Don't pat me

"Crimson Devil?" I murmured to myself.

I volunteered to help the guards move supplies for the injured when the battle of attrition against the undead army started.

At first, I thought they didn't want to accept the help of a brat like me, but they welcomed me with open arms. They said a bunch of stuff about having more hands helps.

I wasn't just helping around out of goodwill though. Lifting these crates of medicine and other utilities are quite hard, especially for a 10-year-old. This was just another form of training for me. I was tempted to use Aura, but I remembered Weiss' lectures. Training the body is just as important as training Aura. A good vessel is a must to handle Aura.

When I had free time I would spectate the battle outside. It was amazing to see them fight against a gigantic horde. From what I've learned, adventurers take missions fighting against monsters while mercenaries deal with humans and other intelligent races like elves.

The battle just confirmed that when I saw the adventurers and mercenaries split their work. The adventurers handled the undead from beasts and monsters like orcs and goblins while the mercenaries fought against the humanoid undead like skeleton archers and swordsmen.

It was also the first time I saw magic. There were only a few mages here and there among the adventurers and mercenaries, but they were an important force in the battle. Some of them cast magic that decimated a large number of undead, like big balls of fire. Some provided defense by casting walls of stone when a fighter falls down, preventing them from dying and giving them the chance to retreat. Some also used spells that can heal wounds, they helped immensely in the rear where they treat the injured.

It was interesting seeing magic in action. I knew that magic existed in this world, but it was still amazing seeing it myself. I already saw magic from the potions and when Weiss takes stuff from his Magic Pouch, but it really hits home seeing in battle. It was like the stuff I see in all the shows on Earth.

Now that I think about it... didn't that 'thing' that destroyed the village also control the earth, similarly to how these mages do it? But was that magic though? The way he did magic was different from the mages, at least from what I could see.

That 'thing' spoke a weird language that bent the surroundings to its will, but the mages weren't chanting anything. They cast their spells silently. I'm not a mage myself, so I don't really know what was going on. Maybe they use the same principles as that bastard? Maybe not? I should try to learn magic when I get the chance. Well... if I get the chance.

A small routine formed between moving supplies and spectating the battle during this time. When the Griffin Knights finally came to assist, the workload significantly reduced, as there were lesser and lesser casualties from the battlefield.

During my free time, when I spectated, I saw how monstrous William is on the battlefield. I see him from time to time in the manor, but I haven't really interacted with him. All I know is he's the leader of the Griffin Knights. Seeing the guy dash through the hordes of undead without breaking a sweat made me gulp. Is it possible for a human to be that strong? Aura was really something that can allow ordinary humans to be inhuman. I want to get as strong as him, no, I want to be stronger.

As time passed the burden on everyone disappeared. The knights quickly decimating the thousands of undead lifted the people's spirits. I was extremely tired myself. I didn't use Aura the entire time, so my legs and arms were sore. I was given a break and used that to spectate the battle again.

Everything went smoothly until the necromancer controlling the horde turned into an unholy skeleton. I couldn't move when it appeared. My mind was screaming to run and hide, but my body wouldn't listen. The pressure it emanated was just overwhelming. How could such a thing even exist? What the fuck is wrong with this world?

As I couldn't move due to this primal fear in my heart, I was forced to watch William and three others be thrown around like toys. It was hopeless. Everyone felt hopeless. Some of the knights who retreated tried to rush in to help, but were held back by their comrades who were able to think rationally. Personally, I would've just run. But I couldn't because of this damn fear. I was barely keeping myself upright.

Then, when all hope was lost, this mysterious guy showed up. His hand was coated in a blood-red Aura. With just one swipe of his hand, that unholy thing was erased. The pressure disappeared right after, as with the masked guy.

A blood-red Aura... was that...? It couldn't be. No, it's possible.

Flashforward a bit after that, I overheard this old man talk about the masked man. He's called Crimson Devil, huh? What an edgy name, but it suits him.

"Well, whatever, get back to work lad. I'm going to the infirmary and check on William."

The old man seemed to know William personally. Not that it mattered to me so I just went back to what I was doing. I walked for a little while until I reached my destination. I was carrying a big crate of clean cloth to be used as bandages.

"Oh! Thanks, kid. You've been a big help." One of the workers on-site said as he moved his hand toward my head.

I moved away, avoiding his hand.

"Don't pat me." I said.

"Ok...?" The worker replied awkwardly. Then after that, he murmured to himself, "Weird kid."

I walked away. Was he seriously going to pat my head? The only people I've ever let pat my head were grandpa and my parents in this world. But now that they are gone, it would just feel weird to have someone else pat my head.

I looked around and observed the people. The battle was done and everyone was recuperating. I didn't have anything to do in this place anymore. Guess I'll go back to the manor, I already bought a weapon for myself anyway.