Chapter 8 and 9: Altor's First Job

<span; >Chapter 8: Altor's First Job Part 1

<span; >King! Kang! King! Kong!

<span; >Those sounds from the pick axes digging reverberated throughout the mines of Quart Crystals, that would be as manufactured as materials to hold magic, to be used in Magic Tools, still marks it's presence. That was the harmony that build the character of the mines, but now it's laden with a heavy atmosphere of, I would say, total awkwardness and wary.

<span; >((Brace yourselves.))

<span; >Of all the ones that was working there, Altor really is standing out. He swing and hits his pick axe to dig for the crystals, like a diligent worker would do. And he is doing a fine job there, more than fine. His load is starting to pile up even more than most of the workers, to their awe and dismay. Like he wanted to take more of their share in profits. A sick plan indeed, that's some of the workers have been thinking. Makino, on the other hand, has a different objective to why he has taken this job.

<span; >King! Kang! King! Kong!

<span; >A large piece of Quart Crystal broke away from the mine wall as Makino is swinging his pick axe. He was in amazed to this.

<span; >'So this is how strong I was. By looking at the other workers, my swings are much more stronger if they can break such huge chunks of this crystals.' Makino observed as he looked upon his hand.

<span; >Makino continued to swing his pick axe to dig in order to meet his quota.

<span; >((Even though he's way past his quota.))

<span; >'It's a good thing I got a job here at this company as I can test my strength here, to know what this new body's limits and also the other tasks here that I can participate so I can gather more information.' Makino thought while swinging, his goals at place.

<span; >Arlandy, meanwhile, sees Altor doing his job spectacularly and can't help but to fill in with frustration and wondering, on why is he doing it really.

<span; >'Ugh! This really sucks. Firstly, this is gonna sure hit my paycheck, as meager as it is, for Altor~ here is hogging all the crystals for himself. Secondly, that boss~ of ours surely would gonna gawk us more because Altor~ here is working harder~ while the rest of us are like broken up Merandi. That would be thing he will repeatedly say to us! It's getting infuriating! Is this really his goal?Diabolical!' Arlandy infuriatingly thought.

<span; >Makino looked on them, as he starting to feel the heavy atmosphere. Response from Arlandy and the other workers: dread.

<span; >'Gih! Ugh, he looks so intimidating! I hope I didn't give him a bad impression! His armor and face really invoke terror. So dark and unknowable. I can't even read his expression due to his visor and mask. Why, I had no idea, but still. That was terrifying.' Arlandy put much more effort on his digging along with the other workers sharing his previous frustration and now terror.

<span; >((The competition is on?))

<span; >After an admittedly awkward and competitive digging, all of the workers are now finished on their shifts and preparing to go to their homes, but not before the distribution of paychecks. Everyone was lining up as Kadoji started to give up their paychecks in the form of magical bags constructed by magic with coins inside them.

<span; >The workers recieved their pay, which put a some sourness in their faces as, while the coins are not that few, it is still a meager wage. And there is no other extra tasks that they can take for today, this is only what they get for now.

<span; >"Gah! What a measly pay for crying out loud! This wont do for my living and I'm living alone." Arlandy cried in quite frustration in his salary.

<span; >Almost all of the workers gas taken their pays except for Makino, intentionally taking the last place in the line.

<span; >"Oh, Sir Altor. Sorry for the wait, but now here's the pay for the contributions you have done for us." Kadoji said to Altor formally and handing him a huge magic bag with a lot of coins inside.

<span; >At that sight, Makino felt a distaste. He then looked at the workers behind him, their faces and moods started to fuel sourness.

<span; >"Boss, this is too much for me. I'm only taking what I really earned and for the extra coins, give them to the others."

<span; >This invoked a surprise to all of them.

<span; >'Wha- What did he just said!? He said give those to us! This is quite unthinkable to an Armanben to do. They don't just not take anything that was given to them, let alone give them to a lower class like us. This is really unthinkable. That mech must have been crazed.' Arlandy thought on this very strange event.

<span; >Kadoji was also surprised at this.

<span; >'Oh Regulus! He must be crazed. He's such an enigma. Why is he doing all of this in the first place? I hope this bode well to our jobs.' He thought as he is also now sharing in Arlandy's worries.

<span; >((But... it's not on what you think he did that.))

<span; >Makino did this deed just mostly because the stares of the other workers are worrying to him that he is now attracting unnecessary attention now. Just being here did attract some attention, but still manageable. But this might cross the line.

<span; >And it all proceeded as he said: his pay lowered to what he earned and given the surplus to everyone. Everyone was totally stunned and puzzled, but there is no denying to them that they do felt glad to the extra cash. This act wil surely leaves a mark to all of them and it would surely not be the last.

<span; >((Heck Yeah you said it!))

<span; >Makino took off with his pay, pondering in his thoughts.

<span; >'Armanben, huh? Hmph! I'm not gonna play on their rules! You get that, you devils! I will gonna change everything and I would not be bamboozled by your silly decrees. Just you wait. Mark my Words!' His passion burning inside.

<span; >---------------------

<span; >Arlandy is walking home, still quite puzzled after the bizzare thing that happened in the company. But the results is not entirely unwelcome.

<span; >"Regeez! I haven't have this quite many coins in a normal day of job before. That Altor maybe crazed, still creeps me out, but this is not bad at all." Arlandy happily smiled looking at his magic bag of coins.

<span; >Some thoughts about Altor trinkled in his mind, but it seemed ridiculous to begin with. The thought that he maybe doing it in good intentions was just preposterous. He might he really crazed. But that thought wouldn't just dissappear in his mind, no matter how ridiculous it is.

<span; >Arlandy then started to run off, hoping that he make it in time to his home and not be tangled in another mess while taking a shortcut, a risky one at that.

<span; >"Gotta get fast. I hope those trash walkers are not around here now."

<span; >He run off into an alleyway leading to the main road. He continued on this path, but he bumped into something he didn't expected, something that he wouldn't want to expect.

<span; >Bump!

<span; >"Oof!!" Arlandy fell down, his money bag in the ground too.

<span; >"Well well well. Looks who came bumping for a good time. And looks like he has spare change for a party."

<span; >Arlandy looked up and he cursed his bad luck. It was the same goons from the last night and they were hungry for some payback. He saw them looking at his money bag and tried to to hide it behind his back.

<span; >Arlandy immediately stand up and tried to run away but one of them discreetly do something.

<span; >"Mando Yunti"

<span; >Then, a lasso producing magic appeared and binded his left leg.

<span; >Slam!

<span; >"Ugh!"

<span; >"Hey hey, Arlandy, why did you just trip on yourself like an idiot. Come on, let's help you up." The leader maniacally spoke to Arlandy and signaling his subordinates to restrain him immediately.

<span; >Arlandy was restrained by the two Magistoids. As he struggled to escape their grasp, he saw the looks of the other Magistoids walking in the street. Either were scared or apathetic, it wasn't a surprise to him. It was just the way here.

<span; >'Yeah. It is really that way.' Arlandy gloomily thought.

<span; >The goons look up to the other pedestrians and signalled his henchmen to go.

<span; >"Let's go somewhere discreet, shall we?" The leader quietly whispered it to Arlandy and started to drag him in the alleyway.

<span; >----------------

<span; >Chapter 9: Altor's First Job Part 2

<span; >Makino was in the Merandi to go back to his apartment. It was still an awkward ride, but now he tried to ignore it. It was exhausting to think about it now. He was sitting with his head looking at the window, when saw something peculiar.

<span; >'What in the- isn't that? I saw him in the mines and the last day. And those three are- those guys!" He thought while observing them, remembering his first hours as a Magistoid and with that, a trigger of bad memories.

<span; >Contemplating on what to do, he shouted to the driver.

<span; >"Driver, I wanted to stop here."

<span; >The Merandi stopped near at the alleyway and Makino started to take off.

<span; >Slam!

<span; >Arlandy, meanwhile, is thrown off to a hidden part of the alleyway, still clutching at his magic bag.

<span; >"Hey, you shouldn't forget what your debts is to us! We gave you in our good graces some loan to you even you're a filthy Kaidel and now trying to run away from us several times." The leader holding his neck and slammed him again on the ground.

<span; >"Last night was a bad timing, but now fate smiles on us. You have a filthy sum there, so give it. That would be the 5% down payment. The rest would be expected in one tedafu (week). You got that! Now give it now! Or else you'll provide our perfect cover." The leader threatened Arlandy while trying to claw the bag out of his hand.

<span; >Arlandy wasn't gonna let things play out thought, as he tried to lift his other hand to cast magic.

<span; >"Casei Manturi!" One of the goons cast their magic on his leg stomped on Arlandy's arm.

<span; >Crunch!!!!

<span; >"Argh!!!" Arlandy screamed in pain, as his arm is almost crushed to a degree, ambrosia leaking through his arm.

<span; >"Seriously. Trying to cast your weak magic. So pathetic, dude." The goon who crushed Arlandy's arm maniacally taunts.

<span; >"Just like what he said, how dare you to tempt fate. Just accept that in your trash head. Now give us the money!!" The leader tried to again claw the bag out of Arlandy's hand.

<span; >Arlandy, though hurt, didn't budge. It was really important to him to get the money.

<span; >The leader seeing his defiance, signalled one of his goons.

<span; >Bam!

<span; >"Argh!!" Arlandy screamed in more pain as his crushed arm is being kicked again.

<span; >The goon continually stepped upon Arlandy's arm even further, as Arlandy continually screamed in pain. He loses grip of his hand holding the bag, the leader gleefully takes his prize.

<span; >"You sure took a long time to be convinced there, Kaidel trash. I expect the same amount here tomorrow." He menacingly chuckled.

<span; >As the goons are gloating in their hoard, Arlandy's thoughts darken.

<span; >'It's useless. There's nothing gonna change in this world. Why do I even bother trying to survive?.... Dukago.'

<span; >Slap!

<span; >A slap in the hand and the clinking of coins in the ground is heard. 

<span; >"Argh!! Who did th-"

<span; >A shudder came over the goons as they saw a figure they knew - Makino standing over them.

<span; >"Ugh! N-Noble Sir!"

<span; >"Altor...." Arlandy looked upon him, weak from his injuries.

<span; >"Altor? Sir Altor. What we can do for you? We hope we didn't offend you this time and forgive us for the last night for us being the recipient of your fury. Please!" The leader, along with his goons, cowering and pleading for forgiveness at Altor's feet.

<span; >Makino saw Arlandy almost lying in the wall. At this sight, he is seething in anger, an expression that didn't escaped the attention of the goons.

<span; >"Get out. And leave him alone, along with the money. Now!" Makino angrily said.

<span; >"Ye-"

<span; >Kling!

<span; >Before he finished his reply, he saw the magic bag full of coins and something dark is seething within him, something building up in a long time.

<span; >"Boss?"

<span; >"Boss, we need to leave now."

<span; >His lackeys pleaded to him to get out now, as they didn't want to risk more of Altor's fury.

<span; >"No."

<span; >"What?" One of the goons questioned.

<span; >"No. This- I had enough of this!" His lackeys are shocked to his answer.

<span; >"I thought I fate smiling on me at last. No! Fate is really smiling at me at last! We had what is ours being taken from us by those high up! If we didn't deliver our quota to our Lord, he will take whatever left of us. I will not stand it anymore!"

<span; >Makino, upon hearing this, was gasped by this information, but he started to feel something is coming.

<span; >"Madto Caliveris!" The leader chanted his spell, unleashing a wave of boulders.

<span; >"What!?" Makino exclaimed as he tried to dodge the boulders that come in his way.

<span; >"Oh no. They're using Magic now! This is not good!!" Makino whispered.

<span; >But in a moment, he managed to move fast enough to dodge the boulders. He was shocked at this feat of strength.

<span; >"Wow, that was a fast dodge. Even with all my focus and concentration, my body then wasn't fast and strong enough to respond as fast as this."

<span; >He was still testing the limits of strength to know how to use them and it was a marvellous thing to behold at his feats now, but at this moment he has no time to think about it.

<span; >"Madto Caliveris!!" The leader shouted his chant again and another stream of boulders come in Makino's way.

<span; >He tried to dodge again and succeeding in doing so, but the leader, growing furious, commanded one of his goons.

<span; >"Now!!"

<span; >"Mando Yunti!!" One of his lackeys chanted his magic.

<span; >"What in the-" Makino exclaimed.

<span; >Streams of lassos appeared on the ground and started to bind him. He tried to get of those lassos and some of them started to snap one by one. This sends shivers to the lackey.

<span; >"More. Summon more of them!!" The leader frantically ordered.

<span; >More and more lassos manifested and totally binds Makino down.

<span; >"Let's do it, boys! We can show it now, even at this time only, we can show that we are more than they say and we can still have our dignity, even when they take what's ours!!" The leader, in a sense, almost tearfully, exclaimed in proud bravado.

<span; >This is didn't escaped in Makino's earshot as he struggled to escape, but he has more things to think about now.

<span; >"Madto Caliveris!!!" His second spell chanted, unleashing a new wave of boulders, aiming towards Makino.

<span; >"Argh!!!"

<span; >The boulders hit true, hitting his body all at the same time. He cannot get out of there, the lassos also hold him true. Torrents of pain started to rack his body, not knowing what to do now.

<span; >"Arghhhh!!!!!"

<span; >Arlandy watched as Altor is being bombarded by the goons, wondering what us happening now.

<span; >'Just why? This is the second time. Just why are you doing this, Altor? What is your problem?'

<span; >Arlandy started to raise his undamaged arm, poised for a choice.

<span; >'You are really a crazed mech, Altor.' Arlandy filling with determination.

<span; >"Fado Marado!" He weakly chanted but the act is true, shooting a bolt of electricity.

<span; >Kzzzt!!

<span; >"Argh!" The leader grunted and with that, the hail of boulders stopped.

<span; >----------------

<span; >Makino is feeling the wreck of pain within him from the attack, the lassos still bind him and no idea to how to escape. His strength was useless on this level of binds, frustration started to set in.

<span; >'Why did I do this? I'm not ready yet. Why did I risk my neck for him? Just.....'

<span; >As he thought about those things, he remembered again: the suffering, the terror, the pain he and everyone endured under the Magistoids. It's all vivid and it he remembered Arlandy, in the same situation. Something is bubbling inside of him.

<span; >--------------

<span; >The leader turned back and saw Arlandy unleashing the bolt, now totally weakened from the ordeal. The leader, totally enraged, started to unleash his fury to Arlandy, but then.....

<span; >"Those devils.... I will not forgive them. NEVER!!!!!!!!" Makino raged on and a tingle, different than before, crossed in his head.

<span; >Klack!!

<span; >A compartment in his side, opposite to where his money are, opened and from within it, a handle started to emerged. It rosed up and spark of light flashed under it.

<span; >Kang!!!!

<span; >Something shot out from the compartment, and along with it, the lassos snapped all at once.

<span; >"What!?" The goon who holds the gasped at what he'd seen.

<span; >The leader saw what happened, as the object falls down, Makino, without much thought, raised his hand up and grabbed it. It was sword. A long sword that was shot from the compartment. As Makino saw this sword, he smiled inside.

<span; >"So this- a chance!" Makino started to stance up with his sword in his hand against the goons, ready to fight.

<span; >"And I will not waste it!"

<span; >Altor's first job begins.