"Because, that kid is much stronger than you two think. Both physically and mentally. Throughout the time we've trained together, he never gave up no matter what I threw at him. You two can continue to spoil him just as he spoils you. But you won't get stronger that way." Said Master Sylvia
The two were surprised. That was the most number of words they ever heard Master Sylvia speak at once.
"Yeah... You're right... John is strong... But even the strong can be fragile and have times where they need to rely on others. Maybe you weren't taught like that, but just because you weren't doesn't mean that the same should go for John." Said Ariel before rushing off the carriage
Serena who saw this, did the same and followed behind her, before sticking her tongue out towards Master Sylvia, who didn't even turn back.
The only ones left behind in the carriage were Lydia, the two kids and Master Sylvia who hadn't even turned around.
"...They're just mad... Don't let it get to-"
Lydia suddenly stopped talking when she noticed the expression on Master Sylvia's face. Rather than looking down or mad, Master Sylvia was smiling.
Not just a simple smile, it looked like a bitter one, aimed at herself.
"Let's get moving." Said Master Sylvia
"But-"
"They'll catch up."
Hearing this, Lydia slowly turned to the road before nodding. The horses began to move dragging and pulling the carriage forward as it did so.
Lydia glanced back as she muttered
"Come back safely..."
-------------------------
"How...? How? How? How?"
John put both palms on his face before slowly moving them up towards his hair.
"DAMN IT!" He shouted swinging his right arm towards a nearby cloud
The cloud was slightly pushed back due to the wind pressure which was emitted from John's arm swing and mix of magic into it.
"Why?! Why can't I remember a damn thing!?" John asked before swinging both arms down.
Once again, wind pressure was emitted from his arm, slowly propelling him further up.
John was infuriated, He was infuriated and yet he didn't know why.
"Why am I so mad!? At what am I so mad!? It wasn't at those two or master Sylvia or lydia or the kids... So what's wrong with me!!?" John shouted
[Calm down.] Said a voice which didn't belong to him
John recognised the vocie as clearly as day and it didn't make him any happier.
"Not now..." He muttered as he breathed out heavily.
[Nope, now's a good time.]
"What do you want?" John asked
[You don't remember, do you?]
Hearing those words, John quickly asked with anger at the spirit
His voice cold and rough as he glared at the existence which he couldn't see within his mind.
[Scary. I didn't do anything. In fact, I'm just as confused as you... Although he wasn't able to fully get me...]
John wasn't sure whether or not the spirit was lying, but he planned on finding out
"What are you talking about?"
[It's still hazy... But your memory was erased or altered... I didn't even know a spell like that was possible. Hahaha, That little shit got me too... I can't remember his face or the talk we had.]
"Erased...? My memory... Was erased? By who? Who would be strong enough to-"
John was interrupted by a sharp throb in his head, no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't find the last piece for his memories.
It felt as if it was on the tip of his tongue, but it just wouldn't come out. It was such an annoying feeling which made his already infuriated self worse.
[I don't know. But whoever it is, they sure know how to piss you off] Said the voice, rather amusedly.
"Not as much as you do..." John muttered as he braced the pain.
[…]
John then looked down, clouds were blocking the ground, but he could tell that his sudden move probably got everyone shaken up.
"I need to get back to them..." John muttered
He then gathered even more with above himself before propelling himself straight down.
As he did so, he carefully examined the area around him.
[An Area with frozen trees... To my right... Maybe I should go check it out before going back...]
John looked over at the carriage before looking over at the forest. The carriage was still moving without any problems, so John assumed that it'd be fine to make them wait just a little longer.
"Sorry everyone, but I need to see if I can remember anything..." John muttered before propelling himself straight towards the frozen area
***
*Crack* *Crack* *Crack*
The sound of the ice cracking resounded throughout the frozen area as John walked through it. He could feel the residue of magic in the air and there was no doubt about it.
"I did this... This is definitely my mana..." John muttered
He continued to walk, and approached the area where he was found unconscious. Broken trees, cracks all around, Ice spikes which had risen.
John was surprised, something really had happened, and it didn't look like a simple fight where he'd be able to get off unharmed. Either he had been healed by Serena or he healed himself.
Eitherway, just from looking, he was able to confirm that what they said was indeed true.
"I forgot... Someone... Beat me up... And left me unconscious here with my memory wiped... The question is... Who was it...?" John muttered
He was on high alert, there was a chance the person who had beaten him was still around the area, and would do anything to stop John from remembering, but at the same time, John needed to find out.
Suddenly, he stopped in front of one of the ice spikes which had risen, before staring at the area which had a bit of blood spilled on it.
He followed that blood along the ice and was led a spot in the middle of the open field which had a small pool of blood.