Hopeless
It was still dark when Kael, along with the “Silver Knight”, emerged from the well.
“I still need you”, Kael said. “Become my power”
The knight kneeled at him.
[Binding Summon: Silver Knight]
A white portal opened under the figure, engulfing it into another realm. Kael was successful in binding the silver knight.
[Light]
He started looking around. He saw piles of rubble scattered everywhere encircling the well. The place was desolated long ago, but he knew where he was. The debris were houses from the past, houses from his home village. The place was where the hero Lucien was born, and it is his precious home.
He picked one of the stones from the rubble, and memories came flooding in his mind. His caring mother, his supportive father, and his bubbly little sister, all of them he remembered. He sat on the ground, thinking about the time he lost, so much time that his current self could never take back. He stayed in place, sitting by the broken well. He was in the only place he can call his home. Outside of it, as he assumed, no one will accept him. And so, he decided to stay, away from everyone.
But, he forgot something, as he was deep in thought, reflecting on everything that happened. He didn’t knew at the time, Elalios was near him.
Elalios saw the light that Kael made. He was still looking for the child all this time, determined to bring Kael back to the Earl. He went to where the light came from, and there, he saw Kael, sitting beside the broken well, looking down the ground.
Elalios was cautious as to not startle the child again, as he did before. He decided to observe for a while, but what he saw was quite unusual for him. He saw a child, looking like someone who was deep in thought, reflecting about his life.
However, although that’s unusual enough, the greatest shock for Elalios was the floating light just above Kael. Without a doubt, it was created with magic. Elalios couldn’t believe what he was thinking. Kael was way too young, how was he able to use magic?
He felt a little insulted, but he knew that he shouldn’t feel that way towards a child. He shrugged his thoughts, and waited for a good opportunity, but Kael woke up from his thoughts, and spoke first.
“Deacon Elalios? Is that you?”
Elalios was startled. What he thought was confirmed. Kael did recover his memories. He looked at the child and was startled once again. There’s no point in hiding, as Kael looked at his direction.
“You have your memories back”, Elalios said, emerging from behind a tree.
Kael nodded at him. “But the village didn’t remember me”
Elalios stopped walking, maintaining distance. “It’s dangerous here, let’s go back”
“Let me stay here”, Kael looked at the stone he had. “This is my home”
“I can’t do that, Kael”, Elalios offered his hand. “Let’s go back to the castle”
The light went out. Elalios was about to create another light, but Kael did it first.
[Light]
Elalios confirmed another thought he had, as Kael demonstrated his ability to use magic.
“Please, let me stay”, Kael requested. “I want to stay here”
“The Earl will look for you”, Elalios said. “If you still refuse, I will force you to come with me”
Kael stood and shook his head. “I don’t want to do this, I just want some peace”
Elalios suddenly became worried.
“I have no choice”
[Flame]
Ten balls of fire appeared near Kael. He waved his hand forward, and all the balls of fire rushed towards Elalios.
[Shield]
The fireballs exploded in front of Elalios, but none hurt him. “Where did you learn magic?”
“I taught myself”
Elalios was surprised again, seeing that the child was serious with his answer. “I don’t believe you”
“Let me prove it then”
[Quick Summon: Earth]
A mound of earth shaped into a moving golem. Elalios’s eyes widened.
“How? How is that possible?”
[Double Shield]
The earth golem punched through Elalios’s shields. Elalios dodged in time.
[Strength Boost]
Elalios punched the golem, and destroyed it completely.
“Do you believe me now?”, Kael said.
“How could this be?”, Elalios looked at Kael. “You’re just a child”
“I am.. I should have been”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I don’t know why I’m telling you this”, Kael looked at Elalios, then he smiled. “Maybe because I see someone I know looking at you”
‘What is this? I’ve been feeling this for quite a while. This person.. he doesn’t act like a child’, Elalios thought.
“I am from the past. I was reborn in your time”
Hearing the outrageous statement, Elalios wasn’t able to make sense of it. He knew the child was different, but his claim was truly outlandish. There’s only one life, that’s why it’s so important. Someone that can live for a second time might happen, only if that someone was as powerful as the “Divine Emperor”. And, seeing that Kael didn’t have such power, there’s no way he was what he claimed he was.
Elalios felt silly for leaning on believing the child, even if for a second. Maybe his mentality became affected seeing someone as young as Kael using magic. He dismissed the claim, assuming that the side effects of the memory potion had manifested on Kael. That must be it, Elalios thought.
“This is the last time I will say this”, Kael said. “Let me stay here”
“I can’t”
“I want to have some rest. This is up to you”
[Binded Summon: Silver Knight]
The knight emerged from a white portal on the ground. Elalios was in awe looking at the figure. He knew he couldn’t win, looking at the silver figure that he was about to fight. He wanted to surrender, but seeing Kael returned sitting beside the well, his pride couldn’t handle it. There’s no way he will let a mere child treat him like that.
[All Boost]
Elalios exhausted his remaining mana, and prepared himself to fight against the knight. He rushed towards it, and at near enough distance, he stretched his hand, attempting to destroy the figure with a single punch. The attack connected, but it didn’t leave any damage.
‘Huh?’
Elalios punched multiple times in panic, but his enhanced punches didn’t do anything. Perhaps accepting defeat before it occurred was the right action. It was hopeless, he couldn’t win against a child.
“Knock him out”
That’s the last words Elalios heard. He felt a hit on his head, and he fell on the ground unconscious.