Gazing down at his body, Oren bit his tongue. These… these are not my robes?
Who put me in these clothes without my consent? He exhaled, and the weight in his chest gradually loosened.
He had been placed in ice-white robes. Beneath them lay bandages, tightly wrapped around his pale skin. They felt new and unfamiliar.
It quietly annoyed him.
The old robes he had worn since youth seemed to have been disposed of a few days ago, when he died.
They were destroyed, ripped, and tattered due to the fall.
Even if he wished, he could not wear them.
Taking a deep breath, Oren solemnly asked himself.
Died?
Wait… is this a dream? A nightmare?
Despite recalling the moments of his death clearly, he could not help but think surviving was a dream.
He remembered the scent of blood, the damp aroma heralding an approaching storm.
He vividly recalled having no energy to move, his will too weak to stay conscious.
If this is not a nightmare after death, where am I? What am I? What happened to me?
He looked at his pale palms, then the silk bed sheets. He had been in the attic of a cathedral house.
Now it seemed he was in a small, plain room.
A frown marred his handsome face, then slowly turned into a smile as he shuffled beneath the covers.
Each peculiar thought confused him more and more, eventually making him laugh uncontrollably.
"Is it even possible, then…? Rebirth?"
His gaze shifted to his hands, moving his fingers back and forth, he suddenly became unhinged.
"It is possible, this is rebirth! I have been given a new life, a new chance."
Oren's sudden laughter echoed throughout the room, then faded slowly as he realised something.
He had spent his entire previous life following a path of peace, choosing not to form further bonds or connections, a solitary path.
He had thought true peace was the death of the self, when one no longer laments, fears, desires or regrets. When even the thoughts that intrude upon the mind fall silent.
Sin and virtue. Righteous and wrong.
That is peace.
But Oren, after finally abandoning hope for "true peace", he was granted it.
Now reborn, that peace proved only fleeting.
It was as though his only peace had been taken away from him…
He shook his head. Do I still cling to that dream despite this new life?
Pathetic.
But if anything, he would not make the same mistake as last time.
As Oren remained deep in thought, deep in self-criticism, the smile on his face faded in an instant.
A sudden impulse made him clutch his neck.
There was no need, for his throat strained on its own, unwilling to let a sound escape.
In the corner of the cramped, austere room, someone was watching.
Who, he did not know.
Then a voice, devoid of emotion, was heard.
"How distasteful."
Oren's eyes widened.
The voice was familiar.
It was the same voice he had heard complaining after he died, before he woke up.
It was unsettling, aberrant even.
Only after a few moments did Oren remember hearing the door slam twice. How had he forgotten someone entered the room?
How had he not seen them, or felt their presence?
Unseen by Oren, the voice became bitter as it continued.
"I have saved your life, and you dare say it was rebirth."
With those words, Oren froze. This… this is not rebirth? Saved me? Who?
His eyes darted to the corner of the untouched room where the voice resounded.
The corner was webbed with shadow.
Lurking in the darkness, a young man sat perched on a polished chair, its rims laced golden-brown, beside a wooden bookshelf.
The dust in the air thickened as Oren focused, his abyss-golden eyes fixed upon the sight before him.
His apparent savior wore a smile that barely concealed the faint sorrow beneath it.
Their abyss-black hair was long and thick, perfectly contrasting his blood-red eyes. The crimson sun seemed reflected within them, only brighter.
His skin was flawless and pristine.
Oren opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again in confusion.
"You… saved me?" Oren looked down at his bandaged body. Only another being could have wrapped them.
Before Oren could ask another question, the man clicked his tongue. His gaze fixed on Oren's body.
If Oren did not know better, it seemed arduous for the man to have remained silent for so long.
Shifting in his seat, the man chuckled softly.
"Yes, it was me, I saved you."
The man's voice rose proudly, noticing that Oren was staring at his new healthy body in concealed awe.
"I see you finally notice my handiwork too. No… really, I did an excellent job of healing you, so excellent that even I myself am impressed."
Wouldn't that be healing, not craft?
Oren ignored the remark, focusing on one thought alone. Did this person really practise his talents on my body?
Am I going to die again because of this incompetence? That was what happened when one was not treated by a professional.
After that thought, silence reigned for minutes.
Finally, Oren mumbled, distrust flickering in his eyes as he studied the dull oak-brown cuts of wood and brick that lined the walls.
"Yes. I am impressed too. It would be unfortunate if something were to go wrong during your procedure."
The reply felt as alien as Oren himself. When the man noticed his unease, he smiled.
"What sort of person do you take me for? Do you truly think I cannot medicate a person or two?"
But Oren knew what the man had done was far beyond medication. It was restoration.
Even across centuries of living, he had never met a mortal capable of something so grand.
Before he could dwell on it, the man carried on.
"There's no reason to be shy. I don't eat people. Usually.... food, on the other hand."
His eyes stilled and gleamed.
"My name… uh, hmm…" He pondered for a moment, then grinned.
"It seems I've forgotten it. It's been a while since someone called me by one of those."
"Oh well. you can call me C04."
His smile failed to reach his eyes as he continued. "Now that you know my title, you can take a breath and speak like two civilised beings."
C04? What a strange name.
Oren could not tell whether the second remark was a joke, but the following chuckle eased him.
Oren nodded, staying composed. He could barely comprehend the situation, and the fact that he had not spoken for years did not help.
After all, he had slept for centuries.
Therefore, the word of mouth would feel uncomfortable.
At last, Oren sighed, stretching his sluggish arms and getting a better look at the man as he spoke calmly.
"I am also delighted you do not eat humans, too delighted. We would have a problem if you did, wouldn't we?"
But Oren knew this was no way to start a conversation. He was ignorant of their customs.
Oren knew that maintaining a calm, respectful front would instantly improve how others viewed him.
The bizarre man wore deep black robes, appearing in his early twenties, perhaps younger.
C04's hollow gaze passed through Oren, as though nothing stood there.
"I am Oren," he continued.
"I apologise. You went through the struggle and annoyance of saving me. I am in your debt."
The man's smile remained calm and unbothered.
"But I cannot repay you," Oren added, stuttering naturally.
"I… I have nothing. Yet—"
"Repay."
A contemplative breath escaped C04's lips.
Tilting his head, C04 rested his ankle atop his knee and laughed, as though the world lay beneath him.
Why laugh? Oren wondered. Is honesty looked down upon here?
He straightened his posture. If that were the case, he would not be so sincere next time.
Then C04 finally spoke, making Oren's eyes widen.
"I desire nothing, I have more than enough, I promise."
His eyes sharpened, darkening slightly.
"But I am missing one thing… something important. I lack the final youth required to join this academy."
"So," he continued lightly, "would you partake in this prestigious academy for me?
"
"Academy?" Oren murmured.
What does he take me for... a child? Oren shook his head, thinking calmly.
He understood that joining any academy could grant him knowledge, perhaps even opportunity.
The benefits he could reap were bountiful, helping him understand his situation in several ways.
Refusing such an offer would be ignorant, given the benefits.
"You see, I am fortunate to have met you so soon."
C04 sighed, his tone oddly innocent.
"Fate has brought the two of us together. It was luck that I found your ruined body in time. Who knows what would have happened?"
Oren froze, staring at the chair C04 sat on. It is true. Despite my divine connection, this mortal saved me.
If C04 was any later than Oren thought he had been, then he would not be alive right now, having this conversation.
With nothing else to ask, Oren sighed inwardly.
Should I join?
"Why do you want me to enrol?" he asked, his crafted persona cracking.
C04 shrugged indifferently, the air between them seeming heavier.
"You see… Oren..." he spoke, his voice calm but laced with something sharper.
"I dislike seeing something I tried so hard to save eventually die. That is simply how this world works."
His nod unsettled Oren.
Noticing this, C04 stilled, his voice turning resolute.
"The world is not kind. Food, shelter, medicine, information, none of it is free."
He paused, despite having chosen his words carefully.
"Those who walk alone through mountains and fields do not last. Not because they are weak, but because the world favours numbers."
Oren nodded.
"If you do not join the academy, you will lose your only chance to survive." C04 continued.
Something unreadable stirred in his hollow eyes as he studied Oren.
"The academy will grant what you lack, fix you, forge you into something better. You will receive money, food, and a place to rest."
Oren pondered before asking. "What do you advise?"
"My advice? Enrol in this academy and succeed in the Sanctuary. Complete the entrance trial and reach enlightenment."
What is the entrance trial? What is Enlightenment? A test. It must be a test.
After a few moments, Oren muttered, "I see…" then smiled politely as he carried on.
"But I don't quite understand what this entrance trial is and what do you mean by... enlightenment?
C04 smiled, pestering him with his next words.
"That is fine for now... actually, there is an assembly currently ongoing in the hall.
C04 whistled twice, avoiding Orens eyes.
"I recommend you go there. But before I myself can leave, I have a question."
"Oren, you are alone, so where did you come from? How did you end up here?"
C04 raised his voice calmly.
"Are you from the city, perhaps, or do you belong to a place far beyond the distant Unison Mountains? How did you fall into the academy?"
"Unison Mountains?" Oren muttered. A hint of confusion trailed his words. Yet C04 took it as an answer and spoke.
"You come from beyond the mountains? The mountains are not a place to travel alone."
Oren's eyes darkened for a hesitant beat, then met his gaze.
C04 continued, "Could you tell me more?"
Oren did not reply.
His chest tightened as he thought. He had known what to say if met with the question of his origins.
So he spoke calmly, his voice filled with sadness and grief.
"I fail to recall the incidents that led to my state. My memories are blurry, indistinguishable from one another. I don't remember my mother, my father, my siblings, my clan. I am but alone in this world now."
Oren's eyes watered as he sighed inwardly and continued.
"But I remember my name. I am Oren Xianrath."
His gaze rose to C04's soft smile, deep in thought.
To succeed in this lifetime, he would have to do many things, despite the consequences.
Oren had never been so cunning. Had he?
After a few seconds of brief silence in the austere bedroom, C04 spoke.
"Oren, if someone ever questions your origins, tell them you are related to a merchant. Merchants are travellers of sorts, so no one will accuse you of anything. Your sudden appearance, for even you do not know how you are here."
C04 paused in thought.
Oren listened to every word, remembering thoroughly whilst C04 continued, in a dark tone.
"If the townsmen saw a newcomer, they would immediately assume you were an invader or a traveller. Not because we are in conflict. Nevertheless, I would assume you want peace."
"Especially with the trial due soon. You wouldn't want distractions, would you?"
Oren looked toward C04.
The peculiar man's relaxed features, his unchanging calm, pressed against Oren's instincts like a weight.
"Is that so bad? I know that townsmen cannot know I'm an outsider, but what about the people of this academy?"
"People?" C04 let out a low indifferent chuckle.
"There are no 'people' here. Only candidates. And yes, you should not tell anyone."
C04 inclined his head, preparing to leave the room.
"Keep in mind what I have told you… before I leave, however, I have one last favour."