Lumie Ador kept glancing at me today. Were the flowers not fun enough?

It was strange that she would look after flowers in the first place, but the more I observed her the more clear it became that she was just a kind-hearted child

This person alone had picked up more trash and disposed of it correctly than many modern-day environmentalists did with an entire troop

The interest was a little strange. Though her face was as cold as ever, I had an inkling that she was a little distressed

The inkling turned into conviction when, instead of going back inside like usual, she stepped up in front of me

Her lips twitched as she lowered her gaze, trying to say something.

I decided it was not right to rush her and waited for her to gather her thoughts.

Lumine clenched her fists and exhaled.

“Are… you ok?”

My eyes widened at that question. Instinctively, I touched my lips. Was I frowning too much?

“I am alright,” I said. “The mornings are just a little too quiet. Don’t worry and go back.”

Lumine hesitated for a moment, but then nodded and turned away. Once she was out of my sight, I sighed and started tapping my feet.

There were too many things on my mind. A walk to clear that out would be the best.

As I made my way to the academy gates, a realization hit me.

This was the first time that the child had mustered up the courage to talk to someone on her own. Not just to me, but to anyone in this academy.

Lost in my own thoughts, I completely glossed over that fact and her words. I should have treated her more sincerely.

“Haah…” A sigh left me. The tapping sound of my feet grew louder yet. “At least there is some progress in that field.”

***

A cold morning fog draped over the streets of Glorenstein. It blocked anyone who tried to see too deep into the city.

Still too early for the night lights to close down, the street lamps cast their ochre glow on the frosted panes. The light which should have increased visibility only aided in blocking it.

No clacks other than those of my boots came off from the stone roads. It was empty as could be.

What a horrible time to think of clearing one’s mind. The city only wanted to cloud it more, mind, body, and soul.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I would have been lost in the streets if my steps weren’t guided by a place to head toward.

[https://i.imgur.com/LVUqp6N.jpg]

I lowered my hat and pulled the collar of my coat as I found myself in front of the railway junction.

The first place I had seen when I came to Glorenstein.

A low thrum spread through the ground as the passing trains picked up speed, and the whistle of their engines followed right behind.

I retraced my steps, the same ones as I had done on the first day. Walking toward the carriage stops where the early birds waited for their first customers.

The fog waded away as I inched closer to the parked carriages.

The driver first in line noticed me and rushed over. His feet stopped right before mine.

“Hm? Professor Ethan? Is that you?”

I looked up to face the carriage driver and my eyes narrowed. “Jackie… have you been well?”

“Ah, yes. Since the last time, I’ve been doing—”

“Last time, and this time too. Why do you work past midnight, and wake up again at dawn?”

My tone was a notch sharper than I had intended it to be. Jackie reeled back in slight surprise.

“It’s just…”

He hesitated.

“Your father, you said he injured his back when we first met?”

He was a young man who had to take up the business in place of his father. His father who too… had injured his back.

The first victim I knew of the same ailment.

“How is he doing?”

Jackie shook his head.

“His condition is deteriorating. The doctors said there was no injury other than the back pain, but he is growing paler by the day. He has lost weight. They said it could be a curse of some kind. If I had more money I could ask the church…”

“Jackie,” I cut the boy off. “Take me to your father.”

“What… no, I… I have already received a lot of help from you, professor. For that request of yours too… I can’t ask for more.”

“It will really help me out,” I said.

The young carriage driver met my eyes. An unwavering gaze.

“Please, take me to him.”

Jackie nodded at my words and gestured at the carriage.

***

The carriage rolled through the streets of Glorenstein, but the fog covering the city showed no sign of letting up. It seemed it was going to be the same the entire day today.

My eyes were fixed on the streets as we passed block after block, slowly making our way to the downcast outskirts of the city.

The further away one went from the center of a city the more dilapidated the buildings became. Even the education haven was no different in that quality.

Maybe it was more pronounced here than in other places. That was the fault of this side of the world. We did not even know how to treat each other well, let alone someone else.

Jackie and I remained quiet throughout the ride. Only the sounds of my fingers rapping against the carriage’s window filled the place. Not long after, the carriage came to a halt in front of a run-down house away from the road.

Wild grass had grown all over the grounds, except for the bits they had cleared out to plant some vegetables they could handle.

Jackie led me out of the carriage and toward his house.

A small house made of wooden planks, some bricks, and still unpainted gypsum. Small holes and cracks littered the building, letting the cold air flow in regardless of the time.

Behind the house was a small makeshift stable where they tied the horses for the carriage. That seemed in a better condition than their house.

A log was tied to the branch of a tree, like a makeshift swing made for a kid.

“My sister and mother live with me,” said Jackie. “The little one’s birthday was last week, father wanted to surprise her with a gift this time…”

I tightened my gloves as Jackie pulled the door open and showed me inside.

Lying down on a bed close to the entrance was an old man, he looked as if he had not tasted food for the last decade.

His face was pale, his bones sticking out of his skin. Even in that state, he was easily recognizable.

Jackie’s father was the same person who had driven me around the very first day I was in Glorenstein, the one recommended by Mundus.

My eyes narrowed, and a sense of calm washed over me as my heart started beating slowly.

There was no denying it.

A demiurge was in Glorenstein.