Bernard's eyes glazed over, his spirit somewhat lifted after a few days.
While he wouldn't accept being saved like that again, he chose to focus on the future. Somehow, somewhere in his heart, he knew this is what Vincent would want.
His brother was a genius, always focused on the future, so, it only made sense that he wouldn't want Bernard to be defeated by their first encounter against demons.
So, he kept gazing over the road, focused on the journey back to the HQ.
They were called back to be questioned about the demons, since having two of those roaming free in Myrka's territory is dangerous and also a humiliation.
The fact they were called back so soon is proof enough of that. Bernard knew not who gave the order, but it must've been someone's important. Influential enough in their hierarchy to overrule a noblemen house decree.
Bernard knew that the reason they were accompanied by Lady Lenna is that someone had questions for her. And he was afraid of that.
Few could force a baron's daughter to answer. Even fewer of them would take interest in that mission.
So, who?
That was the question that made his mind burn into overdrive, forcing himself to confront against any type of opposition. His thought process was a simple one.
If he died, his brother's sacrifice would be in vain.
So, focusing on this, he tried to feel what was around him. His Metal kinesis came a long way since he first began to train it, no longer feeling the strain that came with sensory and information overload that accompanied the uses of his ESP.
He could feel the earth, the searing metal of the carriage, the iron bars that kept the wheels rolling, Jesse golden pocket watch that he looked at when he thought no one was looking. Bernard sensed it all.
Even after the pain came, he still forced himself to receive the surrounding information, forcing his mind to sharpen, to be unbreakable.
His brother wouldn't be satisfied with nothing less.
After a long wait, he could finally see the gates of the HQ waiting for them, his mind overload, memories running through it as well. Be it training or hanging out with his brothers, he felt a small part of himself thankful to be back.
Allowing a small smile, he was truly glad that this place still existed. A fortress that kept his most innocent and vulnerable memories.
Even if he was a little more than a month old, the indoctrination they went through forced his mind to catch up with his body in more ways than one. The few weeks he had here been the few and only good things he kept bottled up in his heart.
Smiling, he exited the carriage with a spring on his steps, feeling lighter than he has for a long time. Alongside him, Jesse and Oliver also came, with another carriage up ahead, with Lenna's inquisitive eyes glancing from the window.
"So that's them, right?"
"Yeah, the ESP new squad… their missing one member, however…"
His mood quickly sobered up, glances from all directions focusing on them as much as the attention of the crowd into an actor during a specially dramatic scene.
They failed.
They weren't here to have a day off… They were here to report a failure…
And he was the one who would have to do the heavy lifting.
Glancing at his right, he noticed that Jesse was oddly in thought, his right hand in his pocket, where the pocket watch was. Then, there was Oliver, who appeared oddly subdued, his mind elsewhere.
Gazing forward, he chose to not comment on anything, instead leading them. However, it was more like they were the guards taking him to an execution stand.
His neck felt stiff, his throat dry, his heartbeat increased, and his anxiousness was growing. This is it, he thought, feeling the taste of copper in his mouth. Somehow, biting his tongue was something that relaxed him. The pain reminding him he was alive.
This time, he bit stronger than usual, the bloody liquid a clear sign of it.
This could be my last day as an officer. Vincent was special. It's my fault for losing him, his heart pounded as he forced those thoughts away from his mind.
Somehow, such words tasted worse than copper.
...
I coughed out blood, my chest hurting after a particularly vicious blow from my training partner. Looking at the blonde from before, I tried to ignore how bored he looked while we fought, focusing instead on the huge claymore on his back.
He's not even deigning me worthy of his blade…
Arrogant prick!
"You doing alright there?" Jumping away from him, my bullets began to rain down, but he dodged and kept walking towards me. Falling down, I changed my guns and tried to slash his neck, but had no luck. "Good, you still have some fight in you!"
He kept dodging my slashes, until he got bored and held both my forearms and drop-kicked me in the chest. Rolling in the ground, I changed the weapons again and placed another round of bullets, firing them while rising up.
Instead of focusing on his vitals, I tried to mix with headshots and warning ones, in his legs and feet, but the blonde wanker kept smiling. He was having fun while training!
Filtering the Ether in the air, I forced the surrounding gravity to imprison him. It wouldn't do to try to kill him with one of my faster shots, so I tried to limit his movements.
Shooting him, I forced him to actually use his sword to block, and I smiled, trying to force the sword out of his arms.
The last three days were focusing on training. The blonde prick forcing me in combat as a way to increase my endurance.
According to them, using my ESP in combat should force me to evolve. Dodging a slash, I changed to blade form, trying to parry the huge sword, but, even with the altered gravity slowing him down, the bastard's hits still were too heavy.
After a particularly strong attack, both my guns were forced out of my hands, and a kick was lodged in my chest, forcing me to double down and wheeze, catching my breath.
"That's enough, Arthur." The woman said, approaching us with deliberate, slow steps. The blond held his hand, giving me support to get up. "Baron Drott has a mission for him. Vincent, you are to report to him in an hour. Catch your breath and go change."
"No need to tell me twice," I said, sighing. Even now, training with Arthur still forced me to give my best, leaving my body sore and mind tired. Walking away, I tried to ignore Gwynnere piercing gaze, focusing only on what was waiting for me.
An assignment, only three days after shaking the hand of a demon. He's trusting me a lot, especially considering I'm not exactly a fan of his.
The feeling, of course, is mutual.
Both of us hate one another, but that's not something I should focus right now. Even if I hate him, I'll still work for him, for now.
If his religion is truly this powerful, they must have a way to send me back, so, I'll use them as they're using me. Even if it's immoral, it means nothing to a seasoned mercenary… However, as I approached the bathroom, a thought betrayed my firm control.
What if he orders me to go against Bernard and the others?