Chapter 015

Fall

“Hello!” said a sweet voice. Alevier would have jumped in his seat of it had not been for the thin chains of light that bounded his legs to the chair. He gave Jaysaun a bloodthirsty look which said ‘I will screw you over when we get out of here’. Jaysaun nervously shifted back.

Seriously, getting into a relationship was the last thing Alevier wanted. This was just plain troublesome - he could not escape it like bullying by acting. A vein bulged on his forehead. Annoying. Very annoying.

“Well,” said Sinchiya. “Here is Isella, the transfer student.”

Alevier did not dare to look at her, his top priority was to escape. He could blow the chair apart but that would cause a commotion. He could try to break those chains, but they were too strong. He could give Jaysaun a frostbite or two. Good idea.

Alevier swiftly grabbed Jaysaun’s hand which was under the table and using some quick unstructured magic he froze his thumb. Jaysaun suppressed a scream but his face could not hold back a few tears as he bit his lip.

“A-Al,” said Jaysaun with much difficulty. He tried to yank his hand away but, Alevier had frozen it with his own. He tried to counter it with heating magic but, Alevier was recklessly channelling his mana to keep the hand frozen. “Please, I am s-sorry.”

Alevier sighed and stopped with his magic. He did not do it because of Jaysaun’s apology and pitiful looks, he did it because his own hand was going numb. Jaysaun quickly retreated his hand and treated it with some heat.

“Um, hello?” said Sinchiya. “Will you two not answer her?”

“Ah, sorry Isella,” said Jaysaun. “I uh- was showing Alevier some magic tricks and something went wrong so Al and I were just fixing it.” He showed Isella his blue thumb.

“Oh, are you alright?” asked Isella, she had a posh accent as if she was a court official. Impressive. There were not a lot of people who spoke high Syolese like that. However, Alevier was looking at his own hands, promptly avoiding looking at Isella and thus, a conversation.

“I would be better if you would join us,” said Jaysaun as sleekly as ever.

Isella giggled and sat opposite to Alevier.

She looked at Alevier and asked, “Are you alright?”

“Er- yeah,” said Alevier now deeply interested in the tablecloth in front of him. Should he really mess up Jaysaun’s plan by acting weird?

“Well, Isella meet Alevier, he is my best friend!” smiled Jaysaun.

“Hello Alevier!” said Isella cheerfully.

“Hi,” replied Alevier. There was an awkward pause.

Sinchiya broke the silence and said, “He was admitted at the hospital during the second week of school so he was not there when you, along with other transfer students, were introduced. So er- you should introduce yourself.”

“I see,” said Isella. Alevier was still not looking at her. “I am Isella Elam. I was previously studying at La Chalier School of Magic-”

Damn, she has to be talented if she is from there.

“-that is in the Frolow Republic. My family recently shifted to Ozyandous’s capital Prestolciya and they really wanted me to join a good magical school so I took Yarukok’s admission test. Fortunately, I was able to pass along with two others. I look forward to studying with you!”

“Ok,” said Alevier flatly. He heard Jaysaun sigh in defeat.

“Er- will you tell something about yourself?” asked Isella.

“I am Alevier and I study at Yarukok.”

“...”

“...”

“And?” asked Isella.

“Er- that’s it.”

Alevier heard someone slam their palm on their face.

“...okay,” Isella was at a loss. Why was he acting like a block of ice? Cold and hard. This was totally unlike the last time she had seen him…

“So what do you like?” Isella decided to test the waters.

“Nothing in particular,” replied Alevier.

“...” Guess those were frozen too.

Why is this person even refusing to look at her? She really did not want to say it but, she turned towards Sinchiya and whispered something into her ears.

Sinchyia laughed aloud, unable to keep her calm demeanour.

“Al,” Sinchiya giggled.

“Yes?” responded Alevier.

“S-she,” Sinchiya could not hold her laugh. Isella gestured her to keep quiet.

“Say it already.”

“She is asking me whether you are autistic.”

“I am sorry!”

“Pffft,” Jaysaun burst out laughing. “Goddamn Al, she is more brutal than you.”

“Oh seriously?” Alevier snapped as he finally looked at her.

His grey eyes met her sparkling amber ones. She was not a heaven-defying beauty or anything but, she was certainly beautiful. She had a smile as bright as her fiery hair which fell down on her shoulder like a red waterfall. She did not wear anything fancy, just a plain off-shoulder purple gown which was simple like the innocence in her eyes.

With liveliness radiating out of her face, she managed to mellow down Alevier’s angry expression into a slight frown.

Well… she seemed cute. The kind of cute which would make Alevier nervous.

“Come on Alevier, drop the act, you are friendlier than this,” said Jaysaun.

“So... he was acting all this time?” questioned Isella. Alevier did not respond, he was still debating on what he should do next. But then Sinchiya gave him a threatening look.

“Yeah...” said Sinchiya. Honestly, Alevier was making this harder than she thought he would. “I guess we can redo the introductions?”

“Okay. Alevier, I am Isella nice to meet you.”

For some reason, other than Sinchiya’s deadly looks, Alevier did not want to appear rude to her anymore. Maybe the air around her was so thick with positivity that he really thought that he should appear less embarrassing to her.

“Hello Isella, I am Alevier. Nice to meet you too,” replied Alevier.

“So why exactly were you acting all this time, were you playing a prank on me?” she smiled and leaned in a bit. Her pleasant smell wafted into Alevier’s nose.

Awkward! Awkward! Alevier’s mind was screaming right now. He just gave her a dumb smile trying his best to keep his eyebrows from twitching. At the moment, his mind was unable to process information and give him a reply. When did coming up with an excuse become so hard? A second passed by and Alevier’s mind screamed of errors and told him that he is on his own. Shit.

“Generic excuse?” blurted out Alevier. Holy shit, maybe he was autistic. Jaysaun turned his head away to hide his laughter. He looked at Sinchiya who seemed as if she wanted to yell at him.

“...okay,” said Isella. There was another long uncomfortable pause.

“I think we should just have some food,” said Jaysaun.

“Yeah.”

“Sure.”

“Yes.”

* * *

The food was worthy of its cost even though it took some time to be prepared. Alevier had a hearty meal along with his friends and he managed not to cringe others. Maybe it was because of the food that things didn’t go downhill and everyone’s mood lightened.

They held a normal light-hearted conversation while they ate the winged buffalo’s roasted steak; in Alevier’s opinion, that was the best part of the meal.

Sinchiya had managed to crack a joke which made Jaysaun burst out laughing and thus, spoil his sweater.

A pity, she offered to clean it up with magic, Jaysaun was reluctant at first saying things like a gentleman should be independent. But when he royally screwed the stain by transmuting the gravy into a dye - Alevier had no idea where he had learned such awful transmutation - he had to ask Sinchiya to help him with it.

Maybe he was a bit tipsy after drinking that wine which, among the four, only Alevier refused to drink. Did he ever mention he hated not being in complete control of his body? Well, he did hate a lot of things.

Anyway, they left Alevier alone with Isella for a while. Alevier’s paranoia told him that all of it was preplanned. However, he was not nervous around her anymore. She seemed like any other girl who liked to laugh and eat so he was more relaxed around her.

Isella did try to start a conversation. Since Alevier was convinced that his first impression was utterly messed up and Jaysaun’s plan ruined, he did not try to avoid her. However, when he told her his dream of becoming an alchemist, she seemed truly impressed.

Then she began monologuing on how she wanted to become an alchemist too but how her desire for the study of magical creatures and hunting monsters made her want to become a Hunter. Any person whose profession was remotely related to magical creatures or monsters was called a Hunter. And all Hunters raided dungeons since that is where those creatures resided. With his past experience, Alevier could say a dungeon is not a good place to be - even if you have a lot of people around to protect you.

So he did offer her some advice on raiding a dungeon. She took his advice seriously and promised him that she will always stay vigilant in dungeons. He had a feeling that she was more experienced in dungeon raids than him, but whatever.

Alevier’s paranoia proved to be correct when Sinchiya and Jaysaun did not come back. A damn hour had passed by like this. Annoying. He will have to bear this person now.

He did not open up discussions with Isella who was a bit flustered after her monologue and apologized to Alevier if she had bored him. He told her that it was alright and a wide grin spread across her face.

After having their desserts, she tirelessly bombed him with random questions. What is your favourite colour? What kind of sweets do you like? Do you play any sport?

Seriously, what will she do after knowing all this? Maybe she was trying to avoid those uncomfortable silent moments whom Alevier was closely acquainted with.

“So do you read books?” she asked.

“I have spent half my life staring at pieces of paper,” said Alevier. “That is to say, I love books.”

“What genres do you like?”

“Fantasy, science fiction, adventure and stuff like that.”

“Have you read any book by Frest Rostre?” Isella was elated. Finally, she had found something common to her and this person.

“You bet,” smiled Alevier as he leaned in. Guess things got interesting.

They began talking at lengths about their favourite books and authors. Now, Alevier was impressed. They also debated on a few characters and discussed some alternative endings making Alevier unconsciously open up to her.

“By the way,” said Alevier.

“Yes?”

“I am sorry, I tried to avoid you when we first met. I am really not a social person and I was annoyed at Jaysaun for inviting a person without informing me to the dinner and forcing me to talk to them,” said Alevier as he bowed his head a little. “I am really sorry.”

“I-It’s fine. It is alright, I didn’t mind that really!” said Isella hurriedly.

Alevier looked at her, her face was now of a similar shade as that of her hair. She was smiling and her face twitched nervously. Well, he did not know that she had been blushing for quite some time now.

“Are you alright?” asked Alevier.

“Y-Yeah I am totally alright! There is nothing to worry,” she said in a high pitch. Then she quickly drank the wine left in her glass. “Maybe it is the wine. And it is so hot in here! This is supposed to be a cold autumn night! Do you think that climate change is real?”

“Your voice sounds different,” said Alevier as he eyed her suspiciously and she looked away.

“Really! I am alright and I am super serious about that!” she made some weird gestures which did not support her statement.

“Okay,” said Alevier. Maybe she was a bit tipsy. Hell, Why doesn’t the government increase the legal age for consuming alcohol? Sixteen is a bit too early in Alevier’s opinion.

Today’s night sure was tiresome. He casually glanced over the watch. A quarter to twelve? Oh, damn. He needed to leave. He needed to leave right now!

He quickly got up and said, “I need to go, see you later.” And he turned away quickly heading towards the door. There were not many customers around since it was this late so he went straight for the door.

“Wait!” came Isella’s voice, but Alevier kept walking. However, Jaysaun and Sinchiya popped out of nowhere and blocked his way. Coincidence? Definitely not.

“Where were you two?”

“We had gone to buy Jaysaun a new sweater,” said Sinchiya. Seriously?

“Where are you going?”

“I need to leave,” said Alevier.

“A lady asked you to wait, you really should,” said Jaysaun.

“Listen Jaysaun, I am in no mood to argue. Let me go,” said Alevier.

“Come on Al, you should stay for a while,” said Jaysaun. By now Isella had caught up to the trio.

“D-Did I do something wrong?” asked Isella worriedly.

Alevier ignored her. He did not have enough time.

“I am sorry Jaysaun, I really need to go,” he said as he slid his hand in his pocket. “You will be convinced when you see this.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“You will know,” Alevier pulled out his fist a moment later and opened his hand, a glowing spell model revolved in his palm. Jaysaun’s eyes widened, suddenly a mini mana shield sprang into existence pushing him and Sinchyia back. Although it was a very weak one, it served its purpose.

Alevier made a dash for the door. He had just reached the door when a hand grabbed his wrist making him stop in his tracks. Surprised, he turned to look at Isella, slightly nervous, slightly worried. He was surprised that she did not flinch back from his cold hands and held it firm.

“Why are you leaving so suddenly?” she asked, a look of plea visible in her eyes.

“Nothing personal,” said Alevier as he yanked his hand away and ran out of the door.

Soon enough, Jaysaun and Sinchiya arrived behind Isella.

“He ran away,” said Jaysaun. “Mr Getter, you could have stopped him.”

“I had no reason not to,” all this while Getter was standing next to the door, still as a statue and barely noticeable.

“He used magic in your restaurant!”

“He did not use any offensive spell else I would have stopped him from casting the spell altogether,” said Getter emotionlessly. “Defensive spells are alright in my restaurant.”

Jaysaun sighed. Old men and their rules.

“Anyway, why did he run away?” asked Sinchiya.

“I have no idea, what about you Isella?”

“I-I don’t know,” she said sadly. “He just asked me if I was alright, I told him that I was okay a-and I was a bit embarrassed so I looked away, then he got up and ran away.”

“It is alright Isella it is not your fault,” said Sinchiya as she patted her back.

“So where has he gone?”

* * *

Alevier ran hastily in the streets of Ambrosio. They were deserted save for the drunkards, late-night roamers and beggars. Well, he hardly gave a damn about them.

He knew it would happen soon, it is almost midnight. He had to get back to the dorms. He decided to use a shortcut and entered an alley. He kept running even when it felt as if his lungs would explode.

Just a little more… He was almost there, two more alleys and he would reach the short road to main gates of the dormitory area.

He was about to reach that alley between the two shops but then that happened. Shit. He was too late. His leg cramped and he fell on the floor with a heavy thud. Ugh, he quickly to got up and dragged his body into the alley just before pulling a muscle. He leaned against the wall for support and tried to move forward. Unfortunately, he collapsed on the ground.

“Damn it,” he cursed. The pain would come at any moment. He mentally prepared himself and bit his lip. With his back against the wall, he closed his eyes.

The pain sure did come. His muscles cramped and twisted and pulled making his eyes tear up. He suppressed the scream as fatigue suddenly burst into his body making him dizzy and nauseous. This was the price he had to pay for drinking that potion. He could do all the exercise during the day without hurting himself but all that wear and tear would come for him during the night.

The bill comes due.

Moreover, Jarkiso had also warned him that he must not be physically exhausted when the effects of the potion wore off else the consequences would be dire.

A sudden terrible pain erupted in his chest as if someone was stabbing him through his heart. He tasted blood in his mouth. Fuck.

Usually, he would just wake up in his bed and faint from the sudden outburst of fatigue but now he did not. Was it because his body was getting stronger, he did not faint. His head was dizzy and his body felt like it was on fire, but he could maintain his consciousness. He didn’t dare move a muscle. A stream of blood flowed down his nose and dripped down his chin.

For some reason, it seemed obvious to him that he would not die even after all this.

Well, the good news was that Jarkiso would seek him out by four in the morning, one way or the other he knew by now that he had placed a tracer spell on him or something. The bad news was that he was rendered immobile until then. Jarkiso had to give him that potion again else he will have to rely on his natural healing capabilities. And that would not take a short time.

Jarkiso had warned him not to use healing potions since they would prevent the muscles from breaking and rebuilding by magically mending them in an instant. Crash courses aren't meant to be easy.

He slowly breathed out. Ugh, his chest hurts, this is really embarrassing. He really did not want Jaysaun and Sinchiya carry him to the hospital once again so he had run away. And hey, wasn’t Jarkiso’s training supposed to be kept a secret.

Anyway, he was more or less sure that no one would bother him until morning. Who would actually roam the city this late at night? That too a dark autumn night. It was cold, yet Alevier did not feel uncomfortable. Maybe it was his clothes, they were warm.

He wondered what he would tell Jaysaun when he sees him at the school tomorrow. He was chilling out? Ha! Alevier let out a small laugh before stopping because his forsaken muscles hurt. Crap.

He sat in the placid silence idly thinking about pointless stuff before silently dozing off. You could not blame him, it was peacefully quiet and he was really tired.

Then the tapping of shoes approaching him disturbed his nap. Still half-asleep he let out a small groan as he turned his head toward the source of the noise. The silhouette of a person hurriedly walked in front of the alley, almost as if they were looking something. The person peered into the darkness.

“Oh my!” exclaimed the person. And that person’s voice was really familiar to Alevier. Crap.