Back at the scene of the fight between Garmo and the boys, upon waking up, Silas immediately realized the situation. There was a large crater stained with blood.

  —How are you, sleeping beauty? —Jormun said to him.

  Silas emerged from his thoughts. —Good, Jormun. I see you didn't die after all —he replied.

  —I just got lucky —said Jormun with a bit of annoyance for not having been of much help—. With the hit he gave you, Sergeant Diego woke up and shot him twice, although I think he managed to escape.

  —One more thing, Silas, about the poisonous herb you ate: you just have to eat the fruits from the same plant to neutralize its poison —said Jormun while passing him a handful of berries from the ivy Silas had eaten.

  —Does this mean you trust me? —said Silas with a smug smile.

  —Something like that... it's for having taken that hit. Although I already had a plan —responded Jormun, somewhat angry.

  —Yeah, sure, the plan to have a hole punched through your body —joked Silas.

  —I did have a plan! —repeated Jormun.

  —Can you two stop fighting? —said Jazmín, who had just woken up—. I feel like I had a nightmare. I was fighting against Martin Crociato and I was beating him, but then he hit me as if a mana beast had rammed me.

  —Well, it was something like that —said Silas before telling the story to Jazmín.

  While the young ones conversed, the captain and the sergeant argued by the Manabolt.

  —I am glad you didn't hesitate to shoot to kill that criminal —said Captain Anselmo.

  —Something like that, Captain. The boy Jormun told me they had a single-use artifact that disoriented the criminal, and with that, I was able to take the first shot —replied the sergeant.

  However, thoughts of guilt still swirled in his mind. ?I had woken up moments before and even thought this guy had already killed one of the boys lying on the ground. But even so, I didn't shoot. Only when he was about to kill the boy Jormun did I act. And why didn't I shoot for the head with the first arrow?? Diego punished himself for his foolish inaction. ?Why did two children almost die because of my fault??

  —Captain Anselmo, I still don't feel capable of taking a life. In my mind, it seemed easier. I am going to meditate for a while on the Dark Legion —said Diego.

  —Well, take it easy —responded the captain.

  —Alright, kids, our plans have changed a bit. We will get to Geduld but I will have to go to the police station to report this incident —said the captain, and with that, they set off again.

  After about 30 to 40 minutes, they came across the carriage of the legionary guardians.

  —Diego, stay alert —said the captain while checking the surroundings and the carriage. There they noticed the unconscious bodies of the legionaries—. Diego, bring the first aid kit.

  The captain and Diego gave first aid to the legionaries. The most serious one was the one who had a severed arm and had lost a lot of blood. Anselmo gave a basic recovery potion to each legionary.

  —Diego, this legionary has lost a lot of blood. How fast can you run? —the captain asked him.

  —If I push myself, maybe 90 or 100 km/h —replied Diego.

  —You are faster than this Manabolt, take this legionary to be treated in Geduld —said the captain.

  —At your command, Captain —said Diego while loading the injured legionary onto his back.

  The other two legionaries, after regaining consciousness, recounted what happened and were surprised that some kids could have stood up to "The Dog". The plan to get to Geduld was that Captain Anselmo would drive the student Manabolt, and the other legionary would drive the prison Manabolt until reaching Geduld. Upon arrival, Silas would find a "town" very different from his beloved Lampone.

  An hour after Sergeant Diego and the amputee legionary departed, the Legion caravan finally arrived in the city. A group of guards was already waiting for them at the entrance, as Diego had previously informed them of what had occurred.

  At the portal, Captain Anselmo approached Diego. —How are you, Diego? —he asked with genuine concern, abandoning the formalism of his rank.

  —Good, Captain. They took the legionary to the nearest church for treatment. They told me that if he had arrived a little later, he would have died —responded Diego.

  —I'm glad he didn't die. However, I think he will no longer be able to serve as a guard —said Captain Anselmo with a tinge of regret.

  —But Captain, can't high-ranking Devotees regenerate limbs? —asked Diego, hopeful.

  —Let's see, Diego... just because there are some Devotees who can do those healings, doesn't mean they will do it for anyone. You have to apply and make arrangements —he paused, sighing with weariness—. People think it's something easy, but with so many accidents in the kingdom, years can pass before they can regenerate an arm. And after years without it, it's not like you regain mobility instantly. You also have to do rehabilitation. If the boy is lucky and his superiors have some contact in a cathedral, maybe he could return to his duties in a year —finished explaining Anselmo.

  —I understand. They don't teach you those things at the academy —said Diego with a pinch of sadness.

  After a couple of hours, with the day well advanced, the group (without Captain Anselmo) set out to find a place for breakfast. Silas observed the city of Geduld with growing amazement, his mouth slightly open due to the differences with Haniel and, even more so, with his rustic village.

  —Wow, this city looks like it is ten years in the future compared to Haniel, and about fifty compared to Lampone —commented Silas. He was impressed by the buildings, much more solid and with perfect finishes. Numerous Manabolts flowed through the streets, and mana light artifacts abounded, crystal orbs glowing with a cold white light, unlike Lampone, where everything moved with horses and oxen and primordial energy lighting was only seen in some buildings.

  After breakfast, Jormun asked for permission to leave. —I will go to the city prefecture —he said, although his real plan was to go to the trade guild to contact his family.

  —I think that's a good idea. My captain will report what happened there —responded Diego.

  —See you later, Silas —said Jormun with an unusually soft tone, a mix of emotions that was not his classic disdain.

  ?I think being close to death drove Jormun crazy?, thought Silas sarcastically at his companion's sudden change in attitude.

  For their part, the remaining group went to look for a sleep tonic for Jazmín. They arrived at a Liquid Molders' apothecary. Unlike the rustic shops, this seemed like a clinical laboratory: spotless, with glass bottles aligned by color and a scent of antiseptic cleanliness.

  The owner, a stern-looking molder, received them. —Good morning, what can I do for you?

  —I want something to sleep better. Last night I was sleepwalking, or so I was told —said Jazmín.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  —That is easy. It must be a chemical imbalance or post-traumatic stress —said the owner, taking a translucent green bottle—. Take a measure of this before sleeping for three days. That will be one silver coin and one gold.

  While they were paying, Silas noticed a sweet and spicy aroma coming from a small caramel-colored bottle.

  —Excuse me, what is that? —he asked.

  —I don't think you need it. You are too young for a holy tattoo —she replied, curtly.

  —Holy tattoo? —inquired Silas.

  The owner sighed, impatient. —It is a special ink. It is used for protection tattoos. Look —she rolled up her sleeve, revealing a spiral design on her wrist made with pointillism—. If I have an accident with my chemicals, the tattoo takes the damage and fades, saving my skin. But only Devotees with the rank of Bishop can do them. That 5 ml bottle costs five gold coins.

  —What?! That's a scam, it's not like it cures death! —exclaimed Diego.

  —It could save a finger or prevent a serious burn, kid. The price is the price.

  Silas remembered Andros's black card. —Excuse me, can I pay with this? —he asked, showing it.

  The owner's attitude changed immediately upon seeing the matte black color. She verified the card in a crystal machine that emitted a green light. —Ah... excuse me, young man. Since it is your first purchase, I will give you a discount. Let's say... a silver coin?

  Silas paid, marveling at the power of that piece of plastic. As he left, the owner, now strangely kind, asked him: —Kid, what is your name? —Silas, no last name, just Silas. —I am Sofia. Have a safe trip, Mr. 'Just' Silas.

  With the ink in his pocket and curiosity ignited, Silas proposed going to the monastery. —I want to see if that card works to find out about Roque —he said.

  As they walked, Silas noticed something strange. —I haven't seen any beggars.

  —It's because of Gavriel's laws —explained Diego bitterly—. Here you pay a tax to live. If you don't have a qualified job or can't pay the 20 gold coins, they expel you. That's why you won't see poor Scholars here; the system eliminates them.

  Upon arriving at the monastery, the opulence of the building contrasted with the coldness of the atmosphere. A Devotee at the reception didn't even look up from his papers when they approached.

  —Could you tell me if there is a student named Roque Castillo? —asked Silas.

  —The records are private. Go to the town hall and ask for a form —said the Devotee with disdain, waving his hand as if shooing away flies—. I am busy.

  —And would this make any difference? —said Silas, sliding the black card onto the counter.

  The Devotee stopped. Upon seeing the high-ranking military seal, he swallowed hard and his posture straightened instantly, going from arrogance to pathetic servility. —Oh... my apologies, excellency. I didn't know that... Allow me.

  He searched frantically in the files. —Castillo... Castillo... I'm sorry, sir, there is no one by that name in this locality. Perhaps in another jurisdiction.

  —I understand. Then, can I access the library? I am interested in texts on Icor channeling or the history of the Inquisition.

  The Devotee hesitated. —The library is only for initiates or donors of 100 gold coins... but... —He looked at the card again and at Jazmín's expression, pointing to the card reader—. Yes, of course. Go in, go in. You have one hour. But be careful with the books, they are relics.

  Silas entered alone. The place was solemn, but unwelcoming. He found a book titled Chronicles of Purification. Leafing through it, he stopped at a chapter on the "Heroes of the Faith."

  He read descriptions that froze his blood. Names like Shinto "Palm Destroyer of Demons" and Lux "The Queen of Dead Petals". But it was a paragraph about a certain Sade that turned his stomach:

  "Sade, known as 'The Merciful Inquisitor'. Blessed with a lance of sacred steel, she possessed the unique ability to regenerate the flesh of heretics upon withdrawing the weapon. This allowed her to flay and heal her victims repeatedly, prolonging the purification for days without the subject dying, driving them to absolute madness to save their souls."

  —Merciful? —whispered Silas, slamming the book shut. The hypocrisy of calling eternal torture "mercy" confirmed what he suspected: in that place, cruelty disguised itself as holiness.

  On his way out, he heard another Devotee scolding the receptionist. —Why did you let that kid in? —He had a General Guardian card with a platinum balance. Did you want him to deny him entry and report us for obstruction? —replied the receptionist with arrogance. —Ah... good point. Good thing they're leaving.

  —Did it help at all? —asked Jazmín as she saw him come out. —I didn't find Roque —said Silas, his gaze darkened—, but I learned that Devotees have very strange definitions of the word "mercy". That technique Martin used... is child's play compared to the history of his faction.

  Already past the afternoon at 18:00, everyone was gathered, the group headed to the "Nexus" station, the departure point for the capital, Gavriel. The station housed colossal vehicles, a mix between a room-train and a carriage, capable of transporting a hundred people and powered by plasmatic mana.

  Just before boarding, a well-dressed man approached Captain Anselmo. He showed him a badge and, after a brief conversation, approached the boys.

  —Jormun, this man comes on behalf of your family to escort you home —announced the captain, his tone revealing a certain distrust at the speed of the news—. Apparently, they found out about the incident and are very worried. Do you recognize him?

  —Yes, he is the head butler —confirmed Jormun—. I suppose my journey ends here.

  He turned to Silas and handed him an envelope with something round and heavy inside. —Maybe this will help you be ready. As a villager, you might not know what this festival is about. With this, I owe you nothing —said Jormun, with his usual seriousness.

  ?Wow, what will this paper have? Maybe a confession that he secretly loves me, hahaha?, joked Silas to himself.

  Already in the Nexus, housed in a private cabin, Anselmo broke the silence to explain the journey.

  —Well, we will arrive in Gavriel in four and a half hours, time for you to rest. Tomorrow morning will be the festival.

  —Captain, do you know how these things work? —asked Silas, fascinated by the landscape passing at full speed.

  —I know a little. The energy generates a field that propels the entire Nexus and protects it. Special rails give it more speed —explained Anselmo—. Now, it's not faster than a high-ranking speedster legionary, but I doubt one of them wants to carry the five of us on his back for four hours, hahaha.

  The trip passed without incident, giving Silas the opportunity to examine Jormun's gift. Inside the envelope was a gold coin, slightly heavier than normal, and two papers. One was a recipe: 2 grams of serpent spine, 5 grams of orange peel, and 2 grams of bull horn. The other was a note:

  "This meeting is not social, it is a war. Be prepared for everything and do not fall for provocations. Several will want to challenge you. For safety, head to the 'Golden Scales' apothecary. Ask for a house elixir with extra ingredients in a 33 ml bottle. They will ask for the recipe I attached. Pay them with that coin, don't keep it (drawing of an angry face). That elixir will protect you from any poison or similar for 24 to 48 hours".

  Aboard the Mana-bolt, four hours away from arriving in Gavriel, the atmosphere in the cabin was calm. Anselmo and Diego dozed, overcome by the monotonous rattling of the trip. Jazmín, on the other hand, took a small wooden box out of her bag and a handful of metal pieces of intricate shapes and colors. With absolute concentration, she began to solve the puzzle, trying to fit each piece in the only possible order.

  Seeing her so absorbed, Silas remembered the gift he had saved for her. The events at the academy had distracted him, but the guilt for having ruined the mental puzzle in the library was still there.

  —Jazmín, excuse me —he said in a low voice so as not to wake the others—. I have something for you.

  He took a multicolored cube out of his pocket. Jazmín's eyes lit up with curiosity. —What is that?

  —It's for the library thing —explained Silas, spinning the faces of the cube with agility—. I saw you like these things. This one has thousands of combinations, so you'll never get bored. And if you manage to match all the colors, it opens and you can store something inside. He handed her the cube, slightly scrambled.

  —Wow, thank you very much —she responded, genuinely surprised—. It's the first time I've seen one.

  —I think few were made. Or so the seller told me.

  Silas paused, taking advantage of the moment. —Hey, sorry to bother you, but I realized I know almost nothing about you, and you seem to know about everything. How is it that you know so much about cities and items?

  —Well... —Jazmín diverted her gaze towards the landscape for an instant—. I am Jazmín Jarn. I lived until I was ten in Pather, in the domains of Barachiel. Then I moved with my grandparents to Mangue, near Haniel. That's all, I suppose.

  The answer was so literal that Silas couldn't help but grimace. ?I'll have to ask her everything point by point. At least we'll kill time?, he thought.

  —And your parents? —he insisted—. Why did you go live with your grandparents?

  Jazmín sighed, and for the first time, her cheerful countenance darkened. —I have a twin brother, Marco. He was always... complicated.

  —Complicated how?

  —The classic problem child. "Jaz, help me with money, some guys want to beat me up". "Jaz, clean the house, I have to go out with my friends". —Her voice became charged with an ancient resentment—. My parents never did anything. Their answer was always: "Well, your brother is like that".

  She spun the cube Silas had given her, her fingers moving aimlessly.

  —Everything got worse when we turned ten. Marco had a spontaneous energy awakening. He awakened Ether, just like that. It's something very rare, you know? —said Jazmín.

  Silas nodded, thinking of his own anomalous baptism.

  —They enrolled him immediately in the Jared Academy of Barachiel. To everyone, it was as if a scammer had won the lottery. By twelve, he was already channeling like a junior corporal without effort. Life always gave him everything easy.

  —That must have been hard for you —said Silas, understanding for the first time the melancholy he sometimes saw in her eyes.

  —I couldn't take it anymore —admitted Jazmín—. I asked them to go live with my grandparents. They did teach me to fight, to fend for myself. My grandfather was a legionary, of Major rank, and he created a fighting style just for me.

  —So, is that why you are here? —asked Silas—. At the Festival of Promises?

  A spark of determination shone in Jazmín's gaze, replacing the sadness.

  —Marco is a good-for-nothing, but he knew that even with minimum effort, he would qualify for this event. And this —she said, squeezing the cube tightly—, this will be the day I put him in his place. And I will make my parents understand that not everything in life is easy.