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TheAlchemist -> Was planning to release this on 15/08 and try making weekly publishes, but the first chapter didn't tell much about the direction of this, so i released it early. I'll change the title of first chapter, too (it was supposed to be just The End, but rr stabilishes a minimum of 10 characters).

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- On your tables are many types of strong alcoholic drinks. Some of them have been poisoned.

- What you need to do is simple. Have a cup of each one of these. If you deem it poisoned, you can spit it without drinking. But if it turns out the drink is poison free…

Where am i?

- The test has begun!

No matter how further I look, these people are from the organization.

- Number zero three, do you not wish to take part in this test?

No doubt, I am in the proving grounds. If that’s so, I need to leave these thoughts for later.

- Sorry, professor.

From what I recall, a quarter of the class dies from today’s probations. Specifically from the earlier ones.

There are seven different drinks, all possessing an intense flavor and equally strong smell. The point of this test is that you cannot deem which drink is poisonous from the smell alone, unless you have a very sharp sense of odor. Even if you do it’s hardly noticeable, partly because all of the children are opening the bottles at around the same time, flooding the senses.

On the other hand, the strong taste may also overstimulate the tongue, while too much alcohol holds a numbing effect, making it harder to perceive poison in the next bottle.

- This one is fine.

- This… Is poisoned.

Interesting. With this strong a smell, my nose would have been destroyed... A younger me.

- Number zero three, if you are finished, proceed to the next room and await further instructions.

- Yes, professor.

- Stop! Shouts the adjutant.

- Yes?

- Show me that necklace.

- Yes…

I don’t remember this part.

- What is it, brother?

- How did you get your hands on this...?

- Don’t tell me that flask…

Should I be surprised? I don’t know, honestly. How should I explain it...

- Number three, respond our question!

- I don’t know… I only noticed it now, professor.

The two of them look at me with curious, yet cautious, eyes. I don’t blame then, an eleven years old trainee is holding enough Aspersius for an entire nation to vanish, for the organization to disappear.

- Do you know what that is?

- No, professor.

- Really…

- I would never lie to you, professor. I have sworn undying fealty to the ones who brought me in.

Assassins are wary of everything, but they act within reason. Most of the time.

- Good… Move on.

I do as commanded and, as I distance myself, they begin whispering.

- Hmph, I would never imagine the first one to pass through the doors to be you, says the teacher of the next room.

- Professor, am I given permission to ask a question related to the next test?

- You may voice your doubts.

- I myself noticed that the current me is weak and in need of the superior guidance of assassins such as professor. Even being able to openly speak with professor and be part of his lessons is a great honor.

- Hmm…

- With that in mind, and nurturing a wish to one day, maybe, be as skilled as professor, I ask for a more difficult and harsh test.

- What… Do you think poor of our methods, is that what you’re saying?

- My thoughts are elsewhere, teacher. I clearly understand that we are being trained not as colleagues, but as rivals. Those who realize the nature of this competition will also realize the tests are a legitimate way to strengthen one self.

- Having a harsh training schedule in comparison to my fellow rivals will benefit me, if I am able to best it. If I am burdening professor, and the organization, with such words, I ask forgiveness. And pardon for my rudeness, professor, but regardless of the answer I am received with, I will independently strive for the path of a true assassin.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

- Who taught you how to speak?

- I know my place.

- You are able to demonstrate it… No matter, your test won’t be any different.

- Honor to you, professor.

The purpose of this conversation was not a more difficult test, as the next one is different on the overall. I want them to quickly notice I am not a normal child. Nonetheless, being overly cautious with my words, not being able to speak freely, is tiresome.

On the previous topic, there are many unclear motifs behind this chain of events.

I have never witnessed the effects of Aspersius on a human being. If it was the cause, why is the same flask with me? A parallel event? Or is it unrelated?

Why this far back and not on another point? Is there a reason gearing it? Something needs change? About being an assassin, or regarding the organization? Maybe someone whom I should meet, or save, kill. It might mean nothing.

The only clue is the poison, but currently i can do nothing to answer the previous questions. I may never come upon an answer.

What do I want to see changed? What could I have done better? And what should I seek in this life that I was unable to achieve in the past one?

- All of you, line up.

For now it matters not, and I should focus on what is presented before me.

- Number zero one, come forward.

A child with strange eyes. He was the one most favored by the higher ranks, and also the one closer to me. I barely remember him now.

- Number zero three, forward.

- Yes.

It was on this day that I had lost hope, fully embracing the way of the assassin, as it was the only way to protect myself.

- As your mentors, we feel obliged to guide you to the right path. However, some are unable to see the harsh reality of this path, and unknowingly stray from our lessons, says the oldest teacher, the one who possesses a failing voice but devouring eyes, eyes targeted at zero one.

- Most of you won’t understand what is about to happen, but I assure you it is for a greater purpose and that you will be thankful later. Proceed with the ceremony.

- Yes.

- The objective of this test is only one: to kill your opponent.

- T-teach…!

- Of course, we are not ordering you to beat each other to death. Weapons will be provided.

- I… I can’t…

- Number zero one, do you have anything to say?

- I can’t… Do it…

- It is not for you to decide. Grab your weapon! pressures the teacher as he tosses two knifes on the floor.

I don’t hurry myself to grab it, I know zero one won’t react immediately.

- Fight!

- Teacher… What happens if we don’t fight?

- Then you both are failures and will be treated as such. You know what I mean, don’t you?

With that line, zero one roots himself before staring at the knife. He looks at the teacher, at the others, at me, at the cellar. A silent cry for help, which no one will attend to.

Then, just as fourteen years ago, he will mutter my name, the name he has given me, which I long forgot.

- Ame…

Afterwards, I sat down crying, whispered a name… The name I beckoned him with.

- I’m… Sorry… he mutters, right before trying to rush me with the blade, on a desperate clumsy move.

What is it that made me stand up and fight him? Why did the weak me choose this path all the while knowing the life i was striving to maintain was nothing but suffering and disgrace?

I can no longer understand the feelings that drove me, for I drifted too far away.

- Gaaah! He squeals... And squirms and dies beneath my feet, blood covering the stained wooden mat. I wonder what would happen had he killed me instead, i wonder if his life was worth more than mine, which doesn't amount to much.

But, it has been a very long time since my heart beat so fast.