Shota Isekai (18) - An Old Face (Patreon)

Raven grabbed a new roll of bandages, and with hiss of pain, tightly wrapped his fingers, stopping at the knuckles to leave him an inch of wiggle room.

He finished, but the bruises from the week's training made it almost impossible to hold any pressure without wincing. Blood slowly turned the white into a soft red, and soon enough, would make a brownish, muddy-red mess, like the disheveled heap now in the wastebasket, tangled and oozing rusty old blood.

He stared blankly at his trembling hands. "Fuck..."

Sword training had turned his body into a wreck. Bruises, cuts, welts, and painful marks had decorated his flesh, though thankfully not deep wounds that needed the healing properties and the needlework of a skilled physician. Or worse, a healing potion, because those things were absurdly pricey—and apparently didn't work on him.

"These are not the hands of a kid... hah..." He chuckled.

His nails were chipped and splintery. Dirt caked underneath his skin was washed out, along with blood and grime. Calluses and blisters popped and grew over again. Old scabs opened to reveal pink, fresh scars, and eventually those faded into faint, white lines across the skin.

It was not ideal to train and be wounded all the time. A certain degree of rough handling was tolerable, but repeated practice and training, done so efficiently and frequently, were rapidly deteriorating his body and increasing the risks.

And yet...

"It's amazing how much progress has been made."

It made all the pain and effort he put into the sword seem absolutely worth it. There were times he thought he should just quit and become a farmer.

That life wouldn't require much out of him—simply perform labor, sleep, eat, and relax. No hard decisions to make. It didn't feel as cool, but it'd definitely not make his body cry in agony.

But seeing the impressed gleam in Nova's eyes, seeing how his power and control were rapidly improving, and making leaps and bounds after that abysmal first day...

It was all so rewarding he didn't think he could ever stop.

Raven stood up, testing his fingers' flexibility with some stretches and light squeezing. He nodded in satisfaction after seeing they were good. Then, he quickly placed on the new garments that he bought from a cheap stall.

It was a cheap and simple outfit. A dirty white undershirt underneath a charcoal tunic, and a sleeveless jerkin made of leather. Below, black trousers and boots. It wasn't the comfortable fabric from modern Earth that he missed dearly, but better than his old rags.

He was now decent enough to walk in the streets without being spat on. Maybe.

He attached the sheath of his new sword to a worn-out belt he also purchased, securing it to the left side of his hip for a quick cross-draw. Then, he walked towards the big, wooden doors of the dojo. It was night outside, and despite being quite exhausted from the day's rigorous exercise, he felt like going into the city.

Even with Raven's original memories of Eryndor, he never actually took the time to explore the place and familiarize himself with the general layout of the city. This might be an opportunity, the best one since he could even afford to be frivolous and get some street food on the way.

Oh, and he was hoping to get Nova something nice. Something to surprise and repay her with, but... what?

He knew that women liked dresses, jewelry, flowers... but it seemed rather banal. Who expected those gifts from a mere twelve-year old? Might as well give her a drawing made of crayon and proclaim that the doodle was worth all the wealth and beauty of the world.

Well, the gift had to be symbolic in a way. Expensive seemed pointless as Nova likely had riches and plenty to herself already.

As he headed for the doors, deeply in thought, a shadow in the corner moved, nearly making Raven draw his new sword by reflex.

"Where are you going?"

Raven twitched but resisted drawing his weapon, recognizing her voice.

It was Nova.

"I... ugh, just out. For a quick walk." He wrinkled his nose. His master was sitting—well, more like slouching—in the corner. And he wondered if she chose that particular spot to look cooler. With one half of her body perfectly bathed in darkness, and with a burning pipe, some nice smoke, and the embers flickering.

Classy and cool.

She puffed away the smoke, lazily.

Her hair wasn’t in the usual high ponytail style he’d see her donning, but instead it fell down in waves a surfer might actually kill for. 

"......" He paused. "Why are you hiding like some villain?"

"Can't a woman sit without being scrutinized about it?" Nova's cold, golden eyes regarded him with clear, unconcealed amusement.

'An unusual occurrence.'

"Anywhere would do..." Raven shrugged and straightened himself up, pushing back his shoulders and tucking in his chin. "Is something the matter, master?"

"I see that you've finally mastered basic common etiquette and decorum. Wonderful. I never thought you had the brains for it."

There was no real venom or sarcasm in her voice. Rather, Raven could've sworn his mentor looked pleased.

"Thank you?" He blinked. "Uh. No, but seriously, what's with you?"

"... Nothing, kid. Just mulling over a decision." Nova dismissed and sighed heavily.

"Did I... did I do something bad, master?"

Nova let out another exasperated sigh before answering. "No. Your progress is adequate. More than adequate, in fact. However... there are a few things I'm considering..." Nova took another long puff, and in a clear gesture of her languor, blew it all over her face. She paused, seemingly going over something, before shaking her head."Well, don't worry about it, just run along, and don't do anything stupid out there, understood? I'm expecting you to be in my dojo bright and early, so you'll want a healthy night's rest for tomorrow."

"I'll return shortly." Raven affirmed and left with a confident nod, albeit somewhat confused.

His mentor wasn't a woman that was often shaken up in any manner, but tonight was a strange occasion, even if her intention to remain indecipherable was fairly evident.

Now, he didn't have all that many choices in Eryndor—most shops were already closed this late. Only taverns and inns served clientele well into the dark. That didn't bother him a whole lot, since his desire was simple. A simple stroll to sightsee without being ambushed or confronted by bullies in an alley, and, if he found something interesting along the way, a thoughtful gift for his teacher.

You'd think a typical medieval night would look quite ominous with the lack of electricity and lamps that were out there. But that wasn't so much the case here. Raven realized that the stars he saw were far brighter than the ones that had shone back on Earth.

And that was without mentioning the magic-made orbs of blue, dimly flickering light, glowing inside glass enclosures at key locations throughout the streets, places like the city plazas or the smaller side-roads where the populace dwelled.

These made Eryndor far, far brighter than he had initially assumed, not that he had experienced what true night felt like in this city prior.

Raven quietly walked through the streets and arrived at the entrance of the large plaza of Eryndor, casually making his way in. He was amused. There were stalls still open. Merchants busying about, even this late, and men and women in a vibrant mood.

The streets were still crowded and vibrant, albeit noticeably emptier.

Thankfully, this time Raven's presence didn't stir much attention or ire. It seemed that wearing actual clothing was an essential aspect when it came to being publicly acknowledged. Having a sword at the hip didn't seem uncommon enough for these people to bat an eye.

Adventurers walked around armed as much as their eccentric costumes allowed.

Raven mingled with the townsfolk without a hitch. It felt rather nice. It wasn't so long ago where such a feat was nearly impossible.

He took in his surroundings as much as he could.

"Get yer fresh-baked pies! Still warm from the oven!" A round-faced vendor bellowed, waving a steaming pastry that smelled of apples and cinnamon. "Two coppers apiece, won't find better in all Eryndor!"

Raven's stomach growled at the tempting aroma, but he pressed on. Had to keep an eye on his diet and shit.

A man with a scar across his left cheek ran a small cart of exotic-looking fruits, his voice carrying over the din like a cracked bell. "Mangorbs from the southern coast! Sweet as honey, tart as your ex-wife's tongue! One silver piece, buy two and I'll tell you where my ex-wife is buried!"

He couldn't help but smirk at that.

The vendor noticed and winked at him, showing a mouthful of missing teeth. "What about it, lad? Your pockets feeling lonely tonight?"

"Sorry..." Raven called back, faking a cough. "My doctor says I'm allergic to other people's buried wives."

The vendor guffawed, slapping his knee. "Smart boy! Come back when you're feeling more adventurous!"

Yeah, no...

Further along, a gaunt man with eyes that darted nervously between customers was selling cheap trinkets from a blanket spread on the cobblestones. "Charms for luck! Stones for protection! This one right here—" He held up a smooth gray rock—"guaranteed to keep you from getting lost!"

"Does it work if you're already lost?" Someone yelled from the crowd, provoking a chorus of laughter.

"That's what this one's for!" The man declared, holding it up even higher.

"Do you have anything that'll get rid of a hangover?" A bleary-eyed man asked.

"This!" The merchant replied, producing a yellowed tooth from a pouch on his hip

Raven snorted as he walked on.

"Fortunes told! Mysteries revealed!" A hooded figure whispered from a small tent tucked between two larger stalls. "See your future, know your past, discover who you really are!"

Raven paused, tempted for a moment. But then he remembered the last time someone had tried to tell his fortune.

He passed a group of musicians playing a lively tune on lutes and drums, their fingers flying with practiced ease. A dancing girl in a flowing red skirt whirled among them, her hips swaying in rhythm with the music. A few coins had already landed in the upturned hat at their feet.

"Music to soothe the savage beast—or at least to make him forget his troubles for a song!" The lute player called out between verses. "Give generously, and we'll play even better!"

Raven watched them for a moment, envying their effortless joy.

He watched them for a moment, envying their effortless joy, before continuing his stroll. The plaza's crowd thinned to a trickle as he walked further from the heart of the city.

Raven found himself wandering into narrower streets where the magical streetlights weren't as bright.

'Perhaps I should go back...'

Ahead, a darker alley branched off between two buildings.

He walked past it, or at least tried to.

From within emerged sounds that made his muscles tense. Raucous laughter, the scrape of shoes against stone, a woman's sharp protest quickly muffled, followed by more laughter.

'Not my problem.' The words formed automatically in his mind.

He quickened his pace, hand tightening instinctively on the hilt of his new sword. Just keep walking. Don't get involved. There was nothing in that darkness but trouble.

"Come on, ye been lookin' at me funny, girly!"

Raven's steps slowed.

"Stop! Please, don't—"

Raven froze at the alley's edge.

That familiar voice.

"Shut yer mouth or I'll shut it fer ye!"

Woody.

Raven gritted his teeth as he sharply turned around, towards the back alley. Three silhouettes were barely visible against the dim light coming from the street, and though it was difficult to make out the specifics, it didn't take a genius to figure out what was happening.

"Please! No, I don't—"

"Quiet, bitch!"

There was a sound of something hitting flesh. A soft, wet slap.

"Fuck, she bit me!"

Raven's fingers twitched around his sword hilt. Every instinct screamed at him to walk away. He was no hero. He had no obligation to risk his neck for a stranger. But his feet remained rooted to the spot.

Woody was there!

That motherfucker!

'Should I...?'

Then the woman turned her head, trying to escape Woody's grip, and the light from the street caught her face.

The world collapsed into a single point of light.

Time stretched thin, pulling everything else away until only her profile remained—sharp cheekbones, stubborn chin, blonde hair spilling over her shoulders.

Raven's heart stopped dead in his chest. Squeezed so hard his breath vanished.

Ashley...?

A/N: To be rev