Upon exiting the rift, Alex could feel that space was being hindered, but it felt different. Alex could feel that it was not all the space elements that were locked. But just a tiny portion. For a moment, Alex understood it was impossible to lock space.
"Star, what is happening with the space element?"
"It's good that you notice! A space-locking talisman does not truly lock space! It hinders the nodes. There are millions of nodes that make up a small area of space. Think of the nodes as zillions of dots that can be connected to make any picture. When you are blinking, you are essentially using the nodes connected to each other to travel in space. Therefore, some people can travel 1 billion kilometers in one blink; this depends on their understanding of the space element. A space-locking talisman blocks the nodes, breaking off their connection to other nodes, but not all. Blocking a node creates a gap; whether it blocks, you depend on your understanding and ability to jump access the gap."
"Think of nodes like a (bascule) drawbridge that you can cross whenever you want. Now think of the locking talisman as a boat crossing underneath the bridge which forces the drawbridge to lift, blocking anyone from crossing via the bridge until it passes. Depending on your understanding of space, you are not really locked. You just have to find another node to use," Star replied enthusiastically, seeing that Alex was not stupid.
He liked Alex's personality, but that did not mean he wanted a stupid son. This was a sign that Alex was a natural learner, his first breakthrough in understanding his skill and element. In the back of his mind, he was worried that Alex was an idiot because of how he used rift walk, the ghost blades, and his lack of use of his dark element. Star did not want to be the laughingstock of his family for his son's incompetence.
"Now you understand! Try to blink now but Don't just use your skill, think and try to understand how and why behind it." Star further emphasized not wanting to let the momentum go.
Alex nodded at Star's reply. Alex stood there for a moment. His body felt the hindrance in space, and his mind was looking for the next available node in the space element. Alex then blinked two inches from his spot and continued to do so for two minutes.
"that's it. you need to find a higher locking space talisman to lock the surrounding space to help deepen your understanding of the space element further." Star praised and lectured Alex. In his mind, he was wondering if he should find a void of darkness and trick Alex into entering so he could improve his understanding of the darkness element.
Alex's new understanding of blink meant that he was not hindered by such a low-level talisman anymore. This also meant he didn't have to walk into the trap or reveal his innate skill rift walk.
Alex retrieved his blade from the knight's throat while holding on to the body; he did not want to make the slightest noise. Alex took the armor, placed the body in his spatial inventory, and then changed into the knight's full body armor.
Alex then made his way towards the house; there was still 0:15:10 before Christopher would die.
Alex nodded his head as he passed the other knights. He didn't stop as he approached the house since the black pin was plastered on his left shoulder for everyone to see. Alex did not enter the house since there were no knights inside. He looked thru a window making sure everything was still the same.
Christopher was in the same position, while one mercenary was sitting in front of him asking questions.
Alex Blinked in front of Christopher and kicked the mercenary questioning him in his chest, forcing him to roll backward out of the chair. Then he picked up Christopher's severed arm and waved at everyone with it.
Shocking everyone in the room.
The mercenaries were wondering, 'why would a knight...
Suddenly the man that was hiding in the corner jumped out.
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Paul Pov
While everyone was shocked, Paul jumped out from his hiding position in the corner and stood 8 feet from Alex. He had been waiting in that corner all day. Paul laughed. "Old friend, this has nothing to with you; it's best to leave other people's business alone."
Behind Paul's laugh, there was nothing but anger; 'the setup was compromised.
They intentionally interrogated Christopher at his home. Tortured him all day to draw in the space Elementalist, hoping to force a negotiation that would end with Alex and Christopher's death.
In theory, Alex would get Christopher and them, the staff. Their entire plan hinged on the space being locked and cornering or capturing Alex. If the space fellow could not use space, he was sure that he and the mercenaries could handle him. It didn't matter if Alex turned out to be a mage as well. Paul was specifically sent here to treat this bump in the night.
But now, things were different. He could only try to talk Alex out of involving himself until he had a better plan. Seeing how Alex popped up out of nowhere only meant that the space-locking talisman was useless. This also meant that Alex would be gone before he could completely cast a spell. Paul knew that if Alex decided to leave, there was nothing he could do.
If it were another Elementalist, Paul was sure he could kill Alex.
Paul was a mage with a natural elemental affinity with water.
Even if he used water to trap Alex, he would still escape. Space was a terrible element to be up against. He had yet to meet a mage that could use another space element spell except for teleport. Which was a cheap knock-off version of blink.
Author notes: (Mages do not need spells to use an element that they have an affinity with. What they will require is the skill to use the element. This is why there is no immediate disadvantage of becoming a mage.)
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Alex Pov
Alex could hear the anger behind the man's laughter.
"Old friend, this has nothing to with you; it's best to leave other people's business alone." Paul gestured to Alex.
'leave people's business alone'---- didn't you all intentionally beat him up here and waited for me.
"Well, old friend, why don't you tell me your name, the mercenary gang's name, where they are located, and where your family is located so we can catch up?" Alex replied with warm, welcoming laughter as if they were really friends. But his words made the old man's face twitch.
Alex did not wait for a reply blinking away with Christopher. It was unlikely that the mercenary would reply. Alex blinked with Christopher to the hidden room in the yard of the deceased Baron Howell servant quarters.
Alex gave Christopher a health potion that would restore his health but not his arm or his broken bones. Alex needed to find a healer for that. Alex took off the soldier's army in the corner, replacing it with his mask and cloak before speaking with Christopher.
"Let's keep this short. Your wives are fine and safe. I am not helping you because of the goodness of my heart. No, I am helping you because of Jewel and Lith. Save your breath; I do not want to hear your voice unless I ask you a question, or I might end up stabbing my blade through your heart. Do not move from this spot. I will get you a healer, then carry you to your wives. Nod your head if you understand." Alex's tone was frosty.
Although Christopher did not hurt or bully Lith, he did not make him feel welcome either. Just him voicing that he would break all those who hurt Lith would make the bullying stop. Or he could have taught Lith swordsmanship or how to fight to defend himself.
Christopher nodded his head; he had nothing to say. Alex saved his life and asked for nothing. He just wondered how this person was connected to Jewel and Lith.