Shin was sitting in chair, in a kitchen, eating breakfast comprised of some eggs, toast and bacon. There was a window at the opposite side of him, through which sunlight was seeping into the kitchen making the morning serene and peaceful.
At the chair front of him, Azura was seated enjoying her breakfast as well, comprised of the same food Shin was eating. As she was eating she shot a glance at Shin, prompting a returning smile at her.
Although they both were enjoying their breakfast as if just some friends eating, the rest of the kitchen wasn't befitting of their attitude.
There were corpses piled up around the kitchen floor, being of childrens around the age of 8. There were more than 10 corpses, from which the blood was flowing our staining the white kitchen floor.
"How do you like the breakfast today Shin? I cooked it myself." Said Azura smiling as if the corpses didn't exist.
"It is quite good. Although something seems off."
"About the breakfast?"
"No, something else. Maybe it is-"
Shin's words were cut off as the scene around them disappeared and Azura opened her eyes.
"Nooo, I was dreaming about Shin today. Why did it have to end so soon." Whined Azura as she got up from her lying position in bed. The sunlight was seeping through the closed windows, giving out a serene atmosphere at the room.
It had been 3 days since she arrived at this new world. She had gotten quite used to living with Mira and Norn already. Both the previous days, Christina had arrived at the room early morning to take Azura for training.
Currently it haf been about an hour or so since the sun rose, which means Christina should be about to arrive, but she did not. The reason being that she was already done with teaching Azura about the practical uses of Ray needed for the exam.
Throughout the 3 days of training, Azura had been a terrific learner, having learner 5, 2-star rays and a dozen or so 1-star rays. Christina had a-rare-pleased expression with Azura learning speed.
Ofcourse it was thanks to her skill 'Helpful' though, which helped her learn these rays. For these low star rays, only a glance or two of them being used were needed for the skill to analyse and learn these rays.
[Master Azura, the dream you had wasn't a mentally healthy one. The dead bodies could be a sign of the trauma you had from that day.]
Rembering about that day, had Azura form a sad look on her face. Since it was the day Shin got badly hurt and died but she replied to her skill.
[Sign of trauma? It doesn't matter really, i dreamt of Shin tonight! I am extremely happy about that to bother with trauma.]
There were no further reply from her skill. Azura turned her head to the bed beside her, in which Norn and Mira were fast asleep.
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"Teacher said I should be okay with the practical knowledge for the acceptance exam. And I should start studying the theory more. So she won't be returning here until 1 day before the exam." She mumbled as she went towards the bathroom to freshen up for the day.
Christina had told Azura about the acceptance exam on the second day of their training. She told her the difficulty of this exam with the meagre time they have to study. Thought Azura was not worried because of a certain skill she had-'Helpful'.
With the help of her skill all she had to do was skim through the information once, and she would be set for the written examination. Though this did not mean she understood and absorbed the information. All it ment was that it would be like having mental cheat sheets. Thus she still had to study to become better at using ray. Though the skill still could be used to pass the exam.
***
Shin and the group had arrived at the town yesterday when sun was high up in the sky. He and the party were tired from the journey so they went to bed early yesternight.
They had booked two rooms at a inn, one for Kasogi and Shin with two bed. And another room for Lapis, Flaine and Lyra with three beds. They had only booked 2 rooms for two reasons. One being to save some money. And the other being how it was not safe to sleep alone at a random inn. Since there had been cases of attacks and such with travellers, and their stories were spread wide in the world.
It was around 8 am, so everyone from the party were awake, everyone except two individuals them being Shin and Lapis. Lapis was a rather heavy sleeper, so the party were aware of her sleep antics.
"What should we do about them?" Asked Kasogi to Lyra and Flaine, all three were standing outside their room in front of the doors, their rooms were beside each other.
"Shin has not slept for 2 whole nights, so we should let him catch up on sleep. As for Lapis... I'll wake her up." Replied Lyra with a grin on her face as she hurried inside the room Lapis was sleeping at.
"What are your plans for today?" Kasogi turned to Flaine.
"I'll check around the area the exam is being held, and explore around the town." Came a reply Flaine. Her angry and annoyed demeanor had gone and there was a faint hint of happiness in her voice."What about you?"
"I'm thinking to explore around the town too, and selling some items we collected in our journey at the guild." Replied Kasogi with a smile.
He thought, She seems excited for the exam.
The door to the room Lapis was asleep in opened revealing her disheveled form, dressed in simple trousers and a shirt.
"Good morning guys." She said as she yawned and looked around. "Where's Shin?"
"He's still asleep." Replied Lyra and she came out from the door. "We were all about to head out, so you should go to your 'dear student's' room."
"You all are heading out? Sure, I'll go to his room then. See you all." Lapis waved her hand and entered the room Shin was sleeping in. Sleepiness clearly evident in her stride.
The rest of the party headed out too each off to their own ways.
***
Gigi was seated inside a carriage with the blonde maids in the seat front of her. The carriage was tied to two horses, with all of their features black.
A woman was was talking to Gigi, the doors of the carriage were open. The woman had short black hair like Gigi and a dignified and elegant look to her.
"Gigi, stay safe on your journey to Alnong town."
"Don't worry mother, I will go Alonong, ace the acceptance exam, and be right back under a week." Replied Gigi with a smile.
Gigi's mother spoke, "you can always take the exam here dear, you really don't have to go the next town over."
"I told you countless times mother, I want to meet new people who'll be taking the exam with me. Everyone who might take the exam are familiar with me here, the exam won't be fun at all here."
Her mother sighed, "I understand dear. But be safe okay, it's your first time travelling out your town." Gigi's mother's gaze turned to the blonde maid. "Make sure to take good care of Gigi, understand Ester."
Ester got up and slightly curtsied, "I understand milady."
"Okay, I'll depart now." Said Gigi as she wanted her mother goodbye and gestured Ester to close the door.
"Stay safe dear." As Gigi's mother said this the doors to the carriage closed and the driver of the carriage-a rough looking man with a long beard-made the horses start pulling away the carriage .