After stepping out of the mansion, a city full of life entered his vision.
If it was his first time, he would stop right there to look at the beauty of the city but now he did not even flinch when the carriage passed before him with night imposible speed pushing wind into his clothes.
Not even a crowd of people around the fountain could stop him from making his way to the sidewalk and then into the main street hidden behind the towering buildings.
When his leg touched the stone monolith gentle wind made his veil flutter. It also tried to take the hats of other ladies while it slowly lifted their long dresses but after the gentle wind passed, they began to laugh in amusement and some young girls he observed before from his window winked at him.
Hildebrant smiled at them and then looked up at the giant clocktower that had an hour hand on number six and a minute hand on number ten and then on a flying zeppelin with big text floating under the picture of the golden crown of man.
A new creation of man, embrace the future.
Hildebrant watched it until the shadow of another building, even bigger than a golden clock tower, fell on his body making him turn his gaze to a giant temple-looking building that overshadowed most of the houses in everlast.
Built from the white monolith and gold the school of Golden Empire made his mind go blank until the voice of a boy resonated from the side of the street.
"New dyeing workshops in the West! The black devil is again on the hunt! News just for one silvy!"
A small boy maybe 8 years old shouted and Hildebrant could not help but turn around and after a second of contemplation handed one silver coin he took from his pocket to the boy.
Taking the coin from his hand boy immediately bit it and after determining it was genuine silver he handed the newspapers to him.
"Good choice sir, today news is especially spicy. You will not regret your purchase."
The boy winked and then began to shout again.
"News just for one Silvy! I promise you will not regret it as this gentleman here did not!"
Boy, shout slowly disappeared into the distance as Hildebrant made his way to the giant behemoth of architecture before him. Watching it made him gaze at its intricate surface and ponder how it was built until he finally reached the sidewalk that led right into the school.
When he stepped before the giant gate that let inside many more children followed with eager expressions, some children even gave him a look before they went through into the main hall decorated with golden luster and intense wealth.
From there all children and young people began to branch to their respective classes.
Hildebrant did the same and walked through the corridor to his classroom.
When the door opened seventeen people already sat in their chairs overlooking his hidden figure with various expressions. Some showed fear, some anger, some surprise, and some confusion.
Only one person looked at him indifferently and then waved to greet him but even his friend stopped when the old man sitting behind the desk closed his book.
Observing him teacher Simon nodded and when he finally turned his head to the class, Hildebrant went to sit down in his place.
"As you all know today is the last day we will meet. After a week of free time given to you to prepare all of you will be tested and if you pass you will get your diploma. The better ones will have their wishes granted and be accepted as members of society, some of you might already have your own family business but don't slack off because of that. A diploma still can help you start your own business in the future and the best ones from this school will get an invitation to the Golden City where they can show their abilities to the Golden Emperor himself and gain his blessings."
Teacher Simon said and after finishing his speech he turned around and pulled a towering red cloth down uncowering giant painting hiding behind it, surrounded by a golden frame.
Hildebrant immediately recognized the painting as a work of Gabriel Ink and watching the shifting and moving figures of soldiers killing each other as if they were alive made not just him but all students gaze at it as if they were possessed.
"Bringing it here was not easy, but I did not bring it here to brag but to remind you that all of you had limitless potential. Each one of you. It was the same for Gabriel who was born as an orphan and because of the war that plagued the land at that time, he was drafted to frontlines."
Teacher Simon patted the painting with a hint of reminiscence.
"He fought and killed but, in the end, it was not his achievement in a war that made him famous but the painting he created after the war ended."
Letting off painting Teacher Simon touched his beard.
"So do well and make me proud."
He then waved his hand.
"Dismissed. Only Hildebrant will stay others can leave."
All students bowed and began to leave but none of them forgot to glance at him before passing through doors. The only student who remained with him was his friend Adel, he calmly glanced at Hildebrant and after nodding his head he also stood up and left the classroom.
"You have a good friend Hill he is chivalrous as much as he can be."
Teacher Simon sighed and Hildebrant could not help but chuckle.
"Yes, he is a very good friend."
He answered and teacher Simon already walked to him and touched his shoulders. While he did painting on the wall changed from a battlefield of millions into a cruel battle between a beast that looked like a dragon and a golden demon with six horns.
"Are you all right, I heard what happened to you. I am very sorry I could not stop it."
The Hildebrant smile froze but did not let it show on the rest of his body and slowly moved teacher Simon's hands down from his shoulders. He was cautious to not hurt his mentor but even though he controlled himself his grip was still stronger than usual.
"I am thankful to you for your care teacher Simon, but I don't think I need an apology. In the end, it was me who almost strangled him to death and I feel sorry for it."
He said calmly with a forced smile.
"You are right but still, he should not try to take off your clothes with you…."
"Condition?"
Hildebrant finished and teacher Simon nodded his head.
"Yes, you…condition."
Hildebrant thought how sweet it was when people tried not to hurt him, but he still could not hold sight from escaping his lips.
"Yes, he should not but still I should not try to strangle a living person."
Or grab his neck just to stab a pen into his eye.
"I understand, but if you ever need help next time just tell me."
Teacher Simon said but Hildebrant could not see any remorse for his other student, just the pained face of an elderly man trying to help his grandson.
"Thank you for your proposal teacher, but it is better if I go now I still need to talk to Adel and then go to his house to get some paint for my project."
"Do you need money?"
Teacher Simon asked worriedly and Hildebrant shook his head.
"Just some new paint, I can get it anywhere even from my niece."
Simon's face showed a reluctant expression but, in the end, he nodded and after bowing to him and turning around the teacher Simon did not forget to shout at his back.
"Be careful!"
With a smile, hildebrant exited the classroom with the gaze of his teacher piercing through his back.