Adventures beyond the void

Chapter 41: Weirdness and Assassination Attempts

3RD POV

Cleaning the shop was no easy task. Nicholas took over sweeping the floors and picking up the fallen weapons, while Sekuro lifted the collapsed stones and wooden planks, rearranging the place back to how it had been. Thankfully, most of the house's interior was still intact, needing only a few minor repairs and a thorough cleaning. Unfortunately, many of the materials and tools had been damaged or destroyed. And the forge itself had literally split in half. Nicholas would steal glances at the older man tracing his fingers over the ruined furnace and shattered weapons, and he could only feel guilty on Hunter's behalf. Still, Sekuro dismissed it, clearly more excited by the fact that he had created such a powerful scepter than by the destruction it had caused.

     Amyas: - Wha-...what is this?! What happened here?!

A voice cut through the quiet, making both men look at the door to stare at Amyas. He was wearing a plain white shirt with sweatpants, covered on sweat. A towel was draped over his shoulder, a wooden staff was strapped on his back, and multiple small blades were hanging from his belt. It was obvious that he had just returned from training.

     Sekuro: - Hey there, Amyas. Don't worry, everything's fine.

     Amyas: - You didn't answer my question! Did thieves come to raid the place? And what is he doing here?!

He pointed at Nicholas with a scowl.

     Sekuro: - Relax. Selin, Hunter and Nicholas came to take the infused weapon.

     Amyas: - Then why in Ignis's name does the shop look like a warzone??

     Sekuro: - Because the scepter I forged was just too good and too powerful.

Amyas felt like his eyes were about to pop out of his skull.

     Amyas: - And the idiot used it in here?!

     Sekuro: - No.... It happened when he fused his blood.

He gave a helpless shrug. Amyas stared at him like the older man had grown the second head.

     Amyas: - .... That's not possible.

     Sekuro: - Welp, apparently it is. And as for Nicholas, he wanted to see me work again.

He replied with a cheeky smile on his lips. The younger boy blushed.

     Nicholas: - N-No!! That's...that's not the reason!!

He stuttered. Sekuro's smirk only widened.

     Sekuro: - Really?

     Nicholas: - W-Well...not the only reason...

He mumbled, still refusing to make eye contact with either of them.

     Sekuro: - Yeah, he said he felt bad about what happened and wanted to help me clean the shop up. Plus, he thought it would be inconvenient to come and go twice, since we have a lesson today.

Amyas's jaw clenched so tightly it ached. He could feel heat rising to his cheeks, a mix of anger and disbelief. Nicholas.... learning from his master? And now watching him work in the forge? It wasn't just jealousy; He felt exposed, threatened. The thought gnawed at him: What if Sekuro started preferring Nicholas over him, just like that? What if all the lessons, all the guidance he had counted on, were being quietly stolen away? He opened his mouth before thinking, the words tumbling out in a rush.