Chapter 1: Explosion?
Through the rugged path that I always take to reach the city, a faint laugh usually resounded in my ears. The kind of laugh that makes you want to turn tail and run away, not looking back to even return. That was the type of sentinel this forest has, or more precisely, this workshop that sits on the middle of this forest.
I was never given an explanation as to why we have to have it nor why does it even have to exist. It was just there, plain and simple.
Overall, this forest is rich in plants and herbs that were widely used for remedies and medication. Ever since I was picked up by that “witch” when I was seven, my usual task had always involve with me gathering these herbs—whether I liked it or not.
Even though we’ve lived together for eleven years, we rarely talked. She spent most of her time cooped up in her workshop, doing whatever shady shenanigans it is. As for me, my job was to keep her alive. Sort of.
Nonetheless, if I do not return by sunset, Master would surely give me an earful, saying her favorite Melon bread was late again. Perhaps if it wasn’t for the bad reputation she’s built up in the city, none of these would have happened.
As soon as I exited the forest, the giant stone walls enclosing the city in a distance was what stole my attention, as usual. This city, Sharona, is a peaceful town belonging to the Rukbein republic. Named after one of the greatest alchemist in the world, this city is known for its beautiful clockworks—most noticeably, the giant clocktower that rests in the middle of the city.
I made a beeline to the city entrance and the usual lazy guard greeted me as usual. For some reason too, he had this weird grin on his face.
“If it isn’t the guy who lives with the witch.”
“Come now old man, how many times would I have to tell you? It’s Kekewne.”
Although I disputed him, it was mainly as a joke. He doesn’t seem to harbor any particular ill will towards me, unlike all the others I came across.
The old guard continues with a hearty laugh. “Hah! Black hair and eyes, most people would think that you’re cursed. Not to mention, your name. Are you trying to screw with me, kid?”
Yes, the poor me was named after the catastrophic dragon of the legends, Kekewne. According to the ancient text found centuries ago, there was once a dark dragon that threatened to destroy the world for whatever reasons that I didn’t deem worthy of knowing. Now, that dragon is merely a legend. There’s but a single soul left alive that could justify the credibility of these stories, but the fear he struck on us made its way on books and the dragon was recorded in history.
Regardless on how my morbid Master even came to the idea of naming the clueless me after the dark dragon in the legends, I have no choice but to accept. Besides, having the name “Kekewne” has its merits too.
While thinking about my silly childhood, I breathed a heavy sigh.
“Whatever makes you happy. That aside, is there some event going on?” I asked curiously after noticing the weird gathering of people right across the gate.
The old guard looks back to the crowd of people. “From what I heard, we’ll be having a royal visit soon. Something about the royal family’s princess wanting to see the great clocktower or whatnot.”
Judging from his tone, it must be a really big event. Something that his lazy self doesn’t want to get involve in. After what you call “our pleasantries”, I made my way inside the town.
In the middle of that crowd was a stern looking man with sharp brown eyes. He gave me the impression that he was uptight or maybe scary was the right word. However, whatever business he has in this city was not of my concern—so I decided to ignore him.
While nonchalantly walking through the bustling populace, you can’t help but notice the beautiful architecture vying for attention in your eyes. That is to say, this gigantic clock tower was indeed majestic on its own. The more I stare into it, the more it draws me in. It has that mysterious vibe attached to it.
“I wonder what’s inside?”
For the countless times I’ve visited this town, I was only allowed to go through the lower levels. From what they told me, you need a certain pass to visit the upper floors. Because something as troublesome as getting a pass did not interest me, I decided not to think about it any further.
After plowing through the group of kids playing with wooden swords, I reached the heaven called Bakery. And I described it as heaven because it was attended by a beautiful angel, Agnes.
“Oh, Kekewne, it’s been a while.”
She turned to face me with a refreshing smile. Witnessing that smile took my breath for a moment and I struggled for words.
“Eermm, indeed.”
“Hehe, are you here for the regular?”
“Arrghh, yes.”
I can only scratched my head as I try to avoid her gaze. Goddammit, it always ends like this whenever I’m around her.
“Thanks for your patronage! Come again!”
After exchanging the 4 Rupee coins I have in my pocket for ten pieces of melon bread, I left the bakery—after looking dumb and speechless. I have tried some simulations by myself, but it never worked out in the end. I’m not sure how to describe it, but there was something about her smile that keeps on stealing the air in my lungs, sometimes even leaving my mouth agape.
“Meh, next time, I’ll properly hold a conversation with Agnes.”
I fisted my right hand jerked it towards me as if I found a new goal in life. Or not really. I’m pretty content with our neutral friendship. I wouldn’t want to destroy that and made it awkward by suddenly confessing. Heck, even I’m not positive with these feelings of mine.
I pondered that in my head while walking back, yet after passing a certain alleyway, a bunch of cronies called out to me.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Yo, Mr. Dark dragon, why don’t you come play with us for a while?”
“Hehe, we’ll repay you for what you did last time.”
Based on their appearance and the swords hanging on their waist, I guess they’re serious this time. Back then, I had no trouble sending these hoodlums away just with the mere mention of my name, but I guess as time passed, that same strategy lost its edge. The last time I was in town, I did buried their faces against the wall, but that’s because my Master was with me.
It was something on the lines of, “I do not allow other people to bad mouth you like that other than myself.”
So, after hearing her say that, I was forced to beat them up. And now they’re out for my blood. Seems like they can keep a grudge at least.
“Haha, how about we forget about all of these? I’ll be benevolent and even share some Melon bread with you guys,” I forced a smile and reached out a melon bread to the nearest hoodlum.
He blinked my way and in the next instant, I had already planted my leather boots on his face. Twisting around, I kicked him in the groin as fast as he showed a pained reaction. He sprawled on the ground with hollow eye sockets and white bubbles escaping his mouth.
“Who wants the next melon bread?”
“You won’t have any teeth left when I’m done with you!”
The next guy let out a growl for some reason, as if he pulled out some secret energy. He shot a fist on my face, and another. But all it did was hit the empty space where I previously had my head on.
“Oh, please.”
I phased downward and kneed him on his gut. He lowered to his knee, and I used that chance to bash his head down the floor with an elbow strike. A loud crunch and another hoodlum was left unconscious, more white bubbles hanging on his slack-open mouth.
“Can I go home now?” I asked the last guy with a bald head who can’t seem to configure what just happened. It was all too quick.
Maybe it was due to the bag full of melon bread squashed tightly against my chest that I want to stop, and ruining them any further would defeat the reason why I even visited Sharona in the first place.
“Eeek! Monster! It’s the guy who lives with the witch!!”
When understanding finally dawned on him, he started running away like a fool. It made me wonder how much bad luck I must have to encounter those persistent thugs again and again.
“Man, if you’re gonna bring swords, at least use them. It kinda defeats the purpose.”
Mainly because I do not want to get caught with such a scene, I started jogging away from that place.
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The moment I’ve returned back to the workshop, it was long past sundown.
“Master, I’m home.”
No answer……
I don’t know why I expected an answer, but it made me lonely knowing we’ll never have that kind of relationship.
I walked to the messy work table full of blueprints and other miscellaneous. However, over there, was something that I did not predicted. It took me by surprise.
There was a birthday cake—that looks like it was clumsily put together and shoved inside an oven—and a note. Curious, I took the note and read the contents.
Happy 18th Birthday! I synthesized this cake for you! Be grateful and serve me eternally!
“This master of mine…”
I think a tear trickled down my cheek after reading her silly note. I don’t know. I wasn’t sure. Or maybe I don’t want to be sure.
If she’s gonna bake a cake, she could have ask for my help instead. I wouldn’t mind baking my own birthday cake. But thinking about it, it must be because of this that she sent me out to fetch her favorite snack.
I took a smoosh of icing and tasted it. A bit on the bitter side. Knowing my master, she probably confused salt with sugar.
“Oh well, I’ll eat it anyways—”
Suddenly, a distinct smell—burnt and crisp—wrinkled my nose involuntarily. The scent seems to be originating from my master’s room. Confused and scared at the same time on what kind of crazy antics were occurring behind her door, I went there and knocked.
*tok, tok*
“Master? Is something the matter?”
The burning smell originating from her room was getting stronger by the second. Smoke was also leaking out from the tiny gaps of her door.
“Shit—”
*Ba-Gam!!*
Just when the stupid idea of forcing my way inside flashed in my head, a sudden explosion blew me away. Everything else—her door, our glass windows, the cake that she baked for me—all was caught up in that ear deafening explosion.
“Ugh… M..Master?”
I looked around. With my hazy vision, there is only the crimson fire eating away everything else that I grew to love. Even with my consciousness in pieces, I pushed myself up. Heaving, I tried to reach my master’s room.
Amidst the confusion and the rising heat, was a single girl.
I did not recognize her, but the robe wrapped around her body was something I considered familiar. Even her purple hair was very familiar in my eyes. But, above all the irregularities, the necklace I made for that “person” was present around her neck.
At that very instant, I realized.
“No……Master?”
If slapping myself could bring me back to reality, I would’ve done so in a long time now.
Why? Why indeed.
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Did I ever told you my master was a wrinkled Grandma?