The alley was dark and quiet, except for the breathing of two boys who had barely escaped harm. Emil brushed the sweat from his forehead and eyebrows, still his body was racing with the adrenaline of the chase. He looked over at the kid whom he had just rescued and got a good look at him at last.
The boy was thin and scrawny, his body appearing as though it had never tasted a proper meal before. He was shorter than Emil, roughly 162 centimeters tall, and wore tattered clothes that were torn in several places. Disheveled silver hair framed alight violet eyes, the eyes that sparkled with fear.
But what drew Emil's attention was the Empire Academy acceptance letter which was sticking out of the boy's pocket.
His breathing caught.
"Another student?"
His mind was racing.
"Who is this kid? Why was he being pursued by them?"
"And more importantly, was he significant in the original story?"
Emil moved without thinking and grabbed the letter from the boy's pocket. The kid winced but did not struggle, allowing Emil to do what he wanted.
Emil opened the letter and read the contents.
• Imperial Academy Admission Notice •
His hand was clinched over the parchment. It was real. A legitimate invitation to the academy.
He lifted his gaze, then he slowly started focusing on the boy's face.
"Who in hell are you?" His voice was rough, it was commanding. "Why do you have this letter? Why were they chasing you? And more importantly what the fuck is your name?"
The boy flinched a bit. His lips parted as if he was in doubt that he should even utter a word. His fingers furled into little fists, and he appeared to shrink in front of Emil's stare. Yet, at last, he spoke.
"I, I was chosen by the academy, but I don't know why they picked me" he breathed. His voice was low, it was almost like he was whispering "And my name… my name is Luin Ascard."
Email stiffened.
He gazed at the boy while the name resonated in his head.
"Luin Asgard?"
His mind burst into memory.
Way back when he was Ethan when he had been reading God's Final Requiem, there was this boy named Luin Asgard. A central figure of the novel, one of the key figures.
A boy who would become the greatest mage in the Empire.
The first one to achieve the 9th Circle and the one who created the history.
A man who would sit at the summit of magic itself, he was a legend among the legends.
Emil's heart skipped a beat for a second.
"Holy shit. God damn it. I just hit the jackpot." He thought
A feral smile almost pulled at his lips, but he suppressed it. He had to remain in command. He maintained his normal poker face.
This was a huge shock for him.
Luin Asgard had been born great. In the book, he had risen from nowhere, struggled tooth and nail for years, and worked his way to the top alone, through betrayal, heartbreak, and blood. He had endured far more pain before he even reached his peak and became the absolute unit.
"But now I'm here. And I know what kind of person he'll become in the future" he was talking to himself
Emil's mind ran rapidly.
"I can't lose this guy"
If he could get Luin on his side now before the world destroyed him, Emil's survival odds in this damned world would increase exponentially and maybe he could even save this world from the fall.
"But how do I persuade him?"
Luin was still observing him warily, he was suspicious and fearful at the same time, like most orphaned children brought up in an unforgiving world.
Emil took a deep breath and relaxed his features.
"Well, if it is like that, you won't need to be afraid anymore"
Luin blinked. "What?
"I'm also going to the capital. I was accepted at the academy, just like you" Emil boasted, pulling out his acceptance letter. "So why don't we ride together? It will be safer for us"
Luin's eyes widened. His face changed, but he did not reply immediately.
"He's holding back. He Doesn't believe me. I know that it is a Rightful suspicion"
But Emil would not let this opportunity get away.
He leaned back a little, speaking in a lower tone. "Listen. I don't know who those men were, but it's not safe for you to be by yourself. You saw what just occurred, right? So this is for your safety"
Luin bowed his head.
"If you ride with me" Emil went on, "at least you won't be alone. I've got your back"
Luin nibbled on his lip. "You don't even know me. Why would you do this for me?"
"Because I know exactly what you'll become. And I need you."
Of course, Emil couldn't say that.
Instead, he shrugged. "Because we're in the same boat. And besides, you're hurt. It's better to travel together, instead of doing alone"
"You're a kid too" Luin muttered.
Emil hesitated. Right. He kept forgetting that he was also in a young body.
"That's not the point" Emil coughed. "Point is, it's safer for you and even for me"
Luin looked down, silent again. He was thinking things over.
And finally, after a long pause, he nodded. "Alright. I'll go with you"
Emil exhaled in relief.
Step one: complete
Now, they just needed to reach the capital city.
The Journey Begins
Emil and Luin left the alley and made their way toward the town's main road.
The best way to reach the Imperial Capital was by carriage. Walking would take weeks, and neither of them had the stamina for that.
They needed to find a merchant caravan or a public ride.
"Got any money? Or just another cannon fodder?" Emil asked as they walked.
Luin shook his head.
"Figures" Emil muttered. "We'll figure something out, don't worry about it, Luin"
About twenty minutes later, they spotted a carriage parked near an inn. It was a merchant's transport, and the coachman was loading the last crates of cargo.
Emil jogged over.
"Hey, old man!" he called
The coachman, a grizzled man with a thick beard, glanced at him lazily. "What do ya want, brat?"
"We're heading to the capital. Got room for two?"
"You got money?"
Emil hesitated. "Uh"
"No money, no ride, that's the rule, Young man"
Shit
He was about to argue when another voice chimed in.
"I'll cover for them. Let them ride"
Both Emil and Luin turned.
A tall man was approaching, dressed stylishly in noble attire. Blond hair, neatly combed. Piercing blue eyes that felt too sharp. His uniform spoke of importance.
Emil's instincts screamed: Danger.
"Why?" Emil asked cautiously.
The man smiled, but it did not get to his eyes. "No particular reason. I just find it interesting. Two children traveling alone and to the capital city"
Emil and Luin stiffened.
"Go easy" the man laughed. "I do not wish to do you any harm. Travel with us. It will be safer"
Emil's hand started to twitch, automatically preparing for battle.
He knew that Something was not quite right with this guy.
But, he and Luin had no other option.
Emil practiced a smile. "Okay then. Thanks, I suppose"
The noble's smile grew. "No thanks is necessary. I have a feeling,m that we'll be seeing a lot more of each other shortly"
As the carriage started to move, Emil sat next to Luin, his mind was racing wildly.
He thought "Who was that noble?"
"And why did it seem like, he knew something which he shouldn't?"
A creeping fear settled in Emil's chest.
He got a feeling that this journey wasn't going to be easy.
Not by a long shot.