Suddenly, the cursed mana rose from Alec's body and gathered around his chest. Like an explosion, it spread like a tidal wave.
"What the-!?"
William couldn't comprehend what happened before Aileen pulled him down to the ground.
"Stay down!"
The tidal wave of cursed mana was fast. Whoever it passed through, they became still and then for ten whole seconds, they didn't move. Right in front of their eyes, the people just moved on to their daily life. They didn't even paused to see what's happening.
Because of Aileen's fast reflex, Willam and Aileen weren't affected by it. But it seemed that everyone else did. Well, everyone except for the too scared Sir Richard.
Alec's sword slipped from his fingers and hit the ground. The three people watched as Alec fell to the ground with a thud.
Sir Richard was shocked beyond words.
"Ah...th-this.."
He couldn't even say a word. His eyes darted from Alec to Aileen and William.
*******
When Alec opened his eyes, he was in the room in Aileen's shop. His eyes moved to see Aileen and William in the room. But there was one more person, Sir Richard.
He had an unreadable expression. It seemed like he didn't wanted to be here. But he demanded answers. Everyone was silent though. The atmosphere was too heavy in the room.
"What... what's going on?"
Alec asked, holding his head while trying to sit up.
Aileen hurriedly helped him.
"Don't move too much. Stay still."
Her voice was soothing and gentle.
William frowned. Alec looked at him but couldn't understand why he frowned. He unconsciously thought that maybe he did something wrong. That's why William's glaring at him.Sir Richard walked over and stood near his bed.
His eyes were piercing with held back anger.
"You won. As per our agreement, I shall acknowledge your swordsmanship in front of everyone. "
Then his eyes darted away in frustration. He screched the back of his head.
"Although, I'm intrigued in how did you do that?"
William joined in on the topic.
"Exactly. What on earth was that? How came I never see you do that before?"
Everyone's eyes were on Alec. But Alec....he was confused, baffled, dumbfounded even.
'What the hell are they talking about? I won? How?'
"Was that perhaps a trick Sir Alestor tought you? " Aileen inquired.
"Even so, it's impossible to contain that much cursed mana in one's body."
"W-wait. I think there's been a misunderstanding-" Alec tried to clarify but got intrupted by Sir Richard.
"That doesn't make any sense. The amount of cursed mana we saw was enough to blow up his body into tiny pieces in the first place."
He had a thoughtful expression on.
"You're right. I've also never seen that much of cursed mana around him before. "
William recalled his days with Alec in their hometown. Nothing like today ever happened there.
"Maybe it's something to do with Sir Alestor?" Aileen spoke her piece.
"Um..can anyone tell me-"
"There's no way. Sir Alestor don't use cursed mana techniques."
Alec tried to speak with a raised hand but got intrupted by Sir Richard again.
"This is really frustrating! I can't think of any good explanation!"
What do you need to explain anyway?!
William ruffled his head in frustration.
"At least tell me what's going on!?" Alec finally raised his voice.
"What is everyone talking about? Why won't you fill me in on it?"
All eyes fell on Alec. Everyone in the room was confused for different reasons. Then Aileen narrowed her eyes.
"You... don't remember what happened?"
Alec shook his head. "If I knew, would I be asking?"
Sir Richard huffed while William groaned with annoyance.
"I'm a man of my words. So, even if you don't remember, I'll keep my words."
Sir Richard had a serious expression as he continued.
"Lockheart, you won." He tabbed his neck.
"You succeeded in placing your sword on my neck. Although, how you did that is still a mystery to us."
Alec tilted his head and looked at Willam. His eyes telling him that he isn't believing what he's hearing.
"I...won? Wait, wait...what actually happened? How come I don't know?"
William stepped forward.
"How much do you remember exactly?"
Alec thought for a sec before answering.
"I remember being on the ground after blocking Sir Richard's attack. After that...um... I can't... remember after that."
Aileen sighed.
"So basically, you have no recollection of events in which you created a mana twistor."
Alec looked at Aileen in shock.
"A mana twistor?"
"Yes. It was quite big. We don't know what happened but it separated you and Sir Richard from the rest of us."
Sir Richard nodded.
"Yes. Although, I hate to admit it. At that moment, I thought I was in a real battle field and not in some stupid match."
His voice screamed annoyance at the loss.
Alec was shocked and in an utter confusion.
"I.. don't know. Are you sure I created it? Could be someone else."
"Believe it or not, lockheart. It's the truth. "
The room once again fell into silence. Everyone had complexities in their heads. Aileen, William and Sir Richard were still thinking about the mana twistor.
Alec hung his head as the news was too shocking.
'please tell me they're messing with me. How can I....? '
Sir Richard sighed.
"Whatever the reason was, you proved that you are more powerful than me, Lockheart."
Alec smiled awkwardly.
"Just call me Alec."
"Sure thing, Alec lockheart."
'you don't have to say my full name, you know.'
Aileen's eyes looked through Alec. It's as if she was judging if he's telling the truth or not. But she didn't found anything unusual.
William rubbed his chin, arms folded.
"But what could've caused the mana twistor. The weirdest part was, before Alec passed out, a wave spread everywhere."
His eyes locked on Alec with a suspicious expression.
"After that, whoever I talked to. They acted like the match didn't happen at all."
Alec raised his brows.
"What?"
William continued.
"Exactly what I said. People...forgot about it. No matter how much I asked, no one seems to remember even the challenge. "
"That's definitely weird. It's getting more and more weird." Aileen shook her head.
"I have...no idea what's happening. Truly."
Alec looked out of the window and it was late in the night. The stars glittered the sky with no moon present.
"Lockheart... Alec. I want to know what it is you're after."
Everyone looked at Sir Richard.
"Every person has a story, a journey...and an aim. What's yours?"
Alec got serious. It was a random question but it carried a different weight of it's own. It wasn't as if he didn't had an aim. He did.
'but can't tell anyone.'
He huffed.
"My aim is to be a good swordsman."
Sir Richard narrowed his eyes. His dominating figure looking down at Alec.
"Do not lie. I can tell it's a lie."
At this point, Aileen also got interested. At One point, Aileen also tried to find out his aim but he said the same thing before.
It's like he doesn't want anyone to find out. Although Willam knew what he's after. But he also won't give in.
Aileen looked at William, he was fidgety and his brows knitted. Was he upset with Alec or what?
"It's not a lie. I just want to learn the ways of sword."
"Alright. Let's say that you're right. Then what are you going to do now?...or after this?"
Alec took a moment to think.
'to tell or to not tell....haaa..'
"After this.... I'll find more challenges."
"After that?"
"After that, I'll...uh..."
Sir Richard sighed.
"Why don't you just tell us what you're after?"
William stepped forward.
"Um..i know this isn't my place to say but...why are you asking him that?"
Sir Richard shifted his attention to William.
"I'll tell after I know his aim."
He said that almost too proudly. What's he so proud about?
"Even so, you can't pressure him to say his aim if he doesn't want to."
William protested. His protest had no effect whatsoever. Sir Richard waved his hand in dissmissal.
"I'm asking loc-.. Alec. What is your dream?"
William wanted to protest further but held back. He couldn't argure against reasoning. Although there wasn't much of reasons.
Alec took a deep breath, thinking about the question deeply. Deep down, he knew the answer. But a part of him advised him to not tell anyone about his thoughts.
Seeing the room fall into silence once again, Aileen sighed. She tied her silver hair into a low ponytail.
"You guys talk. I'll go get something for Alec to eat."
She went out of the room, leaving the three men there.
The weight of the question was getting heavier than it should be.
"She's smart. She left, so now you can talk freely, Alec."
Sir Richard didn't budge on even talking about something else. William knew there was no other way now, so he made himself more comfortable, lazing around on the chair.
"Alright.... I'll tell you." Alec finally agreed on telling him. Sir Richard raised his eyebrows a bit, showing his interest.
"There's something I want to get. For that purpose, I have to go far and wide. I know the search wouldn't be easy."
He looked at Sir Richard with determination.
"That's why, I wanted to master the sword. Since I was familiar with sword, I choose to learn sword for my weapon."
Sir Richard nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. He carefully spoke.
"I see. But what is it you wish to obtain?"
"It's a long story. In short, there is something called ' the Rings of Fate'. That's what I'm after."
Sir Richard nodded again.
"If you ask me, I'd say your determination is good but you're too naive. "
Alec looked at him slightly confused and intrigued on what he has to say.
"I don't know what rings you're talking about. But it's laughable that you begun to learn sword without a clear road ahead. Do you know how to get these rings."
Alec shook his head, almost too innocent.
"That's why you need to get a destination. If you have a destination, you'll be able to enjoy your journey. If you don't have a destination, it doesn't matter what you achieve. If it's not your aim, you achieved nothing."
Alec pressed his lips. He knew that what Sir Richard said is true. He might want to find the rings....but what's the actual reason? What's his goal?
"I understand where you're coming from. But I do not want to back off from this. I've trained for three years. It's something I must get now. "
Sir Richard thought for a while, looking at Alec from head to toe.
"Certainly, you've changed a big deal. But you still lack experience. "
"Yes. That's why, I'll first find more opponents before heading out for the journey."
"Hm. Say, why don't I go with you? I see you have the potential and the determination. I want to see just how far you can go with this type of determination."
Alec was baffled.
"What?...you want to...go with us?"
Sir Richard shrugged.
"Why not? I told you.... I want to see how far do you go with that mindset."