Blood dripped down Subaru's cheek.
Halibel stood in front of him mocking him
Yes
Subaru asked Halibel to up his training
Subaru couldn't shake the feeling that if multiple royal camps were looking for him, it's likely that he could bump into one in public.
And when that happened he wanted to be ready for them.
Subaru would use his fear and anger productively
And so he pushed his body past his limit
Using spirits mana boosters just to ignore the pain
To ignore his bruised bones and skin
He wouldn't stop
And here he was now
"*pant pant* Halibel is that *pant* all you got?" Subaru spoke with shaky determination in his voice
"Subaru we've been training for 5 hours straight, no breaks and easily double as intensity as before. We are stopping for today. Go rest."
Subaru legs were shaking as he tried to act tough
"I'm *pant* not done y-yet." Subaru truly felt exhausted
"Subaru you won't improve anymore today by getting your ass kicked. Take a break and relax I promise it will help you more then training right now."
Subaru fell to his knees
"F-fine just let me lay down here for a bit, the ground is really comfortable."
Halibel chuckled as he jumped out of the training ground
Subaru closed his eyes ready to embrace a nap
"To think I contracted with the one human who would rather sleep on the ground instead of walking home. Pathetic." Aeolus commented
"It's true Subaru you need some more flame to your personality" Blasie spoke
"Gawwwwwwwd, look I would walk home but I'm sleepy sooo give me a few minutes before I move again," Subaru spoke unaware of the consequences
"Murak" Shami softly said
Subaru's eyes widened in panic as he felt his body become weightless
"Ok, ok girl I'll move," Subaru said with worry in his tone
"Fura"
To Subaru's absolute horror Aeolus cast a weak wind spell on him
Resulting in him flying into a nearby tree
"AHHHHHH ok ok I'll get up."
Subaru rubbed his back
"Ahhh the back is such a bad spot to damage."
"*hmph* I'll heal you, you dummy." Aqua let out a small huff as she was a little annoyed that Subaru kept hurting himself
Sure she would always heal Subaru. But she didn't want to see him hurt
Subaru stood up and laughed
"Thanks for that Aqua, now then let's go ma-beast hunting!"
"Hell yeah let's burn them alive." Said Blaise excitedly
"No Subaru, Halibel said you needed to rest," Aqua said in a worried tone
"Sure I'm in." Said, Toph Cooley
"Hmph* well if my contracted wants to be dumb I suppose I have no choice but to help to make sure he doesn't die," Aeolus said trying to sound like she didn't really care.
"Subaru I agree with Aeolus you should rest." Said Eon, while he did want to fight ma-beasts, he also wanted Subaru to be at top health
"I wanna fight an opponent we can beat" Shami was sick of her contractor losing fights to Halibel and wanted to feel like a winner whenever possible.
"Sorry Aqua, that 5-2 votes in favour of me fighting some evil dogs today."
"Fine but be careful," Aqua said annoyed
Subaru put his hood above his head
"He, he no promises."
Subaru walked towards the guild while Aqua healed him further
He could only thank the gods that he was contracted to a healer spirit.
Without her magic, he would probably still be recovering from the first day he and Halibel trained
Subaru had arrived at the guild
He thought back to yesterday
Subaru had a plan
He poked his head through the door and looked around
He saw no knights from the Anastasia camp or any camp
So he entered
Subaru walked up to the task board
He observed and noticed that there was a large abscess of ma-beast quests
Actually, their were no quests available at all
"Odd there's usually at least... 10."
Subaru noticed that his missing poster was still up through
"Better take this down"
Subaru grabbed the poster and put it in his pocket
"Welp Aqua guess we're just going to do some small hero work today."
"Very well Subaru," Aqua said a little pleased with this outcome
Subaru left the guild feeling a little off about that but decided to ignore it
"Ok girls let's start."
Subaru felt his body become charged full of mana as he leapt high onto roofs and began his search for a crime.
On a roof not too far away from Subaru was a purple-haired knight surrounded by pieces of paper.
He was simply observing him
"Ok Neo, let's see where you go."
Julius the knight began to follow stealthily from behind
Subaru was jumping from roof to roof at incredible speeds.
And all thanks to Aquas mental boosters he could observe and register any crimes from a mile away
Subaru spotted something a bit sad
He saw a small girl being beaten up by two old teenagers
"Those kids probably don't know manners." Subaru thought to himself
Subaru jumped down surprising the kids as he looked at them
"Oi you two."
The two boys were scarred
"No-way," said one
"Your Neo," said the other
"Yep, I'm Neo, and I'm here to give you a stern warning about hitting young girls."
"Wait you're not going to kick our butts?" Said a confused boy
"Nope, instead I'm going to teach you how important it is to not be a bad person."
"Umm ok."
Subaru sat down
"Hey Aqua heal that girl."
"Yes, Subaru."
"Ok boys listen up, what you've done is bad. Very bad indeed. Let me tell you now that hitting girls isn't cool. Unless it's self-defence or revenge. I mean no not even for revenge just don't hit girls outside of necessary self-defence."
"Umm so only fight if they attack first?"
"That's right buddy because..."
"It's bad to hit girls." Both boys said.
"Excellent now if you mind me asking"
Subaru turned to the girl
"Why did they attack you?"
"T-they wanted to marry me but I said no." The girl stuttered
Subaru turned to the boys
"Alright listen here, it's her choice to not marry. And if I see you've committed another bad deed like this, I'll kick your ass. I NEO PROCLAIM THIS." Subaru pulled of Le~epic pose
"O-ok Neo-sama."
"Yes Sir."
The boys were terrified
"Good now them don't forget I'm always watching you."
Subaru jumped away leaving the two boys terrified
As the night grew Subaru knew that the crimes he stopped would become more scandalous
Subaru stood atop the highest building and while it was actually quite average of a building, he still felt like a bad-ass
Subaru then heard the cry of a man
It sounded like he needed help
"Ok let's see what we have on our hands, I bet it's petty robbery what do you six think?" Subaru spoke out loud
"Robbery"
"Drunk fight"
"Random assault"
"Filthy humans fighting"
"That's almost the same as Tophs, Aeolus"
"Shut up I suppose!"
Subaru just smiled at his spirits antics
Subaru arrived at the location of the man yelling
Subaru saw something sad
Instead of an epic fight, there was a homeless drunk having a bad dream
He was surrounded by empty beer bottles and looked like he hadn't showered in months
"Oh... hay girls what should I do? I've never had this problem before. And before you speak No Blaise I won't burn him."
"Aww"
"Subaru even if we can't properly help him, I can cast a healing spell for comfort purposes."
"Sure I've got nothing better in mind."
Aqua manifested preparing to cast her healing spell
And when she did the man stopped screaming
He was at peace
"Ok let's go home, *yawn* I mean a whole day of getting my ass kicked then having to do my hero work really tires me out."
Subaru began to jump home
Subaru arrived home and went straight to bed
He was exhausted
He didn't even bother to remove his cloak
He just went to bed and immediately passed out
Julius sat on top of a roof in window view of Neo
All-day he took notes
"Interesting, it wasn't mentioned anywhere that he had a water spirit. It's definitely odd to have a spirit on it's third evolution. His affinity's also off the charts... and his voice sounds just like Subaru, with maybe a slight tone change to it. Plus Subaru's the only person to pose like that."
Julius picked up his Metia
"Anastasia-sama, sorry for disturbing you so late at night, but I believe withevidence to support my claim that Neo is indeed Subaru Natsuki."
Anastasia on the other side was pleased to hear this news
"Ahh, it only makes sense that through my knowledge chain, we were able to weed him out eventually."
"My lady, how should I approach this situation?"
"Try to bring him back with you peacefully but use force if necessary. And if something goes wrong I'll alert Emilia and the other camps. Also try not to hurt him, Julius. It would be a very, very bad look for you to hurt him after all that torture."
"...My lady..."
"Julius as much as it hurts you can't pretend it didn't happen. I know you are hurting but you must be strong to save your and Subaru's relationship. After all, he might have already forgiven since it was gluttony's fault."
Anastasia hung up
"Alright Subaru, I'll give you to morning before I come to get you, consider it a friendship privilege." Julius layer down. And began to recall the events after he and Felix remembered who Subaru was.
Julius felt nothing but guilt.
He was supposed to be a friend to Subaru. Subaru was a man who did so much for them. Yet all he did in return was...
"*sigh* I'll save my apologies for to
Julius waited patiently for morning sun
Subaru awake feeling ready for another Training session
He also felt ready to eat something
"Ahh, I'm such a fool, missing dinner. Welp, I'll just eat twice the breakfast."
Subaru ran to the kitchen and ate two appa's
"Subaru you need to eat different foods." Aqua scolded
"Well, Appa's are cheap so yeah."
Subaru then fixed his dark cloak
"Alright, girls todays going to be the day we hit Halibel."
"Yeah"
"Maybe just don't get hurt."
"Let's get 'em."
"Oh please, you couldn't hit a stationary child."
"We will do great."
"Let's try our best."
Subaru sighed
"Why is everyone so supportive... then Aeolus over here is just a mega Tusundere."
"I don't even know what that word is yet it irritates me I suppose."
"I'll never tell you what it means heh heh."
Subaru could tell that if Aeolus had a physical body she would be turning away puffing her cheeks.
"Alright let's go make great strides today."
Subaru walked towards the front door
He opened it
And he gasped in fear
Standing before him was a purple-haired knight
The same one who tortured him for countless hours
Subaru stood back not speaking feeling so many emotions inside him
"Hello, Subaru... could we please talk?" Julius asked politely
Subaru could feel aquas mental boosters kick in
"I'm sorry I don't know a Subaru, my name is Neo and you're in my way."
Subaru tried to push past Julius hoping to avoid conflict
...
Julius grabbed Subaru's hoodie pulling it off revealing his face
"Black hair, scary eyes and that unmistakable face. Hello Subaru Natsuki... look I wanted to say sorry... I'm sorry for hurting you... I really am please come back with me everyone misses you."
But Subaru didn't hear Julius
Subaru's mind was too clouded with hate
Subaru turned around
Eyes emotionless
Face neutral
Arms slack
Body language not showing any hostility
Then he spoke
"I know why you've come here."
"Oh well then would you like to go?"
Subaru stared blankly as his six spirits manifested around him
Subaru then revealed two daggers
Then he exploded
"YOU FUCKING THINK I'M GOING BACK PEACEFUL TO GET TORTURED FOR INFORMATION I DON'T HAVE?! JULIUS I'M GOING TO KILL YOU RIGHT HERE RIGHT FUCKING NOW!"
Julius was taken aback by this revolution, didn't Subaru listen to him?
Subaru has 6 spirits contracted to him while believing that everyone still wants him dead
Julius didn't expect Subaru to retaliate like this
Sure he prepared for the one spirit he saw
But this was on a whole another level of serious
Julius unsheathed his sword in an attempt to block the incoming attacks
But even with his own Quasi spirits, he found himself overpowered by Subaru
"WHAT DID YA THINK I'M STILL WEAKER THAN OTTO? NO I PLAN TO SURPASS YOU ROSWAAL AND EVERYONE."
Subaru then began to use the skills Halibel taught him
He dashed around punching Julius with mana boosted slashes unleashing his fury upon Julius
Julius struggled to keep up as he was treated like a fine piece of meat by Subaru and while Subaru's spirits continued to shoot magic attacks at him which he needed to block
"How Subaru? How did you get so strong?" Julius never expected such power to come from Subaru of all people
Subaru didn't answer Instead he focused on the past months with Julius
Subaru remembered every time Julius beat time almost to death
So much torture and now it was his turn for retribution
Eventually, Subaru dropped his weapons and put 100%of his mana into a punch sending Julius flying into a nearby house creating a huge hole in the wall.
"Julius, you came here expecting a weak boy crying in fear of the scary knight. But now there's only me. Neo. Only my friends may call me Subaru." Subaru spoke with nothing but hate and malice radiating from his voice as his fist had smoke coming off it.
Julius tried to respond but was too weak to
"Julius, you disgust me. I'll kill you then I'll hunt down THAT GOD DAMM FEM BOY FELIX."
Subaru ran to Julius and stood atop of him
Subaru then started to punch Julius while he was down
Every punch drew more and more blood
And every punch fuelled Subarus anger further and further
Subaru wouldn't kill Julius yet
He wanted this to b w
Subaru then began to kick Julius creating larger and larger pools of blood
It was a therapeutic punching session in a way
"YOUR TRULY A IDIOT FOR THINKING THAT I WOULD JUST LET YOU TORTURE ME AGAIN, WELL KNIGHT, HERES THE PRICE FOR YOUR IDIOCY."
Subaru began to charge his mana into his arm and fist
After a second it began to glow slightly
Subaru then raised his arm above his head ready to turn Julius skull into a paste
"DIE!"
...
Subaru was suddenly shoved over by a Demi-human
Said Demi human picked up Julius and began to run away with him
Subaru stared at the fleeing dog with displeasure
"I didn't beat him up enough. Hay Blaise, you know how I tell you to not burn people to death?"
"Yeah?!"
"Well, he's one of the few exceptions to that rule."
Blaise flew around happily
He finally had permission to burn someone to death
"Now what Subaru?" Asked Eon
"Let's not keep Halibel waiting."
"Huh? But he knows your here, and he will bring back up."
Subaru clenched his fists
"It doesn't matter."
"Huh?" Said Aeolus
"I've already got an idea to avoid any further interruptions until you evolve while also being able to train with Halibel."
"How?"
"He he you will see."
"Hmph so rude to keep secrets from your spirits."
Subaru began to walk towards Halibel's training ground
Subaru arrived a little late for the first time ever
Halibel was impatiently waiting
"What took you Subaru? I'm generously giving you my time to teach you, you could at least show up on time."
Subaru bowed
"I'm very sorry, I was held up by an important event. It's my fault for being distracted. Please forgive me."
Halibel noticed that something was different about Subaru but he could also tell that what Subaru was saying was the truth...
"Ok then, Subaru as punishment you must now fight me without mana boosters."
"Shit, wait, wait."
"Yeah?"
"I was thinking, we've been training in the same place for a while now, what if we went camping."
"Camping? Subaru we can't take a holiday"
"No, no not a holiday. This camping session will be 100% Training and survival."
"Ahh interesting idea, but why would you wanna go so suddenly?"
Subaru thought about his answer
"Yeahhhh, I think the sword saint might arrive soon, so when he does I wanna be far away while still having you to train with."
"... why would the sword saint come here?" Halibel asked confused
"Well you see, remember the missing poster?"
"Yes."
"Well a knight named Julius decided to hunt me down, but I kicked his ass but he managed to escape. And since Julius the average knight and Mr op sword saint are friends, Reinhard is probably going to come seeking me for his so-called justice."
Halibel put a hand on Subaru's shoulder
"Ok, ok we can go camping, but I warn you, the next month is going to be hell."
"I don't care, I need as much time as possible, or at least until my spirits become great spirits."
"That might be a while, I'll give you a month's worth of camping but remember I too have a life of my own here."
"Oh sorry."
"I mean these smokes won't smoke themselves."
"Whatever let's just go."
And so Subaru, his six contracted spirits and Halibel went camping.
"Heal him!" Yelled Felix
Felix and five other healers were pumping all their mana into Julius trying to save him
"Ok, he's stable." Yelled a healer
Julius slowly opened his eyes
And looked around him
He was in a hospital surrounded by healers including Felix
"Julius, what happened!?" Yelled Felix
Julius remembered what Subaru did
"It was S-Subaru."
"Nyah? Did someone attack you and Subaru? If so why wasn't he taken back with you?" Felix asked worriedly
"No! Subaru... he's somehow got six spirits and he managed to surprise me with such firepower. In a way it was impressive."
"So nywhat. A few lesser spirits should be no problem for you."
"No not lesser spirits, spirit spirits."
"Wha? You mean he has full spirits."
"Yes"
"As in the evolution above quasi spirits?"
"Yes"
"But that's not possible. It takes decades just to evolve a spirit. And randomly calling full spirits to help you almost never works let alone six of them."
"But that's not all, he somehow learnt martial arts to such an extreme level. And worst of all, he's scared."
"Nyah?! What do you mean he's scared, didn't he nearly kill you?"
"Yes, while he was doing so he was screaming about how he wouldn't come back to get tortured again. He thought we were coming after him to harm him and he defended himself."
"Oh, dear... Julius as I expected the torture we put him through has changed him. It's our... our fault too. We did this, no,no-no." Felix began to hold his head
Julius in shame looked down
"Felix... we must alert Emilia-sama immediately. If anyone can bring Subaru back it's her."
"Maybe she can give him a lap pillow nayh?"
Julius shook his head
"Not funny Felix."
"Sorry."
And so Julius and Felix requested for all party's involved in finding Subaru to meet
The four royal groups had agreed to meet in the Roswaal manor
It was only fair since they were discussing their knight
Emilia wasn't doing too well, all the emotions that surfaced from Subaru being missing and being tortured when she was particularly to blame made her sick in the stomach.
Beatrice wished for them to say they found Subaru, she swore to give him all the hugs she could if he ever came back
Rem was eyeing Julius and Felix, they hurt her hero, and they better fix this or she would personally make sure they never saw the sun again.
Roswaal was... very upset. If Neo wasn't Subaru then he could only guess that Subaru went into absolute hiding and isolation. And if that happened he could never accomplish his goals.
Garfeil was surprisingly quiet, he just wanted to hear whether they found his beloved caption or not
Otto was observant noticing the odd expression on Julius' face. It looked pained
Felt wanted to see her hero, the boy who captured her heart.
.
Julius stood up
"Ok if I may have your attention."
The table was silent
All eyes were at him
"Firstly, yes I found Subaru."
The table erupted
Garfeil was the first to respond
"THEN WHY TA HELL ISN'T HE WITH YA?"
Julius kept his stern expression spoke again
"About retrieving Subaru... it was a task far too difficult for me alone."
Silence
Crusch spoke
"And why is that greatest knight?"
"Subaru Natsuki has become far more powerful than me... he somehow used six full spirits and learnt martial arts common to a shinobi."
Beatrice hearing these words lowered her head in sorrow
"D-did Betty's Subaru replace her? But he promised... he promised to give me happy memory's"
Beatrice let a tear fall
Emilia began to stroke her hair
"Julius-kun, did Subaru say he was contracted?"
"No Emilia-sama"
"Beatrice maybe he just called upon the spirits to help him fight."
Beatrice regained her composure
"Noo! He replaced me for being a bad spirit... and it's what I deserve!" Beatrice began to cry
Roswaal joined
"Soooo Julius-kunnn your saying that our dearrr Natsuki Subaruuuuu is toooo dangerous for you alone to capture? But whyyyy would he attack youuuu?"
Julius had a slightly sad expression
"He believes that we still wanna harm him. No, he still believes I wanna harm him, the same probably applies to Felix."
"Nyah well... that would make sense," Felix admitted sadly
Emilia put her hands to her mouth hearing this
"It must be so scary for him," Emilia thought
Rem was upset her hero living every day scared that he might be tortured, Rem wanted nothing more than to hug Subaru and tell him everything will be ok.
Felt stood up
"Uhh you dummy's are useless, I'll send Reinhard to retrieve him."
"My lady you put too much faith in me"
"Shut up you humble saint."
"Yes my lady, my future leader of Lugunica"
"Shut".
"..."
"..."
"My lady?"
"What?"
"I can't legally go outside Luigina."
"Uhhhh your useless."
"I'm sorry."
Anastasia gave her opinion
"If the sword saint isn't an option, then the rest of us should band together and use numbers to bring back Subaru."
"That makes sense." Said, Mimi
Rem stood up
"Julius, did you find where Subaru-kun lived?"
"Yes, Rem why?"
"Take me there, Beatrice and I can smell the witch's miasma that unfortunately radiates of Subaru's body. I can find him, but only if we hurry."
The table had a little arguing before agreeing to send all their forces to Bannan to track down and bring back Subaru.
Reinhard chuckled a little
"Isn't this an excessive amount of force?"
"Your one to talk." Retorted Felt
Emilia and her group looked on in confidence they would find their Subaru and bring him back.
"I wonder how strong he really is supposed" thought Beatrice