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Chapter 43: Care

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On a mountainous region, the wind blew without obstruction. Its sound of howling was alarming, yet at the same, soothing. Greenery filled the view, a blue lake surrounded the area.

On top of a mountain, two people stood face to face.

A man, a girl.

The middle-aged man had three scars over his left eye, covering half his face. Sturdy, with a large bow and sword on his back, his black hair were tied to his back. He had the air of a veteran, yet his face calm, devoid of burden. Smiling, his existence was brimming with confidence.

Seeing this, the girl standing there, tilted her head.

“…Why are we here, Master?”

“Come here,”

The man, urged her to come close. From his chest pocket, he took out an amulet, a green amulet. Spreading its chain, he placed it on both sides of her shoulders. Locking it at the back, it fit her neck.

A shining green amulet, on her chest.

“W-what’s this for?”

“It’s a proof.”

“A proof?”

“Tell me, Natalia, who are we?”

“We? Um… You’re my Master, I’m your apprentice?”

“That’s right! We’re Master and Apprentice. I scratched your back, you scratched mine. As the Master, I won’t let anyone bully my little apprentice!”

She went silent.

Before he took her in a week ago, she was an outcast. When she entered the Esterian Knight’s Academy a year ago, her backward background stood out. Hailing from a rural village, being an orphan, she had no backing. While her outward confidence was not lacking, it only brought her contempt and ridicule.

Yet it was not really her background which made her an outcast, that was only a side factor. The main factor was her personality. If she did not wish to follow, she would not. This had created friction within the academy, where cooperation and teamwork were in high demand. Many students objected having her in their team, she affected their overall performance.

She did not blame them.

She knew she was in the wrong, but just knowing it did not mean she could change it. Her personality, was as if set in stone, refusing to budge. She did not know why, it was frustrating.

You’re stubborn Natalia, you know it.

So you think you’re better than everyone, huh?

Everyone hates you!

After half a year, her self-talk belittled herself. Hating herself for her fault, she even wondered whether it would be better if she disappeared. Disappeared, for good.

With her situation, it was a matter of time.

…

Then, this man came.

The academy made a commotion, as if the Grand General or Minister was visiting the place. Welcoming ceremony was organized, the most grand she ever witnessed. From the sky, a dragon passed by the academy ground. It was her first time seeing one.

A man jumped down, high up the air.

As he landed, adoration and awe filled the eyes of her instructors, even the Headmaster. At the time, she only heard stories and rumors about the visiting knight. Apparently, he was searching for his fated apprentice, his very first apprentice.

The wind blew, she stumbled his way.

Never did she expect, they would meet, face to face.

Strangely, fate connected them together.

…

Hearing her master mentioning her being bullied, she gave a wry smile.

It was a mere week ago, it already seemed distant.

“Master, you know it’s not really their fault,”

“Doesn’t matter, their fault couldn’t see how special you are. I had taken the vow. As your Master, I’ll protect you until you’re ready to stand on your own. This is the proof of my vow,”

“This is the proof…”

She held the green amulet. Its light entered her eyes.

The silver chain held a stunning, green spherical crystal. It was filled with life-force, one had to touch it to know. There was no leak, proving that this was a truly high-quality item.

Seeing her mesmerized, he smiled.

“So, when I’m too old one day, I hope my sweet apprentice won’t let anyone bully me!”

“Master, you’re too much. How could I ever protect you, you’re so strong! Even when you’re old,”

“Heh, then, you ought to be better!”

“Owehh, Master!”

He ruffled her hair. Her silky, blonde hair.

That day, the girl of sixteen, felt current running through her. Elation filled her being. For the first time, she had a backing. For the first time, someone truly watching over her.

Someone dear.

Someone who promised her, she would not suffer any indignation, no more.

Somewho who, never see her with contemptuous look, never.

That day, she felt special.

Truly special.

…

===

Krone was walking, returning from the morning training.

The forty followed him, eyes gloom, clothes still wet. The cold training somehow eased the pain from yesterday, yet it still came knocking once in awhile during meditation. Though their eyes gloomy from exhaustion, they stared at the one in front of them, as if seeking opportunity.

Yet even with his back exposed, they felt like the chance of success was none.

Zero.

Nada.

‘Ugh, the gap was too much,’

‘Stronger, I need to be stronger,’

‘This hatred, I need to release it,’

‘One hit, no, ten hits, enough,’

Everyone had a familiar feeling.

Even Doran wanted to body-slam this brother once for this pain. The twins wanted to scratch his face, bite his limbs. Athea wanted to make a barbeque out of him, still thinking of what condiments to use.

Ron and Kyril had a mixed feeling. They knew he would not just feed them something like that without a reason, yet the urge to smack his face, at least once, was too much to bear.

Lisha, simply wanted to make him a target practice.

When they reached the front of their rooms, their angel did not descend.

Krone slid towards the kitchen. His speed was truly something to see, but more amazing was that he was not hindered, carrying large containers.

Loaves of bread, bowls filled with oil and basket with unfamiliar fruits. From his hand, red fire came out, licking firewood under the huge kettle. Krone took out his small sword, and for each of the fruits, he cut into half in the air, down into a huge basket. The fruits were filled with seeds, opened for all to see.

He mixed them into the bowls of oil.

Seeing this, their spine sprung up. The image reminded them of an evil witch stirring her potion, deadly potion. Some at the back, stepped backward.

Soon, everyone did.

“Hm? What’s wrong, guys?”

Seeing his innocent, guilt-free expression, they gulped. Everyone exchanged glances. Finally, Ron braved himself to ask.

“…That’s not, uh, medicine, right?”

“Medicine…? Ah, I see. Not at all, it’s to help you recover.”

“So it is medicine!”

“No, it’s just figs and olive oil… Hey, come back here!”

All forty ran away, some even use Air Sliding.

Krone had to kick everyone’s feet, knocking them down on the ground. Even still, many braved the pain, continuing their run.

Running, for their life.

No way we’re taking your medicine again!

That early morning, became a hunting festival.

One predator, forty preys.

…

===

Somewhere on the beach, in early morning darkness.

On a sandy spot, surrounded by large rocks, traces of flames still lingered. The smell of burning sand, salt and rocks filled the area.

“Umphhh,”

“Don’t struggle, sister,”

“K-krone, let me, go!”

“I will, after this,”

Athea was pinned down, Krone put his legs onto her back.

She was the most rebellious of the forty, and the last he took care of. While the twins did run as well, he only needed to talk a bit more to convince them. The others too, most did not run anymore when he took the ‘medicine’ himself. It was almost twenty hours, the prime time of its effectiveness almost gone. He needed them to take this on time to aid their recovery.

Athea however, did not listen. She ran quite far, despite still in pain. When he stopped her, she even dared to activate Flamme Vryusha, the nerve! She somehow reminded him of some trainees he got during the war.

Really annoyed him, he had to play hard.

‘This girl, really stubborn!’

Still refusing to open her mouth, he had to take extreme measures. One hand pinched her nose, while on his other hand, a bowl with a wooden spoon. He forced her mouth opened. Taking a spoonful of oil filled with figs, he shoved it down her throat.

“Mmmhhh, hmm…”

Still struggling for a bit, soon, she calmed down.

“So? Not so bad, right?”

“…I hate you,”

Seeing Athea being pacified, he let her go.

Handing her the bowl, she took it with a hmph. The oil was nowhere as bitter as the one before, and the figs actually made it sweet and a bit spicy. With the bowl on her hand, she took it herself, all while sniffing. Seeing her like this, Krone laughed a bit, tears in his eyes.

No warning, his ring vibrated.

Patting Athea’s back, he slid a distance away.

“Krone,”

“What is it Sis? It’s too early, I didn’t buy yet,”

“Doesn’t matter. She’s awake,”

“That was fast.”

===

…

‘Why didn’t you tell me your trauma?’

Sitting by the bedside, the words did not come out from him. After forcing the figs and olive oil into each and everyone, he returned to his room. Kristine went out for morning bath, while he kept her company.

While they were alone, silence ensued.

He wanted to reprimand her, yet he felt like it was wrong. It was a trauma, so her hiding it was understandable, and the one who was harmed, was herself. While he wanted to bite her, he could not. He was hoping she realized her own mistake, without him mentioning.

Aside from that, he wanted to know more about the situation. Should they cooperate again, he needed all the necessary information. Who was that man? Why did the dragon harm you? While the imaginary construct might differ from original experience, the whole thing was based on one’s perception of the whole incident. Since Natalia perceived it as harmful, it turned out that way.

If his guess was correct, that man did wish to harm her. And so did the dragons, especially so for the Mother Dragon Velzer, who would more likely just chased away trespassers, aside from ill-wishers.

And he was confident Natalia was not unwelcomed back then.

…Some time passed.

She actually understood Krone’s unspoken gaze, yet she was stubborn. She turned her face sideway. Seeing her acting this way, Krone’s eye twitched.

His left eye.

‘Aii, you’re going to act spoiled? Fine, I’ll let you be,’

It was about time Kristine finished her bath anyway, and her life was in no danger.

He sighed.

“It was my mistake,”

He started his words, standing up.

“It was not your fault. I’m the one asking your help. I should’ve investigated, prepared. So, don’t worry about the residue. I’ll take care of it, somehow.”

Hearing this, she trembled.

Krone walked towards the door. He needed to buy breakfast and order the herb soup too. As the he opened the door;

“I hate my Master,”

He stopped.

“He brought me to see, that.”

She paused, shivering. Sharing this was not something she wished, but Krone had taken all the blame for himself. That, felt uncomfortable.

Hearing this, Krone confirmed his theory.

That place was the Argonian Mountain Range, and the man he saw was her Master, a Dragon Master. One of the few still alive in Kharlussia.

Back in the old days of imperial rule, they numbered hundreds. Now however, this ancient Masters were as rare as Grandmaster Knights.

Those who were known to appear in public, no more than five.

“He brought you there, for what purpose?”

“…Spirit, search. They’re looking for a Dragon’s heir.”

Dragon’s heir?

He could not comprehend. He wanted to ask, yet knew it was not appropriate. He ought to focus on her, she was the important one now.

The one suffering.

“Your master,”

“He, didn’t care about me,”

She seemed resolute, her mind made up.

Yet her voice, choking. Her hands, shivering. Krone had seen such indication before. It was similar to those suffering frontline trauma, there was infighting within them. Under such circumstances, he must be careful with his choice of words.

She hated her Master, so to him, the cause of her trauma was clear.

It was not because of cowardice. At least, not the prime reason.

“Lady Natalia,”

He paused, waiting for her to listen.

“Yesterday, you saw it right? Those forty youngsters. They rebelled, they said they hate me. Hm, do you truly think, I would spend time with them, training, if I didn’t care?”

He turned to the door.

He must deliver the most fitting, suitable line, something she would have to ponder about for some time.

“If your Master didn’t care,”

He turned his face halfway, eyes on her.

“He wouldn’t bring you there.”

He opened the door, sunlight entered the room. He stepped out, closing the door.

“Did he really, not care?”

With that question, he closed the door, tight. Sunlight was no more.

…

She laughed, a mocking laugh.

She coughed hard, time and again. Blood coming out from her nose, falling on the blanket. Her face, down. Darkness from her hair covered her eyes, silence dominated the room.

Within the dark room, green light illuminated her side.

The green amulet, illuminated the darkness.

She saw it.

Memory of those years, flashed through.

The secure feeling she had, when she was in front of him, riding his dragon with him. She knew him, he knew her. That smile he had everyday, that worried expression on him when she was injured, that satisfied look as she slid through the high air…

Riding the sky, fully secure.

…

Yet his disappointed look, shook her, dominated her mind.

That feeling, gripped her being. It was when the Mother Dragon shook her head. Telling him, she was not the one.

At the time, she knew, she disappointed him. She gripped the blanket on her, tight.

“…I hate you,”

Something flowed down her cheek.

…

=====

The sun shone with all its majesty.

High up in the sky above them, the wind was now their friend, ridding them of their sweat.

Krone had just made a sport out of Air Sliding, giving them a ball and made a league. The condition was that they cannot move aside from using Air Sliding. In a way, it was tiring, yet much more fun. For this league, they were divided into eight teams.

While they were still reeling from pain, it was less severe than yesterday by a lot. Thus, they were able to play. Krone reminded them to use the breathing technique, it should reduce the pain and aid recovery.

And after being forced to take the figs and olive oil, they felt better.

A lot better.

From afar, the patient did not stay in bed. She walked out to the beach, a hand holding something, another hand on a building wall. Her physique seemed fine, yet her mind seemed heavy. Under such a condition, she decided to get some fresh air and sunlight.

Outside, seeing Krone with the forty youngsters, she drew near.

As they stood in formation;

“After lunch, we’ll go and travel around the beach with Air Sliding. Wear protective pads just in case. I’ll bring them later. Alright, anything to ask?”

One of them raised his hand;

“Yes, what is it?”

“Sir, this camp is just for a week. It’s already the third day. So why are we training Air Sliding again?”

“Good question. Have you ever been in a life and death battle before? Silly question,”

“…?”

“What’s most important to all of you during your next few years, would be to survive. To survive, you have to move. Move fast, move well, move on time. In the frontline, you often have to move all the time. Move, survive!”

Krone wished to train them on different Air Sliding maneuver. Thus, using them as often as possible, in different situation, was ideal.

Hearing his answer, Natalia trembled.

You must know how to move. Move fast, move well, move to survive.

She humphed, turning away.

Light shimmering her, her body’s hue blended into the surroundings. Her weak steps, going sideways towards the lower ground.

To the lagoon.

…

==== Chapter 43 ‘Care’ End ====