'It's very loud.' Davi thought to himself.
Yelling echoed through Fri village as the people cheered. Despite how small the village truly was, they were able to make an impressive amount of noise for such a little community.
The village had been content and satisfied with just a single magical beast, which would already fetch a pretty amount, but now they had nine fully grown salamanders that they could also sell, one of which was an alpha.
Fri had just gone from a poor village to a wealthy settlement overnight. Assuming they could sell the monster corpses, that was.
Davi had been the one to carry the corpses back to the village. It was easy for him, and he simply dragged the creatures across the narrow slope, down the mountain, and once he reached the gates of Fri, Rosco fired some sort of ice spell into the air that had gotten the attention of everyone else.
'They all seem happy.' That was why Davi found himself awkwardly standing in the center of the village with everyone crowded around him. Some people were setting up tables of food, while others were playing loud music, as a quick festival was being set up, but the majority of Fri were circled around him, all asking their own questions or snapping pictures of him.
This had happened the last time he killed the two salamanders, and it was now happening again, only much worse for him, since he killed way more of the monsters plaguing the land. The people of Fri just couldn't get enough of him.
"Are you a real Arcane Knight?"
'Sure.' Davi didn't actually say that out loud. He just thought it, keeping his blank and silent expression as more people asked him questions.
"Is your armor magical?"
'Yes.'
"Will you marry my daughter?"
'Maybe…'
"Do you think our village is finally safe?"
'I don't know.'
"Are you really leaving all these supplies with us?"
'Sure.'
Davi's helmet was off, allowing everyone to see his face, and his expression remained mostly unresponsive. He just stood there quietly listening to everyone, not actually answering any of the questions out loud and only giving a response in his head. A few kids swung off of his arms, which he held at his side, and Olivia and her friends looked slightly amused.
Everywhere he went, people stared. With or without his armor, eyes always seemed to be drawn to him. Most people stared at the jagged scar he got from a bad frostbite wound. Others would stare at his shadowy armor.
Many people always seemed scared of him. They'd never openly admit it, but he knew that it was true. He was judged to be something he was not because of the way he looked. People always judged. It was easy to label someone by just glancing at them.
He had grown used to it and stopped caring about what people thought. That's why he was all the more surprised by how he was being treated now. The people of Fri didn't seem to be afraid of him, and in fact, they couldn't seem to get enough of him.
They weren't afraid. Instead, people kept gratefully shaking his hand or clapping him on the back and offering him a drink. He had never been good with people and didn't really like all the attention he was getting, but it was sort of nice not to be stared at in fear every now and then.
Davi fidgeted, and from the bottom of his helmet, which rested at his side, he pulled out his headphones, the wire of them going into his armor. He often listened to music when he fought and would use it to drown out the noise. As he slipped them on, he hit a dial on them, causing his loud, blaring rock music to come blasting out at full volume.
That seemed to do the trick, because the questions finally stopped.
"Alright, alright, leave the poor man alone." Rosco barked out, and he cast another icy spell with a twirl of his wand, causing everyone to jump back. "No need to crowd around him. Give him some space." The village leader placed his hands on his hips and grinned. "Fri has made it through these troubling times. It's time we celebrate!"
More loud cheering exploded through the village, and the people finally began to disperse, setting up more tables. A few mages with fire magic began to cook up some meat, and those who didn't know how to cook or lacked the magic to do so got to work helping the others set up cameras or loudspeakers. It was rushed and all quick, but as far as festivals went, it seemed nice, and the people looked to be enjoying themselves.
The setting sun bathed everything in a gorgeous orange light, and Davi and Rosco watched the many people have a good time. Young and old, everyone looked so happy.
"You don't have to just stand off to the side, you know." Rosco clapped Davi on the back and then winced when he felt how sturdy the Knight's armor was. "We're throwing this celebration because of you. Those salamanders were a pain in our asses for months, but now, thanks to you, they're dead. Whenever we survive a natural disaster or come out on top against something big, our village likes to party, and this one is being held for you."
'I guess I can't stand to the side listening to my own music.' Davi kept his bitter remark to himself and removed his headphones. "I really didn't do a lot." He lazily nodded his head in the direction of Olivia, who seemed to be arguing with Ash about what type of food should be placed on a table. "That girl over there killed the alpha one, which was the bigger one."
Rosco chuckled. "You don't show a lot of emotions, do you, lad?" Davi shrugged. "Well, that's okay. You helped out more than you know. You took out all the other ones, saved Olivia and the rest of the kids, and made the villagers all happy. We've seen Arcane Knights in passing, but this is the first time one has done as much as you have for us."
Davi didn't respond. By now, most of the food was done, and the people of Fri began to eat. A few others, like farmer Jermy, were tying the salamander corpses to the back of a truck where they could be taken into the nearest city and sold.
Rosco clapped Davi on the back once more. "If you want to stand back here, that's fine, but no one would mind if you joined in. I think some would even like it if you did." The man then walked off, leaving Davi alone.
Even as a kid, understanding how other people thought and felt was always a struggle for him. He always thought that he was some sort of entity that had been built wrong. That whatever god came up with the concept of humans had left a gear or two out of his brain that made it impossible for him to understand something others could.
That error prevented him from celebrating with everyone else and left him standing in a section of the village, silently watching everyone else drink themselves silly.
'I came to help them finish the wall, but no one is working. Should I just leave?' Davi's expression remained empty, and his eyes scanned the many happy people. 'I'm wasting time just standing around here. What if that dragon gets away?'
"Hey…"
Davi turned when he heard the voice. Ever since he stepped foot into the village, people had been constantly approaching him and asking him annoying questions, but this one came from someone he recognized. It was the gray-haired boy he had beaten up.
Ash fidgeted a bit awkwardly. "Can we talk?" Behind him were his two friends, Nev and Trent, who were still injured after that salamander fight.
"Did you want to duel again?" Davi asked flatly. He kept his blank expression as he cracked his knuckles and turned up his rock music, which blasted out of the headphones even louder.
"No!" Ash looked horrified and shook his head. "If I knew you were an Arcane Knight, I never would have challenged you to a fight!" The boy face-palmed. "Listen, I just…" Ash trailed off and looked away, suddenly embarrassed.
"We wanted to thank you," Nev said. The ginger-haired boy managed a sad smile. "We would have died to the salamander. We also wanted to approach you earlier, but we didn't have the courage. Not only did you help kill two magical beasts, but you even gave us the supplies to upgrade our village. So thank you."
"Yeah!" Trent spoke up and gave a goofy grin. "You're one cool dude!"
"Cool? I don't like the cold." Davi said in a detached tone. "Can I be something else?"
"What?" The three boys looked confused, but Bruno cut them off when he entered the conversation.
"It's my turn to talk with the Knight, bros; go away!" Bruno announced. The dark-skinned boy turned and had a massive grin on his face. He was practically bursting with energy that Davi failed to match. "Sup!"
"Sup."
"So you're a real Arcane Knight?" Bruno began to look Davi over and reached out, feeling the shadowy armor. "Far out. Can you be my bro?"
"I already have a brother."
"Got room for one more?" Davi shifted uncomfortably and remained silent. Bruno decided to change the topic. "How'd you get so strong?" Davi looked apathetic, causing the boy's grin to fade slightly. It was kind of hard getting the Knight to emote or express himself, Bruno was starting to realize. "Okay, do you think I have what it takes to be an Arcane Knight? I'm wanting to become one this year, so what do you think my chances of getting in are?" Bruno asked, flexing.
"As long as you have Knight armor and can travel, I think you'll be just fine as a Knight." Davi shrugged once more.
"Is that all it takes?" Bruno asked, a little surprised by how easy it was.
"Sure."
"Huh? What about the test?"
"What test?"
Bruno made a face and then shrugged, just like Davi kept doing. "Nah, never mind. I'd like to practice a bit more anyway. Thanks for talking with me, though. I really wish I got to see you in action, but just hearing Olivia talk about you and how you dealt with that first salamander gave me some ideas!" Bruno clapped Davi on the back before finally turning and leaving, taking Ash and the other two boys with him.
Davi rubbed the spot on his back where he had been slapped. He remained in place and decided to watch the village a bit more. He wasn't an idiot; he knew why they were celebrating, but it was all so foreign to him, nonetheless. He wasn't the type to take breaks. He couldn't—not when the dragon was still out there. So long as it flew through the skies, he would keep marching until he eventually caught up to it.
Numbly, Davi rubbed his scar and turned away from the celebrating village.
"Leaving already?" Davi stopped when he heard the voice. He turned back around and found Olivia.
"Should I not?" He questioned.
Olivia made a face and let out an awkward laugh. "Well, you can if you want, but I kind of wanted to talk to you some more." Her smile faded slightly. "If you don't mind, that is."
"I do mind." Davi's response came out blunt and unforgiving. "People keep bothering me for some reason."
"Oh… Sorry?"
"It's fine." Davi folded his arms and nodded his head. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Did you mean what you said?" Olivia asked quietly.
"About what?"
"You said all magic is useful in some situations." She repeated his earlier words. "Even my blood magic?"
"Well, you were able to kill the salamander." Davi pointed out. "I don't think useless magic could have done that. I think it largely comes down to the person and the situation, and this goes for all things, not just magic. A master of the sea would struggle if you suddenly put them in the desert, just as badly as a fire mage might struggle in the rain. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, not just you. I doubt I could have killed the salamander the same way you did."
"You got mad at me when I said my magic was useless and yours was better," Olivia winced.
"It wasn't because you said your magic was useless; it was because you used it as an excuse." Davi hummed. "It's okay to be weak. Everyone has a moment where they feel utterly powerless." For a moment, the image of a massive, scaled beast came to his mind: one that had once towered over him when he was but a child. "Staying weak is the thing I have an issue with. All sorts of people can grow and try to reach their goal, but many won't. They'll sit there and refuse to put any effort in because they're too scared of failing. It's true you might not get where you wanted to be in life even if you do give it your best, but at least you tried. Maybe your blood magic is the weakest sort of magic. Maybe you really won't ever become an Arcane Knight. Maybe you'll die tomorrow of a random heart attack. You can live your life wondering about the maybes, or you can take action and try. People who hate something about themselves or hate where they stand are the same people who can grow but won't. In order to take the next step forward, it requires giving your all. You have to use everything you have, even the disgusting parts that sicken you. That hatred that you feel for yourself or that aspect of yourself can be better put to use somewhere else."
Olivia followed what he was trying to say, a little stunned. She didn't know much about Davi, but she knew he was quiet and didn't like to speak all that much, so it was a little shocking to get a speech from him. His tone hadn't changed during it, and he sounded emotionless, but it was still nice.
"Thanks." Olivia finally said.
Davi raised a hand in order to stop her. "I've already been thanked by a dozen other people today. I don't need any more." He might have sounded harsher than he intended because he saw Olivia flinch back. It was just so hard to talk like a normal person.
Olivia nodded her head and opened her mouth, about to say something. She closed it after a few moments and then glanced back at her village. She had made so many attempts to leave, and here she was about to make another one, yet in the moment, she was freezing up. She knew what she needed to say, but her mouth didn't want to work.
Arcane Knights were heroes. They lived the good life and were the kinds of people everyone wanted to be, herself included, and here she was with perhaps the best chance to reach her goal, and she just couldn't bring herself to open her mouth and say anything.
"Olivia?" Her head snapped back up, and she found Davi was still looking at her. His eyes stared into hers. "If you have something to say, then say it. It's okay. Ask." He sounded almost gentle now.
Olivia took a deep breath. She had almost died twice now in a single week. She had gotten into three different fights and used up nearly all her blood in all of them, and she had been saved by Davi Hawker each time. She made up her mind and decided it was time to go. Her adventure was going to start today.
"I want to be an Arcane Knight!" The music suddenly cut out, and Olivia realized she had blurted it out a little too loudly. All eyes had suddenly turned to her. Her face was a little red, and she shook her head and kept staring at Davi.
"Olivia?" Rosco seemed shocked by her outburst and stomped over. "What are you doing? Don't bother the poor man like this."
Olivia ignored Rosco and collected her thoughts. "I seriously almost died again, and this time, when I did, I realized I want to see what else is out there! I want to see more of the world and see other magical beasts! If possible, I'd like to explore a dungeon and learn more about magic! Oh, and I'd like to see more of those potions! I want to go on an actual adventure! I… I don't think my blood magic is strong still." She clenched her fist, and her look grew serious. "Despite that, I want to improve and see how far I can push myself. Not just because I want to see my dad again, but because I really do want to get stronger, for my own sake. I think I'd like to see what else is out there! All the things I haven't gotten to read about. I'd love to see a dragon, too, and you said you were looking for one!" Hesitantly, she offered her hand to the boy she had come to call her savior.
Whether he took it or not, she had already decided she was going to take the exam, but she still desperately wanted to be accepted by a real Arcane Knight. He was the first person besides Bruno who claimed she wasn't useless. It was also thanks to him that she had been able to slay the salamander in the first place.
Bruno let out a laugh, having walked over and slapped Olivia hard on the back. "You want to do it for yourself? I guess you're ready then, bro."
"Bruno!" Rosco shot his son a shocked look.
"Dad, come on. We knew this was going to happen. The moment Olivia turns eighteen, she's going to march off and leave. At least this way, we can ensure she isn't alone."
"Isn't alone? Are you planning on going with her?"
"Oh yeah, by the way, Dad, I want to be an Arcane Knight," Bruno said sheepishly.
"What!"
"I'm going to be one as well," Ash stated, nodding his head.
The entire village looked mostly stunned now. Kids were always claiming they wanted to be Knights when they grew up, but something about the situation was different now. The looks the teens had were steeled and more determined. Meeting a real Arcane Knight like Davi had only further motivated them all.
Rosco stared at them all as if they were crazy. "You three are insane. I know you talked about it, but I thought that was just kids being kids." He shook his head. "I'm not going to allow it. That's a dangerous life, and talent or not, I won't let you all get hurt!"
Olivia didn't look at the man who raised her; instead, she kept her gaze fixed on Davi, who was looking back at her. "I'm going to do it. I'm going to be a real Arcane Knight! So, do you think you could help me out one more time?"
Davi looked down at the hand. Davi grabbed his helmet and slipped it back on, hiding his face. His response was quiet and blunt, just as he always was. "Sure." Faster than anyone could react, Davi casually grabbed Olivia and threw her over his shoulder. "Let's go on an adventure."
"Wait!" Rosco attempted to grab the Knight, but the boy literally jumped into the air, blasting up higher than any person should have been able to jump. He then kicked off the air and launched himself away as if he could fly. Olivia was still flung over his shoulder, and she laughed loudly, clutching onto the other boy. Rosco wondered when he had last seen her look so happy.
Davi was fast. So fast that Rosco knew, even on a horse, he wouldn't be able to catch up. She had finally escaped, albeit by getting kidnapped by a Black Knight. It was just like one of the novels she was always reading. The entire village was left stunned. Many of the kids were cheering, but a majority of the adults looked conflicted or sad.
"Dad?" Bruno reached out and placed a hand on his father's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Do you think she'll visit?"
Bruno snorted. "Of course. I'm sure Olivia will find a hundred more books to read and will learn all there is about the world and then tell you all about it. That's just the kind of person she is. She's special, after all. And very, very useful. I'll visit as well."
"I won't." Ash stalked away, followed by his friends. "I'm escaping this village." He shot a look back toward Bruno. "The next time we meet, I'll have done it. You'd better catch up as well. You don't want to be the only one not to reach your goal."
Bruno got a sudden smug look on his face, and he raised an eyebrow at Ash. "So you think Olivia really will become an Arcane Knight? That's sweet."
"Shut up!" Ash cast a wind spell and lifted himself and his friends away, leaving father and son behind.
"I always knew this day would happen." Rosco let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. "After all, her father is… Well, it doesn't matter." He took a glance at the table of half-eaten food. "Party's over." It suddenly didn't feel right to celebrate, and nobody else argued. "Help me clean all this food up, Bruno."
"Right!" Bruno's grin returned, and he pulled his wand out and made a giant hand made of ice that began to scoop everything up. "I'll visit as well, you know."
"Eh, I don't care if you come back or not." Rosco said after giving it some thought.
"Dad!"
"Make sure you take care of Olivia." Rosco mumbled, and he numbly tapped his injured leg down onto the ground a few times. Even healing magic could only do so much, and he wondered, as he often did, how different his life might be if he did join the Knights. "Ash, too. That kid's a bit of a dumbass."
Bruno smirked and helped his father clean up the rest of the mess. Rosco turned away, hiding the faint smile that was on his face. He didn't know why, but he felt proud.
Rosco went to say something else but was stopped when he heard a loud horn suddenly toll through the village. That sound was reserved for something important happening and had been used when a building was on fire and when they returned with the salamander. If it was going off now, that meant something else was happening.
Rosco shared a look with his son, and the two of them quickly stopped what they were doing. By now, Davi and Olivia would likely be on a ship heading out, so it couldn't be either of them. When the two of them turned around, Rosco was shocked to see a small commotion going on. Several of the villagers were surrounding a new person who had arrived at the village gate.
The figure looked like the kind you would read about in some sci-fi novel. It was a woman, one with blonde hair tied back and wearing silver power armor with a red flowing cape behind her. She was resting on the back of a majestic-looking white horse that was clearly bred to carry her heavy armor because it was at least twice as big as a normal steed. In one arm, the woman had a golden, lance-looking weapon that was as big as a person, and sparks of golden energy gushed out of the tip of it.
It was apparent what she was right away.
"An Arcane Knight?" Rosco asked in shock.
"Another one?" Bruno said, equally surprised. "Wait! She's one of the people from the parade!" It was the same woman who had carried the corpse of that dead monster through Lotus City, the one and only Lance of Estiria. To think he'd get to see her in person again so soon.
The woman's eyes locked onto Rosco. "You're the one who requested aid, are you not? I can see the strings of mana connected to you, so you must be the one who sent the quest out." The woman spoke in a quiet tone that seemed to dance across the air. "You said your village was being attacked by some sort of magical beast that wielded fire?"
"Yeah? It was a bunch of salamanders." Rosco said, a little confused. "Did the guild send two Arcane Knights out here?"
The woman shook her head. "No, just me. I'm a Knight from the Shining Sentinels guild. Normally, we wouldn't arrive quite so quickly for a small job like this, but in truth, we had another reason for coming out here. See, we Knights deal with all sorts of arcane forces, and that includes evil mages. Recently, there's been a criminal mage running around impersonating an Arcane Knight, and he was last spotted near your village." The woman explained.
Rosco suddenly felt his face go pale. "Oh? And who is he?"
The woman's look grew more serious. "He is a young man who wears armor the color of black. His name is Davi Hawker."
Davi Hawker wasn't an Arcane Knight.
Olivia had just set out on an adventure with a wanted criminal.