218 Arcanum and Ki

"Good morning!" we all greeted with smiles.

"Yes!!!" Daisy yelled under her breathe extremely excited.

"I know you all might be a little disappointed having me over Scarlet this morning." Paul waited for us to come closer. "As you, all may know, I'm more of a caster then I am a close combat fighter... but I feel I should be able to teach a thing or two." He smiled rolling up his sleeves.

"Umm Mr Paul.... may I ask Jennifer's current condition??.." Helen hesitantly asked.

"She's doing fine... she's currently resting. I have my best colleagues/associates watching over her." Paul smiled. "and please no need to feel nervous," Paul smiled trying to reassure her with a respectful bow of his head.

"Is she gonna make a full recovery??..." Jay and I questioned a little worried.

"She's stable and doing fine now.... rest assured her recovery is on the top of my list." He smiled.

"Is Scarlet watching over her?" Grace asked.

"Yes, I can't correctly assess the threat level of what happened yesterday. So currently I have Scarlet and Anna watching over her right now... as well as several other colleagues watching over her in pairs, till she makes a full recovery." Paul smiled answering our questions politely.

"Is she in that much danger?" Jay asked instantly, extremely worried.

"No no, I'm sure she's safe, but as I said before, I don't know enough to correctly assess what happened and things. So better to safe to be sorry." Paul tried to reassure Jay.

"Is your arm okay?" I asked noticing it was completely held with no signs of scarring.

"Ohh yeah I'm fine, they were only shallow cuts." Paul smiled looking a little happier that I asked him that question.

"So what will we be doing today?" Daisy asked excitedly.

"Well, I know you all have been challenged by a current mentee of mine and her friends. So I just wanted to ask how you all feel about that?" Paul questioned curiously.

"Do you train them all personally?" Helen questioned trying to sound more confident.

"No, actually I only mentor Princess Calista personally, but even then don't get too disheartened, even the best mentor... it's the student's desire ann willpower that is most important." Paul answered as if sensing my nervousness and confidence in facing up against Calista.

"Do you think we stand a chance?" Grace questioned

"Of course, although her friends are talented in their own right. Scarlet did say you all are progressing and growing at a phenomenal rate, and to my understanding have a good chance in winning." Paul smiled looking extremely proud at our growth.

"Yes the rumours are true, I will be accepting Travis's challenge, in fact, I'm also scheduled to duel him the same day you guys are as the main event. The school will also be taking in guests and spectators, apparently, there's a big interest in seeing the two of us duke it out and I guess taking the opportunity to see me in a fight." Paul answered.

"How has no one seen you fight?" Daisy asked a little surprised.

"Funnily enough I haven't engaged in combat much. Generally, my name and accolades are enough to defuse most situations, injuring or losing an S-Ranked student or any student would hurt any of the schools." Paul answered still smiling.

"Your name and accolades don't even compare to what we spectated the other day," Helen answered.

"Ohhh.... yeah... I did draw quite the crowd that day. I'm sorry you all saw me in such an uncivilised manner." Paul replied clearly disappointed in himself a little.

"Not at all, it was eye-opening. Now I understand why you're held at such high regard." Jay answered.

"Thank you for the compliment." He nodded to Jay with a sign of respect.

"So if you compare yourself to other S-Ranked casters what are their abilities like?" I questioned.

"So Eshia, Ranked 1 Helena is a spellcaster, her unique form of magic is what I call Enchanting magic, she can enchant magical effects on anything around her," Paul explained.

"So stuff like haste?" Jay questioned curiously.

"Well that along with several others, unlike us who can probably only maintain one, I personally can only maintain two or three, she can somehow maintain several on a scale that's almost unbelievable," Paul answered.

"Several other effects?" Jay questioned.

"Well, he most fatal spell is enchanting someone to absorb Arcannum at an insane rate," Paul answered.

"Is that such a bad thing?" Helen questioned.

"Well, If you can expend it, yes, but the rate she will make you absorb Arcannum will generally cause the individual to explode or their body decays rapidly breaking down from being overwhelmed with the amount of energy you absorb," Paul answered.

"That sounds so horrible....." I replied in utter shock.

"It's a very horrible way to go yes, she can also cancel the effects when she wants at will, but even then I would adivese you guys to never cross her path," Paul answered.

"So most the S-Ranked students are Combat focused?" Jay questioned.

"Generally I think it's an equal split but Melee combat fighters are more devastating in one on one combat, Casters are generally better for large groups of enemies," Paul smiled.

"So have you ever encountered or had a duel with another S-Ranked student?" Helen asked politely.

"Well, Helena and I do spare regularly when she visits Atlantis, but I haven't had the chance to properly engage any of the current S-Ranked students. I have had encountered several S-Ranked equivalent students and Ex S-Ranked students." Paul answered with a smile.

"Is there a reason you never make a showing in the tournaments? Surly boosting Atlantis from being the bottom institute would be extremely beneficial." Grace and Jay questioned.

"It's just personal preference really, I don't do well in large crowds and well... I not really a showman," Paul answered.

"Are there any students you can' beat?" Jay questioned.

"To be honest I'm not sure, I do try and keep tabs on every S-Ranked student and S-Ranked equivalent, but my information gathering isn't perfect and always up to date." Paul smiled.

"So have you also trained under a monk? I remember seeing you catch an arrow as well as using your bare fists and kicks as a means of combat." Grace asked.

"Yes, what you witness specifically is a special martial art where I can harness the four basic elements using my Ki." Paul noded.

"So you can cast spells with your Ki? as well?" Jay responded in almost utter disbelief.

"Yes, it's more like mimicking spells, the advantage of me using this technique over traditional spell casting is that mimicking spells using Ki can't be countered by other adept casters." Paul smiled.

"So there's no way to stop you launching those 'spells'?" Jay questioned in shock.

"Yes, there is no way they can be countered, but I'd like to reiterate that their uses are very limiting, such as being able to only harness the four elements and not all spells are mimicable." Paul nodded.

"So you're telling us.... that not only do spell caster like us usign Arcanum, but you also have a second reserve of 'Ki' that you can also use?" Helen asked in almost utter disbelief.

"Ummm kinda?" Paul answered with a chuckle and a cheeky grin like he was caught cheating.

"Paul! Can I show you how how strong I've become!!" Daisy asked stepping forward extremely excited ready to prove herself.

"You know what, since you're all interested in my abilities, how about I set a small challenge." He smiled with a sort of devious gin.