In the Lumere estate Master Theodore and I spend our breaktime training. In our off day Master with his drill sergeant persona finds ways to tire me out, Brutally I might add. After swinging my sword about a thousand times and performing hundreds of setups and pushups I felt exhaustion seep in at the end of the day, alas there is no retreat now that Master has decided to conclude the day with a spar.
"Not good enough Eric, you won't succeed me like this."
Master Theodore has instructed me not to hold back and in compliance I activated my chromata skills.
"Infinity sword....slash "
I borrow a power that isn't the present (me) was meant to wield and vanish from master's side before reappearing before him with a vertical slash at the ready, to which he blocked.
"Tch." I clicked my tongue in annoyance as a response
"Do you want me tell you, where'd ya go wrong boy." He triumphantly sheathed his sword while giving me with his smug expression
"You won because I got conceited using the same sword skill regardless of its strength is a flawed tactic. Repetition is for the close minded and a Chromata has to.be anything but that." I recite my answer as if it were a mantra
"Now adding to that , there's as many timelines as there are stars, being the strongest in one timeline doesn't translate to another, do not put your eggs in one basket. Is all I'm impartin onto you boy."
Master glances behind me and bows to a figure that approaches before I get the chance to see who is behind me , that voice let me know who they are.
"Is this how you train with Theodore!."
"Aida!, how long have you been Here for?."
"How did you do that manaveur, you've used it when you saved me if I remember. You have to teach me now!."
Asia's eyes sparkled in admiration as she recounts my battle with Master. I hate to break it to.her but I should now before she attempts to emulate us.
"Its a chromata thing Aida, I won't be able to teach you even if I wanted to do so." I let her know
"So if i were a chromata you'd teach me how, now how do you become a Chromata." The innocence on her face slightly darkens my expression.
"You don't just become a Chromata, and it's a secret." Change the subject Eric, come on anything to leave out the awkwardness I'm feeling "uh i'm reminded , shouldn't you be rehearsing for the banquet next month, as his highness Joshua's fiancè you have to put that effort , I don't want the high and esteemed profiles to badmouth the girl I serve."
"Why are you always rude to your mistress, I finished my etiquette class and thought I'd give my butler some encouragement , I went below what my station could afford be grateful peasant hmph."
"Just say you had free time Mistress Aida and felt lonely without me, I'd attend to you right away." why can't she be honest and admit she felt lonely.
"I wasn't lonely I.. just came here to ." She pauses "never mind hmph." And she storms off like that, what's her problem anyways.
I head back to my and master's lodge to take a shower and wash the scent of defeat off my body. Master's words rang true in my head I've got to work on diversifying my chromata skills.
There are three methods of which a Chromata could unlock a possible timeline or a parallel universe. And 2 types of Chromata skills a skill transfer of which I know of and Chroma armorization which is way beyond my current level.
Every timeline Chromata has a skill of their own mine happens to be acceleration, it sounds basic but among my timeline peers I'm the fastest though am the weakest when it comes to swordmanship. I wonder what would it be like to live in a timeline where I'm the full package.
"Its useless to think of the ifs, I'm me . I'm this Eric and I'll work on improving on what I lack. I need to absorb and improve my reptoir. So I'd start swinging my sword arm."
I find a secluded area in the Lumere estate and picture an opponent for a mock duel. It's me , a me from this time. He unsheathes his Eastern sword a Katana and bows his head to me.
As a general rule to keep our worlds from coliding Chromata aren't allowed to speak to one another about events of their world nor are allowed to know each other. Our swords do the speaking.
I don't need a referee to signal the beginning , as I lunge at him. Speed being my forte meant I was already within striking distance.
Other me (Eric B.) Simply steps back and swings katana to my left, I block his strike within a hairs breadth and leap back.
"Stillsword Eric."
figuring out his specialty I try to accelerate and get behind him, a direct approach isn't going to cut it. I attempt to cut his back to which he swings his sword in an opposite direction taking him with it. I don't let up and we begin clashing for the second time.
I take initiative and deliver horizontal slash , the stillsword responds with a vertical slash. The dance continues with the swordstill blocking each and every strike with minimalistic movement.
"This isn't working."
What did Master Theodore say about relying on what you're best at. I need to diversify and to that. I need to look at my (mine) opponent strength and evaluate it , learn from it analyze it and countermeasure it.
"I figured you out."
I feign a strike and watch for his shoulder movement anticipating where he would strike, he'd meant to meet my sword directly which gave me a chance to sidestep and chip at his throat.
The stillsword appeared to have admitted his defeat as he sheathed his sword. He wordlessly bowed as a sign of respect before vanishing back to where he belongs.
And with this my one day off is concluded, I wonder what Aida wanted with me today, there's no use pondering I'd have to ask her tomorrow.
"The estate is real busy today."
It's the next morning and the estate seemed busier than the day before. Servants holler at one another as they carry crates along with chandeliers , and tableware. I see chefs heading to the kitchen in droves and maids wiping off and cleaning floors frantically.
"What's this fuss about?." I ask a male servant
"Huh? You mean you don't know, do you live under a rock or something Eric."
"JUST answer me alright."
"Its Mistress Aida's birthday and we're preparing for it."
"Her birthday, why didn't she tell me!!?."
"I can't sit around and talk to you , think about this yourself."
The servant went back to his station leaving me to my thoughts , well it's time to visit Aida.
"Mistress, are you there?."
I knock her room's door
"Mistress? Aida?, can you hear me?."
Hmmm could she have gone outside.
I head out the mansion and start looking for Aida and find her by the flower bed hugging her knees.
"There you are, I've been looking all over for you."
"E-Eric, why did you come here?." She sniffles
"Were you crying?."
"Hmph, how dare you assume that I of all people cry.... I'm not crying it's just allergies!."
"Sure Mistress, mind if i sit next to you."
"Yes I do mind."
She pouts adorably
"So you weren't crying but something was in your mind, would you tell me?."
"If I told you, you'd laugh."
"I won't, promise."
"I had tickets for the fare and hoped to have you come with to celebrate my birthday, but you were occupied with your training."
She showed me her tickets as tears welled up in her eyes
"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I will make it up to you." I snatch her ticket and read the fine print "it says the fare closes at 10pm."
"We missed the event we can never go. It's a 3 hour drive from here to Fiore."
"I can get you there in half an hour." I boast "with my powers."
"Y-you can?."
"Yes, though you might want to hold on tight."
"I'll take you up on that offer, it's not everyday I get to be with a c-commoner."
Her blush intensifies as she looks up my face albeit not for long before she'd regain her naughtiness.
"I'll be right back wait right here."
I head back to my hut where Master and I reside and look for a rug or a cloak I could lend to Aida,I run into Master as I exit the hut who in turn gives me a scrutinizing glare before he resumes drinking 'seriously has he even done some honest to God work around here.'
"I'm back , I hope you don't mind rags"
"This is a sack?, and you want me to put this thing on my head."
I nod to her question to which she simply glares and concedes.
"Good now for our escape, hold my hand for a second."
Aida blushes while appearing to be apprehensive about something until her hesitation resolved itself. Her hand holds onto mine, oddly enough she's been quiet throughout the whole ordeal. I'd half a mind to assume she'd complain alas none of it occurred.
I shake the thoughts way while focusing on activating my Chromata skill , 'acceleration' my special skill that allows me to influence the passage of time in my body. In essence I move at the same pace as a normal human however my skill makes it that time flow faster on my end rather than the others.
Alice holds on to my hand , her eyes shut and her mouth covered. Hers being a first time manipulation experience I wouldn't have blamed her if she' experiences nauseousness.
"You can open your eyes now Mistress Aida."
"W-we're at the fare but how, we were at the garden not that long ago!."
The time lapse have confused her, I should keep that in mind the next time I use my skills on a non-Chromata.
"We were but that's beside the point , look at all these stalls and the rides. You wanted to come here right Aida."
"I wanted to come here,w-with you." Her rare honesty catches me off guard
She runs along , rags covering her dress running along the stalls to avoid further eye contact. 'Prince Joshua, why'd you even leave this gem of a girl.'
I follow along hands in my pockets as I watch Aida stuff her face with pretzels at an old woman's stall.
"Careful there Aida, don't choke on the baked goods!." I yell out
"I'm not a child you know, and here eat something Eric, you haven't eaten yesterday." Aida blushes as she offers me a skewer
"That hit the spot, haha now where to next."
"I-I want to try festival games the fortune telling booth, shooting range for once, I also want to ride the horses and ... the last bit is a secret."
"Alright let's go."
I hold her hand instinctively as Aida blushes moving alongside me
First we spend some time in the shooting range , Aida attempts to use her bow and arrow to knock one of the prizes albeit with a terrible aim. I laugh on the side as she yells at the vendor accusing him of cheating (rightfully so) look at how heavy the stuffed animals are and how thin and small these arrows her the games been rigged.
"Ms. For the 100th time, I'm not cheating you out of anything. It's a pure skill game!."
"Are you accusing me of being skill-less!, look at your arrows they can't even fell a housefly."
"Ms. Do not blame my equipment for your lack of prowess, as I said before the prizes are in the open and some people have won before." He shows her illustrations of the winners
"Aida , let me help." I step in
"Fine but if you lose , I'll have his head!." I pity the man for he has made an enemy of the competitive Lord's daughter.
I check the bow and the way it strung was faulty aside from the obviously and thin arrows
"Surely master wouldn't mind this, it's for a good cause" I tell myself as I delve into my Chromata powers
I fire the arrow and the force applied with my accelration knocks the biggest prize a teddy bear.
"H-how did you, how did he.." the shopkeeper couldn't hide his surprise at his game being won. Yeah I cheated too hah
"This was what you were eying Aida."
"I didn't tell you what I want."
"You didn't have to, I was watching you the whole time." I smile as I hand her the bear.
"Thank you Eric." She hugs the teddy bear and beams a very cute smile my way that could send any man's heart a flutter. Prince Joshua ought to be careful.
We bid the shopkeeper farewell leaving him astounded , and went to the stables where they offer horse riding. I looked at the booking prices from where I stood and my humble beginnings I found them to be exorbitant.
"This is expensive?, 2 silvers is what I got as snacks?."
"Not everyone's born a noble Mistress, it's a lot of money."
"Are you calling me senseless? Am I some rich oaf to you now."
"No I didn't say that , *not that I don't think you're naive" ..."*ahem* how's your horse riding skills."
"Excellent , I'd have you know I'm a qualified equestrian!." She puffed her chest full of pride before asking about me "and you?."
"I can't ride a horse... I don't know how."
"Pffft, you can't ride a horse. Just how did you survive in the wilderness."
"I relied on my skills and master taught me the sword but never day to day skills."
"Then how come you are a good cook."
"I read cooking books and studied , I didn't want to be fed raw meat every day."
"I see, you have my condolences Eric and as I'm your Mistress, I shall teach you how to ride a horse. Be thankful to my esteemed self." Could you be haughty without blushing.
We entered the stable and asked an employee the way to the horses.
"Right this way Ms and you Mr, that would be 2 silvers a ride."
"Here." Aida pays both of our fares
Aida gets on top of her horse and watches me struggle to adjust myself on my horse's saddle
"You need to keep your posture right and lock your leg on the saddle's strap." Aida instructs
"I know but that horse keeps breathing heavy!."
"Its a living breathing animal, ofcourse you'd feel his body move." Aida says a matter of factly
"So like this?."
"Yes this is It, wait hold the reigns your horse is running on its own."
"I'm holding the reign, but it lashes on me!."
"You have to tighten your grip, to steer the horse!, Do you hear me Eric!."
My horse runs miles away from the stable into the open field and jumps over the ground fence, taking me to the forest proper.
"Wait!, where are you going help me Aida!."
I see Aida a fair distance behind me, her control over her beast puts me to shame.
"Pull the reign back, it would stop that way!."
"But wouldn't it be in pain!."
"Don't be a child, it's what it was trained to do."
The horse neighs loudly as it picks speed putting dirt on Aida's vision
"*cough* Eric pull the reigns!."
Seeing Aida frantically attempt to save me, have helped raise my backbone. Eric you aren't in the modern world no more, in the middle ages horses were treated that way.
"Stop you flea riddened mule!." I tightly pull the reigns back and regain control of my horse
"What is the matter with you Eric , I rarely see you hesitant."
"Its nothing just taking time to get used to this. Besides Aida you look really cool with your equestrian skill."
"Haha, thanks and you look shabby here let me help teach you the basics of horse riding."
"Welcome young lovebirds."
We enter the fortune telling booth and we are greeting by a blue haired woman.
"Lovebirds?, oh please don't assume such a thing we're merely uhh.. uh." Shoot I can't introduce Aida as anything but my employer.
"We're siblings!, don't assume such vile things I mean me and him are not like that."
Ouch you didn't have to drop the ball on me like that.
"I apologize for the assumption dear customers, you simply didn't give the aura of siblings I shall drop the matter if you find me intrusive. Now please grab a seat."
"Thank you , uhh Aida why are you glaring at me." Aida glares daggers at me as we are seated
"Now how may I help you?."
"I want you to read my fortune."
Aida the first to speak to the Fortuneteller
"Very will, touch the crystal ball if you don't mind."
Aida touches the crystal ball, it glows blue and so does the fortune teller her green pupils disappear leaving only the whites in her eyes.
"I see it clearly now.. you have someone and that someone is special to you, is that so?."
Aida gulps and replies
"He's not that special, but he's someone I think about."
"Do you mean Prince Joshua?." She glares at my guess
"You shut up!, fortune teller what else do you see."
"I see that boy and an event that would change the course of history, are you perhaps engaged madam?."
She asks Aida
"Yes."
"That boy sure is lucky."
"*sigh* idiot , do continue Ms."
"Ah where was I yes that boy, his future presence is uncertain but he does indeed love you."
She glances at Aida and then at me.
"Future ,uncertain?."
"There's something blocking my view when it regards him, I can't say why. But Aida Von Lumere it is advisable that you declare your love sooner rather than later."
"How did you know of my identity?."
"Your mana signature exposed it, trust me I keep my customers portfolio private."
"Putting that aside your love huh, will you hug Prince Joshua at the banquet next month haha."
"N-no I won't do that and don't assume my feelings you idiot of a retainer."
"Well I won't rush you into things and I won't put ideas into your head. Your life is yours to live Ms.Aida, I simply desire some coin for my trouble."
The fortune teller gestures at a box on the table.
"Your discression is much appreciated." Aida pays the toll and leaves me behind blushing
"Ah to be young."
"What is wrong with her today?." I sigh and follow her
"Hey wait for me!?."
Aida stops , turns back and addresses me
"Fireworks, let's see the Fireworks."
"Fireworks what's this about?."
"Its what I've been meaning to ask you." She blushes
We didn't say much , Aida guides me to a hill on the outskirts of the festival ground and invites me to sit next to her, on a grassy hill we watch the Fireworks turn the night sky bright.
Alice froze as if in thought, before finally speaking subtle words.
"Eric, am I nuisance?."
Her voice sounded meek an out of character tone when you consider her personality
"No, who'd think that."
"Don't lie to me..I've done nothing but impose myself onto you and I've forced you to work for me against your will if that's not a nuisance what is?."
She raises her voice desparate for a clear answer and answer I shall.
"Aida, If I didn't want to work for you I'd have rejected on you the spot that day. And no I don't think you're a nuisance at all, maybe slightly no...you're overflowing with arrogance but that's due to your station which I wholeheartedly understand, rather than a nuisance I think of you as a cute mistress one that I've swore to serve and protect." I look into her eye "I also swear to dedicate my life to you and you alone."
Aida's eyes swelled , as her tears dropped she hurled insult after insult directly at me.
"idiot, don't take oathes so lightly or I'd work you to death."
"Please treat me gently."
I suddenly feel an impact , a body tackled mine and it was Aida tightly hugging me.
And thus the fare ends with us missing the latter half of the Fireworks and master's grueling punishment for kidnapping Aida
To be continued