Chapter 10. A Spilled Accident

I woke up with a start and quickly realized that morning had already arrived.

"Alfonse? ALFONSE!" Nia and Charlotte were shouting outside my door. Once again, I was late to wake up. I sighed, acknowledging my perpetual struggle with punctuality. Maybe I should start taping reminders to my face. Nia and Charlotte insisted that I join them, and I felt relieved that they seemed to have forgiven my tardiness.

"Come with us. Let's grab a bite before we head out," they invited eagerly. The three of us made our way downstairs, settling down at a table to enjoy our chosen breakfast items. Nia and Charlotte seemed more animated than ever, their energy infectious. They inquired about my food preferences with smiles on their faces, and I discreetly glanced at the glass for a moment before responding.

"Hmm, I think I'll stick with a sandwich again," I admitted, not entirely confident in my decision-making abilities. As we sat around the table, eating and discussing my first day as a swordsman, Camilla asked about my experience.

"How was it?" she inquired, genuinely interested. I sighed, feeling the weight of exhaustion in my bones.

"I'm pretty wiped out," I confessed, my fatigue apparent. Nia reached out and gently grasped my arm, her smile radiating reassurance.

"You'll get used to it," she assured me. I returned her smile, appreciating the support, and made a mental note of their advice for future reference. The staff approached, asking about the reward I desired.

"Well, in that case..."

Time seemed to fly as we engaged in light-hearted conversation and enjoyed our meal. However, a mishap occurred as I accidentally spilled food on the Master swordsman. Mortified, I immediately apologized for my clumsiness.

"I am so sorry," I blurted out, feeling the weight of my mistake. The Master swordsman's stern response filled the air.

"You better be, or you'll face an even harsher punishment next time," he warned. With that incident behind me, I resolved to focus on improving my sword skills in the nearby forest.

"Hey, now that everything's settled, I feel like working on my swordsmanship," I informed the two sisters and Camilla. To my surprise, they insisted on joining me.

"Come on, we'd love to see you in action," they chimed in unison, their eagerness palpable. I couldn't resist their enthusiasm.

"Well, I would never say no."

We prepared everything we needed for a picnic in the forest, ensuring we were equipped with food, drinks, a mat, a basket, utensils, and even some defensive items against potential monsters.

"Shall we?" I proposed, ready to embark on our adventure. As we set off, Nia and Charlotte grasped my hands, their trust in me evident. I felt a surge of responsibility, as if I were a protective older brother to them, even though I had never experienced having siblings before. However, Camilla had a surprise in store, diverting us from the intended forest to a picturesque crystal lake.

"We're here!" she announced, her voice filled with excitement. The journey had been filled with lighthearted conversation and shared anecdotes about our lives.

"Let's take a break," I suggested, letting out a sigh as fatigue settled in. The desire for sustenance and hydration became more pronounced, driving me to express my hunger and thirst.

"I think I need a drink and a snack," I remarked, my appetite awakening after showcasing my sword skills.

"Alright, let me show you how we do it," Charlotte offered, ready to demonstrate their unique sword techniques. Taking my sword, she unleashed a dazzling skill.

"Starlight Glitter!" she exclaimed, her slashes composed of sparkling stars. Charlotte explained that her sword skill combined her magic with the blade, resulting in its ethereal appearance. Next, it was Nia's turn. She wielded a two-handed sword, significantly heavier than mine, but since our swords differed, she improvised and showcased a skill of her own.

"Burst Cryo!" she declared, her sword unleashing icy magic in a swift slash that reached an impressive distance. Even if her initial attack missed, she could still strike from afar, catching opponents off guard.

"That's amazing!" I marveled, realizing how much there was to learn at the academy. Envy surged within me as I witnessed their power and finesse. They believed it would be beneficial to teach me outside of the classroom, enabling me to grasp the skills more easily when I officially started my training. Their willingness to uplift me piqued my curiosity since it seemed to contradict the rules.

"Well, it's our choice. We want to help you grow," they asserted, their unwavering support shining through. And so, we spent the day learning, practicing, training, and engaging in physical fitness. The following days followed the same pattern, and I felt myself improving even more. Now it was Camilla's turn to showcase her skills. As a rapier user, she specialized in swift and precise slashes. Her skill, "Light Bennett," possessed the ability to immobilize her targets. They exhibited every sword skill they had learned, providing me with a wealth of inspiration.

"What about your skills?" they inquired, curious about my progress. Regrettably, I had yet to learn any special techniques, sticking to conventional slashes. Nevertheless, my body felt more honed and capable thanks to their guidance. However, the next day arrived, and they were unable to join me, as they needed to tend to their dorm's cleanliness.

"Well, that's alright," I assured them, understanding their obligations. They imparted some valuable advice for my solo endeavors, and I meticulously noted their words to ensure I wouldn't forget.

"I know you can handle it alone. We believe in you," Camilla expressed with confidence, her words instilling a sense of determination within me.

"Let your heart be the guide on your journey," Nia added, her gaze filled with unwavering faith. I smiled gratefully, thanking them for all that they had taught me. Now it was my turn to venture forth.

"I'll do my best. Thank you all for everything," I acknowledged sincerely. They bid me farewell, offering a food basket and drinks to sustain me on my solo expedition.

"Take care out there," Charlotte said, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"I will," I replied with conviction. The next day arrived, and I found myself back in the forest, ready to practice once more. As I went about my routine, I remembered the peaceful lake we had visited the day before. Perhaps it would be a good place to refine my skills. Just as I was about to activate my final skill, I failed to notice the presence of someone behind me near the pond. In my obliviousness, I stumbled and accidentally splashed water on the individual. A feeling of dread washed over me as I hit the ground.

"Oh no!" I exclaimed, realizing my blunder. It was the headmaster, the very same person I had spilled food on during his service to us the previous day.

"Hmph," he huffed, clearly unimpressed by my actions. He scolded me for my carelessness, making it clear that he had not forgotten our previous encounter.

"I'm so sorry... Wait... You're?" I paused mid-apology, recognizing him as the same person who had spilled something on me.

"Here, let me..." I offered him a tissue to clean the wet spot on his clothes, but he brushed my hand away dismissively.

"You may possess good swordsmanship, but don't forget the punishment I mentioned earlier," he warned sternly. Worries flooded my mind as I contemplated what sort of punishment he had in store for me.

"Let's return to the academy. Your punishment will be a duel on the stage, where everyone will witness your wit!" he declared, exacerbating my concerns. The entire student body and faculty would witness my humiliation if I failed, including Charlotte, Nia, and Camilla.

"You could have trained when we were around," Nia reproached, her voice tinged with disappointment. I apologized for my actions but found myself interrupted.

"Student! Come here in front of me!" the headmaster commanded, beckoning me to stand before him. "Sorry, guys, but I have to face this punishment. Thank you all for your help. I appreciate it," I reassured them, my voice tinged with gratitude. With trepidation, I approached the sword master, and the duel commenced swiftly. Before we even began, we assumed our stances. He held his sword straight in front of him, while I positioned mine at my side. My stance seemed odd, but I believed it held a strategic advantage.

But it wasn't just his sword position; he channeled the magic emanating from the crystal surrounding us.

"I may not know my element, but I must find his weakness," I thought to myself, determined to discover his vulnerabilities.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" he bellowed, preparing to unleash an earth-elemental slash. In response, I activated my skill, Gale Strike, deflecting his attack with a swift parry. As I aimed for my final strike, he intercepted my blow, thwarting my efforts. Frustration set in as I struggled to land a decisive hit. The earth element enveloped him, impeding my progress until I stumbled and fell.

"This can't be... I can't push through. He's too powerful," I lamented, gazing at Charlotte and Nia, who watched with growing concern. Their faith in me provided a glimmer of hope amidst the despair.

"I believe in you," Charlotte whispered, embracing me tightly. Even amidst my fear, her words bolstered my spirits.

"Camilla, we'll see him through this," I said, gripping her hand as tears streamed down our faces. Determined not to give up, I mustered all my strength.

"I can do it! I can do it! I CAN DO IT!" I chanted inwardly, realizing that skill outweighed brute force. As I desperately fought against the sword master, a vision of a blonde-haired girl appeared in my mind.

"I believe in you, Alfonse! Now, rise!" her voice echoed, accompanied by a brilliant blue light that surged within me, infusing me with newfound strength. Emboldened, I executed my final gale strike, colliding with the sword master's blade. In a climactic clash, his sword shattered into pieces, scattering to the ground with a resounding clang.

"I hereby revoke this student's punishment! Be more careful in the future," the headmaster proclaimed, abruptly ending my ordeal. Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd, celebrating my triumph. Charlotte, Nia, Camilla, and Callie rushed to embrace me, their jubilant smiles mixed with tears of relief.

"Oh, man, we thought you were going to lose! But we've always believed in you since you arrived in this city and entered our lives," Callie exclaimed, her voice choked with emotion.

"I'm just grateful to have friends like you," I replied, my voice filled with gratitude. As we returned to our dormitory, we reflected on the day's events. Although it had been a tumultuous journey, it ultimately strengthened our bonds.

"We're here for you, Alfonse, no matter what," Charlotte assured me, her voice brimming with sincerity.

"Thank you all. I'm truly lucky to have you," I expressed, overwhelmed by the depth of their friendship. With newfound determination and the unwavering support of my friends, I realized that no challenge would be insurmountable. Together, we would navigate the intricacies of our academy, honing our skills and forging unforgettable memories along the way.

As we prepared to leave the amphitheater, my mind lingered on the mysterious girl who had aided me in the fierce battle. Gratitude welled up within me, and I turned back towards the spot where she had stood.

"Thank you, whoever you are," I called out, my voice filled with appreciation and curiosity. I hoped to catch a glimpse of her, to properly express my gratitude, and perhaps learn more about her.

However, as I scanned the crowd, she was nowhere to be found. It seemed as though she had vanished as mysteriously as she had appeared. Despite my disappointment, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. Who was she? And why had she chosen to assist me at that crucial moment?

I turned to my friends, who were watching me with curiosity and concern. Charlotte, Nia, Camilla, and Callie exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the presence of the enigmatic girl.

"We may not know who she is, but it's clear that she played a significant role in our victory today," Charlotte spoke up, breaking the silence.

Nia nodded in agreement. "She seemed so powerful. It's like she had a connection to something greater than herself."

Camilla chimed in, her eyes reflecting a mix of wonder and determination. "Perhaps we'll cross paths with her again. But for now, we should focus on honing our abilities and growing stronger together."

Callie, ever the optimist, added, "Yeah! And maybe we'll even uncover the secrets of this academy and its hidden realms. Who knows what awaits us?"

Their words resonated with me, reminding me of the importance of our shared journey and the bonds we had formed. The mysterious girl would remain a puzzle, a piece of the larger tapestry that surrounded us. But together, with our friendship and determination, we would continue to face the challenges that lay ahead.

As we left the amphitheater, the sun setting behind us, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. The academy held countless mysteries, and I was ready to uncover them, side by side with my friends.

And so, with gratitude in my heart and newfound resolve, we ventured forth into the unknown, united in our quest for knowledge, strength, and the truth that awaited us.