"So... you are the only one left?" the man in red robes spoke.
His crimson red robes were a stark contrast to the sterile white walls of the waiting room. A single bulb hummed overhead, throwing a tired yellow light across the tiled floor that seemed too clean to be normal.
"Y-yes sir," the boy replied, nervously tugging at his uniform, "I am the last one."
The robed man looked up in thought. "Very well then... you are now my apprentice. May I know your name?"
"C-curt, my name is Curt sir," Curt answered and bowed. "Thank you for accepting me as your apprentice."
The man studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Curt stiffened up, unsure if he had said something wrong. Then the man's lips curled into a faint smile. Curt let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Very well then Curt, your duties as my apprentice begin now," the man said as he offered a handshake.
"Y-yes sir!" Curt said, relief cutting through his fear as he shook the man's hand. "I will do my best to learn from you!"
The man chuckled in amusement. "No need to call me Sir, just call me Red."
"Come, follow me to my laboratory."
Red left the waiting room, his crimson robes swaying. Curt followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing out of sync.
The hallway stretched endlessly, lit up by sconces lining the walls. Each side had golden doors that looked too symmetrical and repetitive.
Curt had lost track of time. It felt like hours had passed, yet Red's laboratory was not in sight. He wasn't sure if they were actually moving or if the hallway was stretching ahead of them.
"Uhm... Mr. Red, how much further is it to your laboratory?" Curt asked. "We have been walking for more than 5 minutes."
Red chuckled. "I would say that we are halfway there."
"HALFWAY?!" Curt exclaimed, "Why is it so far!?"
Curt's voice echoed down the corridor, and for a moment, only their footsteps answered. Then Red's bitter chuckle broke the silence.
"That's because I have always been last in life," Red said, his tone dry. "They gave me the room no one wanted."
He let out a bitter laugh. "You should get used to it, that way you won't be surprised at everything that happens in my life."
"Must have been a very rough life Mr. Red. Compared to you, I had it easy."
"It was indeed a rough life, but don't undermine your experiences either kid, it's what shaped you as you are now."
They both slowed down and became silent.
"All this walking is making me tired," Curt suddenly said in an effort to lighten up the mood. "How I wish I could just teleport to where I wanted instantly."
Red smirked. "We can make that a reality if you want."
"Really? How will we do that?"
"I'll show you when we reach my lab." Red said, a smile tugging at his lips.