Chapter 99: No Choice Given
Alex groggily opened his eyes, his gaze landing on the ornate, unfamiliar ceiling above him. His head throbbed faintly as he muttered, "Ugh, why am I getting a sense of déjà vu?"
"Oh, you're finally awake. How are you feeling?" Aurora's calm, familiar voice echoed in his mind, cutting through the haze like a lifeline.
"Aurora…" he murmured, blinking as his surroundings came into focus. He was lying on a massive bed, the mattress impossibly soft, as though crafted from clouds. It practically begged him to stay wrapped in its embrace.
The room was grand—almost overwhelming in its extravagance. Golden accents gleamed along the intricately carved walls, while velvet drapes framed towering windows that let in soft, golden streams of sunlight. Everything around him exuded an air of opulence.
"Where… where am I?" Alex asked, his voice hoarse. He scanned the luxurious room, his disorientation evident. "Wait… I was—did I pass out? How long has it been?"
Aurora's voice softened. "You've been asleep for almost an entire day." she replied. "As for where you are, I'm not entirely sure myself. What's the last thing you remember?"
Alex rubbed his temples, willing his thoughts to align. Images flashed in his mind—the battle with the giant monster, the void spear, the desperate struggle, and the shrouded figure of a woman.
He recounted the events in a low voice, each memory sharpening as he spoke. Aurora listened silently, her presence steady and reassuring.
When he finished, she hummed thoughtfully. "Yes, that woman brought you here. She healed you and stayed by your side the entire time. Practically glued to you, really." There was a teasing note in her voice now. "She only left a few minutes ago, but not before making sure everything was perfect for you."
Alex frowned, sitting up slowly. The silken sheets fell away as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, the cold marble floor grounding him. "That woman…" he echoed, trying to piece her image together in his mind. "She's the one who saved me, isn't she?"
Aurora's confirmation was swift. "Not just saved, Alex. She slayed that monster like it was nothing. And judging by the way she looked at you, I'd say you've definitely caught her interest."
Her words lingered, a mix of relief and forewarning. Alex's brow furrowed as unease crept into his thoughts. Gratitude filled him for being alive, but the mystery surrounding his savior unsettled him.
Who was this woman who could so effortlessly destroy such monster? And more importantly, what did she want from him?
The sound of the door creaking open pulled Alex from his spiraling thoughts. His gaze shifted to the doorway as two women entered, their presence commanding attention.
Both exuded an unmistakable aura of power and grace, though their contrasting appearances and demeanors were striking.
The first woman was breathtakingly beautiful, her jet-black hair tied back into a sleek ponytail that accentuated her sharp, angular features. She wore a short top that exposed her defined midriff, each step causing her toned abs to flex subtly. Tight-fitting pants hugged her athletic frame, emphasizing her confident and assertive presence.
The second woman, equally captivating but in a softer way, exuded a serene warmth. Her light golden-brown hair cascaded in gentle waves over her shoulders, framing her delicate features. Her amber-brown eyes glowed softly, radiating tranquility. She wore a healer's robe adorned with intricate embroidery that shimmered faintly in the sunlight streaming through the grand windows.
Alex's confusion only deepened as he looked between the two women. The tension in the air was palpable, though it seemed more playful than hostile.
The black-haired woman spoke first, her piercing icy-blue eyes—tinged with a faint crimson—locking onto him. "You're awake. Good," she said, her tone firm but carrying a trace of warmth that belied her stern demeanor. "I was starting to worry you'd sleep forever, my disciple."
Alex blinked, her words hitting him like a bolt of lightning. 'My disciple?' he thought, his brows furrowing as he tried to process her claim. "You're… the one who saved me?"
A smirk curled on her lips as she crossed her arms. "That's right. Alicia Valtoria." she announced, her voice filled with pride. "Your beloved master and savior. You'll have plenty of time to thank me later, my disciple."
Before Alex could gather his thoughts to respond, the golden-brown-haired woman stepped forward, her expression much softer. "I'm glad to see you're awake." she said in a melodic voice, her tone as calming as a gentle breeze. "You were in terrible shape when Alicia brought me to heal you."
Her words carried a note of genuine concern, though her following statement was accompanied by a faint smile. "I'm Priscilia Aurelian—one of your master's very few friends and, as you can probably guess, a healer. Though, to be precise, Alicia didn't exactly ask me to heal you…"
"Hmm?" his gaze darting between the two women, uncertainty evident in his voice.
Priscilia sighed, folding her arms as she shot Alicia a pointed look. "Kidnapped me would be more accurate. I was in the middle of relaxing at home when she showed up unannounced, rambling about how 'my disciple needs healing.' Before I could even protest, she dragged me here without a word of explanation."
Alicia shrugged, her expression dismissive. "As if you had anything important to do anyway." she quipped, her tone dripping with casual arrogance.
Priscilia rolled her eyes but decided it wasn't worth arguing. Instead, she turned her focus back to Alex, her voice softening as she spoke. "In any case, I'm glad I could help. You're lucky Alicia was so... persistent. She wouldn't leave your side until I guaranteed you'd make a full recovery."
Alex frowned, confusion evident in his voice as he asked, "But… why? Why would you go to all this trouble for me?"
Alicia's sharp demeanor shifted as she stepped closer. Her usual smirk faded, replaced by a rare, genuine smile. Yet behind that smile was a possessive intensity that made Alex's stomach churn with unease.
Her piercing eyes locked onto his, and her voice softened, though it carried a note of unyielding resolve.
"Why?" she echoed, almost as if the question amused her. "Because the moment I saw you, I knew. You're special. You'll be my disciple—you're mine now."
The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, and Alex's mind reeled. He took a shaky breath, his voice hesitant as he replied, "But I never agreed to be your disciple. And besides—"
Before he could finish, Priscilia stepped forward, cutting him off with an exasperated sigh. "It doesn't matter whether you agreed or not."
She gestured toward Alicia with a knowing look, her tone filled with a mix of resignation and humor. "Once she's decided you're her disciple, it's a done deal. Trust me, you don't get a say."
Alex blinked in disbelief, his mind racing as he struggled to process her words. "So that's it?" he muttered, glancing between the two women. "I don't have a choice?"
Priscilia's expression softened as she folded her arms, her voice gentler now. "Look, it's not as bad as it sounds. You'll be learning under the Sword Empress herself—a legendary S-rank adventurer. Sure, she's... eccentric," she added, casting Alicia a pointed glance, "but she genuinely cares about the people she cares for. Even if her methods are... unconventional."
Alex opened his mouth to protest, but the determined looks in both women's eyes left him deflated. He slumped back slightly, muttering under his breath, "Why do I feel like my life just got a lot more complicated?"
Aurora, observing the scene, chuckled softly. "Oh, you have no idea." she remarked, her voice filled with amusement.
Alicia ignored the jab, saying nothing as her gaze remained fixed on Alex. Her icy-blue eyes gleamed with a mixture of determination and possessiveness, making it clear that she wasn't going to back down.
Still overwhelmed by the whirlwind of events, Alex hesitated, but the fire in Alicia's gaze was undeniable. Whether he liked it or not, his life had taken a dramatic turn—and there was no going back.
Alex wasn't entirely against the idea of becoming her disciple. Alicia was undeniably beautiful and incredibly powerful—an S-rank adventurer, no less. Beyond her fearsome reputation and commanding presence, she was exactly his type in ways he'd rather not admit out loud.
But that wasn't the issue.
The problem was that he didn't get a choice in the matter. Her declaration had been absolute, leaving no room for negotiation. And more importantly, Alex carried secrets—secrets he had painstakingly hidden from the world. Becoming her disciple meant proximity, scrutiny, and possibly the unraveling of everything he'd worked so hard to keep concealed.
He sighed inwardly, his stormy gray eyes flickering with a mix of apprehension and reluctant acceptance.
Aurora's voice broke into his thoughts, her tone tinged with dry humor. "You're thinking too hard again, Alex. You already know she's not going to take no for an answer."
He let out a soft, bitter laugh under his breath. 'She really won't, will she?'