Chapter 3 - That Sudden Burst of Mana

Drake's wrath was uncontrollably coming out from his mana. The blast of his energy is so bright, and so different from other users. Even when that knight started gaining his senses from getting his jaw punched, he never saw that kind of intimidated aura coming from a man, least just a young boy. 

That time, the unfamiliar sense of mana coming from Drake was so bright. Even Jack who wasn't near could sense it. He fastened his steps, because he knew something was wrong.

But unfortunately, because of his grief and overwhelmed emotion, Drake himself was not aware of the sudden change of his mana energy.

Same for the knight. What the knight saw didn't become a problem for him. His pride was crushingly defeated by Drake and that's what more important for a kind like him.

The Knight pulled out his knife and put his mana into it. The blade became ten times sharper and lighter to handle. 

It was easy for the middle tier Bismouth to use mana as a weapon. But for a low tier like Drake, he took a longer time just to pour his mana into his blade, not that he owned it right now. Any sharp weapon was already confiscated. He could only bring a small portion of his goods.

Sensing the intimidating mana from Drake, the knight finally launched his knife towards him, but if in terms of speed, under the same training, a low tier like him would not lose.

Drake realized he couldn't handle the weapon as well as that knight. So he knew, using his speed and stamina was the only choice he could think of. While hoping the knight wasn't trained enough, buying time seemed possible. 

Settling his grief apart, Drake tried to focus more on the situation.

When the shine of the blade became more visible, and the guard's grip tightened, he knew it's time to take the first step.

The guard moved toward him, but he was faster. The blade was cutting through the door, exactly where he was standing two seconds ago.

Seeing the opportunity, Drake launched a powerful kick to his side, only to make the guard startled, but there's no enough damage. 

When kicking using almost of his full force, knowing the impact was invisible brought his focus to more disarray. Until he saw it. The tiny purple layer coating that guard's body. 

His confusion altered the other man's reflection.

Understanding he was an upper hand compared to Drake, the knight's smirk turned into laughter. "Ha! You can't hurt me enough! This is what real Bismouth learn as a knight."

Positioning his body to escape another strike, Drake asked. "What do you mean by that?" 

Drake knew that man was on the cloud, probably over proud of his power. He could sensed it in his emotions.

"There's no use for people like you to know. You're going to die anyway!" The knight said, striking faster toward him.

Fuck! I can't possibly win over this. If only I have enough power.

Drake's tense body moved to the side. Grabbing the chair, he threw it to the man from behind.

In blinks, the chair was destroyed by the guard's mana. It broke into fallen pieces.

And under the rain of the broken part, Drake ran toward him. 

His face came to the sight of the guard. This time, the blow landed on the neck, one of the weakest points a man might not be able to handle. 

It might be his cheapest fighting move as a knight. But not having enough skill, there's no way he let this man kill him. He needed to kill him first. It was either him or that guard. 

The intensity of the murderous atmosphere was so thick. The guard who lost in balance on that punch, wouldn't let another strike land on him. 

Drake could sense the knight boosting mana, and reading his emotion, this was the maximum of energy that man could use. 

Now, he's two times faster than him. The guard gripped Drake's neck and threw him across the floor.

His back hit the desk, and broke it. I

The feel of burnt. His skin might be damaged, but he couldn't give everything up. 

While another kick landed on his stomach, Drake energy ran out so fast. His body hadn't fully healed yet from the previous beating. 

This is the first time disappointment sinking so deep in Drake's heart. Why in the hell he didn't train his mana! Though without using one, there was no day he led a comfortable life. 

He thought what he did was enough. Until the chance to become a knight came, which was a safe card for them. 

Next kick made him lose his mind. The pain is almost unbearable. Spitting blood from his mouth, he refused to make this the end of his life. 

Standing with his shivering body, Drake tried to boost his mana. And he felt it, the feeling of being scared coming from his opponent. He sensed it with his instinct.

Having the sweat fall down to his chin, the Guard didn't even realize how much Drake's intimidated mana was affecting him, he just intended to finish all of this as soon as possible! 

Last kick from him, he made Drake fall again on the floor, and while holding the knife so high above him, a second later after swinging that blade, Drake would lose his life.

Shutting his eyes, Drake braced his death with anger still swimming under his heart. But it never came. 

The loud sound of blast coming from his side, and the dripping of hot blood on his body, as well as the sudden disappearance of one person's emotion. He might never see his luck this fast.

Someone shoved the guard's body before falling on him. "Who.. are you?"

Ignoring his question, Jack pulled out the sword from the knight's body. It was stabbed exactly where his heart was, pierced from his back through the front. "Leave now!"

 "Wh.. what?"

Throwing the pocket money, Jack said, "If you go to the nearest border to the west, there's a small pub owned by a Sora. Used some of the money for a horse. He will sell it to you for a cheap price. Go away and never come back!"

Gritting his teeth, he moved to pick up his belongings and his grandma's body. He couldn't be thankful enough for this unknown man's help.

Seeing his grandma cold and unmoving on bed, the moistness on his eyes made everything blur. Fuck! This is not the time. 

"Leave the body!" Said Jack

"What? I can't! There's no way I will leave my grandma here!"

Irritated with Drake's stubbornness, Jack said, "If you're going to die along the way, then what's the point I saved you earlier! You think you can move faster with your grandma's weight on your shoulder?!" 

Brushing aside the truth, Drake wouldn't let the knight hang his grandma's body on the town, only to be eaten by crows for days. There's no fucking way.

Whitening his knuckles, he said, "I can't leave my grandma to them. Even if I die on the way!"

"Your stubbornness would lead you to your death, " Jack said, seeing the old him in the boy's eyes. "Leave. I will bury your grandma. This is the last promise I could give." 

Seeing how pointless the argument was, and he knew better that his grandma wanted him to live, Drake made his choice.

He looked at his grandma, and he kissed her hair. "I'm sorry. I hope in there, you get to find the happiness you can't get when you live."

Drake took his and his grandma's belongings. But before stepping out from the door, He looked one last time at that man, "I will come back. I will come back and be a stronger person. And if I find you broke your promise, I will fucking kill you!" 

What an ungrateful boy! That was the thought of Jack. But seeing how the determination came from his eyes, a shiver of anticipation washed over him. He smiled, "Do that, then."

With a heavy heart, Drake ran out from the building, and went straight to the nearest border in the west.

Still in the room, Jack looked at the grandma body. Seeing how helpless she was, reminded him of his mother. "Tck.. What another long job."

___

The fastest his steps were, the more Drake felt his numbness on his heart. 

Arriving at the gate, he finally passed through a sleeping guard. And then he saw the pub. 

Old building with the chilled air and no lamp in front of the store, it brought the spookiness of it.

Worrying enter the wrong place, he walked silently inside. There's no enough customers, and the light was so dim. 

"You!" An older man said from behind. And when Drake turned his body, he finally had a certainty. This was the right place. 

"Are you a Sora user that man talked about?" Asked Drake.

"What do you want to buy? We had a lot of whiskey here. But not as much as the capital." 

"I need a horse." Said Drake, following that old man to the counter.