Path of Ruin: The Dawn of a New Era

I give him a slight nod, there's no point in hiding it anymore, and Eon speaks, “Luk is suffering from a certain illness. He has been suffering from this disease for more than two years now, but luckily we are managing to get some medicine and suppress it.”

Ezra suddenly interrupts Eon with a strange expression on his face, "Then why was he wandering around town at night, Eo."

“It's the only way to get my medicine.” I say with a sigh, “I was hoping I could hide it until the exams, but there's no point now that you all know about it. I don't have any more medicine. I couldn't complete my assignment, but if I pass the exams, I might have a chance for treatment. The first day of exams should start in the morning, right?'

"Yes."

"I understand, then, so as not to delay you all, I will accompany you to them tomorrow."

"I don't think that…"

“Before you start refuting me, listen to what I have to say next Sara. It's not just because of you that I'm going, but also because I don't have much time left, I probably won't be in a better condition.” Hearing this, except for Eon, they pale a little. All they can do is accept it, so everyone lies down and we gradually fall asleep.

Together with the first blushes, I open my eyes and wake up. Ezra is already up, the others are lying around me on the straw. His eyes are fixed on me until it makes me uncomfortable. He's been like this since he found me yesterday. But why was he in such a place? It's a bit strange.

Our eyes meet and I can only sense confusion in his. I slowly sit up. Even if it gives me a bit of a headache, I'll get through it.

"Thanks for bringing me here Ezra." I say quietly.

"Any of us would do that Luke."

"Thank you anyway, if you hadn't found me I might be dead by now."

"As I say, it's not worth talking about."

"I can only ask, I know it's none of my business Ezro, but did you also go there to do some work or just walk around?"

"I went to see the nobles. I heard that there would be a ball at the Maharet mansion and the princess and her cousin would also attend, so I thought it was interesting and I wanted to see them. I unexpectedly bumped into you on the way back.” I can see it in his eyes, the first part was true, but the second was only partially true.

“Then which of the two girls do you like better? Princess Elizabeth or her cousin Sofia?'

"Tell Luke first."

"Probably princess, how about you?"

"Sofia." She blushes slightly when she says it. She doesn't mean it, the young noblewoman may have captured his heart with her beauty.

After we all wake up and adjust at least a little, together we will meet our destiny at the academy.

Minerva Square is crowded with people. It takes us an hour to get to the academy, where we learn more information from grumpy guards. We have to go to the booth to the left of the school entrance to register.

Only now I notice two rows. One on the right and ours. On the right side, the line is not very long, if one were not looking for it, one could overlook it in this crowd. There are descendants of rich and noble families. After all, they wouldn't put them in the same line as us poor people, so we head to the end of our line.

After a few hours of waiting, we successfully get to the registration. We have to tell them their name, age, gender and parents' names if we have any. Subsequently, they stamp the back of our hand, give us an application form and inform us where and when we should return to the academy, then drive us away.

We go to an empty alley away from the crowds to have some peace. I lean against the wall. I am terribly exhausted and my headache is coming back.

I decide to stay here until late afternoon, time for tests. But the others decide to walk with the idea that we will meet here afterwards and go to the place together.

It's almost time for the others to return, it's already afternoon when I feel a sudden urge to take a walk. The square is partially deserted and I can now walk through it.

I go where my legs will take me and walk around the entire square.

I am interested in a certain person. She looks familiar to me. He enters a nearby alley. I follow him quietly.

The boy makes two more turns and enters a dead end. I peek around the corner and see him heading towards a man covered in a black cloak.

The young man spoke with a trembling voice, "Mr. Emanuel, it is a great honor to meet you, may I ask why a person of your esteemed position wishes to meet me?"

“One of your friends failed the task. It would be unpleasant if a person like him joined the academy, so I want you to remove him.”

"Why, I must kill him sir!"

"Watch your tongue, DIRT!"

"I'm so sorry my lord, I was too upset."

“Hey, at least you know your mistakes, naked. Either you complete the task or I'll let my people have fun with that beautiful little friend of yours… what's her name?”

"Mia, sir."

“Oh yes, …before I sell her as a slave. He'll never enter the academy.” The twilight light revealed the man's lips, which had curled into a cruel smile.

“I understand sir, you can consider the u-task accomplished.” He answers in a sad voice.

He turns and I finally see his face. The young man is really Eon, as I thought. Only Artur and he love Mia enough to sacrifice me for her.

Quietly, unnoticed, I return to our meeting place, still thinking about what we heard. Eon is tasked with killing me because I failed to kill Miss Emily. So this is my punishment huh. I know who Eon will choose between me and Mia. Either a sick friend or a girl he secretly has feelings for.

Soon after my return, Sára returns. He has two cakes in his hands. I won't ask how she got them because it's clear to me. We need to be prepared for the tests.

She hands me one with a smile and bites into one herself. It's really delicious, I haven't had something this good in a long time. I quickly eat it, replenish a lot of missing energy and belatedly thank Sara, blushing imperceptibly.

I brush the crumbs from my mouth and almost get caught by Artur throwing up. Then follows Mia, Ezra, and just before it's time to leave, Eon with his gloomy expression.