This is all my fault.
Morgan bit his lip.
Either way, I have to go to the woods!
He then calmed his shaking body and took off running.
Almark raced through the woods. The pale trail of yellow light continued intermittently into the trees. The footprints vanished at times, but Tohrk’s spell kept the two boys from getting lost. Although the monster’s smell didn’t linger in the air for very long, it clung to wherever the monster stepped or touched directly, leaving faint markers for Almark and Tohrk to follow.
The monster naturally didn’t stick to any trails a human would take, moving freely through tickets and animal trails. Tohrk, who ran behind Almark, could only stare in amazement as Almark traversed the slopes and thickets, smoothly weaving through the complex patterns of branches extending from every direction without ever losing speed.
Almark moved from one glowing marker to the next, his unusual stamina and speed on full display, and Tohrk was having trouble just catching up to him. He felt the urge to call out for him to stop and slow down, but he held his tongue. He knew they couldn’t afford to lose even a second in this situation; an underclassman’s life could be in danger if they didn’t catch up to him in time. Plus, it was Tohrk who had insisted on coming along, so he wouldn’t ask Almark to slow down—no matter what. He’d just need to grit his teeth and bear with it.
He could only bitterly wonder what kind of training Almark had endured to attain such monstrous athletic ability. It was like he was peerless in every field but magic. Then there were the scary fencing abilities he showed in martial arts class. And it wasn’t just fencing, he was shrewd and quick on his feet. It was like he was good at everything.
And as far as magic goes…
As he wiped the torrent of sweat from his forehead, Tohrk thought back to that flame spell Almark accidently triggered. He’d never seen someone produce flames that big without any training. What’s more, Almark had even returned to his dorm room that same day, looking none the worse for wear.
Tohrk looked up ahead and saw Almark getting further away.
He’s going to beat me at magic, too, someday.
Tohrk thought back to his hometown. To House Shifei. To the humiliation and the vows of his childhood.
Eyes, all around me. Eyes, staring at me. Eyes, cold and sneering. Eyes, eyes, eyes.
That image was linked with the memories of his hometown.
But I won’t look away from them. I’ll haughtily stare back at each and every one. And until I can do that, I’ll put in whatever effort I have to.
That was the oath he made, and indeed, how he tried to live his life.
That’s why I should be every bit as strong as he is. It’s why I worked so hard until now—to be so strong everyone will just know it. Just like him.
But did I really do it? I thought I had talent, that I put in all the effort. But looking at him just makes me feel like a nobody. It makes me feel pathetic.
“Dammit!” Tohrk spat.
Almark didn’t even turn to look at him. Tohrk ran as fast as he could, following the trail of glowing path markers lit up by his own spell, but Almark was growing more and more distant.
He keeps sprinting toward his goal, never looking away. Never letting needless thoughts cloud his judgment, never caring what others think. Only a select few can do that. You could say it’s just a matter of character, but even that’s a sort of talent.
But at least at this moment, Tohrk was grateful that Almark was who he was. If the boy had turned around and spoken to Tohrk in concern, Tohrk would have blown up and tried to smack him.
He’ll beat me at magic eventually. And when he does, he won’t even turn around to make sure I’m still there anymore. He’ll just surpass me like it’s effortless for him and keep running ahead.
It made him feel insignificant, and acknowledging that was unbearably humiliating. But Almark simply kept running ahead, paying no heed to Tohrk’s conflicted heart.
Tohrk gritted his teeth.
If I really wasn’t as good as him, I’d accept this humiliation. But he’s not there yet. Right now, I’m still leagues ahead of him when it comes to magic, Tohrk told himself. I’m not going to sit here and wait for him to get better than me. I’ll keep running, too, as fast as I can. No, I’ll outrun him. I swear it on House Shifei’s name.
His expression desperate, Tohrk ran at full speed so as not to lose sight of Almark.
“I see it.”
Almark stopped in his tracks. He had followed the trail of light up a slope, which led to a long, gentle descent that offered a view of what lay ahead. With this vantage point, he could see a one-horned ogre a short distance away, carrying a robed boy under its arm. Its body emitted a faint yellowish glow, proving Tohrk’s spell extended to the ogre itself.
Almark was impressed. Despite all this running, Tohrk had maintained the spell the whole time. It was only then that Almark remembered to look around. Tohrk was scrambling up the slope, gasping for breath and with his hands on his knees. Almark was surprised Tohrk was so close behind him. His boasting wasn’t all talk; he really had strong nerves.
“Good work keeping up, Tohrk. I can see it now.”