We Don't Care

"One of the most fascinating things about this spell is that two of the parties can use the powers of the other. So let's say she can teleport, then you can also teleport," Bernard explained, unaware of Alastor's souring mood.

Alastor leaned in, trying to remain grateful for Bernard's help.

He would have never been able to find this book himself, considering it was in the forbidden section of the library.

"I think she used mine before," Alastor said, recalling the pull he'd felt in his deep sleep.

It was unlike anything he had experienced before—a sharp, twisting pain as if someone was trying to peel his skin.

"That was not her intention. May I?" Bernard asked, reaching out with his palm up.

Alastor let him take a closer look at the branches now spreading up to his shoulder.

The color, which had been transparent before, had turned as black as ink as if someone had painted them on.

"This girl… was about to make a binding oath with someone else," Bernard said as his eyes skimmed over the mark like a written message.

He sighed. "Most likely, she was as clueless as you were. Imagine the surprise on the altar."

Alastor pulled back his arm. "Is there a way for me to break the spell?"

"Yes, even from your side alone, you can. But it would come at the expense of the other party. The blow of the severed bond would most likely kill her," Bernard explained.

Then, as if he were merely considering whether it might rain, he went on, "Although there's a small chance she would live, I wouldn't worry if she dies. You don't even know her."

Alastor considered his options.

He doubted he would be allowed to leave, but surely Waren would understand that this was a special situation.

Even if he didn't know the girl, how could he treat her life as if it were worth nothing?

"I'm going to have to talk to Waren about it," Alastor finally said.

Bernard nodded. "That's a good idea. He should know if you could go unconscious at any time," he said.

Alastor nodded and stood from his chair. "Thank you, Dr Bernard. I'll be going now. Are you staying?"

"Yes. I have a feeling you'll be back soon," Bernard replied, then continued reading the rest of the text.

Alastor frowned at the comment but decided to see whether Bernard was right.

He turned away from the older man and left the library.

It wasn't hard to find Waren. He was always in his office—a small room with a desk tucked into the inner corner of the building's wing.

Alastor took a deep breath before knocking, almost immediately receiving an answer.

"Come in."

Alastor opened the door and entered.

The old stone bricks that made up the entirety of the castle had been left untouched during refurbishing, adding an aesthetically pleasing look, even if all Waren had done with his office was add a whiteboard and a series of filing cabinets along the wall.

An old, broken fan hung from the ceiling, and stacks of papers littered the floor.

It was so stuffy in there that Alastor wondered how his commander managed to find anything.

Did he just know where everything was?

"Twenty-three, welcome back. I didn't expect you to come here after a day's journey,"

Waren said, his face directed at the screen of his computer.

He wore the Opt white mask, a crack in the middle repaired with a thin line of gold.

"Thank you, sir. I have an issue I need to speak to you about."

"Sit down and speak."

Alastor did as instructed and went ahead.

"I need permission to leave on a private mission if that's possible," he said.

This seemed to get Waren's attention. He looked away from his screen and stared at Alastor for quite some time.

Alastor wasn't sure how he felt about that; he rarely could read anyone's expression with the Black Opt always wearing their masks.

"That's unusual. I'll consider it if you tell me what the mission is for. You know I can't let an Opt walk out just like that," Waren said lazily, turning his body to face Alastor and offering him his full attention.

Alastor thought about it for a moment before responding. "I have reason to believe that my ability to serve in the Opt would be in jeopardy if I don't solve this problem. This." He showed Waren the mark.

"I know it's a mark. But what does it represent?"

"It's a binding spell. I'm engaged to someone, and that someone can take my energy anytime she's in danger. If that happens… I'll collapse. Well, I don't need to tell you how that's going to affect everything."

Alastor waited for Waren to respond.

Waren scratched his head, then leaned against his chair.

"I don't understand where this came from. All of a sudden, it's just there. I have other missions that need your specialization. But if it's unavoidable…"

"I understand you're upset, sir, but I'm just as surprised as you are."

"Can't you break the spell from here? If you need some time, I think it should be all right. I don't want you leaving the grounds," Waren said, turning back to his work.

Alastor stopped him by placing a hand on the desk, regaining his attention.

"Sir, if I force the spell to break from here, there's a high chance the girl could die," Alastor explained.

Waren looked at him. "Do you know the girl?"

"No."

"Do you know where she is?"

"No."

"Do you care for her?"

"No," Alastor answered, making the connection that Waren was already drawing himself.

His commander sighed.

"Even if you did care, I still wouldn't care. Do you understand? I give you one week to break the spell. After that, I don't want to know," Waren said, dismissing the case as he went back to working on the computer, his fingers typing silently on the keyboard.

"But commander, the girl… she could die…" Alastor protested.

"That's the problem with you, Alastor."

Hearing his name instead of his number was almost as intimate as a touch of bare skin. Alastor instinctively leaned back, as if he could avoid Waren physically reaching for him.

"You think just because you're working out of orders it automatically means you're blameless. You're not. You're a trained assassin. You've killed hundreds. What's one extra?" Waren said nonchalantly.

"Now, get out of my office."

It was true, but Alastor couldn't bring himself to agree.

He couldn't save all the lives they sent him to end, but that didn't mean he couldn't save a life when he had the chance.

He didn't voice this thought, though.

"Thank you, commander," Alastor said before walking out of the office, finally greeted by some fresh air.

Exhausted, he found his way back to Bernard, who had stayed true to his word and was still waiting for him.

Illuminated by the yellow lights, Bernard sat reading the same book Alastor had left him with.

Without looking up, he asked, "So, what did he say?"

"That I should sever the bond. Break the spell within one week," Alastor replied.

Bernard turned to look at him.

"That's possible, Twenty-Three. But if you do this, it will also leave a mark on you. You won't go on without feeling like something was taken away from you," Bernard warned.

Alastor nodded.

He had guessed as much.

It was rare for a powerful spell like this to be broken without leaving some kind of residue behind.

"I don't want to break the spell," Alastor said suddenly.

"I was wondering... is there maybe a way to just put another spell on me?" He asked, recalling a similar case in the past.

Bernard grinned, intrigued by the sudden change in direction. "Go on…"

"Well… maybe you could put a protection spell or a blocking spell? I don't know the exact names, but you know what I mean, don't you?" Alastor asked.

He was familiar with magic, but only the solid type he was born with.

It could do one thing and one thing only. Bernard's magic, however, was as versatile as water.

"Of course I do. It's an interesting prospect."

"So, can you do it?" Alastor asked, taking a seat next to Bernard.

He felt like he could fall asleep at any moment but kept his head steady.

"I've never done it before, but I'm excited to try! Meet me tomorrow morning around eight. I'll get my first spell ready for you," Bernard said.

Alastor nodded and followed Bernard as they left the library.

Bernard spoke on and on about all kinds of spells he knew but never had the chance to try.

But Alastor wasn't listening.

In his mind, the face of the girl appeared, looking back at him with tears in her eyes.