Chapter 8: Monster attack.

Day 4, part 1.

Waking up to the sun's first rays, I stretch my sore and aching body for a few minutes as I laze around in bed.

After slowly, deliberately and ever so gently streching my sore muscles and grimacing at the pain and uncomfort I then tentatively get out of bed in the least painful way I can; by tipping over the edge.

Getting a foot under me as I start falling I manage to avoid falling on my face. Ha! Ray - 1, floor - 0.

Grimacing at the pain of my sore muscles getting forced to support my bodyweight, I let out air slowly through clenched teeth as I power through the pain and uncomfort and straighten my body to stand up right and proper.

While my sore and aching body is protesting my every movement, I slowly put on my training gear with stiff movements.

With training gear on and bag over my shoulder, I slowly make my way down the stairs while grimacing and grunting with every painful step down.

Finally down on the first floor, I take a quick glance around. People have just begun to amass, so it seems I'm a bit early and should be able to have a nice, long breakfast, at least.

‘Hey, that's at least.' I muse as I look over what today's breakfast is. 'Now here's hoping it doesn't chang...’

“Good morning Ray!” A cheerful girl's voice sounds from my right which brings me out of my thoughts.

Turning to face the speaker, I smile at her. “Good morning, Kei.”

Giving her a quick look over, she looks lovely in her knee length beige dress which accentuates the contrast between her jet black eyes and hair, and her silky white skin.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a bit of bandage on her left leg, the edge showing right under the edge of her dress. “I haven't seen you around in a few days. Been busy?” I ask as I look her in the eyes and smile.

Squirming slightly she blushes slightly and looks bashful. “Yeah… I got a little hurt while I was out collecting alchemy ingredients in the forest with my classmates.” waving her hands dismissively, she continues; “Don't worry though, I'm fine. It was just a scratch, really.” She says and smiles reassuringly.

A moment later, she continues after sighing: “Mom even made me go to the healer to have it checked, and then told me to rest for a few days.” Shaking her head weakly she continues; “She worries too much, it was just a bunnycorn that got scared when I got too close.”

‘Bunnycorn huh… like a bunny version of a unicorn? a bunny with a horn? That's a strange thought...’ I ponder as another sudden voice startles me.

This time, from behind.

“Ray! I can't believe you! You had me in your bed last night and first thing in the morning you're already pawing at another girl? Unbelievable.” Eri says in a mock exasperated voice.

For a moment, all thought stops as I'm hit with those words; I notice Kei also stiffens at the words.

The moment however quickly passes as I breathe a heavy sigh and turn my head towards the trouble maker; Looking over my shoulder, there stands my main source of worry, with her father being a close second place; Eri von Deus.

Sighing once again, I turn back towards Kei. Following that twisted yet not untruthful statement, Kei looks between me and Eri and quickly takes 2 steps away from me and bows to Eri in a hurry. “M, miss von Deus, I, I didn't know you were involved with each other, I swear!” she says as panic starts practically radiating from her.

Looking over my shoulder at Eri, I sigh and shake my head. “I would appreciate it if you didn't say such easily misunderstood things in public. It's not funny, and I have quite enough problems to deal with as it is.” I say disapprovingly as I scowl at Eri and then look back at Kei.

“Don't listen to her Kei, I just had a talk with her father last night, using her communication ring.” I say and glance back at Eri, who is utterly unaffected by my scowling and is smiling amusedly to herself.

Shaking my head exasperatedly I continue explaining: “She, quite rudely I may add, simply charged into my room and promptly appropriated my bed while I was talking with her father through the communication ring, nothing more, nothing less.” I explain to Kei and give her a reassuring smile.

With my piece said, she relaxes visibly. Only to stiffen a moment later, looking over to and locking eyes with Eri while wearing an unreadable smile. At least it looks like a smile; is that a smile?

Eri also has a loose smile on her face; her eyes however aren't smiling.

'What is happening here...?' I ask myself as I quietly observe the staring match that is under way.

The moment stretches on uncomfortably, and after a few moments I turn away and look towards the table with all the food laid out. It's looking mighty fine right about now.

“I need to hurry up and eat my breakfast, or I won't make it to training on time.” I say and turn towards Kei. I give her a smile and say; “I'll see you later Kei. Do try to rest whenever you can, ok? It's never good to aggravate wounds, no matter how small.”

Blushing slightly she stammers a “S- Sure.” while looking bashful.

Smiling and nodding to Kei, I turn and start walking towards the breakfast table to grab some food, however a quick backwards glance reveals that Eri is still staring at Kei.

Sighing, I call to her over my shoulder while I continue walking away: "Miss van Deus, I do believe you wanted something from me?"

A moment after I arrive at the breakfast buffet table; having already snatched a tray as I passed the tray pile, I notice Eri has followed me.

Having grabbed my usual meat pie, a few side dishes and some kind of juice that tastes kind of like mango mixed with grapes, I walk away towards my usual table.

Sitting down at my usual table while wondering why it is that this table is always open, I am joined a few moments later by Eri.

Putting the thought out of mind, I instead start eating, savoring the rich, deep and sometimes unfamiliar flavors. This continues in silence for a good while as I leasuraly eat my breakfast.

'It really is bothering me though... Why is only this table ever open? Now that I've had some time to watch everyone move around here, it's obvious everyone is pointedly avoiding this table...' As I ponder this question my eyes fall on Eri. Is it because of her?

Not finding any other plausible reason, I decide to just ask Eri and make sure. “Why is it that no one uses this table?”

“Because it is my personal table.” she says simply as she finishes chewing her food, and gives me a pointed look. “I believe I told you so the first time we met. Or have you already forgotten?” Eri says with a hint of exasperagasm in her voice.

Feeling my cheeks start burning slightly, I try to keep a neutral face. “Oh? Did that happen? I seem to have forgotten all about it.” I say, trying to keep as a neutral face and voice as possible.

Suddenly finding the food extremely interesting, I refocus my sight on my food, the burning in my cheeks revealing that I am probably not managing as well as I would have liked to.

A few minutes of quiet eating ensued.

“So, Ray. Do you have any plans for the evening?” Eri asks me suddenly.

Looking up slowly from my food, I deliberately chew my food slowly as I ponder her intent. After a moment of thought, with no obvious traps coming to mind, I hesitantly reply with: “Not at the moment, no... Once training is over my plan is to come straight back here to eat, wash off and promptly go to bed.” I finish as I try to get a read on her.

She simply smiles at me and says: "I was simply thinking that we could get to know each other better, since I believe we will be working together for quite some time to come."

'Nope! Nuuh, not happening!'

Staring blankly at her, I reply woodenly with: "Yeah, no. I need what little sleep I can get at the moment, thank you very much. Perhaps another time." and then refocus on the last of my heavenly deliciously meat pie.

A minute of silence followed. Which I ignored in favour of the surrounding muted conversations and clattering of utensils against plates.

To our right sits 4 burly looking men, all wearing tough looking leather and chainmail armor. 'Adventurer's perhaps? Or some kind of guards?' I ponder absently as I listen in on their conversation.

“I heard Bal is on the offensive against Drea again.” one of them says, a dirty blond man with a rather long and unkempt beard.

“So there should be opportunities for us to make some coins there... “ another one muses aloud. This one being bald with a long, braided red beard. If he wasn't so tall he could maybe even pass as a dwarf, as he's built like a brick house.

“If we can survive long enough to get paid, sure…” says a third man sarcastically. This one cleanly shaved, with short brown hair.

Falling silent, they all turn to look at the last man; a behemoth of a man, tall and with more muscles than should be possible, by all right.

A moment of silence passes as the man is seemingly lost in thought. As the moment passes, he starts speaking in a deep bass voice: “We won't go join the war.”

After looking at each of his companions, he continues: “The wild bulls will not go and die a fool's death. Not while I still draw breath.” He says and notices me looking over at them.

Looking away as nonchalantly as I can manage, I focus my attention back on my food.

‘War huh… I need to keep away from that.’ I note to myself. ‘Bal and Drea huh. If I remember correctly, they are west, respectively east of the country I am currently in...’ I ponder. ‘I hope they don't meet halfway and start fighting anywhere close to here...That would make my life infinitely more problematic for sure.’

My musing is suddenly interrupted by Eri clearing their throat pointedly.

Waiting until I look up at her, Eri says. “It is unfortunate, but understandable that you are still adjusting to the training.” she says and looks over towards the group of armed and armoured men before refocusing on me. “I remember the training was very draining in the beginning for me too.” she says and gives me a complicated smile. "But it gets... easier, eventually." She says as her gaze takes on a far away look, where she is not seeing what is in front of her.

A moment passes in silence as she processes whatever memory she is reliving. Just as suddenly she snaps out of it and regains her vigour and says: “Well then, how about this weekend then? You have no training on the weekends." She says and quickly adds a pointed "I checked."

Thinking for a few seconds if I have anything specific I need to do, I come up with a few errands but it's not enough to be able to convince her I can't meet her. I really don't want to spend my free time with this devious and quite frankly dangerous girl though...

“I don't believe I have any pressing issues to handle, except for resting and getting some basic supplies...” I say after chewing the last bit of meat pie. Taking a drink of my mug, I swallow and continue: “However, I'd much rather rest or go explore the city before I do anything else though.”

“We still need to do your… uhm...evaluation” Eri replies suggestively.

Sighing, I shake my head slowly. “You're just going to have someone beat me up to see how much I can take, aren't you?”

Eri’s ever so slightly flinching eyebrow give her true intentions away.

'Bullseye. That settles it, this girl is just out for revenge for me humiliating her before her father. And the inn, I guess; I did run away when she was making that scene, too.'

A split second later she adopts a smile that falls just short of a true smile. “Whatever do you mean?” she says, a fake smile in place.

Staring at her pointedly for a moment I decide to just come out and say it. I don't like her, she doesn't like me. There's no point in acting otherwise. “I know you still have something against me.” I say seriously while I look her in the eyes. Sighing, I continue: “It's pretty obvious you're forcing yourself to act the way you are, and it's just tiring for both of us. Stop it.” I say decisively.

Pausing a moment to let it sink in; I continue: “If you have a problem with me, then I'd rather you just say so to my face, then beating about the bush.”

“...I see” she replies, letting her facade crumble away.

I am met with a burning gaze of anger and indignation.

“You do not deserve the honours that are given to you. What have you done to prove yourself?!” She exclaims loudly while glaring at me, baring her teeth. “Nothing! You have done nothing!! You haven't fought against monsters! You haven't fought in wars! What have you done that deserves recognition?!” she says heatedly, almost shouting by the end.

Out of breath, she takes a moment to calm her erratic breathing.

Once she has calmed her breathing she stands up, glares at me and says: “Good day.” and promptly turns and leaves.

'So she's just a spoiled little girl after all. That's a relief, I don't know what I'd do if she was a cult lunatic out to set the dark God free or something... Spoiled little girl I can handle, at least.' I think as I watch Eri storm away from the dining room.

As she leaves my sight, I sigh deeply and look around apologetically at the surrounding people and offer a quiet “Sorry.”

I then quickly finish the remainder of my side dishes and chugging the last of the water, I quickly slink away from the dining room to avoid everyone's gazes.

----------------+×÷

After safely arriving at the training hall, I spend the morning training with the short, red headed girl; who's name I learned is Aya.

Even though she is lithe and fairly short, she sure isn't weak. At all.

A fact she has proved to me on a number of occasions already by absolutely whooping my ass while we were sparing. Where all that strength and power is coming from, I have no idea, but whatever she did to get that strong I want to learn. Just... Would be nice to not keep getting the living sh!t beaten out of me again and again...

She doesn't speak much with me if she can help it and keeps her distance and is pretty cold to me.

Not sure why, I don't think I've done anything to her, or anyone really. Maybe she still has a bad impression of me from the first day of training? Or perhaps she simply doesn't like me. That's life sometimes. Well It's all the same result at the end of the day, I guess.

My obvious dislike aside, the training was coming along relatively fine when…

“Monsters!! Monster attack incoming!!!”

End of chapter 8.