Yung Halfy wandered through the academy as usual, his hands tucked behind his head. He wasn't headed anywhere in particular—just walking around, observing. That was his nature, the academy is big place and full people from all over the world all ages all kinds of people are here.
Then he heard noise.
A crowd had gathered in the courtyard. Laughter. Cheers. Curious voices.
He tilted his head.
"That looks fun… I'll go watch."
At the center of the crowd stood a red-haired student with warm brown eyes and an infectious grin,With a joyful presence.
"I've enchanted these boxes!" the boy declared proudly. "If you can unlock one, you win a mystery prize. If you fail—or you just being not lucky—I get a small coin donation, but remember the Big brise maybe will be yours and every boxes has a small gift but one has a bag of coins."
Students whispered. Some were intrigued, others suspicious, some want to try.
Then a tall, muscular student stepped forward, arms crossed. Everyone knew him—Sirong. Strong, serious, blunt,kind but mind of muscle, didn't think twice of doing something stupid a student in the knights section.
"Sounds like a scam," he said. "I'll open one and prove you're just stealing coins."
"Go ahead, be my guest" the red-haired boy replied, unfazed. "But remember the rule—if you lose, I win, and I get some coins and if you open it and found something good i will don't forget to declare your decision before opening it.."
"I've seen your tricks," Sirong growled.
"I'm Rodin," the redhead said, extending his hand. "And this isn't just a trick. You will see my friend Sirong."
"I'm Sirong. Deal,we will see."
Sirong's thoughts raced.
This is fake. The boxes are probably covered in illusion magic. Just false hope in a shiny box,if i focus the magic on my hands and turn it to strength i open it easly without getting the illusion magic activated.
Rodin smirked.
Easy money. I created this magic. The prize inside? I just shift it into another dimension and back when needed. No one else knows how it works, i creat this magic he thinks it's just illusion magic but it's not it's secret spell it's forbidden to use secret spell if you creat it you should make other learn it but no risk no gain, Even if i get catched i just said it's new way to use magical boxes, after all it's a free world.
Sirong picked a box, then opened it with force. The box glowed—then popped open, and Sirong point it into Rodin face and said it's trick if something real get out you win.
To everyone's shock, a bag of coins flew out and landed straight into Rodin's hand.
"What the—?" Sirong blinked. "It wasn't a trick?!"
He clenched his jaw. "No… you did trick me. You just manipulated the magic."
Rodin smiled. "Ah, my coins, please."
Grumbling, Sirong handed over the bag, and said it's all just my luck.The crowd erupted in laughter.
"He tricked you!" someone yelled. "You got played!"
Rodin gave a playful bow.
Halfy stood quietly at the edge of the crowd, arms folded.
"So that's how older students survive around here," he muttered. "Lazy genius. He created a new way to use magic."
He turned and walked off, still amused—until he accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh—sorry," Halfy said, looking up.
The person didn't respond.
Halfy froze.
It was Anazitis.
The boy's face looked drained. Not angry—just… empty. Like he wasn't truly present.
"That boy…" Halfy thought. "He's from the village that get burned we come at the same area."
He stared at Anazitis.
"His face... he's still stuck there. Still seeing fire. Still thinking of revenge, still just thinking of darkness."
Halfy's gaze lowered.
"But I can't blame him. I did the same thing once."
He wanted to speak. But he paused.
"Not yet. Let him breathe,in another Time."
Then, a voice echoed in Halfy's mind.
A memory.
He was small again. Held tightly in the arms of his father—a strong halfling, scarred and serious. They were in a tiny home. His father wore a plain white shirt. His arms were strong, his voice stronger.
"Halfy," his father said gently, " if you respect your father and you ever meet someone filled with revenge, whose eyes only see darkness… help him. Stand by his side. Like I will stand by yours, when it happened to you, and like it's happened to me i never imagined i get saved by stranges,Like your real friends will stand by your side,someday."
Halfy, safe in his arms, nodded even he still didn't understand what his father just said. "Okay, Papa."
Harfad reply on halfy i forget you still to Yung on that lesson yet i just get carried away in father lesson buying father is great.
Then his father laughed. A loud, warm laugh. Halfy didn't know why—but he laughed too.
Back in the present, Halfy looked down at his hands.
"Why do I remember that now?"
He looked one last time at Anazitis, whose shadow drifted down the hallway.
"I'll help him," Halfy whispered. "Just… not today."
Then he walked away—quiet, unsure, and a little shy full of hesitate.