I sat on the bed, closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying to gather myself. One feeling dominated inside me:
For some reason, I felt that the practical test wouldn't go well at all... I felt the weight of responsibility on my shoulders, not just for myself, but for those who depended on me, Sylvia and Bianca.
Outside the window, the last threads of sunlight melted behind the walls, as if the academy itself was watching, whispering its majestic silence, and calling me towards an unforgettable day.
My heart was racing, but my mind tried to pretend to be calm. I knew the tests somewhat, except... they might have changed.
I tried to calm myself down, but every thought of the test made my heart tremble. It wasn't the test itself, but what would happen during it, as if the academy knew every secret inside me... somehow, I felt something lurking within, something that wasn't supposed to appear now...
I opened my eyes slowly.
The first thing I felt was the carriage's vibration beneath us, then the sound of the wheels scraping against the stone.
"Sir... we've arrived."
It was Bianca's voice.
I raised my head and adjusted my position in the seat.
"Sorry... I think I fell asleep."
"It's okay, the road was long."
I got out of the carriage, and the cool city air hit my face immediately.
In front of us stretched a wide street, crowded with carriages and people, and the sounds of merchants mixed with the laughter of students coming from all directions.
I looked up.
And behind the tall buildings... the academy's walls appeared.
Far away.
Towering.
Silent.
There... where everything would be tested.
I sighed slowly.
"Finally, we're here."
And today, we're just strangers in the city.
"Sir, do you need our help with anything?"
"No, you can leave now."
And with that, the two guards my father had sent with us left.
We entered a nearby hotel, not shabby, not luxurious, just average. I approached the reception desk.
"How can I help you today, sir?"
"I'd like two separate rooms, please."
"Okay, that's no problem. How long will you be staying?"
"Four days."
"Alright... that'll be two silver pieces, sir."
We paid and received the key. I asked Bianca to head to the rooms and get them ready while I went to buy some things. We had plenty of money.
As we walked, Sylvia suddenly said:
"Daniel... I've noticed something about Bianca."
"Hmm, what's wrong with her?"
"Her behavior around you, of course. This girl has feelings for you."
I smiled slightly and said:
"You don't know her at all. She doesn't think that way. If she loved me, she'd put boundaries between us quickly."
"But all her actions suggest otherwise!"
"Her eyes..."
"What about them?"
"Her eyes didn't show romantic love; they showed appreciation, hope, and gratitude. That's Bianca."
"What do you mean?"
"Sigh... I'll explain briefly. Bianca acted this way in front of my father. Does that mean she loves him? And she would blush and get embarrassed around my sister sometimes. Does that mean she's interested in girls? No, her eyes reflected longing, love, and loyalty."
"I understand now... so you can read people's intentions from their eyes?"
"Yeah, kind of."
"So, what do my eyes say?"
I looked into her eyes and focused on them.
"Did you just insult me?"
"... I didn't."
"I'm sure you did. What did you say about me?"
"... White monkey."
I smiled slightly and said:
"Ah, that's it."
"..."
"Yowch!"
I stepped on her tail.
As we headed towards a bookstore, we encountered some thugs on the way.
"Oh, kid! This cat is really cute. Is it even a cat? How much will you sell it for?"
"I never said I'd sell it."
"Come on, don't be difficult. Or do you want to give it away for free?"
As he said that, two large men approached from behind. I sighed and turned to leave, but the man grabbed my arm and said:
"I didn't say you could leave."
I looked at him with disdain and a hint of killing intent. He quickly retreated in fear.
"How dare you?"
A large man approached, waving a sword. I quickly approached him and punched him in the stomach, making him lose consciousness and fall to the ground. The other man was smart enough to realize that if he approached now, he'd end up like his brother. He fell to the ground, trembling with fear. I crouched down and approached his face, saying:
"Listen, you little punk. If you bother me or anyone else, I'll come after you. I'll chase you to the ends of the earth and skin you alive, starting from your balls. Got it?"
"Y-yes, I got it... Please have mercy!"
"Good."
I gave the men a long, threatening look and continued on my way.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm just surprised. I thought you'd at least break their ribs."
"You're making me look like a villain now."
"But didn't you always do this?"
"I only did this to people who deserved it."
"Anyway, we've reached the store. Choose the book you need, and also choose one for Bianca. Make sure it's not weird."
"Okay, I won't."
Now we'll buy books. We have plenty of money for food, and the academy provides school supplies. What's left? Oh, I didn't get a school uniform for Bianca yet. Since she's a student, that's easy.
"Daniel."
"Hmm, are you done?"
"Yeah, just carry them."
She chose three books for herself and one for Bianca. I don't care what she chose for herself, but I need to make sure Bianca's book isn't weird.
"'Ice Princess'... what's this?"
"It's a novel about a princess who's cursed with ice. I think she'll like it."
"... okay."
"That'll be one silver piece, sir."
"Take it."
"Thank you, come again."
We returned to the inn, and I went up to my room. It was already ready. Bianca must have prepared it.
The city was slowly being covered in its golden sunset. The sounds of vendors were fading away.
"Sylvia, let's go get dinner."
"I'm tired. Bring it to the room."
Sigh... okay, I'll ask Bianca since her room is across from mine.
"Hey, Bianca, are you coming? I'm going to a restaurant."
There was no response.
"Bianca, can you hear me?"
Still no response. She must have fallen asleep. It was a busy day for her.
I guess I'll eat dinner alone. I headed to a nearby restaurant and ordered food. The time passed quietly, despite some annoying women and drunk men. I didn't pay attention to them. I took the food for Bianca and Sylvia and headed back to the inn.
"Hey, you're back?"
"Yeah, here's your dinner."
Sylvia transformed into her human form and ate her food. I had already given Bianca her share. After Sylvia finished eating, I told her to stay with Bianca so she wouldn't feel lonely. The next day, I wrote a letter to my sister to get a uniform for Bianca. It arrived on the third day. The days passed quietly and smoothly, and that's how the last day ended.
Tomorrow... is the day of the entrance exam.
I sat by the window, looking towards the academy's distant walls, towering and silent, as if watching every step I took. Tomorrow... everything would be different.
I leaned away from the window and sat on the bed, closing my eyes for a brief moment, trying to gather myself. One feeling dominated me:
For some reason, I had a sense that the practical test would not go well… I felt the weight of responsibility on my shoulders, not just for myself, but for those who depended on me, Sylvia and Bianca.
Outside the window, the last rays of the sun melted behind the academy walls, as if the academy itself was watching, whispering with its majestic silence, beckoning me toward an unforgettable day.
My heart raced, but my mind tried to feign calm. I knew the tests to some extent—unless… they had been changed.
I tried to calm myself, but every thought of the test made my heart tremble. It wasn't the test itself, but what would happen during it, as if the academy knew every secret within me… Somehow, I felt something lurking inside, something that shouldn't reveal itself just yet…