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As he packed his things into his bag, ready to leave the shared room, Rinn heard a voice approaching from the hallway:
— Hey, bro. What's going on? Since the initial exams finished, you've been acting strange and quiet. Ignoring me and everyone around you.
Rick appeared at the door, stopping when he noticed Rinn hadn't even reacted. He seemed lost in distant thoughts, as if the world around him no longer mattered.
Sighing, Rick crossed the room to him, forcing Rinn to stop what he was doing.
Rinn then looked up, confused by the unexpected approach.
— Are you angry?
— Yes. — Rinn answered flatly, letting out a tired sigh.
— You know Rector Yunen doesn't give impossible tests. Everything will be fine...
— Hahahaha!
Rinn laughed sarcastically, interrupting his friend's sentence. If that were true, there wouldn't be missing mages in the dorms. Less than 25% of the mages remained — and the others? All dead. Over 48 mages had died from a dormitory of 60.
— Well, I won't lie. Compared to your first test, mine is ridiculously easy.
— Recovering ancient scrolls? That's practically a fun afternoon for you, the one always buried in archaeology books and things buried six feet deep or more.
Rinn then turned his back, going back to organizing his bag.
— Now, bro, if you don't mind... I need to finish packing my things and leave.
Given the volume of things Rinn was packing, it was evident that his mission wouldn't be solved in one or two days.
It might take months, or more.
The same went for the other mages.
— Each task was individually assigned by the Blackboard. That means they were meant to improve us. — Rick commented with some seriousness.
Rinn let out a dry laugh, stuffing more water reserves and food into the sides of his backpack.
— I highly doubt that a death sentence will make me any better, man. What's the point of getting better if I'm dead? At least ascended mages will accompany me.
— You're right, man. We're all in the same boat. So... where are you going? — Rick asked.
— West Front of the Academy, at four. It's pretty close by now. And you?
— I have to leave in two hours, East Corridor, from what they told me.
— Do you know where your destination is?
— No. The Academy doesn't even give a map. I have to figure everything out on my own. And you?
— I have no idea either. I've always heard about the city of N'Lanor, but I never bothered to look into the region. I bet the ascended mages know where it is, so I'm not too worried.
After adjusting the last items, Rinn zipped up his bag, tightening the sides and center.
He stood up from the bed with a slight crack in his back, firmly laced his high boots, and with a swift motion, attached a small book to his waist, securing it between the folds of his belt, discreetly like a holster.
— You're bringing your pistols? — Rick asked, as he organized his own belongings. He moved calmly, tucking provisions and some spare clothes into a compact bag.
— Yes.
Rinn responded, showing that both pistols were secured to his waist. Both were hidden so well that it was nearly impossible to spot them when his shirt covered them.
— Then hide those tech junk you've got. If the Academy finds out, you'll get in trouble again, like last time.
Rick let out a soft laugh when he saw Rinn, who also shared the same humor.
Although Rinn was a little serious, looking at the face of his roommate, who was about to burst out laughing, he couldn't maintain the seriousness.
— I can't rely solely on magic. Anything can happen.
— When you say "anything," are you referring to that magic too, as a precaution?
— Yes. I'd rather lose a part of my body than lose my life. I'll only use it in extreme cases.
— Can you do it to me too? I mean, the ritual.
— Fine. Which part do you want to sacrifice? — Rinn responded while pulling the small book from his belt. He opened it quickly, flipping through pages until he found the right section.
— Don't say it like that. It gives me chills just hearing it.
— How do you want me to say it then? Which part of your body will be used as magical fuel? — he teased slightly, raising his eyebrows.
— Ah, forget it. Just... just do it to my hand.
— Are you sure?
— Yes.
The answer came firmly, but Rick's tone didn't match the courage of his words.
Hesitation was in his eyes, in his tense shoulders.
He didn't really want to do it, but he feared even more what could happen if he didn't.
— Are you sure, the hand? You know once you lose your hand, it won't come back. Once it's sacrificed, there's no turning back. You might try to recover it with water element healing magic, but it won't work.
Rinn said at that moment, making eye contact with Rick.
— I'd rather lose my hand than my vision, like you did with your eye — Rick responded.
— My eye is still intact, you see? I'll never lose it. Besides, you know something interesting? Human eyes are the best magical fuel.
— Fine, I don't want to know any more about this. Just do the ritual on my hand, I have to leave in half an hour, and I can't be late.
After Rick said these words, he sat on the bed, facing Rinn, who was standing and waiting for the preparation.
— I need the ingredient.
— I don't have anything with me now.
— Then part of your bed will work.
— What? Wait... Wait!
Before he could say more, Rinn firmly grabbed Rick's hand and began speaking ancient words from a long-forgotten language.
As he spoke, small red marks began to form around the entire area of Rick's hand, while part of the metal around the bed was undone by the Theory of Equivalent Exchange.
When the process was finally complete, the marking on Rick's hand disappeared entirely.
— It's done.
The process was incredibly fast, taking no more than three minutes. And as an immediate consequence...
— My bed! Nooooo...
Rick lamented loudly, staring at the damage.
Luckily, only the metal base had been damaged — but even so, it was almost like an altar to him. A sacred place!
You demon!
He seriously thought about punching Rinn's arrogant face, but he restrained himself. He breathed deeply, swallowing his anger.
— I need to go. I don't want to be late... like some people.
— Then go. You don't need permission to leave.
— You...! — Rick said, irritated, before turning his back and heading for the door. Once outside, without looking back, he shouted: — Good luck!
Rinn merely nodded slightly, a light smile on his lips, wishing him the same good luck, before watching him close the door and walk down the hallway.
He lay on the bed, his eyes fixed on the white, almost morbid ceiling. He remained like that for a few minutes, motionless, feeling time slowly slip through his thoughts.
The silence of being alone in that room was strange, when he had just been talking to Rick.
Then he waited, — until the time finally came.
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