I had an epiphany. That was rules and authority were dominating this world. As long as one created rules, others will follow and work hard to climb. People never question the right and wrong or fitness of regulation, neither do they dare surpass them. Such was nearly identical to the modern Chinese society. As a result, five thousands years of eastern culture was defeated by the westerners in only several hundred years.During my elementary, junior, high schools and the days in the army, my previous life was taught to make progress, to make doubt, to travel further! We were trained to question authority, which was the obstacle for development. No advancing will achieve without development. If there\'s no development, then others will ride us.