24 Encounter.
As he gained a new purpose in his life, Cain abruptly stood up and watched the mess he was causing. Scattered tree, the cry of nature that has been taken care of, and the gruesome sight of the void creature that pierced its body, bathing the trunk in blue blood.
Cain looked toward Noir, who came closer to his side. He pondered for a moment before he nodded in deep meaning.
"Let's leave this place!".
*Woof!
Noir, who understands its master thought, its body began to melt and soon dived into Cain's shadow. For the last time, Cain glanced at the unmoving Void creature, then swiftly moved his legs to leave the place.
His pace quickened along with his heartbeat. When he reached the destroyed park, there was still no sign of someone finding out about the accident. So, Cain, still using his silent step skill, walked away from the place.
Along the way, he overheard a buzz of whispering someone and a gaze that looked from the gap of opened windows. However, there is no suspicion or wariness about Cain's appearance; it is only a pity and horror to see a young kid walking around the neighbourhood in this alert situation.
The marketplace that crowded earlier now turned death silent, as if it were a ghost town. Cain walked briskly and soon found himself standing in front of a tall building. The place people say is an inn.
Cain received the information when he was splurging earlier. He pushed the door but found it was not budging. 'Oh, I forgot!'. Cain knocked on the door several times while shouting.
"Excuse me, is there still some room for me to stay?".
There was no response, which made the situation awkward for Cain, who shouted in the middle of the deserted place. He knocked once more and intended to shout once more.
However, faster than his knuckles could knock, the door opened briskly, and Cain's shoulder was gripped by tremendous strength, stiffening him in place.
In one fell swoop, Cain's body disappeared, and the door slammed tightly, followed by the clicking sound of a lock.
"Eh? What was that?".
"That was my line, Kid! What the hell are you doing loitering around the street when the alarm is ringing earlier?". Come a raspy and grumpy old man wearing simple clothes and a white apron on his body.
Cain looked up and found a middle-aged man with grey hair glaring at him. He could also feel the solid strength the old man had from his shoulders.
"Um, I'm sorry; the weather seems comfortable for a light nap, and when I noticed, everyone had disappeared."
",,, You stupid kid!". *Smack!
With veins protruding from his temple, the old man smacked Cain's head, making the poor kid dizzy.
"Ouch, what was that for!". Cain clutched his throbbing skull and glared at the old man with teary eyes.
"Shut up, listen, kid! You should pay more attention to your surroundings…".
Out of nowhere, an unknown old man who had met Cain for the first time in his life began to give him a lecture with life lessons while he was seated on the floor, folding his knees.
The lecture felt pretty long, followed by the numbness in his knees. However, not knowing why, Cain felt the situation felt nostalgic for some reason.
"You heard that, kid? From now on, you must be aware of your own surroundings and never be careless! If you do that...".
"Yes, I understand. So, can you please let me know if there is still room for me to stay?"
"Room? Are you planning to rent a room here?".
"Yes, I was told that this place was pretty comfortable from the stalls around".
"...Okay, come over here!".
'Finally'. Cain sighed in relief, knowing the lecture would be over. But, there is one problem he had to face. 'Uh, I can't feel my legs!'.
When Cain intended to shift his position for a bit, it proved fatal. A sharp electric jolt seared through his nerves, sending a rush of tingling sensation like being pricked by thousands of needles. He lost his balance and dropped down, trembling.
"What happened? You okay, kid?".
The old man who noticed the commotion crouched down, hurriedly giving Cain a helping hand. He took Cain into the chair near them and gave Cain some room to rest.
"Thank you. My feet just numb for a bit, that's all".
Looking at the struggling Cain, the old man sighed in regret for his nagging nature for seeing a young man like him act recklessly in a perilous situation. The old man turned his back and walked toward the counter, taking the book attendance and the pen.
"Let's do it here!".
"Thank you for your consideration".
"...Nah, this was my fault all along. I am sorry, kid. Nagging at you despite this being our first time meeting!". The old man, filled with remorse, bowed his head in front of Cain.
"...Ah, no, no, it's okay. Like you just said, I must be aware of my surroundings better…".
'If I did that, maybe I would not fight that void creature!'. Cain, who was flustered by an old person bowing for him, shook his head and hands to the sides.
"I see. So, how long will you stay?".
"Ah, about that…".
The two begin to discuss the stay, and Cain also begins to tell the old man about his situation. He is in the middle of a test to join the Academy. Listening to Cain's story, the old man begins to scan the boy with curious and complicated feelings.
He was curious as to why the boy wanted to be on the frontline so much. Is it dangerous? What sort of power does the boy have? But he held his tongue from saying any of that. Also, the aura surrounding the boy felt familiar; for some reason, it reminded him of someone.
"...me? …ou …ight? Excuse me, are you alright?".
"Huh? Yeah, I'm okay! So for now, you want to stay for one night and a meal included for dinner and breakfast tomorrow, each meal with two portions. Is that right?".
"Yes, please".
"Alright. But, you eat a lot despite looking so frail!".
"Well, yes…".
Cain stopped himself from explaining Noir here. What he needs right now is a place to rest, sort out his thoughts during the day, and prepare his heart for the result tomorrow.
After some simple explanation, Cain was given the key, and his room was on the second floor at the innermost corner. Saying his thanks, Cain stepped up the stairs and arrived at the second floor.
The interior was divided into two paths; he took the right path and finally found the room with the same number as in the key he was holding.
He unlocked the door and looked at the interior of the room he was going to stay in. It was a small room with a single bed wide enough for two people to fit in near the window. On the side, there was a chair and a round wooden table standing near the bed. On his right, there was another door that would lead him into the bathroom and toilet.
Without prior warning, Cain dived into the bed and felt his body sinking, his tense muscles loosening, and then his eyelids suddenly feeling heavy.
'So much happening in a day. I better take some rest!'. Slowly, the heaviness in his eyes felt unbearable, coupled with the yawn that gave his body relaxation, 'Good night!'.
Even though the sun was still high above, Cain surrendered himself to the dream and welcomed the next day with a refreshed start.
*****
Cain's new day starts with a mild and filling breakfast from the old man before stepping out toward the Academy. In this early hour, the street where he stayed was already buzzing with activity.
The aggressive approach of the stall sellers, promoting their own goods, almost enticed Cain to hop in and take some samples with him. However, he held back because today was important.
He battles his desire to stick around and buy some food, passing the empty alley and arriving at the main road that will lead him straight toward the Academy.
As he looked around, he saw many familiar faces sprawled across the street, with dead eyes and slouched postures.
'What is wrong with these guys?'. Cain accidentally met gaze with one of the males that walked past him, but upon meeting his eyes, Cain knit his brows in wonder.
He looked around and found the other also had a similar expression on their face as if already surrendering their lives.
"Aah!".
A loud and crisp, beautiful melody echoed on this bleak road, bringing a bit of colour into the place. Cain and many sluggish people turned to the source and found an energetic girl wearing casual clothes with fresh style hopping toward Cain's place.
Two other people who walked behind the girl also followed her steps, approaching Cain's side.
"Good morning, Cain, right? I'm Mina, pleased to meet you".
"Yeah, pleased to meet you too, Mina".
Mina flashed her white teeth and soon turned to her other two friends, who gave wry smiles for being dragged by her whim. When she fluttered her hair, Cain could smell a bit of citrus scent that soothed his nerves. But he jerked his head away for the prickling feeling from the glare that came from the other girl behind Mina.
"Cain, let me introduce them, these two are…".
"Rinda, the Guardian Angel possessor, and Lisa, the ranker, right?".
"Hehe, It's great for you to remember their name".
'Isn't that normal? Besides, I think other people wouldn't forget these two anomalies'. Cain turned his gaze toward Rinda while giving him a nod; meanwhile, when he turned to Lisa, instead of welcoming him, Cain was being glared at, making Cain tilt his head in wonder. 'What is her problem?'.
"Jeez, come on, Lisa, you should relax more!. Look, your tense face gives Cain trouble on how to react to you!".
'Eh, she is tense?'. Cain glances back toward Lisa, who is now flustered by Mina's antics.
Lisa turned to Cain, forced her stiffened lips to open, and let out her bell-like voice.
"...Good morning, are you going toward the academy to see the result?".
"Yeah, you guys, too?".
"...Yes, then,,,".
"Mm, we are. If you don't mind, let's go together?".
Mina brutally cut Lisa off from her attempt to talk to Cain, making the situation rather heavy or awkward for both Cain and Lisa.
"Hm, Cain?".
"Ah, yeah, let's go. I don't mind at all".
To diminish the awkward atmosphere within him, Cain abruptly turned his back and started to walk ahead from the other. From behind, he could hear the two girls start arguing while the boy could only smile wryly, trying to stop them.