Night Before The Test

Obed reluctantly took the multicolored pill from Luke. He stared at it for a while, moved the pill on his palm, and moved it between his fingers, steadily investigating the pill.

After studying the pill with no enlightenment gained, Obed asked. "The hell is this?"

"It's a mana pill. Helps to boost your mana quantity and quality." Luke explained as he also stared at the pill in his hand.

Obed's eyes which had been staring at the pill in his hand swiftly moved to now stare at Luke like the eyes of an interrogator. "And how did you know of its existence and method of creation?"

Luke stared back at his friend and gave a suspicious grin. "Let's just say I have my ways. It's a secret."

Luke waved one hand, inviting Obed to come closer. "Now come here. Seat the same way I do and do the same thing I do. We're going to take this pill now."

Obed walked to the spot Luke pointed, and sat down cross-legged. "Remember what happened last time our mana went out of control?"

Luke instantly remembered and laughed. "On second thought, we won't be taking the pills right now. Give it back to me. I'll store it till we're both in a safe enough place to take them." Luke extended his hand to receive the pill back from Obed.

Obed had one last look at the pill before tossing it back to Luke. "Here you go."

"When and where will it be safe enough to use them?" Obed asked as he stood up to walk back to his previous position.

Luke also stood up and walked into his room. When he came back, he was holding a transparent jar with two pills in it. "You'll know when we get there. Right now, I'd really appreciate it if you go for the awakening test. It'll make things easier for us when going there."

"If you say so, but you have to at least tell me why I'm the only one doing the test." Obed replied with an inquisitive look.

"That way, we can legally get to where we're going," Luke replied, dropping the jar on the table.

"Then what about you?"

Luke sank into the couch and pointed at Obed. "Get the test results and license first and then, we'll talk about me."

Obed eyed his friend, moved his eyes to the pills in a jar on the table, and then moved his eyes back, staring at Luke. "Fine." Obed raised himself from his seat.

He pulled out a small round clock from his pocket, observed the time, and shoved it back into his pocket. "It's about time I head to work. See you when I get back, if you're still alive that is."

"You want me dead? That's pretty unfortunate. Destiny doesn't permit me to die anytime soon." Luke smiled.

"Good luck with that." Obed chuckled, walking toward the door leading out of the apartment.

Obed walked down the stairs and walked out of the building. The sky was dark and starry. The two moons which weren't opposite each other stared down on the world like the eyes of something unknown. One eye was light blue and the other was white.

Obed stared at the moons for a while and then he looked forward. He began walking toward his workplace while whistling.

Behind him, two distinct figures slowly approached. They wore all-black clothes, covering their faces.

Obed spotted one of them and when he turned around to have a better look, they stopped moving forward.

Obed didn't bother and kept moving, this time, he didn't whistle. The two people following him continued and then they disappeared from behind him.

Obed stopped to look for them. He turned, looking all around for traces of them. He didn't find anything.

He sighed and turned to continue his journey and there they were. Standing in front of him with daggers in their hands.

"Hand over all valuables in your possession." One of the robbers said with a threatening tone.

Obed chuckled as he moved his gaze from one of the robbers to the other.

"I have nothing with me. Listen, I'm just going to work so it would be great if we acted like you guys never saw me." Obed continued his journey.

One of the men walked forward, pointing the dagger at Obed to threaten him. "You think we're here to…"

Bang.

A punch from Obed made the robber quiet and sent him unconscious.

Still folding his fist, Obed turned to the other robber. "Can I go now?"

The moment walked back one step at a time and when he got far enough, he turned and fled.

"Tch. A selfish accomplice." Obed spat on the floor and walked away.

He continued whistling all the way to the workplace. A big factory with a hexagonal shape. Its entirety was painted black and only the roof and doors were of a different color, grey. It was the same design as the one occupied by the forever gang. And it turns out, they were both owned by the same person and the owner abandoned it when he got this new place. The only difference was the location, color, and size.

"Good evening old men." Obed greeted the two old men at the counter. Both had white hair and wrinkled faces. One had a white mustache. The older of the two men had brown eyes while his second had black eyes.

He took the pen at the counter and wrote his name on the book placed on top of the counter. It was a book used for attendance.

The two old men stopped their chatting and looked at Obed. "If it isn't young Obed." The first one smiled.

"Welcome son, it's always nice when you come around and the atmosphere gets ruined by the next person that shows up." The older of the two men chuckled.

"Then I'll be the last to get here from tomorrow." Obed laughed.

One of them shook his head. "It's okay. Some get here after the required time. It would ruin your reputation if you started arriving late. Just keep up the good work."

Luke gave him a polite bow. "Thank you, old man."

Obed walked into the factory. He had work to do and he couldn't delay.

*****

Luke walked into the store in front of him.

Luke had wanted to eat some snacks before going to bed but when he opened the cupboard, he found nothing. He opened the fridge and it was also empty.

Luke walked around the store, picking items one by one. He walked to the counter and dropped the items.

"Seventy silvers." The lady at the counter called out the price.

Luke took out a gold coin and handed it to her, which she received and gave him his change.

Luke received it together with his purchased items. He walked out of the store and headed home.

Luke remained quiet for a while before speaking his thoughts out loud. "I think I'll go for an awakening test too."