Burning Embers Part I: Origins [Arc 1-5]

Arc 2 Chapter 3

They'd won. It was hard to believe, and it shamed him to think it now, but not for a second had Sean expected Nat to actually win. Of course, a great deal of luck had been involved too; what with Zero thrice meeting groups of monsters in the way, and thrice having to fight through them all. In contrast, Nat had only once faced monsters, and had been able to successfully escape. Zero's luck was so rotten that despite Nat having completed half of the course on foot, he had still barely been on par at the end.

Sean and the rest had, with the committee of judges, been watching it all through familiars. Sean also knew that Nat was well behind in points until he took down the final target, which meant he barely won. Even so, it was now 1-0 in their favour in the best-of-three, putting them on match point.

"Look, if you fight the second one against Kuri, you win and we win right? Why do we have to fight?" Sean asked Finrod for the umpteenth time.

Finrod sighed. "The deal was that I'd only fight the swordswoman if we lost the first contest, which we didn't."

"But that doesn't make any sense!"

"I have my reasons. Now, I leave the rest to you." Saying that, he exited the room.

Damn selfish bastard. Nat hadn't come out of his 'race' unscathed either. He had completely exhausted his mana, to the point of unconsciousness. That was a day ago, and it had taken him several hours to recover from that. For the first time in a long while, Sean had been genuinely worried about someone.

Several hours ago...

"You idiot! What were you thinking?!" Sean exclaimed, grabbing Nat's shoulders.

"Whoa whoa, why're you so mad?" 

"I'm not mad at all! You literally just collapsed randomly, and that was like half a day ago! Considering your phobia, I thought it was something actually serious!"

"Ah, you were worried," Nat smiled wryly.

"I wasn't!" Sean replied angrily.

Such was the exchange between Sean and Nat when the latter woke up in the sick ward after finishing his competition many hours ago. Nat had won by the slimmest of margins; his genius at the last moment edging him ahead of Zero. He had quite literally given it all he had, using up every ounce of his magical energy possible without killing himself. Seriously, why do archery skills even cost mana?

"Ehehe..." Nat scratched the back of his head.

"Don't 'ehehe' me!"

"Sorry!"

"Whatever."

"No, I'm actually—"

Nat was cut off as the door was sent flying open and a familiar redhead barged in. A very pleased looking Vector stood in the doorway, wearing a very bright red and gold dress, with the emblem of House Von Maximus displayed on his chest; a golden eagle. His posture was as proud as always, and his eyes shone with the usual arrogance. However, his smile was different, one that betrayed grudging admiration.

"Coward archer! Thou hast done well to bring me victory, as was only natural! Come, let us celebrate!"

"U-um, I'm still a bit tired—"

"Nay! That shalt not stand! Thou art being invited by none other than me! Come! Let me treat thee to the finest of wines!" Vector would clearly not take no for an answer.

"You, go away. You didn't do anything, and he didn't win for you," Sean intervened, earning him a glare from Vector.

"Shut thine mouth plebeian. Didst I say thine opinion was needed? Nay, I indeed did not!" Vector snapped, getting annoyed.