The door groaned on its hinges, the sound echoing through the silent hallway.
From the doorway, the boy stepped out. He moved slowly, his bare, dirty feet making almost no sound against the floor.
His breath still came in short, shaky gasps. His eyes were red, the skin around them swollen from crying. Tears had left clean streaks through the dirt on his face, but the wild, desperate fear that had choked him earlier was gone.
In its place was a heavy, tired stillness.
In his right hand, he held out the rolled Mana Oath Contract. He walked until he stood right in front of me, stopping just two steps away.
For a few long seconds, neither of us spoke.
"..."
"..."
The boy looked up, his silver eyes fixed on my face.
Slowly, he raised his trembling right hand and held out the rolled contract. The paper was slightly crumpled at the edge where his fingers had gripped it, but the glowing, mana signature at the bottom was clear and unbroken.
