Chapter 2- Part 1 "Aftermath of The Message and Commission"

[Vivek's Room- Time 8:09 AM]

After returning from the bathhouse, Vivek dressed in his academy uniform: black pants, a brown shirt, and a red jacket—simple attire fitting for a lower-tier city academy. He surveyed his modest room, ensuring everything was in order before heading out.

"I'm ready to go," Vivek said to the black cat lounging on a mat by the window. The cat, sleek and with bright, intelligent eyes, was his sole companion in the small, cramped room.

"My angel, take care of the house like you always do," he continued, kneeling to scratch behind the cat's ears. "If you can't catch a rat outside, there's a plate of milk on the table. Take care of yourself, and I'll come back like usual."

"Meow…meow…" The cat responded, as if understanding, and Vivek smiled. The bond they shared was a quiet one, shaped by the simple life they led in the slums.

[On the Streets]

Navigating through the narrow, winding streets, Vivek noticed the anxious murmurs among the townsfolk. The usually bustling city was quieter today, with an undercurrent of fear permeating the conversations.

"Mommy, what was that sound this morning? My friends said the world is going to end! Is that true?" A little girl's voice caught Vivek's attention.

"It's nothing, my little princess," her mother reassured, though her voice was strained. "You don't have to worry."

Vivek frowned. He had heard similar rumours—whispers of an unknown entity and ominous messages. Shaking off his unease, he focused on the exam he had to take today.

"Everyone's talking about the same thing, but I need to concentrate on today's test," he muttered. The exam would determine his future—whether he would advance to a better class or be conscripted as a soldier. Both options kept him at the academy, but one led to a life of leadership and management, while the other meant serving as a protector of the kingdom.

[The Academy Grounds]

Ten minutes later, Vivek arrived at the academy, situated in the more prosperous part of the city. The area was a stark contrast to the slums—clean, orderly, and bustling with activity. The academy was surrounded by the city's library, the mayor's office, an auction house, and even a magic tower. Vivek entered the academy, blending into the crowd of students.

[Academy's Training Ground]

On the training ground's platform, the vice-principal stood flanked by two male and three female teachers. The students, around six hundred in total, stood in disciplined rows, waiting for the vice-principal to speak. He cast a voice-enhancing spell, his words echoing across the assembly.

"Everyone, I have both good news and bad news," the vice-principal announced. "The good news is that today's exam will be delayed. You've probably guessed why—the message everyone received. We're postponing the exam until we receive further instructions from the principal."

A wave of murmurs swept through the students, but the vice-principal raised his hand for silence. "The bad news is, we don't know what might happen at midnight. Prepare yourselves for the worst possible scenario. Until then, you are dismissed. Do whatever you must to be ready."

As the vice-principal finished speaking, students began to disperse, their voices rising in speculation about the day's events.

"See? I told you the exam would be cancelled," someone said, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Now, hand over the 50 coins we bet."

"Damn," his friend muttered, shaking his head in defeat. "I should've thought it through before betting…"

The first one laughed, holding out his hand. "Too late for regrets. Pay up."

With a sigh, the other dug into his pocket and handed over the coins. "So, what are you going to do with the day off?"

---

"Hey, do you think the world's really going to end at midnight?" one of the students asked, a mix of excitement and fear in his voice.

"If it is," another chimed in, "we should hit the tavern and live it up! Last night on earth, right? My treat!"

"Are you serious?" his friend laughed. "You're the best, man! Let's go to the tavern and drink until we can't feel anything!"

The students began to scatter, forming smaller groups, each deciding how to spend their unexpected free time. Laughter and anxious chatter filled the academy grounds, but one group had their eyes on a different plan.

"Vivek!" Jareth called out, waving as he broke away from his friends. "Hey, man! Come with us tonight! It's going to be a blast—me, Chloe, and you! We'll party 'til midnight!"

Chloe, standing beside Jareth, looked less enthusiastic. She raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Uh, Jareth… I thought tonight was just going to be, you know, our night?"

Jareth threw an arm around her shoulder with a grin. "Relax, babe! The more, the merrier, right? What's a little fun between friends if the world's ending?"

Vivek, standing a few paces away, hesitated for only a second. "No thanks, Jareth. I've got other things to take care of."

Jareth's smile faded for a moment, replaced by confusion. "Seriously, man? This might be your last chance! You've always talked about finding a girl, and now you're turning down a night out? With us?"

Vivek met his gaze, his tone steady. "I'm serious. I've got more important things to worry about right now."

Jareth let out a loud, incredulous laugh, drawing the attention of nearby students. "More important? Dude, if the world ends at midnight, all your 'important' stuff won't matter! You're going to die a virgin, man! You okay with that?"

Vivek's eyes narrowed, but he didn't take the bait. "If it comes to that, yeah, I'm fine with it. There's more to life than what you think."

Jareth stared at him for a beat, as if trying to understand. Then he shook his head with a dismissive scoff. "Your loss, man. Don't come crying when it's too late." He turned to Chloe, his mood instantly shifting back to excitement. "Come on, babe. Let's go show these losers how to live."

Chloe shot Vivek an apologetic glance before letting Jareth pull her away. As they disappeared into the crowd.

"Idiots," Vivek muttered under his breath.

[Academy's Seating Area—Time 8:39 AM]

Vivek found a bench under a tree and sat down, his mind racing with thoughts. The vice-principal's warning about preparing for the worst lingered in his mind.

"If things really get dangerous, I'll need everything I can to protect myself."

Vivek summoned his magical wand, which materialized from a small, five-centimetre magic circle. The wand was a simple, grey-purple stick with a small magic crystal embedded at the top. It seemed capable of casting only a few spells before the crystal would be depleted.

"Damn, I don't have any spare wand crystals, no extra HP or MP potions, no bandages, no alchemical pills, and barely any emergency food," Vivek muttered in frustration. He placed the wand beside him and cast an inventory spell, retrieving a small, unremarkable bag from another magic circle.

Opening the bag, he counted his remaining money. "I have 1,035 Federal Coins. Seven hundreds of that is for the academy fee, but… let's put that off until tomorrow. Who knows what might happen? I should save as much as I can for now and try to earn more."

With a determined look, Vivek got up and headed straight to the tavern where he worked, hoping to find some commissions that would help him earn money quickly.

[Daffodil Tavern]

Vivek pushed open the heavy wooden door of the Daffodil Tavern, the familiar scent of spiced ale and roasting meat greeting him. Despite the early hour, the tavern was bustling with activity—an unusual sight that only heightened his sense of urgency. Patrons filled the tables, their voices a mix of excitement, nervousness, and idle chatter, all centered around the mysterious message that had disrupted the city's routine.

He made his way to the bar, where Garrick, the stout tavern owner with a thick beard, was polishing a glass. Garrick looked up as Vivek approached, his expression puzzled.

"Vivek, didn't expect to see you here so early. Shouldn't you be at the academy?" Garrick asked, setting the glass down.

"The exam's been postponed," Vivek replied. "I'm here to see if there are any commissions available. I need to make some money quickly."

Garrick nodded, his expression turning serious. "Heard about the delay. Strange times we're living in. Everyone's on edge because of that damned message."

Vivek sighed. "Yeah, I noticed. That's why I need to be prepared for anything. Do you have anything for me?"

Garrick rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let me think... We've had a few requests. Nothing too dangerous, but they might help you earn some quick coin. There's a merchant looking for a guard to escort him to the next town—pays decently. There's also a scholar needing rare herbs from the forest. And lastly—this might interest you—there's a mage who needs someone to accompany him to the mines outside the city. He's after a rare mineral, and the job's got a solid reward."

Vivek raised an eyebrow. "A mage? What's the reward?"

Garrick leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "A second-tier magic crystal that'll last you a month, even with heavy use. Plus, 800 federal coins."

Vivek's eyes widened slightly. A second-tier magic crystal was valuable, especially for someone at his level. And the coins were a significant sum. The job sounded challenging, but the rewards were too tempting to ignore.

"I'll take the job at the mine," Vivek decided.

Garrick nodded approvingly. "Good choice. The mage is a bit eccentric, but he knows his stuff. Head over to the mine—he'll be waiting. I'll let him know you're coming. Just be careful down there. Rumor has it there's been some strange activity in those mines lately."

Vivek gave Garrick a grateful nod. "Thanks, Garrick. I'll head over right away."

As Vivek turned to leave the tavern, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest. The world around him seemed to be shifting, and he was determined to stay ahead of whatever might come. With his resolve strengthened, he made his way to the mine.

---

To Be Continued...