At University of Torminas
In the hallway.
"Hey, where are going", Kira said to the old man.
"Nothing we are just going for some walk.", Draves said.
Silence. ~
Kira walked in silence, his footstep echoing faintly through the long stone passage. The wall felt too close, lined with old portrait whose eyes seemed to follow him. Beside him strode Draves ~ calm, rigid. Kira was observing him from long time. His actions to help him. It was already suspicious for him.
"Hey, why are you helping me", Kira said to an old man who was walking beside him and breaking the silence.
"Why... You ask...., Isn't it our duty to fulfil the wish of death", The sadness and sorrow in those words which Draves said could reach anyone heart and thus it reached Kira heart and hearing the thought of one, he can relate, he was speechless.
They were walking slowly and steady.
Students passing by slowed their pace.
Some stared.
some turned away quickly.
Other whispered.
The air in the atmosphere was becoming heavy, as if even words feared to exist.
Kira kept his graze low, his finger curling slightly into his palm. He could feel it~ That indivisible weight pressing on his back, branding him into a mark.
They finally stopped before tall wooden door, its surface carved with intricate patterns that marked it as the principal office.
Draves turned slightly. "Wait here"
That all he said.
No explanation. No reassurance.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside, leaving Kira alone in the corridor.
The door shut with a dull thud.
For a moment, there was silent.
Then it begun.
"...That him..." " ..The curse child..." "Why is he even here..."
Kira's breathing grew uneven.
He tried to ignore it. Tried to stand still.
But the words kept coming.
"Monster..."
"isn't he was executed"
His vision blurred slightly.
His knees weakened.
The depressed face, which was gone, appear again, frighting students staring at him
"...He is looking at me..." " ...Don't make eye contact..."
Kira clenched his teeth, his hand trembling. His memories flickered one by one. The trauma was back. The tears fell down but he didn't realize.
Then~
A shadow stepped into his view.
A boy stood in front of him, blocking out the crowd. He didn't look afraid. He didn't whisper.
"Are you alright"
His voice was steady and normal.
He was the same boy that appeared in the hall of trials.
Kira hesitated.
"...Yay..., I am alright...."
The boy shrugged lightly.
"It doesn't seem so"
Nothing more.
Then~
No judgement. No fear.
The door suddenly opened.
Draves stepped out.
His sharp graze swept across the scene.
In as instant, whispers died.
Silence returned.
"Enough"
His voice cut through the corridor like a blade.
Everyone froze.
Draves looked at Kira, then at the boy.
"Both of you. step in"
Kira and the boy stepped in.
Kira eyes hovered through the surrounding.
A tall arched window within it and the towering stone walls fascinated him, as he never saw such a room.
At front of him, there was man with white beard, sat down at the far end behind the massive desk of dark oak. His eyes were locked on Kira and no one else.
"Did you explain him everything, Draves"
"N~"
"Ah..., you forgot... Nah"
Kira saw him during the trials but this time he was feeling aura from him.
"So, Kira am I right."
His eyes fixed at Kira like a tiger seeing his prey.
"Yay", Kira said hesitating.
"Kira, right now you are free but under three conditions."
Kira lifted his head and as their eyes finally met, he spoke up.
"First condition is that you will study under any teacher rather than Draves but if the teacher is willing to teach you then you can. Which is an exception"
"Second condition is that you will never leave university campus unless and until, you will get permission from me or from elders."
"Third condition is that you will live with Elvin from now on, in the dorms"
"This are the conditions which we had arrived for you and queen have accepted it. So, Kira will you accept it."
His graze fixed at Kira, who stunned and was directly looking at him with that depressed face.
And then he spoke.
"I don't care about the conditions, but I will live. Not for me but for the last wish of the dead ones", Kira said with his energy he was having.
Silence.
The principle was looking at him. Observing and listening to the words which he said.
"Very well then, Elvin please show him the campus and the dorm. I have something to talk with Draves.", He said looking towards Elvin turning his head.
"Yes sir", And Kira and Elvin left the room.
The new beginning has arrived for him. It is just a matter of time to see, where he goes from now on. Will the curse of despair will end or not.