The Demon King's Paladin

Chapter 23.5 Tomboy's Thoughts

                                                                   Ashley Garrett's Point of View

My name is Ashley. After I graduated high school, I went to a party with my 3 friends. At that party during a fight between the person I admire and an annoying fly, a white light enveloped us. when we all opened our eyes again, he was missing but us 4 and the fly remained. We were in a different world, and we were greeted by a royal family, a King, a Queen and a Princess. We were rushed to be appraised and I had the makings of a Monk whatever that meant and that fly the makings of a hero... Even though "he" would be better suited!

While getting ready to go to the party I hoped that "he" would be there, thankfully "he" was there. Unfortunately for many reasons, I was stuck in the same whirlpool of circumstances that stopped me from speaking to him for so many years. I first met him John Ericsson in the first few months of freshman year in high school. I was practicing sprints for my track team, but I tripped over myself and sprained my leg. then a boy came to me with concern in his voice and asked if I was ok.

Because of some experiences in middle school, I was cautious. I tried to get away from him but to no avail. Again, he asked to help me. I looked in his eyes and I didn't see anything that seemed like an ulterior motive. So, he helped me. At first, I thought to be friendly with him, seeing as how he helped me. Through small talk, I noticed that he was just that nice of a boy. It was at that moment I fell for him, I know "how shallow of me!" but I couldn't help it! And by the time I noticed, it was too late. And in even worse news, by the time I met him again, I noticed something. He had 3 other girls around him all with the same look as me. To differentiate myself I tried to work hard at my running and results followed. I hoped to use this as a launching point for myself, but roadblocks always appeared. If there was any silver lining, it's that the other 3 also had different roadblocks.

But from all that inaction, I heard John's true feelings for me... I can't allow our relationship to end like that! After he finished unloading, we all understood where we sat, we were all sad about it, but no one was taking it as hard as Laura. After arriving to Gaia, this new world, she was despondent. It wasn't until being told that defeating the Demon King of Diablos would let us go back, that she finally found the will to act again, no.. All 4 of us did. With renewed determination in our hearts Laura, Lucy, Jaime and I attacked our training with ferocity.

 Today is the 3rd day since coming here. I've begun training in the way of a Monk, which means lots of hand-to-hand combat. My teacher Mark is an Enlighted Monk and an S-rank Adventurer. An evolved form of my own Job. His training is harsh. I've broken bones and bled from my hands and feet constantly. Only to be healed, to do it all over again. But I've begun to see changes in myself already, Mark says it is because of his training method. I must agree, I've become capable of so much. At the end of my classes I am always sore and tired, the feeling leaves in the morning, because of the Monk Job's natural recovery rate. But with my tired body resting, it becomes time for my mind to become exhausted from anger by that fly!

Simply put. That "Fly" Is Lucy's brother Luke, he's always liked Laura and his disgusting behavior was his way of trying to wedge himself between Laura and John. If not for our fondness for Lucy, Luke would've been buried by the end of freshman year! Jaime and I would always help Lucy handle her brother when he was out of line. But since the argument and us coming here, Luke has been trying to close the distance with Luara as usual. But Laura has changed, she used to play along to a certain degree. But now it's quite different, she simply pretends he does not exist. Seeing as how she wants nothing to do with him, he latches onto Lucy to try to speak to Laura. Jaime and I being spectators to all of this look on in disgust at it.

 It's quite easy to tell that Luke has already burned any bridge with anyone not related to him, but it also seems Lucy is beginning to be sickened by him. No doubt this is because she has noticed Laura's reaction to her presence, as in where Lucy is, Luke is soon to follow. Conversations usually flow with Luke interrupting A conversation between 2 of the 4 of us and trying to appeal to Laura. an example being on the 2nd day as Laura and Lucy were discussing how Promethia, the human country we are in, has an aristocratic society. Luke interrupted his sister with the subtle.

" Hey! Do you know that a Hero has the same ranking as a duke here! I'm sure my wife will live in luxury!"

Jaime and I looked on in disgust, Lucy looked on with anger. But the one to really look out for was Laura. After he said that, I saw it. Due to my training, my master has instilled the ability to sense danger, because of that. For a brief moment I saw Laura's eyes. They had killing intent showing in them. Jaime must have noticed to, as she clenched her hands on her lap. Lucy's face showed complicated emotions on it. After that brief moment, Laura's eyes looked like a calm surface of water. She then deflected the conversation and began speaking to me. Luke looked as oblivious as he has for the past 4 years. After finishing the conversation, we decided to call it a night.

As I was leaving, I noticed Laura Staring a hole through Luke's back and those eyes were filled with deep anger.  And it is with this dynamic, we have to hold ourselves together and defeat an evil Demon King. But we will, I won't allow failure... I must get back to John no matter what!