Stick War: Inamorta and beyond

Chapter 51: Friends or rivals?

13th April, 8.39am

Ace's POV

A few days have passed ever since the attack by Yoake. After the attack, the Speartons focused on rebuilding their buildings and homes. Emperor Alexander does not even have time to address and thank us formally for our  deeds. We told him that we didn't need it but that old man insisted so we decided to wait for him to summon us. After all, we have to heal our wounds too.

Mark, Elizabeth and I are currently lying on hospital beds in the infirmary of the royal castle. The Emperor gave us the privilege to do so.

Mark suffered most of the injuries, he had a large diagonal slash on his back that went from his right shoulder blade to his left hip and multiple stabs into his shoulder, chest and legs. He could have died due to blood loss but his life was saved when Kim and Grace came to support us. He was out cold for about three days.

The time also gave me time to think about the fight Elizabeth, Mark and I had against that Magikill or Rosemarie. For the first time in my life, I felt extremely useless. I was of no help. I got injured so early in that fight that it made me immobile. Mark had to do the heavy lifting for us and it felt horrible.

How did he become so strong? How can the weakest link of our team outshine me like that? I should be stronger than him! He is weak! And I am strong!

I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth out of anger and frustration. I took a look of my wound on my left arm and ripped off the bandages. I grunted in pain as I peel the final wrapping of bandages that were sticking to my wound.

Luckily Elizabeth was sleeping and Mark went out, or else I wouldn't have been able to tear my bandages as they will be busybodies and won't let me do it.

I picked up my sword lying on the table next to me and went out to do some training. I walked for a while and soon reached a large courtyard. There I saw Mark doing something that I couldn't believe. He was training! With his wounds, he shouldn't even be able to swing a sword let alone doing multiple exercises involving strenuous sword training! How?! How can he endure the pain of his wounds?! How could I be outshined by him?! Of all people?!

I bit my lip hard enough that blood drew and clenched my sword. I then stormed to him in anger and frustration.

"Hey Ace! What's up?" He asked casually. "Are your wounds feeling better?"

I then launched a punch filled with rage into his face. But then a hand suddenly came and grabbed my fist. I looked and saw that it was Kim that stopped me.

"Ace, what is the meaning of this?" He asked with a deadly tone. "Why are you hurting one of  us?"

Mark was rather dumbfounded. "Ace? Did I do something wrong?" He asked with a concerned tone that pissed me off.

I gritted my teeth and shook Kim's hand away.

"Beat it loser." I spat at Mark and stormed away.

Kim's POV

I could see his rage. He is furious at Mark but I don't know what is the reason. I turned to Mark but he as well is confused at what just happened. 

"Mark, tell me the truth. Did you piss Ace off again?" I asked.

"WHAT? No, I didn't. But ever since the fight a few days ago with Yoake, he started to become very cold to me and Elizabeth. I do not know the reason why." He answered. 

I put my hand on my chin, thinking of many reasons why. Is it because he thinks that we are weak? Or is it the opposite? I heard from Elizabeth about their fight with Rosemarie, is it because he blamed himself for being weak? Or perhaps he is jealous of Mark?