Resurgence

This feeling was weird...

Gray and Howard reached their destination in the smaller parts of the Kenoble Kingdom, Doctor Shovard's office. In there, the daughter of Doctor Shovard, Matilda, has been treating patients for years after Doctor Shovard's passing. Matilda used to be the assistant of Doctor Shovard but now she runs the joint.

In the situation now, when she's using magic to heal Gray, it is one of the most bizarre things he felt.

Matilda sighed. "So let me get this straight, you punched a tree because you were training?"

Matilda's palm was glowing a bright shade of green and put against Gray's hand. Gray could feel his bones somehow reconstructing one by one and it was a very odd feeling.

"Yeah, I was training and I decided to punch a tree."

"You what." Matilda was unsure if she should keep this child unchecked. She had never heard of this type of training method at all but yet again, Gray was only just a child. "Try not to do that again, okay?" Matilda said, gently placing her hand on Gray's head.

"Erm, I was training to become stronger though."

Howard cut in.

"Master Gray, if you'd want, I cou-"

"I appreciate the offer Howard, but I'm fine. I'd rather train myself."

"But Master Gray, I do say-"

"Nope, just let me do my own thing," Gray said, cutting him off.

Howard went silent before readjusting his necktie. Matilda—not trying to get into this awkward situation—decided to dismiss Gray, saying "Well, you're fully healed now, we can dismiss you." Howard handed her a pouch filled with gold, thanking her for her wonderful work as usual. Matilda responded with a positive attitude. "You're welcome, now stay safe out there okay?" she said, aiming her eyes at Gray.

Gray was embarrassed that he had to be treated like an idiot that whole time but he couldn't bring up Ben's existence into the frame. How would they believe his story that his goofy friend from another world told him to punch that tree? He'd probably be put into some mental asylum where he would have to encounter some actual crazy people. 

Getting back inside the horse carriage, he planted his head against the window frame. Observing the people around him, he had thoughts. Thoughts on his existence. Would it matter if this world wasn't originally his? What if this was all a dream? What if in the end, everything ended up as some fake world and everything he knew in this world was a lie?

He didn't want to assume the worst, but there was no denying that they could be true. What kind of god would choose him out of everyone else on the planet Earth to come to this place?

***

As soon as Gray got back to the mansion, he immediately ran inside to get to his room. Today's events left him feeling drained, so he planned to get some rest and sleep. Reaching his bedroom, he opened the doors. Walking inside, he witnessed Lavenda scratching Ben's chin. "Oh, hey Gray..." Ben muttered while lying facedown on the bed. Ben's face seemed too relaxed in this situation, and well was talking right in front of Lavenda. With his body nearly sinking on the bed and his eyes closed, you'd think he'd be sleeping.

Lavenda saw Gray at the door, "Oh, you're back already?" Gray was shocked. "Why are you not surprised about Ben talking?!" he questioned. "Oh, his name is Ben? You gave your pet a bizarre name." Lavenda continued scratching Ben's chin while Gray sighed and closed the door. "Ben, weren't we supposed to lay low about your existence?"

"Yeah, we were supposed to lay low but she witnessed me trying to insult a bird on a tree while she was doing laundry," Ben replied.

Beginning to slap Ben's head lightly, Lavenda says, "By the way, why did you choose this odd creature to train you?" asked Lavenda.

"So you know of our training together?" said Gray.

"I mean, it was obvious, I was watching you guys do some weird motions together, but apparently Ben said it was training," Lavenda replied.

Gray worried if Ben fessed up too much. Ben is known to be a very talkative person who accidentally reveals too much and that's why Gray avoids saying awkward things to him. Did he spout out that we're from another world?

"What are the chances of training with a legendary martial artist just by feeding him?" Lavenda looked down at Ben sleeping. Gray was stunned when he heard the words "legendary martial artist". 

"Umm Lavenda, what do you mean legendary martial artist?"

"Ben told me that he was a legendary martial artist that decided to train you while he was traveling, did he not tell you he was one?"

Well, his worries were gone but the story seemed too far-fetched. In Gray's opinion, Ben didn't seem to be a boxing expert at all, unlike what his dad told him, he'd rather listen to his dad than some high school teenager who thinks he can box. He'd probably think that Ben would lose within seconds if he ever boxed with someone. Amidst his thoughts, he heard Ben speak. "So Gray, I've decided on how we will do your training from now on." Gray was curious but also doubtful. He only listened this whole time because Ben was the only person he could truly talk normally with as they both had the same situation. "So... how are we going to do this training?" Gray questioned. 

Ben yawned, still groggy from his nap. "We'll have to slow down our progress for a bit." 

"But why? Aren't you the type of person to get it done right away?" Gray asked. Ben hopped from the bed and stood in front of Gray, having a strong smile for no good reason. "Yeah, but right now you're 3 years old. A 3-year-old won't have enough strength or a good enough balance for me to see the results I want to see. Right now, the best thing we can do is build your body and work on small boxing drills so you won't get rusty." 

Gray agreed, he also had thought the same thing. Even though his footwork was amazing, it still felt awkward at some points no matter how much he tried to correct it. Punching also felt a bit odd, it could be from him trying to adapt to this new body though—but that doesn't change anything from the original issue. "If we're slowing it down a bit, when can we get back to our original training?" 

Ben held up two fingers with his adorable small quokka fingers. "Two years."

Lavenda counted with her fingers. "Seven... I'd be seven years old then!" Lavenda announced. "Yeah, and I'd be five years old," Gray replied. Ben shrugged, hearing their comments. "Sorry but, sometimes to see the best results, you need to be the most patient." 

Gray did a deep long sight before sitting on his bed. "Alright then, I'll just go sleep now, I'm exhausted."

*

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"Where is that insolent brat when you need him here?!" 

The knight trembled in fear as the furious woman towered over him, and he raised his hands placatingly. "Lady Mira, please calm down!" 

"Don't give me orders, boy." her glare towards the knight had a murderous intent. The knight knew that if he pushed any further with his words, his body would be splattered all over the wall. He knelt, leaving his head aimed towards the ground. "Yes, I deeply apologize Lady Mira!"

Lady Mira jerked her body around to face the mirror, observing her outfit. It was a purple dress with black cloth tailored around it. Her hair, a purple cascade reaching her shoulders, was tied up with a black butterfly pin. The white masquerade on her face resonated with a purple glow on its outlines. "I appear to be splendid today as per usual." With a turn, she faced the doorway and walked out of the room. The knight scurried up right beside her. "Lady Mira, do you want me to go and find him?" 

Without looking back, she answered. "Go and find him, don't waste any time in doing so."

"Yes ma'am, I'll bring him to you right this instant!" As the knight ran off, Lady Mira continued her journey to the dining hall. Opening the doors to the dining hall, she notices her highly esteemed guest comfortably seated at the table. It was the pope of the Kenoble Kingdom, Father Nair. As she approached the table, Lady Mira's calm demeanor remained intact as she took a seat. "I'm glad you're here, Father Nair." 

"Indeed, I came here for the usual checkup on the boy." Father Nair replied. Taking a sip out of her wine, Lady Mira chuckled. "Well, it appears that with age, that young boy gets more bratty by the second." Father Nair cut the piece of lavish steak on his plate and took a bite. As usual, the meat from the steak melted in his mouth. "Impressive food once again, as expected from my favorite business partners." 

"Oh please, you found us an amazing boy with an immensely powerful talent, we should always come with the greatest dishes we can find for you." Lady Mira responded. Father Nair was optimistic about collaborating with the Crook Family, as Lady Mira, who leads the family, was someone you could never scoff at. Her talent and skills as a fighter were considered one of the deadliest at one point, with her strength only increasing each day. "So, have you considered taking that boy to Linadel Academy?" asked Father Nair. Lady Mira took a moment to think about her decision before answering Father Nair "Well, if you deem it necessary for his growth, we surely can do that then." 

"Of course, I will be able to put him in any school, even the most prestige one in the Kenoble Kingdom such as Linadel Academy." within their conversation, the door opened, revealing an important person to their discussion. Father Nair smiled seeing the familiar face. "Ah, speaking of the boy, he's here." Walking into the room was Harold, all dirty and beat up. Right beside Harold was the same knight who was gassed out. Lady Mira seeing this, snapped. "You put up this appearance in front of Father Nair?!" she screamed. Trying to cover for Harold, the Knight says, "Lady Mira, I found him doing his training with the mercenary squad, that's why he is so beat up right now." Lady Mira's body began to twitch, as her rage grew stronger with each passing second. Her anger was like a raging forest fire, burning everything in its path. She pointed her hand at the knight and glared at him with a look that sent chills down his spine. "How dare you talk back to me?!" she exclaimed. You can feel magic charging up within her hand, slowly oozing out of her fingertips.

Harold who had no reaction to Lady Mira's rage, averted his eyes over to the pope. Lady Mira also averting her eyes had paused her actions for a moment. "O-Oh, I deeply apologize for that unruly tantrum Father Nair!" Lady Mira lowered her hand before composing herself in her chair. Father Nair smiled reassuringly and said, "Don't worry, Lady Mira. Things like this always happen." Lady Mira stood up and stood in front of Harold. She looked down at him and smirked. "Starting tomorrow, I'll be enrolling you in a special school. I hope you're ready."

Harold didn't react, he only gazed back at the demon who stared.