I wake up in the middle of the night with my body covered in cold sweat. I sweep the room. Nothing. No one’s there.
I throw my legs over the bed and burst into the bathroom. Turning on the faucet, I begin scrubbing my right hand. My breath grows ragged as I speed up.
“It won’t come off.”
My hand’s turning red but it’s still there. I need to scrub harder. I need to wash it away…
I need to erase it.
----------------------------------------------
I rub my eyes and stare at the clock. It’s almost too dark to see but I barely make out the time. It’s morning. I throw on some warmer clothes and wrap myself up in a brown cloak as I leave my room.
Outside, no one else from the dorm seems to be awake yet. I guess there’s no need to wake up early on a Sunday. I’ll go for a run then, it’ll warm me up and it’s good exercise. Hopefully, I won’t slip on ice.
If I hurry, I can make it to the pillar before the sun rises. If I’m lucky, I can get back before that too. As long as the view doesn't capture me too long, I have nothing to worry about.
Leaping over the side of the rail, I drop down two stories and sprint away. It’s taking a lot more energy than it usually does. I have to lift my legs up really high because of the snow last night.
Everything is better once I hit the sidewalk. Although the sidewalk isn’t 100 percent clear, anything would be better than the area for grass that I dropped down on.
I bolt down the street and go low as I make a turn. My feet slide on the wet, snow-covered ground and I’m able to push off when I stop.
Taking my usual route which includes navigating through some narrow alleyways, hopping over trash cans, and then digging my cold fingers into a gigantic stone wall meant to keep monsters and people out, I exit the city.
It’s getting easier. It’s getting too easy. I need something that’ll work me harder.
I sneak along the wall until I see the base of the pillar. The sun is still down.
I make a break for it and get there safely. The guards are either supremely useless at spotting people, or I’m a natural born shadow. Either way, this is my twelfth time staring up the pillar.
No matter how many times I do it, I’ll probably always get this feeling.
“It feels insurmountable.”
If I didn’t have my ability, I would never be able to climb this thing. I’d probably fall over and over. Even with equipment made to go up mountains I’d fail. It’s as smooth as the school’s marble floor meaning it has nothing to grab onto nor anything the step on.
Here goes nothing.
Like the flashes of lightning during a storm, I continuously use my ability until I reach the top.
This doesn’t to be getting any easier. My chest heaves with each breath I take. It’s best if I rest right now.
I sit down and dangle my legs over the edge. It’s a long way down but I’ll be okay if I can time my ability right. I stare at the city. I’ll watch as it comes to life. I’ll watch as its citizens awake and do whatever it is they’re planning to do. I’ll watch over the city, for now.
I sit there for a moment, just taking it all in…
“Time to go back while the sun still hasn’t risen,” I mutter to myself while pushing off.
I wait a good five seconds before I pop a use of my ability. Its range is long but not unlimited. If I use it to get down from the pillar then I’d have to use, at the very least, five so I always jump off.
I rush back into the cover of the wall and get back to my favorite spot to get in and out of the city. I rear my head above the stone searching for guards. The coast is clear. I climb over and casually walk back to the dorm.
I’d run here too but with people now going about, It’d be suspicious if a cloaked person just ran through the streets at top speed.
When I’m finally back in my room, I toss my cloak on the floor and empty my bracers. I haven’t done one of these checks in a while. I had a feeling I was running low on smoke bombs despite the fact I haven’t used them for a bit. I should get these restocked.
My knives are fine except for the occasional ones with a slight scratch or two here and there. If any were chipped, I’d have to find a replacement.
Happy that my equipment isn’t too horrible, I store them into my bracers.
What do I do next? I could call out to Axel and see if he wants to do anything or I could write a message to Aisha. I should at least bring-
I stop in my tracks once I remember the books laying on my nightstand. Right, I still haven’t finished those. They’re due back by Monday. I have until tomorrow but Mr. Reader probably won’t be too happy if I send them back a little late.
I have a pretty bad record of books, a book but he claims books, that weren’t returned until a month or so later. I really should have put them back before I paid a visit to another city.
There’s no changing the past. Might as well finish these as fast as I can.
I sit down and open up the book, slowly scanning the pages to take in as much information as possible. The more I learn, the better the outcome will be when I try unlocking more pieces of the seal.
I’ll just need to keep reading for a while…
Hours pass and the books continue to be stacked on the nightstand.
“YES!” I scream as I finish the last one. I’m not usually one to celebrate but the books weren’t exactly what I’d call the most interesting. Some parts were good but much of it wasn’t useful at all or didn’t seem useful.
Now I have to return these. What a pain.
Well, anything to let me move around is good. I look at the pile. Five books in total. Combine that with the thirty or so minute walk and my arms are looking to get pretty sore. I might as well start as soon as possible.
The first thing I do is stretch. I then pick up the books and use my elbow to open the door. I can only pray that the stairs don't provide a challenge for me.
A wave of laziness compels me to glance over the edge of the building. If I simply use my ability here, then I wouldn’t have to go down the stairs. No one’s around. I can easily get away with it.
No. I shake my head vigorously. My ability isn’t unlimited in its uses. I need to conserve the charges. I’ve already used enough today.
My master always said to never rely too much on my ability.
Knowing that my master would disapprove of my lazy choice, I take the stairs instead. The trip down isn’t hard but each step is placed carefully so I don’t fall.
Leaving the building feels great. Especially when the wind blows on my face like this.
Weaving through the people on the street, I arrive at the academy. More steps to go up. Sounds like a wonderful Sunday evening. I can’t believe I spent the whole day reading and the rest of it has to go to meeting up with the Twelve today.
I wish I could’ve just done more stuff with some friends today. And by friends, I mean Aisha and Axel. No one else really wants to talk to me.
As I enter the building, I find it relatively empty. I navigate my way through the empty hallways passing by pictures of magicians and slenderly crafted tables supporting vases of flowers. I don’t exactly like flowers, but my master mentioned them quite a bit when we traveled together.
Flowers add quite a bit to the look of things but I don’t see much appeal to them otherwise. There are other things out in the world which are a bit more admirable.
I reach the library. The doors are open all the days of the week from 10 in the morning to 8 at night.
There seem to be quite a few people inside. I suppose the library is a pretty popular place. Although most of the readers don’t seem to be humans. Quite a bit are beastmen, elves, and dwarves.
I guess they’re not exactly nobles either. Books aren’t so widely distributed that those without money can find one anywhere.
I place the books on Mr. Reader’s desk.
“Thanks, Rainen,” he says. “I was expecting these to be late again.”
I smile wryly, “Give me a break Mr. Reader. I spent the whole day trying to finish all of these.”
“They weren’t to your taste?” He’s busy signing something while I speak with him.
“They were fine. I just wish I had more time to read them.” I rap my knuckles against the first book, “I’ll just leave these here for you. I hope you aren’t too busy to get them through before the night ends.”
“I won’t be. I’ll try to get to them in before the day ends, don’t worry about it Rainen,” he answers without looking up from the paper. “But my replacement for the night will be getting here soon so if I don’t get to them, he will.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
I wonder how much Mr. Reader has had to read today. Maybe what he read was more boring than reading a few of the same text over and over again. I know official documents aren’t the most interesting things in the world to have as the content of the day.
I pull my arm across my chest in an exhausted stretch. Even if today isn’t much fun, I suppose I can call it a productive day.
With that done, I leave the library, heading out the door back to my room to get changed.
“R-Rainen?”
It’s Blue Hair. We bump into each other quite a bit don’t we? We should talk to each other more since we’re partners after all so maybe fate is trying to do something here. Not that I believe in fate.
“Hey.” I throw an arm up in greeting. She’s holding a book with both hands. She’s lucky she didn’t have to carry five books the size of my shoes all the way here. I’ll admit, I’m a bit jealous. “Are you returning a book too?”
“Mhm.” she responds quietly.
Not in a talkative mood today huh? That’s fine. Blue Hair and I never share the most comfortable of conversations anyways. We’re more strangers to each other than anything. Acquaintances would actually be a better word.
Her slightly disheveled hair tells me she’s been having a little bit of a rougher day than just walking around the city or reading. She’s wearing that scarf of hers again, something that’s become almost natural to see on her by now.
Blue Hair leans on one foot while shyly looking past me. I am blocking her way, despite the fact that the doorway is probably big enough for five people. Walking by me without saying anything would be a bit rude. Same goes with me.
“Are you looking for someone?” I ask her. “If it’s Iris and Elis, I haven’t seen them here. Though, they could be hiding out in the aisles somewhere.”
“That’s not it. I was wondering if Feno or Harneth was here. I-I-I…” she shows me her book, “I was also looking to return this.”
“Right, well don’t let me get in your way. Hopefully, you’ll find those two in there,” I say as I walk past her.
Feno and Harneth huh? Two elves and two human friends. She’s been making some progress. But Feno in the library? I don’t know him well but I wouldn’t have guessed he’d be one for lots of reading.
Just as I’m about to turn the corner, Blue Hair’s voice reaches my ears.
“Rainen!” she suddenly blurts.
I turn around, “What is it?” I ask, startled by her outburst.
“A-a ummm…” she shakes her head, “I-it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you later then.”
I nod as she quickly races into the library.
Heh. I haven’t heard her suddenly blurt things out since that one time in the library when she was defending me…
I wonder what she was going to say.
However, I don’t ponder on it too long. I need to get back to my room as soon as possible. The Twelve won’t wait for me forever. I do come later sometimes but Carlyle might have something to tell me about Mr. Rune.
And as my thoughts flow into that stream of conscience, I come face to face with him.
“Hello Rainen.” he smiles politely.
“Mr. Rune.” I incline my head but I never take my eyes off him. There’s something sketchy about him today, more so than usual. I haven’t had many chances to interact with him alone. This is good for learning. “What bring you here?”
I can already assume he’s the person Mr. Reader was talking about.
“I’m replacing Mr. Reader for tonight. He’s been working all day. I’ll be the one who ends up closing the library.”
“It’s good that he gets some rest,” I say, watching him carefully.
“It is.” he nods. “What were you doing here?”
“Looking for some books is all.”
He checks my hands, “And you’re going to leave empty handed?”
“I couldn’t find anything too interesting,” I answer.
“How about you stay for a while longer. There are a few books I know of that might entertain you.”
The hallway is nothing but silence, save for the two of us talking. If I don’t answer fast, he might become suspicious.
“No, I’ll pass on that offer. Maybe another time. I’m a bit tired.” I lie. I have to go visit the warehouse tonight.
“Are you going back to your room?” he asks.
“I am,” I say.
“That’s good.” he nods. “That’s very good. A student should sleep early and rise early for school.” he laughs and pats me on the shoulder as he walks past. “I’ll see you soon. Sleep well okay?”
---------------------------------------
“Is Carlyle here?” I gleam the room for any traces of the ever not so calm leader that likes to give his subordinates missions they don’t want. “I don’t see him. In fact, I don’t see a lot of the usual members.”
It’s odd really. Almost all the regulars, Adrian, Anne, Hannah, and Hen-. I shake my head. Where are they? Why aren’t they here?
“It’s because they were given off by Carlyle,” Allan tells me. “I’m here to tell you to take tonight off as well.”
“And why does Carlyle want us off for tonight?”
Allan shrugs, “He told me that the official, the one with the porcelain mask asked for his company tonight. I’m not one to question what he says since he’s the first. If you’d like, I wouldn’t be against you looking over the city for tonight.”
“Good,” I say, “I’m not quite tired enough yet. I’ll give it a few runs before heading off to bed.”
“Right, best of luck Thirteenth.” Allan waves me on, “I’ll lock up so feel free to leave.”
I exit the building and begin a short night of building hopping. I can’t tell if thieves are getting braver because of the recent attack and the significant decrease in guards or the winter is having a big effect on them.
There’s been more muggings in the past little while then there were in an entire month during the fall. The city should be rebuilding their defenses soon so I imagine the guards will come back in force so crime rates should fall.
After watching the city for a little while, a strange feeling starts to overtake my body. Nothing worth mentioning has happened in the little time I’ve been patrolling. Perhaps I should take a break and go to sleep.
I’ve already used too much of the day doing things I’m not particularly fond of.
I start to head back to the dorms. Yet, when I spot my room, something feels off. That gut feeling returns and I keep my distance.
Rune wouldn’t dare come into my room while I’m sleeping, would he?
Quickly looking around for any witnesses and finding none, I use my ability and enter back into my room. Everything is in their old places. The window’s how I left it before I went to the warehouse so no one’s been in here since I was gone.
Maybe I’m just being a bit paranoid.
But just as the thought enters my mind, the doorknob rattles. Someone’s entering. I quickly hurl myself against the wall as they enter.
The door creaks softly as it opens.
I wait patiently with halted breath.
The moment his outline comes into vision, I pounce on him. He tumbles onto the ground and we fall into a tussle.
He kicks and punches. None are effective at this close of a range. He slides his hand down to his pocket and pulls a knife.
I wrestle it free from his grasp, tossing it towards the door and summon my own. He reaches for his but I kick him and press mine against his throat.
“Who sent you?” I threaten him.
“Retreat.” he mutters.
He starts to turn into black smoke. Immediately, I throw a punch but I hit only air. He’s already gone.
“Shit,” I mutter, slamming my fist on my thigh. He got away.
I hurry to close my door, only taking a quick peek outside for any more intruders. After closing the door, I bend down and pick up his knife.
With everything so dark, it’s hard to see. I flick my fingers and a flame births into existence. I run it along the edge of the blade to study it. It’s so plain. It’s so odd. Why would an assassin enter my room and how would he have gotten the key?
It only takes me a second to flash back to Mr. Rune.
“Damn it!” I curse under my breath.
I need to get to the library.
---------------------------------------------
Author’s Note: Hope the chapter was enjoyable and please leave a comment or a rating.
Book 2 should be ending after this arc. The end of this book should leave for a lot more room for me to explore the world. Hopefully it’ll also bring about a slight change in the way I write. I always end up feeling unhappy with how the chapters turn out.
Anyways, if you spot any mistakes, please report them in a comment or pm.