Chapter 37

Alex woke up and hurried to light a candle.

And then…

He sat and stared at it. Days, nights, and years passed as he tried and tried never being able to do anything.

He was now an adult.

life had passed him by and he had wasted it all because he spent it all on hope.

'Alex, what are you doing mom is calling for you?' His sister Kate asked him.

Alex sighed as he put out his candle.

His sister opened the door. 'Don't tell me you're still trying to awaken an affinity. Why do you still try every single day? You are far past the age that it would be possible.' She asked as she entered seeing him sitting there.

'I don't know. It just, feels, like I should.' Alex said as he thought of why he was doing what he was doing.

'Well it's stupid. You know, what you're doing is just trying to fight your fate. You will never be anything more than a lazy bum.'

Alex sat in silence he didn't know what to say deep down he knew she was right. He had graduated top of his class, and yet it meant nothing. He had no passion to do any of the lower class jobs, and none of the wealth required for the higher class ones.

He was stuck, if he had gotten started when he was younger maybe he could have lived the last few years of his life happily, but now that he was halfway through life, no chance.

'Fate is stupid.' Alex said after realizing that fate had left many people stuck working just for the benefit of others.

A flurry of emotions rushed through him as he thought of many things. He imagined a world where things did go right, where he did awaken an affinity, where he did get to learn a skill set for a job without becoming a slave, but most importantly where he lived a content life happy and with someone to share it with.

The room became slightly darker as he regretted not knowing what to do. He regretted having faith, for believing that being the smartest, the fastest, or the best was enough.

He regretted sitting here every day rather than getting by with a job that paid the minimum wage. He regretted not telling his crush how he felt and watching as she was taken by someone who was much better than himself.

All because he had no passion or drive to do anything about it. He woke up every day tired, wanting to go back to sleep, yet never being able to.

He was a lazy bum because he hated this world, he hated the fact that he was forced to live a life that the rich could determine. Working under someone else and stifling any bit of creativity within him. He hated the fact that he had could only leave this life by sheer luck, and that his luck was already predetermined by fate.

And yet he sat here every day feeling sorry for himself, only leaving the house to clean the town's laundromat and not even getting paid.

He sighed as he told his sister to leave him alone and that he would go to his mother in a little bit.

She returned to wherever she came from Alex just laid on his bed. Time passed as he spent his days doing nothing his regret growing stronger and stronger. His parents passed away, and he was forced out of the house as he had no job.

Alex became unrecognizable, his hair grew long and he lived off of what he foraged near the town. He had grown accustomed to his aching heart, becoming numb to all his emotions. Until one day he got sick, deathly sick. He was ready to go, he had been counting the days before he would be freed.

But whenever he woke up in the hospital he saw a familiar face.

'Taylor?' Alex thought as he saw the man who was the most popular student in his school.

Taylor had had classes with him one year, and he spoke with him often when he did.

Alex felt ashamed that he had to see him in this condition. He hoped that he wouldn't remember him.

'Hey Alex. I don't know if you remember me, but we went to high school together.' Taylor said as he saw Alex was awake.

'I remember.' Alex said with a hoarse voice.

'You were found in terrible condition this morning. You've got a terrible fever and your immune system is incredibly weak due to lack of nutrition. I'm honestly surprised that you are still alive.' Taylor said letting Alex know his condition.

'I can have you better in no time though.' Taylor told him with a small smile.

'There is no need. I don't want the healing.' Alex said as Taylor finished speaking.

'If it's about the cost, I'll do it for no charge.' Taylor replied hoping to get Alex to reconsider.

'It's not about the cost.' Alex paused before confessing. 'I have nothing, and I've already seen all life has had to offer for me. Although I would be very happy if you could bring me a candle, I don't sleep well in the dark.'

Taylor nodded. He clenched his fist as he saw the state that his old peer was in. He turned to look at him before leaving. A look of pity covered his face.

When he returned he had lit a candle he sat it on the table next to Alex. Taylor sat and watched the monitor next to him.

Alex did nothing as he just watched the candle next to him, his breath becoming softer and softer.

Until, it stopped.

Alex thought of his old friends the regret boiling like hot magma within him. His sister's last words to him echoed throughout him.

'Lazy bum.'

Suddenly, Alex could feel dark mana swirling around him he felt its strength growing, and then, it cracked as he broke through to the Expert class. His true memories returned to him as he woke up from what he could only describe as the worst nightmare he had ever had.

Alex rose from his bed quickly and grabbed his hair, checking to see if it was still short. He wiped his tears as he sighed in relief. The nightmare felt so real that even up till the end he didn't realize he was dreaming.

'I can't let myself become like that.' Alex said as he remembered the dream.

'But I will always remember that the only reason I'm where I am is because of my affinities. This dream must have been a manifestation of all my doubts, all of the what if's that plague my mind.'

'I've never felt so…. So broken.' He thought as he mulled over the dream. 'Was it real? It's possible that in another reality I never awakened an affinity and lived with nothing to hold onto.'

'I've broken through to the Expert class for my dark affinity!' Alex thought as he remembered his energy growing and feeling the crack as he broke through.

'Maybe dreams can have the same effects as memories. Maybe I just need to learn something from them and feel strong negative emotions to strengthen my dark affinity.' Alex pondered why this had given such significant growth in strength.

——————

Alex worked on mapping out runes for the suit of armor. He was using the new set of skills that Paul had taught him yesterday. Asking for some help whenever he didn't know what to do.

Paul looked over to Alex. 'He seems different, it feels like he has matured even more. Is this how every dark mage grows?'

He could already see Alex as a grown man a dark serious expression filling his face as he fought back the tides of beasts.

'I hope he doesn't lose himself in the process.' Paul thought before he got back to tinkering with the suit of armor.

"Okay how is this?" Alex said as he held the diagram up for Paul to see.

"That's pretty good for your first try. Now try and do it while making the runes in, well, a neater arrangement." Paul said before grabbing a folder. "Here look at my first diagram of the suit. All of the runes are easily accessible, allowing diagnostics to be performed much more quickly."

"Anything you can think of to switch it up and make the process easier will work."

Alex nodded as he looked at the diagram thoughtfully.

He quickly grabbed another blank sheet of paper starting from scratch. 'There is a lot I can improve.'

Alex managed to get halfway through with the diagram before the tone sounded.

"Alright, time for your big day. Are you excited?" Paul asked as he got ready to accompany Alex to the courtyard.

"Why did you word it as if I was getting married? Of course, I'm ready, I've been ready." Alex replied to Paul.

"Well, it's not every day that two King class mages take in one disciple between the two, it's not very far from a weird marriage."

"Whatever you say." Alex said as he gathered his belongings.

Alex walked up to the two instructors. He smiled as he saw how dressed up they were. He had never expected to see the two wearing suits. Here he was underdressed, but he didn't care about that.

The two pulled him next to them.

"Alright now that the basic training has finished and everyone is here, we would like to make an announcement before your scheduled change tomorrow." Duncan said in a loud voice while somehow not yelling.

"Michael and Daniel are taking in Alex as their personal disciple." He paused as the people from the town's news channel took a few photos of the three.

"Alex and Taylor will also be the first to do their final spar. They will be going up against the undefeated champion from the Dalifield high school, Daniel. Daniel is the instructor of the armed martial arts club, so the forty of you who just finished learning how to meditate will be spending a bit learning from this man."

After the announcement was over Daniel went to go get changed out of the suit. 'This is way too expensive to spar in.' He thought.

"Alright, everyone except the two fighters clear the stage." Duncan ordered the students and news people.

He then looked to the two boys who were clearing up their nerves on the stage. "We will begin the fight when Daniel returns."

Michael then tossed the two boys their weapons. Alex scanned the chain-blades. 'They're a newer version of what's used in the dueling rooms. Seems like they have the AI contained within them.'

Daniel walked up to the stage now wearing less constricting clothes. Some shorts and a t-shirt. He jumped over the crowd without using any magic, resulting in a collective "wow!" From the crowd.

'All of the student mages from all years are present.' Alex thought as he saw many older students in the crowd.

Daniel removed a quarterstaff from his back and spoke to the AI within.

"System begin final spar protocol, code name Martial master."

[Confirmed. Who are the challengers?]

"Alex Erebus, and Taylor Grievenor."

[Very well, begin on your mark.]

"I'll begin when this coin lands." Daniel said before flicking a coin into the air.

Alex and Taylor watched the coin as it flew through the air. Time seemed to slow as it got closer to the grounds.

With a light "tink." It landed.

Daniel immediately dashed towards the pair.

Time returned to a normal speed as they all focused on their opponents.

Alex and Taylor immediately split up so that Daniel wouldn't be able to profit from sweeping attacks. Taylor and Alex began attacking Daniel from both directions.

Daniel easily dodged some attacks and blocked others.

When Alex tried to throw a scythe he knocked it to the ground, buying time and getting a few hits in on Taylor. The metal ends released small amounts of ink weakening Taylor.

Alex quickly got closer and began attacking to take some pressure off of Taylor. Daniel went back to a passive fighting style as he was assaulted from both directions.

Alex tried everything from scissor attacks, using both scythes at once, even throwing in some kicks to force Daniel to split his attention. When his kick was about to reach Daniel he saw the quarterstaff heading in the direction of his leg.

In a split second, Alex devised a plan. 'Hopefully this works.'

Alex allowed the quarterstaff to reach behind his leg and knock him off of his feet.

As he was falling he watched Daniel begin to focus his attention on Taylor. Alex had already readied himself as he grasped tightly onto the quarterstaff with the back of his knee that was bent forward by it, He then hooked his two feet together as he landed sideways. It looked as if he had the quarterstaff in a headlock.

Alex threw his chain straight above him laying out a trap.

Taylor slashed at Daniel who was surprised to find that his weapon was caught. Daniel jumped up and spun around the pole to evade the sword, only to find a chain blocking his path. As the chain touched his stomach he released his weapon flying through the air and just barely avoiding being wrapped up.

He rolled and turned back to the students.

[Daniel disarmed. The new holder of the weapon is Alex.] The AI said as it sensed the situation.

Alex got up quickly wrapping one of the scythes around his arm. Holding the scythe with no slack in his hand along with the quarterstaff. Just barely able to wrap his hand around both of them completely.

He didn't know how to use the weapon so he would use it like a lance and a club. A lance and a club with a sharp blade waiting for anyone who dares to try and take it from his grasp.

With the new hybrid weapon, Alex closed in on Taylor and Daniel who were fighting. Daniel would smack the flat edge of the sword as it came near him, barely managing to avoid his slashes.

Alex swung the free scythe towards Daniel who had just caught the heavy sword between his hands and was about to deliver a kick, but he abandoned that attempt as he saw the blade coming towards him.

He flipped both hands to one side of the sword and pushed harshly buying some time to dodge the scythe. Alex swiped with the quarterstaff hooking one of Daniels's legs as he leaned back to avoid the scythe. Daniel's leg was lifted and he was knocked off his feet. As he fell he did as Alex did and locked his legs around the quarterstaff.

Alex had expected this and slid the quarterstaff further and his scythe came into contact with the instructor's leg, releasing a fair amount of ink. Daniels's leg was weakened drastically as it was numbed.

Daniel spun on the ground with his legs still wrapped around the quarterstaff, forcing it loose from Alex's grasp. Taylor came back and delivered a quick blow to one of Daniel's arms while Daniel was grabbing the quarterstaff with his hands.

The instructor swiftly got up onto his one perfect leg and readied himself for the next attack. When the two swung their weapons he did something they wouldn't have expected.

He charged straight towards Alex.

'He is gonna take Taylor's attack straight on and take me out in the process.'

Alex punched straight out with the chain-blade wrapped around his arm. The other scythe's trajectory immediately swiveled intercepting Daniel and delivering a blow to his back.

'Please let this be enough.'

Taylor's attack quickly landed and so did Daniels. Alex received a blow to his chest and was thrown back. The scythe that had made contact with Daniel's back was pulled into it as Alex was thrown away. Much like Alex's first fight with Taylor, he had used Daniel's own charging attack against him.

Daniel was pulled forward as Alex fell, only stopping as he landed face-forward on the ground.

Taylor was about to jump in and finish him off but he stopped as he heard the familiar tone.

[Winners, Alex and Taylor.]

Alex breathed a sigh of relief as he heard the noise.

Daniel rolled over onto his back as he took in what had happened.

In the stands, Michael laughed. "You would have seen it coming if you looked at the recordings like I told you." Michael said as he looked at the fallen champion.

"You know if I did that I would have to show them my training to right. Either way, the outcome would be the same." Daniel said in reply.

After a few moments of silence, the crowd burst into cheers as many began to congratulate the first two students to defeat Daniel.

Alex helped Daniel up, the AI had already begun disabling the ink and they were already able to move more freely.

Daniel shook his leg for a moment before speaking. "You two have done well. Let's go grab some refreshments so that we can watch the rest of the duels in relaxation.

The two nodded as they followed the instructor to a vending machine. "It's on me, you guys deserve it pick what you want." Michael said as he walked with them.

"Come on we have a place with a good view for the spars." Michael said as he took them to a small building next to the courtyard.

He jumped up and helped the rest climb up to the roof. The four sat back as they waited for the rest of the fighting to commence.