116. "Acknowledged"
Lex suspected that Alice was hypnotized or something similar from her lack of reaction in this situation. Lex could see her uniform dirtied by the dust and minor injuries over her body, most likely from the ricochet of things destroyed when he and Brad were trading blows. From there, Lex deduced that she was nearby from the very beginning. Lady luck helped her that she didn't have any big injuries.
Lex might be a top-notch scout with good Mana sensitivity and extraordinary senses. But to sense, a person who didn't use Mana and breathe like she was sleeping without moving without any thought was an impossible task even for Lex. Lex lamented and regretted being this careless. If only he had carefully checked his surroundings before confronting Brad, Alice wouldn't be in this position. Instead, because he impatiently tried to get information out of Brad's mouth, he fell into these situations.
And it was also unexpected for Brad to catch Alice out of all people. It might sound cold, but if it was some other person who Lex didn't know, Lex wouldn't say he didn't care at all, but he also wouldn't care much either. He knew he wasn't a hero or a good Samaritan. So he helped if it didn't make him inconvenient himself or if he had the leeway for it.
But it was Alice who had been taken hostage. Someone who he had just gone on a Date with a few days ago. Lex is fast but not fast enough to save Alice. In this distance, Brad's finger already pierced through Alice's neck before Lex could help if he moved now.
Brad understood the sentiment of the Hidden World populace. He also didn't see an ordinary human more than an ant on the road. He didn't know how far he could use this hostage, but it was the only choice he had, so it was the only thing he could try.
And the result could have been more satisfactory but acceptable. Because Lex tried to converse with him instead of immediately beating him down like before, it was enough to buy him more time to think.
Then… When he saw Alice's lack of reaction, Brad thought it might be better if his hostage cried for her life to be saved. So, he unhesitatingly terminated his control over Alice.
The light slowly returned to her blank eyes, and she gradually became conscious. It was like waking up after a faint Alice was confused and trying to process what had happened.
"Kya!" she yelped when her body was shaken violently. She also felt something uncomfortable pushing her neck. The dazed Alice tried to move that thing away from her neck only to… "Don't move," a male's voice rang beside her.
"!!?"
The shock immediately brings clarity to her mind then she also realizes how her body was held and couldn't move freely. She instantly struggled, yet… "I told you not to move!!" a male's voice warned her again, but this time with a slight pain added to her neck.
Alice finally stopped struggling and registered that person beside her in her mind. "Hik!?" She was frightened to see the messed-up face of the red-haired man. There is blood all over his body. She reflexively tried to move away again but was held in place by Brad.
"Don't move!!" Brad shouted again, but he wasn't staring at Alice. Alice became more frightened the more she heard a yell or loud voice nearby. She didn't understand a thing!! Why was she here! Why was she in this situation! Why was she threatened like this! Tears started to flow from her eyes. she didn't know what would happen to her…. only bad things formed in her mind. At this point, Alice thought of her parents… and Lex.
Immediately, Alice remembered what had happened.
After her ex-bullies told her about the person who went on a Date with her. The person who helped her was none other than Lex. Alice was dumbfounded and wanted to look for him as soon as possible. However, halfway she stopped looking for Lex. She was hesitant to meet Lex because she didn't know what to say to him or how to behave in front of him.
Then when Alice finally had the courage to meet him. she couldn't meet him anymore. She also didn't know which class he was in now, so she tried walking around the school after school, hoping to meet her. It was then… when she was in a secluded place, she suddenly blacked out.
(Then I was here…) Alice thought, slowly accepting her situation and despair... She followed her assailant's gaze, and there she found… a hope.. a light inside deep darkness.
"Lex!!!" Alice screamed from her deepest heart. It was also at this point that Lex was upset. He knew he couldn't save her easily anymore, and Brad's face turned into a smirk.
Still, Lex nodded at Alice with a slight smile to calm her down. He saw how frightened and shocked she was, but Lex deliberately didn't say anything because he had a higher chance of saving her uninjured if Brad didn't know about their relationship.
"Kukuh Hahahahaha!!" Brad laughed uncontrollably. "This is too comical! You two knew each other! Bahahahaha, as expected, 'His' words are never wrong!" he took a deep breath to calm his laugh while Lex still trying to see any opening to save Alice.
"Tch!" Lex clicked his tongue, seeing he could still not find an opening on Brad even when he laughed maniacally.
"Let me go, or I'll kill her!" Brad threatened further, pushing his finger on Alice's neck.
Lex really wanted to tear him to pieces. That's why he stayed calm. "If you kill her, you won't survive either," Lex replied, glaring at him.
Brad didn't immediately reply back instead, with his other hand, Brad made a blood spike then, without hesitation… *Thrust
Alice immediately felt hot in her feet. She unconsciously turned to see what happened and… "Aaaahhghh!!" Alice cried in unbearable pain because her feet were pierced by Brad. She almost fainted at that scene, but the pain immediately jolted her awake "#$%#$!!!" she kept screaming in agony that no one could understand what she said. Finally, she let out any kind of voice just to feel a bit better from the unbearable pain. Her knees felt weak. She absolutely would fall on the ground if Brad wasn't holding her in place.
Brad enjoyed Alice's scream, like listening to his favorite music, then he turned to Lex with a smug smile. He provoked Lex. "Well…" he said as if asking Lex his opinion about his masterpiece, then he added, "she won't die like this"
*Krt *Grtt
Lex gritted his teeth so hard that it made quite a sound, his clenched fist dripping blood from earlier. Lex felt the same… no he felt Alice's suffering more than Alice herself, his mind taking devastating damage watching Alice's misery. Still, Lex didn't blink, staring at Alice's suffering. This is what he deserved his punishment for his stupidity.
In the middle of her anguish, Alice stared straight at Lex. She didn't say anything, but Lex knew precisely what she wanted to say. However, the best he could do now was encourage her to hold on. He would save her as soon as possible.
"What is your demand?" Lex asked.
"Let me go," Brad replied with a smirk. He was sure he had the upper hand now. Unexpectedly Lex shook his head.
"Impossible," Lex replied shortly. It's not like Lex thought Brad's information was more important than Alice's life. It's the other way around, he didn't care about Vetus Orbis. Lex's first priority right now is Alice, and his second and third priorities are also Alice to the nth times are Alice.
Lex wasn't stupid. He knows he can't fully take Brad's demand. If Brad is sure he has the upper hand in this negotiation, his chance of taking Alice back becomes null. He will just take Alice away until Lex cannot chase after him. Then without backing down, Lex made Brad think that Lex also considered Alice's also a necessary sacrifice. Lex can't let him know Alice is the one he wants the most.
On the other hand, "Aagghhgg!!!" Alice screamed in pain again. Brad pierced her other feet.
"#*&^$!!!" She gasped for more air to endure the pain
"M-mom… Dad… help me…Lex," Alice unconsciously said, on the verge of fainting.
Nevertheless, unlike before, Lex didn't flinch at all. Instead, he glares at Brad, waiting for his demand and looking for any kind of opening to take Alice away from him.
(Tsk!) Brad annoyingly clicked his tongue. He knew he had failed to negotiate his way out. He also can't hurt Alice any further. If by any chance she's dead, he'll lose his only way out. Brad also wanted to live (I won't end here). Finally, he thought of the best alternative. Brad took something from his inventory and then threw it toward Lex.
"Wear it then I release her"
Lex looked at the thing Brad threw, and he looked at the handcuff on the floor before he picked it up. He knew what it was. It was a Seal. Once he wears it, he won't be able to control Mana anymore.
Mana is Omnipotent. Sealing Mana was included in what Mana could do. It might sound contradictory that Mana seals Mana. It was still one of the biggest mysteries in the Hidden World. No one could explain it, but it was possible, the same as a Mana Contract. Other than being penalized with death if someone were to break their contract. Some are punished with an inability to use Mana anymore too.
Human Race uses Internal Mana, so sealing one's body Mana was enough to make them unable to use Mana. On the other hand, Celestial and Spirit Race who use External Mana can only be sealed with a place without Mana. So it sounds like the Human Race has a major disadvantage, but in exchange, humans could use their Mana undisturbed in a place without Mana or chaotic and unstable Mana.
"How can I expect you to fulfill your ends," Lex asked. He didn't think his suggestion was terrible. He knew even without Mana, Lex could easily handle Brad, so he didn't mind accepting his demand.
Brad made another blood spike and tried to hurt Alice again, piercing her hands this time. "Eeeek!!" Alice screamed miserably. However, he stopped a few millimeters from Alice's skin at the last moment.
"Tsk!" Brad clicked his tongue. He just wanted to try if Lex would accept his demand like this. Yet he saw Lex was undisturbed by his action. (As expected, it didn't work) Brad thought. He only had a little time. Once Alice's dead, It is his own following right behind, so hurting Alice any further only reduces his time.
"What do you suggest?" Brad replied.
Lex fell in silence for a moment as if he was thinking something serious while deep inside, he took a huge sigh of relief because Brad took his bait.
"…. Mana Contract," Lex said.
Brad had already expected it. Mana Contract was the only way out for both who didn't trust each other. "I, by my name Brad, with my mana, I pledge to the world…."
*poof
Out of nowhere and an old scroll appeared between Lex and Brad
"I will never intend to harm this girl as long as you put that seal on," Brad pledged.
"Acknowledge," a brief robotic sound reverberated around them while the old scroll burned without a trace.
His pledge might sound a bit too bizarre with this girl and you, but it was enough. In ancient times, some people tried to use a loophole in the Mana Contract, and no one succeeded. It was as if there was a conscious watching over the pledger. Nowadays, it is common sense there's no loophole in Mana Contract and it has become the most trusted contract.
***
Lex put out all Health Potion and medicine he had from his inventory before...
*Kachak
He wore the sealing handcuffs. Then he smiled wildly toward Brad. Anyone could see the darkness in his crazed eyes. Brad also instantly made his escape when he saw Lex wearing the seal. He believed that he could escape easily as long as his enemy could not use Mana.
Sadly, his expectation never comes to reality, a big secret Lex has been hiding since the start of their battle. He isn't using any Mana except for his elemental gloves. Which means he trashed Brad with his Physical capabilities alone.
The result was undeniable anymore, as Brad was no longer able to use Alice as a hostage. Lex didn't hesitate to charge toward him. he tucked Brad's clothes who's trying to escape and
*Bamm!
Lex punched him into the floor.
*Guhaak!
Brad instantly coughed out blood. He stared at Lex in disbelief. Brad recollected himself with a back jump while Lex immediately followed him. They exchanged blow after blow, but unlike before, Lex no longer cared about capturing him alive.
"Gukh!" Brad moaned in pain. "Just what the hell are you!! How can a human have this strength!!" he screamed with his bloodied mouth.
Lex didn't reply, but his gaze was enough to tell Brad that he would die here in this place.
Before long, after who knows how many times Lex punched and kicked the Vampire, Brad lay down on the floor, unable to move any further. Although Lex wanted to keep torturing him, he still knew he had something more urgent to do.
Lex made his way to Alice, who fainted in pain. And immediately used all Potion and Medicine he had pulled out before. He poured the potion all over her body, not minding how many vial he used also made her drink a few vials. After a few moments, Alice's complexion becomes better, liveliness back erasing her pale face.
"Phew…" Lex sighed in relief.
However, the next moment he felt a chill in his spine. He had a horrible feeling right now. (What happened!?) the confused Lex immediately scanned his surroundings. But he found nothing unusual.
(!!??) then he saw Brad stand up once again. But he had a completely different vibe from before. His senses were ringing that Brad could be a danger to him.