My stay at the hospital was one hell of a hassle. Especially with the mental beating I got from Tedet, Martin, and even Hayier. I woke up thinking I was already in heaven, but when I saw the faces of my three friends before me, I knew I had stayed down here in hell.

I don’t need to explain everything that happened during those weeks in bed, waiting for my injuries and burns to heal, especially since the first few days I was the target of spite.

Hell hath no fury like a boyfriend scorned.

At the very least it wasn’t Tedet’s girlfriend. My boyfriend might hate me, but he still loves me dearly. Does that make sense? Well, it does to us.

“Pass me the thing, Ed,” asked Tedet from under the chassis of a spaceship.

“The thing?” I asked baffled.

“The damned thing, Ed! The one over there, I left it on top of the toolbox!”

“Calm down, Ted. Geez. I know you're still mad about the duel thing, but you don’t have to keep acting so shitty about it.”

“Fuck off, Ed. Just pass me the tool.”

Well, I still need to wait for my cute friend to stop acting like an angry little schoolgirl. He says he’s angry and treats me with contempt, but down there in that not-anatomically-existent-yet-metaphoric-heart of his, he still loves me. Oh, how cute!

My shin burned in pain after a heavy, metal tool found its way towards it thanks to Tedet’s aid.

“Hell— shit! What the hell, man!”

“Stop being fucking gross, Ed. Focus on work!”

Okay, he’s not cute at all. He is just an asshole friend.

“Fu— damn it, Ted,” I whispered. “What the hell is wrong with you.”

* * *

After a hard day at work, I went back to the Appleden Digger to have a drink and wash my pain away with some cold brew.

“Hayier,” I greeted. “The same thing as always, please.”

“Ed,” he said without changing his tone from how he normally is. “Same as always.”

I grabbed the bottle and I was surprised – offended even – by what I found.

“What the hell, man,” I complained. “It’s warm!”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said sarcastically. “Did you want it cold?”

My mighty attitude subsided, and I felt myself retract, holding the beer closer to me timidly. I answered in a shy whisper: “Yea?”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing, it’s fine. Warm is fine.”

I could not catch a break at work, at the bar, not at home since I go back there to call Martin only to be answered with a cold shoulder.

One more week of this again, I guess.

I sighed and took a swig of my sad, warm, but delicious beer. Even when warm, you don’t disappoint me.

At least there’s something good in my life right now.

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* * *

On my way home I thought of the conversation I had with Uderach. I had found out that he had called all three of my friends to the hospital. I was somewhat grateful that he took the time to do it, but I was afraid that he not only knew about my friends, but also knew every single number and where they lived or were at the time.

How did he know Tedet was at my home, or even that Misa and Jaser were there?

Uderach was not an existence to screw with.

And what was worse is that now I was in debt to him after he had saved my life, even if he had done it to save his skin he also did his best to get me a hospital, negotiating with Elaiser, and of course, contact my friends. He did it for a reason, and this was it: debt.

As of now, I owe the torviela some free work in the future. One day he may call me to do some job for him and I had no say in it. Whatever he says, I do. And I was not happy with it. I did warn him that I could do no job that would harm innocent mortals. He told me he would make no promises and that I, too, should not be so sure about what I would or could do in the right circumstances.

I hated that he looked at my life with such calculation and treating me like a pawn in his chessboard. If he said to move, I would, and if he told me where to move, I’d go where he wants me. If he were to tell me to sacrifice myself, I would

I don’t agree with that vision and I made sure that I would not do anything that would go against my principles, that I had Free Will and I would not do anything he wanted. He only answered by turning red.

Besides what he did, I was also informed that the police have no info on us and it would not be easy for them to find us, but that was not out of the question altogether. They could still find something and trace it back to us, but they’d have to look really hard into it to have a warrant on us. Thankfully, most of the evidence was cleaned by Elaiser.

I got no information related to why Jaser went missing, Uderach denied knowing why, but I knew he was only faking it. Not that he cared that I knew he was lying. And besides that, he also disclosed nothing related to the gangs of vampires and torviela working together. I knew at least that most of the people we found out there were all related to Elaiser’s Court.

I found no more clues about important matters. And what was worse is that there was no evidence nor an effort from Uderach or Elaiser to stop vampires and torviela from hunting me. I knew that after that ending in the duel, I did not manage to convince anyone that I was not a bigger threat than they thought. They would probably not want to get me one-on-one, or even when I’m with Tedet, but they would not mind grouping up to take revenge whenever they can.

If there is any good news, is that at least my days are going to be a lot more peaceful than usual. That is, until the day we’re attacked by vampires or when Uderach decides to cash in on that “IOU Coupon, eligible for one free wizard job.”

I walked up to the last story of the Wizard Tower and right beside my door was a man I found strikingly familiar.

“Hey,” I called him out. “You need something?”

“Edwy,” said the man.

I felt my breath escape when I heard that name. I only knew of one person that called me that, and I had not seen him in a decade.

“July…” I said, baffled.

“You’re better,” he fumbled with his hands. “I went to the hospital but they told me you had already been discharged.”

“Wait. How? How did you know?”

“A friend of yours told me. And I just couldn’t— I needed to see you.”

“A friend? But no one told me about you. How did you find out where I live?”

“After the hospital, I couldn’t find anything on you and the hospital didn’t disclose any information on your address. So, I called your friend back.”

It didn’t make sense. Tedet and Martin would’ve told me, and Hayier doesn’t know about him, except that I once had an ex. Besides, he would’ve told me anyway, as well.

“Which friend?”

“He was a radera. He called me the day you were hospitalized. I couldn’t come over to see you until now.”

“Wait. A radera?”

I felt another chill. The looming watchful eye of one single individual looking at me from behind my every move made me gasp for air.

“Was it… Uderach?”

“Yes, I think that was him. I honestly don’t remember. I think he said you two were benefactors, rather than friends. But I thought it was a joke.”

“July—” the words got caught in my throat. “July.”

“Yes? Are you alright? You don’t look so good.”

“Please, come inside.” I walked to my door and opened it as fast as I could. “It’s been a while, why don’t we talk inside?” I let the door open and showed him in.

“Thanks. Are you sure you’re alright?”

“It’s the fatigue from the stairs and the surprise that you gave me. Don’t worry about it.” I closed the door behind me and went straight to the fridge where I still had some drinks to offer. “Do you still like Güdheiser?”

“Of course,” he answered. “You too? I’m surprised you still like it after all these years. I thought you would’ve stopped drinking it since – well, you know.”

“It’s a good beer,” I reassured. “Thanks for introducing me to it.”

“Yea,” he smiled genuinely.

“So, I’m not sure where to start. You surprised me. But you’ve been looking for me for a while. I bet you have a lot of questions.”

He laughed. “Where to start?”

“Roll a die.”

“You didn’t change,” he said and opened his beer with a nice sizzle, then took a swig. “This wizard business,” he began. “How are you handling it?”