Chapter 24: CHAPTER 23

[The Taun Era was the time when a disaster struck the entire world and regressed into its previous state. We suspect it to be a plague of some sort that killed those who were at the top and most of the normal people. But what kind of plague could have killed the top echelon of the entire world? Was it created by someone, or did it occur naturally? The strangest thing is that according to the dragons, a lot of them were killed too, but by what they're not sure.

It could have also been something else that caused the disaster, but what could have been so destructive that the people who knew how to create and operate those marvelous inventions, who were the most powerful in the world, to all die off?

There are many conspiracies about what happened but with every day that goes by, we continue to explore more ruins in the hopes that we one day discover what actually happened........Excerpt from: CONSPIRACY THEORIES OF THE TAUN ERA]

[George's POV]

After I beat Amanda, it was Alistair's turn to fight against someone called Ahmed. As Alistair went up, looking at his scrawny body, I didn't really expect much from him.

They went to the mat and got into their positions. As Professor A said begin Ahmed dashed towards Alistair, presumably looking for an early strike towards his head to end the match as quickly as possible. Alistair made use of his flexibility I had seen before to dodge it, although just barely, and responded with a palm strike towards his stomach.

It hit Ahmed directly, but due to Alistair lacking in power it barely did any damage to him.

Ahmed took advantage of Alistair getting close to try and grab him in order to throw him just like in Carter and Josephine's match when Carter threw Josephine across the mat, but it didn't go quite the same way.

Alistair made use of Ahmed's grab to wrap himself around his body and got into a chokehold position on Ahmed's back.

That put Ahmed into a precarious situation, as Alistair was choking him on his back leaving him without any air and almost no way to resist. Ahmed reacted by trying to elbow Alistair's ribs but Alistair held on without letting go as Ahmed's face kept getting bluer and bluer.

Eventually, Ahmed collapsed to the ground and Alistair held on for a little while longer and then let go. After a little while had passed, since Ahmed hadn't gotten up again, Professor A called out Alistair as the winner.

Alistair walked off as Ahmed regained consciousness. I looked at Alistair with a somewhat disbelieving gaze.

"When did you get that good?"

Alistair paused and looked at me, puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?"

I pointed towards Ahmed who was just getting up, with the help of others.

"What was that takedown just now? I've never seen you do anything like that before."

Alistair shrugged.

"What do you want me to say? It just happened."

"What part of that just happens? That was clearly intentional."

Alistair shrugged again.

"Like I said. It just happened."

Alistair looked as confused as I was.

"All right. Whatever you say."

I nodded and dropped the subject.

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The sparring went on until everyone had gone a few rounds. I lost the next two times I fought and won once.

I walked back to the dorm along with the rest, massaging my aching body while lamenting in my mind.

Like I thought, I'm not that good. When go up against other people from other groups in the fight club, I don't think I'm going to be able to win. I can only hope I get paired with someone weak.

I shook my head. What am I thinking? I'm hoping I get paired with someone weak? When did I fall that far?

I recalled Rachel's words from two months and had a realization.

Am I turning into what I said I wouldn't? No, that can't be. It definitely can't be.

If I defeat someone, that person has a higher chance of dying later on. Can I actually help someone along to die?

I couldn't help but to feel like I was becoming different, little by little. When I said I was maturing, I didn't want it to be in this way.

If maturing means I have to become a cold-blooded killer, I don't think I want to be mature.

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With my new-found resolve and realization, I went back to the dorms.

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A little later, back in the dorms.

I was pondering on what I'd been thinking about earlier, and decided to talk to Alistair about it.

I walked towards Alistair's bed.

"Alistair, what are your views on killing?"

He looked at me a confused gaze.

"That's a very random question. What brought this on?"

"It's just a question."

"Okay then. Well, I wouldn't say I'm against killing, of course, sometimes killing is necessary."

I looked at him in surprise. I feel like I've seen a new side of him today.

"If I don't kill someone who wants to kill me I'll be disgracing my ancestors."

"Ancestors? What do ancestors have to do with anything?"

"The Church of Benisnore preaches that our ancestors should be respected and anyone who tries to end our lives is practically doing the same as insulting our ancestors."

"I still don't understand why you're mentioning ancestors! How did ancestors get involved in our conversation?"

"You know, I've always known that you're not very educated, but how do you not even know about the Church of Benisnore?"

I stared at him with a blank look on my face. Seeing my look, Alistair sighed.

"Allow me to explain. In the Church of Benisnore, we have been taught to always defend our family's honor at all costs."

I still had a blank look on my face. Alistair's face took on a exasperated expression.

"In short, if anyone ever makes an attempt on our life, we are supposed to reply by taking our aggressor's life."

"Isn't that a little extreme?"

Alistair shook his head.

"It's not to me, I've been taught this all my life."

"I see."

I looked towards Alex's side of the room and spotted Rachel. She was talking with him about something, and as if she sensed my gaze, she turned in my direction and met my gaze. I hurriedly looked away, then turned back to Alistair.

"I envy people like you and Rachel. You can take someone's life without any thoughts."

Alistair looked surprised at my words.

"We can take people's lives without any thoughts? That may be so, but do you wish you could do that?"

I started to shake my head, but eventually nodded. Alistair looked like he was a bit disappointed.

"Don't think being able to do that is all it's cracked up to be. If you can't do it, don't do it. There's no need to force yourself."

I nodded, reassured about my beliefs. I started to go back to my bed when I heard Alistair mutter under his breath.

"I wonder if you'll be able to say those words by the end of this year."

I went back to my bed with a lot on my mind.

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