Where am I?

I regained consciousness. I took me some time to open my glued shut eyes. I couldn't make out what was I seeing, everything was blurry and my body sore.

The demon!

I sat up and waited a few seconds for my vision to clear. I was inside a tent.

There were other people laying down, injured and unconscious.

「Allen: Where am I?」

I whispered to myself. A medical tent?

My armor had been removed and had been laid down at my feet. I put it back on but I couldn't find my silver cube. Damn... did I drop it during the demon fight?

Shit. That demon was strong. Thank god Violet and Vallachio were there. I was completely helpless, he would've stomped my head just like that other guy. Namrick too.

My mouth curled upward. Good thing I got to shatter his head in the end. Even if it was just kill stealing. My smile faded. I had to check for my friends.

I walked outside the tent. There were soldiers going about, unfamiliar faces. I asked around if anyone knew where Ellin, Namrick or Grastel were, but no one I asked could help me. So I just walked.

I arrived in front of Erne's house, or what was left of it. This had been my first home when I came into this world. But... where are... the bodies? I felt uneasy at the thought they could have been already disposed of before I could give my final goodbyes.

I asked one of the soldiers who was passing nearby.

「Soldier: The bodies of the fallen have been gathered that way. There'll be a funeral pyre and ceremony soon.」

So there's still time. He pointed at a direction. I thanked him and went that way.

I reached the place. They were laying down the corpses, preparing for the funeral pyres, I walked about looking at the deceased, looking for my friends.

And I found them.

Their faces had been cleaned up. With their eyes closed it almost seemed they were just asleep.

I asked for them to be put together, as a family. The soldier handling the task agreed. He asked me who they were so he could contact their relatives, then he allowed me to take part in building the pyre. It was the least I could do. The ceremony would be held at dusk.

I went looking for the survivors, I wanted to check on the girl.

I had to do some walking and asking around, but I managed to find them. A temporary camp had been set up around a couple of buildings that were left unmarred. I could see a group of civilian gathered just outside.

Everyone looked a little dejected, some wore bloodied bandages. I asked them if they knew where the girl was and one pointed me toward one of the buildings.

I walked in.

The residents gave me a quick glance before dismissing my presence, I looked inside each room until I found her.

She was lying asleep on a scavenged mattress. I dared not wake her.

「Allen: She's fine...」

I whispered with relief. Not everything had been lost. Confirming that I had at least managed to do one good thing lifted a weight from my shoulders.

Upon hearing me, the woman standing next to the bed turned to look at me. She had some resemblance to Berel. A relative?

「Woman: You know Lena?」

She asked in low voice.

Right. Lena was the name!

The woman started walking outside the room gesturing for me to follow. I did so.

「Allen: Yes, Berel's daughter... I was lucky I found her in time. I just wanted to make sure she was fine.」

Her eyes went round.

「Woman: You're the one who rescued her?」

As I nodded she gripped my arm. Huh.

「Woman: What about Berel and the others?」

That caught me by surprise. She didn't know yet... I had to tell her. I wasn't good at this kind of situations.

「Allen: They...」

I began but I couldn't find the right words to complete the sentence. Instead, I lowered my eyes and shook my head.

The woman stared at me with a grief pained face for a moment, before starting to sob uncontrollably.

「Woman: M-my sister... e-everyone... why?」

I remained silent. Comforting people was not really my thing. Trying to feel nothing had become my main approach to deal with life and work. I looked around uncomfortably.

Eventually, she calmed down, cleaned her eyes and faced me again.

「Woman: Sorry... I... I haven't even introduced myself. My name is Elaida.」

I shook her hand.

「Allen: I'm Allen Smith. Erne and Berel were friends, let me know if you need anything.」

I looked into her eyes, trying to sound reassuring.

「Elaida: Where... where... are...」

I knew she wanted to ask about the bodies so I told her about the funeral pyre and asked her to participate.

「Elaida: Thank you, I... we, will be there.」

She slumped against the wall, her gaze lost in thought.

I excused myself and wandered outside without a destination. I wanted to walk for a while... to clear my mind.

During my walk, someone called out to me.

「Man: Allen Skullcrusher.」

Someone behind me had to use that nickname.

I froze.

Allen Skullcrusher. That's going to be a thing, isn't it? I really don't like being called names.

Especially a nickname not befitting of a future mage in the making. But fighting it would only make it worse.

「Allen: Yes, what do you need?」

I turned around and asked trying not to show my irritation.

「Man: I've been looking for you. The archmages have requested to speak with you. Follow me please.」

He seemed a little tense. I followed him toward another recently built military tent.

Vallachio was just outside, casting a deep gaze toward the wilderness.

As we approached he turned around, knuckling his red mustache. He spoke.

「Vallachio: Ah, thank you for bringing him here.」

The man excused himself and walked away.

「Vallachio: I remember your face, you're one of my students... Allen.」

「Allen: Yes, sir.」

To think my teacher was archmage that could easily punch through my stomach as if it were paper. If I were a normal man I'd be trembling now.

「Vallachio: I have to thank you for distracting that scoundrel. We had to pull our punches to avoid killing the downed soldiers.」

I thought as much.

「Allen: I see.」

He broke in a hearty laugh.

「Vallachio: By the way, you really surprised us there. To think you would endure that level of Pain, you must have some mental fortitude! Hahaha... oh and I find your nickname most appropriate!」

This monster is smiling at me, just go along with it, Allen.

「Allen: Thank you, sir.」

He stared at me for a few seconds. I kept my corporate poker face on.

「Vallachio: Well, now. Enter the tent. Madame Violet has a few questions to ask you.」

「Allen: Huh... yes, sir」

What could she want to ask me? I just didn't know.

I walked inside the tent.

Violet raised her icy eyes at me. A familiar chill ran down my spine. She truly is an ice queen.

I stood straight.

「Allen: Ma'am?」

I couldn't look away from her gaze.

「Violet: I now understand how you realized which one of those illusions hid the real demon.」

Whew. Straight to the point. That means...

She opened her right hand revealing my silver cube. It was safe, all those hours of work were not lost. I felt relieved.

「Violet: I have looked at the magical patterns inside this silver cube... albeit crude, they do seem of complex design... am I correct in assuming you made this? The magic signature looked just like yours.」

She moved the cube across her slender fingers.

Cold sweat. Keep it together Allen.

「Allen: Y-Yes, ma'am.」

「Violet: In such case, who taught you this?」

I glanced at my silver cube.

「Allen: It's... huh... back in my homeland we have a... discipline we use to build... logic patterns... it has nothing to do with magic, but... when I first learned of spell triggers, I wondered if I could apply the same knowledge.」

My eyes dance around while attempting to find the proper words.

「Violet: Interesting... we'll continue this discussion back at the Academy. For now, you're dismissed.」

「Allen: Yes, ma'am」

She threw the silver cube back at me. I barely caught it.

「Violet: You can have it back.」

「Allen: Thanks, ma'am!」

I walked outside, feeling her eyes boring into me. Once outside I let out a sigh of relief.

Sexy... but deadly. Memories of the prior bloodshed flashed on my mind.

「Vallachio: Allen!」

I jumped at the suddenness of his voice.

「Allen: I... uh. Yes, sir?」

「Vallachio: There was a girl, along with two men, who were asking about you. She volunteered to help to heal the injured, she showed considerable talent in that regard. You may find her north-east from here inside a medical tent.」

Said the muscled archmage nodding at the direction.

Ellin and the guys, I should go find them!

「Allen: Thank you, sir.」

I replied with gratefulness.

I walked on, feeling Vallachio's gaze boring into me. I dared not turn to check.

Man, these archmages have some powerful stares.

Eventually, I found the tent. Namrick and Grastel were outside, performing maintenance on their equipment. They looked up and saw me coming. I waved them.

「Namrick: Allen! Are you well?」

Namrick smiled sheathing his sword.

「Allen: A little sore, but yeah. I can't complain.」

I shrugged. Ellin heard us and came outside. She made an apologetic face.

「Ellin: Hi, sorry we had to leave you alone, I volunteered to care for the injured. The soldiers said you were just passed out.」

She bowed a little.

「Allen: That's fine, you did the right thing.」

I assured her. Besides, I'm an adult I can manage things by myself.

「Grastel: Allen... how did you remain conscious? Namrick, who was next to you, went out cold almost immediately.」

All three of them stared at me with questioning eyes.

「Allen: Even if you ask me... it was extremely painful. But at the same time I was extremely angry... maybe that kept me conscious?」

「Grastel: I and Ellin were distant enough not to be affected, we saw how you grabbed the demon's ankle, then Vallachio and Violet made their move. And you suddenly stood up swinging down your mace at the demon. That was... woah.」

He looked honestly surprised.

I didn't know what to say. So I just pursed my lips and nodded.

「Allen: Huh, it's almost dusk... would you guys come at the funeral pyre?」

They nodded and we all went together.

Lena and her aunt were already there, I joined them. The little girl looked at me with teary eyes. I put a hand on her shoulder and she broke into tears.

「Allen: I'm sorry...」

That was all I could say.

Ellin walked closer and hugged Lena.

She whispered gentle words with a reassuring smile making Lena calm down. Ellin was much better at this.

We waited in silence for the ceremony to begin. When our turn came I had Lena hold the torch along with me, and we turned the pyre alight.

「Lena: Mommy... daddy... b-broth-」

She clutched her aunt's skirt and let her tears fall silently. I asked her aunt to come to Valarest and stop at our inn, so I could give them a few coins to get by and a place to stay.

Small villages clearly weren't safe enough.

「Elaida: I will. Thank you...」

She patted Lena's head and turned her eyes back on the pyres.

I stared at the fires for a little longer. Until Namrick and Grastel squeezed my shoulders.

I looked back at them, they gave me encouraging smiles. I felt lucky to have found such good friends. Ellin was behind them, eyes downcast lost in thought. It was time to leave.

「Allen: Alright... let's go.」

I said goodbye to Elaida and Lena and walked away with the trio.

Forgive me Erne and Berel, for not having been there for you.