The Sword Alchemist

The Mysterious Man

"What's that?" the students murmured when they noticed a huge smoke and a loud crash from outside the forest. Some students were already outside and done with thier mission. Others were partially injured before getting out. Some encountered mystical beings before being able to get their sword. Those who didn't follow Mrs. Harrington's instructions and walked alone were the ones who were mostly injured.

Mrs. Harrington also saw the smoke and noticed it was coming from the middle of the forest. "The heart of Slavernake..." she mumbled then she immediately called the attention of the students. "Who went to the middle of the forest? I told you not to go in there!" she asked with worriedness. Kira's group together with the three other boys also saw what's going on. They realized who might possibly be in there. "Professor Snake, let's get inside," Mrs. Harrington said to Professor Snake. They immediately went through the forest for immediate rescue to anyone that might need help in there.

"Oh man. I think Claire was there," Tristan said. They couldn't believe what's happening.

The guy slowly walked towards Claire. His mere presence is making her knees tremble.

"Hey... don't go near me. Hey."  said Claire, still pointing her sword towards him. The guy was not threatened even a little and continued walking to her.

"Don't hurt me..." Claire pleaded. Her fear make it so hard for her to even walk away.

"You won't be hurt even if I tried though. Haven't you realized that?" he said.

"Huh..?"

"You and I were connected in the past."

"I-in the past..? W-what do you mean?" she was confused. She kept walking backwards but was stunned when the guy suddenly teleport in front of her, a few inches away from her face.

"I know who you are." his cold and terrifying voice almost gave her a heart attack. She suddenly lost consciousness because of fear and exhaustion and fell on the ground. It was that same moment when the guy saw Mrs. Harrington and Professor Snake coming. He immediately disappeared like a bubble. The black sword then glowed and flashes into light which entered Claire's body.

Claire gradually opened her eyes. She looked around and noticed the white walls and a comfortable bed. She was admitted to the school clinic. She wondered a little after realizing that there's someone sitting beside her and watching over her.

"K-kira..?" she mumbled. Kira was reading a book when Claire called him.

"Oh. You're awake. How are you feeling right now?" he asked the girl with a hint of concern on his face.

"I-im okay... thanks for asking. You don't have to stay here anyway. But thank you. I'm fine now," she hesitantly looked down. It was the first time that she had a long conversation with Kira.

"I'm the leader of our group that's why i felt responsible for what happened to you. I'm sorry. We shouldn't have parted ways when we went in the forest."

"It's okay. At least I got a sword." she said.

"Oh. That's good to know." Kira suddenly cleared his throat. "Uhm, I'm also sorry for how Ben and the others have been treating you. They shouldn't have treated you like that just because your a different mage from us."

"I'm used to it. I have been treated that way since I was born, anyway." she mumbled to herself.

"Hm?"  Kira didn't hear what she said.

"Nevermind. Anyway, I'm okay now. You can leave." she said awkwardly.

"Uhm, o-okay. See you in class." Kira stood and went out the door. He took a glimpse of her before he finally closed it.

Claire let out a deep sigh. She can't believe everything that happened this morning. She encountered a huge red dragon then a mysterious and terrifying man in black robe. Staring at his eyes felt like he's gonna kill you. His presence is sending chills down her spine. Good thing he's gone now.

"Where did he go anyway?" she mumbled.

"I'm here." Claire was stupefied with shock after hearing that voice. She noticed a man in black robe resting his back on the wall in front of her. How did he enter the room? Or maybe he's been here all along. How long have he been here? Why didn't she noticed him a while ago?

Maybe he appeared just now. But why did he show himself again, now that she's still recovering from the trauma that he gave her? Why is she so doomed? Why now, during this state of hers? She still felt so weak. She started to tremble again and felt a shortness of breath after seeing him. She's having a panic attack.

"What do you want from me?" She gathered the remaining courage that she had and released her magic sword from her hand.

"I told you. You and I were connected in the past." he clamly said.

"How are we connected in the past? You might have mistaken me for someone else." she said.

"How can I be wrong? I can smell your blood." he looked at her as if he wanted to taste it. "You know," he started walking towards her, "I just want you to do something for me." he stopped in front of her.

"W-what is it?"

He held the chains from his neck. "I want you to remove these chains and set me free."

"Why don't you do it yourself?" she philosophically said to him as if the task was too easy.

"Are you an i***t? Why would I even ask for your help if I know I could do it? Tsk."

"Then why should I help you?" Claire asked again.

"Because you are the only one who can release me. You are the owner of that sword, starting from now on. Wherever that sword is, there will I be. I am chained to that sword forever, unless you set me free."

"If that's the case, then I won't."

"What?" The guy seemed to get mad.

"Why would I even help you? There may be a reason why you're chained to my sword. That is probably because... you're mine." Claire concluded. "Also, that may explain why you can't hurt me. From now on, I am your master. In addition to that, you might also kill me If I released you. You have been wanting to kill me since we met. There are actually a lot of reasons why I shouldn't help you."

"Tsk." The guy realized that she's too clever to be deceived. She started to get in his nerves. He have been waiting for almost 200 years for this opportunity, but it will all go for nothing.

Suddenly, his stomach growl. "I'm hungry. Give me something to eat." He commanded Claire. He suddenly saw a basket of fruits near her bed. He grabbed an apple and took a bite.

"What's your name anyway?" Claire asked the guy. Instead of answering, the guy frowned and disappeared with the apple. He's so disappointed with her because she didn't grant his wish. He better not talk to her about anything and would rather go back inside the sword.