How much is a human life worth? If someone had asked me that, I wouldn't have given even ten coppers for it. We leave this world as suddenly as a dust whirlwind sweeping across the road—much like the one tearing at my frozen body right now.
I squint, pull my hood lower, and wrap myself tighter in the stiff sackcloth cloak Monk Vauro stitched for me in record time. The crooked seams showed it clearly. He'd be punished for that. Of this I had no doubt.
"Every action must be flawless. Every breath, every blink calculated!" I mimicked Gadros in my head, lips twitching into a bitter smile.
A couple of days had passed since I left the orphanage walls. They were not pleasant days.For someone who had spent their entire life within a confined space— where I knew every blade of grass— this new world felt alien and repulsive.
The forest thickets were tolerable. But the narrow, muddy streets of the nearby town— only a few miles from the High Academy—filled me with a filthier kind of disgust.
Yes, I had slept in solitary with rats. Yes, I had gone days without washing.But that sticky stench of rotting slop wafting from open windows… That would haunt me for a long time.
And the twisted grins of the local creatures— calling them "people" felt overly optimistic— would surely invade my nightmares.
After bumping into one of them in a dim alley, I cursed Gadros for the hundredth time. The old demon insisted on avoiding magic anywhere near the Academy, refusing to teleport me and even refusing to give me a horse.
"Three days of walking will be enough," he said. His logic was flawless, apparently.
My water flask was empty. I kicked it with all the strength I had left and, strangely, felt a flicker of satisfaction watching it bounce across the cobblestone. It landed only a few paces away.
I was angry, starving, and extremely dangerous. The assassin instincts carved into me after years of training were breaking through the exhaustion.If someone crossed my path now, I'd happily put my hidden dagger to use.
Unfortunately, they hadn't allowed me to bring anything else.Every mage entering the Academy would be searched.And why would a mage need a weapon when their magic was weapon enough? Suspicious indeed.
But a dagger on a small, fragile girl wouldn't raise too many eyebrows. They'd confiscate it, of course. Still— traveling completely unarmed felt wrong. Years of training made danger a shadow on every step.
My legs buckled.Darkness clouded my vision. I lost balance—but my face never met the stone.
A hand grabbed me by the back of my cloak.
I gasped, reaching for where my dagger had been hidden—only to feel nothing.
The dagger was gone.
"Looking for this, milady?"
A mocking voice spoke behind me.I was yanked upright so sharply I nearly fell again.
I stared first at the hand holding my battered, well-used dagger…then up— way up— at its owner. I had to tilt my chin, and still he towered over me.
But what struck me most were his eyes— dark, sharp, amused.
A glossy black beard draped over an elegant collar embroidered with gold.
"Ah— yes, sir. That's mine. Thank you for your help, but I'm in a hurry."
His ability to snatch a weapon from my cloak without me noticing…That alone earned my reluctant respect. Who was he? Definitely not a random noble. They didn't teach this sort of thing.…Right?
I spat on the stones, frustrated. What did Gadros expect from me?I knew nothing of how to behave around people outside the orphanage. Was he hoping I'd complete the mission before anyone exposed me? Too optimistic.
I reached for the dagger, but the man whisked it behind his back and burst out laughing. His narrowed eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"And where did you crawl out from, little savage? Didn't expect such crude manners from such a tiny thing."
I inhaled deeply, forcing what I hoped was a friendly smile.
"I'm not from around here. Born in a village."
"Born?"His brows snapped together. The laughter vanished. "You're clearly a girl. Why do you speak of yourself like a boy?"
What was I supposed to say?I dropped my gaze. The only correct move was escape—before I blurted out something fatal.
But the stranger clearly read my intentions. His grip clamped around my elbow. It took inhuman restraint not to punch him in the nose.I was supposed to be a "lady," after all.
"So you decided to run. How interesting. A tiny, short-haired savage with a weapon…Perhaps I should hand you over to the city guard for inspection?"
A great assassin indeed— compromised before the mission even began. Gadros would be thrilled.
"It's… just for emergencies, " I said quickly. "I don't really know how to use it. I just need to reach the Academy. Anyone could attack me on the road. And they raised me as a son because I'm the eldest— Eldest daughter, " I corrected hastily. "The All-Powerful didn't bless my mother with sons."
He snorted. He believed that? I glanced at him sideways. Seems like yes.
"Well, well. This year will be interesting. Come on, I'll walk you. We're headed the same way."
He wrapped the dagger in a leather cloth, tucked it into his pocket— then tugged at his beard.
I didn't expect THAT.
The beard detached, revealing a guy barely older than me.
He shook his head— dark strands falling aside, exposing a gold earring in his left ear.
I froze with my mouth slightly open.
Well then.That was… something.
"If something feels wrong, you're already a breath from death.
The obvious is seen early. The hidden only surfaces in the final second— to kill you before you notice."— Gadros's Simple Truth
I felt awful. Terrible, really.
As a "professional assassin, " I had already failed multiple times since meeting the wealthy stranger. If he had been a killer… I'd be dead a hundred times over.
How did I miss his approach? How did he steal my dagger without me sensing it?
Thoughts fluttered like dead flies in the hollow echoing inside my skull— emptied by hunger and exhaustion.
I could only hope he was some kind of undercover killer himself.Otherwise… I truly was useless.
Dragging my stiff legs, I followed him silently. Fortunately, he asked no questions— only glanced at me periodically, as if checking whether I'd keeled over yet.
A shrill voice snapped me out of my haze.
"Stop. Your documents!"
Huge black gates appeared before us, guarded by a big-nosed dwarf in a bright red robe clutching a baton.
"State your purpose."
My companion stepped forward, clapped the dwarf on the shoulder twice.
"C'mon, Therry. You know us."
The dwarf's eyes clouded— then cleared with sudden obedience.
"My apologies, Laird! Didn't recognize you. Please proceed. It's the faculty distribution day, I'm overwhelmed."
He bowed and gestured toward the opening gates.
"No worries."
The young man patted him again and strode inside. I trailed after him, suspicion prickling. That looked a lot like mind-influence.
"Don't ask what that was," he muttered. "I don't have time to wait for that fool to check paperwork. I've got a long list of errands. You? This way."
He jerked his chin toward a narrow path disappearing into bushes.
I blinked at the old stone building in front of us… then at the path again.
"Isn't this the main entrance?"
He smirked.
"Trust me— you definitely don't want to go through there. Especially not as a girl."
That made me stiffen.
"Oh— and a friendly tip: try speaking about yourself in the female form. People HERE won't appreciate the alternative. And do your best to avoid drawing attention. Unless you want trouble."
"What?"
"You'll understand soon. "He winked, gave me a casual salute, and headed toward the only building in sight.
"What… was that?"
No answer came.
With nothing else to do, I followed the path.
He didn't lie.
Beyond the bushes towered a massive gothic castle with tall spiked towers— its walls decorated with stuffed bird heads. The architect clearly had peculiar tastes.
I shrugged, pushed the heavy, creaking door.
The hinges groaned like they hadn't been oiled in decades.
Welcome to the Academy, I guess.