The seventh and final day.
Finally! I have been waiting to put an end on this long, exhausting week!
I felt relieved and accomplished about myself, knowing that our cleaning duties will come to a close after this final day.
Wah…after this, I finally deserve a long vacation or even a leisure trip!
It might feel like I am the happiest person alive as for this moment, but the truth is…there is a one thing that obstructs me in achieving that ultimate stature.
Yesterday, the events that unfolded amongst the three of us was… ice-shattering, to say the least.
Even until now, the remnants of our intense battle from yesterday can still be felt, as the air of awkwardness towards each other is seething on our idle and short conversations.
The stark shift from a friendly, yet slightly competitive combat training, to an intense and chaotic one, left an impact within ourselves and I felt like this feeling will not go anytime soon…
I mean, even for myself, I just cannot overlook these 'iconic' scenes on my memory even if I try to banish them from my head:
Malthur became extremely scared once he was touched again by the "terrifying particles from the ancient ground", and it made him shiver helplessly on the first half of the training…
Similarly, Roy was also sent into the realms of his fears as the bluish flames from his Flamberge sprung up in that battle, leaving him traumatized and unable to move on the second half of the combat…
Not to mention at the same time, this Redhead friend of mine acted oddly on his behavior when he viciously tried to attack Malthur on every angles possible, resulting him to wear this creepy and malevolent aura around him. I had no choice but to put him back on his original state thus, making him fall on the realm of his fears.
…Wait a moment.
These scenarios…it almost sounds like…all of them were my own doing!
Ah yes…how silly of me.
I did all of those things. The blame is totally mine to take!
"Tori?"
Well! I do not have to retrace my reasonings and intentions here!
"Hey! Tori???"
Huh? Who is calling me…? I may have enticed myself into deep thoughts again that I became unaware of what is happening on my surroundings.
Right now, I am minding my own portion of area for our last cleaning duties which is, at the plaza.
I turned around to meet the voice while still gripping my trusty broom.
"Ah! Fae! It is only you. Do not sneak up on me like that!" I said, slightly shocked upon seeing the small and cute girl in front of me.
"Well forgive me, 'kay? I was calling you nonstop earlier and you are not even listening to me! You just mumble to yourself while moving your broom left and right!" she answered while puffing her cheeks.
Ugh. I am sorry. It is a bad habit of mine.
I looked apologetic so she continued in speaking:
"Where is big brother, Tori? Why am I not seeing him around here? Did you two have fights again?"
Ack-! Excuse me? What, are you implying that we are… we are…!
"Hey, Fae! Do not misunderstand, okay? We just happened to divide the area of the plaza so that we can have a better coverage of the whole place! If I am not mistaking, your brother is stationed at the far-south portion of the plaza! Do you know it? It is besides the direction of the blocks of wares and other products from the merchants' square!" I said nervously.
Really, this kid is agitating sometimes when she speaks like that!
Upon hearing my flustered explanation, Fae just tilted her face and kept staring at me.
She looked like as if something was bugging her mind at this very moment.
"Is something the matter, Fae?" I half-mindedly asked.
She somehow looks troubled.
Besides, why is she walking freely today this early in the morning? It is the class hours at the academy right now, is it not?
"It is just…I cannot find my playmate. She just disappeared on my side while we were playing earlier!" she worriedly replied.
A playmate?
"Oh…that is perplexing indeed. Hmm, I guess it cannot be helped then, let me help you!"
"Really? You will? Yay! Thanks!"
Fae jumped around with a massive grin on her small face. Ah, I missed her seeing like this.
"So? What is the name of this playmate of yours?" I asked.
After hearing me ask the unknown name of her playmate, she stared at me innocently then broke out in an equally-appealing smile:
"I have no idea!"
ACK-!
"What do you mean 'you have no idea?' How did you become someone's playmate without asking their name first?!"
"Ehhh? Do I need to ask their name before I can play with them in the first place?"
"Well yes! You need it for…uh."
Sharps…she is right if you think about it!
"Tori???"
Fae tried to call me yet again while I am having a short and meaningful existential crisis in my head that made me question my standards and basic perceptions in life.
"Ah! Okay, okay! Well, how about we look for that playmate of yours around the plaza? We might find her here." I said, giving her some sort of reassurance for her troubles.
Thankfully, she just agreed with me and did not try to refute my suggestion.
We walked around the plaza for a bit while watching the ever-increasing strollers around the center of the place. Even though it is still early for the morning to walk around, the city's plaza is famous for idle walkers and joggers. Furthermore, the daily merchants and sellers are setting up their tents in order to open up their wares and businesses once again. After all, this morning is just another fine and normal day.
"Say, Fae…"
"Hmm? What is it, Tori?"
I did not know that meeting Fae like this was something that I needed for a long time ago since I started this sanitation duty. Now that I do have her right beside me, I felt that I should ask this question right now.
"How is Bintii right now? Is she doing fine?"
I am talking about that domesticated Hainu that we decided to give on her care since she won her fair and square against Malthur.
Once again, Fae fell into an expression of deep thought, then breaking to yet another innocent smile. Before she was about to drop the words on her mouth, I felt an unexplainable chill right down my spine.
"She is not with me right now!"
"…"
Umm…
The entirety of my thought process became a blank and empty slate after that moment.
"F-Fae? W-What did you say? W-What do you mean t-that?"
Please…carrying a gargantuan burden is beyond my abilities!
Dreading the fact that this little, educated, and talented girl in front of me just managed to mishandle that terrible and ferocious Hainu, it gave me a set of hallucinating images of the city- burned down and everything is in disarray while the Swordsfolk are in a great state of peril.
Oh, sharps… what have I done?
"I just meant that Bintii is not with me right now. I do not know where she usually goes in the morning… but when it is night time, she will always arrive at home safely. I just cannot pinpoint exactly why does this occur…is she perhaps playing a prank on me with her concealing fur or…?" Fae answered me, visible puzzlement is in her expression.
"O-Oh…is that right? Then, if I may ask, are you on good terms with her right now? Not to mention, please…do not, in any manner, send her in a state of anger and stress, okay? Just do not question the reason behind that! It is for the good and safety of not just you, but for the entirety of the city!"
I should keep my nervousness in a manageable state! I should not let my emotions get the best of me at this very moment! I hate doing drastic measures like the last time that always results on my occasional failures! If I fail now, this city might be in a state of oblivion anytime soon!
I can feel the heat in my face so Fae must have seen it, so she tapped my hands:
"Hey Tori! Everything is fine about her, 'kay? You can trust me with her since like I said, I will do my best in taking care of her! Well…I cannot prove how behaved she is right now since she is out…but someday, I will!" she said while smiling innocently.
Awww… levels of innocence such as this can spell destruction afterwards!
But…at the same time, perhaps I can trust her with this.
This may sound irresponsible for me to do but…Fae, like I just pointed out earlier, is a bright and talented kid. Not to mention, she is the daughter of the Chief here so she may have knowledge and understanding when it comes to responsibilities!
Besides, this marks a complete week of Bintii into the custody of the Arsonstel household and so far, I have not heard of any foul fuss nor news regarding the misbehavior of this adorable creature, so I guess…there is no need for nonsensical panicking!
After a short closing to this relentless thoughts of mine, I sighed heavily, knelt lowly to Fae in order to pat her crimson hair, then with a smile, I said:
"Okay then...someday, when I have the free time, I will inspect you together with Bintii regarding her behavior, alright? Also, even though I am worrying for that little creature, I will trust you that you will take care of her for me, is that clear?"
Her face erupted with cheerfulness after hearing my statement. She smiled tenderly that clearly suits her age and said:
"Really? Do you really mean that, Tori?"
I happily nodded.
"Yay! Thank you very much! I love you so, so, so, much!"
This crimson-haired girl wrapped herself around me with a warm and tight embrace.
Oh…I think this is too early in the morning to take this level of sweetness in my heart…
"What is happening here?"
"Ah…! The Redhead girl!"
Suddenly, as per the normal custom in my life where someone or something will always interfere me in having a touching moment, two voices rang on our backs while Fae and I are still connected in a warm embrace.
It was Roy, Malthur and- wait…
She looked fairly familiar in my eyes.
I looked at the image of a small girl who willfully hides in the side of Malthur while clinging to his back, much to the embarrassment and nervousness of that git. She is clad in a simplistic and common white dress that a lot of little girls around here are accustomed to wear. Her golden and glossy straight hair are slightly moving due to the miniature movements of the winds around us. I may have mistaken this girl for someone else but after staring at her ever-familiar eyes that are tinged in ocean blue, there is no denying it…
"You… you are that girl that we rescued back in the village!" I said with a mild shock.
What is she doing here? Furthermore, how did she get a pass from the guards?
"Ah!!! It is you!" Fae shouted in unison with my statement.
Fae hurriedly freed me from her loving embrace and went into the direction of the small girl. The small girl in return, walked up to her and held her hands. The two of them became extremely happy when they hugged each other…and that is when I realized…
"So uhh… she was your playmate?" I asked low-spiritedly.
"Uh-hm! She is my missing playmate and right now…we will play a lot more! See yah, Tori! See you brother! See you, Sir Malthur!"
"H-Hey! Wait! I need to-!"
"Oh…before I forget, Tori! We have no classes at the academy today! It is Dies Solis today, you know?" she joyfully said, about to get away from me.
Oh? Is that right…? That makes sense. She may have noticed my face when I was questioning the fact that she is walking freely around the plaza this early in morning when in reality, she should be at the academy right now…
It is the free day today. Really, I am inattentive in my surroundings now.
I was about to stop them right away since I still have a lot of things to clear on about Fae and that girl, but Roy held my hand and stopped me. Before I can even reach out for her, Fae already moved away together with the girl and ran away from us.
"W-Wait!!! Fae!" I shouted.
"Not now, Tori. Let them be."
I turned towards the face of Malthur who was still gripping my hands in a gentle manner. Earlier, when we started the duty, he cannot even look me in the eyes as we decided our portion for the sanitation area, but at this moment, his resolute and crimson eyes were fixated into mine.
"R-Roy! What is it? I-If you two are here…then that means that… you completed your area?"
Calm down, Astoria.
I was stuttering on my own words and tried my utmost best to weave a set of sentences in order to hide my embarrassment… but, if you are being stared at in an intense manner such as this, you will have a hard time in successfully do it!
"Hey Tori? Can we talk? The three of us, I mean…"
While still wearing the face of pure seriousness in his expression, his voice did the same thing as well as he sounded earnest on his words and asked for something odd.
Talk? Is there need to do this while we are still on our duties?
Argh…Who am I jesting? Of course…
The three of us- the appointed Myrmidons of this little city, decided to set aside our brooms for now and proceeded to take a seat in one of the benches of the plaza. This feeling of tension and perturbation skyrocketed in my heart as these two boys who, in normal circumstances are usually idiotic and foolish, are now lacking of any of those characteristics since their expressions are giving off the aura of seriousness around them.
"I am sorry!"
Suddenly, while still waiting for them to start the conversation, Roy apologized straightly in front of us.
This! This certain situation in front of my allies cannot be made fun out of, nor can be perceived as comical!
"No! I am the one who should be apologizing!" I also said, not minding if it will be embarrassing in front of them.
It is only right…it may have sounded funny and amusing in my thinking when I watched them succumb on their fears yesterday, but realizing the effects of the fear I have inflicted on their behavior as of late, I reflected that I was in the wrong this time.
Now that I think about it, I went too far yesterday.
That is right…when my instincts scream that I did terribly not just in myself, but also around me, I know when to apologize and admit failure…
From that on, the three of us talked about our reasons for acting the way that we did on that specific day.
Roy admitted that he let his pride and excitement towards combat take over his senses and as a result, he acted that way without any restraint nor second thought. I always got used to him in feeling that way since he is always in a constant exposure in swordfight due to his Guild duties, but this one felt too different than the rest and as a result, he was apologizing.
In my case, I admitted that I was fairly weak so I had to think on how to win and due to my frustration, I devised an underhanded tactic against them. Just as what I have remembered, it made them terrified beyond comprehension that it left them traumatized. I am aware how devious I act sometimes, but even I can realize when I cross a line that should not be crossed.
In Malthur's side…
"Really, I do not know why you act like that when it comes to battle! Get it together, you two!" he said, clearly annoyed on how honest we are towards our feelings.
Huh…that is right.
He did not do anything overboard nor malicious on the combat yesterday!
He became my victim at the first phase of the battle and similarly, he took the relentless trashing of Roy on the second act of the training combat! So in other words…
"Apologize to me again! But this time, be sincerer! Perhaps…you can add 'master' in the end. Come on! What are you two waiting for? Say it!" he continued, his idiotic smile is slowly forming on his pale face.
Is this even real right now? Malthur? This git did not cause any trouble?!
"Right, right. We apologize, okay? Besides, I have to admit that of all of the enemies I have crossed-swords with, you were the strongest! Not to mention, your weapon of choice is made of wood and even with my Flamberge, you can take my relentless and fierce hits! Remarkable! But…"
Roy patted Malthur in the back when he waited for his ridiculous order of 'apology' to be taken by us. Malthur just irritably moved away from Roy and stood in front of us- his back is facing us, much to our displeasure.
"You know…Malthur? Tori?"
Roy continued speaking and this time, he looked upward in the sky with a resolute smile in his face.
"I am going to be stronger!" he said, true courage and valor is plastered in his expression.
Ah…this is it. This is the Roy that I am accustomed to be with.
"So I am going to ask the two of you…though this may sound selfish but, can we be stronger together?"
His face, still staring in the bluish skies of the morning, said those out-of-nowhere words while reinforcing the resolute smile of his. His expression became soulful- brimming with resolve and sight in the future.
"What is with you so suddenly, Roy?" I asked him.
The Redhead friend of mine lowered his still-smiling face and now stared at me without any word nor sound coming from his mouth.
…Really, you.
I guess I just have to do it, eh?
I mean, I am already carrying this stick with me so…
"I will. I want to be stronger with you too!"
I said it. That is what I managed to exert off of my chest.
Consequently, we also waited for the response of this git who still dramatically stands in a distance in front of us.
"…"
"Malthur? How about you?" said Roy.
This git squirmed after feeling the fleeting pressure on his back and as a result, he anxiously turned in front of us, only to meet our expectant gazes.
"Argh…I will…not let you two surpass me!!! YES! I WILL WIN!" he shouted ever-so intensely.
Hey…slow down there, bucko!
How about that…?
The three of us- the inexperienced, awkward, and mostly idiotic of the Myrmidons came into an accord, an understanding!
Whatever our motives may be in holding these swords that was endowed on us from that rite, at least…one thing is for sure…
We are working towards a direction! A trajectory that we want to aim as we walk together!
After that, the three of us resumed cleaning of what was left on my area and happily swept it with the use of our trusty brooms. We silently did it so while filling our senses with the sound of our environment and the anticipation for the future…
At last…
"WAH! That was it! Our week-long punishment is over!"
"Hey, Tori! Do not shout it like that! People will clearly hear us that way!"
"Seriously, this week felt like a year of nerve-ending chores!"
We exchanged our feeling towards the matter but one thing is for certain…we are already free!
The three of us triumphantly walked away from the plaza in order to go to the Guild and take our well-deserved lunches.
"By the way, I was just curious" I said out of nowhere.
The two boys tilted their head in front of me, then Roy asked…
"What is it?"
"What was the uh… reward that you received from the Boss?" I shyly stated while playing with my fingertips.
Roy and Malthur looked at each other for a moment, then retrieved something from their pockets afterwards.
It was a piece of long, silky paper that was colored in green.
"Apparently, there is a famous steakhouse inside of the village and I heard that their cooked steaks and other meat specialties are highly regarded not just from the villagers themselves, but also from other merchants, travelers, and food connoisseurs! This ticket lets you to eat on their buffet without paying a price! Great, is it not?" Roy happily said.
Wah…is that right?
"Tori? What is the matter? Why are you drooling?"
Just hearing the word "steak" and "meat" left my appetite in full drive.
Oh…but wait.
"It is such a shame that only you two won the ticket…sigh. I guess that I should strive better in order to get good things, huh?"
I cannot even hide it. I felt sad and disappointed at that moment.
"Quit forming that ridiculous face, smitha! Really, you look uglier when you make that face!" suddenly, Malthur shouted in front of me.
Not now, git! I am not in the mood right now!
"You will sound foolish if you think that I will dine in that eatery together with Redhead here, okay? So you would do best to come with us as well!"
What do you…?
"Malthur is right, Tori! We will eat in that steakhouse together! Take it as our celebratory dinner for our effort on our duties!"
Eh…?
When confusion enveloped my face, Malthur pushed the slick paper into my cheek and said:
"Here is yours. We will go there tonight so do not even dare to not showing up!"
You guys!!!
***
Back to the village…
"Huh? What is with this fierceness that I feel from you three? Have you eaten anything rancid, or something?"
The Boss welcomed us once again for another session of sword training but instead of greeting us with his usual, overly-joyed self, he posed an odd-sounding question in front of us.
"Well, let us just say that…we came into an accord about our development as Myrmidons, Boss…so you see…" I timidly said.
"Oh? What is this? The three of you formed a soulful pact of your internal resolves as you carry out your duties and responsibilities? WAHAHA! Fantastic! Simply awe-striking!!!"
The Boss jumped around in finding out our new-found resolves within each other and as he rejoiced in the training grounds, he cried several shouts of joy.
Now that I think about it, when the first time we encountered Boss in his headquarters, we nearly spat ourselves due to the other-worldly awkwardness and oddity of his antics while we were trying converse with him. But…as we are spending our time with this hearty, energetic, and childish man, it dawned on me that he was just being happy, simply because he was educating us.
After some short seconds of his creepy celebration, he stopped half-way through and just stood there- posturing idly in front of us.
Afterwards, much to our shock, the Boss unsheathed a long and sturdy-looking wooden sword on the back of his clothes and with a tone in his voice as if to taunt us, he darkly said:
"Now then, let me test that resolve of yours!"
Huh? Are you being serious right now, Boss?
He cannot be…he is just joking with us like he always does right?
While the three of us are glued on our standing positions upon hearing that brave proposition of the Boss, we saw him retrieve a big satchel that contains small items inside. The satchel is connected with a familiar ribbon and using this, he wore the said satchel in his neck alike to a pendant.
This is…this is an issuance of a battle, right?
One of the founding principles of the swordsmen (and women) in Ea is that when a foe issues a duel whether it is just for a light sparring or an Adamthryst, if able and willing to do it so, the person who was offered in a combat must always accept the challenge.
So…I guess that we cannot withdraw ourselves for this one, huh?
I never guessed that the Boss will offer us a challenge such as this!
This is just combat training, is it not?
While we are still standing still, the Boss smiled and said:
"Same thing, same mechanics. But as you can see for its twist, instead of fighting each other, your foe will be just me! If you managed to break this satchel with your given swords, then you win!"
What? Are you serious? Just our swords against you wooden one?
He slashed his wooden sword around while we are thinking about the possibility that this Boss of ours is just pulling our legs, but it does not seem like that is the case…
"Whenever you three are ready!" he shouted in front of us as if his intention is to taunt once again.
I gulped instinctively.
Our Boss- Boitesy Dû Halcyon is an experienced and terrific teacher when it comes to the way of the sword. Seeing him like this, it made me wonder the reason on his denouncement as a Swordfolk and his decision to live in a peaceful village of the Swordless. Right now, he is still wearing his jolly and upbeat upbringing in front of us, even if he was the one who offered us in a duel.
This will be rather difficult. I have not seen him fight nor watch him present his sword fighting skills and forms as right now, even if we outnumber him in terms of combatants, I have to admit that we still have no match against him.
It is as if…we are about to fight an indefinite and unknown opponent who knows our styles in combat.
"YAGHHHHH!"
Out of nowhere, while still trying to think of some strategy on how to combat him, Malthur's voice rang around the training grounds as he shouted with all of his might and advanced at the direction of the Boss. He already unsheathed his respective wooden sword and while gripping it in his hands, he ran with a surprising degree of boldness hidden within him.
Huh…I do not know that this git can act boldly sometimes…wait! No! That is not the point!
"Malthur! Hold on a moment! Do not charge on your own!" I angrily shouted to him.
"OHO? So it is the pale boy who will go first, eh? Truly, I am surprised! Very well then…"
Boss, who stopped on his needless slashing, casually handled his wooden sword using his left hand and smilingly waited for Malthur's assault.
"This is bad! Come, Tori! We need to help him!" Roy shouted while nervously unsheathing his Flamberge.
The both of us ran after Malthur who was getting closer to the vicinity of the Boss. On my side, Roy already Beckoned on his sword while I was just about to unsheathe my own sword as well. We were already catching up to this Mal-git when…
SPICCKK!
Malthur's whole body flew on our direction and with a great force enough to fling this pale boy into our way, the power of the slash made him shout due to the suddenness of the attack.
BOOOFFF!
"Ugh…I-It hurts."
Malthur fell in to my lap as he was catapulted into me and upon the sudden contact, I was also knocked as well. He laid down into me while reeling back from the pain thus, he said those words while fidgeting…
This is what you get if you act recklessly!
While tending to this tormented git, I suddenly looked at the frozen body of Roy who stopped hallway through on his tracks. He kept his guard up to his sword as he still kept looking at the direction of the snickering Boss.
If…if my eyes we not failing me earlier, then that means…
Boss just sent Malthur to this awful state in just as span of a second!
E-Even Malthur?! The boy that took a lot of relentless thrashing from both Roy and me?!
Just how powerful this man can be?!
Both Roy and I became too intimidated from the Boss' display of raw strength that it made us unsure of what to do nor act next…
"Tori! Heal Malthur right now while I buy us some time! Once you are done, give me a hand in defeating Boss! Are we clear on that?"
Roy ordered me earnestly as he readied himself in clashing with the Boss.
"Understood! Leave it to me!" I swiftly replied as I prepared to concentrate within my sword.
The both of us smiled at each other when we came to an understanding. I held the gasping Malthur on his chest and made him ease up a bit. Afterwards, I sighed heavily while beseeching within myself:
"Heal this git! Heal this git! Please, heal this git!"
"…Hoi. I can hear you from here. Can you stop calling me a git while healing me, smitha?" Malthur deliriously said.
"SHUT IT! This is your fault for charging head-on without a proper plan! What were you thinking, huh?! Could you please just think first before doing risky things like this?! Look, you always bother me because of your foolishness!" I said angrily, as if wanting to nag this git for an eternity.
"Argh…okay, 'mom'. Just heal me so that you can help that Redhead over there!"
Agh! I cannot concentrate even further because of the voice of this git!
Also, did you just call me…
Bah! Focus! Focus, Astoria!
Please, heal him! Heal this hard-headed companion of mine!
…
"I cannot…how can this be?"
Normally and from my recent, but countable experiences of mending people with my sword, I can tell right away if the healing session was a success. Besides from the astonished face of the person I am healing, a flash of bluish light from my concentration can spell success in my mending process.
However, for this case, I did not see any of those manifestations…
"Wait…! Let me try this again, Malthur! Just…for now, be silent while I heal you so that we can finally fight Boss together, alright? I cannot focus whenever I hear your annoying voice!"
Right now, after learning the fact that I failed in restoring Malthur to his comfort, I suddenly became desperate to try this again and pushed myself in concentrating for the second time.
Arghh! This is frustrating! Why cannot I focus?!
While still trying my best to meditate, I can hear the clashing exchange of Roy's Flamberge and the Boss' wooden sword. I can tell from the sounds that Roy is doing poorly against the might and strength of Boss.
I-Is he loosing? Even Roy?!
"YAGHH!"
Suddenly, while hearing a smack rang out from a distance, Roy's familiar voice echoed in the training grounds as he painfully cried from a registered hit from the Boss. Even though I am not clearly looking since I am meditating, I can already imagine the difficulty of the situation for Roy against a terrific opponent such as Boss.
…I am sorry, Malthur.
I slowly slid Malthur down on the ground when I admitted within myself that I cannot heal him at this state of direness and time. I let him lie down in the grasses for a moment and with a haste and panic, I readied my sword with a fleeting fear in my heart. When I finally faced the field of combat, I saw the still-standing Boss with a wide smile plastered on his face. Below him is a weak and limping Roy- his Flamberge was thrown in the far-side of the area while he is still writhing in inexplicable pain.
I…I have to do this now! Both of my comrades are down and the success of this training session depends on me now!
I do not know why am I feeling like this over a simple and mundane training session. Normally when I train with the Boss, I can always feel at ease for some reason because of the air of casualty and gentleness that comes out from him. But right now…
"What is the matter, Gilcram's kid? You are being too nervous in order to act! Hmm-hm…if your father was here, he would have charged off fiercely without any second thought!" Boss said- his smile is ever-growing in his big face.
Right now…the air of intimidation that I feel from the Boss is something that I should not mock about.
Is this… the aura of a renowned swordsman min the field of combat? Can I last against the might of a previous Myrmidon?
"T-Tell me, Boss… d-did you have a h-hard time in being Myrmidon back in your y-youth?"
In order to try and dispel my fear and intimidation against this massive enemy in front of me, I asked a question in front of the Boss.
"OH? You seem to be stuttering there, kid. Well…in order to answer your question, I would say that yes…indeed! Back then when I was a Myrmidon, I did have a difficulty in being a renowned person I always try to maintain."
Boss' smiling face retracted from joy, to an expression of reminiscence. He slowly walked forward into my direction as he was still continuing his reply:
"Yes…I was indeed having a hard time as Myrmidon. But…to tell you the truth, I was not having a hard time because of my responsibilities and duties, no! The thing that made me exhaust myself to no end was…"
Oh no! Boss! Do not come here! Oh, sharps!
"THE CITY ITSELF!"
Boss reached my nimble dodging and as he said those words ever-so intensely, I felt a sudden surge of foreign emotion that I have never seen nor felt from him before:
Resentment.
Even if he covered his emotions with an artificial smile from his face, the intensity of his anger and hatred towards something that he just called out, cannot mask it.
The city, huh?
…Oh no! I have to block!
SPACK!
Thanks to my perfectly-timed guard, I managed to block the incoming hit from Boss' wooden sword. The hit was heavy and swift that it made me kneel down from the force and it left me dazed and stunned for a second. The Boss attempted to slash on me for a second time, but due to my nimble feet, I managed to step away from the line of his attack and establish a wide gap between us.
"The city…? Why, Boss? What have they done to you…?"
The direness of the battle did not affect me anymore.
Seeing our happy, joyful, and slightly-odd Boss break character for the first time and show his unknowable frustration in front of us peeked my interest.
At this moment, I suddenly became desperate not for my safety in this training combat, but for answers.
"Heh…whoops! I became unreservedly passionate at that moment! Forgive me kid, I slipped! I should not have said that! Hehe…"
The Boss awkwardly stood in front of me while saying those words- his smile is shaking for a moment.
"You should have not said what?! Tell me, Boss! What happened in your past while you were a Myrmidon in the city?!" I pushed for answers even further.
His past certainly does not have anything to do with me…but at least…!
"Hmmm? Why do you want to unravel that phase of my life, girl?"
I charged in front of him to register a hit.
"I want to…"
At least…
"EASE YOUR PAIN!"
I shouted with all of my might that I felt that my heart might burst at that moment, and with a sudden force, I proceeded to slash downward to the chest of the Boss.
I clearly saw from the face of the Boss that he was slightly shocked from my movement, so he reacted accordingly on my assault. He blocked my slash with ease and tried to dispel my incoming attacks by dodging, but I tried to block his available passages by slashing away on his directions.
His left…! Then his right! Block! Right! Left, left, then right! Strike! Block again…!
I tried to memorize his movements, sword assaults, footings, and stances and for the most part, I am catching up to his form!
Even if I am acting purely because of emotion, I feel that my body can vividly react now from the attacks of the Boss! His movements and forms can be read now by my bright and gleaming eyes right at this instant!
But…I wonder how I, a weak and non-athletic girl, can react like this when even both of my skillful allies were having a hard time with the swordsmanship of the Boss?
Amidst my needless thinking, a short voice of a memory rang into my head:
"Remember, you three! When fighting an opponent, you must and always, put yourself in the calmest situation as you grip your sword! Regardless of what you are feeling at the moment, no matter how intense the pressure from the battle can be felt, tell your heart and body to react accordingly and move in the calmest state! Be the calm weaver of your craft and let your weapon- your sword, to manifest your hidden anger, rage, desperation, hope, and even the message within your heart! Only then…when you achieved that state in thinking, can you be able to read your opponent's movements like an unsealed book!"
Huh…now I get it now!
You were right, Boss.
At first, I was mocking that statement you have uttered in front of us on our first day of our training, but right now, it is true…!
Alright! I will cut that abnormally-sized satchel with everything I have up until now, and make you tell us your past!
I do not how to tell this but…
I may have truly become overly-expressive for our Boss for this day!
"YAGH!"
I reeled back from my relentless exchanges with the Boss and pulled out all of my girly strength within my arms, then committed to unleash a powerful slash at the Boss.
"Heh…You are just like your father, child."
SPRACK!
For a split second, the Boss managed to retaliate my hit once again and with his piled up strength, he pushed me away by gripping the tip of his wooden sword.
What an unbelievable strength!
I was sent into the back of the grass patches of the training ground as I was also writhing from the pain from my entire body. I had a difficulty in standing up but even so, although my body was trembling from the soreness, I did my best to ignore it and move upward.
What suddenly came over you, Boss?
What is with that strike that you gave to me just now?
Why is it…that upon receiving it, I felt an outburst of gloomy emotions from your sword?
Why are you sad…?
This is no good. I have to help him. I need to know why he is acting like this.
While still beating myself to stand up, I heard footstep coming from the Boss as he advances forward in my direction.
"Gilcram certainly endowed you with that quality that he possessed back then when I was still with him. Ha-ha…that takes me back."
Really, why are you speaking in this manner?
"Kid... Redhead and pale boy…if you cannot defeat me in a mere combat such as this, then perhaps I will tell you that your future will be, without a second doubt, grim. To your adventures, your enemies shall become stronger, more ruthless than the last! Your findings about these lands and your responsibilities as Myrmidons will test your identity!"
Upon looking him, I saw droplets of tears falling from his eyes.
"So…if you three will be unfit for the task, it will be best for you to withdraw and disown those swords!"
Boss who towers before me, prepared to slash my sword away from me when…
"YAGHHHHH-YAHHHHH!"
Malthur came rushing through in my back and delivered a low sweep at the posture of the Boss. The Boss had no choice but to dodge his attack so he went away from my direction and remained standing in front of us.
"Hey, smitha! Stay down and rest! I will deal with the Boss myself!" he confidently said, his anger is surfacing from his mouth and whole expression.
Malthur? How did you...?
"That Redhead is incapacitated at this moment so it will be just the two of us who can defeat him! So once you are done in being useless, come with me and act as a decoy!" he further mouthed off.
T-This git!
"Why you! I cannot ignore what you have just said right now! You are calling me useless when even you- a pale and gloomy boy, went flying like a scrunched-up doll when you charged in earlier?! Just who is useless combatant here, ha?!" I angrily shouted at him.
"Heh. Right. Look who is talking right now. Just…stay resting like that. I would like to clash to the Boss as well!" he awkwardly retorted.
Malthur then swiftly ran towards the Boss while still gripping his wooden sword from his hand. I moved helplessly as I watched this idiot confront Boss for the second time and at this moment, I do not want to witness his body fly like that ever again so I commanded every bit of my body to-
Huh? Wait a moment…
I swiftly stood up without much of an effort nor pain.
I quickly recovered…? But how?
I surveyed for any bruised or broken part on my body in which, I thought I have received them earlier, but upon inspection, I did not see any of those things.
I was staring too much in my body when I saw my sword- glowing faintly amidst the recently-crimson tinge of the training grounds.
Ah…I see how it is.
Really, this stick loves to act in the untimeliest of ways…
Alright…! Now in order to help Malthur! Oh…! Before that!
I moved slowly to the direction into my far right and while hearing the ever-intensifying combat near my vicinity, I tried to calm myself and subject my mind into deep meditation.
"…Alright! This should do it!"
I tried my best to move in my fastest state and when I caught up to the two in their clash...
"Yaaaaghhhh!"
Both Malthur and I now joined forces in order to register a meager dent into the satchel of the Boss.
I provided a supportive footing for this Mal-git as he prepares for his concentrated attacks against the Boss. Similarly, when I am about to deliver a heavy blow to him, Malthur will also support me by covering my stances with his defensive form from his sword. Our form withstood the ever-growing assaults of the Boss that even if he decided to become too serious in our combat, we can still defend against it.
It was as if…we had a symbiotic relationship with our swords.
He will provide me defense when I am about to unleash offense and in reverse, I will provide defense when he will assume in his offense.
"Hah! Not bad, you two! Then how about this…!"
When he sensed that we are now catching up from his now-predictable stance, the Boss changed his posture and handling with his sword in favor of his nimble movement with his feet. In a blink of an eye, even if I was guarding myself, he managed to kick my sword away from my tight grip, making my sword fly away from me.
Sharps! Such strength from those feet!
Amidst my panicking now that my sword was separated from me, a voice echoed on our backs:
"I beckon thee: Gugurang! The fang of volcano!!!"
Heh, took you long enough to stand up, eh?
Roy got up from his footing and after being down for a while, it was about time that he should help us from this battle.
"Quick, Tori! Get your sword and support us from the back! Leave this to us!" Roy hurriedly said as he charged into the direction of Malthur.
I nodded approvingly from his sound order and ran to the direction of my sword that lies into the group of rocks of the training grounds. I hastily retrieved it and sat down to the grass patches in order to beseech within my sword in a form of meditation.
"I beckon thee, Nimue!"
Right now, I do not want to play around anymore!
The three of us…! The three of us will wipe that doubt in front of the Boss' eyes and make him realize that we are fit to become the Myrmidons of Estocia!
The joint forces between the two boys was outstanding.
Roy's Flamberge sent mildly-scorching flames into the Boss' line of attack and sight that it made him miss from the majority of his assaults. On the other hand, Malthur's superb defenses covered not only his own, but also Roy's attacks. Their stance let them withstand the ferocious attacks of the Boss, while also keeping him checked from their combined attacks. On my side, I provided them their needed soothing since they take heavy blows and scratches from their extreme clash with the Boss.
Their continuous and never-ceasing exchanges lasted for a lot of minutes that it was amazing to see that none of them are losing any stamina. However, perhaps due to the build of his body, I can see that Boss is nearly reaching his limit from the relentless battle with my two companions.
Suddenly…
"Tori, watch out!!!"
The Boss nimbly went away from the fight and went straightly in my direction in order to continue his interfered assault to me earlier.
However, I became too prepared form this moment that I instinctively stood up, then raised my guard against him.
"HIYAAAAAAAH!" I shouted upon reinforcing my might against the Boss.
I closed my eyes due to the impact.
CLACK!
…
I felt that two bodies were pushing me so I opened my eyes, only to see the arms of Roy and Malthur while gripping their respective swords- guarding me from the hit of the Boss' sword. Both of their faces are clenching their teeth upon the force they are taking so it made me tense up a bit from the sight I am seeing.
Really, these two!
"Boss! Take our conjoined might as Myrmidons!" I confidently said in front of him.
The three of us shouted with all of our might when on his sight, the Boss smiled and silently uttered a word:
"I beckon thee: Bia!"
When he Beckoned his own way within his sword, an invisible and heavy force pounded our swords away that sent us flying, traversing a huge gap of area from the boss up to the destination of our landing. The suddenness of the scenario was unbelievable. I thought that we can overpower him with our new-found might but upon Beckoning within his sword, we did not stand a chance.
Even though our spirits are still quite courageous and eager to settle the score, our bodies ordered us otherwise.
The three of us limply laid on the ground- weak and helpless, as it dawned on us how powerful our teacher was in the ways of the sword.
However, as we are agonizing about this fact…
THUMPH!
The sound of the Boss, kneeling on the ground with his left foot can be heard from the training area. His gasping breath sighed for lots of air as his hands are trembling when he dropped his overly-worn out wooden sword. The sword crumbled on the ground the moment he let go of it and stared seriously at us.
Did we…manage to exhaust him out?
"So close, you three. So close! But not good enough!" he disappointingly said.
It took us some time to get back on our feet again and when we did, the Boss spoke once more:
"I…apologize if I scared the three of you from that unannounced way of combat training. I just wanted to make you savor the taste of a realistic battle and from the way I saw you three react, I would say that your foundation in combat are somewhat concrete! I congratulate the three of you for taking the basics of sword fighting at heart and apply it on our real battle! Haha-ha…ah"
The Boss panted a lot as he was speaking.
"Now, I feel that some of you got intrigued about what I said earlier as we clashed in the combat. If I remember correctly, the matter was about, my past."
Okay…! Okay. It was me Boss, okay? You do not have to speak of any vague words about this!
"How about this…I will tell you the secret of my past once you three defeated me for tomorrow. You certainly cannot defeat me right now since your Essences are nearly depleted. So…here."
The Boss unraveled the red ribbon that seals the satchel together and retrieved three small brown beans, then he threw it at us. We individually took the beans with our hands that looks like a normal bean but…there was a difference:
In the middle portion of the bean lays a small, budding flower that is blooming prematurely. It is tinged in pale green.
The Boss made gesture on his mouth while saying:
"Eat them. Those are Geisha beans. They may be devoid of any nutritional value but they are known to quickly replenish the Essence within you."
As he ordered, we nonchalantly ate the beans that I have not even heard before and chewed them slowly in my mouth. It tastes bitter and little bit sturdy when chewing, but once I already gulped it in, it became unbelievable sweet in my stomach.
At that instant…
"Whoa. I feel invigorated. It feels as though…that battle of ours never happened!" I amazingly said.
The Boss smiled a bit when the three of us were mended, thanks to those beans. He looked at us resolutely, then said:
"Alright then, time to call it a day. I just gave you a taste of how is it like to have a mock battle with me and if you three came unprepared tomorrow, you will regret it!"
Wait…mock battle? Does that mean…he was not even trying…?
No…he must be bluffing!
"Now then. Off you go!" he finally said.
"B-But…Boss!"
I was about to ask him regarding his actions earlier but Roy stopped me and dragged me away from the Boss.
The three of us, even if we recovered physically from the fight, are still reeling back from the mixtures of emotions we have piled up about that battle.
A feeling of curiosity, sympathy, inquisitiveness, and exhaustion.
Even while still raiding from the wagon of Cardamon, we just silently looked at the moving plains from the window…
At that moment, we silently decided that we should just eat at the steak house for another time…