Chapter 6: "After a kiss like that"

Song recommendation: Half way to nowhere (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgP9tzt9_Z8&list=RDMMGz0tk_p45eo&index=21)

"You've really lost your mind," Albaric laughed sardonically, "Do you know, the only thing I dislike more than a sneaky back-stabbing Demon? A sneaky back-stabbing Demon trying to pass off work I don't want to do on my lap,"

"Yes, your proclivity for laziness was one of your more charming qualities," Clover returned with a smirk, "but I think you'll reconsider when I tell you where I found him. You see I found this young man in the Demon world. He came to me without a shred of any kind of magic asking to be my student,"

"What of it?"Albaric scoffed.

"I mean no demonic magic or mana - whatsoever," Clover added.

"That can't be..." Albaric started.

"It is," Clover interrupted, "So this is where your services would come in handy,"

Albaric's eyes fell coldly on Ace who shifted uncomfortably.

"What do you mean by bringing him here?" Albaric returned flatly, "If that's true, it would be better to bring him to the grand wizard,"

"I would, but since getting his title, he's been bent on chasing me across the Empire. I've been sequestered to the demon world since," Clover said flatly, "Between the royal knights and sending his useless little mages after me, it's really been quite annoying,"

"The grand wizard?" Ace raised an eyebrow, he glanced over to Clover.

"Ah, just another ungrateful student of mine," Clover replied drily.

"Ungrateful? Is that how you see it?" Albaric shook his head, "You had his best friend killed!"

"That was years ago!" Clover protested. "Is he not over that yet? Well, whatever the case, you see my problem,"

Albaric crossed his arms. There was an awkward standoff. Ace felt very uncomfortable. Eventually, he fell under Albaric's gaze once more. He looked him over thoughtfully then back to Clover who was waiting with an unreadable smile. Albaric let out a loud sigh.

"Well I can't take him just now even if I wanted to," Alabric puffed out his chest gruffly, "I've already a contract to fulfil from the guild,"

"You're an adventurer now?" Clover asked mockingly, "It suits you,"

Albaric averted his gaze with a disgruntled scowl.

"Well as I said, I've got to go rescue someone from bandits, you see. I was due to set off tomorrow morning," He explained without conviction.

"That's fine," Clover replied undeterred, "We'll do the job for you. Then your schedule should be open, no?"

Albaric pulled a face, having conceded defeat. He couldn't think of another reason. Besides, if he was right, there was no way he could leave this kid with Clover. Although he tried for years to shake off the weight of duty and responsibility, he felt it gnawing at him now. He pulled out the contract and begrudgingly shoved it into Clover's hand.

"You, saving a child," Albaric derided, "I've heard it all now,"

Clover glanced down at the paper then back to Albaric and smirked. The contract was for the rescue of a lord's child who had been kidnapped and was being held for ransom. The culprits were believed to be hiding in a cave just outside of the city.

"Don't worry, where my empathy is lacking, I think you will find your new student has an abundance," Clover laid a hand on Ace's shoulder. Ace's eyes widened but he quickly doubled over in a bow.

"Sword saint, it'll be an honour to be of assistance to you, Sir!" Ace bellowed in his loud boyish voice.

"Right," Albaric's eyes panned down to the sword on Ace's hip sceptically. He looked back to Clover wearily but didn't say anything more.

With everything decided, they retired to rise early for the next morning. They left at first light and set out into a forest that surrounded the elven city. It was dense with light hardly able to push through the shroud of trees and vines. The deeper they went, the dark it became.

However, Ace's mind was elsewhere. He had been thinking about the conversations he had had with his master, trying to decipher any meaning he might yet uncover. His nervousness in front of the sword saint had almost made him miss it. Now, after some thought, Ace couldn't help but be disturbed by his master's words. Why did it feel like a handoff?

Despite their differences, Ace perceived a secret connection between his master and himself. It was as though they shared in a feeling of loneliness that had since formed an unspoken association. Though a nagging part of his mind warned him off. Inwardly a voice cried, 'Don't be so conceited.'

Clover, on the other hand, was as aloof as always, completely unaware of these thoughts and whistling as they trailed along the path. Ace wondered now if he had just imagined it all. Clover was equally caught unaware when Ace suddenly paused and turned back to face them.

He was still hesitant to ask but he had to know. He turned to Clover with intense eyes and said:

"Master, can I ask a question?"

Clover scratched their head, eyeing him wearily, "Really? I always feel afraid when you say that,"

However, Ace didn't relent. So Clover gave in.

"Fine, but only one. So make it count," Clover added flatly.

Ace's eyes lit up with burning resolve, "Are you planning to abandon me with the Sword Saint when we finish this mission?"

Clover gave a stiff smile and looked away, "Abandon you? Don't be so dramatic,"

"So you are planning on leaving me here?"Ace's eyes narrowed.

"Why do you sound like a jilted lover?" Clover laughed uneasily.

"If we were lovers, you wouldn't be able to throw me away like this," Ace glowered.

Clover crossed their arms and answered more brusquely, "Ah, but we're not, so this little display isn't doing you any favours,"

Ace stared up at Clover indignantly. Clover averted their eyes and feigned disinterest.

"I'm..." Clover hesitated, "This is for your own good,"

"I am not a child!"Ace exclaimed, "Why don't you take me seriously?"

"Yes, yes, it's very serious," Clover returned mockingly.

Ace marched toward Clover. He grabbed Clover by the hand pulling them forward. Clover's eyes widened in surprise. It seemed Ace's muscles had some use after all. With another step Ace leaned in, pressing his lips to Clover.

Clover would have been less surprised if Ace had slapped them in the face. Their body went rigid, frozen in place. Ace's hot kiss lasted a second more before he pulled away. He gave a satisfied smile seeing Clover's reaction. A look of utter shock remained on their face for several moments. Clover was stunned into silence.

"I'm not as naive as you think I am," Ace said smugly.

Clover's face reddened and they instinctively turned away.

"Why did you do that?" Clover composed themselves and returned a reproachfully glare back to Ace.

"You think I'm a child, but I'm not," Ace replied quietly.

"You think that proves you're not a child?" Clover smirked. Their pink eyes twinkled mischievously and they stepped forward.

Ace remained poised with a confident stare unrepentantly. Clover gripped Ace's collar and dragged him forward. Clover's grip was so tight Ace couldn't pull away. He began to feel less brave than a moment ago. Clover whispered in his ear:

"Careful, Ace," Clover smiled darkly, "I don't think you can handle what comes after a kiss like that. My self-restraint is tenuous at best,"

With that Clover released their grip and Ace fell back. His whole face went red. Clover stood over with a blank expression. There was a pause as Clover seemed to mull something over in their mind. Ace was hesitant to rise as though his movement might bring his master to the wrong decision.

"I know what you're trying to do, but it is dangerous for you to stay with me," Clover told him thoughtfully, "I don't want to be responsible if you get yourself killed,"

Ace swallowed hard. He took a sharp breath in, "I won't!"

"That's what they all say," Clover looked on somberly.

Ace came to his feet, "I may not be as strong as you but I won't get in your way. I'll prove it to you!"

"We'll see," Clover said unconvinced.

"I mean it!" Ace insisted. His temper had grown wild, "I don't need your help. I'll show you what I can do. You just watch!"

Clover's expression grew morose, "Have you learnt nothing from last time? This pointless display isn't going to change my mind,"

"It's not pointless!" Ace fumed, "I don't understand why you are so set on getting rid of me. Have I done something wrong?"

"If you had, we wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place,"

"Then why?!

"This isn't going anywhere," Clover dismissed. Whatever emotion they had begun to express was quickly masked with apathy.

"Fine! You don't believe I can look after myself? I'll show you,"

"You want to get yourself killed, go ahead," Clover then added with thinly veiled annoyance, "I won't need to wait till the Sword Saint takes you, I'll wipe my hands of you right here and now,"

Ace marched onwards irate, leaving Clover behind. He approached the entrance to the cave. It was pitch black and deathly quiet. Ace led the way with a lamp in one hand and his sword in the other. A rattle of stones shifting echoed beyond. The passage had high stalactite ceilings but was narrow and twisting. The walls were sticky with dark-coloured moss, slick and slippery. Just beyond he heard a low rumbling, which became the sound of steps as he moved forward.

The passageways opened up to a large cavern. Some makeshift wooden levels had been constructed and were stuffed with assortment goods: large chests, sacks and crates. At the lowest level, one of the bandits paced back and forwards whilst the other watched him apprehensively from a rotten table set.

"Sit down, would you!" One of the bandits growled, "You're making me more anxious!"

"How can I sit?" the other stopped pacing, his eyes narrowed angrily, "They're probably already on their way here! I told you we should just kill the brat and be done with it,"

"She's the only leverage we've got!"

In the corner, the child was shackled to one of the wooden platforms. She let out a stifled whimper, hearing the words from behind the cloth tied around her mouth. When Ace laid on her, he felt a swell of emotion. His hands shook with anger. He flew out from his hiding spot and managed to knock the first bandit to the floor.

However, the other bandit came to his feet with a start brandishing a dagger. He lunged towards Ace. The blade violently clashed with Ace's sword. Then the second bandit recovered and stood back up. Ace was backed into a corner.