Chapter 70 Spellsword Conclusion (1/2)

Bela was waiting for them by the time they approached the Ton home.It was a nice two-story house with white stucco walls and a red tile roof.Mrs. Ton was a petite woman with dark hair and an easy smile.At first, Nix couldn't see the slightest resemblance between mother and daughter, but when the younger woman introduced herself, it was there in her smile.

Bela gave her husband a quick kiss before hugging her mother. The brunette turned her eyes toward their visitor.”Nice to finally meet you Nix.”She grabbed both his hands in hers and squeezed them warmly.

”Same here, Hyai has been wanting to visit you for some time.” Nix handed her a box of Tailored goods, ”these are for you and Bane.”

Bela accepted the box with an easy smile.”Thank you Nix, please make yourself at home.”

Hyai and her daughter disappeared into another room, leaving Nix alone with Bane.The big man glanced at the side door that led to their small courtyard.”Chiba is out there.”

”Chiba?” Nix grinned at the name, he had a dog named Chiba when he was a child.[Prounounced-Cheeba]

Bane nodded.”He is the Sword Master that you've been hearing about. Just head out there and introduce yourself.”

Nix stepped out into the brown bricked courtyard.It was a square about fifty feet across.Several wine bottles were scattered haphazardly around the yard.A squishy feeling under his feet made him look down.”That's just gross.”His nose wrinkled just as the stench of fresh vomit assaulted his nostrils.

”HUHHH!”A moan right next to him caused him to start.An object Nix could have sworn was a shrub started to move and then staggered upward.

Nix stared at the vagabond.His clothes were tattered and one side of his face was crusted in his own vomit.The man had close-cropped gray hair and stood about five feet tall.”Master Chiba?”

”Master?”The man squinted at Nix, ”I'm the master of your mum boy.”

”You smell like the inside of a bottle, one spark and you'd be a bonfire.”Nix was sorely tempted to turn the drunkard into a roman candle.

”You must be Nix?”Chiba was staring off into space, like a man seeing double and talking to the wrong image.”

”Over here, Master Chiba.”Nix waved a hand in front of the man's face.

”Right... Has my assistant showed up yet?He's a great Master and I can't teach properly without his input.”Chiba rummaged through the shrub he had been passed out under and grabbed a long sword.

”I'm not aware of any other visitors sir.”Nix gave Chiba the quick once over, he was standing barefoot in his own vomit.His brown eyes were somewhat dazed and he seemed to be having a conversation with himself.

”Baiter isn't here yet?”Chiba shook his head, ”You must have run into him before you entered the courtyard.”

”No sir, I didn't see a Master Baiter in the...”Nix stopped when Chiba started cackling.He had a creepy laugh that made Nix want to take a bath.”Very funny, Master Baiter... Are you a child or just an idiot?”

[Aura Ignition]

Nix felt an overwhelming urge to burn the idiot swordmaster.

”Woah there handsome, just calm down a bit.”Chiba stepped closer, unfortunately the smell also advanced.

”Handsome?”Nix decided that Chiba would be better off dead, Hyai would be sure to understand.

Chiba nodded, ”awfully quiet.I suppose it's not every day you see a stunning beauty like myself.”

”The f*ck are you talking about?”Nix breathed through his mouth to ease his upset stomach.

Chiba grabbed his wrist and yanked it in a strong grip until it was against his wet crotch.Apparently the swordmaster had pissed himself when he was sleeping.”Feel that?Now you know what you are dealing with.”

NIx yanked his hand away like it was on fire, his nose wrinkled in disgust.”You're a woman?”

[Balefire]

Having enough of the Master's antics, Nix decided to ash him on the spot.

A flash of a silver blade easily deflected the white-hot flame, it splashed harmlessly onto the bricks causing them to instantly glow red. Chiba smiled at him, ”such a way to treat a fine woman like me.”

”Right...”Nix raised a hand and six emerald strands shot out. The swordmaster blocked all but one, that one wrapped around the wrist of her sword arm.

Chiba grimaced in pain but calmly grabbed the blade with her other hand and sliced through the strand.”Very nice,” she rubbed her wrist that was quickly starting to blister.”I like your temperament.What do you know about the way of the sword?” Chiba had put her sword away and had her hands clasped behind her back.

”Nothing.”Nix let his Aura burn out, even though the urge to scorch the ugly woman was still very tempting.

Chiba nodded, her face looking quite pleased.”Perfect, nothing to unteach then.”

************

Bela sat in the kitchen of her home talking with her mother.The sound of swords clashing outside told them that Chiba had decided to train Nix.”Mother... It's not really my place but.”