Chapter Two: The Mysterious Girl
The nights of the capital were harsh on those without shelter, but Go had always known how to adapt. He'd found a spot for himself on the roof of a tall building, a place eyes couldn't reach and feet didn't dare to tread. There, in the shadows, he caught his breath and watched the pale moon drift between the clouds.
Since childhood, he was accustomed to a life of pursuit and theft, and after joining the gangs, he learned the arts of assassination and deception. So, it didn't take him long to find his rhythm in the capital again. Using his agility and speed, he managed to steal enough coins to cover his food and water.
Several days passed, and the money began to pile up in his hands. Finally, the day came when he carried his small pouch and entered one of the large inns famous for renting rooms to strangers. He didn't haggle; he paid the money and received the key to a small room overlooking a back alley.
Go sat on the rough bed, breathed a sigh of relief, and said to himself: "Finally... I've found the perfect place to gather information."
Down below, from the crowded main hall of the inn, a snippet of conversation between two men reached his ears: —"Did you hear the news?" —"What news?" —"A group of mercenaries were found dead...the guards are still looking for the culprit." —"Damn...it seems these days won't be good."
Go froze for a moment. The image of that mysterious young man and his cold sword flashed before his eyes. He muttered under his breath: "Even if I found him now... with my current strength, I'd be killed for sure. I have to leave the capital... and enroll at the Kyris Academy."
Kyris Academy. The name alone was enough to fill his heart with ambition and awe. It was an unparalleled institution where students learned the arts of the sword and sorcery, emerging as heroes whose names would shape the history of the empire.
He clenched his fist and said: "If I work hard for one month, I'll save enough money to enter. But... will they accept me? I heard their fees are exorbitant, and they only open their doors to nobles."
These thoughts cut through his mind like knives, but he refused to surrender.
The next morning, he was walking through one of the capital's streets, determined to start a new day. That's when he spotted a girl walking alone. Her clothes were luxurious, embroidered with golden threads, and every aspect of her screamed that she belonged to a noble family. The strange thing was that she had no guards with her.
A sly smile touched Go's lips as he muttered: "This is my chance..."
He approached her quietly, and as he passed by, he deftly reached out and pulled her money pouch without her noticing. He quickly moved away and opened it behind a stationary cart, but his eyes widened in surprise: "Empty?! How is this possible? She's clearly a noble..."
He scowled in frustration, then patted his pocket to check his own wallet. His heart sank when he couldn't feel it. "Damn... did I drop it? No... it had everything I owned!"
He hesitated for a moment, then decided to return the girl's pouch before she noticed it was missing. With practiced lightness, he slipped it back into place without her sensing a thing and continued on his way, gritting his teeth: "Curse it... I have to start over."
But when he put his hand back in his pocket, he felt something familiar. He pulled out his wallet... it was there! He froze on the spot for a second. "Impossible... was I mistaken?"
He opened it quickly. He found his money almost intact, missing only a few copper coins. But what caught his attention more was... a strange piece of paper he'd never seen before. It was carefully folded, bearing a mysterious seal that didn't belong to any noble house he knew.
He lifted his head slowly, his eyes widening in astonishment: "Could it be... that girl?"
He clutched the paper in his hand, a feeling of unease creeping into his chest. She wasn't just an ordinary noble. It seemed she was far more dangerous than she pretended to be.