"Homicide of a medical staff which was an elf, huh?" A policeman with a mustache asked his colleague.
"Yes. It is indeed him," his friend, another policeman, replied.
"Truthfully, I don't blame him. Those elves who raided Jaka were brutal. Murdering civilians who were just partying." The policeman said.
"I do think the same, but nonetheless, the elf he murdered was already acknowledged to be a researcher by the hospital, so it was a bit crazy even to do that."
"Yeah, you're right."
A man then approached the policemen and said, "Excuse me, I am here to see Mr. Thalamik, Prisoner 19FTH190."
The policeman was surprised because he was indeed talking about prisoner 19FTH190. He looked at the schedule book and saw an appointment that had been made.
"Ah, you are the person I had contacted before. Umm, are you sure you wanted to talk to this person without him wearing a strait jacket? You know he…" the policeman with a mustache said before being interrupted by the person in front of him.
"It's fine, officer. I knew him well. Please take me to him now."
"Understood."
***
The cell door's clink echoed through the prison's stark, cold corridor. I could hear the murmurs of the policemen outside, their voices a dull hum against the walls that seemed to close in around me. My thoughts were tangled, a chaotic mess of guilt and anger that refused to be untangled.
I had been a prisoner for months, a consequence of the violence I had committed in a desperate attempt to find solace for my family and friends. The weight of my actions pressed heavily on my shoulders, and the memories of that fateful night haunted my every waking moment.
The footsteps of my visitor grew louder as they approached my cell. The door creaked open, and I looked up to see a familiar face that brought a pang of relief and sadness. Raymed stood there, his eyes weary but determined.
"Excuse me, I am here to see Thalamik, Prisoner 19FTH190," Raymed told the policemen on duty with a firm tone.
The officers exchanged glances before one of them, a burly man with a mustache, nodded. "Understood. Please follow me as we go inside."
Raymed was led to a small, dimly lit room with a single table and two chairs. As he entered, I stood up from my cot, my hands cuffed in front of me. The guards hesitated at the door before stepping back, leaving Raymed and me alone.
"It's been a while, Mik," Raymed said with a faint, sad smile.
I looked at him, my heart heavy. I was glad to see him okay after all this time. Yet the words that came out of my mouth weren't the same.
"Why are you here? Just leave me to die here, Med." I said, looking away.
Raymed slowly sat at the table, pulling out a bottle of Calpis water. "You know, while walking down the street, I saw someone who was selling these," he said, offering the bottle with a nostalgic smile. "Shall we have a drink together?"
Calpis water...
Another memory that I shared with him on that day.
Memories flowed back as I began to feel immense guilt all over again.
I stared at the bottle, the small gesture striking a chord in me. I was about to refuse when Raymed stood up and asked for a cup. At that moment, his presence was a lifeline I hadn't realized I needed.
Before he could walk away, I reached out and grabbed his arm. "Sit down," I said, my voice hoarse.
Raymed sat back down, his expression serious.
"What is it you want, Med?"
"It's all in this paper." Raymed slid a folded document across the table.
I unfolded it, my eyes scanning the words. The government had declared war on the elven kind. My heart sank as I read the lines, the reality of the situation hitting me hard. "The government has declared war on the elven kind, huh?" I muttered disbelief in my voice.
"You know what that means, right? We can finally catch those bastards and bring them to justice!" Raymed's enthusiasm was evident, but it felt hollow to me.
I put down the paper, frustration boiling over. "I've known you for years. Don't try to bullshit me."
Raymed's face hardened. "Mik, I'm being serious. I don't have anyone close to me anymore. You are like a brother to me. That's why I can't bear to see you rot in prison. I'm here to break you out."
I shook my head, the guilt consuming me. "Med, it wasn't Zuatha who killed your family. It was me. I was the one who naively gave my own blood to Zuatha, making it possible for her to track me. It was my fault. Zuatha might have been the killer, but the MVP was me, Med. I killed everyone."
Raymed's silence spoke volumes. His shock was evident. "Don't run away then, asshole."
"What the fuck did you say!?" I stood up, anger flaring.
"DON'T FUCKING RUN AWAY ASSHOLE."
My face flushed with rage. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SAYING ASSHOLE!?"
"If you know you killed those people that night, then why are you seeking the easy way out of this!? Killing one elf and rotting away in prison? What the fuck is that?"
Raymed's words struck a chord, and I struggled to contain my emotions. The shame and anger roiled within me, but his words hit closer to home than I cared to admit.
"If you really felt like you just said, then take responsibility. You must bring Zuatha to justice by your own hands!" Raymed's voice was a mix of desperation and resolve. "I know things have been hard for you, Mik. But… you are not the only one who is sad and depressed. I, too, have been. And you are the only one who shared and understood my pain!" Raymed spat as I stayed silent.
"Besides, you still have your wife's parents. They are still alive and well. You have to rise again to protect what was left. And to bring those evildoers to justice. To bring Zuatha to what she had done as a war criminal!"
I looked at Raymed, his eyes pleading with me to take action. My mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts, guilt, and a desperate need for redemption.
Yet, I shrugged that thought as I clicked a button signaling the end of the visit, and the guards moved in to escort Raymed out.
Raymed's words echoed in my mind long after he had gone. I was torn between the suffocating guilt that threatened to consume me and the glimmer of purpose that Raymed had ignited.
Was locking myself up here.... A self-pity?
I knew I couldn't continue hiding in my self-imposed prison. The only way forward was to face the consequences of my actions and seek justice for those I had failed.
At least, I owe it to them to see this through.
The decision was clear. I had to take responsibility, not just for my own actions but for the lives lost because of my mistakes. And the first step was to accept Raymed's offer—to escape this prison and join the fight against the elves.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but it was a path I had to walk. For myself, for Raymed, and for those I had lost.
I walked to the edge of my cell and asked the guards.
"Sir. I would like to make a phone call."
***
The clang of the prison gates closing behind me felt final yet oddly liberating. I had been released due to a government amnesty, a decision influenced by my past contributions as a test subject for the Mana Poisoning Case.
I was freed because of the very work that led to my family's death. Quite the irony if I may say. Nevertheless, I had paid my dues, and now I was allowed to redeem myself in a new capacity.
I widened my eyes as I saw a familiar face outside the prison. Raymed who came yesterday. And Dr. Vellar, who was my mentor.
"It's been a while, Thalamik." Dr. Vellar said.
I glanced over to Raymed and said, "Why are you here, Doctor?"
"I heard all about what you have gone through. And I wish to express my condolences. You have saved humanity, yet we could not save those closest to you."
I went silent.
"I hope you will reach out to me for help in the near future. I will help you, " he said with a warm smile. And if you want your old position back, I will hand it to you no matter what happens to my reputation, " he said with conviction.
"That's great,, Doc." I smiled. But I am done watching from the sidelines. I am gonna take the fight to them," I said, looking at Raymed.
"We were both thinking of enrolling into L'arc Academy," Raymed said.
"Ah, I see. That is the school for Magic Swordsmen, right? It was recently established as well."
"That's true," Raymed replied.
"Well then, I'll make some calls to ensure your enrollment."
"That would be great!" Raymed said as Dr. Vellar left to make a phone call. Then, my friend looked at me and patted my shoulder while saying, "We've got a lot to do," his voice steady. "But at least you or me won't be alone this time."
"I am sorry, Raymed, for everything that has happened. I owe it to you for making me see the bigger picture and everyone else to make things right," I replied, my voice carrying the weight of my resolve. "Let's get to the academy."
We traveled to the L'arc Academy for Magic Swordsmen, a prestigious institution known for training elite warriors skilled in both magic and combat. The academy was located on the outskirts of the new country's capital, nestled in a sprawling landscape of forests and crystal-clear lakes. Its imposing spires and magical wards shimmered in the twilight, giving it an almost ethereal quality.
Upon arrival, we were met with a bustling scene. The academy's grand hall was filled with new students and their families, eagerly awaiting the enrollment process's beginning. The excitement in the air was palpable, but it was tinged with an edge of apprehension for me. This was a new chapter, and the stakes were higher than ever.
Raymed and I approached the registration desk, where a stern-faced administrator looked up from her paperwork. She glanced at us with a hint of skepticism but nodded as we presented our identification and enrollment documents.
"I see you were the students personally recommended by Dr. Vellar. I welcome to L'arc Academy," she said curtly. "Please complete the preliminary assessments and orientation sessions. You must undergo a magical aptitude test and an introductory briefing on the academy's protocols."
My inner thoughts have me thinking. Just how big is Dr. Vellar's status in this country?
We nodded and followed the signs to the assessment center. The room was filled with candidates from various backgrounds, each eagerly awaiting their turn. I could feel the intensity of the magical energy in the room, a reminder of the power and responsibility of being a magic swordsman.
The magical aptitude test involved a mana pool measuring device as well as a mana control measuring device.
As one by one came, until it was Raymed's turn. He is now going to test his mana pool.
"So I just put my hand on this, right?" he asked the attendant.
"That is correct, Sir."
He put his hand on the gadget, which looked like a crystal ball.
BOOM!!!
It exploded and emitted smoke throughout the entire room.
The other students began ogling their eyes on Raymed, who had destroyed the machine. Raymed himself was making an awkward face as if he didn't even know what to do next.
"Is this supposed to happen?"
It was then determined that Raymed has an Inhumanne amount of Mana. The value concentration for his mana production from his body is more than 90%, meaning almost all of his body is occupied by mana. In average humans, however, the mana pool is supposed to be at 50%. Due to his poor mana control, however, it ran havoc on the machine and destroyed it.
Damn. I thought we were here to lay low and not make a scene, but I guess Raymed had already ruined that plan.
After a few minutes, the machine was replaced and I was called. "Thalamik! Please come up to the front."
It was then my turn to measure my mana pool and mana control.
Maybe I shouldn't show too much.
Controlling Mana is quite challenging for beginners but for a veteran Mana Medic like me.
It is no trouble.
.
"What the hell? The numbers are showing a value of 0.01%!! The machine must still be broken!"
Okay, maybe it's still quite hard. Let me pump it up a bit.
.
"Wait. Scratch that it's 88%!!"
Wait, that's too big! Let me just… little bit lower...
"Damn, what is wrong with the fuckin machine. Wait, it's stabilizing. Ah, I see! It's 50!"
That should be good. It's just how average a human is.
After the assessments, we attended an orientation briefing outlining the academy's rules and expectations. We were informed about the curriculum, the code of conduct, and the various opportunities available to us. The academy focused not just on combat and magic but on leadership, strategy, and ethical responsibility.
Raymed and I found a quiet spot on the academy grounds as the day ended. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the sprawling campus.
"I can't believe we're actually students here now," Raymed said, his voice filled with a mix of awe.
"Haha, I was worried you might get expelled because of the explosion," I replied, giggling. "But all jokes aside…This is where we need to be. To help make things right. To find and bring Zuatha to justice."
Raymed nodded, his expression resolute. "For everyone who's counting on us to make a difference. Let's try our best." He extended his hand to me.
I took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of purpose, and grabbed his hand. The road ahead would be difficult, but I was ready to face it. With Raymed by my side and the opportunities offered by L'arc Academy, I felt a glimmer of hope for the future. It was time to embrace this new beginning and fight for the justice and redemption we both sought.
"By the way. To mark our new beginning in this distorted world. I want to change my name. From now on, call me Thal, and I shall call you Ray." I said.
"What is this about? I don't get it." Raymed asked.
"It's just something I wanted to do. I feel like this is more like a mental exercise for me."
Ray sighed as he said, "Fine, Thal, I understand. Is that enough?"
"Haha. Plenty enough, Ray." I said.
"Excuse me…" Suddenly, a woman's voice sounded behind the two of us. Both me and I turned our attention to her.
The woman has red eyes and white lavender hell hair. "I am looking for the receptionist, Miss Lisa. Would you two know where to go from here?"
Ray and I exchanged glances. Then Ray spoke up and told her where to go. She thanked us and left.
"She doesn't look much of a fighter."
"But looks don't matter, don't they? Because it is Mana that determines our strength." I replied.
"That's true, I guess.." Raymed said. "I just don't want people who aren't ready to be hurt."