Chapter 31: I Mean No Harm
Calian felt pathetic.
He only just realized that the knife had stopped its flight right in front of his neck. It was an attack that didn’t need blocking.
He never knew that he would resent the knife in his hand so much.
The knife that had been embedded in the wall flew into Alan’s hands.
“You’re very fast. Even with that body.”
Alan wasn’t perturbed in the slightest, as if he knew Calian would be able to stop the knife. Calian, however, didn’t say a word.
“I’m sorry that I surprised you,” Alan said.
Calian silently shook his head, and Alan continued talking to spur Calian into responding.
“The first time we met, I knew that you were standing there, waiting for me. I was a bit perplexed, but I dismissed it as a mere coincidence. I already knew you were in danger, and I couldn’t spare any time to think of anything else.”
So Alan had known from the start. Calian sighed. Nevertheless, Alan had believed in Calian and helped him out. What a funny situation.
“But things increasingly didn’t add up. Rumein spoke of how you were terrified of horses, royals spoke about how you became a different person, and the magician at the performing hall described how you prevented the accident from happening.”
Calian balled his fists, surprised that Alan knew about the incident at the performing hall.
“I was going to ignore it, but I noticed another thing.”
Calian gave a hollow smile. Another thing. Alan already knew too much, to the point he almost questioned why Yan wasn’t suspicious of Calian.
“When you were told that you were poisoned, I saw a deadly look flash in your eyes. But it was gone quickly. It wasn’t the look of a prince that wouldn’t even dare hurt a b.u.t.terfly—It was the look of a person who knew how to kill. I meditated on this through the night. Then…”
Alan lifted the knife slightly.
“This was made by Sispanian. It was originally a pot transformed into a blade. It meant that you had the knife and since you know how to project bloodthirstiness, I gave it to you.”
Calian replied sarcastically.
“You’re d.a.m.n right. You gave it to me as if you were about to puncture my throat.”
Alan bowed his head in apology and then spoke again.
“I believe you and I have dedicated a part of my life to you. It would be suspicious if I didn’t know what my apprentice was hiding from me. So, please explain. I will listen.”
Calian nodded. There was nothing to hide, especially when Alan knew that he wasn’t the real Calian.
“I will tell you.”
Calian didn’t selectively pick which parts of the story to tell, and decided to reveal to Alan everything. He closed his eyes gently and began talking.
“Bern. That’s my original name. Bern Secretia.”
Secretia.
Alan winced as he remembered something.
Chase, and…
Calian did not stop talking, closing his eyes so he wouldn’t see Alan’s reaction. To Alan, he felt burdened with wanting to know everything.
“I was the younger brother of Chase Durahan Secretia, who is currently the prince, and was the king from the time which I came from. I was a knight. That’s why I know how to ride horses, use lethal weapons, and wield swords.”
He continued calmly.
Bern, the original prince, became a knight because he didn’t want to become the king, and so Chase took the throne. Then, there was war with Kailis.
The final week of the war was a ma.s.sacre around the capital of Secretia. Times were so desperate that even the king’s personal bodyguards had to leave for battle, leaving the king vulnerable. Everyone died, including Bern.
Calian let out a deep breath and continued.
“But Secretia possessed something special. Something that also lead to the war.”
– Clink.
Alan set his knife down on the table, in case what he heard next would cause him to drop it.
“The Axis of Time.”
Now it was Alan who closed his eyes. His heart skipped a bit, and his mind reeled.
“I know, master. It must be confusing for you to hear.”
“It has been said that it can reverse time…”
It took a while for Calian to process what he was hearing, and he remained silent.
“When did you arrive?” Alan said.
A breath released from Calian’s mouth.
It was as if Alan knew everything.
Calian wanted an explanation, while Alan demanded an answer. Calian, his throat dry, answered.
“One month… one month ago. I opened my eyes and saw Yan waking me up. I had returned to ten years in the past.”
Alan leaned back against the couch and started ma.s.saging his temples. It seemed like he needed some time to think, so Calian suppressed his anxiety and waited.
By the time Alan spoke again, light was s.h.i.+ning through the windows.
“You were already poisoned. You also knew when the original Calian was going to die. That was the reason you knew to wait for me.”
Calian replied mournfully.
“Yes. What happened that day… it wasn’t a coincidence.”
Calian looked the image of a kitten who had lost its mother. Alan studied Calian for a moment, then spoke.
“You were looking for me to secure your future, so it doesn’t matter whether you knew or not. I don’t get dismayed by those things, so please don’t worry.”
Alan fell silent for a moment. He needed to tell Calian something else before he explained how he knew about the Axis of Time.
“But, you must know something first.”
Calian nodded slowly, ready to hear whatever Alan had to say.