Bandit

"Cut that out, bastard!"

The muscular man's veins bulge on his temple, inflamed with rage. He easily removed his hand and choked Aldebaran so hard it lifted him into the air.

"Who the fuck are you?" he growled in a raspy, snapping voice. "How dare you mess with me!"

"Enough! You bandits shouldn't even be here! Let him go!" Alissa screamed, though her skills were of little use in a situation like this.

The bandit smirked, turning and hurling Aldebaran aside, smashing him through the door. "Granted!" he laughed, then turned to Alissa. "What is he to you? Someone important?"

Alissa squinted, her thick brows drawn together. She seemed unable to contain or conceal her anger. "He is everything to me!"

"Is that so?" The bandit stepped out, but before leaving, he added, "Let's see how valuable he is."

The townsfolk were focused on Aldebaran, who still hadn't gotten up. He was almost paralyzed, struggling even to pull himself upright. He was still weak and vulnerable to physical attacks and shouldn't have been looking for trouble like this.

But no one could stand idly by when someone significant was being harassed in plain sight.

"Behold!" the large man shouted from the tavern's terrace as he descended the stairs. "Your entertainment is here!"

No one dared oppose him, choosing instead to stand back. The watchmen were nowhere to be seen, making Aldebaran's fate even worse. In this town, bandits were often left unchecked, as they occasionally acted as mercenaries and were useful to most merchants.

"No one tells me what to do," the man continued, approaching Aldebaran, who was now forcing his hands to lift himself. "Just who do you think you are?"

Without replying, Aldebaran finally stood, though he was still staggering. "Who cares who I am?" he said, wiping fresh blood from his lips. "That doesn't even matter. I'm doing what I have to do."

The bandit's grin widened. "Playing the hero, huh? I like that." He clenched his fists, cracking his knuckles. "It's so boring here. I could use some fun, right?"

"Be ready!" he shouted, delivering a blow to Aldebaran. But before it could land, Alissa stepped between them, a burst of light blocking the bandit's attack.

"You shouldn't have interfered," the man barked, summoning all his strength to strike the shield she cast. "Get the fuck out of my way!"

When his hand struck, the light didn't even affect—it remained firm. On the contrary, the bandit felt a searing heat growing stronger and stronger, forcing him to recoil. "Damn magic! Let's see how you handle this!"

He wielded his weapon, a massive battle-axe that made Alissa shudder. Her composure faltered, fear creeping into her mind, casting doubt on whether she could withstand the attack. As the axe swung toward her shield, the impact was so severe it caused a deafening crash, shaking her stance.

Alissa nearly stumbled, her magic is sometimes solid, sometimes faint. She knew she had to stabilize it, but time wasn't on her side.

"What's the matter? Your magic waning?" the muscular man taunted, smirking as he raised his weapon high, preparing to bring it down with crushing force. "Die!"

When the blade was about to pierce her shield, something strange happened. Alissa, bracing herself with closed eyes, was astonished when nothing hit her. She opened her eyes and saw the bandit frozen, his axe suspended mid-air.

"What kind of trick is this?" the man sneered in frustration, struggling as his body refused to obey, restrained by an unseen force.

It was Aldebaran's new skill: telekinesis. Aldebaran stretched his arms forward, focusing on controlling the axe. His power was strong enough to resist the brute force of the attack, leaving the bandit immobilized and vulnerable.

"You won't leave here unscathed!" Aldebaran shouted and a wave erupted, sending the bandit hurtling backward.

The bandit slammed into the hard stone foundation of the house next to the tavern, the impact leaving cracks in the structure as he stuck there. The townsfolk watched in awe, mesmerized. Magic was a rare sight, and the commotion drew even more onlookers.

"Master!" Alissa exclaimed as she rushed to Aldebaran's side, surprising him with the way she addressed him. "Are you alright?"

"Just my throat," he replied, coughing so hard. "It's hard to breathe."

"Stupid mages!" a voice rang out as the bandit freed himself from the shackles. "I've had enough of this shit!"

The bandit no longer had his weapon, the battle axe lying far out of reach. "I'll teach you a lesson for messing with me!" he bellowed.

Blinded by rage, he charged forward with bare hands, standing no chance against Aldebaran's telekinesis. Once again, the muscular man froze mid-step, unable to move or do anything. It was hopeless for him to even draw closer.

"Damn it! I'll kill you!" the bandit screamed, desperate to break free.

"Alissa?" A deep voice interrupted the commotion. A man with a thick mustache, dressed in a neatly tailored outfit, emerged from the crowd. Several guards followed closely behind him. "What's going on here?"

"Councilor Magan!" Alissa's eyes widened, relief and happiness washing over her as she recognized him. His appearance was just as she remembered. "This bandit is causing trouble!"

Without hesitation, the guards seized the immobilized bandit and restrained him. "You! Mark my words! I'll get my revenge for this! Just wait and see!" the bandit shouted, his furious glare fixed on Aldebaran, who was kneeling and exhausted from using too many skills.

"Since when did you come back here?" Councilor Magan asked, stepping forward to approach them.

"Just now," Alissa replied, glancing at Aldebaran. "We came to find food, but that man ruined everything."

"Hervar wasn't like this before," Magan commented, referring to the bandit. "He's a trusted mercenary, but maybe he's had a hard time, leading to this outburst."

The councilor's words made Alissa narrow her eyes, sensing there was more to the story. "Excuse me? Are you defending him, Councilor?"

"No, I mean..." Magan stammered, clearly flustered as he tried to backtrack. "Of course, this is unacceptable. But, you know, sometimes people act irrationally when under pressure."

Noticing the growing tension in the air, he quickly added, "Let's not dwell on this. Your friend here can rest at the inn nearby. How does that sound?"

"No need," Aldebaran replied firmly, rising to his feet despite his weariness. "We're wanderers, just passing through. We'll be on our way."

Alissa didn't object; in fact, she felt relief at Aldebaran's decision. The town had changed significantly in the years since her last visit, and not for the better. Corruption now thrived here, spreading like wildflowers in the Forest of Slumber.