There was a sale in the market, which made me rather curious.
I had abandoned my practice for a single day. It was something that Bren told me to do so that I could find some peace.
The cobblestone road was smooth. Carriages were congesting the small narrow alleys. The main roads have four lanes where two lanes were for going in the city, while the rest head straight to the main gate.
Uniformed students roaming the city were not unfamiliar. The Academy was a place where both the poor and the rich mingle. Certain cliques do not adhere to this rule beyond the Campus.
The city amazes me as I stroll through its splendid streets. It was another day, a different day, yet it was beautiful still. Some young men and women use this time to earn their titles by proving themselves in the Academy.
It was right of them to spend time on recreation. The students were still young after all, and they do not understand the burden of the responsibility.
Who am I talk about that? When I spent time doing whatever I pleased before I got this second chance? I stood in that alley, wondering that despite being so young. I was free from my previous desires.
I examined my mind again.
The thoughts that made me want to go seek out my previous hobbies. I didn't change thoroughly, but I do understand that I should be better.
I wandered the alleyways with my lonesome self until I reached a towering stone building with blue pillars. The wealthy building was not hiding its luxuries.
The air inside of the building was stuffy and filled with noise. There was the fragrance, tobacco, and sweat.
The hallways covered in soft carpets. People wander the establishment with uniforms and commoner clothing.
The main hall of the building was enormous. On the table, I saw dishes full of exquisite food, including meat, fruit, and sweets.
In the center of the hall was a circle of shouting people. Inside this sandpit was two half-naked men bruising their faces with their bloodied knuckles.
I didn't want to get close to the sandpit. I chose a silent place where I ate fish and bacon then taking a sip of water after my plate was empty. I left coins on the table and wandered back to the street, where I saw young men racing with their horses.
I didn't want to get involved, and the streets were packed. I put strength into my legs and threw myself to the roofs of the buildings where I walk without minding pedestrians.
When I got closer to the Academy, I landed on the back of an alley and returned to the sidewalk. My legs took me back to the gate of the Academy, where I saw the familiar front face of the Academy.
I saw stares from the uniformed women, but I did not mind them. I may have been narcissistic when saying this, but my blood and my current physical shape were at the top.
Even if I did look somewhat horrendous, my physical fitness was beyond what the students have. So I doubt they are looking at me as if I was an abomination to their eyes.
I know what it looks like when someone looks at you with disgust. I stopped and thought that if it was me before. I might have reconsidered and tried to drag some of the damsels to score.
If impossible, I would have my servants persuading them to come along.
I need to stop with my self-mockery. I can only try to do better than this. That's what keeps me from turning back into that piece of shit that I was.
Not to mention that fate had a different goal for me by making that dragon exist. I've heard of sermons about one should not allow oneself to be full of hatred.
My Family had been slayers of abominations ever since the Emperor ennobled us. The Ortiz Family had been the sword and the shield of the Empire when dealing with the unnatural.
I would have followed the path if it wasn't for my weakness. If I hadn't let the despair consume me, I would have continued what my father and my father's father had done so for centuries.
Maybe this second chance was to fix the mistake of letting this noble blood die, or was this way of the world telling us that the Ortiz Family must live on and continue the century-long trade of killing monsters?
I stopped myself for a moment. Combat with the dragon meant that my life might come to an end, but at the same time. I want to see this through and get rid of the world of a red dragon.
My constant sword practices and my relearning of the wraith skills were to subdue this dangerous beast.
I know that it was a reckless choice.
But my heart told me that I couldn't just allow myself to let this go. I have this power, body, and this chance to make things right.
I have a new name, but it felt like I didn't earn it. Hadeon Ortiz has nothing to show for, and even with all of this power, I couldn't even destroy this young red dragon.
I rather not live as Hadeon Ortiz or as Kiran Irvin.
This trial is what I have imposed on myself.
In the end, I was selfish.
I want to prove to myself that I deserve this second chance in life.
I want to feel like I deserve this blessing by defeating a red dragon.
That through this victory against that dragon.
I can finally allow myself to live on without being ashamed of being given this second chance.
I want the right to earn this.
That through the baptism and the slaying of the red dragon, I can proudly proclaim and continue living as Kiran Irvin or Hadeon Ortiz. For the first time in my life, I wanted nothing more than to do this without caring for whatever might come next.