บท 24: Overexertion
Michael was entering his carriage, a bit tired from the debacle he found himself in. He notices the distraught driver opening the door for him, he looks at him and tosses him five gold coins. The driver was shocked and was to about to thank him before Michael cuts in, "That's for getting dragged in with me. If you want to thank me just make sure I get to Alton."
The driver nods excitedly, his smile filled with happiness at the amount of money he just got. Michael smiles at the man's expression before he enters, Michael was glad he made everyone else unconscious back then, he sits comfortably before sighing, tired of the things he had to do. He feels blood drip from his nose, 'It took this much from me, to perform that powerful of a magic.'
Michael massages the migraine in his head, 'Even when I scattered all those stones, it still wasn't enough to take on the burden.' He sighs to himself as he laid his whole body on the seat, 'I guess it was worth it.' He takes a stone from his pocket, as he plays with it to pass the time. 'Mary can't be allowed to come back with an army behind her, certainly not under my banners.'
He furiously thought 'I'm gonna need someone already fighting against the law to work as my men.' He then looks to the sky, 'If I have them taking out competitors and gathering men.' He grips his head in pain as blood trickles down, 'That will definitely make this worth it.' His vision turns blurry before he closes his eyes, 'I'll think about this later, It hurts way too fucking much.'
"Sir, sir." A voice wakes him up, the feeling of being pushed makes him open his eyes. He looks to the voice, "Huh?" The driver only smiles, "Sir, we've already arrived in Alton." Michael wipes his eyes, to wake him up. The driver opens his mouth in shock before hurriedly taking out a napkin. "Sir, sir please use this." The driver hands it to him with a bow, something which Michael hesitantly takes.
"What is it for?' Michael sits up as he looks at him questioningly. The driver gestures his own face, "It's for the blood here, in this area." Michael immediately looks to the window and he blanches, seeing his lip and face drenched in dried blood, the sight terrifies the hell out of him. He took the napkin and wiped his face as he thought, 'So this is what happens when I overexert way too much.'
He looks at the concerned driver, he thanks him with a nod. "Thanks," He points to the napkin, "I'll have to return this, so what's your name?" The man bows as he shouted, "My name is Alfred, SIR." Michael waves his hand, dismissing his formality "There's no need to shout Alfred." Michael exits the carriage as the napkin disappears in his pocket.
He fixes his clothes before looking to Alfred and notices that it was already deep into the night, "So, where are we?" Alfred points to the building, "This was the house, Lady Madelaine has prepared for you." Michael looks up and down, a two-storey building with little decoration and looks new "Looks nice, will this be my house through my stay here?"
Alfred nods, "Ah, yes. She already had it fully furnished." Michael nods as he asks, "Is there any food here?" Alfred points, "I believe we passed by a restaurant, there" Michael then hurriedly walks to it, hungry from his exertion he looks back a bit to Alfred. "Cmon, eat with me." Alfred nods hurriedly as he followed.
Within the restaurant, two men eat, Alfred stutters, "U-um sir, W-will you be alright with that?" Michael looks at him, "Alright with what?" Alfred gestured around them, "The amount of food you ordered." In the table where two men sat, was a table filled to the brim with meals. Michael only chuckles, "Yeah, It might be too little," Alfred chokes before, returning to his meal.
Michael takes a slice off a steak before he asks Alfred a question, "Oh yeah, Alfred. How has life been lately?" Alfred who was about to sip his soup hurriedly answers, "Ah, i-it has been fine. Sir." Michael smiles as he takes a bite, his coat left at the carriage. "I see, how much are you being paid?"
Alfred swallows dryly, a bit hesitant "T-two golds per year sir." Michael nods, "I see, that's good, that's good. I was afraid that most profits came from your wages." Alfred waves his hand in panic, "N-no sir, you actually give out one of the most lucrative jobs in Rosalia." Michael nods happily, "That's good, that's good." Michael then thought, 'That means most people look up to me in a positive light."
Michael then ate once more before a question enters his mind, "So how about your kids. What do they do at this time?" Alfred sheepishly rubs the back of his head, "W-well, they mostly play and then help with work." Alfred raises an eyebrow, "They don't study?" Alfred only looks at him in confusion before replying, "We don't really have the money to hire a tutor."
Michael inwardly facepalms as he realizes, 'Right, no education for those that are poor.' He then looked to Alfred with a smile, "Then let's give them their education, yes?" Alfred chokes on his food as he hurriedly bows repeatedly, "Yes, Of course. Thank you, sir." Michael chuckles at his reaction, before going back to his food. They talked for some time in between meals until Michael finishes the food he ordered.
Michael stands at his house as he waves goodbye to Alfred, who was still bowing in gratefulness. Michael enters the door and proceeds to take off his clothes, he coughs before hurriedly going to the bathroom to spit out blood. 'I guess I really shouldn't overexert myself.' He then shakes his head, 'I gotta wait when I'm older before I could be performing magic of that scale.'
He looks to his wrist, 'After all, there's only so much magic that can pass through my body. Before it could break in overexertion.' He spits out another clot of blood, 'I've already eaten, dammit. I should've replenished my reserves by now.' He drinks water before going up the stairs to sleep. He reaches his bed as nausea takes him and he thought to himself.
'Ugh, no magic of that size for now.'
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