Apolo exited the room and found himself facing the usual line of aspiring wizards. However, the current applicants weren't as happy as before. Instead, their faces showed deep concern. They were all sweating, and the sweat on their brows was quite visible. Initially, one might think they had partied too much and were now tired, but that wouldn't explain why their expressions were so downcast.

Noticing the people in the line's state, the young noble completely ignored the sad faces of most of the people he had been celebrating with not long ago. Instead, he continued walking toward his destination. However, when he had passed halfway through the line, a familiar face emerged from the line to stop him. It was none other than the chubby man, although his eyes no longer gleamed as they did during the examination. It seemed something had broken within him.

—Something happened?—Apolo asked, more out of curiosity about the reason he was being halted than out of pity for the lifeless eyes in the chubby man's face.

—Of course something happened. Given the unusual number of passing students, they've just initiated an investigation. Not even ten minutes have passed, and a few have already confessed everything that happened. Apparently, there are going to be penalties!—Exclaimed the chubby man, his usual cheerful tone gone. It truly seemed that something had died within him during the few minutes that Apolo was securing his sponsorship. —That's why they've stopped us at this stage, and they're not granting sponsorships anymore until they figure out what to do with us.

—I see...—Commented Apolo, not particularly worried and showing no empathy whatsoever. It appeared that the young man truly trusted the plan he had in mind to get away with this—Anything else you want to tell me? I'm a bit in a hurry.

—Yes, actually, I stopped you to return this—Responded the chubby man, stretching out his hand and opening his palm, revealing a rusted bronze ring —You dropped it during the celebration.

Seeing the ring, Apolo quickly let go of the chest he had in his hand, causing everything inside it to fall to the ground. Not caring about his other belongings, the young wizard reached out and retrieved the bronze ring. With the ring securely in his hand, Apolo looked at the chubby man in front of him and the rest of the people in line with suspicion, as if fearing that he hadn't actually dropped it but that it had been stolen from him. Meanwhile, the people in line stared at Apolo's contorted face with abnormality, not quite understanding what had just happened to him.

—Looks like it's very important to you...—Noted the chubby man, seeing that Apolo didn't seem concerned about the things on the ground and instead was rubbing the ring in his hand.

—Huh?... Yes, yes, it's a valuable memento from someone who's no longer here—Apolo quickly responded, regaining his composure and noticing the gazes in the crowd. He forced a smile to try to conceal the issue.

—Oh, good thing I found it on the floor. Unfortunately, I no longer have anyone in this world. Becoming a wizard was my last dream—the chubby man responded, looking at Apolo with empathy.

—Didn't you have children?—Yovel asked from the queue, approaching the conversation. The boy's face was so gaunt that it seemed he had turned into a teenager in just a few minutes. There were still two distinct lines visible in his reddened eyes, suggesting he had been crying not too long ago.

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—Had... They died from the blue plague four years ago. They were around your age—the chubby man said with a listless smile —The truth is, they don't allow people with children to enroll, but I was desperate for answers, so I had to try to gain someone's sympathy somehow.

—That's sad...—said the boy, looking as Apolo stared at him strangely. He then asked—Is something wrong?

—Yes, I was actually looking for you—Apolo said. In his plans, this boy now had to do half the work.

—You were looking for me?—Yovel asked, looking at the young man who had caused all this trouble with anger.

—Indeed, because to prevent my head from being chopped off, I need you, and you need me—Apolo replied with a sinister smile.

—Why would I need you: you're the very first they're going to chop the head off!—The boy shouted angrily.

—It wouldn't be the first time...—Murmured Apolo, placing his gold ring in front of the boy's face.

—Are you from the Black Forest?...—The boy asked, looking at the inscription on the gold ring. Now he understood why this person was so calm. It wasn't so easy to punish someone if they were a noble of high status. But even so, today's events had been a disaster, so there were no guarantees that he could be as calm as this young man was.

—Yes, and if you want to get out of this mess, you need me...—Apolo commented while slowly putting the bronze ring back on his finger, making sure it fit securely and wouldn't fall off onto the ground by mistake.

—What's your plan?—Yovel asked, looking at Apolo with suspicion.

—It's a secret for now. Will you help me or not?—Apolo calmly replied, enjoying the sensation of closing and opening his hand with the bronze ring on.

—I don't see why I would help you: your situation is a hundred times worse than mine!—Yovel responded confidently in his decision.

Ignoring the boy in front of him and focusing on how the bronze ring looked in his hand, Apolo spoke in a colder tone than usual:

—My blood is worth more than yours; otherwise, you wouldn't have cried so much. My brother is the future king of the Black Forest, and my grandfather is dying. Do you think the emperor would order me to be killed right now? All I want is revenge and to keep my position as a wizard. On the other hand, your family is so extensive that I'm sure you don't even know the face of the king of White Town.

—So... how... do we... do this...—The boy mumbled through tears, struggling to hold back his tears to appear more mature in front of this jerk. However, he wasn't succeeding. The truth was that the red-haired boy knew more than anyone else that what Apolo was saying was true. His family would be more than willing to hang him to not displease the emperor and thus secure their position in the Ministry of Magic's leadership.

—Perfect! You'll see how easily we solve everything. However, there are many people listening to our conversation. Let's find an empty room—Apolo exclaimed with absolute confidence in his plan. He picked up the things that had fallen from his chest, obsessively ensuring that not a single object was left on the floor.

—Wait, can I help you?—The chubby man said, his eyes once again shining as if a beacon of hope had reappeared to illuminate the complicated path he had ahead—I'm not a noble, so they'll most likely kill me. Please, I beg you, no matter what needs to be done, I'll help, and in return, save my behind!

—You really don't mind what we have to do?—Apolo asked, looking at the chubby man. This person had returned his precious ring, so he was willing to help him.

—Whatever it takes!—Exclaimed the chubby man, his eyes shining brightly, and a grin from ear to ear.

—Alright, then you're part of my adventure club. Let's find an empty room, and I'll explain my plan. We don't have much time, so let's be quick!—Apolo replied with a confident smile, entirely uncharacteristic of him. Maybe it was due to a good night's sleep or maybe it was becoming a wizard, but the truth was that in these moments when the certainty of his future was at stake, the young noble felt more alive than ever.