Soul of a Human

Elly started showing Mor around and formally introducing him to the other villagers while conducting her interrogation.

"Explain some things to me," Elly stated.

"What do you want to know?" Mor asked.

"All I know of your kin is what the stories say and what my mother had explained, but she also said you're an outlier." She continued, and Mor nodded.

"All stories we have about your kin picture you guys as those forces of nature who can wield powers out of some kid's imagination, but it's very demanding on your concentration, so you can't react to anything," Elly explained.

"Yes, that is right, but if we're using a lower-class or instantaneous spell, we can compensate," Mor said.

"An instantaneous spell? Are there different kinds?" Elly asked.

"Yes, we differentiate between continuous and instantaneous. An instantaneous spell is invoked and then does its thing without needing further concentration. While the continuous spells are mostly stronger, but they need constant fueling and controlling of the magic. It's more or less concentration demanding depending on the used magic power." Mor explained, and Elly nodded, then looked confused for a second.

"So your strength spell is an easy spell? Because it seemed like a continuous spell, but it didn't look like you needed to concentrate. And how does this one work? Is the magic just adding fixed strength to you? "She asked. Before Mor could get his answer, Elly continued.

"But we never heard of a Soul-kin overpowering an Ice-kin in physical strength, so you must be very talented and have lots of magic."

At this, Mor laughed, confusing the girl.

"I have very little power in comparison to my peers." He said, chuckling, shocking the girl.

"So any Soul-kin could overpower us like that?" She asked.

"No. Body enhancement is far too concentration-demanding and multiplies your force. At least, my test seems to show that. Meaning my scrawny, weak kin wouldn't profit much from it, and here's where I'm the strange one because training my body makes it very effective." Mor explained.

"I see. Does this mean you were able to overpower my dad because arm wrestling is easy to do while concentrating on your magic?" Elly questioned.

"Yes and no. There are ways to get around the concentration limitation, and I'm the leading expert on body enhancement magic." Mor said with a wink.

°It does help to have a second mind and move your body while concentrating, though,° the human said.

°Indeed, but I don't need to tell her every little secret.° Mor replied.

"Wait!" Elly said in a panicked voice. "Meaning you could have easily overpowered me last night?"

"Yes. IF I was less disciplined or more adventurous." He stated flatly, and the color drained of Elly's alabaster skin, making it almost white.

"Thank you for holding back." She mumbled, and Mor nodded.

"Just think about the consequences of your actions next time."

At the end of their little tour, Mor met most of the villagers but was mostly met with indifference because he was just a strange Soul who would be gone soon. The only difference came when Elly introduced Mor to the village kids, especially her "crush".

The second Mor laid eyes on the boy, he didn't like him. Thor was big and muscular like his father and might get taller than the chief, given a few more years. Still, the larger boy's condescending look ticked Mor off. It wasn't like the Soul-kin nobles looking down on him, but worse. The nobles at least only looked down on him because of his strangeness and status, but this brute looked at Mor like he was still his weak old Soul-kin self.

"Mor…" The boy said in his deep, rumbling voice, chewing the name over in his mouth. "Nah, while you're here, you need a better name… You Soul-kin are said to be smart, with your brain and magic, but weak… So you will be Wimpy."

This made the other young Ice-kin laugh, and even Elly chuckled at the "joke" while Mor seethed.

°Yeah, right. How about we kill him?° The human offered.

°I would like to, but I think it might not be enough to say, "he annoyed me". He is the son of the chief, after all.° Mor grumbled.

°How about we just put him in his place?° The human asked.

°You mean, beat him up? Because Ice-kin are easily taunted into a fight?° Mor asked, with an evil grin forming on his face.

°I'm a terrible influence.° The human chuckled just as eager.

"What are you grinning about Wimpy?" Thor asked, slightly annoyed.

The boy came closer and stood right in front of Mor, making the 10-centimeter height difference more noticeable and looking down at the smaller Soul-kin again.

"Nothing." Mor started.

"That's what I thought!" Thor interrupted.

"I was not finished," Mor stated. "I wanted to say nothing but a big dumb barbarian who can't count over four, even while using his hands and feet."

That obvious challenge made the other kids gasp, and Elly grabbed Mor's shoulder.

"Apologize. He will hurt you for that." She hissed. "Mother will kill me if something happens to you."

"Don't worry, that stupid lug is half as dangerous as my last homework. I almost struggled with the math questions." Mor stated, fixing Thor with a challenging glare.

"Stop it!" Elly pleaded. "Overpowering my father in arm wrestling is one thing, but you can't use all that power in a duel."

°If she only knew.° The human said, amused.

°They will learn. I'm fucking done getting shoved around by anyone who thinks he's better than me. Ranbor was enough, and I don't have to be careful here.° Mor stated.

°He might complain to the chief, but as far as we can ascertain, it will be fine.° The human said.

"You should listen to Elize. I'm not ripping you limb from limb because she's my girl, and you're a guest of her father's," Thor growled.

"Elize? I thought your name was Elly." Mor stated, ignoring the apparent threat.

"Only my dad and mother call me Elly." The girl answered.

"I think Elly sounds cuter, so if you don't have any objection, I would use that," Mor said with a smile, fully intending to provoke the larger boy.

°Very smooth, the lady-killer is back.° The human chuckled.

°How so?° Mor asked.

°And you ruined it...° The human sighed.

The Ice-kin girl looked nervous at her friends and her furious "boyfriend".

"I would prefer Elize." She said.

"Really? After last night, I thought we would be close enough for me to call you Elly." Mor said.

"What?" Thor growled.

"He's being stupid." Elly tried to defuse the standoff.

"I really enjoyed your nightly visit," Mor said in a hurt tone.

"Now you've gone too far. Seems I need to beat some sense into you." Thor said, grabbing Mor's gifted jacket and pulling him off his feet.

Mor stood on his toes and held the furious gaze. "Bring it, idiot. I'm not scared of some brainless Ice-baby who's all talk."

Elly let out a sigh while the other kids started to get excited. Such a challenge means only one thing: a traditional Ice-kin fight, using training weapons, and only because until you're starting on your first hunt, you're not allowed to wield a "real" weapon.