Disclaimer: This will be a crossover of an original character that comes from the Negima Universe and the Suikoden IV World. Depending on how things turn out, I might just write sequels into the other Suikoden Series too. But enough of this. Mahou Sensei Negima belongs to the famed manga artist Ken Akamatsu and Suikoden belongs to the wonderful people at Konami.
Chapter 2: Preparations for Graduation
A few months have passed since his arrival on Razril, and Martin have been adapting well to life here. True that he once lived in a mountainous area, so his first few times on a ship wasn't very… glamorous. In fact, the first few times he got on a ship, he ended up with a bad case of sea sickness, though he did not suffer from the same problem right now.
He also got to meet quite a few people during his stay in Razril. He already met Commander Glen, whom during this time, reminded him of one of his instructors in the magical arts. Katarina, as always, is a close friend and occasional confidante to him.
Master Konrad has been very helpful in making his stay as comfortable as possible, and Martin regarded him as a father figure, often asking him for his opinion in certain things, or consulting him when he wants to know more about Runes. Turns out that Master Konrad is somewhat of a Rune Scholar as well, and holds a lot of knowledge about the different types of Runes.
Lord Vingerhut, the noble that rules Razril is an alright fellow, in Martin's appearance, and a jovial fellow. But yet, he is able to sense that the noble is somewhat like other nobles, aloof and haughty in the face of commoners. Having met his son Snowe, whom was one of his students in the Academy, he can't help but feel that the same attitude has somehow, slowly but gradually being passed sown from father to son, which worried him a little.
But he figured if he got Snowe away from the influence of his father, he'll probably able to stop the rot from taking place, before its too late, which proves a bit hard to do, since he can see that the young man is a daddy's boy, after all. His other students however, are not so bad, and he liked to spend time with them.
Lazlo was still the same quiet, yet slightly shy young man he knew from back then, though he seemed to be better, sometimes staying back after training to talk with him. He saw surprised that the young man, barely two or three years younger than him were also an orphan, and had no memory of his parents. Martin felt that he had found a kindred spirit in the quiet and slightly serious young man, and often would go out of his way to spend time with him, just to get him to loosen up, and open up a bit more.
Tal was an innocent looking young man, with a lean muscular build, with messy brown hair, and gentle brown eyes. He is also somewhat of a glutton, which led many people to tease him about overeating and getting out of shape, but he laughed it off. Turns out that behind that carefree personality, he is close to Lazlo, enough to consider the quiet young man his brother, despite not being related. He also trains hard, which made him a little bit buffer than others.
Keneth was Lazlo's very close friend; the young man likes to slick back his black hair, and ties it in a ponytail. He also has the same carefree personality that Tal has, only growing serious and businesslike when anyone is attempting to hurt his friend, which to Martin; he is already in his good books.
Jewel is a slightly tanned young woman with white hair. He was a bit surprised, but nodded when she cheerfully informed it that it is her natural hair colour. She has light blue eyes, and a small upside down red triangle in the middle of her forehead. When Martin asked her about it, she said that it is a mark that is commonly seen amongst her people back home, which is the island of Na-Nal. She is also slightly boy hungry, and often flirts with all the cute guys in the academy, Martin included.
Paula was an elf that was quiet and unassuming, as all elves are. She had light orange hair, and a green headband around her forehead and light green eyes. She was a bit shy at first; only talking to Lazlo, since he was the first person to befriend her there, but Martin soon grew on her as he often asked her questions, and tried to make friends with her as well. Eventually she opened up to him a little, and she told him that she was also from Na-Nal, actually from the elven colony there. When asked, she said that she is trying to clear her mother's name, due to some infringement in the past; she and her mother were banished from the colony. What Martin doesn't understand though, is that every time he talked to Paula, she always had a slight flush on her face.
Last, but not least is a strange creature that he met during his walk amongst town. It looks like a cat-person, though he does not understand how such things are possible. He knows that there are such things are were-creatures before, living in a magical world himself. Anyway, apparently the young cat person is a Nay-Kobold, a race of cat people hailing from Nay Island. This particular young Nay-Kobold is called Chiepoo, and he wears a maroon overcoat, yellow shirt, and a maroon bowtie. He also has light brown trousers and a pair of brown leather shoes, and white gloves. Chiepoo has a mixture of light brown and white fur and amber eyes. He also fancies himself as a salesman, and Martin had to admit, the fish-themed dishes that the young Nay-Kobold sells are rather tasty, and would take time to go to town and buy some back, much to the delight of the cat, who considers Martin his loyal and regular customer.
Talking with Chiepoo also made him get to know the young Nay-Kobold better. It seems that Chiepoo got bored of life in Nay Island, and one day, he ran away from home, hitched a ride on a merchant vessel bound for Razril, and has been there ever since.
This day, he was on the way to the blacksmith's to pick up a special order of his. When he arrived here a few month's back, he decided that he had to have a weapon, if he is to defend himself, and to teach at the same time. He first asked for a staff, since it is the one he is most comfortable with, after using it for so long. His first staff was like Katarina's, a long shaft of wood, with an orb on top. The only difference is that he requested for a light green orb to be affixed there, instead of the usual blue ones.
When he had some free time, he asked Commander Glen for some instruction to use a sword. The Commander agreed, and took him to the armoury to pick out his weapon. He took some time, carefully looking over the different blades that were displayed there, taking them in his hand, and wielded them one by one, testing each one of them, making light practice swipes, and thrusts with them.
Finally he picked a simple looking long sword, which had just the right weight and balance. Commander Glen was surprised and once asked him, why he chose such a plain, unassuming looking sword, since there are others that are apparently better.
Martin just gave him a simple, yet honestly brutal answer. ""How good a blade is not dependant on its appearance. A sword can be studded with diamonds but it is ultimately useless if it breaks the moment it is struck. As for taking a long time, a sword is a swordsman's life. It is simply not a tool for killing. It is an extension of myself and I'll be damned if I let any part of myself be of inferior quality."
Commander Glen was impressed by his words, agreeing with what he had to say. Since then he trained with both staff and sword, with Master Konrad and Commander Glen respectively. But after that episode, he found himself feeling comfortable in using both weapons, but was at a loss on how to use both at once. After much thinking, he got an idea and went to the local blacksmith to make it. Although the designs of the weapon were rather new, the blacksmith agreed to try his hand at making it.
He soon arrived at the blacksmith shop and entered. "Hello there, Marcus! I'm here to pick up my order."
The blacksmith turned and smiled. "Ahh… there you are, lad. Was wondering when you are going to stop by. Hold on, I'll get ye'r order." He then rose to his feet and went to the back of his shop, and took something, and returned to where Martin is and handed him the object. Martin smiled as he took the staff in his hand. It felt light and balanced enough, and he wielded it for a while, before gripping the head part of the staff and withdrew it, revealing a thin, sturdy, and yet lightweight blade. "Nice… this is exactly how I wanted it."
Marcus chuckled. "Aye, only the best for my customers. Took me a while to figure out what ye really wanted, but once I do, it's easy to make it. Took the liberty of forgin' that blade with the best steel I have, since I jus' received a new shipment."
Martin nodded as he made a few practice swings with his new staff-sword, before sheathing it back into its place. A Fine Weapon this is… I should give it a name…. He thought long and hard about it, before saying. "Yes, I think I can name you 'Artemis', after the Goddess of the Hunt." The staff-sword suddenly felt warm in his hand, as if it agreed to the name that was given to it.
He then turned to Marcus. "Thank you, Marcus…" He then took 2000 potch from his money pouch and paid the man, and then left the blacksmith store.
He was on the way back to the Hall of Knights when Katarina came up to him. "Oh, there you are, Martin. I'm glad I caught up to you. Commander Glen wants to see both of us in his office."
Puzzled why the Commander wanted to see him in such a hurry, he nodded and said. "Alright, Katarina…. Let's go. You can lead the way."
Katarina nodded as they walked together towards the Hall. Along the way, Martin asked. "By the way, Kat… do you have any idea what the Commander has in mind? I only know that today is the final test for Lazlo and others to gain their knighthood."
Katarina just smiled at the pet name he gave her. Indeed since that day when he arrived, she treated him like her best friend, confidante, and the younger brother that she never had. They often spent time together after training to spar, both in magic, and weapon fighting. It was then that she realized that what Master Konrad was right, he is indeed a prodigy, and after a while, she felt her magic ability has took a turn for the better, her usual low level spells increasing in damage, and her best, were almost at the level of a Thunder Rune.
He also trained her in hand to hand combat, and her skill with her staff were now highly increased, though she refused to carry a sword, not even a simple long sword, no matter how much he persuaded her, stating that she felt more comfortable in using a staff than a sword, which he understood perfectly.
Katarina shook her head, but she only said. "I think, since the Knights of Gaien are a naval force, after all, one of the tests would be a mock naval battle. The training ships will be fitted with low powered rune cannons and shells, so that there will be minimal damage to all."
"Ahhh… a naval battle. It's a good thing that I managed to overcome my seasickness. Any idea who is going to be on the training ship?" He asked. "I know that Lazlo will be there, since he is graduating after all."
Katarina nodded. "Yes, Lazlo is indeed going to be there. All your students are going to be there as well. Tal, Paula, Jewel and Keneth… and Snowe as well." She said the last with a sigh.
Martin looked a bit worried and asked. "Why are you sighing like that, Kat? Did that Snowe make trouble for you? If he does, let me know… I'll thrash him out and show him you don't get away for making trouble." His face turned serious at his declaration, and Katarina knew that he was serious in carrying out what he had said.
She shook her head and just smiled at him gently. "Its not that… it's Lord Vingerhut that has been pestering the Commander of asking Snowe to lead the Kindling ceremony after the Graduation, and to give him important tasks and all that. Nothing more than that."
Martin just shrugged. "Ahh, I see… that's so typical of Lord Vingerhut. I guess most nobles are the same, anywhere you go." He then said. "Cheer up, Kat… what say you we make some surprises for the test. Wouldn't want people to say that we are going easy on them, now would we? Come on, let's go to the Commander. I have some plans to make sure the test is challenging enough."
Katarina recognized the look on his face, and noted that he was at his happiest when thinking of training methods and studying and all that. Seems like he was born with an excellent brain, and she thanked whatever Gods that is out there for sending this young man, whom she considered a younger brother to their side.
They walked together toward the Hall of Knights and went straight for the Commander's office. Martin politely knocked on the door and said. "Commander, this is Martin, and I am with the Vice-Commander."
"Come in." Commander Glen's gruff voice came through, as Martin opened the door, and entered, followed by Katarina, before he closed the door behind him.
Commander Glen looked at both of them and said. "Vice-Commander, Mr. Evans… Thank you for coming. Now, what can I do for the both of you?"
Martin grinned and said. "Well, Commander… the reason why both of us are here is to discuss about an important matter, namely, the Graduation test, which I heard from the Vice-Commander, is to be a mock naval battle correct? What was the original plan, and what Rune Cannons are we to be using?"
Commander Glen looked a bit puzzled at the question, but still replied. "Well, the original plan, Mr. Evans… as you know would be a mock naval battle, using low-powered Rune Cannons and Shells. The Rune Shells that we will be using will be Lightning and Water Runes."
Martin smirked as he heard the shuffling of feet away from the door. "It seems that our bait has worked, Vice-Commander." He said with a sly grin, and Katarina just grinned knowingly, much to the amusement of Commander Glen.
"So, you were expecting this, weren't you, Vice-Commander, Mr. Evans? I must admit that I was rather confused by what you had to ask, since you both were briefed personally by me a few days before the test is to take place."
"Aye, Commander, I was a student once, and any student with a common sense would try to find out what the examiners would set as a test, in order to increase his or her chances of graduating."
"Ahh, I see..." Commander Glen nodded understandably. He then smiled. "I assume you both have something else in mind for the test? Why don't you inform me about it, and I can see what I can do." His lips curved into a conspiratorial smirk as he gave them both an expectant look.
"Very well, Commander…" He approached Commander Glen, and began to detail the layout of his plan. "Firstly, Commander… I have studied the elemental affinities of my students, and thus made another alternative plan." He then began to speak in hushed tones.
"Since Snowe would be the likely Captain of the training vessel, and Lazlo his assistant, we can take them out of the picture. Assuming we still use our original setup of Lightning and Water, we would face trouble from Keneth with his Lightning, which will counter our Water, and Tal with his Earth to counter our Lightning."
"So, what is your suggestion in countering those disadvantages, Mr. Evans? We still have Paula and Jewel to think about."
"Jewel has the affinity of Water, so she is not directly a thread, but using a Fire Shell would be risky, and Paula has a balanced affinity of both Earth and Water. Since our eavesdropper, which might likely be Snowe, we should set up a Fire and Wind combination, since they would not expect it."
Commander Glen nodded and turned to Katarina. "Vice-Commander, make your preparations and make the adjustments that Mr. Evans have suggested."
Katarina saluted and said. "Yes, Commander… I shall make the necessary preparations." She turned and soon left the room.
Martin was also about to leave, before he remembered something. "OH, and Commander?"
"Yes, Mr. Evans? What is it that you need?"
Martin nodded. "For the final test, when we board their vessel, I want to take on Snowe in a mock duel. That lad needs to be taken down a peg or two. No doubt you know why I need to do this."
Commander Glen nodded. "Aye that I do, Mr. Evans. Dismissed."
Martin saluted him. "Aye, Commander." He soon left the room to make his own preparations for tomorrow's graduation test.
End of Chapter 2
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