Chapter 15: He's mine

"You don't mean that. I do know you, Ace. You're not a bad kid. I know you wouldn't do something like that," Albaric smiled sadly.

Ace let out a mirthless laugh, "You really don't get it, do you? Now, who's the naive one? Maybe you really are good. I actually think it's easy to be good here. But when you're desperate enough, everyone eventually ends up the same. You'll be surprised what people can do when they're motivated enough. Did you honestly think I spent a lifetime in the demon world without getting my hands dirty?" he leaned forward with wild and ferocious eyes.

"Is that so?" Albaric's eyes narrowed. He didn't budge.

"I could kill you if I had to. If you're going up there to kill Lord Clover, then I'll stop you,"

Albaric reached down to the sword on his hip, unsheathed it and thrust it out in front of Ace. For a moment, Ace didn't respond. He didn't regret saying the words. He felt certain, not even Albaric could put aside a threat like that. He was the Sword Saint. However, suddenly Albaric shoved the sword into his hand. Ace stared down in surprise.

"Go on then," Albaric said flatly, "Show me what you learned in the Demon world. Kill me,"

Ace was flustered for a moment but he eventually took the blade in both hands. He pointed it at Albaric's throat. Albaric stared down unperturbed, not making any attempt to stop him. Ace's hands shook and his veins pulsed visibly with the strain, his face growing red.

"What are you waiting for?!" Albaric barked. Ace flinched, almost dropping the blade. He fumbled to hold it with his sweating palms.

"You don't think I would?" Ace spat.

Albaric didn't answer, but his cold, penetrating gaze spoke volumes. For another moment the blade hovered painfully at Albaric's neck, then Ace threw it to the ground. The clattering metal rung around the room and the empty hall beyond. Ace pivoted away from Albaric with a sharp exhale, dashing the book from the desk with his face to the wall. Albaric watched for a moment then swooped down to pick up his sword.

"We'll be leaving in a few days once all the preparations have been made. As I said, we're just carrying out an investigation right now. We won't be gone for too long. I'll tell the wizard," he said coolly.

With that Albaric turned to leave. Ace didn't move from where he stood. Nevertheless, Albaric paused by the door.

"Just so you know, I don't believe Clover is responsible for the attacks in the north. It's not Clover's style. We both know Clover doesn't play nicely with others. Read the reports tomorrow. See for yourself, but I highly doubt we'll find Clover there,"

The door shut behind Albaric as he left the room. Ace slammed his head against the wall of the room. His ears rang and he slumped over the desk. After several moments of dizzying quiet, he pried himself from the surface of the desk and collapsed in the bed beside. The whole room whirled around him. He shut his eyes tightly, but it all kept spinning.

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Several days later:

"You can't be serious!" Albaric exclaimed.

"Oh, I'm deadly serious," the wizard returned. He was tugging along a rucksack filled to the brim and latching it onto a horses saddle.

"What will the Emperor say?" Albaric shook his head in disbelief.

"I already have his approval," the wizard returned undeterred.

"Ha?" Albaric scratched his head, "This is ridiculous. When was the last time you even left the palace? It's too dangerous,"

"Not as long as you think, thank you," replied the wizard curtly, "I can take care of myself,"

Albaric rallied, "I don't doubt it, but it's not like before. It's been years. You've been here doing research. And rightly so. You're practically a national treasure! Why take the risk? Your life must be worth a couple of hundred books in there!"

"Oh stop it, would you? Don't bullshit me. You don't care about the books. You just don't want me there because I'm going to make you do some actual work. I know exactly how you think," the wizard pointed a finger at Albaric accusingly.

"Rude! Rude and untrue. It's a job from the Emperor himself. Give me some credit," Albaric pouted.

"Don't worry. We won't get in your way,"

"WE? Who is 'We'?"

Albaric glanced behind, seeing Bird approaching them and let out an audible sigh, "Not you too, Bird. How can they just leave the tower empty? What about the students or something?"

"The students are on holiday until winter," Bird replied cheerfully.

Albaric turned to Bird as he wasn't having any luck with the wizard and whispered, "Can't you talk some sense to him? You must agree this is crazy,"

Bird glanced sideward at the wizard whose back was turned, "I don't dare," he poised his hand and motioned, "He's like a viper these days, snapping at me. Snap! Snap! How can I say anything?"

At that moment the wizard turned back and Bird tucked his hand behind his back. The Sword Saint gave one more hopeful glance at Bird, but he shrugged with an aloof smile and walked away.

"I thought you would be happy about this," the wizard said, putting the last of his things aside.

Albaric raised an eyebrow.

"During our little field trip, I can start teaching my new student,"

"New student? What do you mean new student?"

The wizard smiled deviously and gestured to Ace who was standing back from the others. He hadn't said a word as they prepared, but suddenly all eyes turned to him. Albaric's mouth dropped open and he motioned for Ace to speak.

However, without answering, Ace simply mounted his horse. Once there he glanced down at Albaric who was still waiting impatiently and dismissed him with a shrug. No one else said anything. Albaric shook his head in agitation and hastily prepared his own horse.

The rest of the group mounted their horses and they departed from the capital. Bird and the Grand Wizard rode ahead while Albaric trailed behind. He slowed to catch up with Ace who was indifferent to this effort.

"Hey!" Albaric said at last, "Did you hear what I just said?"

"Yes," Ace replied flatly, "You asked why I agreed to be trained by the wizard, but what I don't understand is why you're asking. Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Things are different now," Albaric glanced ahead to ensure the wizard and Bird were a sufficient distance.

"Did you tell the wizard what you intend to do with that magic he's going to teach you?" he added in a low voice.

Ace's eyes remained firmly planted ahead.

"He doesn't care or he doesn't see me as a threat. Either way, it's none of your business," Ace suddenly turned to Albaric, "I'm not your student anymore," he charged into a gallop and left Albaric behind.

It was a day's ride before they took camp for the night. Though it was only nearing the end of summer, the further they got to the north, the colder it became. By nightfall, a cloud and bitter night rolled heavy clouds of mist through the valley where they were encamped.

Only the dim light of their fire mounted the blackness of the night. After supper, the younger two turned in for the night while the sword saint and the grand wizard still sat by the fire. Albaric was unusually quiet. At first, the wizard had ignored it but at last with a sigh, he spoke.

"What is it?" he spied Albaric wearily.

"Why did you suddenly decide to train him?" Albaric demanded in a low but hostile voice.

"I'm doing you a favour," the wizard smirked, " Let me remind you, you wrote to me with the problem which I have now solved. I don't mean to offend, old friend. But you sound a tad ungrateful,"

"Funny. An acquaintance of ours said the same thing about you," Albaric returned coldly.

The wizard's expression became stiff as his smile faded.

"Why don't you just get to what you actually want to say?" the wizard challenged.

Albaric quickly shuffled from his spot across from the wizard and sat adjacent to him. Bird and Ace were still sound asleep but Albaric continued in a low voice.

"Michael," Albaric leaned in close, "I'm serious. Don't do this," he pleaded.

"You always think the worst of me," the wizard sighed, "You and I are not that different, Albaric. We both see people for they are. You see the good. And I...I see everything else. The boy made his choice,"

"Because you manipulated him. You set this up from the beginning; Told me to come to the palace under the pretext of helping, then when I turned my back for a minute...you used the secret I told you to push him into becoming your student. Do you think I'm stupid?" Albaric snapped.

"Far from it," the wizard smiled darkly, "I assume, you must also know then that this is out of your hands now. He's mine. Your job is done. You did well. I thank you for making it so easy,"

Albaric lunged at the wizard grabbing him by the collar, "You bastard!"

"Ah, keep your voice down," the wizard grabbed Albaric's hand, "Back off," he gave a wide smile.

"I'm going to take the boy and..."Albaric began in a frustrated ramble.

"You'll do no such thing," the wizard tore Albaric's hand away, "If you get in my way, I'll tell the Emperor. And you know what will happen then,"

"You wouldn't..." Albaric faltered, his hands dropped to his lap. His eyes fell to the fire as the words sank in.

"Old friend," the wizard patted Albaric on the back patronizingly, "Don't overthink it. Nothing bad is going to happen because you're not stupid. I won't tell the Emperor if you don't. In fact, I'm going to take good care of him. I'll restore his magic as I promised and if everything goes to plan, he won't be harmed."

Albaric clenched his fist bitterly as the wizard gave him one last squeeze. He then turned in for the night. Albaric exhaled venomously as he glanced at the sword beside him. The wizard's arrogance had no bounds.