Servant Interlude: Alex

“Again.”

Alex sprang to his feet and lifted the giant two-handed sword off the ground. It was his training weapon made of black iron and was twice as heavy as his actual sword. They were inside of the new training hall built to train combat leaders in the duke’s forces.

Gripping the weapon tight he faced his trainer and took his stance. Moving slowly to help recover his breathing and charge a knight art. Hopefully he could surprise his mentor.

Gripping the weapon like a shield Alex sprang forward and bashed at his mentor hoping to cause the man to stumble. The man Lord Fross had adjusted his power so that they would be on the same tier in order to show Alex how he could efficiently use his power. Alex had been underneath his tutorage almost since the boy had arrived at the Kan estate.

Lord Fross saw a determination in the child eyes not much unlike his own that had grown warry with time. With both of his children being daughters who took more after their mother than him. Lord Fross quickly took it upon himself to teach the boy how to serve his lord in the same manner he served his. That and the boy was named after him after all.

Lord Fross calmly leaped over the boy while giving him a tap with his blade. If there was one problem, Lord Fross found with the boy and his training was the lack of deception. The child was too straightforward in his attacks. Not that a knight shouldn’t be but in battle blades have no eyes.

The boy was knocked over and Lord Fross once again took a position with his sword slightly lowered and his left leg out.

“Again.”

Alex once again picked himself off the floor. This time taking a different stance with his unique weapon. Lord Fross was the one who picked the sword out for him as he wanted to be a true knight like in the tales of old but defending was never his strong point and Lord Fross provided him with the perfect solution by mixing his attacks with defense.

Alex took a breath before pushing forward. This time he held the weapon in front once again but now he changed the positions of his hands. He had charged long enough, and Alex had been working on this move since he became a tier 3.

He charged once again, and he could see the disappointment in Lord Fross eyes as he believed Alex to be doing the same move. Alex could see a slight shift in his left foot, and he activated his technique right as Lord Fross moved that foot.

Alex brought his blade in an upward swing using its longer reach as the ground shifted and rose underneath Lord Fross. Alex watched as his mentor’s eyes widen in surprise and elation and Alex felt a slight connection with his move as Lord Fross disappeared and faded away.

A booming laugh erupted from his right and his mentor appeared once again. The smile on his face spread from ear to ear and Alex broke out in a grin himself.

“Good, good, great!”

Lord Fross looked at the youth with warmth. He was turning out to be a fine magi human and young man as he was on the last stage of his development. If the boy could rack up some serious merits Lord Fross would consider pairing him with one of his daughters.

Alex grin only grew wider at the praise of his mentor. It was rare that he would praise him to such a degree as the man usually kept a cold demeanor.

“You have improved and even managed to create your own art. Alex you have done well!

To be able to make the earth shift using your physical prowess is at the level of a tier 5 or higher.”

Alex was beaming at the praise and finally spoke up.

“If it wasn’t for your daily teachings Lord Fross I would never have come this far in 5 years.”

Alex gave a slight bow.

“I truly thank you for your teachings.”

Lord Fross pulled the boy up laughing. Tier 3 was knighthood, and most knights would only be able to manage three abilities at this stage as not only was comprehension required to use the elements most knights wouldn’t have a feel for more than air and fire. As well as their natural body.

“That’s it for today. Go and get yourself a treat at the mess hall. You’ve more than earned it.”

…

Alex walked into the mess hall refreshed after he showered and changed clothes. He surveyed the area eyes pausing as they landed on the table of his friends. Former friends? Alex didn’t know. The Slight Hands had changed ever since their failed harassment mission. Murnia was the only one that truly kept in touch with him. While the rest… well the rest was history.

That didn’t stop Alex from using any encounter he could to regain their trust and friendship. He mustered up his courage and walked towards their table. 5 years ago, he may have wavered he may have left but 5 years was a long time and the growing Alex mentality had changed. He would be a hero. His conviction in that was confirmed but how could he claim to be one when he couldn’t even claim the forgiveness of his friends.

Yet as he got nearer to their table his legs became heavier and heavier. Ronwick, Rouge, Ivy, Nick, and Murnia were all their eating and laughing and Alex unwavering heart wavered, and his steps grew slower.

Murnia was the first to notice him and her eyes lit up once she recognized him before they glanced to Ronwick and Ivy. Nick was next and the group that had been talking with excitement slowly died down before the rest turned and stared. He could tell Murnia was saying something but that did not stop the flames of rage that lit up in Ronwick’s eyes. Nor did it take the hesitation that appeared in Ivy’s. Alex heart hurt and his steps slowed even more almost to a crawl. The surroundings in the mess hall grew quiet as more people took stock of Alex and the awkwardness of the group. Before a clap was heard and everyone turned their attention to a tall human woman with blue hair. Then their attentions and conversations returned to their own table and Alex was forgotten.

He took another step forward. Ronwick now stood up, but Alex would not allow his steps to halt. Somethings needed to be said. 5 years was a long time. Did they not know how that night ate at him as well? At the feeling of failure and the horror of what was to happen to his friends, his family?

Did they not see Alex training everyday even rest days? Working twice, thrice as hard in order to gain the strength so a mistake like that would never, could never happen again under his watch. His heart slowly grew heavy as Ronwick approached only to pause next to him before walking pass.

Alex eyes closed before a blazing determination took hold of him and he spun and called out.

“Ronwick.”

Ronwick’s steps paused and for a long moment both young men stood there before Ronwick’s steps continued.

“Sigh.”

Alex returned his attention to the table only to see Nick pulling Ivy up and towards another direction. Leaving only Rouge and Murnia waiting for him.

His steps continued.