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ILIAS PAYNE

By the time I was twelve, which was around six months after Neon's Comet fragmented in the sky, Heloise ran out of things to teach me. But because of her contract with us, she was not able to leave until I passed her test.

Truth be told, I was still perplexed on how to destroy the boulder on the opposite side of the ravine. I snuck off with Jaime to the ravine every chance I got to try and pass Heloise's test. I wanted to do it under her nose so I could surprise her and make her proud.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do it.

I've concluded that no spell in my arsenal could ever destroy the boulder from where I was. My skills in the sword may have been taken aback, but my mind still held onto its teachings.

Swordsmen were close combat fighters that required quick level-headed thinking to be successful. There was no time to think outside of the box. But jynxists were a support class. No jynxist could ever win against a warrior head-on.

The objective wasn't to destroy the boulder.

It was: how can I do so while adhering to the rules?

Jaime accompanying me certainly didn't help either. She would always suggest things that a swordsman would.

"Just use Water Cannon harder."

How do I cast a spell harder?

No matter how I tried to explain it to her, the base stats for Water Cannon was set. There was no way I could tweak it to shoot out more water or shoot it out stronger.

I knew I could destroy the boulder, but I had no push to do so. I struggled because if I became a jynxist, I would throw away the last bits of identity that made me me.

"Are you delaying your progress to destroy the boulder?" Heloise asked one time while we were hanging up clothes to dry.

"It's just hard."

"It is but, with your skills, I'm sure you can do it easily. No, you could've done this months ago if you really tried. Why delay? I cost a lot and I'm sure Mistress Trisha, though she's fond of me, would love it if she didn't have to pay me anymore."

If I destroyed that boulder, I would be destroying the last remnants of identity I had. The only thing I had now was the fact that I wasn't officially a jynxist yet which meant I could still be considered a swordsman. But if I were to graduate from Heloise, then I will lose who I once was.

I'm scared.

Terrified.

Afraid that I would lose myself and forget everything I used to be.

Suddenly, Heloise hugged me from behind.

"What's this for?"

"I don't know. I saw that you were feeling uneasy and every time I felt that way, you would always do this."

I put a trembling hand on Heloise's arm.

"If you're scared, there's no need. I'll come with you."

The walk from the house to the ravine would always take Jaime and I around fifteen minutes. But today, it felt longer. Each step drew a hardened heartbeat in my chest. The air hung heavy like it was closing in.

I don't want to do this.

When we got to Tank, he inspected us before heading back to his bed of hay and laying down.

I don't want to forget who I am.

We arrived at the ravine and Heloise sat off to the side, nodding to tell me that I could do it.

"Once you destroy that boulder, you'll be a jynxist."

A jynxist? I can't! I'm supposed to be Decan the Jynxless. Decan the Thornless Rose. The Sword Devil.

I can't be those if I become a jynxist.

Who will I become?

I broke down while standing on the spot that Heloise told me to all those years ago. The water I'd been holding back exploded out of my eyes. Each drop that fell from my chin, to me, was an insult to Heloise.

"I can't, Teacher. I can't do it."

Heloise put a hand on my shoulder. "Take a deep breath, Ilias. There will be people who will be by your side no matter what. Whatever that storm inside you is making you feel, it's nothing but doubts."

If I destroy that boulder, I'll become a jynxist, huh?

Back when I was Decan, I acted like I didn't care that I wasn't able to perform jynx. That wasn't true. I was always envious of everyone. Deep down I wanted to become a jynxist as well. To be like everyone else.

Then why is it so hard to accept this?

Why is it so hard to make what I wanted back then come true?

I'm a swordsman, not a jynxist!

I don't want to throw who I was away.

But Decan was a swordsman.

I was Ilias, and I made it a goal to make Ilias a jynxist.

The memories of my old life were nice, but they were all simply memories. I'd be stupid if I wanted to be called Jynxless twice.

Besides, becoming a jynxist wouldn't exactly mean I was throwing away my old self. My identity was a quilt. Each patch didn't match, but together they would make something special.

Ilias and Decan were the same.

If I need Decan then I'll become him. If I needed Ilias then I'll become him also.

Just then, the way to pass the test came flowing into my mind.

I've tried countless times using Water Cannon to destroy that boulder, but it never even reached halfway. I couldn't change how strong or how much water I can cast, but as long as everything remained the same, tweaking the spell would theoretically be possible.

If a regular Water Cannon reached halfway to the boulder, then shrinking its point of exit would make it reach farther. I simply shrunk the size of the water, making the same amount of volume go through a hole the size of a coin instead of a plate. Even if it was the same strength, the small exit would make the water shoot out further.

I pulled my wand out of my pocket, pointing it directly at the boulder. "Water Cannon!"

Just like it always had, a jet of water exploded from my hand. But this time, Water Cannon—which was more like a drill—managed to reach all the way to the boulder and slice it cleanly in half. The half that wasn't touching the ground fell into the ravine, shattering like Neon's Comet months ago.

"Congratulations, Ilias." Heloise grinned as she held back tears of joy. "You are now officially a jynxist."

For the first time since I got reincarnated, it felt like I had truly taken my first step.

Volume One: End

What's next on Rebellion?

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Thanks for reading this far and don't forget to comment and vote as it would help push this story out a lot.

Did you understand jynx and was it confusing?

How do you feel about Heloise's character?

Was there a balance between the worldbuilding and character/emotional moments?

How did you feel about the ending of this chapter and volume?

Author's Note: This chapter was originally supposed to be the opening chapter to volume two. However, I thought the volume starting off with Decan not being able perform jynx and ending with Ilias mastering it would be more powerful for his character.