Alito's Moving On Up!

Afternoon Freakout! for 62.5 EXP
Deliver My Letter! For 25
To Earthland... and Beyond! For 25
Find This Book! For 25
The Rarest Flower For 25

So that's... 162.5 EXP! Let's take an exam!

Approved. Please contact your guild master to conduct your examination.

Kihia was sitting in a meditative position in the middle of the Lamia Scale Training hall, he had received word that another member of Lamia Scale had gone through numerous jobs and adventures throughout the land of Fiore, and has been deemed qualified for the next stage of their magical career. When Zack awoke he would find a note on the door of his residence instructing him to meet Kihia for a test of some sort.

Kihia was wearing his grey slacks, and a sleeveless grey T shirt, he wasn’t wearing any shoes and Icirak was standing off to the sides taking a brief nap with Ukan on his lap, next to a wide array of wooden sparring weapons. I am sure Zalk will be here soon…

Alito awoke early in the morning, as was his custom. He had sent in his request to the Guildmaster to receive C-Rank, but was unsure when it would happen. He knew that Kihia was busy, and that a new member as himself would just have to wait until his time. As he dressed in his cut off black shirt, and pulled on his gray pants, he noticed the note on his door.

Kihia had responded, asking him to come to a test of sorts. Suddenly, the groggy Alito was ready to go, finishing his morning ritual, and rushing out the door toward the Lamia Scale guild hall.

As he entered, he suddenly realized he wasn't familiar with the training hall's location. He began running frantically, trying to find his room. He finally opened the right door, hopelessly out of breath. He looked in, seeing Kihia meditating quietly. Though he was huffing, he fell to a knee, taking a knights pose, and bowed his head.

"Guild Master Kihia. I have responded to your summons. I am ready to begin when you deem fit."

Kihia opened his eyes and motioned for Alito to stand up, which he then did the same, “Sorry for taking so long to get to your report, I have been busy with a legion of paperwork as of late…” Kihia then walked over and picked up a Bo that was leaning against the wall and then walked back into the center of the training hall, “Your exam will be simple… first grab yourself your preferred wooden gear that line the walls…” Kihia then went quiet for a few minutes waiting for Alito to get his gear before adopting his basic defensive stance, “Alito, Spar with me… I will be holding back for we will be able to hold a conversation and learn about each other the best way Knights can…” Kihia was aiming for this exam to be simple, just like his first test was, however he wasn’t going to try and squash the one taking the test however…

Alito rose at Kihia's indication, and watched as he moved towards the weapons rack.

“Your exam will be simple… first grab yourself your preferred wooden gear that line the walls…”

Alito stretched his right arm, rotating it to get the morning stiffness off. The running around the guild hall served as a great warm up for a quick spar. But he was up against the Guild Master. Did he even stand a chance? Surely this was just an exercise, so he wouldn't get his butt handed to him in a hand basket, right?

Kihia picked up a large wooden staff. Alito looked over the weapons, finding all kinds. He looked over wooden swords, maces, staves, and all other assortments. He picked up a large wooden lance, similar to the staff, but with a sharpened edge at one side. He wasn't familiar with the weapon, but had acquired one recently, and wanted to be able to wield it with his requip magic. He turned back and face Kihia.

“Alito, Spar with me… I will be holding back for we will be able to hold a conversation and learn about each other the best way Knights can…”

Alito put one foot forward, holding the lace with both hands, and facing the sharpened edge towards Kihia.

"I shall face you with honor. A Super-Heavy Champion never backs down from a fight!"

With this, he lunged forward, driving the lance towards Kihia, prepared for a counter-attack.

Kihia smiled when Alito chose his weapon, a lance a weapon with great reach, incredible piercing potential, and depending on the shape of the lance itself a very versatile weapon capable of doing more than what most think. At the point where Alito proclaimed his statement and charged forward both hands on the lance in the normal thrusting stance, Kihia took a step back with his right foot and leaned his stance back along with it, As Alito came in Kihia parried the lance with his bo and redirected it behind him, and then went to spin around, “So tell me Alito, What caused you to start on the path of a mage?” As Kihia said this He went to swing his bo at the back of Alito’s left leg at the same rate of speed as a mage his skill level.

If this blow connected Kihia would then jump back and take a rarely used defensive stance with his right foot forward, and his left foot back, and the bo resting along his chest with his hands and arms fully extended towards both ends waiting for Alito’s next move.

If it didn’t, Kihia would still jump back and adopt the same stance.

“So tell me Alito, What caused you to start on the path of a mage?”

Before Alito could think of an answer, or even move, Kihia had parried and attacked again. The speed alone was too much for Alito, he had barely any time to react. He felt the 'thwack' as it hit is leg, causing his knee to buckle. Luckily, Kihia stepped back. If he had wanted to, he could have beat down Alito right then and there. Alito was obviously outmatched, but a Super-Heavy Champion holds steadfast to his decisions.

Alito caught his weight with the lance, keeping him from tumbling over. He quickly regained his posture, slightly changing his grip on the lance so to extend his reach.

"I was expected to be a mage from a young age. Expected to be a Super-Heavy Champion. I trained and trained."

He struck out with the lance again, this time preparing for Kihia to dodge. If he dodged to the side, he would bring the lance to the side, striking Kihia.

If Kihia stepped back, he would return the lance and strike with the blunt end, hoping to surprise him with speed.

After either instance, he will say:

"At first I hated it. I hated the idea of becoming a mage."

Kihia watched as Alito managed to catch himself from the blow Kihia had delivered by using his lance to catch himself from falling by using his lance to catch himself. He then righted himself and regained his fighting posture, however changing his grip on the lance. Kihia then listened intently to what he had to say, patiently waiting for Alito to make his next move. Then within a few seconds he lunged forward the new hold extending the reach of his lance, At this Kihia exhaled and then rapidly dropped to a crouch and let the lance go over his head. When he then heard what Alito said next, Kihia inhaled and then spun around on his right heel in a clockwise direction, swiftly getting inside Alito’s stance, however instead of striking Kihia posed his bo so it would point at Alito’s shoulder, “Then, why did you choose the path, what caused you to walk the path of Magic?”

Try as he may, the guildmaster was way to fast for him. Before he knew it, Kihia was right beside him, his bo right at his shoulder. Alito did not want to take this guy on full strength. Everything was still for a moment, and Alito jumped back, regaining space. Lances were hard to use. He loved the reach, but a quick opponent like this was going to out speed him and get inside where he could use it. He had to think differently. This wasn't some goon he could just out fight.

And then there were the questions. How could Alito explain what a hell the Dojo had been for him? In the middle of a fight, no less. But the conversation was something he enjoyed, as he enjoyed every conversation. The fight, not so much.

"I realized a lot, growing up."

Alito spun the lance with his two hands, seemingly idly. If he could just land a blow, he would be happy with himself.

"I chose it because I could. Not because someone wanted me to. That was the first thing."

He shifted his weight, unsure of what to say or how to strike.

"Loyalty is important, too. I can't let anyone down, and if I became a mage, joined a guild, I could protect them. Make them safer and happier."


After a few more moments, Alito let one had lazily hold the lance.

"A lot of things happened.. Unexpectedly!"

At the last work, he jumped forward, left fist prepared to land a blow to Kihia chest. His hand with the lance may have looked lazy, but he was also prepared to bring it around to defend from the bo. One hand might not make for a good attack, but he could at least stop the counter attack, he hoped.

Kihia watched as Alito quickly reacted by jumping back to put some distance between him and Kihia, and then to speak once again as he started to spin the lance in a awkward manner, Kihia calmly listening to what Alito was saying while sidestepping the tip of the lance every time it came close. Kihia then observed that Alito slightly shifted his weight adjusting as he had continued to explain. He most certainly is soft spoken… blunt and almost to the point it seems… When he said Loyalty was important to him, it caused a smile to form on Kihias face, a feeling he understood fully. Kihia then noticed that Alito had a loose grip on the lance in the hand that was holding it in. Then as soon as he finished speaking Alito dashed forward attempting to throw a punch with his unarmed hand and the lance coming up with the other.

Kihia quickly reacted by quickly thrusting the bo at Alito’s left foot using only his right arm, and then went to try and catch Alito’s fist with his left hand. If this maneuver was successful in the bo hitting his foot or making Alito change his momentum Kihia would then Kick the bo back up and catch it with his right hand aiming it right at Alito’s chest.

If this maneuver failed Kihia would then jump back five meters without the bo and adopted a wide unarmed stance with his left foot forward.

On either instance he would nod, and say, “What do you see is your current path, what are your goals, and how do you want to try and fufill them in Lamia Scale?”

Alito's fist was caught, which wasn't far from his expectations. He couldn't stop the bo from hitting his foot, though he was prepared for this counterattack, and brought the lance between Kihia and himself, blocking the blow to the chest with he long handle of the lance. Both warriors jumped back at the collision, prepared for the next attack.

"My path, my goals. A Super-Heavy Champion does not fight for himself."

Alito contemplated this statement. He thought of the implications; and decided to expand on them.

"Some would say I seek power. Others would call me ambitious. While both of these are true, neither would describe what I actually want."

He made a fierce swing with the lance, as though practicing. He made a few thrusts. His left leg and foot both throbbed with pain after the hits from the bo. Not a real injury, but enough pain that he knew he had been hit good. There might even be a bruise.

"I want to advance. In ranks, in position, in power. By doing so, I will be able to protect those I care about. Those who need protecting."

He walked closer to Kihia, slowly, and adopted a defensive stance that mirrored Kihia's, though his lance was forward face, instead of being horizontal against his body. It was a battle of speed and reactions; he couldn't lash out at him and expect to hit. He had to be quick, and he had to be precise.

"I have set my sights on becoming a guild ace, and a Super-Heavy Champion holds steadfast to his decisions! Now come at me!"

Always announcing himself with full vigor, Alito would look to parry here. He will stand defensively until Kihia makes a move, using the handle to bat away the bo and then thrust the lance at Kihia's midsection.

If he missed the parry, he would hop back, trying to dodge, though his positioning would probably not allow him to.

If he was able to parry and land an attack, he'd resume the defensive position similar to how he started, same if his attack misses.

Kihia listened to what Alito had to say, and the words caused Kihia’s gaze to lower, with a small hint of a smile coming to his lips. His primary goal… Kihia at this point looked up at Alito a particular glint in his eye. Kihia then took a step back with his left foot, is exactly like mine… Kihia then looked at Alito, his ice colored eyes studying the mage, “To protect those who are dear to you… that’s a sentiment I know all to well…” He then let go of the bo with his left hand and started to twirl it with his right hand alone simply rotating it, however the speed of the rotation kept picking up until the bo was nothing but a blur, “From the paperwork you turned in when you joined the Guild, as well as the reports and letters from your clients during your time here, I know you use a unique requip magic that focuses on larger gear that requires most people to use with both hands and are slower, however you are not affected by that…” Kihia then acted like he was about to take a step forward, “However…” Kihia then grabbed onto the bo with his right hand and dashed forward, closing the gap within a second.

During this Kihia would attempt to execute a rotating strike with the bo, with one end hitting the top of the lance to try and force the tip downward where as the other end seemed to have a collision course with Alito’s neck.

If this maneuver was successful Kihia would stop his swing just before the bo would hit Alito’s neck poised as a quiet statement, “You must find your own defensive combat style… Copying anothers may not fit your way of doing things… and in the end… hamper your ability to protect those you care about…”

If this maneuver wasn’t successful Kihia would jump over and land behind Alito saying essentially the same thing,

Was the guild master... smiling? Was something Alito said funny to him? He had just proclaimed his deepest passions, and the man seemed to be making fun of him. Alito tightened his grip on the lance. When would Kihia make his move?

Kihia spoke, sharing his agreeance with Alito's motives. Suddenly, he was twirling the bo, slowly at first, but it continued to speed up, faster and faster. Alito's eyes couldn't keep up. He lifted the lance, prepared for Kihia's strike. The guild master then recounted Alito's magic- Alito wasn't aware Kihia knew so much about him- and suddenly he was right in front of him.

Alito had no time to move, as he felt the bo come in contact with his lance, pulling him down. Alito could feel the vibration from the hit through both of his arms. He let go with his right hand, allowing the lance to fall to the ground in his left hand, and stretched his back and neck, trying to pull himself away from the other end. The bo stopped just in front of his face. Kihia hadn't missed, but Alito had put himself outside the range of the second hit at least. Small victories.

They stood in silence for a moment, a sudden stillness taking the room. Alito looked into Kihia's eyes, feirce, yet kind.

“You must find your own defensive combat style… Copying anothers may not fit your way of doing things… and in the end… hamper your ability to protect those you care about…”

At first, anger rose in Alito's face. Then, with the realization of the truth behind Kihia's words, determination took its place. Alito took a deep breath, still pinned in place with the bo in his face at one end, and holding his lance to the ground with the other.

"You are a wise man, Guildmaster. Your combat is near flawless. I can see I have a long way to go before I can hold a candle to you. A Super-Heavy Champion does not falter- he only continues forward."

Suddenly, Alito realized how heavy his breathing was, as the dull pain in his leg continued to buzz. His arms felt fuzzy, too. This little spar was much fiercer than Alito had realized.

Kihia smiled at Alito’s response and backed off, very satisfied with the mages outlook. Kihia then looked over and nodded at Icirak who happened to have been watching the entire thing. The Guild Doctor got up and walked over to them, “For once you actually held back fully Kihia, Iarok would have been proud.” Kihia glanced to the side at these words which in turn made Icirak laugh, he then walked up and formed his own ice make stance, “Ice make Chair!” Suddenly three chairs of ice formed in the room, two close to each other and one facing the two. “Have a seat Alito, Icirak will treat your injuries,” Kihia then sat down on the chair that was by itself and rested the bo against himself, and he sat there as he studied Alito before finally nodding, “Alito Yoke, After seeing you will of spirit, as well as your skill, I Kihia Avoa, Your Guild Master officially recognize you as a C class mage, May the path you have chosen bring you many adventures as well as many joys,”


Your exam is officially completed, you can post again if you want to but it is not mandatory,