The Sage's Partner - Re: Zero OC (DROPPED)

Chapter 4 - A Purpose

Reinhard eyed the woman who was just now getting up from his opening strike, her lips spread wide in an open smile.

"Black clothing, black hair, and a blade unique to the nation of Gusteko... There's no mistaking it. You're the Bowel Hunter, are you not?" Reinhard stated, breaking the silence of the loot house.

Having remembered the brief story the young girl had told him on the street, Reinhard looked down at Orion, who was still slumped against the wall.

'As I thought. You would be a wonderful knight.' Reinhard smiled, though as he eyed the pool of blood that was growing under the young man, his smile curled downward. 'But it seems that this opponent was too much for you. Not that I blame you.'

"Unfortunately, I am not able to perform healing magic, but I will be sure to end this quickly," Reinhard assured Orion.

"'To end this quickly'... never have I been taken so casually," Elsa said, readying her blades. "Though I suppose since it's the words of the Sword Saint, I can't exactly refute them."

Subaru, who was now standing, looked over at Reinhard with relief, though there was a hint of worry in his gaze as well. "What a scary name... Reinhard! That woman's a monster, so be careful!"

"Rest assured, Subaru," Reinhard said. "As luck would have it, hunting monsters just happens to be my specialty."

As if marking the start of the battle, Elsa sprinted forth, aiming a blade toward Reinhard, though she was easily repelled by a roundhouse kick to the side.

As the two combatants continued in their battle, Emilia ran over to Orion's side, ripping open his blood-stained pants to reveal a large gash on his thigh.

"That's a lot of blood... I have to begin healing immediately."

Kneeling down, she then extended her hands before a sphere of white light appeared, and as she lowered it to touch his wound, Orion felt a calming sensation sweep through his body.

'Whoa... is this... healing magic?'

"Huh? The mana... how odd," Emilia then shook her head. "Orion was your name, right? You should be fine after I finish healing you. And Subaru!"

"Yes, Emilia?" Subaru said, looking away from the fight.

"When I finish, can you tell Reinhard that he can use his full strength?" she asked.

'That's not his full strength?' Orion thought, amazed.

"Uhh, sure!" Subaru said.

"And you! Old Man... Rom, was it?" Emilia said, turning to the giant with a slight glare. "You need healing too, so come over here."

Subaru looked at her with surprise. "Uh, Emilia, are you sure..."

The sound of the surrounding conversations, as well as the pleasant sensation from the healing he was receiving, drowned out in Orion's ears, his entire focus being used to follow the fight between Reinhard and Elsa.

The red-haired knight had picked up a sword and had used it to deflect blow after blow from the nimble Elsa, the air resounding with a clang each time their blades intersected.

'So she wasn't even serious before... and I still got my ass kicked,' Orion thought bitterly. 'And Reinhard is dealing with her like he dealt with me... just how strong is this guy?'

Orion watched as Reinhard's blade was encased in a blue glow, sparks flying each time he parried Elsa's knife.

'The sword isn't breaking, unlike mine... it must be that glow. Is that... mana? So it can be used to enhance objects then too. How...' Orion's mouth widened in an excited grin. 'How amazing!'