Blake was mesmerized. It wasn't a spar but art, her movement too smooth to be real. He couldn't discern any technique. Just a natural flow, the sword moved like an extension of her own limb. Each blow graceful yet terrifying. Blake couldn't move his eyes even if he wanted to.
He had seen many fencing compitition and duels, but none could even come remotely close to what he just witnessed.
He didn't even realise the spar was over. He stood there still enchanted.
Laurel sheathed her sword and noticed Blake standing not too far away.
"Wow, didn't know you would be up and running just after walking up." She made her way towards him.
Ahem*
"...Well, thanks for your concern but I'm alright for now as you can see" Blake tried to act nonchalant.
"That's good. Anyway come with me" Laurel walked ahead leaving Blake little room to question
He followed behind Laurel "Where are you taking me?"
"You will know when we are there"
***********
Knock* Knock*
"Father it's me. May I come in?" Laurel knocked
"...Yes, come in" a stern, both commanding and authoritative voice answered from inside.
Laurel gestured Blake to go inside first.
The room smelled faintly of ink and old paper, the walls lined up with shelves full of scrolls and thick books. A broad wooden table at the middle, a man sat behind it with stillness that carried weight, his white hair and beard framing a face carved in stern lines. Though calm, there was a undeniable sharpness in his eyes.
"Oh, it's you... So you finally decided to wake up"
"Sit there I've some things to discuss with you" he said pointing to a chair in front of him.
Blake nervously made his way to the chair.
Laurel also made herself comfortable on the sofa near the desk.
"So what's your name?"
"It's Blake, sir" Blake was very nervous, like going on a interview for a company you didn't know anything about.
"...So Blake, tell me-"
Blake instantly felt the temperature of the room fall by a few degrees, to the point he could feel hands and feet getting cold. The air grew heavy pressing down his chest. An invisible pressure bore down, making his hairs stand on end. The man looking straight at Blake with a sharp glint as though any small mistake could end his journey then and there.
"-are you ahollow-one ?"
"Also, let me tell you, there is no point in lying. I've already investigated your background."
"No family, no relatives, no record of your existence. And you just happened to pop-up when my daughter was getting kidnapped"
What do you have to say for yourself?"
It sounded really convincing how the man deduced everything that happened. But Blake didn't even know who he was let alone some hollow-one or something.
He didn't know what to say, but more delay could mean more suspicions. So to bid for more time he adopted a age old method, answer a question with more questions.
"..um, if I may not be rude what is a
hollow-one again?" Blake asked with genuine curiosity.
"Are you messing with me?!" The man raised his calm voice by quite a bit
"Even child knows those bastards!"
"The only reason you are here right now and not in the dungeon is because Laurel told me you helped her escape"
The pressure increased even more to the point Blake could feel is breath stopping any moment.
(Ok that backfired! What to do...what to do...)
Blake was desperate for a miracle. But alas miracles rarely happen.
"...well sir, to tell you the truth-
...I think I have amnesia, I can't remember anything after walking up..."
That's the best excuse Blake could come up with right now.
(Well time to say bye-bye to this beautiful world. Not that I know anything about it in the first place)
"You little-"
Before the man could finish, Laurel, who was paying close attention to their conversation spoke up.
"Father, I think he telling the truth. I already had a talk with Mr Pablo. He did say experiencing some after effects of mana-shock is normal. Also please stop using mana he just recovered-"
"But it's clearly their plan!"
"They don't want us to suspect him, creating fabricated lies to make us drop out guards-"
The man's demeanour changed one eighty degrees when talking to Laurel. No-one would believe they were the same person a few moments ago.
"Father you are being rude! He also did help me escape, without him I might not have made it out alive."
"..."
Sigh*
"Hey kid listen, this is your last warning. If I catch anything suspicious you are dead. Now get out"
Blake was not sure what just happened,but he was saved that's all that mattered to him.
The suffocating atmosphere disappeared as if it was an illusion all along.
"Let's go"
Laurel walked up to Blake
Blake happily obliged, he didn't want to stay here any extra second least the man changed his decision again.
"So did you really forget your memories or don't want to talk about it?" Laurel asked as they were heading back to the training grounds.
"...well I don't really remember anything before the point I was kidnapped alongside you"
Blake contemplated how to answer but in the end chose the simplest one, it did make things easier. Also it was to certain point true.
"Got it. I'm assuming you don't have anywhere to go, so how about I arrange for you to stay here? Consider it my way of thanking you for helping me"
Blake didn't even consider that far, but it made sence. He didn't have anywhere to go and sleeping in the streets wasn't an option, especially in an unknown world.
"Thankyou, it would really be big help"
"Don't worry about, it's the least I could do. Just take it easy for now. If need anything let the maid know who was talking care of you"
They arrived shortly at the entrance of the training grounds.
"I will go now, see you later"