188 Chapter ***
Aron's wide eyes darted between the three figures within the store, his mind struggling to process the chaotic scene before him. Ren's lifeless form sprawled on the blood-stained floor, the mysterious robed man, and the enigmatic beast left him in a state of bewildered confusion. It was as though he had walked into a murder scene, an inexplicable tableau of chaos.
"What is happening here?" Aron's voice trembled with a mix of concern and curiosity, his gaze shifting between the unsettling sights before him.
...
Falco, hearing Aron's question, turned to face the prince. With a swift movement, he removed his robe, revealing an entirely different face—an older, freckled visage that
"Silas?"Aron recognized from their earlier encounter in dealing with the broker and the Simurgh.
"Oh... sir, sorry for subjecting you to such a sight," Falco's voice took on a hoarse tone as he apologized for the gruesome scene that had unfolded.
"No... but why is that boy here?" Aron questioned as he discreetly stepped back, trying to remain unnoticed by the others.
"Oh, this guy... he tried to intrude into the store, so I - um, took some measures to prevent it, but he's alive... somehow," Falco muttered the last word under his breath, as not even he could understand why Ren hadn't died.
Clack*
A sound came from the beast's side, as if its legs had given out upon hearing that.
'Is it relieved that its master is alive?' With each passing second, Falco grew more and more curious about this creature, unlike anything he had encountered before.
"You know him?" Falco asked Aron, noticing the prince's continuous gaze fixed on Ren, who, for some reason, wasn't moving again. He had only moved for a second to utter a few words before falling silent.
The azure light had also faded, and Falco hadn't received any further divine messages after that two-word communication.
"Yeah," Aron hesitated for a second but then immediately responded.
"Then that's great! He's still alive! You should get him to a healer," Falco exclaimed, clapping his hands. He turned around and walked toward Ren.
*Grr*
However, the creature emitted a low growl, but before squatting down, Falco spoke loudly, "I will hand him over so you can take him somewhere safe."
Upon hearing those words, the creature, seemed to ease up a bit.
"Me?" Aron asked, appearing baffled by the suggestion.
"Yeah, you, as you are the only one who knows this... boy," Falco replied, approaching Ren's lifeless body with cautious steps. He examined the wound he had inflicted earlier, a perplexed expression crossing his features. There was something unusual about the azure energy that hummed around the injury.
"Sir, do you know of any healers nearby?" Falco inquired as he carefully lifted Ren's body.
Aron nodded, his eyes still darting between the peculiar creature and Ren. "Yes, there's a skilled healer not far from here."
Falco continued to hold Ren and observed his breathing. He couldn't shake the strange feeling he got from the human boy.
"Ugh," Falco grunted, shifting his gaze to the side, but the creature was nowhere to be seen. Falco was puzzled, as he hadn't noticed it moving at all.
"Where's the beast?" Aron questioned, following Falco's eyes.
"Vanished," Falco replied, then handed Ren over to Aron. "This guy's bigger than you, so make sure his feet don't drag on the ground... and sorry about the bloodstains," Falco said nonchalantly.
"Tch," Aron clicked his tongue but didn't retort. Instead, he carefully lifted Ren onto his shoulder, not minding the blood that flowed from Ren's wound and stained Aron's expensive royal clothing.
With Ren now in Aron's care, Falco glanced around the Herbal Emporium, taking in the aftermath of the unusual encounter. The once peaceful store was now marked by chaos, with damaged wooden panels, scattered herbs, and remnants of the intense struggle that had occurred moments ago.
Falco couldn't help but wonder about the strange creature he had encountered. It had displayed remarkable abilities, disappearing into shadows and displaying raw power beyond what he had ever witnessed in a mortal realm beast.
Aron, despite his initial shock, managed to maintain his composure as he cradled Ren. "I'll take him to the healer," he said firmly.
Falco nodded. "Good. Make sure he gets the care he needs."
As Aron started to leave the Herbal Emporium, Falco's gaze returned to the spot where the creature had vanished. There were still many unanswered questions lingering in his mind, and he couldn't help but feel that this encounter was far from ordinary.
"It looks like my father had some reason to send me here," he murmured to himself, deep in thought. Falco took a deep breath and began to assess the damage within the store. Splintered wood, remnants of the intense struggle, and the lingering aura of magic were all part of the aftermath that needed his attention.
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[Aron Adiel Velcrow's POV]
I sighed, unsure of what had transpired here. My original intention was to visit the Simurgh, but instead, I stumbled upon this scene. An academy student had been attacked – well, he's still alive, I guess.
Glancing at the boy on my shoulder, I noted that he was somewhat larger in stature than me, but not particularly heavy. If I recall correctly, I can't easily forget someone who insulted me. He's a first-year student from class B, demoted for drinking – quite rebellious for a first-year, I must say. It feels a bit hypocritical to label him as such.
"Why was he there at this hour?" I pondered myself. It was highly unusual for a student of the Imperial Academy to be out at such a late hour, especially not in a place like that.
Eventually, we arrived at the doorstep of a humble yet reputable healer's establishment. The building exuded an air of mystique, fitting for a world steeped in magic.
The healer, an elderly woman with gentle, knowing eyes, was surprised by the late-night arrival but quickly sprang into action when she saw the injured student. I explained the situation as best I could, though I had no answers to offer. I refrained from divulging my identity or my origins, as it was best kept a secret.
The healing room had wooden beams across the ceiling, oak shelves on the walls, and a large window with moonlight. It smelled of herbs and had a calm, simple atmosphere.
With expert care, the healer attended to Ren's wound, her hands glowing with a soft, soothing light as she chanted incantations in a language I couldn't comprehend. Her reassuring demeanor helped put me at ease, despite the mysterious circumstances of the night. I watched in awe as she worked, her magical prowess evident in every gesture.
As the healer continued her ministrations.
After what felt like an eternity, the healer turned to me and said, "He's in stable condition for now, but the wound was precise, almost surgical. Someone knew what they were doing."
I just nodded, a sense of uncertainty clouding my thoughts. What was I supposed to do next? Should I quietly slip away without saying anything?
As I contemplated my next steps, a feeling of unease settled over me. Saving someone's life was an unfamiliar experience, a stark contrast to the encounters that typically defined my existence.
"Hmm?" My gaze shifted to the corner of the room, where the enigmatic black cat sat. Its presence seemed ominous, and its unwavering gaze locked onto me. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen this cat before.
The first-year student blinked a few times, adjusting to the light as he realized he was not where he had expected to be. His gaze darted around the room before finally settling on me.
"Who... Nah not that weird question," he muttered, still groggy from whatever ordeal he had been through.
"You're in a healer's establishment," I replied, my voice remaining calm, but my expression turned cold, mirroring the seriousness of the situation.
"Smokeball..." He muttered, as if calling someone.
Suddenly, the cat leaped onto the bed and fixed its gaze on the boy's eyes, as if there was some form of communication between them. Though it seemed impossible.
The boy then let out a deep sigh, adjusting his posture as he turned to look at me. His eyes struck me as oddly bright for the situation.
What was he going to say? Was he going to berate me as usual like other? I had grown used to that as it's something well deserved for a rapist, murderer and.... degenerate'like myself, but then...
"Thanks, dude," he said casually.
My jaw dropped. "Eh?" I stammered in disbelief.
"I said thanks, for saving my ass," he clarified, raising a brow. He was actually thanking me?
....
I'm not sure why, but I suddenly bolted out of there, running as fast as my legs could carry me at full speed.
"Thank you,"
He says... to me?
I looked around my room, my gaze falling upon the bed, which bore the gruesome remnants of the days events—a pool of blood staining the sheets. I muttered to myself, "I am not worthy of those words," as I curled up, waiting in the somber silence until the next day.
