Chapter 26: The duel part 1
I didn't stop running till I got back to the farmhouse, then I locked the door behind me and crawled into bed.
I closed my eyes and tried to sleep but it was pointless, I couldn't sleep no matter how hard I tried.
I got up and alternated between pacing and sitting at the edge of the bed till dawn broke, melting away the cover of darkness.
As I did my chores for the day, the weariness from the lack of sleep began to seep in but it was too late to rest, I had work to do so I shrugged it off and continued.
Just thug it out. I thought to myself.
Mr Simon noticed I was less enthusiastic than I usually was, he noticed the way I sluggishly moved my body as I worked around the farm but thankfully, he kept his mouth quiet, only letting out the occasional thoughtful "hmm".
When we were done, I grabbed my food from the dinning and immediately headed for my room.
As I sat on the bed, the door creaked open and Ava entered the room with a plate in her hand and a frown on her face. The room was filled with the sweet scent of roses as she entered.
I looked at the tight gown she wore, it accentuated her shape. My eyes were peeled to her melons which bounced as she walked towards me.
She placed her food on the table opposite ny bed and stood in front of me with her arms folded.
"What's wrong with you?" She asked crossly.
"What's wrong with me?" I asked nonchalantly. I was not in the mood for one of her recent bouts of anger.
"You've been scarce of recent but at least when you show up, you act normal. But today you've been a ghost of your usual self". She said and her frown deepened but buried deep within that frown I could see a hint of concern.
Funny you would call me a ghost of my usual self, cause that's what I literarily am. I thought and smiled to myself.
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"I don't understand what you mean". I said lazily and shoveled two spoonfuls of food into my mouth.
"You're so annoying". Ava said and started to walk off angrily.
"Okay, okay, wait!" I called to her. "I'm sorry I've been acting weird but I'm a little cranky today". I said.
Ava watched me with measured carefulness. "Why are you cranky?"
I sighed and rubbed my temple, I couldn't tell Ava about the two human-like beast monsters I saw or about the portal. What good could possibly come of it? She couldn't do anything about it anyway and it would only add to her fear.
"I couldn't sleep". I said finally. I" had nightmares".
A part of me didn't like lying to Ava, I had never really felt comfortable lying, even in my past life.
Ava's face softened as concern spread over it, she sat beside me on the bed and held my hands. "What nightmares did you have Levi?" She asked in her tiny voice.
That was the thing with Ava, she was so caring and sensitive to the things I was going through. She felt empathy for all my emotions and worried about me deeply, she was also very touchy when she tried to reassure me.
Overall it was nice that she could care so deeply and love so warmly.
I hated it.
I felt a pang of guilt in my heart as I thought it but I couldn't help myself at the moment. Maybe during other times it would feel good and touching but at the moment I was sleep deprived and struggling to master basic magic techniques.
Her presence slightly irritated me.
Fighting the urge to withdraw my hands, I sighed as dramatically as I could.
"I don't remember them". I lied smoothly. "That's what bothers me the most".
"I understand". She said. "What do you want to do now?"
"Eat in silence". I replied, feeling another pang of guilt.
"Okay". She said and we ate in silence.
When we were done, I wanted to return my plates but Ava held me back. "I've got it". She said and left with both plates.
I sighed and leaned my head on the pillow, evening couldn't come fast enough.
I must have dozed off at some point, when I woke up, the sun had waned and a chill breeze swept through the garden, filling my room with the scent of many spices. It was evening.
I got off the bed and headed straight to Emily's house.
She was sitting in front of the house when I got there.
"What took you so long?" She asked when she looked up and saw me.
"Long story". I said with a shrug.
We headed to the back of her house.
Groannn!
The door groaned as she pulled it open and we went out.
Emily looked at me from head to toe. "You look horrible Levi". She said.
"Flirting is usually done in a different way where I come from". I replied with a smile.
"I'm serious". Emily said, her countenance was business-like. "What happened?"
I sighed. "Where do I start from?"
"Start from the beginning". She said.
"Okay". I sighed again. I narrated the story to her, starting from where I decided to train regardless. When I was done, her face radiated fury.
"I can't believe you went ahead to train". She yelled. "You even promised!"
I gave her a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist it".
Emily shook her head and sat on a wooden bench near us.
"What does it mean?" She said quietly. "A portal through which beast monsters entered the forest".
"So you didn't know this before?" I asked.
"No, remember I told you we didn't know where they come from". Emily replied. "So they come from another dimension, wow".
"What are you going to do now?" I asked.
"I'll tell my masters tomorrow, this information has to reach the emperor as quickly as possible". She replied, then she turned to me.
"You however, since you've decided you want to be a mage so bad, let's see how well you fare in combat".
I looked at her furious face and took a step back. "Emily". I said warningly.
Emily glared at me, then she shot a fireball at me.
[Enemy attack detected]
[Intitiating battle mode]
[You have a new quest]
[Quest: Defeat opponent]
[Reward: Mana control]