Chapter 25: The Beginning (1)
Whether Bruno had been a lucky or unfortunate fellow was hard to tell.
After losing consciousness as a result of the mercenaries' evil schemes, Bruno safely slept in the corner of the cave for a long time, missing events that he would never forget in his life. Had things gone differently, Bruno would have seen his teacher's might and potential, which would have become unforgettable memories indeed.
Alas, that was not the case.
Now that it was another day and zenith, with the sun smiling brightly above everyone, Bruno finally opened his eyes, finding himself back in the forest.
Momentarily in a daze, Bruno rubbed his eyes, closing one of them due to the soreness going down his back… had he slept on something rough? His body ached from head to toe, which was so weird…
And then, the realization jerked the young man from his stupor.
"Teacher!" Bruno called out Beelzebub, for he had finally recalled that they should have been in the cave of monsters, not in the forest!
In the first place, how did he lose consciousness? The stinging pain stemming from his temple must be an answer to this question! And now that he was in the forest, what happened to others?
Bruno rose to his feet and looked left and right, finally finding Beelzebub, whose back had been leaning by the tree's bark. He wasn't in a good state, for his already pale skin seemed as white as a sheet, and his black hair stuck to his hair owing to the demon perspiring too much.
"Don't shout, Bruno…." David whispered with his eyes closed, his breathing rough and irregular.
He then grasped his chest and clenched it tightly, gritting his teeth…
Bruno's eyes widened in shock, and he shivered from fear, then quickly ran to his teacher. After squatting, Bruno softly apologized for his loud voice and offered help, telling his teacher he would do anything requested by him.
It was a naive but kind statement that Beelzebub held dearly. "Nothing can cure those side effects. Just wait for them to pass, and we will resume our journey back home… you must be curious about what has happened, right?"
"Yes." Bruno nodded.
David had wondered what he should tell this young man for a while now… it'd be best to keep a lot of stuff to himself, but now that Bruno was more concerned about him than everything else, Beelzebub decided to be more honest with this young man.
Bruno's kindness won this time.
Beelzebub faintly smiled and started the story. "Half of The Ghosts had decided to enslave me. You were, in a way, so they covertly put you down. Against me, they believed that taking away my arms would be enough… which was asinine thought. I made them suffer using circumstances at hand until their deaths… and brought us out safely from the underground kingdom of blue ants."
After the last word bypassed his lips, Beelzebub shut his lips and closed his eyes, stifling another groan.
Those were side-effects of going against the limits, which became a permanent disease Beelzebub had to resolve in the future. At the moment, Beelzebub suffered debilitating heart attacks, which halted his thoughts and movements, bringing him down to his knees.
Some time passed after the first stinging pain, so Beelzebub could think better now.
He also could keep his eyes open, which allowed him to see Bruno's reaction.
The young man stared at his teacher with disbelief for a few seconds, then his face became twisted by hatred and fury toward the mercenaries. His nails dug into his palms as he shivered next to the demon.
Bruno whispered weakly… "Serves them right."
Saying such cruel things about the deceased surely would have made others feel the bad taste and look grimly at the young man. Bruno was also raised in a good family with principles and was far from a dangerous world, except for his adventures to the chasm and other treasures vault... Even there, it was not his role to execute others and cause death, so those words heavily left his throat.
But now that he had said it, Bruno felt better and didn't regret saying those words.
To begin with, mercenaries were always unfair toward others that needed their services. Even more of their injustice fell onto people like Bruno, who didn't have that much backing to pursue their dreams.
"They were like loyal dogs to Mr. Wetherell, flaunting their status as his number one mercenary party… but when someone much more amazing wanted to use their strength and treated them fairly, they became blinded by greed and thought of enslaving him! They didn't even think of the years of hardship the teacher had gone through to become an alchemist and mage! They just thought of usurping all your hard work through a slave collar and starting a new life! It's utterly disgusting, and I don't mind my words in the slightest!" Bruno explained his reasoning to his teacher, looking at him for approval.
Beelzebub was more than amazed by those words.
He kinda grew to like this young man.
"Thank you, Bruno. It's not a coincidence that I arrived by the chasm… and that I met you here." Beelzebub felt now much better and slowly rose to his feet.
Bruno helped him while wearing a gleeful smile.
"We can head back now. The journey back home is safer than before. Believe me."
"I believe you, teacher! Can you tell me what kind of magic you used to fight in the underground kingdom? It must be a super awesome version of your flames, right? Right?!"
"Hmmm…" Beelzebub pondered for a few seconds and then curved his lips into a smile he didn't expect to show to the young man. "I'll tell you in the future."
Those words meant that David now cared more about Bruno and that he wanted him to live. Perhaps, he would also share more secrets of alchemy with him.
Unaware of how much his status had advanced in Beelzebub's eyes, Bruno dejectedly licked his lips and nodded… "Okay…"
"It was not a fire magic, though." Beelzebub felt like a big brother who didn't want to disappoint his kin. "It was a nature magic."
And as he showcased the earth seed skill, Bruno's eyes twinkled like stars. His teacher was so awesome that he could use two kinds of magic alongside alchemy! And those went so well with alchemy that he was simply the best!
If Bruno knew more… what would his eyes look like? Additionally, if Bruno knew that the army of souls had cleared their route of monsters back home… or that the black dog soul had carried him and his stuff alongside Beelzebub, what exactly would his reaction be?
Beelzebub grinned and cheerfully stomped his way back home.
In the Williard Village, someone was waiting for him.
Mr. Wetherell had unfolded a tent next to Bruno's house and waited for the young man's return!
His students, who had admired him for years, were trying to convince him to return to his workplace… alas, the old man roared at them and swept his long sleeve, loudly announcing. "I'm waiting for Young Bruno here, and no one except him will push me aside! If you try to convince me otherwise, you might as well look out for a new teacher!"
A shock and disbelief rippled on everyone's faces…
Who was Bruno, to begin with?