Sir Edward after his little moment finally managed to calm down with some coaxing from both Alice and John. I, however, stood to the side to enjoy the show, but now that it was over and done with I finally joined them and the sniveling mess on the ground.
"Hi I'm Alex, a friend of John...or hero, whatever works for you" I said bringing my hand up to shake the knights hand.
Instead of a return greeting, I got the edge of a blade tipped at my throat and an ice cold glare from the warrior. The one eighty change in personality was a surprise for both me and John, It was such a sudden change in character that I had no time to react, and it was so fast that it was near instantaneous.
"Sir Edward, stand down" Alice ordered in a calm voice, as if she expected this from the knight.
He shakes his head. "I can not do that milady, this man here must be a spy for the demons, and not even a good one. A friend of the hero?" he gives a mirthless laugh. "Everyone knows that the hero was sent to another world by the gods. So how could a native of another world make it here?"
He starts pushing the blade deeper into my skin that is now deep enough to draw blood. I feel a stirring inside myself, It felt like a dragon waking from its slumber inside me, but before I could further investigate the strange feeling, John spoke.
"Sir, I know it may seem hard to believe, but he is a friend of mine from earth, even my best friend." John cut in, worried for my safety.
He further explained how I had fallen in the portal with him and Alice by accident. It was this that caused their destination to change from the castle in the capital, to a field. He even went into our journey to get to this point, from the Troll, the river, as well as the wolves which I apparently played an important part in.
Hearing all that, Sir Edward looked torn. On one hand was the faith in heroes that had been ingrained into his mind since childhood. Most children were raised on tales of numerous heroes facing evil and emerging victorious, yet, he also had faith in his gods. That faith also told him that long ago the gods made it so visitors of other worlds could never set foot on this land again, as they do not want a repeat of the past.
One could see from his face that the clashing of these two faiths was doing a number on Sir Edward. Before he could make a decision, a slender hand appeared on his shoulder calming him down almost instantly.
"Do not let these confusing situations make you stray from your original goal Sir Edward. You have completed half of your mission already." she nodded to John. "You have found both the lost hero and princess, so you must deliver us safely so that I may relieve my father of his worry for me, and we can better prepare and equip the hero for the trying times ahead."
She gives us, though mostly John, a radiant smile. "So gentlemen, let us make haste, and Sir Edward."
"Y-y-yes milady?" he stammers with slightly red cheeks.
"Try to keep us out of trouble, I believe I speak for the whole group in agreeing that we have had enough trouble for today and could really go for a nice soft bed." she leaves us with one final look before walking in the direction that Ed came from, most likely finding horses.
Both me and Ed are watching her leaving figure get farther from us, and even I have to admit that , although she may for the most part piss me off, she does have her moments. It is during those brief moments that I can only say "she's one hell of a woman".
I look back to see if that little show had gotten through the dense idiot who was supposed to be the recipient of Alice's little show....only to find said idiot playing with a ball of light between his two fingers like a small tom cat playing with a new toy.
Dear god this world is doomed...
I sigh inside as I remorse over such a big moment of Alice's being completely ignored, but it is what I expected from my friend so I can only wish the girl with as much luck as I could give so that she is able to get out of that almost impenetrable place of Johns that many from earth call the 'friend zone'.
I pat Ed's shoulder to shake the man out of his revere, though it felt like patting a rock, and calling to John to get his attention away from the cat to... the glowing mana ball. together the three of us follow Alice's path through the tall grass for a while.
Ed, that is what I am calling sir Edward since it feels weird to use his full name and title all the time, was using quick and concise swipes of his blade to clear a path for us. The reason for this is that both me and John were busy and so focused that we did not pay attention to the world around us.
This led both me and John to smack into trees, trip over roots, and even run into each other. The reason for this is, following John's example, I started testing out this new energy called mana. I remember Alice talking about elements, and I figure that I am an air mage from what I am told as the whole floating and mini tornado was a dead giveaway.
I can also recall the vision I had when I fell unconscious, and feel that there's more to my mana then just the wind type. Yet for now I only focus on that part as it is the easiest to access and use.
Losing myself to the world around me, I focus inward while trying to feel for that energy called mana, and try to remember that feeling when Ed threatened me with a sword. I think back to the conversation with Alice when she was explaining magic when we first arrived. She talked about a core, and how that is what makes a mage.
For a while I find nothing and about to lose hope I finally feel something, a core deep inside me that is filled to the brim with energy. Still cautious I first send a few simple thoughts toward it, to see if I get any reaction. The mana responds by wiggling, so with a heart filled with joy I send a stronger intent than before.
What happens next is, like water, the mana flows out of the core but instead of going toward my arm instantly, it instead flowed through what I could only guess are veins. Looking further I find five main veins that go to my legs, arms, and head.
I think about this, so instead of just appearing out of thin air, a mage must direct the mana through these mana veins. To further confirm this I quickly direct the mana to my right arm vein, and with that thought it starts flowing. instantly I feel a sudden change in my arm and by flexing it I feel an explosive power from within.
This must be how Alice is so strong and can move at speeds that are impossible for the average human. Suddenly remembering those cool flame blades, I send the mana in my right arm, to my palm.
Right then a gust of wind spins around in my palm, but before I can shout for joy, I feel a sudden weakening in all of my body, like I lost a lot of blood but worse. before I can fall, however, a strong grip holds me up like a mother kitten by my cloak.
Looking around I find myself in a clearing by a dirt road, and also realize that I am not alone as John to is being held up by Alice, though in a more comfortable manner then my own.
"Next time do not go playing with forces you do not understand." a cold voice breaks the silence as Ed carries me to a carriage with Alice following behind. "You have only just become mages so you don't know anything, so I suggest you wait until you start school before you try something so foolish again, as what you two were doing could have gotten you both killed!"
Ed throws me in one of the seats like a sack of potatoes, while John is placed by myself gently with great care from Alice .So with Ed manning the horses and Alice in the seat in front of us, we set off to Istariel, capital city.
Both me and John look at each other with sheepish smiles on our faces, before I suddenly frown.
What was that about school!?