Ray moved down the illuminated hallway, glancing around. He spotted the man who had shot the arrow before, leaning against the wall. His blue jacket complemented his eyes as he stared out the window. Ray stopped next to him, reaching only his shoulder. “What are you doing?” He asked, tilting his head.

  The man smiled. “Staring.”

  Ray glanced toward the spot where the man focused. “At what?”

  “The bird.”

  What bird? I don’t see–

  “Oh, that.” He said, squinting his eyes. “I can barely see it.”

  “Of course, it’s at least twenty miles from here. And you’re still a fledgling.”

  Ray frowned with a slight smile. “So, is your path the Archer? Or maybe a Hunter?”

  The man chuckled. “It’s Hunter.” He then glanced at Ray. “You know what a path is?”

  Ray nodded, smirking.

  “Tell me what it is then?”

  Ray’s frown reappeared. “You know what it is.”

  “I do, but I want to hear it from you,” the man replied, his smile fading. Ray sighed and asked, “What are you, a teacher?”

  “Yes. I am a teacher at the academy.” He turned to face Ray. “My name is Maximus.” Ray blinked. “Maximus? As in Maximus Rutherford?”

  The man smirked. “Yes. That one.”

  “I get to see the man unseen by his enemies? Nice.”

  Ray and Maximus continued staring at each other. The crickets chirped; the wind howled.

  “So?” Maximus raised his eyebrow. “Are you going to answer?” Ray shook his head. “I’ll answer when I realise my path.” And walked away. Maximus smiled, muttering, “Good, that’s how it should be.”

  As Ray walked, one of the cloaked figures appeared before him and handed him a card with a number on it. “What is this?” Ray asked, flipping the card. The cloaked figure said, “Your room.” And vanished.

  How does she disappear like that? Is it a path?

  He shrugged and read the card, “101. Alright.” He walked down the dimly lit hallway until he reached an empty clearing and looked around. “Why is this place empty?”

  He went through the opening and then walked through the dimly lit corridor. And then reached an empty clearing again. “Alright, I was just here before.” He took a deep breath as he looked around, again. “Are these lights messing with me?”

  “They are,” Maximus spoke as he entered the clearing. “Your eyes can see everything, even things you don’t need to.” He walked past Ray and signalled to him to follow. They easily exited the clearing and arrived at the hallway with the rooms. Maximus turned to Ray. “Remember that.” And then walked away. Ray nodded and then spotted a crowd of kids gathered, gasping and murmuring.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Elaira and Sera’s voices rang out, “Brother?”

  Brother?

  Ray slowly made his way towards the crowd, slipped through them, and spotted Elaira, Sera, and Jon. He looked at the three boys groaning on the ground and shook his head. Elaira…

  Jon grumbled, “Yeah, he’s my brother.” Turning towards the bulky man upstairs, he said, “Long time no see.”

  Ray traced Jon’s sight and spotted the bulky man and gasped, “Woah–” Everyone immediately turned towards him. He let out a low chuckle. “I mean, hello.”

  Isn’t that Brandon? The Ironfist?

  He sighed and walked towards Jon when he spotted Maya.

  She’s here too?

  “You didn’t tell me you had a brother, Jon?” Ray said, putting his arm over Jon’s shoulder. Sera added, “I know, right? We’ve known each other for three years, and this is how we find out?”

  Jon scratched his cheek before Elaira punched him in the gut. “Listen here, Aidan’s gonna get angry when he finds out his rival and best friend has a brother.”

  Jon fell to his knees, groaning, “Aidan knows.”

  Sera and Elaira spoke simultaneously. “Oh? Does he?”

  Ray sighed and faced Maya. “Nice to meet you, Maya the Angel.” She smirked. “You know me?” He nodded. “Who doesn’t?” She pointed at Elaira. “Her and the other children here.” He clicked his tongue. “Well, we are lowborn, and knowledge is quite scarce.” She frowned. “I thought I might like you. But I don’t.” He smiled. “I assume you don’t like witty people because you can’t hold a conversation with them?”

  Her frown deepened for a moment before she burst out laughing and patted Ray’s back. “I like witty people, just not you.”

  He tilted his head. “Is there a reason?”

  She nodded. “You almost look like someone I hate. Where are you from?”

  He blinked. “From somewhere you don’t know.”

  She smiled. “I see. Well, fine, let’s not meet again.”

  He shrugged, “Alright.”

  She glanced at Elaira. “Tell me your answer tomorrow, okay?” Elaira nodded while choking Jon.

  Ray pulled her away as Jon gasped. Brandon knelt next to Jon. “Since you’re here, I want to sponsor you. What do you say?”

  Jon took a deep breath. “I don’t even know what that means. How can I even decide? I’ll thi–”

  “He will accept,” Ray interjected with a smile. “I’ll also let him know what a sponsor is.” Brandon sighed, “Alright, let me know tomorrow.” He stood and exited the hallway.

  Jon frowned at Ray. “Why did you say I’ll accept? You don’t even know any–”

  “Are you going to let your past hold you down? Everyone has a story; if it’s good, accept it, and if it’s not, just forget it. Because you cannot change your past, but you sure as hell can change your future.” Ray shrugged his shoulders and walked towards the stairs. Elaira nodded to Sera and made her way to her room. Jon glared at the floor, his fists clenched. Sera glanced at Jon, then Elaira, and finally her gaze landed on Ray’s figure walking towards the first floor. She frowned as she entered room number 50, her room for the night, and slammed the door.

  As the night pressed on, the hallway fell silent, leaving only Jon sitting on the ground, staring at the chandelier above him—Ray’s words echoing in his mind. One of the cloaked figures appeared before him. “Go to your room.”

  Jon nodded, stood up, and left. Sighing, he climbed the stairs. “I wonder who my roommate will be.” A smug look shadowed his face. “What if it’s a girl? What will I do then?” He grabbed his head. “Will she talk to me? I’m not as good-looking as Ray, though.” He frowned. “I don’t wanna think about him now. He acts as if he knows everything.” Silence followed, then he sighed again. “Well, he probably does, but still.”

  He hastily walked to his room and stopped right at the door. “101 finally; please be a girl, please!”

  He opened the door, and his smile disappeared immediately; his eyes became hollow as he spotted Ray sitting by the window, lost in thought.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Jon entered the room, closing the door behind him. Two beds were on either side of the window, located in the center. The golden glow of the lamp above the window reached every corner of the room.

  He sat on the bed to the right and closed his eyes, without even glancing at Ray.

  The lamp flickered, leaving only the moonlight filtering into the room while Ray stared out the window, his eyes watching the silent forest.

  I wonder what my path will be?