Chapter 14: The Aftermath

Maximus

Azra was sentenced to exile but due to his injuries his punishment was delayed, and my case was due today, what could go wrong?

Vladmir: Due to an assault on noble blood, the jury sentences the commoner Maximus to death by hanging.

Maximus: (Gulps)

Vladmir: Does the guilty wish to say something?

Maximus: Well, with all due respect sir; I only attacked him to save the whole dukedom, there were multiple witnesses on the scene, one even being your daughter whose life I saved.

The jury then went into a room located behind Vladmir's chair and rediscussed my punishment; they concluded that I would be forced to work for Duke Elvengard until Azra was healed, and the case was finally over.

(The scene shifts to the grand library where we see Ai and another child sitting on the floor whose face was not visible due to the dark)

Ai: So, Big Brother did fail, he was too naïve for the task anyway, you can tell the emperor there is no need to worry, everything is proceeding as per plan.

(The sun's rays finally enter the large windows of the grand library and we finally see the young boy)

(Two months had passed since the fight and Maximus was appointed to bring food to the prisoners since no one was up for the task, he was also appointed as an instructor for Louisa who also let Suki practice with her.)

Maximus

Both the girls have improved significantly in their forte, Suki had become quite adept in water and wind magic, while Louisa was exceptional in sword fighting and fire magic, what impressed me the most was that she could also cast barrier spells at such a young age.

Today was like any other day, I was training the girls but then suddenly one of the prison guards called me.

Prison Guard: MAXIMUS, GET OVER HERE NOW.

Maximus (standing behind the guard): I'm here.

Prison Guard (freaked out): Ahh, dammit kid, you're fast.

I followed the guard to the lower floor of the dungeons, usually only special prisoners were kept here; it seemed like someone wanted to meet me alone, to my surprise I saw the same blonde kid I defeated two months ago but he looked different, more defined, more powerful.

Maximus: How you been, old friend?

Azra: Friend? you tried to kill me.

Maximus: Ahh ha ha, the good ol' days; looks like you healed up just fine.

Azra: Listen to me Maximus, we don't have much time.

Maximus (jokingly): What're you talk...

(Before Max could finish Azra grabbed him by the collar and talks in a more serious tone)

Azra: This is serious, Max you have to hide, they are after you, they are after me, I don't have much time left, there is a mole in the jury.

(Seeing Azra frightened, Max becomes serious and tries to calm Azra)

Maximus: CALM DOWN!!, who's after you?

Azra: I'm bound by the vow, please save me Maximus, please save me.

(Azra bursts into tears begging Maximus to save him, Maximus assures and comforts him to sleep. He stays with Azra for the night and falls asleep)

(The next day Maximus goes back to the arena to resume training the girls)

(An hour later)

Max: Alright, that's enough for today.

Louisa: Oh, come on, we barely finished warm-up

Max: I'm hungry, so unless I eat, I can't train; you guys can carry on if you wanna.

(Maximus then leaves the arena)

Suki: Hey Louisa, didn't you feel Max was acting a little bit weird today?

Louisa: Huh? No, not really, why.

Suki: He seemed a bit..., I don't know, stressed.

Louisa: Why don't you try asking him, man I'm hungry.

(The scene shifts to Maximus who walks to Azra's prison on the lower floor, there he meets Azra's doctor who was called by Maximus himself.)

Max: So, what is it doc?

Doctor: The child has sustained an internal brain injury which leads him to have hallucinations.

Max: Is there a way to treat it?

Doctor: No, at least not here.

Max: Fine then, I'll speak to the council

Maximus convinces all the council members and even Duke Ayame to let Azra go to the Divine Tenshi Empire for further treatment due to his mental state, they were granted permission and were set to leave within six days.

During Max's last days, he spends more time with Suki and Louisa, training them even harder and then finally a day comes when a student challenges the master.