Chapter 17: Gael
Leone put on her coat and was about to push open the door of the café when Mrs. Amelia called out to her.
"You're leaving?"
"Oh, yes. I have to pick something up from the market. I can run an errand for you on the way."
"No, it's alright. But shouldn't you at least bring an umbrella with you? The sky looks bleak."
"I guess I will. Thank you."
Leone accepted the umbrella and nodded before leaving. The puddle of water by the road splashed against her boots which creates a light tapping sound as it hit the brick road.
Gutter water fell to the ground, running towards the small canal. Above this canal was a group of six people.
As unusual as it looks, one among the two who were surrounded was being held up in the neck while the other crouched on the floor as the other 3 kicked him.
What was even more eye-catching is that the four boys seem to come from the family of working classes while the other two probably come from the common class, worse from the slums apparent in their tattered cloaks.
Leone saw the one on the ground crawl to pick up the bread that was thrown to the floor, but it was squashed under one of the bullies.
It also happened that they were on Leone's way that her involvement became inevitable.
***
Gael dropped by a flower shop, among the many shops on the outskirts of the new Downtown area. He thanked the shopkeeper as he accepted the bouquet of carnation roses.
He just got out of the shop when he witnessed a fight in broad daylight.
He was about to step into the fight when another person moved earlier than him.
Leone gripped the acting leader's arm and twisted this, catching the man being held at the neck before he hit the floor.
The other boy seems to retaliate thus Leone pushed him away, colliding with a pot of flowers in front of the flower shop.
The pot broke, and the flowers smashed and rose to the air as the wind blows. Carried with it is the faint sound of a piano.
A gust of wind blows through and sent the petals spiraling into the air once more. Two of the bullies also pounced on Leone who could only step back against their attack.
When the petals fell down, the sound of the piano intensified. At the same time, Leone swiftly moved her umbrella, hitting the stretched arms of the two who were trying to hold her as if she was welding a sword.
The impact of the hit made their arms numb. Taken aback by the sudden assault, the boys stood frozen for a minute.
Leone must have said something to trigger the bullies who came lunging at her. One boy in red clothes stretched his right hand for a punch that Leone easily dodged who in turn hit him with the umbrella at his back, sending him grunting in pain.
Another boy with a dark blue shirt lunged for a punch. When Leone was about to dodge, the boy raised his leg for a kick, but his punch was stopped by Leone's palm and his kick was blocked by the umbrella pushing him back to the floor.
The guy with the black shirt attempted to kick Leone while the latter has her back to him, but Leone swiftly fell to a sitting position extending her right leg to trip the guy who instantly fell to his face.
The boy tried to get up but Leone stepped into the puddle of water, splashing it into the latter's face and blurring his vision before he can see the umbrella hitting his stomach.
The remaining one reacted too late when the hilt of the umbrella struck his chest. In the end, they were all groaning in pain, squirming at the floor, holding the areas they'd been hit.
At the same time, the piano ended.
Gael was too dumbfounded to help, the movements looks blurry and the fight ended quickly. He also failed to notice Leone who helped the two to their feet and walked away even before the four could recover.
Gael hurriedly ran after Leone and placed his hand on the latter's shoulder, only to have his arm twisted.
"Ow, ow, ow. Wait. Please I don't mean any harm."
Leone stared at the unfamiliar young man who was groaning in pain behind her. She let him go when she noticed the latter was not one among the four she had fought with.
"Sorry. Are you alright?"
"Y-yes. Thankfully."
Gael massaged his back and arm. When Leone was about to walk away again, he unconsciously reached out and grabbed the other's arm.
Leone looked at him with questioning eyes, staring at the hand grabbing her.
"Is there anything I could help you with?"
"Ah. No. Well, yes."
Gael let go and scratched his head before giving a small bow.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Gael, a student at Aarti's Academy. I would like to ask a favor- if you would be so kind to introduce me to your mentor."
"... My mentor?"
"Yes."
"Sorry, I don't understand. I don't attend any kind of institution so I don't have a mentor you're talking about."
"You don't? But you have skillful swordsmanship. Those moves from earlier could not be just some random movements, are they?"
"Well, I, myself am confused. I just thought I could pull it through. Perhaps it's an effect of adrenaline rush activating in the sense of danger."
"That's certainly not possible. If everyone could just move as you do then those children will not have to suffer."
"You are free to believe or not. More than that, I am not prejudiced but those children, even if they are from the common class, don't mean they could not fight for their rights. They would not escape their fate of being discriminated if they do not believe in themselves."
"You make it sound like an easy thing to do. Do you not realize what might happen to them if they retaliate?"
"It is the children from the nobility and the working class that does not understand what they're doing. His Majesty the King publicized his intention to break free from the discrimination against the lower societal classes. Not adhering to his aspiration is tantamount to refusing the King's words."
Gael was left speechless. He did not imagine he would lose in a debate. It might not be a formal discussion and merely an exchange of their subjective opinions but he got a feeling the young lady before him is not as simple as she looks. No, she even looks conspicuous in her attire and manners that could match a noble.
"Anyway, it's unfortunate but I could not grant your favor."
"I see. It could not be helped then. Also, may I ask for your name if possible?"
"... I am Len."
***
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