Chapter 13: Who do you want to be?

** Song recommendation: Smoke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTuYunp4a3Y **

Ace's brow furrowed as he evaluated the words. It was usually impossible for demons to cross into the human world. Never mind, the strange behaviour of them stealing artifacts. Usually, their efforts were never coordinated enough to achieve something like that. It could only be the work of a Demon Lord. But the only Demon Lord left after the war was...Ace didn't want to finish the thought. His eyes returned to Leila who watched with an indecipherable smile.

"How do you know all this?" he asked.

"I'm a sister," Leila replied matter-of-factly, "It's my duty to know. We healers will be the first called to war after all, but perhaps I shouldn't have said anything. I just assumed the sword saint would have told you," she gave an apologetic smile and rose to leave.

Without thinking, Ace spluttered in a loud voice: "Wait," he said, forcing a smile, "the sword saint did tell me. It's just because I've been unwell. I got a bit confused,"

His eyes were pinned down to the bedsheets. He felt certain she wouldn't be convinced. However, she turned back and clasped her hands together excitedly.

"Of course, I thought as much," Leila nodded. Then she paused for a moment. "It's hard to know who to trust these days," she gave a sheepish smile.

Ace gave a weak nod. He wasn't sure what else to say. Thankfully, Leila filled the silence once again.

"I can't help but think it must be the work of a demon lord," Leila said thoughtfully.

Ace's eyes widened. He hastened to compose himself. Leila's eyes seemed to darken for a moment before she added, " I'm sure the Sword Saint will kill it though,"

Ace's mind began to race. He hardly noticed as Leila reached the door until she spoke again.

"Well, I shall leave you to rest," she smiled.

Ace was finally left alone. His mind was incensed by so many thoughts, he was forced to throw himself out of bed. His thoughts filled the room like heavy clouds of smoke. Ace looked around desperately for an escape. The window wide open with the scent of freedom called to him. Luckily, the room was only one floor up.

Ace threw on his shoes that had been neatly tucked beside the bed. He made the jump with ease and fell on top of a soft brush of leaves. He could see the entire courtyard sprawled out. The summer flowers waved from the garden but Ace's eyes at once fell on the gates that lead out of the palace. An idea took hold that he might leave the place as he had planned.

Everything seemed to tell him to go. So what if he was human? What did that even mean? This place felt like a prison. Everything in his world felt like it was getting smaller and smaller. Hearing the stories as a child, the human world seemed so bright and alive. But now it seemed just as dark.

He could go back. Still, now he knew the truth, it seemed impossible. Weakness in the demon world is the greatest sin one can have. It would mean certain death to go back. Then what was he supposed to do?

Leila's words had stirred him. Was the sword saint really going to kill his master? If so, he could warn Lord Clover. Perhaps, that would garner enough favour. That is what had worked in the past. Whatever he would do, he had to do it now. Ace felt his whole body raging to go, to be free.

However, a patrol of soldiers marched across the courtyard and brought Ace to a halt. He pressed himself against a crack between two buildings waiting for them to pass. A few moments passed as he waited for the sound of them to fade into the distance. Once they were gone, he decided to make a break for the gate.

Ace could scarcely define the feeling that propelled him forward. All he knew is that he felt compelled to leave the palace once and for all. He rushed to the gate, darting across the courtyard as fast as his legs could carry him.

Just as he reached the threshold, a cold blast of water hurtled him back with such force he tumbled back over the courtyard. He was utterly drenched and bitterly cold as he struggled to get up and face whatever had hit him.

He heard footsteps approaching as he swept the water from his face and peeled his wet hair back. A familiar figure loomed over him. The Grand wizard lowered his hand as a whirl of water encircled it. He looked different than usual.

In his study, the wizard had always been dressed in plain shirts and looked studious behind his glasses. Today, his olive skin was draped in formal robes, his brown hair swept back and his eyes appeared even more intense without his glasses to shield them. However, his usual gaze, a mixture of condescension and annoyance remained firmly on his face. He flicked his wrist and the water dropped to the ground.

"I had a feeling you might set off on another adventure," he said apathetically.

Ace let out a cough as he forced himself up. He met the wizard's eyes. This time, the adrenaline and anger were enough to enbraven him against the wizard's remarks.

"Get out of my way," Ace spat.

"Where exactly do you plan to go?" the wizard replied without moving.

"Anywhere but here," Ace snapped as he began to move past.

The wizard leaned toward him and smirked, "There's no where for you to go,"

Ace didn't answer. His eyes were set determinedly on the gate. However, the wizard continued in the same patronizing tone.

"You seem to be very attached to these demons," the wizard scoffed, "Or is it just one demon? Don't worry, your preference don't interest me in the slightest"

Ace's jaw clenched as he glared back at the wizard. It was obviously designed to provoke him. He kept walking.

"Will you go back to Clover? Beg to be taken back?" the wizard continued to jeer, " Or will it be for revenge? Equally plausible, since your so-called master dumped you here. I suppose you're curious about why you were cast off in the first place. Though the answer to that is obvious,"

Ace froze rigidly in place.

"You were much too weak," the wizard smiled malevolently, "Let's face it. Clover never had any intention of making you a student, never cared about what you wanted or for that matter, cared about you. You were just unnecessary baggage to be unloaded at the earliest convenience,"

Ace turned abruptly and grabbed the wizard by the collar.

"What the fuck do you know about it?!" Ace screamed.

However, in response, the wizard only let out a whisper of a laugh:

"Ironic, isn't it? The boy who pretends to be a demon and a demon who pretends to be human. What a perfect match! Only, you've been tossed aside. It's laughable. Don't fool yourself into thinking otherwise," he snapped his fingers and Ace was slapped back by the water. It was sharp and sudden, knocking him off his feet.

Ace could barely move for several moments. The wizard sat down beside him. Ace rolled to his front with a moan to get away, but not to much avail. He struggled to force himself up but his arms gave way. Instead, he slipped and smacked back to the ground. Finally, he gave up, meeting the wizard's eyes once again.

"What do you want from me?" Ace breathed, his voice breaking, "Are you here to mock me?" He forced back tears.

The wizard was quiet for a moment.

"I'm not as soft as the sword saint, you see. I have no warm words or reassurance to give you. I won't pretend to be sorry for telling you the truth. Though it may seem painful to you now, you will get over it.

No, I came here to tell you that if you leave now, you will always be how you are in this moment. Weak, defeated - a victim of the world to be stepped over. You know already that even if you find Clover, you won't be taken back. And even the sword saint won't take you back if you leave.

So this is your last chance. I can give you power if that's what you want. But what I'm really offering is the choice for you to be someone who can't be ignored. I think you already know this, but I'll tell you anyway. Rarely, do the weak get to make their own decisions. Others make it for them and they resent them for it. You have the opportunity to decide who you want to be," the wizard stared down with clear and impenetrable eyes.

Ace clenched his fist so tight it drew blood. As the drops fell to the ground, he hid his face in the dirt. The wizard rose to his feet, dusting himself. He looked down for one more moment and uttered:

"Leave if you want. I won't stop you,"

As he marched away, Ace managed to pull himself up. The stun of the waterboarding seemed to wear off and he was able to sit up. The midday sun was high in the sky, already drying him, but his whole body felt heavy.

There was an exit right in front of him. All he had to do was leave.