7 Flowers (1)

Three months had passed.

Noah was in his room, focused on finishing packing. Next to him, there were only three neatly folded pieces of clothing and a few books, their covers so tattered that their titles were barely distinguishable.

He then picked up the only book in better condition, holding it with care. It was a hardcover volume, with white edges and the rest of the cover in a deep shade of green. This book, in particular, contained his grandfather's techniques.

"But what should I do with you?" Noah muttered to himself. He knew that this book was important, perhaps the most important of all the ones he owned. After a brief moment of reflection, he concluded, "It's better to take it... I won't be coming back here anytime soon."

Noah packed the book in his bag and, for a moment, looked out the window, running a hand over his head as his thoughts swirled. "Three years... that's what she said... That's how long it took me to finally leave this mountain. But am I really ready for this now?"

With a sigh, he tightened the rope that sealed his travel bag, making sure everything was in order. He stepped outside his house, allowing himself one last look at it before beginning his descent down the mountain.

Noah's goal was clear: to reach the Seven Flowers Academy, the most prestigious in the nation. Known for its excellence and rigor, the academy accepted new students through only two avenues. The first, and most common, was through a test held every four years, which opened its doors to youths between the ages of 14 and 16. This test made no distinction between name or background, seeking to reveal hidden talents, even among those without any renown.

The second avenue, much rarer, involved obtaining the crest of one of the nation's seven major clans. This would grant anyone direct access to the academy. According to what he knew from the future, this was the option he pursued, obtaining the crest of the Milkweed Clan. Unfortunately, however, the academy was closed at that time.

Two days passed, and Noah now stood in front of an inn. "I managed to get some money by selling a few snow tiger pelts; it should be enough for two nights," he thought as he walked through the door.

Upon entering, Noah was greeted by the hum of overlapping conversations, most of which, unsurprisingly, revolved around the Seven Flowers Academy test. Not wanting to attract attention, he quickly made his way to the counter, where a woman gave him a quick once-over. Without him saying a word, she was already grabbing one of the keys from the wall behind her.

"Fourth floor, ninth room. It's one bronze coin per night," said the woman, extending the key to Noah.

Noah thanked her and took the key, while slipping his fingers into the coin pouch tied to his waist, pulling out a silver coin. "How many nights would this be enough for?" he asked.

The woman smiled, leaning on the counter and bringing her face closer to Noah's. "That's enough for ten nights. So, you've got two options now: I can give you eight bronze coins back, or you can stay in a more comfortable room, with three meals a day included, prepared and delivered by yours truly."

Noah, showing none of the reactions she was used to, watched her pull back to her usual posture, crossing her arms. "So, what'll it be? If you plan on taking the Seven Flowers Academy test, getting your body well-rested beforehand is the best option."

Something clicked in Noah's mind when he heard that. Upon closer inspection, he realized the woman's face seemed familiar, but given the situation, he chose not to prolong the conversation. "Alright, I'll take the second option," he replied.

"Good choice, kid," the woman said, retrieving a wooden key that emanated a white aura from under the counter. "Here you go. Once you've settled into your room, come back down to let me know what times you'd like your meals. I can also wake you up if needed."

"There's definitely something strange here… But what could it be?" Noah thought as he took the key and headed toward the staircase beside the counter. Before he could reach the second floor, he heard the woman's voice again, but this time it seemed to echo directly in his mind.

"Almost forgot to mention, but if by any chance you have questions about the place or even the test, I'm the person to ask. It'll only cost you three bronze coins."

For a second, Noah reconsidered the idea of actually sleeping in that place. It was his first time in the capital since he was born, and after living in a small village before moving to the mountain with his grandfather, he had already encountered something that was certainly not normal. However, he realized he didn't have many options. If he left, he'd probably end up sleeping on the street, as with so many people waiting for a room, finding another vacancy would be impossible.

Sighing, Noah continued his walk up to the sixth floor, where he saw a small group of people passing by him quickly. They all seemed oblivious to what was happening around them, only showing any reaction when they found their rooms. Noah did the same, quickly entering his room, closing the door, and throwing himself onto the bed.

The next second, a smile escaped his lips. The mattress in that room was so soft and comfortable that it almost made him fall asleep instantly. But realizing this, he quickly sat up, his eyes scanning the room. "Hmm… No signs of danger…" Thinking it might have been better to choose the cheaper room, he gave himself a light slap on the face with both hands. "I can't let my guard down, but I also can't get paranoid. If I don't sleep, I'll be exhausted when test day comes. Besides, that woman wouldn't have recommended this place if there were any real danger."

Noah looked at the bag carrying his belongings and then at a small dresser in front of him. That kind of furniture was rare and expensive, something you didn't often see. "I guess I'll still be surprised a few times," he murmured, placing his bag on the dresser and keeping the coin pouch tied around his waist.

Reflecting on what to do next, he decided to head downstairs to talk to the woman at the counter about the meals. Once again, he was surprised, as the dishes she described seemed like something only wealthy people could afford. This made him question the true value of a single silver coin.

While continuing to chat with the woman, taking advantage of the fact that it was nighttime and there was no one else for her to attend to, the door was suddenly thrown open aggressively. From the darkness outside, a massive hand appeared, followed by a deep voice asking, "Do you still have a vacancy?"

With a wide smile and her shoulders resting on the counter, the woman replied, "Of course, sir. In fact, you're in luck; there are only two rooms left," completely ignoring the fact that the door's hinge had cracked from the impact.

"Kid, you'd better head to your room. You don't want to see what's about to happen here," the woman's voice echoed again in Noah's mind. He then saw, slowly but surely, a man three times his size bending down to pass through the door.