Her silver hair fluttered in the parched desert wind, glistening like waves kissing the shoreline.

Her bare back, riddled with scars from her nights in the torture chamber, came into view.

That back, strong yet somewhat lonely, was my compass.

I had nowhere else to go, not after I betrayed my country, my master, my family.

I could only follow that tarnished yet gleaming beacon.

But I have no regrets.

Except one.

“Where are we going? It’s all sand no matter where I look!” I said, scratching my head in exasperation.

She didn’t answer.

“C’mon, at least tell me where you’re heading?”

Her feet stopped. The footprints she left in the sand quickly disappeared with a gust.

“I can’t tell,” she said without turning around.

“Don’t get all secretive on me now, Hilde. Aren’t we travel companions?”

“No. And when will you stop following me? Creep.”

Yeah.

I was sort of a stalker.

“That kinda hurts. Can’t you at least call me by my name?”

“I can’t.”

“Why’s that?”

“I never remembered it.”

Okay, she didn’t forget my name. She actually never put it to memory. Geez, following such a woman. I must be some kinda masochist.

“It’s Kari! Ka, Ri. It’s only two syllables! Is this any way to treat the person who saved you?”

“I didn’t need saving. And I saved your life too.”

“Sparing is different from saving, you know!”

“You’re still alive because of me. What’s the difference?”

“The fact that you were the one trying to kill me! After I freed you! It’s a big difference!”

I could see her shake her head. She did that when she wanted to drop a topic.

I adjusted my grip on my bag and jogged to her side. “Can’t you at least tell me where we’re going?”

“I can’t.”

“Why’s that?”

Hilde turned to me, focusing her amethyst irises on my face. “Because I’m lost.”

She actually meant we’re lost, but being treated like air was nothing new.

“...Since when?”

Hilde blinked once but did not change her blank expression. “Since three nights ago.”

One regret? No, I had many. My lady friend here, beautiful beyond compare, was also a cold, ruthless, ruthless, yes I repeated that, soul. And she had no sense of direction.

But I had no choice but to follow her.

There was the fact that I had no home to return to.

There was the fact that I was being hunted by my countrymen.

There was the fact that she took all my food and water. And we were in the middle of a desert.

But those were only excuses.

Who was I kidding?

I loved her. That was that.

As to why, well, there was quite a story behind that.

***

I was just your average squire training to be a knight. I was also born as the only son of the most prestigious family in my country, and most people I knew hated me because of that.

Yep, I was average through and through.

Except my fighting prowess. Now that made me special enough to gather everyone’s attention.

“Look at Kari the Crybaby!” said Lisa.

“Wasn’t it Kari the Coward now?” asked Tina. “I don’t think I’ve seen him crying recently.”

“He better not,” said Annabelle, my everdearest sister. “Mother would disown him if he did that at his age.”

I glanced in their direction. A handful of giggling girls were watching my ongoing practice match from the shade of the castle wall. Their commentary was loud enough for everyone to hear.

What was I doing listening to chitchat during sparring? Well, I had a lot of mental leeway. Running did wonders to clear my head.

“Shiiiittt!!!!” I ran away with everything I had as Lucius, my sparring partner and self-proclaimed rival, chased me with a wooden sword.

“Get back here, you little..!” Lucius upped his pace.

He was a great fighter. It helped that he was the tallest among us squires, about a foot taller than me. I was no match for him, or any of the other trainees, for that matter.

“Go brother! Beat that coward to the ground!” shouted Lisa.

A symphony of “He’s so cool!” came from the choir of girls.

And he was handsome to boot.

Lisa made a mocking smile. “Not like his opponent.”

“Well, Kari isn’t bad looking,” said Tina.

“Have you gone insane?”

“If he were a girl!”

Giggling escalated to laughter.

That ticked me off. It wasn’t Lucius’s fault, but I decided to vent it out on him anyway. Time to show these girls what I was made of.

Without turning around, I dug the tip of my wooden sword into the ground and flicked it backward, tossing dirt up into the air. Lucius ran right into it and got the blinded for a moment. I used that chance to double back and swing my sword at him. Though barely able to see, Lucius still managed to meet my strike with his mock sword.

I expected that much. He wouldn’t be the star of our generation otherwise.

I released my sword the moment our weapons clashed. I wouldn’t win a contest of power with him anyway. Losing all resistance, his swing traced a wide arc, leaving his body open. I rushed forward and slammed my shoulder into his chest.

I got caught the next second.

He grabbed me by the back of my collar and easily lifted me off my feet. Anger leaked out of his strained expression. He hit my face, stunning me. Lucius was about to slam me to the ground when I heard a sharp clap.

“That’s enough!” said Richter.

Lucius lowered me to the ground. I dusted myself off and lined up with him to face Richter, my knight master.

Lisa tossed her blond curls over her shoulder. “They should call him Kari the Cheater. I can’t believe he used dirt to get the upper hand. That’s no different from slinging mud at his family’s name.”

The other girls nodded several times.

Richter crossed his arms. “Kari, I won’t scold you for what you did. In real battle, there’s no such thing as unfair or undignified. But if you’re going to resort to such tactics, you better win. Methods are further scrutinized if they don’t deliver results.”

“Yes, Master,” I said.

“Lucius, you were too careless. If Kari had a dagger at his waist, you’d already be dead. You mustn’t let your guard down just because the enemy is completely out of your league.”

Well sorry for being so weak.

Lucius nodded. “Yes, Master.”

“I’m not your master.”

“Until my father’s return, I was instructed to treat you as such.”

Usually, each squire received instruction from his master alone, but Sir Lucas, Lucius’s father, was out on a campaign at the moment. He had asked Richter to look after his son.

“...Fine. Let’s end today’s training. Kari, come to my quarters after dinner. I have something to show you.” Richter looked at both of us. “Don’t forget to clean this up.” He left the training grounds in his usual dignified gait.

Lucius glanced at the girls, or more specifically, my sister Annie. She smiled in return, causing him to shyly look away. He obviously liked her. Lucius and I had our differences, but I didn’t mind his innocent side.

He turned to me and tapped my shoulder. “That was a smart move.”

Lucius had a terrible frown on, but his words were sincere. I could tell. He was strong, handsome, and had a decent personality to boot.

I hated this guy, but I could never really hate him.

He held back when he punched me earlier, too. A swollen cheek would be the least of my worries if he hit me for real.

I made a wry smile. “I was just desperate.”

“I know.” He casually left the training grounds with Lisa.

Leaving me to tidy up the equipment by myself.

Right. I really hated him after all.

***

I made my way back to the Corvider estate, trying my best to ignore the odd looks and whispers from the people I passed. I was used to it. People loved talking behind my back because they were afraid to do anything to me openly. House Corvider wasn’t something anyone wanted to mess with.

If you asked me, I’d have preferred it if they were more upfront with the bullying. It wasn’t like they were hiding anything from me by gossiping in secret.

Because I could see everything clearly.

No, it wasn’t seeing nor hearing.

I could sense them.

Emotions.

Feelings.

Anger. Hate. Jealousy. Fear.

It coiled around everyone around me, like a boa strangling its prey.

Annabelle was no exception. Guilt hung over my sister like a wet towel as she checked on my cheek.

“Sorry, Kari.”

I gently smiled at her. “Don’t worry about it, Annie. And I can do this myself. You’ll get dirty.”

We were alone in my room. I had just gotten back from the training grounds so I was still in my dusty workout clothes.

“No.” She brushed away the dirt in my short black hair before attending to my bruise.

She wiped the area with a damp cloth. I resigned myself to her clumsy treatment that hurt more than it healed. It made her less guilty, so I decided to bear with it.

Annie gathered and tucked away the stray wavy locks sloping down her modest chest, making her work easier. Her long hazel hair was spun into a braid that reached her waist. Despite her being younger by two cycles, I was barely taller. Without any bias, I could proudly claim that only Lisa came close to my sister’s cuteness.

She applied some ointment on my face. The strong herbal smell woke me up. The wound glowed slightly and disappeared.

“This is... encantus,” I said. “Where’d you get it!?”

“I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you’d react like this. Your eyes are scary.”

Who could blame me? It was magic.

“Annie!”

“Okay, okay!” She handed me the small bottle. “The head priest stopped by this morning to speak with Mother. He left a box of various encantus as a gift.”

“Whoa.” I examined the contents, going so far as deeply inhaling its pungent odor.

Putting active spells aside, I knew very little about encantus. My studies hadn’t reached that far, and it was hard to get my hands on something of this quality. The church’s reputation was not for show.

“Please stop that.” She snatched the bottle away from me. “Why are you so obsessed with magic? Aren’t you aspiring to be a knight?”

I didn’t want to be a knight. Everyone else wanted me to.

“Don’t you think magic is amazing?”

“Sure, but it isn’t for you. Magical ability, um, what do they call it?”

“Cor.”

“Cor is inherited by blood. House Corvider has many things, but not that.”

I gave her a serious look. “I don’t think so.”

“What do you mean?” Her neat eyebrows scrunched together.

“You can’t even spell Corvider without cor.”

I joked to mislead her. Misunderstanding the touch of guilt on my face as sadness, my sister came closer.

She flicked my nose with all her might.

“Ouch! Wasn’t this supposed to be treatment?”

“It was until you decided to have pun.”

“Haha, that’s my sister.”

“That was a trap.” Annie flicked me again.

I rubbed my red nose as my shoulders jerked. Roped in, she burst out laughing with me.

After our fit died down, she held my hand. “Why did you have to be my brother?”

“Annie, I love you and all, but I don’t see you that way.”

She pinched my arm while keeping a perfect smile. “That’s not what I meant.” A shallow sigh escaped her small pink lips. “If you weren’t a Corvider, you wouldn’t have to suffer like this. I wouldn’t have to say bad things about you in front of others.”

“Well, it’s true I’m terrible with the sword, and that I’m a coward.” I chuckled.

“You’re not a coward! You’re just si-” She gasped as she caught herself.

Sick.

Broken.

Yep, that was me.

Only Annie knew.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said.

“I haven’t even apologized yet. But you knew I would. You always know too much. Feel too much.” She gripped my hand tighter.

“And that’s my own responsibility.”

“That’s ridiculous! How can you fight properly if you feel the pain of others!? Who in their right mind would go out of their way to hurt themselves!?”

My ability, my curse, was pretty convenient at times, but it prevented me from hurting other people. The feedback got stronger the closer I physically get to the person. In the spar with Lucius earlier, I could’ve kneed him in the groin when I got close. Why I didn’t do so should be obvious.

“They don’t know that.”

“Then maybe if we tell them-”

“As if anyone would believe such a dumb story. I’d become the laughingstock of Arthas. If it weren’t happening to me, I’d laugh it off too.”

There was a bigger reason to keep it a secret, but even Annie, the only person I trusted, didn’t know about it.

“...I don’t want to hurt you anymore, Kari.”

I knew that. With almost no distance between us, I could feel it no less intensely than she did.

“You have to. It’s hard enough being born as a Corvider. No need to make it harder by making everyone your enemy for my sake.”

“But you’re doing that for me.”

“I’m your brother. That’s my job.” I manufactured a smile with perfect timing. That was easy to do with my curse.

An angelic smile formed between her rosy cheeks. But that only made the weight accumulating on my chest heavier.

***

Lady Belinda Corvider, my mother, visited my room soon after Annie left.

“Karius, I heard you lost to Brent’s boy in a practice match.”

“Yes.”

But I lost to everyone’s boy. What was new?

“Rachel Brent was bragging about it during the council meeting.”

A council meeting that discussed such things was a bigger problem, but I decided to keep quiet.

“That wench is just a stand-in while Lucas is away. She’s letting the attention get to her head.”

It went without saying that I didn’t like my mother. But it beared repeating. I didn’t like my mother.

I stood in place and watched her rant about Lucius’s mother for several minutes. Mother held the highest seat in the Arthas council, but that didn’t mean she could just dismiss anyone she didn’t like.

“Anyway,” she said, “get your act together. I spent a lot of coins and favors to get Sir Richter to teach you.”

Yeah, I got targeted by Lucius thanks to that. Thank you so very much, Mother Dearest.

She sighed. “Instead of cooping yourself up in the basement with your books, get some sword training when your master has some free time.”

Even without my ability, her true motive for pushing me to knighthood was plain as day. It was all just so stupid.

Seeing my stern expression, she changed her tone. “You’re your father’s son. You’ll definitely become a great warrior and leader. Only you can inherit his name. Do your best to make him proud.”

She was lying.

It was a spiel she commonly used when lecturing me. She did not believe in my potential. She did not care about my future. Lady Belinda Corvider’s main concerns were her image and influence.

“Yes, Mother. I understand.”

“Good. Dinner's ready. Come to the dining room after you tidy yourself up.”

***

“You’re late, Karius,” said Mother.

“Apologies.”

I noticed a new face beside Mother. No, we’d met once before. The head priest was garbed in a white robe, a golden necklace decorating his lilac collar. His slightly wrinkled, clean-shaven face formed a kind smile as we exchanged greetings.

I took a seat beside Annie at the ornate round table on the second floor. It was rather small compared to the rectangular one in the main dining room, but I preferred it because I didn’t need to raise my voice when speaking.

Mother sent me a scolding look. “What were you doing?”

“I was just tidying up some books.”

“Figures. You and your magic books.”

“You have an interest in magic?” asked the head priest.

Mother answered for me. “More than a future knight should. He’s always buried in old books and scrolls.”

The high priest nodded twice. “That’s commendable. I’m impressed you’re able to understand the language and concepts at your age. Who taught you?”

“I studied by myself.”

“Impressive.” He nodded.

“It’s more of a hobby, Lord Theus,” said Mother. “Our line doesn’t have cor.”

“I see.” He turned to me. “Don’t let that discourage you. Knowledge of magical arts is useful even if you can’t weave magic yourself. Encantus is one example.”

I made a small bow. “Speaking of which, thank you for the generous gift. I’ve already used one of the potions to treat a minor wound.”

“Don’t mention it. Feel free to ask me anything about magic. I’m happy to help anyone who has taken an interest in my field.”

Annie fidgeted and snuck a peek at Theus. She took a deep breath, as if gathering her courage. “Is there another way to get cor?”

She was asking for my sake. My lie had compelled her to.

The high priest made a slightly regretful expression. “Unfortunately, no. Cor has always been passed down from parent to child. It can’t be acquired through training. Think of it more as an inborn trait, like your beautiful hair color.”

“Is it true a person can only use one or two types of magic?” I asked, mostly to continue the conversation. I probably knew the answer to this better than he did.

“Yes. Emotions determine the degree and kind of phenomena alteration possible.”

“But don’t all people carry many different emotions? Depending on the situation, for example.”

“Theoretically, one can use many different types of magic, but without a firm grasp of the emotion related to the magic’s nature, the alteration degree would be severely limited, making it impractical. Powerful emotions are rooted in one’s personality and beliefs. Those don’t change so easily.”

“I have a question too,” said Annie.

We all looked at her.

“We are still speaking in the common tongue, right?” she asked.

Everyone laughed.

Soon after, the maids brought out the meal. Roasted pigeon and dried fruits filled the main platter. Sliced venison coated with herb jam lay on a bed of dark green and purple leaves. Nut-studded bread and goat cheese was served on the side. Our metal cups were filled to the brim with sweet fruit juice.

Small talk continued throughout lunch. Everything appeared normal on the surface, but I felt an odd atmosphere between Mother and the high priest. I focused my senses on Theus.

Lust.

I inwardly sighed. This wasn’t the first time, so I was used to it.

Mother’s ambitions knew no bounds. She probably invited me and Annie to lunch in order to prevent rumors of her illicit affairs from spreading. To Lady Corvider, her children were just tools, but no one was the wiser. If it weren’t for my ability, I’d be in the dark too. The woman lied as easily as she breathed.

Just like me.

***

After dinner, I visited the ecus stables on my way to Richter’s quarters. I filled a basket with dried meat and headed to Sabre’s stall.

With a smile, I watched Sabre gobble up the food I put on the feeding tray. “You’re such a glutton.”

She neighed in complaint.

I laughed. “Sorry, sorry. Don’t bite my hair from behind like last time, okay?”

Ecus teeth were much sharper than that of a work horse. It was rather common to mistake one animal for the other, but I could immediately tell. Sabre’s surprise haircut had made sure of that.

Aside from minor differences in appearance, ecus were much faster than normal steeds, and Sabre was special even among those. I might’ve been horrible with a sword, but I was unmatched at handling Sabre. I still held the record for the most quarry in a single hunting trip because of her, though some of that might be due to my skill with a bow.

Too bad marksmanship was hardly considered when judging knights, but what could you do?

I reached over the wooden door separating us and ruffled Sabre’s blond forelock, which seemed to glow against her milky white fur. She rubbed her nose on my cheek in return.

I loved taking care of ecus. Unlike people, they acted how they felt. It was easier than dealing with liars. Humans were two-faced. I was no exception.

“Kari,” said Richter.

I didn’t hear him coming. Despite his large size, he moved as silently as a cat. But I sensed him and his curiousity long before he spoke to me.

I turned around to face him. “Sorry Master. Did I keep you waiting?”

“No, I just saw you on the way back to my quarters. Talking to the ecus again?”

“They don’t really understand words. They read my movements, voice, and eyes. I sometimes think they can even read emotions.”

“That’s possible. Animals have keen senses.” He gazed at me with a raised brow. “I’m actually interested in how you understand them.”

Sweat leaked from my palms. “I wouldn’t say I understand them. I just guess.”

“A perfectly accurate guess is no different from truth. I guess it’s because of that peculiar sensitivity of yours.”

Richter already had a vague idea about my condition. It was only natural after seeing me spar, more specifically lose, all the time.

“I don’t think so. I just got used to the signs after being around them long enough. Ecus are very expressive animals. People just don’t pay them enough attention.”

“I see.” He nodded, satisfied.

“You believe me?”

“You’re the only one who managed to tame Sabre. All the other stablehands were at a loss on how to deal with her. A few almost died from her antics. How can I not believe you?” He placed his fingers on his short beard. “Or are you lying?”

“No.”

He donned a smile. “You’re nothing like your father.”

“...I know.”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not belittling you. You were still young when he crossed over, so you didn’t know what he was like. Everyone sang his praises, but to his friends, Kardus was nothing but a hothead. He reminds me of Lucius, actually. A real straight arrow.”

“I don’t understand.”

“He was a poor liar. Strong enough that he didn’t need to be good at it.”

A bead of sweat rolled down my cheek. I wondered how much he knew about me.

“But you’re different, Kari. You know your shortcomings and work around them. Wit is just as important as might. To be honest, I think you would’ve been a better mage than a knight.”

I absolutely agreed. He was right. How could I not?

He patted my shoulder twice with his large calloused hand. “Well, fixing your weaknesses is also a way to get stronger, and that’s your assignment for today. Come to my room after you finish up here.”

I nodded. “Yes, Master.”

***

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!” shouted Richter. He slammed his burly fist into a girl’s delicate cheek.

The rusty chains binding her wrists and ankles jangled as she fell to the floor. Her silver hair sprawled on the grimy ground, mingling with blood and spit.

I felt the urge to step forward and stop him but managed to control myself. It wasn’t my place.

After I came to his room, Richter took me to the dungeon to witness the interrogation of a Valmaz prisoner.

Richter gripped a chunk of her hair and yanked her to her feet. “Now talk.”

The prisoner kept her lips pressed tight and glared at him. She looked no older than twenty, but there was an odd maturity about her. Her tattered clothes barely covered her trimmed body. Her curves escaped from the gaps.

“Still acting tough eh? Not bad for a barbarian. No wonder Evan had trouble with you.”

I heard Evan, the warden, snort from behind the thick wooden door of the holding cell.

I understood the need for the interrogation. She was a prisoner of war. This was normal.

That didn’t mean I was fine with it. But I had to watch. That was why I was here.

“Take a good look, Kari.”

I flinched from Richter’s call.

He turned to me with a smile. I instantly understood how he felt. He was elated from shaming and hurting the enemy. It disgusted me.

Richter sighed after seeing my twitching face. “I know you’re squeamish, but try to endure it. Lady Belinda is expecting a lot from you. You have to get used to violence. I know you’ve been holding back during your spars. I’m not expecting you to beat Lucius, but you’re not bad enough to be at the very bottom.”

It was a ridiculous misunderstanding. I had no problems with violence as long as I wasn’t forced to feel the results myself.

“But I-”

“No buts.”

I did my best to shut down my senses to avoid feeling her pain. I clenched my teeth and winced as I failed to do so.

Richter shook his head. “You can just watch tonight, but next time, you’ll get your hands dirty. Being a knight sounds prestigious, but at the end of the day, we’re masters of brute force.” He turned to the prisoner.

She glared daggers at him. The fire in her eyes had not weakened one bit.

“You could learn a thing or two from this savage.” He chuckled.

I unconsciously focused on the girl.

Beautiful.

Speckles of blood tainted the pale skin on her face, but that did nothing to change my opinion. Her blazing amethyst eyes stared into mine.

I could feel her determination flooding into me. Pride radiated from every inch of her, burning me alive.

She was chained, battered, and bleeding. But despite having practically nothing else, she had an unshakable dignity. Not the mask my mother wore, not the trophy Lucius longed for, not the dream I pretended not to care about.

True dignity.

It reminded me that I existed beyond the name Corvider and everything chained to it.

How could I not fall in love after having such an unforgettable first meeting?

Richter sank his fist into her gut. My dinner bubbled up to my throat, tempting me to spill everything on the floor.

But I reined it in. I didn’t have time for that.

It was ridiculous how it happened, but I had fallen for this girl.

I’d liked other girls before. Lisa was part of my dark history. That bitch.

But this girl, this feeling, was different.

And someone was beating her in front of me.

Even if I begged Richter to stop now, her torture would only continue the next day, and the day after that. Her pride would not break from it, but that only meant she would suffer horribly until she died.

I had a choice.

I could save her and let her escape. That meant betraying everyone I knew. Assuming I didn’t get caught, I’d have to leave everything behind: My hometown, sister, knight master, fellow squires who belittled me, childhood friends who laughed at me, slut of a mother who only cared about power, one-track path towards becoming a pathetic knight who couldn’t fight.

On the other hand, I could forget about what I saw tonight and abandon that silver-haired beauty-

Scratch that.

I didn’t have a choice.

I closed my eyes and focused my senses on Evan, who was still waiting outside the room.

Sloth.

I couldn’t blame him. Who’d want to guard the door this late at night? It might not be the best mindset for a warden, but it was convenient for me.

Channel.

I funneled his indolence into myself. A surge of laziness assailed me, sapping my energy. I felt tempted to just abandon what I was about to do, but I controlled it with my words.

Weave.

“Light withers and sounds fade. No soul escapes the shade.”

The lethargy polluting my body converged near my chest. I split it into two, forming an image of two orbs in my head.

Richter noticed my mumbling. “Kari? Are you okay?”

Ignoring his question, I directed the energy to him and Evan.

Target.

He noticed the phenomenon alteration happening around me. I tried to keep it subtle, but the best knight in Arthas wouldn’t be fooled by something like this.

“This is… magic!? What are you doing!?” He rushed towards me, reaching out with his large right hand.

But he was too late.

Execute.

“Somnus.”

Richter fell. His forward momentum caused him to stumble and land on my feet, unconscious. Even the strongest knight was no match for a sneak attack coming from his squire. I heard snoring outside the door. I was a bit worried because I’d never tried using a sleep spell through a physical barrier before. The spell had knocked Evan out just fine, not that it needed to do much in his case. Lazy bum.

I glanced at Richter’s face. It seemed like even he, who was quite close to Mother, didn’t know about my birth. Mother was probably the only one who knew. I only found out because I could see through her lies. It was a secret that could bring down the Corvider house if it got out because I was the heir to the name. At least that was what people believed.

But I wasn’t my father’s child.

Naturally, I inherited none of his godly sword skill.

Instead, I had cor.

Annie believed that my sensitivity to emotions was an illness. I did too, until I learned more about magic from the rare books I gathered. It was probably the only time I felt thankful for being born in the rich Corvider house.

Some bloodlines possessed curses called anima. It was inherited, just like cor. That was when I realized I could wield magic just fine. No, not just fine. My anima allowed me to go beyond that. I spent my free time practicing in my room or the basement. Reading. Practicing. Reading. Practicing. I couldn’t blame Mother for complaining that I was half-assing sword training. I really was.

Channel.

I tapped into the silver-haired girl’s rage and directed the phenomenon alteration at her chains. I didn’t need chants for simple things like this.

“Ignis.”

A single link on each chain restraining her wrists and ankles glowed bright red. Her weight caused the heated metal to warp and break. I rushed forward to catch her as she fell forward. I felt her soft breasts change shape as they pressed on my shoulder. Just as planned.

She kneed my balls.

“Shiiiittttttt!”

I fell to my knees. She shoved me backward, causing me to fall on my back. She took Richter’s shortsword and hobbled out of the room. I couldn’t do anything but watch her from the floor, twitching in pain.

She was weak and injured from the torture. There was no way she could escape by herself. After taking several deep breaths, I gritted my teeth and got up.

I had to save her.

With a hand on the wall for support, I left the room, skipping over the sleeping warden. I saw the girl’s footprints, made of blood and dirt, disappear in the direction of the main stairwell. Having slightly recovered from the low blow, I chased after her. I bounded up the stairs and reached the lobby.

A red fountain.

That was what it looked like.

Her silver hair blooming like a firework, the girl spun around while tracing a circular pattern with her short-sword. Blood sprayed around her as two guards fell, their necks slit open. Two more men raised their swords and rushed her from behind. She dodged the first by gently swaying her body and stabbed him in the stomach. He vomited blood on her shoulder, but her blank expression didn’t change at all.

The remaining guard screamed as he swung his sword down. In a single fluid motion, she pulled out the dagger sheathed on the skewered man’s hip, parried the enemy’s sword, and stabbed the dagger into his eye.

She simultaneously pulled out her weapons from the two victims. The bloodstained steel looked even redder from the orange glow of the torches lining the brick walls.

Luckily, I was far enough to avoid any significant feedback caused by my anima. It was the first time I’d seen a person die, so I felt a little squeamish. But I couldn’t let that bother me right now.

The emergency bell echoed throughout the castle. Without noticing me, she dashed out of the large main doors.

She could handle the guards on her own, but knights or acolytes were a different issue. I had to get her out of the city before reinforcements arrived. I wouldn’t be able to catch up to her speed on foot, so I decided to get Sabre. We needed a mount to escape the pursuers anyway.

I took the courtyard exit and headed for the stables. As I was putting a saddle on Sabre, Lucius arrived. He was carrying his sword, as expected of the most promising squire.

“Kari? Did you come here to help with the emergency too?”

“No, I kinda caused the emergency.” I climbed up on Sabre.

“This is no time for jokes!” He grabbed my stirrup.

Fear.

Even an excellent fighter was scared at times like these. It was understandable. Like me, he was only sixteen with no real battle experience. I didn’t mind his childish side, but I had not time for it.

Channel.

Cancel Weave.

Target. Right hand.

Execute.

“Glacies.”

Ice crystals formed on his right hand.

“Whaaaaaaa!!?” He stumbled backward in shock.

“Let’s go, Sabre.”

Sabre pushed open the stall door and galloped out of the stables.

Explosions echoed in the distance.

Acolytes.

I guided Sabre towards the sounds. We dove into the sea of trees on the south side of the castle. The occasional explosion grew louder and louder. Before we entered a clearing, I felt the air heat up and pulled on Sabre’s reins. I hugged her neck to not get thrown forward from the sudden stop.

A blazing orange sphere zipped by in front of us and razed a tree.

Sabre stood on her hind legs in surprise. I gently called out to her while keeping myself on the saddle. After she calmed down, we advanced a few steps and turned to the source of the fireball.

Standing in the middle of the clearing, the prisoner was surrounded by enemies. She still wielded the weapons from earlier, the sword in her right hand and the dagger in her left. Several Acolytes sang hymns from a distance, most of them on tree branches, while three spearmen kept her at bay.

Her shoulders were heaving, and fatigue clearly showed on her pained face.

The first spearman thrust his weapon towards her abdomen, but she twirled around to evade it. The spearhead tore off some of her already tattered clothes. Keeping her momentum, she spun once more while shortening the distance between them and extended her sword. The tip of her short-sword jammed into the spearman’s skull.

She released her sword and bit her dagger to free up both hands. She then snatched the spear from the dead enemy and swung it to parry the attacks of the remaining spearmen. Riding the momentum from the weapon clash, she carved an arc in the air and swept the legs of both enemies.

The fugitive dodged a fireball, which fell on the two spearmen on the ground, burning them alive. She threw her spear towards a tree with an acolyte on its branch. The spearhead stabbed deeply into the tree trunk, startling the mage and resetting his chant. She then dashed towards the tree, jumped up, and grabbed onto the spear. With both hands wrapped around the pole, she rapidly pulled herself upward and used the pole as a spring to hop on the branch where the acolyte stood.

Her dagger swiftly dyed the mage’s white robe bright red. She leapt to an adjacent tree as the acolyte’s corpse fell to the grass below.

I sensed peaking hostility from an acolyte. This meant that he was about to finish a major spell. The prisoner didn’t notice him because he was in her blind spot.

I galloped to the tree where the enemy was. “Sabre!”

With both hind legs, she unleashed a powerful kick on the tree’s trunk, shaking it. The acolyte lost balance and fell to the ground.

A proud neigh shot out of Sabre’s nose. I couldn’t find a better partner.

Three more acolytes remained.

The naked girl traversed the lush branches, moving from one tree to the next. She closed in on one of the acolytes and swung her dagger, but her foot was caught by a vine before her blade could reach. Losing her footing, she tumbled down and slammed to the ground. The vine continued to wrap itself up and around her leg.

It was Viridi.

One of the acolytes restrained her with plant magic. She desperately sliced the coils way, but they persistently regrew, choking her limbs. The skin on her thighs grew bright red from the pressure. Soon, her wrists were also bound by more greenery.

Excitement.

Of course the acolyte was excited. He managed to trap such a powerful enemy.

“Fulgur!”

I rushed all the processes, but the chain lightning still paralyzed two acolytes, including the one feeding mana to the vines.

I felt intense heat from my back. Sabre veered to the side, but the tail of the fireball still caught my left arm. I fell to the ground and got the wind knocked out of me. Luckily, the tumble put out my burning sleeve.

I struggled to my feet and saw the prisoner just a few feet away from me. Blood dripping down her chin, she sank her teeth into the vine on her wrist and ripped it off. With her freed right hand, she cut away the vines binding her limbs. She threw her dagger as soon as she got up, hitting the last acolyte in the chest.

It was over.

She stood up, her legs shaky. Wiping the blood on her lips, she looked at me.

The tension that had left my body began returning for a different reason. Was this the part where I get a kiss as thanks?

A fireball fell on her.

She rolled to the side in the nick of time, but the flames razed her left leg, burning away skin and flesh.

I could sense two groups of people approaching us from both sides. They were probably knights and acolytes among them. The sound of hooves quickly came closer.

The girl’s blood-curdling scream woke me up from my stupor.

She wasn’t crying out in pain but frustration. She had come so far only to be captured again. It was impossible to escape with her burned lower leg. Weeping, she slammed her fists on the ground in mortification.

Wrath.

I didn’t need to channel this emotion. Because it came from me. And it was directed at myself.

I lowered my guard, thinking the battle was over. I could’ve sensed the enemies coming if I had been more alert. It was difficult to reduce the range of my anima, making melee combat impossible for me. But expanding it was easy, almost natural.

“Return vengeance tenfold. Punishment for the bold.”

Amplify.

I hated doing this process. It caused an emotion to multiply exponentially inside me, eating through my small mana stores in an instant.

Amplify.

Not only that, the rage accumulating threatened to make me lose my mind. It was a stupid thing to do.

Amplify. Amplify. Amplify.

But I was very angry. At myself, yeah. But I wasn’t about to commit suicide.

Amplify. Amplify. Amplify. Amplify. Amplify. Amplify. Amplify. Amplify. Amplify.

So I decided to take it out on everyone else.

Target.

Establish exceptions: The girl, Sabre, myself.

Rage consumed me. Nothing but release mattered at this point.

“Infernus!!!”

Hellfire sprouted from nothing and consumed the approaching enemies. Shadows writhed in agony against the backdrop of white flame. Shrill screams served as music to the brutal scene. The fire quickly spread through the trees and surrounded the clearing.

Sapped of mana, I fell where I stood.

I twisted my neck in search of the girl’s figure. She crawled on the ground, desperate to escape the tightening ring of fire.

I screwed up. I lost control. With her leg injured, she wouldn’t be able to stand, much less escape from this hell. Had I done all that for nothing? Would I be the one to kill her?

No.

At the very least, I had to save her.

Love.

“My life... for yours.”

Saying something like that was embarrassing as hell, but that feeling further strengthened the spell.

Target. Her.

I squeezed out the last ounce of mana in my body.

“Cura.”

Her blackened limb quivered to life. Supple flesh began to replace the charred ones until it was fully healed.

Confused by the sudden regeneration, she looked around, her eyes eventually landing on me.

Everything around me slowly went dark. I had used up all my mana. Even if the fire didn’t kill me, I’d probably die from the energy drain.

The prisoner grabbed a dagger from the ground and walked over to me. She leaned over me, her silver locks draping over and caressing my face. Her amethyst eyes burned more brilliantly than the flames around us.

Then she pressed the blade of her dagger against my throat and began cutting.

I was from an enemy country after all.

I closed my eyes not caring about tomorrow.

All I felt was satisfaction from having loved and lost.