ORDINARY VISAGE-14

My life before being in the world below the abyss was neither very happy nor sad. The percentages are probably even. My father and mother both loved money. They are perfectionists about everything, almost never at home. While I'm lonely looking for fun outside the house, playing in the city park or even fighting with the neighbors' kids. As time goes by, I feel that life is like a boring timeline. To manipulate the boredom, I did crazy things like stealing, cheating, getting into fights, and even skipping class. I'm trying to find what I want, but I can't get the answer. Until finally my parents advised me to do this and that, but I, who was stubborn, threw all their belongings like crazy. It happened again and again until they ran out of money because the house display was damaged because of me. Mom and Dad left me alone on the pretext of working again. And I never thought they would actually go on forever together. The news of my parents' death was broadcast on television. The car they were riding in plunged into a ravine, along with other cars. The news at the time said, most likely they collided simultaneously on that lonely steep road. When I heard the news, to be honest, I wasn't surprised at all. I've been alone for a long time, and my parents are just ATM machines that support my boring life. I'm pretty sure my parents don't even care about me. They only care about their possessions which are now absolutely all mine.

Days passed just like that since Father and Mother left. It was then when I entered high school, I saw the stupid Shiloh. He was wearing sunglasses while looking at the information boards. I approached him and said. "What kind of human is so confident about wearing sunglasses to school?"

Shiloh is an annoying child. He answered me curtly. "I'm the kind of person who doesn't talk as much as you do."

Somehow, finally we are friends until now. He talked more and more during his friendship with me. All things sad or happy, I always share them with Shiloh, and vice versa. But for Shiloh, she mostly shares her bad experiences because when it comes to fun, she doesn't have much.

Shiloh and I are almost like siblings. I feel welcome with him. Although he was annoying, I was very happy to meet him. And now, I have no choice but to take care of myself and Shiloh. I want to return to my monotonous life with Shiloh.

The days passed as usual. The difference is, I no longer think Aqua exists. Well, Aqua had always stuck with Amyas. I suspect that Amyas is also in league with the girl. Since the two of them are friends. I had to be even more alert because the scent of danger was getting thicker.

I stepped into the practice arena. Shiloh hasn't seen me since the incident. I asked Mr. Kaltain to teach me the sword. Of course, Shiloh asked to cancel my request, but it was a difficult thing to do, because swords are one thing that is absolute. I'm not going to give up the offer just like that.

After my drama that time, everyone was gossiping when I passed by, even their voices almost reached my ears. Some of them were amazed because of my actions at that time, some were jealous because they wanted to be like me too. I also heard from the chattering of the ladies-in-waiting that Mr. Kaltain was a duke from the western border. I forgot the name of the area. What is clear, Lord Kaltain is the most respected person in the Kingdom of Samu.

I saw a group of warriors who were training in the middle of the field. There, Mr. Kaltain stood while guiding the soldiers who were dancing in a duet. I ran over to him, hoping to get trained right away like I imagined, but instead of getting a sword, Mr. Kaltain held my hand in the air, not letting me touch the sword which was in a large box. He looked at me intently, his lips pursed.

"Am I not allowed to hold that pretty thing yet?" I said. Mr. Kaltain threw my hands away, then put his hands on his hips arrogantly. "You may hold the thing if you follow my instructions."

Hearing those requirements, I felt suspicious. "You want to bully me?"

Mr Kaltain shrugged. Bullying is just an exaggerated term, I intend to teach you.

I sighed, trying not to get emotional facing this smart-ass human in front of me. "So what do I have to do to get you to teach me properly?"

Mr. Kaltain raised his eyebrows, interested. He cuddled up while smiling. "First of all, you have to run around the field 10 times."

I just laughed. "I was wondering what you meant to teach, sir."

"Before practicing the sword, you have to make sure that your body is strong. Someone who is weak will only look ridiculous with his sword," he said. I looked at the wide field in front of me. Instantly pessimism appeared. I'd probably pass out for a week from exhaustion running around a field the size of a stadium.

"How about three rounds?"

"Okay, fifteen."

I chuckled angrily. "Then just run by yourself."

"So you gave up?" he said, his tone mocking. "I can't believe that a young person like you has such low spirits."

I cleared my throat. "If I get too excited, you will be unrivaled, sir."

"Really? Then, try to prove it."

I didn't reply to him anymore. With passion burning with anger, I ran around the field, while the other soldiers trained. Mr. Kaltain was still watching me continue to spur my feet while I was trying my best not to run out of breath. I often ran while being chased by Boston and his friends, but that's a different story. I felt very dizzy when I started the third lap. I breathed out of breath, it felt like my feet were bearing very heavy stones on the calves. I could see Shiloh and Amyas who had just come from the right wing of the palace, to the right of their waists were swords each with a beautiful twin bird symbol carved, just like the other swords in this square. I sped up my running pace, trying my best to complete the insolent lesson from the Honorable Lord Kaltain. I have to get that sword too. I must.

My focus just disappeared. Time flew by so fast when I lost my balance, my vision was getting blurry, while I was still trying to greedily scoop up the air, hoping to continue running with five laps remaining, but instead I closed under the scorching sun and wished that I could just disappear. I'm willing if so.

"Give up?"

Mr. Kaltain stood up as I lay on the ground. His annoying face stretched along with the bright morning sky. I laughed lightly.

"Later."

I immediately sat down, gently massaging my head, while looking away because all eyes were looking at me—which incidentally was not important. "I warned you, you know. In the future, more than this."

"I'll take all the risks. Whatever."

"Are you sure?"

"Tch, what answer do you need, huh?!"

Mr. Kaltain laughed at my rambling. He didn't speak anymore, because Amyas and Shiloh came up to me, checking on me with furrowed brows. They both asked if I was okay while I didn't know how to answer because of thirst.

"I told you not to do this," muttered Shiloh, he tried to sit me up by lifting me up but I lay still. "No one forced you to do this, right?"

"Precisely because no one forced me to do this," I said. Still have some residual voice even though my throat is dry.

Amyas put a finger to his own lips as he stared at Shiloh, perhaps signaling the Fool to keep his mouth shut for a while. "I have food and drink for you. Want to rest?"

"Your friend hasn't been able to rest because the training isn't over yet."

Mr. Kaltain spoke, it seemed that he was not willing if I just left.

Amyas stood up, looked at Mr. Kaltain with furrowed brows. "It's not permissible for a commander like you to bully women. Do you understand that?"

Mr Kaltain laughed. "I never abused him. Indeed, these are the basics of martial arts training to become a soldier. Your friend wants to be alone."

Amyas glanced at me, and so did Shiloh. I don't want to be a soldier, I only intend to steal the knowledge, then when I'm proficient I will run away.

"If that's the rule, then give her a break. You shouldn't equate her with a male soldier." Amyas spoke again.

Lord Kaltain smiled faintly. "The boy soldiers run around twenty laps, while the little girl doesn't have that many. Do you think I should teach you the trivial matters?" he said lightly, he looked at me who was still happy to see the argument of the two humans. "Hey, if you can't, just come here. Forget your dream of wielding this great sword."

I don't care which sword I wield, I just want to hang on until the time I can leave. "Now that I think about it, that seems right," I muttered.

Shiloh gave me a pleased look. "You're going to cancel your deal with him, right?"

I nodded. "I will not stop and will always obey Lord Kaltain's orders."

Shiloh and Amyas stared. While Mr. Kaltain smiled proudly. "Good, Abby," he muttered, before his face turned sour as I continued.

"On condition that Mr. Kaltain wants to teach me until I die."

—Ordinary Visage—

I half know that Mr. Kaltain is forced to teach me, that's why he makes fun of me. After the incident this morning, Amyas, who was almost in a fistfight with Mr. Kaltain, finally relented by observing me while Mr. Kaltain was teaching him. While Shiloh just stared at me sharply because I didn't hear what he said that was not important. Until finally this afternoon, I finished training by getting the chance to swing the sword once. For my size, which is nobody, that's enough size.

"Done. You two can stop wasting your time," said Mr. Kaltain to Shiloh and Amyas who had only been watching me since earlier. I studied their cloudy faces. To be honest, Mr. Kaltain's words are true. It would have been better if the two of them helped peel the potatoes in the kitchen since there seemed to be a shortage of workers there.

"Since the training is over, you better leave right away," Amyas muttered, his voice cold with an unfriendly look. Mr. Kaltain shrugged, he glanced at me with a smile. "Tomorrow practice with me in the back garden, okay?" he said in a whisper, before finally leaving me with Amyas and Shiloh.

Shiloh and Amyas looked directly at me. I looked at them in confusion, wondering why they were so protective of me. I mean, I'm not that important.

"Come on," said Amyas when he was near me.

"Where to?" I asked. Amyas instead whispered to Shiloh, then suddenly the messy brown haired man ran away, leaving me alone with this non-human being.

"What did you say to him?" I asked quickly. Amyas just smiled. "What do you think?"

I shrugged, feigning disinterest even though I was feeling really curious. "I dunno, none of my business."

Amyas chuckled. "Actually, I can teach you sword practice."

"So?"

Amyas nodded "You shouldn't have gone so far as to ask Kaltain to be your tutor."

I raised my eyebrows, wondering whether I should poison Amyas with some ginger candy too or not. "Is there a problem? You are nothing."

"I brought you here. Your safety is my responsibility."

I digested the sentence slowly. To others this may sound normal and wise, but my ears filter out the subtleties of deception within. "Then what happens if one day I don't survive?" I asked with a chuckle, Amyas' face turned sour. "Are you going to disappear? Considering you're not human?"

Amyas was silent. He just studied my probably stupid face in his eyes now. "Seems like your own life doesn't really mean much to you, huh?" he asked. I gasped, a bit annoyed to hear that, but I had to expand my own chest because what I faced was a mad creature. "Living in the world is like playing a game. But the difference is, I don't mind losing or winning."

"You're an idiot, huh?" Amyas laughed after a long silence. "Then I won't let you win forever, Caviar."

I rolled my eyes when I heard his last words. I quickly gripped the collar of the man in front of me tightly, looking at him with annoyance. "Why do you call me that, Bastard?!"

Amyas smiled slyly. "Isn't that your real name?"

I whimpered, still gripping his collar tightly. "You're not allowed to call me that, Bastard."

"Then I will call you that even if you don't let me."

I felt my anger ignite. With emotion, my hands moved to grip his neck until my fingernails hurt his skin. "Don't mess with me, Amyas. You don't know who I am."

"You don't know who I am either, Caviar."

Amyas gripped my hand with one hand, releasing it from his own neck. I could see Amyas' sparkling eyes. "I brought you here not to play games. Obey me."

The grip on his hand grew tighter on my wrist. Amyas's eyes turned red. I gulped, trying hard not to show my cowardly side.

"I won't obey anyone. Not even you, Bastard!"

I immediately kicked him in the stomach, then ran away leaving him alone. On the way back to my room, I bumped into Shiloh and Aqua walking together in the opposite direction. Amyas or Aqua were starting to feel unbelievable. Even Shiloh became increasingly strange and distant. I took a few things from my room, then ran away from this trash palace. The devil cares about the awakening of the Goddess of the North and Shiloh the Unlucky One. I will leave here, even though I will die later. []