— Elisabeth! Elisabeth! Hey!!! shouted one of her classmates, trying to wake the young girl who seemed to be having a nightmare while standing. Are you okay?
— Huh? Yes, I'm fine.
— No, clearly not, said the boy with the sword. If you have information that we don't know, then tell everyone! he shouted.
The crowd seemed divided between those still trembling from a bad memory that had resurfaced and those who were completely unaware.
— I see… Not all of you have seen it, said the viscount.
— Explain yourself! What is he talking about? shouted the boy with the sword before grabbing the class representative by the collar, but the boy in armor caught his hand.
— We didn't mean to hide it, but we just didn't have the chance to tell you, that's all.
— Stop! Don't fight. You've already lost enough, said the warrior, calming the overheated spirits. Anyway, by living in this world, you'll have the chance to learn more about what happened to you. As for these strange weapons and abilities that have appeared in some of you, know that they are powers linked to certain systems. In this world, there are systems that can grant you unimaginable abilities.
This information didn't really surprise the young students, who now focused on what came next.
— To learn more about these gifts, all you have to do is go to the guild. There, not only will you find information, but you can also receive training.
— Therefore, you are completely free to go wherever you want, without worry, added the viscount. But, if I've traveled all this way, you can guess it's not for nothing.
At these words, the viscount stood up from his chair and addressed the adolescents.
— The Kingdom of Rouge offers a job to anyone among you who has developed magical abilities or obtained weapons. You will be housed, fed, and paid properly. Think it over carefully.
The viscount's offer surprised both the young people and the soldiers. Their leaders, having no power, were forced to remain silent.
— There's a city not far from here for those who are unqualified or wish to refuse, but for those who come with us, I am fully reserving my castle for you.
The man's words further unsettled the group, who no longer knew what to think. Their eyes met, waiting to see who would act. The class representative, still in shock, stood up anyway to try to speak with the viscount, but his dark and ruthless gaze immediately put her back in her place.
It was at that moment that the boy with the sword left the group, heading in some direction.
— Wait, where are you going? shouted one of his classmates.
— Didn't you hear? If we want information, we'll have to find it ourselves. All this guy wants are soldiers, nothing more. That doesn't appeal to me. And if I stay here with you any longer, I'll either kill myself or slaughter all of you, so I'm leaving.
He continued on his way, listening to no one. But four other boys followed him, explaining that they had always been members of his gang and preferred to stay with their leader rather than with the others. Thus, five students left the group and went their separate ways. The soldiers gave them information about the nearby towns under orders from their leaders.
After their departure, the remaining students grew increasingly uneasy about how events were unfolding. Soon, desire and fear began to divide their hopes.
— Don't be stupid. Our best chance is to go with this man. The useless ones will only slow us down, said one of the students to another who was wearing armor.
— You're the idiots. You really want to split up after everything we've been through together? replied the boy in red armor.
— We survived together, and now all we do is survive. If we look at the situation honestly, it's your fault and Liam's that they've managed to survive this far. Otherwise, they would all be doomed like the rest. Come with us. Your duty is done. If you stay with them, you'll just suffer even longer.
— He's right. I also want this to end, said a girl.
— I don't want to abandon anyone, but… I don't want to have done all this only to suffer even more. Even if that means turning my back on you.
One by one, all those who had obtained special abilities or items lined up behind the bespectacled boy who was standing up to the armored boy.
— Stop messing with us! Stop messing with us!!! screamed the class representative, surprising everyone. We all struggled together, we all saw horrible things, we all felt the same fear. So don't make us believe that you have more merit than us. We got out… and so, it's every person for themselves? Selfish cowards!!! she added, shouting.
— You're the selfish one. You want us to stay with you just because without us, you'd already be dead. All you know how to do is give order after order to others, but that ends now. We are not your slaves, and our happiness does not come after yours.
— We are comrades!!! she shouted.
— Not at all. Until the incident, you never spoke to us. We just grouped together to escape and survive, and now it's over. Handle it on your own.
— Cowards! You're abandoning us in a place we don't know and without remorse? she said, tears in her eyes.
Her reaction hurt those who had decided to leave, but despite that, they firmly stood by their decision.
— Sow, you were the one who saved the most of us along with Liam, so please, come with us, said the boy, holding out his hand to the boy in armor.
He remained thoughtful before turning his head to see the faces of his friends watching him, trembling with fear. Only six had not received a gift, and yet that gave Sow six more reasons to refuse his comrade's request.
— Not me. I prefer to stay, he affirmed.
— Well said! added another boy who had just woken up with his left arm missing.
— Will? You've woken up? asked the bespectacled boy, lowering his voice.
Voici la traduction en anglais de ton texte corrigé :
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All six of the abandoned students looked more relieved as they went to help the boy stand up.
— We won't hold anyone back. It's always been this way, even when we survived in that hell. But if you stay, we can continue to lean on each other and move forward. If you leave… well, that's entirely your choice.
— Liam?! the delegate exclaimed.
— We can't blame them. We've all seen hell, so they all deserve to finally be at peace. Just like us. Come on, make your choice.
At William's words, everyone exchanged glances, and finally, the decision was quickly made. Those who had received "gifts" all chose to follow the viscount, except for William and Sow. After that, the viscount broke camp and left, leaving the other students behind.
— They really left, Sow said, looking left and right.
The first direction was the one the boy with the sword had chosen, and the other was the viscount's path.
— There's no point in dwelling on it, my friend, William said, coming closer to Sow. Thanks for staying.
— Hmm… don't thank me. I have my reasons, that's all.
— If you say so.
In the plain, only eight students remained: four boys and four girls. William and Sow stood, scanning the horizon. The other two boys sat on the grass; the short, chubby one had tears in his eyes, while his friend seemed lost in thought, showing no sign of concern.
This surprised one of the girls standing behind him, wearing dark, somber makeup. She leaned over to look him straight in the eyes.
— No sign of worry… you surprise me, she said in a heavy voice. You have the same look as a dead fish. I'm jealous. I didn't know a conformist could have such beautiful eyes.
— And you'd better stay away from people when you haven't brushed your mouth in days, the boy replied.
— Ah… I'll take note, the girl said as she straightened up. But seriously, how do you stay calm in a situation like this?
— And you?
— I don't know. It doesn't excite me, that's all.
— Typical goth answer.
— So?
— Well… I tell myself there's no point in panicking and I just think it through, that's all.
— Hmm… you're weird too.
Having heard their conversation, the fourth boy, who was already crying, confided in them.
— You're all weird. Should I remind you that everyone is dead? They're all dead. I still can't get their screams out of my head. And my parents? Dad? Mom? Will I ever see them again? Damn… why did this have to happen on the one day I decided to come to class?
The other two looked at him, unable to respond, as no one else could understand what he was feeling better than they could at that moment.
At the same time, the delegate remained seated in her corner, staring into the void left by the others. The other two girls consoled each other, one of them crying heavily. Although the sun shone beautifully and the plain had never looked more magnificent than that day, no one felt like admiring it.
— If you don't know what to do, come with me, said a deep voice behind them.
When the young people turned around, they saw the head of the soldiers behind them. She had removed her helmet, revealing a beautiful face framed by long silver hair cascading down her back.
— Come where? asked the delegate.
— To the nearest town. I'm supposed to join my unit and leave for the capital, but I can at least help you a little, and it's on my way.
All six of the abandoned students looked more relieved as they went to help the boy stand up.
— We won't hold anyone back. It's always been this way, even when we survived in that hell. But if you stay, we can continue to lean on each other and move forward. If you leave… well, that's entirely your choice.
— Liam?! the delegate exclaimed.
— We can't blame them. We've all seen hell, so they all deserve to finally be at peace. Just like us. Come on, make your choice.
At William's words, everyone exchanged glances, and finally, the decision was quickly made. Those who had received "gifts" all chose to follow the viscount, except for William and Sow. After that, the viscount broke camp and left, leaving the other students behind.
— They really left, Sow said, looking left and right.
The first direction was the one the boy with the sword had chosen, and the other was the viscount's path.
— There's no point in dwelling on it, my friend, William said, coming closer to Sow. Thanks for staying.
— Hmm… don't thank me. I have my reasons, that's all.
— If you say so.
In the plain, only eight students remained: four boys and four girls. William and Sow stood, scanning the horizon. The other two boys sat on the grass; the short, chubby one had tears in his eyes, while his friend seemed lost in thought, showing no sign of concern.
This surprised one of the girls standing behind him, wearing dark, somber makeup. She leaned over to look him straight in the eyes.
— No sign of worry… you surprise me, she said in a heavy voice. You have the same look as a dead fish. I'm jealous. I didn't know a conformist could have such beautiful eyes.
— And you'd better stay away from people when you haven't brushed your mouth in days, the boy replied.
— Ah… I'll take note, the girl said as she straightened up. But seriously, how do you stay calm in a situation like this?
— And you?
— I don't know. It doesn't excite me, that's all.
— Typical goth answer.
— So?
— Well… I tell myself there's no point in panicking and I just think it through, that's all.
— Hmm… you're weird too.
Having heard their conversation, the fourth boy, who was already crying, confided in them.
— You're all weird. Should I remind you that everyone is dead? They're all dead. I still can't get their screams out of my head. And my parents? Dad? Mom? Will I ever see them again? Damn… why did this have to happen on the one day I decided to come to class?
The other two looked at him, unable to respond, as no one else could understand what he was feeling better than they could at that moment.
At the same time, the delegate remained seated in her corner, staring into the void left by the others. The other two girls consoled each other, one of them crying heavily. Although the sun shone beautifully and the plain had never looked more magnificent than that day, no one felt like admiring it.
— If you don't know what to do, come with me, said a deep voice behind them.
When the young people turned around, they saw the head of the soldiers behind them. She had removed her helmet, revealing a beautiful face framed by long silver hair cascading down her back.
— Come where? asked the delegate.
— To the nearest town. I'm supposed to join my unit and leave for the capital, but I can at least help you a little.
The young people exchanged wary glances.
— Don't waste my time. I don't have any. You can either stay here and wait for nightfall with those monsters, or come with me to a civilized town. The choice is yours.
Faced with the woman's ultimatum, the teenagers accepted and decided to follow her. And so, they set off.
Several hours later, at sunset, they saw the gates of a town before them.
— You wouldn't happen to have a way to get back home, would you? Liam asked the warrior.
— No, nothing. This is only the second time I've been on this kind of mission, and I know no more than you do. I can only tell you that you must do everything to become strong. I don't know what kind of world you live in, but here, strength is everything. That means it's all that matters, so learn to become strong.
With that, they reached the city gates. The warrior had a private conversation with the two guards, who handed her a letter before letting her pass. She then led her guests through the bustling streets of the city.
Everyone was surprised by the inhabitants, and the locals also stared at them, intrigued by their strange clothing, very different from their own. The teenagers wondered if they had somehow returned to the Middle Ages, even though life in this city seemed more prosperous.
— After being treated like meatballs for monsters, now we're some kind of attraction, commented the gothic girl.
— Their stares scare me, added the busty blonde, holding the extremely shy girl in her arms.
They continued through the city until they reached an inn made of wood, even though most of the houses were built from bricks. Anxiety and fear kept the young people from fully appreciating the architecture's beauty, so they quickly went inside.
— I'll pay three weeks in advance for two rooms and a lounge, said the young warrior.
— Okay! replied the elderly woman behind the counter.
The woman placed some unknown metal coins, finely crafted and engraved with strange patterns, on the table. The old lady took them and handed her two keys in return. She then turned to the group and gave one key to Liam and the other to the delegate.
— You'll live here from now on. Make the most of it. I've paid for your dinner and water tonight, but after that, it's your responsibility.
She then tossed a small bag of coins to the boy in armor.
— Unfortunately, this is all I have on me. Use it wisely.
— Are you leaving too? one of the girls asked.
— Sadly, I received a message from the supreme commander of the armies. A war is about to begin, so I can't stay here any longer. I'm leaving tonight, so take good care of yourselves.
After saying this, she set off, passing by the young people who remained still, watching her leave with a look of despair.
— Wait! said the boy in armor. You showed me your face, so I'll show you mine.
He placed his hands on his armor and removed it, revealing a young, cute face with dark skin, curly hair, and a small mark under one eye.
— Hmm… you're cute, commented the beautiful warrior. If you get used to it but don't have a job, come see me at the army. But for now, just focus on getting stronger. Bye.
— Yes, bye! replied Sow.
The woman walked away, leaving them alone in the inn. They stayed there, unsure of what to do or say, staring at the door as it slowly closed behind her, sending chills down their spines.
Click!