Technomancer: Genesis Chapter 60: A Change of Plans

Evan noticed the two shadows creeping beside him. They looked like blobs of darkness quickly approaching him. He automatically sped up as he dashed faster, he did not know what the abilities of these Shadow Walkers are.

Without knowing anything about his assailants, he would not want to engage them directly plus he had to let Lord Blackfyre know about the plot against him, this revelation was a major lead on the assassination attempt on the lord.

The shadows were slowly getting closer and closer to him, he looked back but the darkness was like a curtain that prevented him from peering into the location. He pushed forward even more with his might.

Evan recalled a scene as he guarded Ezra's room.

He asked about how the little toddler run so fast because it was exhausting tailing him, it was supposed to a be rhetorical question aimed at himself but to his surprise, the little lord answered and specifically pointed out the muscles that he should be focusing his magic on.

"Evan, focus your magic, here, here and here when running. You should also use the muscles on your stomach and trunk to stabilize while running," said as Ezra pointed out the specific parts of Evan's body.

"You should also drive magic toward your lungs so that you can get as much air as possible, because air fuels your body, Now try it." continued Ezra as he simplified the explanation so that Evan could immediately apply it, after all, application is better than theory.

"Milord, I can only use magic to augment my entire body, I don' know how to actually pinpoint specific places, we were just taught to use it on our whole body when fighting," Evan replied, he was startled that this little boy could actually drive magic to specific areas. He did not even know it was possible to do so, he knew that he could do this outside his body and also condense it in parts to activate magic with it but he never thought of applying the technique in key areas for augmenting one's muscles.

"Well, that is wasteful, especially for you Knights who have a limited mana capacity. You should actually try to limit magic use. If you could condense your magic into a punch or a kick it would become more explosive and deal more damage. Also if you master it you can become agiler but that requires a more targeted practice," Ezra answered, but he was lost in thought.

"Well, that sounds really good Sire. If only I could do that but I don't know where to start." Evan was thrilled with the idea and he wanted to learn the technique.

"Well, I know how to do it, let me teach you,"

"Really Lord Ezra? Thank you!" Evan was impressed he knew Ezra's capability and any advice of the toddler was something to look in to.

"Remember not to overly strain your muscle, because after mana depletion you will feel the pain on the muscle"

Evan wasn't briefed about the powers and abilities of these shadow wielders, and he did not dare to find out in such a dangerous manner. He coursed through. A shadow launched at him and he put all the magic he could muster in his right leg to propel him forward.

The lunge was successful as it evaded the attack. The shadow was stagnant for a moment as it was seemingly stunned, but Evan kept on running applying the technique that Ezra taught him. He zoomed toward the inner part of the village. But the shadows kept chasing, but they were failing to keep up with Evan's pace.

Evan arrived at a well-lit place in the village this was the administrative district and well-lit torches were placed and on the village hall, there was a magic core-crystal pair that made the place luminous. The shadows did not chase into the district rather they went on the rooftops avoiding the light.

'Hmm, these shadow walkers seem to be afraid of well-lit places, I have gained the advantage for now and I must send word to Lord Blackfyre,'

Evan decided to go to the messenger post before returning to the inn Ezra and the others were staying.

"You have not killed him yet?" roared an angry Duke Terros.

The shadow walker did not answer immediately.

"This person was not a common rat," answered the shadowy voice.

Evan was not wearing his plate armour and took it off, wearing ordinary clothes, hiding his aura while following the duke, they assumed that Evan was an ordinary commoner.

"Dammit! This puts me in a bad situation. If the spy saw me and I'm found out the tribunal will behead me. I have to leave this place. " The Duke personally came to Anticourt to personally see the capabilities of the Shadow Walkers, the amount they were demanding was no small sum and he was a man who liked to verify matters in person.

"I won't pay a single core if you people do not dispose of the spy," demanded Terros. He turned to one of his attendants.

"What is the population and strength of Anticourt?"

"Milord, including merchants and guests around 850, around fifty knights and three Barons and a Viscount. The two barons and the viscount, are just passing through,"

The Duke was thoughtful for a moment.

"That spy seemed to be a knight by his speed, by now he would have reported to his Lord."

"Shadow walkers how many of you are in Anticourt?"

"We have thirty men here. Comparable to your knights."

"I see, I'm going to hire them, I'll add another 500 for each of them tonight" answered the duke. Then he turned to his attendant," Have the entourage circle Anticourt and kill all the messenger birds coming out of it, as for the messenger post, have Orst personally take care of it. No information from Anticourt must get out."

Evan reached the messenger post and immediately wrote down as fast as possible and sent it as soon it was completed. After this, he went to the Inn and woke up the party except for Ezra who was peacefully sleeping.

"What you were attacked by the Shadow Walkers? They're here? They are so bold to be in this part of the empire? That makes our lives easier then," Deimos answered. He had a determined look, now he could avenge his brothers and question them.

"They are colluding with the Duke of Loria, Duke Terros was most probably the one who ordered the assassination attempt on Lord Blackfyre," Evan continued recounting the events of his escape.

"WHAT!" the knights from Bren were the most affected, their lord had been targeted and they were not going to let it go lightly.

"Lord Blackfyre needs to know this so that he can tell the tribunal and try him," answered Rycharde.

"Don't worry I have sent a messenger hawk to Bren, it will directly be received by Earl Blackfyre."

"What happens now? Duke Loria knows that he's been found out, he will most probably do something, tonight, I imagine he wants to kill you but since he doesn't know you that would give him a hard time," Rycharde said.

Everyone heard bells ringing. The knights were stirred and Ezra woke up. Commoners with peaceful lives may not have known this but to the knights, it was a sound they all too well. Anticourt was being attacked.

Chapter end