Chapter 18 The First Day of Hell

The First Day of Hell

4:00 AM, first day of contract implementation

A magical alarm, specially designated for Carsel, rang with a piercing sound—different from the usual academy bells. A sound designed to wake only him, reminding him that his days were no longer the same as normal students.

Carsel woke with heavy eyes, his body tired from lack of sleep due to anxiety. His roommates were still sleeping soundly—they didn't need to wake until 6 AM like other students.

Two hours, he thought as he got out of bed. Two hours every day to clean the entire academy alone.

On his small table was a special uniform sent last night—a grey overall with "CONDEMNED" written glaringly in red letters on the back. A crude but effective symbolism for marking his new status.

Maintenance Wing - First Day Orientation

Caretaker Chief Morrison, a man in his 50s with a grim and unsympathetic face, was already waiting in the maintenance wing with an intimidating array of cleaning tools.

"So, you're the child killer," he said bluntly, looking at Carsel with contempt. "I've handled this academy's maintenance for 25 years, and this is the first time a 'student' has been made a cleaning slave."

He pointed to a large cart full of supplies. "This is your equipment. Every morning, you'll clean all the dormitories—all bathrooms, common rooms, corridors, and kitchens. Then the classroom wings, training grounds, library, and administrative areas."

Carsel looked at the long list with growing horror. "All that... in two hours?"

Morrison laughed harshly. "Oh, you think this will be easy? Boy, you'll learn the meaning of hard work. And if there's a single complaint about cleanliness from a student or faculty, I'll report it directly to your royal supervisors."

He handed over heavy and awkward cleaning supplies. "Start with Ruby Dormitory. They're the most... particular about their standards."

Of course, Carsel thought bitterly. Start with the dormitory that hates me the most.

Ruby Dormitory - Morning Humiliation

Ruby Dormitory was the complete opposite of Onyx. Luxurious, clean, with high-end facilities and elegant decorations. And now Carsel had to clean it while its residents were preparing for their day.

He started with the bathrooms—the most degrading task. Scrubbing toilets, cleaning mirrors, mopping floors with harsh chemicals and a pungent smell.

"Well, well, look what we have here."

Carsel turned and saw Marcus standing at the bathroom entrance with a cruel smile. Behind him, several curious Ruby students.

"The child killer has started his punishment," Marcus said in a loud voice designed to attract attention. "How does it feel, Nightshade? Scrubbing toilets where better people poop?"

Laughter echoed from the students who had gathered. Carsel tried to ignore them and continue working, but Marcus wasn't finished.

"Hey, everyone!" Marcus yelled. "Come see the entertainment! Our resident murderer is performing his morning duties!"

More students came, creating a crowd that blocked Carsel's exit. They watched him scrub the toilet with a mixture of disgust and amusement.

"This is justice," one of them said. "Finally he's getting what he deserves."

"I heard the victim families can watch him suffer whenever they want," another added. "That's beautiful karma."

Carsel's hands trembled with a combination of humiliation and suppressed anger, but he continued working. His contract was clear—any retaliation would result in immediate escalation to blood debt slavery.

Ignore them, he told himself. Just get through this. Two hours, every day. I can survive this.

Unexpected Encounter

As Carsel moved on to corridor cleaning, he almost collided with someone coming from the opposite direction.

"Oh, sorry—" he started, then stopped when he realized who was in front of him.

Rion Moonstone stood there with an unreadable expression. The chosen hero, usually surrounded by admirers, was now alone in the early morning corridor.

"Carsel," Rion said in a tone that was neither hostile nor particularly friendly.

"Rion," Carsel replied awkwardly, suddenly very aware of his cleaning uniform and the smell of chemicals clinging to him.

They stood in uncomfortable silence for a moment. Around them, evidence of Carsel's degrading work—the mop bucket, cleaning supplies, and wet floors.

"I heard about... the arrangement that was made," Rion said finally. "This seems... harsh."

Carsel didn't know how to respond. Sympathy from the chosen hero felt almost worse than the open hostility from the others.

"I deserve it," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "Three children died because of my mistake."

"Mistake, yes," Rion agreed. "But the intent you had... it wasn't evil. You were trying to save them."

"Intent doesn't matter when the result is death," Carsel replied, echoing words that had been haunting him.

Rion looked at him with a thoughtful expression. "Maybe not. But intent matters for who you become after a tragedy. The question is—will this break you, or will you use it to become stronger?"

Before Carsel could respond, the sound of approaching voices made them both tense. A group of Ruby students was coming down the corridor, probably looking for more entertainment from Carsel's humiliation.

"I should go," Rion said quickly. "But Carsel... remember that some people still believe you're capable of redemption."

He left quickly, leaving Carsel alone with mixed feelings. The encouragement felt good, but it also made the guilt worse somehow.

He still believes in me, Carsel thought. But for how long?

Escalating Duties

The rest of the morning cleaning proceeded with a mixture of backbreaking work and intermittent harassment. Students from various dormitories "accidentally" making extra messes when they saw him coming. Spilled drinks, muddy footprints, "accidentally" knocking over trash cans.

By the time the 6 AM bell rang, Carsel was exhausted but only halfway through his assigned areas. Morrison appeared with a stopwatch and a disapproving frown.

"Too slow," he declared. "Tomorrow you need to be more efficient. I'll be reporting this delay to your supervisors."

Great, Carsel thought. First day and I'm already failing.

Morning Classes - Continued Isolation

Regular classes started with Carsel still smelling like cleaning chemicals and exhausted from two hours of hard labor. He barely had time for a quick shower and change of clothes.

In Basic Magic Theory, the professor barely acknowledged his presence. Other students pointedly avoided sitting near him—a combination of his new pariah status and the lingering chemical smell.

"Today we will discuss the ethical applications of magic," Professor Marlena announced with an irony that was not lost on anyone. Her eyes briefly met Carsel's with an expression that clearly said 'take notes.'

The lesson felt like a personal attack, with every principle about responsible magic use highlighting his failures. Other students kept glancing at him with a mixture of contempt and satisfaction.

Lunchtime Announcement

In the cafeteria, Carsel sat alone at the Onyx table with tasteless food. The exhaustion from his morning duties made everything feel surreal and distant.

"Attention students," the Headmaster's voice echoed through the dining hall. "The monthly monster hunting expedition will begin tomorrow morning. Participating students should report to the assembly point at 7 AM with full equipment."

Excited chatter erupted throughout the hall. This was a major event that everyone had been anticipating—a chance to prove themselves, gain valuable experience, and acquire better equipment.

"Additionally," the Headmaster continued with a more stern tone, "special assignments have been prepared for students with... particular circumstances."

Eyes throughout the hall turned to Carsel. It was clear that 'particular circumstances' referred to him.

Prince Aldric stood up with a regal bearing. "I want to announce that as senior students, we will personally supervise certain aspects of the expedition to ensure... safety and proper conduct."

His smile when looking at Carsel was predatory and promised nothing good.

Afternoon Confrontation

After classes, Carsel was approached by a group consisting of Prince Aldric, Princess Seraphina, and several senior Ruby students.

"Carsel," Prince Aldric said in a deceptively polite tone. "We need to discuss your role in tomorrow's expedition."

They cornered him in an empty corridor, away from potential witnesses.

"As your supervisors," Princess Seraphina continued with a cold smile, "we have designed a special assignment to maximize your... learning experience."

"You will serve as an advance scout," Prince Aldric explained. "Meaning you go first into potentially dangerous areas to identify threats before the rest of the group follows."

"That's... that's basically using me as bait," Carsel protested with growing alarm.

"Bait is such an ugly word," Prince Aldric said with fake disappointment. "I prefer 'expendable reconnaissance.' Much more professional."

The senior Ruby students around them chuckled with appreciation for the wordplay.

"The contract you signed gives us authority to assign duties," Princess Seraphina added. "And if you refuse or fail in the assignment... well, the victim families have prepared the blood debt contract as an alternative."

They have me trapped, Carsel realized with despair. Any resistance will result in an even worse fate.

"I... I understand," he said finally.

"Excellent," Prince Aldric said with satisfaction. "Meet us tomorrow at 6:30 AM—before the official assembly time. We have special equipment for your... unique role."

They left him standing alone in the corridor, feeling the weight of tomorrow's danger combining with the exhaustion from the day's humiliation.

Evening Despair

That night, Carsel lay in bed staring at the ceiling and contemplating his situation. Two hours of degrading labor every morning. Classes where he was treated as a dangerous pariah. Lunchtime isolation. And tomorrow, a potentially lethal expedition role as human bait for monsters.

This is my life now, he thought with numbness. Every day, systematic humiliation and danger. And if I survive the expedition tomorrow, it starts all over again.

For years.

For the first time since the contract signing, he genuinely considered whether blood debt slavery might actually be preferable. At least with the families, the hatred would be honest and direct. This systematic psychological torture designed to break him down completely felt worse somehow.

But I have to survive, he told himself with a determination born of desperation. I have to become strong enough to endure this. And maybe... maybe someday I can prove that I'm worth more than just being their victim.

Maybe someday, they will see me as a human being again.

But as he fell asleep, haunted by memories of the three children who died and the anticipation of tomorrow's dangers, a part of him wondered if that day would ever come.

Or if systematic cruelty would eventually break something within him that could never be repaired.

In the darkness, the mysterious organization member who had been observing the proceedings smiled with satisfaction.

Phase two of their plan couldn't have gone better. The target was now officially isolated, systematically broken down, and under constant stress that would make him perfect for manipulation when the time comes.

Perfect, the figure thought. Another few months of this treatment, and he will be ready for our purposes. Desperate, broken, and willing to do anything to escape his situation.

Including accepting power from sources that should never be trusted.

The storm that was building would soon break, and when it did, everyone would discover the true cost of their cruelty.