Someone of the same age
THE FOUR DAYS passed by like a breeze, Hades was perfectly adjusting in the capital. The first day he was here, he was forced to actually visit his older sister's restaurant. Why? he forgot his luggage in the carriage, it was a stupid mistake honestly. He was suppose to remain low for a while, but all his interactions with Pearl in the capital makes some of the folks suspicious.
The second day and night, he simply strolled around the Capital, memorizing every turns and corners without being too suspicious. The whole twenty-four hours weren't enough because of how large the city is, but he had a gist of everything. He also passed his form of enrollment and personal files to the academy. By the third day, he visited the Capital's infamous library, he even paid for his pass, which was one gold coin. It was definitely expensive for a commoner, but it was nothing for a son of high ranking nobles.
When the night came, he decided to take a stroll around the Capital, even bought a few things that might come in useful inside the academy. Though most of them were just new pocket sized books that he could take whenever.
And at the fourth day he also did the same. And now the fifth day, he visited the library for the last time. Tomorrow will be the entrance exam for the academy, after all. He was hoping to spend his time reading in a peace, but…
"Hey! I'm Rufus, is this seat taken?"
Some jolly stranger came and introduced himself to Hades. Their height difference was only centimeters apart, with Rufus being the one taller. He had black-brown hair and crimson red eyes. His skin is in a darker shade than Hades' light and porcelain skin, but it was a far shade from Leo's tanned skin. His eyes were protected by his glasses and he wore a simple outfit. Judging by his appearance, he might not be any older than Hades.
'He doesn't look like a commoner, but he didn't tell me his last name.' Hades smiled back up to him.
"I'm Hades, and you can take it." Rufus said his thanks as he took a seat in front of Hades. He placed the two books of history and basic mathematics on the table and begun reading. Rufus didn't take his eyes off the book and decided to ask the young man in front of him.
"Are you taking the entrance examination tomorrow too?" Rufus asked, somehow making Hades smile. 'So he's a examinee like me', he thought and like Rufus, he focused on the book but carried the conversation.
"Yes, I am. Which among the six departments have you chose to take?" Hades asked as he flipped a page of the book about the subject he decided to review on the last day, science. He had another book near him that was about the fourth subject, which is language. The moment that he passed his form to the academy, they gave him a list of subjects that he'll need to study first to pass the general education test. Basic mathematics, science, history, language and etiquette.
"I was thinking of taking culinary, so I could take over my parents' pub, and I like baking and cooking. But I decided to go with the knight department, for a change." Rufus answered, making Hades laugh and look up to him. "But other than sharp metals, they're completely different. What made you chose to be a knight?" Hades asked him and Rufus glanced up to him with a serious expression.
"Because I think it's manly?"
The two young men stared at each other in silence for a short moment before breaking into a fit of laughs, they kept it low to avoid getting scolded. Rufus calmed down and decided to ask him as well. "What about you?"
"The same as yours. It's the one I'm confident with." Hades answered, Rufus became more interested. It was a strange coincidence indeed. To be on the same library, applying on the same academy, and choosing the same department.
"Hoooh? Then you must be a sword knight, I'm taking the archery course." Rufus explained, only making Hades confused and surprised. "Sadly, I don't think we can compete against each other in practical." Rufus added, showing his disappointment through his tone even with a smile on his face. Hades hummed, wearing an indifferent expression.
'What an interesting yet shameless guy. I thought he'd be on the swordsmanship course like me because they use knives in culinary, but instead he chose archery. Maybe he's good at throwing knives instead?' Hades thought to himself as Rufus began focusing on the book. Hades was strangely feeling a kinship with this young man in front of him in terms of character.
'He's calm and quite observant, I should try not to lose face in front of him', Hades thought and focused on the book. Somehow, he felt a little lighter talking to an examinee like himself. And now that he thought of it, this is also the first time he might have made a friend(?) that was the same age as him.
'I've been surrounded by adults my whole life, it practically made me one as I grow up. Talking to someone who's my age… makes me feel strange in a good way', Hades thought, a smile made its way to his lips. Despite their short conversation, a comfortable silence reigned between the two young men.
The whole day was spent by the two men reading, reviewing, having a short chat, even tutoring each other about few of what they couldn't understand. Most of the asking was on Rufus though. He was honestly baffled at how much a smart man Hades was, for a commoner-looking guy. Through the hours that they spent together studying and talking, there was this comfortable yet serious mood among the two.
For some men who met just several hours ago, they were like close friends. They both looked like they were having fun. Even Pearl would be speechless seeing her younger brother genuinely having fun with a guy his age.
At the end of the day, the two parted ways in front of the library's door, with a deal to see each other tomorrow morning in front of the academy's main building. It was the venue for the examination. Hades headed back to the inn he was currently staying, while Rufus walked to his own home here in the Capital.
Upon arriving at the gate of the vacation house, the knight guards smiled at his presence. "Welcome back, Young Master." The two greeted and pushed the gate open, one of the guard knights walked in with Rufus to escort him inside.
"How was your trip to the library?" The knight asked, though he could tell that it was a good one just hearing his young master's humming and whistling.
"Oh, it was wonderful. I made a new friend who will be taking the knight department as well. He was an interesting fellow. It didn't even matter to him who I was, no, I doubt he even knew who I was. It looked like it was his first time here in the capital." Rufus responded truthfully. 'And for a commoner, he was too much of an intellectual. He's better than me in etiquette too. He also mentioned that he was confident in his swordsmanship, I wonder what kind of knight he is?' Rufus thought.
In any way, Hades is a suspicious man. Rufus wouldn't be one to talk since he would blend in the common folk every once in a while he was here in the Capital. Well, it doesn't matter. Judging by his personality, he wouldn't be one to do something vicious unless he had a deep reason to do so, Rufus thought and chuckled.
As an archer, Rufus has a very keen sight and sixth sense. But as a Count's son, he was to be a good judge when it comes to people until it was drilled into him, he couldn't stay naïve even as a mere child. He was not one to be friendly unless he wanted to, and Hades was the second person who he has ever approached first.
In fact, Rufus has always been quite a spiteful one since he was a child. And hearing that he made a friend shocked the knight guard escorting him. 'I wonder who in the world made this overly cautious young master of mine let his guard down even for a moment?!' The knight thought to himself. 'And he's even someone new here in the capital?'
"By the way, is Father still in the pub?" Rufus asked. His hobby of going out in town as if he were a normal commoner was from his sole father, the Count Ruby Lefort. He was a peculiar man who didn't like doing his paper works and loved being with the commoners, though this was a secret that only those of the Lefort County know about.
"Yes, Young Master. It seems that the Count will be returning by midnight again. Many commoners have been going here in the capital because of the entrance examination. The pub's food and beverages are famous among the common folk here, after all." The knight responded, somehow making Rufus pout.
"Oh gods, can't he take a break for the week? We haven't sparred since forever, and by next week I won't be coming home because I will have to live in the academy!" Rufus tried to rant. Though it may look like it, his father wasn't a neglectful parent, they were close to the point that were like brothers instead Rufus was raised and loved perfectly, the nobles around him made him completely spiteful.
"The Count will surely make time before the results come out, young master."
"Tch. I wanted to tell him that I made a new friend. Guess I'll just send a letter to Mother."
"That would be a good idea, Young Master."