And after they all left and went to eat, Eugene later headed toward his apartment.
The sun of a new morning rose. A sky-blue line was drawn across the horizon. The wind played with green tree leaves, and the scent of jasmine mixed with incense filled Eugene's apartment.
He placed an incense stick with jasmine—set on a small decorated metal plate—on the table, then went and sat on the couch.
He leaned his head against the wall, then looked around the room.
His eyes moved right and left, and his mind drifted for a few seconds.
I need to buy new furniture.
He stood and headed toward the room, opening the door which made a light creaking sound.
He walked to a table, opened a drawer, and took out a folded brown leather square wallet.
He opened the wallet and looked inside, then took out:
A national ID card, printed with the emblem of the Empire—a flame placed above a royal crown.
Then he took out thirty-five silver coins.
Thirty-five is not bad… Should I wait until the end of the month when the academy gives me this month's allowance, or go now?
Eugene moved his eyes to the clock beside him.
It was nine fifteen, and the class was at three thirty.
Ahhh, I won't wait that long—he glanced at the calendar—and there is still a week left until the end of the month.
He put everything back into the wallet, then went to the wardrobe and took a brown coat leaning toward wheat-gold, with a white shirt with buttons, and pants the same color as the coat.
He put the wallet in the coat pocket, then headed toward the exit door, wearing his clean black shoes.
After he put on his shoes and before he opened the door—
Knock knock knock. The knocking was fast at the beginning, and the last knock was slower and slightly heavy.
His eyes widened for a second before he opened the door.
"Were you standing behind the door?" Freed's voice was slightly hoarse.
"Yes, I was putting on my shoes. Are you fully recovered?"
"Somewhat. My condition has improved. Thanks for asking." Freed smiled gently.
(He is extremely polite despite the environment he was born in.) Eugene whispered in his mind before speaking.
"Is there something?"
Freed was silent for a second, then said,
"No. I went to the restaurant and didn't find Rin or Reem, so I thought they were with you."
Eugene placed his hand on his neck.
"No, they're not with me. Rin said he feels tired and will sleep until class time. As for Reem, she went for a walk with Melissa until late, and I think she's asleep now."
Freed raised his eyebrows for a moment, then spoke in a calm, slow voice,
"It seems you slept early yesterday."
"Yes, more or less. I felt very sleepy and bored."
Freed looked Eugene up and down and said,
"Are you going to the market?"
Eugene smiled and raised one eyebrow.
"Yes, I am going. And you came at a good time because I don't know anything about this market, especially since it's large, so I would like your help."
Freed slightly turned his head and glanced inside Eugene's apartment.
"Do you want to buy furniture for your home?"
Eugene's eyes widened, his tone quick.
"Hahaha, how did you know?"
"It's obvious the apartment furniture isn't your preferred type, and you have no other reason except buying furniture, especially since you have clothes, food, and incense. So I don't think there is another reason."
"Hahaha, you're very observant."
Freed smiled with slight seriousness.
"Do you know the measurements of your apartment?"
Eugene tilted his head as if there were an exclamation mark above it.
Freed's mouth smile faded, but the smile was still clear in his eyes.
"How do you want to buy furniture when you don't even know the size of your apartment?"
Eugene raised his shoulders, then stepped aside to the left, revealing a wider view of the house.
"I'm not good at calculations." His voice carried a slightly naive childish tone.
Freed entered the apartment and looked from left to right.
Then he looked at Eugene, tilting his head slightly.
"Are you going to change the whole house furniture or just the sitting room?"
"Just the sitting room."
Freed looked again at the apartment and began moving his lips without sound.
Then he turned and said,
"The sitting room size is approximately twenty-five square meters. It is considered a spacious and comfortable area."
They left the apartment, and Eugene closed the door.
Then Eugene asked him as they walked,
"How do you know that this size is considered spacious?"
Freed looked at him while putting his hands in his black pants pockets.
"Because I furnished my own apartment, so I read books about this to know apartment sizes and suitable furniture size. In addition, the training period in the Justice Organization refined my skill in quick measuring and calculation and expanded my knowledge about types of houses and furniture."
Eugene ran his fingers through his hair, his eyes reflecting confusion.
"Why would the Justice Organization need to know types of houses and furniture?"
"Cough, cough." Freed coughed, then took a deep breath before answering.
"Because at crime scenes, knowing the space, furniture, and type of house makes searching, tracking, and evaluating the victim's financial status easier.
For example:
Furniture made by Maryam Western Factory is known as middle-class and the most widespread.
Furniture from Arwin Factory is known as rich and aristocratic class furniture.
And furniture from Rose Factory is known as lower-class and below average."
They left the complex, and the wind moved their hair.
"So do we have to go to those factories to buy furniture?" He spoke, his voice worried about Freed's answer.
(Please say no. It's obvious the market is large. Those factories are far. I won't endure walking all the way there.) he whispered to himself.
Freed answered in a way that brought reassurance to Eugene's heart.
"No. People usually don't buy furniture directly from those factories, but from stores that sell them."
"Ooof." Eugene sighed in relief.
After some distance, they arrived at the academy gate.
Each of them took out his national ID and placed it on a square shape on the wall until it made a quick, faint sound.
Then they took the card back.
"Try not to get hurt." The guard shouted in a heavy, quick tone.
"Alright," said Freed.
While Eugene was lost in contemplation of the scenery around him.
Brown brick roads with red edges, lamps on poles, houses with awnings that added shade to the road.
The sounds of children and horse carriages played a melody with the sounds of a water fountain, bakeries, and residents.
With fragrances filling the place.
End of chapter.