The tension in the room reached its peak. Canon, his face grave and resolute, grabbed the knife handed to him by Kai. A heavy silence filled the air, palpable, like a shadow enveloping everyone present. Slowly, almost methodically, Canon placed the blade against his left ring finger, his eyes locked on Samuel, seeking silent approval, a tacit permission for the sacrifice he was about to make. A deep breath swelled his chest, then, with a sharp and precise motion, he severed his finger.
Blood spurted immediately, staining the floor a crimson hue that quickly spread like an indelible mark. Despite the evident pain that must have burned through his nerves, Canon didn’t flinch. His face remained stone-like, betraying unwavering discipline and determination. He extended his severed finger toward Samuel, a solemn, almost ceremonial gesture, a declaration of allegiance that no words could have surpassed.
Samuel, impassive, accepted the finger without a word, but at that precise moment, something shifted. Through the bloody piece of flesh, he established a direct telepathic link with Canon. The connection was brutal, almost aggressive. Their minds collided in an intense exchange, as though an invisible force bound them in this silent pact.
Canon’s blood continued to flow profusely, soaking the fabric of his sleeve, creating widening red circles with every passing second. Realizing the urgency, Helydia rushed out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway as she went to fetch the village’s doctor and nurse. Kai, on his part, watched the scene with a newfound gravity. Canon’s sacrifice, though excessive, had proven something to him. Kai’s stern expression softened slightly, revealing a sign of acceptance. He no longer had any doubts: Canon was worthy of being Samuel’s right-hand man.
Barely a few minutes passed before the door swung open abruptly. The doctor entered, closely followed by the nurse. Both wore furious expressions, as if they already knew what they were about to find. The doctor, a middle-aged man with sparse gray hair and glasses that constantly slipped down his nose, immediately leaned over Canon’s gaping wound. His hands were swift but filled with irritation. His apron, already stained with blood, suggested he was no stranger to such situations, but Canon’s reckless act seemed to have pushed his patience to the limit.
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“What kind of fool cuts off their own finger?!” he grumbled, applying a disinfectant solution that made the wound burn.
The nurse, a woman with severe features, her hair pulled into a tight bun, quickly chimed in with her own reprimand: “You’re completely reckless, Mr. Roulakaz! Did you even think about the consequences? We’re not magicians! That finger won’t grow back.”
Canon, despite the pallor spreading across his face and the cold sweat beading on his forehead, remained silent. His eyes stayed fixed on Samuel, determined to prove that he was ready to go to any lengths for his commitment.
Samuel, observing the scene with cold detachment, finally turned away. He addressed Kai and Helydia, his calm voice cutting through the atmosphere: “Let’s go. Let him rest.”
The three of them left the room, leaving the doctor and nurse to tend to the wound. However, as they reached the doorway, Samuel paused for a moment. He clenched Canon’s severed finger in his hand, and a cold, barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips. Then, without uttering a word aloud, he communicated mentally with Canon, his voice resonating directly in the injured man’s mind:
“If you truly believe I would have saved the girl if you hadn’t spoken, you’re gravely mistaken.”
Canon, still under the doctor’s care, widened his eyes slightly. The shadow of Samuel lingered over him, and though the pain was sharp, Samuel’s chilling words cut deeper than the blade itself.
Before closing the door behind him, Samuel cast one last glance in Canon’s direction, his piercing gaze freezing the moment. He added, with merciless tone, still mentally:
“If I don’t see my benefit, I won’t act. You’d better accept that if you want to join us.”
As he left the room, a sinister and menacing aura briefly enveloped Samuel, saturating the air with an oppressive energy. The door closed with a sharp click, echoing like a silent sentence. Canon, lying down, remained quiet, deeply marked by Samuel’s calculated cruelty.