The dusk had fully settled and night has come. The three moons of yellow, blue, and green danced with each other in the sky above. Countless stars that rained their light below twinkled ever so often.

After talking to Rito and the girl whose name I had forgotten, I departed the school. The supposedly dim road was filled with humans and elves and dwarves and beastkin, all either going home or heading somewhere else.

I was in the latter. I ceased my stride and looked at the ragged and old wooden building that had light only in the inside. The exterior was dark and scary.

I opened the creaking door nonchalantly and saw the yellowish room crammed with people who were several older than me. Drunked with beer as they feasted the greasy food in front of them. Just one glance and you could tell that this was a cheap eatery made for citizens living poorly... Just like me.

Hubbub resolved in my ears as it brings out a familiar sense, one that I had been used to. Ever since I had arrived in this city, I never failed to visit this place after class. think it's been two years already.

That was the reason why I was recognized by the drunken geezer, waving foolishly with their flustered cheeks.

“Oi Elric! Yer kinda late kid!”

“Yeah, it's really a long day old man.”

“Geez, lad, yer going to eat that plain bowl of rice again?”

“It's not like I can have another choice, it tasted good though?”

“Come on! Drink with us!”

“I still have to wake up early tomorrow, I don't want any hangover to deter me.”

An assorted voice called out to me, and I threw out my usual response. Not everyone here was jolly and festive like those who greeted me. I could spot some folks who were drowning their sorrow away with a shot of alcohol.

I placed my finger at the old wooden table before sitting down on the stool near it. Raising my hand, I called for the waiter to order my food. “The usual,” I said, and the man understood it as he twirled around with a practiced motion and joined the kitchen.

Unlike other tavern or pub, this place has a male for a servant. It was because rowdy costumers tend to flirt with the females, sometimes forcing themselves to the poor workers.

Immersing myself to the bluster of the eatery, I organized my thoughts and started planning out what should I do tomorrow.

Tap tap tap. I was the only one who heard my tapping finger against the table. Will Rito come to my club tomorrow? Erk... I hope so.

If not, then I am doomed. I could not pull another antic like the one earlier two times in a row. My heart could not handle it!

Air escaped my lips, together with the arrival of the waiter. He carried the food in a tray, making his way to my table. “Here.” He said, parking the bowl of hot rice before taking my payment with a bow.

I pursued the raising smoke until it evaporated into thin air. Yanking out the soy sauce and oil from the condiments, I poured the two liquid sparingly to the piping food. Then I mixed the rice carefully with the given spoon before stuffing it into my mouth.

I only eat in the morning and night, at midday, I drink tea to somehow fill my stomach, all that to save money.

After all, the tuition fee was not the only thing I had to worry about, I need to consider my sister's living expenses too. I wanted her to wear a beautifully crafted dress, sprinkle herself with the good smelling perfume.

Right right. As long as my sister is in good condition, it's fine living like this. I comforted myself with another hot rice.

The food was finished before I knew it. I took the glass of water and washed my tongue from the weird but tasty mixture of what I had just eaten.

Giving a huge sigh, I smiled in satisfaction. It really feels good to eat many!

I left my chair, sauntered past the door, and inhaled the night air outside.

I need to do my best tomorrow, too! A wind came running from the north and struck me with the unexpected coldness it got.

Whoa! I almost jumped from the aftershock. Just what was that? I hugged my body before strolling into the night.

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The smell of sewer roused up from the canal beneath the stone pavement of the city.

Gloom completely enveloped the place. A small glint of fire was the only source of light here.

Towering buildings encircled the place, tattered houses stood in the middle. A slum. The place where I was living.

No one was outside except for the few thugs that did not dare to close near me. They averted their gazes whenever they felt that our eyes were about to meet.

You see, when I first arrived here, I still do not know many things right? And I was hot-blooded at that time too. So even if I did not really want to, I pissed off a whole gang of thugs, and I kinda almost killed them... It was just an accident alright? No one ever wanted to happen those incidents again.

So I would not blame them for not approaching me.

A small wooden house, it was not that much different from the others that were built before it. But it was my house.

I entered it. The tiredness of all-day work finally seeped into my body, making my eyes heavy. But I couldn't afford to sleep yet.

I neatly placed the sword into the wall, hung my overcoat cautiously, making sure that it would not wrinkle.

I took off my uniform completely and fit into something easier to move. A white shirt and plain shorts.

Bringing out water from the bucket, I washed my clothes using the little solution I had left for this month.

I only had one uniform that I could use for an entire year, and I couldn't afford to buy another one. School activities required a lot of movement since it was an academy for a swordsman, so sweat and dirt would inevitably cling to my clothes.

I have to wash this every day so I won't reek. I thought as I moved my hand deftly.

Splish Splash. The muffled sound of the bubbles and the sloshing water through the night was calming to listen to.

After the washing, I squeezed the fabric tightly, water came dripping back to the bucket. Then I gave it a good lash before hanging it on the wire that was attached at the back of my house.

Yawning as I covered my mouth, I went back inside with zigzag steps, already reaching my limit, but I still fought the impending dizziness as I took my bag and hauled a piece of paper, a quill, and ink, then slumped myself to the chair.

Our assignment was to make an essay about the pros and cons of using a shield, and after that, I need to make a report about the importance of sword hilt and how it could save lives.

With the spark of flint, the already short candle was lit once again, the same way it did when it was still brand new four days ago.

It wavered and flickered from time to time, but it provided me a light that I desperately needed at this moment.

Soon, the blank paper was ridden by scribbles, inscribed by my nonstop working hand. The sheaf was lifted up and I looked at it carefully, I put it back to my bag and pulled another empty paper, writing yet again.

By the time it ended, the candle was already in its utmost limit, sending its goodbye with a small burst of ember before finally dying out completely.

Now I need a new candle... I thought to myself, rubbing the edge of my eyes. I straightened my body with a great stretch, bones started popping in response.

I dragged myself to the hay bed and rested my head at the thin pillow. There were still many things that had to be done, needed to be done. But for now... I could finally sleep.

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I was awakened, not by the typical morning cries of the chicken, but the sound of my noisy neighbors shouting at each other, cursing and insulting with all they got.

My alarm never fails. I thought while slowly lifting my upper body, uncovering myself from the blanket that protected me from the coldness of the slum.

“You f*cking asshole! You're the one that kept throwing trash in my front!”

“Shut the f*ck up whore! Your sh*t stank even from here!”

“I just let you know! No one in this place likes your attitude! No wonder why your wife left you!”

“You f*cking bitch!”

“Bastard!”

I couldn't stop myself from eavesdropping even though I didn't know who was fighting this time.

My bathroom was quite small, it could only fit one person, but that was fine.

Undressing, washing, drying myself, then dress to my newly cleaned uniform. This was the everyday routine that I followed daily, without fail.

From the aged cabinet, I took a piece of hard bread that I only eat for breakfast since I do not have that much time to waste in the morning.

I stuffed the bread in my mouth, I grabbed the rapier and fastened it to my hip before opening and exiting the door.

The violet rays of dawn marked the beginning of my day. The academy started its classes early, it was to ensure the discipline amongst the students.

I launched myself into the streets of the slum and jogged as I bite into the hard bread.

No time to waste! This day would be the day to know if my labor yesterday would bare fruit.

The run-down houses that passed beside me were slowly being replaced by the colorful buildings. Shops like weapons and armor stores were still closed, but the taverns and inns were already begun their labor.

Eventually, I saw a majestic single edifice that dominated everything and anything around it.

The white paint deflected the sunshine and it produced a crystal-like form. A wide metal gate was opened and there, students like me gathered.

This was the normal morning bustle that I grew accustomed with. Unlike me, no one was running furiously, most of them arrived via carriage, some rented the expensive rooms that was located near the school.

Weirdly enough, I didn't break a sweat even with all the running stuff. The bread was long gone, but now my throat was begging for water.

I guess I'll drink first before going to the classroom. I weaved my way to the sea of students and was assaulted by the numerous kind of scent carried by the female pupils.

It's making me dizzy, seriously... But I guess it was normal for the ladies to at least wear perfume, especially when the school banned accessories which the young students wore to express themselves.

And so, my day started on a peaceful note.