Rise of the Strongest Soul Mage

Chapter 3 Halfling

His face was his second biggest insecurity. With three dot-sized moles on his right cheek, two underneath his left ear, and one over his left eye, he looked like the gods or whatever powers was in charge of creation has used him for creative experiments, botched the job but still went ahead to present him as a masterpiece with "hidden interpretations meant only for the most genius minds."

Half dressed, he ran his hands over his body. He stood at 5 ft 10 with a lanky build and without a shirt on, Sora could see every muscle and loose-joint in his torso. He was the opposite of everything he imagined he would be, but he was done wallowing in self-pity. People already did enough of it to last him a lifetime.

He immediately threw on a shirt and ran his hands through his hair.

Sora got out of his dorm with his cloak on and his up. His plan was to visit the infirmary to get his cut checked out, grab something to eat, then visit the library. The walk from the dorm to the infirmary was a short distance, and he covered it in less time than he had done the day before. His injury was indeed healing.

He caught Xyrra right as she was about leaving, and he was grateful for it. He wouldn't have to explain why he was there again to someone else or have to bear the look of pity in their eye as they tended to him. He blocked her way so she wouldn't pass and simply lifted his hood.

She examined his head. "It shouldn't take long."

He nodded, and Xyrra led him into a room and got to work on his wound. She brought out her kit again, and she clipped each thread near the knots and pulled them out. Sora felt a slight tugging sensation, but the removal of stitches didn't hurt at all.

"Your mage blood will heal the wound itself. You should be completely fine before the end of today… or tomorrow."

Sora knew why she added the last part of her sentence. She wasn't sure how quick his blood would work given his condition. However, he didn't take offense. He knew she was only concerned.

He put his hood back up and got up to leave and was thankful for the fact that she didn't bring up any more talk of his need for justice.

Stepping out of the infirmary, Sora hadn't gone a long distance when he sensed someone following him.

"Hello halfling."

Only one person called him a halfling. It was his way of emphasizing his deficiency.

Sora stopped walking. He had learnt the hard way that when Konan spoke to him, he had to abandon everything else he was doing.

"I just got treated." Sora replied in a very low, flat tone.

"I can see that."

Konan took a quick glance at his forehead. "The scar suits you. Now you have something to remember me by." He replied with a smile.

"Thank you." Sora replied with his eyes lowered.

"Come, walk with me," Konan placed his arm across Sora's shoulders and shoved him in the direction of the field.

They were joined by Marce and Dai who had been waiting, and the group walked together to the field.

Sora knew the routine. He braced himself for it. He quietly practiced his breathing exercises in readiness. He knew he wouldn't be able to last long if the session extended, but he still prepared.

In the field, Konan stopped walking and pushed Sora forward.

Sora turned to face Konan, waiting for his next course of action. Konan only smiled.

"Take off the cloak."

Reluctantly, Sora pulled off his cloak and dropped it at his feet.

"Run" Konan shrugged,

Marce and Dai laughed.

Konan pointed at the open field, "Run Sora, now."

Sora wasn't sure what was happening. This was new to him, but he turned and began to walk straight ahead.

"I said run Sora!" Konan seemed agitated.

Sora picked up his pace but still didn't run.

Konan looked to Marce and Dai, "Now boys, it's been a boring day so far, a little entertainment would go a long way."

Sora kept walking without looking back.

Konan, a summoner, didn't need to bring a water vial along like Marce and Dai did. He drew water from the air and formed it into darts directly targeted at Sora. Marce and Dai followed suit using their water vials.

Piercings, as sharp as a blade's sting hit Sora right across his neck. In reflex, he put his palm to the source of the pain and the blood stained his palm. He turned to face Konan and saw more darts flying in his direction.

Sora ran.

He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, but he couldn't be faster than a mage's dart, much less darts from three mages aimed in every direction of his body. The darts hit him everywhere. They pierced his skin with stings that hurt more than anything.

Sora was exhausted. The pain in his head began to throb again and his vision blurred. Finally, he dropped to the ground and lay there. He could hear the loud laughter from Konan and his friends. He could feel his anger boil within him but he simply lay there till darkness took over.