Before The Exam Day

  Hugo and Rozen stepped into a nearby inn, moving straight to Rozen’s personal room without a word. The door shut behind them, shutting out the noise of the main hall—and any unwanted ears.

  Hugo plopped onto a chair, stretching his body.

  “So, what’s so urgent? Old man Roz.”

  Rozen’s eyebrows twitched.

  “I’ve told you to stop calling me that.” He said.

  Rozen marched to the sole window in the room.

  He crossed his arms. “You’re going to the east.”

  Hugo shot up from his chair in shock.

  “What?? Why?” he asked.

  Rozen’s gaze was sharp and authoritative as he looked towards Hugo.

  “Because the Alsaints asked you to.” he sighed. “They figured you’d be around this area and ask me to relay the message.”

  Hugo’s closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down.

  “No rest for the order, huh?” he said. I’ll have to let the boys know; I can’t oversee their exam.”

  He turned his gaze forward.

  “So, what’s the mission?”

  Rozen smirked. “To think this boy used to be so lazy and irresponsible. You did well, sir,” he thought.

  “Ahem, your mission is to investigate a certain village that was wiped out.”

  Hugo flinched slightly.

  “In what way?”

  “Completely, without a trace. Rozen sighed.

  He walked to his chair, hoping to catch a breath.

  “The council seems to think it was a coordinated attack by fractured dawn. But they’ve never gone this far.”

  “What’s so different about this attack?” Hugo asked.

  Rozen sighed once more. His face was somber, and his expression darkened as if he did not want to talk anymore.

  “Whatever attacked the village left the place spotless. As in, there is no trace of a village being there.”

  “So everything is gone?”

  “Yes, nothing.”

  Hugo paused, placing a hand on his chin, racking his brain for plausible causes.

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  “It couldn’t be a Malignant. Even the worst ones don’t erase a place from existence. But would a vigilante group do this?”

  Rozen chucked.

  “It’s no use trying to guess; we are all puzzled. That’s why they sent you to investigate.

  Hugo exhaled through his nose while his gaze drifted.

  “What do you think about this? Personally?” he asked.

  Rozen chuckled slightly.

  “I already told you I have nothing more to say.”

  Hugo frowned. “Haha, now tell me.”

  “Fine, I'll tell you if you want this old fool’s opinion.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. “I don’t think the normal perpetrators are to blame.”

  Hugo smirked. “Just as I was thinking.”

  Rozen continued. “Something else did.”

  Hugo dropped to the floor dramatically. “Is that it? Your big theory. You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Rozen chuckled briefly before regaining his composure, “Pardon me, let me tell you for real.”

  “Go ahead.’ Hugo said.

  “Truthfully, I don’t know, but all the signs point to an unknown variable. That village, Inzura, was wiped clean. This is unheard of, at least in our lifetime.

  Hugo leaned back, with his fingers rapidly tapping against his arm. “So basically, I’m walking into a mess without answers or a plan.”

  “Well, yes, but you will have some assistance,” Rozen said. “The Alsaints will send someone from the order to help you.”

  “Great, someone else I’ll have to protect,” Hugo said.

  Rozen looked up. “Don’t be too cocky now; you’re not untouchable.”

  “But it’s true, who could they send to help me? I’m the whole package.”

  Rozen sighed, sipping some wine.

  “You just like him; that cocky attitude rubbed off on you—Just don’t make the same mistakes he did, okay?”

  Hugo sat up slightly, watching him. “You still drinking that cheap stuff?”

  “What do you think?” Rozen said

  Hugo smirked. “I think your taste is trash.”

  Rozen ignored him and pulled out a small bottle, pouring himself a drink. He took a slow sip before exhaling.

  “Who are those boys that you brought along to participate? He asked.

  Hugo's eyes lit up. “You mean Abell and Gaius?”

  “Yes, pardon I forget their names,” Rozen said. ‘It’s odd; you were never one to take a liking to anyone.”

  “You act like you know me so well,” Hugo said.

  Rozen paused, taking in the fresh air from the window.

  “Don’t I? I was your first mentor.”

  Hugo remained quiet. His usual smirk faded and was replaced by a bland expression.

  The two remained silent for a few moments before he finally responded.

  “I just see potential in them. That’s all.”

  Rozen took another sip.

  “Hmm, is that all? That Abell boy reminds me of you from back then,” he said as he paced around the room. “Rowdy, with a reckless attitude.”

  He smirked. "I guess he does; I can't deny that,” Hugo said.

  “What about the other one? Gaius was it.” Rozen asked. “He reminds me of no one in particular.

  Hugo shrugged

  “Abell seemed to take a liking to him. So, I figured, why not?

  Rozen looked perplexed.

  “So, all this for Abell, why go through all this hassle?”

  Hugo smirked, preparing to grab his belongings.

  “You’ll see why I chose him soon enough. But for now, I must go duty calls Sir Hyacinth,” he said.

  Rozen let out a deep sigh. Shaking his head. “That boy, still the same as ever.”

  “I think we made the right decision, believing in him, don’t you think?

  Rozen said, staring out the window into the sky.

  Hugo paused at the door, glancing back towards Rozen.

  “Wait, before I go, old man. How’s your granddaughter, Leona, available for marriage? Hugo teased.

  Rozen felt his blood raging with anger.

  “You oaf, stay away from my precious granddaughter; she has no time for that!”

  Hugo laughed. “Relax. It was a joke. See ya, Old man Roz.”

  As the door shut, Rozen thought to himself.

  “Or maybe… we’re just hoping we made the right one.”