Free Web NovelChapter 9: Two Dreams.
After some time, Aldrus finally seemed to react. Alice unconsciously wrapped one of his arms around her own as she helped him move, and soon, he sat beside her, facing Ludwig.
"So, how have you been, Aldrus? It hasn’t even been a year since we last met, and you’re already in big trouble, hoho!" Ludwig said in a mocking tone.
Aldrus twitched his face in pain. Not only was he dealing with whatever odd condition was assaulting his mind, but now that damn clown had to show up as well.
I’m really not in the mood for this...
"Y-yeah... S-Sir Ludwig, uh, as you can see, I’m not feeling too well," he said, hoping Ludwig would keep discretion in front of Alice.
He was willing to tell her many things, but going into full detail as to how he got a fragment wasn’t possible. Even though she had already figured out about his encounter with the Guardian, and she had most likely deduced how that ended... He still couldn’t tell her everything. It was for her own sake. After all, Aldrus’s Grandpa was the only reason why he hadn’t been executed by now.
Ludwig squinted faintly, immediately getting the meaning behind Aldrus’s hesitant response. And just as he was about to speak, a dancing voice did it first,
"Aldrus, what happened? Your hands... how did you hurt yourself like that?"
Of course, such a thing wouldn’t just go over their heads. While Ludwig didn’t really seem interested, Alice just couldn’t let it pass. This room was hers, too. If any kind of danger was still lurking around, they could both end up badly injured, if not worse. That is why he had to let her know the reason. In fact, telling them both about it might help him keep his sanity intact.
Aldrus didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Then, he hesitated, gathered his thoughts and said,
"I-I had a dream..."
***
He told them everything. Not only about his recent nightmare, but also about the one he’d experienced back in his apartment the day he called his mother. Although he couldn’t remember most of it, he described in detail the feelings it had left him with.
There was no reason to hide something like that. Even if his dreams meant nothing at all, only an idiot would keep those hurtful thoughts to themselves.
An idiot, huh...
With a crooked smile, Aldrus glanced sheepishly at their expressions.
They wouldn’t think I’m crazy... would they?
He scratched one hand with the other, impatient.
The room fell silent as Ludwig and Alice thought about what they just heard. A nightmare wasn’t really a big deal on its own, but considering the effect it had on Aldrus’s psyche and the similarities the two dreams shared, as well as the fact that the second one happened just five days after the first—thinking of them as something more than just a dream wasn’t out of the question.
And of course, Aldrus himself was more than convinced.
After reflecting for a while, Ludwig raised a hand and touched Aldrus’s forehead with two of his fingers.
As an absurdly baggy purple sleeve appeared before his eyes, Aldrus flinched.
This damn old man... He keeps appearing out of nowhere!
Grumbling to himself, his fever suddenly began to ease. Soon, his breathing steadied and his skin ceased to burn. Now, for the first time since he woke up, Aldrus could finally feel the winter again.
Ahhh... This feels good.
"Mmm, that should be enough to keep you on your feet for today. However, your burnout is not like anything I’ve seen before. We’ll have to run some tests on you, boy. There’s something inside... I couldn’t stop its time completely," Ludwig said, stroking his beard. His eyes finally seemed serious.
I hadn’t seen him like that ever since that day...
"Uhmm, I-Is it bad?" Aldrus asked.
"I can’t say for sure, but I suppose it depends on whether you consider eating your own hands as something ’bad’ or not, hoh!"
"...I wasn’t talking about my nightmare."
"Oh, I know. But I’m leaning toward the idea of it being the same thing, or at least related, hoh!"
"..."
Ludwig stared at him, a smug expression on his face. Once again, Aldrus didn’t know what he was so proud of. Did he even take the situation seriously at all? He had to. Otherwise, how could a man like him become the principal? Well, it certainly wasn’t because he lacked the power.
Hahh...
Noticing his face growing dark, Alice tried to cheer him up,
"H-Hey, but it might not be that bad! You know? M-Maybe it hides something awesome!"
She looked even more worried than he did.
"R-Right! Maybe it means I’ll be super powerful. Don’t you think so, Sir Ludwig?"
Ludwig blinked in surprise, stroked his beard again and said flatly,
"Oh, no. I just think it means I wouldn’t be able to help you if that thing tried to kill you, hoh!"
***
Some time later, Ludwig had already left. The last thing he said was simply to go visit him once in a while.
As if.
However, something in his eyes had felt off. Aldrus could imagine what it was, but didn’t really want to think about it. Although he knew he’d have to face it sooner or later.
Turning to Alice, he forced a smile. Forgetting wasn’t easy, but he wished they could erase that morning from their minds completely.
"So, I guess I’m going to class, after all," he said, chuckling nervously.
She looked at him with a serious expression, almost pouting.
D-Damn!
"I-If you say no to me with that face, I might just stay in bed..." Aldrus mumbled.
He really wanted to go, but it seemed like Alice wasn’t convinced.
Well, no wonder. She just watched me lose my mind...
"Pfff-"
She let out a strange noise, flinched, and quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
"You’re laughing at me...?" he asked, dumbfounded.
"N-No! I didn’t mean it like that. I just... kind of wanted to scold you. But you look so funny, I guess it can’t be helped."
She smiled radiantly, rested a hand on her waist, and added,
"Alright, then. We’re going to class."
