The Burning Fiend

It had been half a year since the funeral and Reynolds have progressed without trouble, he had reached the peak of the second rank as warrior in qi and the peak of the third rank as magus in life and death magics. But he knew that reaching the eighth rank as a fire elemental magus would take at least four years.

Windsor had become a loyal and obedient maid while keeping her own training as she had just reached the second rank of earth magic. Reynolds had paid a visit to Linley and asked him for the earth type spells, his good brother had not hesitated to pass him the spells from rank 1 to saint level. Still Reynolds only provided the spell of the first and second rank to Windsor for the time been, he did not want his pet to consider escaping his grasp as he was well too fond of her.

Reynolds spent his time in training without caring much for the outside world besides visiting his good brothers from time to time, but he was aware of the important news happening in Fenlai City and the Yulan Continent as the Dowson Conglomerate would deliver a summary of events every week. He was thankful for Yale's care and it was precisely because of this that he learned about the disappearance of the king's brother and the impending doom descending upon the Debs clan, he realized that the kid that had stolen that treacherous woman Alice was from this clan and that Yale had been indirectly responsible for their current situation.

He felt some sort of p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e when he got this news, apparently one should behave within certain standard or one's actions could come back to bite in retaliation in the future. He smiled and continued with his busy life.

Another productive six months passed and Reynolds had reached the third rank of a warrior in qi and the fourth rank as a magus in both life and death magics, he felt he was improving at good pace while securing his deep foundation. Windsor had reached the third rank as an earth magus, apparently her talent in earth magic was only below Linley so Reynolds consulted Linley about letting her to try sculpting as a meditation exercise. After thinking about it Linley said that she could practice but she could not exhibit her work without his approval in order to protect the reputation of the straight chissel school.

Today was a common day on the garden as Reynolds danced with his spear, he had learned from the Dragonblood Manual of the different realms of wielding weapons and he was sure he had been at the first level for a long time so he was trying to get a feel of the so called 'wielding something heavy as if it were light' he was a little disappointed that his third brother had forgotten about his weapon training and was only concerned in reaching the next level as a warrior.

While Reynolds keep immersing himself deeper and deeper into the spear dance he let go of his thoughts trying to get insights on the second realm of wielding weapons, he felt he was close and yet he could not reach the essential point to advance. He started to think on how could a heavy weapon could be wielded as if it were light, the point was not muscle neither qi as he was looking for a realm in weapon control. And the point was not the weapon itself either, as he thought that it didn't really matter if the weapon was heavy or not, so perhaps the point was to use the environment around the weapon to help wielding it and deliver a powerful blow accompanied by that energy that had helped decreasing the strength needed to wield the weapon.

He felt he was on the right track and used his spiritual power to feel the air around the spear and to try using it to help wielding the weapon, the result was satisfactory, but it will take time to actually achieve the realm. He was happy as he had touched the realm he was searching for, barely but he was certain that he was on the correct path.

He stopped his training and looked at the other side of the garden where a beautiful woman with dark red hair that reached her waist was working entranced on a boulder carving the figure of what seemed to be an old woman. He kept looking at her for a while enjoying the harmonious scenery. He felt proud that his maid was a hard working obedient beauty, he still longed for a magical beast companion but he would not give his favorite pet away.

It was at this moment that Jenna sounded the bell on outside the garden to let him now that an important message had arrived so he made his way without distracting Windsor. "What is it Jenna?" After a year of working for Reynolds the middle-aged maid was no longer nervous while talking to him, she had learned that as long as she did her job right and did not interrupted his training unless something important happened he would be calm and easy-going smiling young man.

"Master, an urgent message from the Dowson Conglomerate" said Jenna as she presented a folded paper. Reynolds released a sigh these messages were uncommon and unlikely to contain good news. "Thank you Jenna". Reynolds started reading the message.

"Fourth brother, third brother injured himself for training and send word that he wanted to meet me. I'm thinking to stop in my way there by your villa so we can go together. Yale."

He released a sigh again, he was sure that his life magic could heal whatever injury his brother had unless he was missing a limb, but he would only know after seen him. He went to his room to take a bath before going with Yale.

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"Fourth brother it seem that you are enjoying life a little too much." Yale said clearly envious but smiling sincerely, he had been able to take a quick look at the garden and saw the mesmerizing red haired woman working on a sculpture while sweat made her clothes adhere to her perfect body.

Reynolds smiled and said. "I think I understand now why old Frey insisted on me getting a girlfriend to enjoy life. But I think that having a beautiful obedient maid is more enjoyable, well I never had a girlfriend so I wouldn't know..." Yale laughed happily at that, he was very proud of his brothers, but his fourth brother was more to his liking as he had learned his views on life. He felt he had made a good deed when he enlightened him at young age about the wonders of life.

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Yale and Reynolds were standing next to Linley's bed looking at his pale complexion, while Yale was worried while Reynolds was frowning slightly and as soon as the maid who let them in left he asked. "Third brother, why are you pretending to be wounded?" Yale was surprised and Linley startled wondering if his acting skills were too bad. Then Reynolds suddenly looked at the side of Linleys bed as he felt a presence of what he would think as a ghost, but the presence disappeared instantly making Reynolds frown as if confused.

Linley was looking warily at Reynolds now and saw Reynolds shake his head as if thinking he was mistaken about something. Linley released a sigh and explained his plan to his two brothers. Yale and Reynolds were worried but they could only support their brother.

Reynolds decided that he would take Windsor and left the Holy Union as well as soon as this matter had passed, it did not seem smart for a foreigner to stay on a kingdom who had just lost its king. It was time to make another trip to the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts and he was strong enough to protect his companion.

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It was late at night when he received the news that his brother had failed and was taken captive, a tearful Bebe was hiding on his arms as he made his way to Yale's.

"It appears that third brother preparations were not enough. Do you have any news?" said Reynolds in a depressed tone. Yale was equally distressed as he said. "No! I have already asked my father and he promised to try using the influence of the Dowson Conglomerate to help third brother." Bebe was making distressed sound as Reynolds said. "Bebe, calm down! If there is the slightest chance to help third brother I would not hesitated to go. But now our best hope is through the Dowson Conglomerate as third brother has been taking captive by the Radiant Church, there are saint level warriors and magus there. Going now would mean been captured as well only increasing the trouble for third brother."

He released a heavy sigh and said. "But I assure you if we are not able to save third brother I will be by your said to destroy the Holy Union when we are strong enough!" Bebe still seemed distressed but new determination and purpose could be seen in its eyes.

George had remained quiet all the while as if he could not believe what was happening, he was missing the days when the four of them only had to worry on their magus training and who would have to pay for the next round of drinks.