Chapter 2.2: The City

In the City, time: 13:04:26 date: In June. 05, 3056. People were bustling on the streets and levitating motors and cars were everywhere. It is another peaceful day in the City, businessmen and women, part-timers, shopkeepers, police, students, and all sorts, it was like a normal modern capital where the lives are working hard to earn money and live. However, there is a unique trait here, which was maintaining aristocracy. So it is still law for the government to prioritize aristocrats even if there are kids who are admitted to the school with money. They don't have the power to intervene at all.

Meanwhile, at the main branch of the Illago Clan

It looked like a palace which was a place only for the royal family but anyways, the hallways and rooms were big and grand laced with gold at the side of each wall with carpet, there is also a garden that stands at the center of the palace where birds and fountains moved lively. Illago clan is known for their richness and trademark in transactions of goods through several places. They are among the top clans in the City.

Next, the sound of the clashing of weapons was loud in the training room, it seems someone has been training hard.

A maid then walks through the large hallway on the 1st floor,

"Young master, it is time." the maid said respectfully with her eyes closed and head bowed 40 degrees with small hands interlocking on the lower stomach while standing outside the front of the double door.

The weapons stop clashing then the trainer of the young master uses his sword as a stand to let him hold on to stand on the floor with his right hand.

"Certainly, young master has improved quite a lot, I look forward to what rank you will be put in." the trainer looked at the young master with a delighted and tired look at the same time, maybe the trainer could not handle his capability of him.

"..." The young master had oceanic dark blue hair wearing a training suit which was white as a dominant color and blue that stripes from his neck to foot on both left and right sides. He did not say anything after what the trainer had stated, maintaining his expressionless face, he began to tidy his large weapon with a water-dried cloth wiping out scratches. Specifically, his high-tech scythe was dominantly colored with white as well, the second is blue then the third is black. It was equipped with high technology that is compatible enough with his element and combat style. The weapon was so big that it was taller than him, it looked heavy and hard to use too but this young master was strong enough to wield such a weapon and grasp it like nothing. Peacefully, he also began to change his clothes to get ready.

On the west side of the City, where people were busily walking along the alleyways; bars and casinos were famous on this side.

"Boss! I'm gonna miss you so much" A loud cry was whaling like it was mourning for the dead clinging to the hand of the young boy who's supposedly their boss.

Several followers mourn their boss's departure. The crying was a little loud but not enough to catch the people's attention since they were in an alleyway.

"Ugh, stop it, Peter, it's just going to a school, you don't have to exaggerate it."

"B-but, the boss passed the entrance exam! Wahh I'm so proud of the boss!" Peter continues to cry tears of joy. "But boss, are you really going to leave us? They say that students stay in dorms." He stares at his boss with puppy eyes that aren't willing to be left by his owner.

"Who says I'm going to leave you guys behind? It's just staying in the dorms and we can even text in the group chat, what's so concerning about it?" the boy said briskly.

"B-Boss!" Peter begins to tear up again, "Wahhh you're so cool!!" The other people began to tear up too.

"Hmph," the boy smiles at them, "Stay safe guys." In a cool tone, the boy who has already prepared everything to go to school left while waving one hand to his boys and another carrying his handbag as he walked with his back in front of them.

At the same time….

"id….kid…Hey kid"

A gentle yet manly voice was heard and the eyes that were excited to open from the call were struggling to do so.

Dad…

He knew it was his voice.

Proceeding to the next scene, the two siblings were complaining to a male adult saying that they want to go to school. But due to the current situation, it was complicated and hard for the adult to enroll these two siblings in a university in the City.

"Hey kids, if ya wanna go to school just press this block m'kay?"

A block?

"Your dad's got ya covered. Oh also" he begins to whisper to the two little kids,

"I'm actually friends with the principal at this school so ya better find him for easy life 'kay?"

"And, and…" The adult kneels and whispers to the two's ears, "don't tell ya mom about this, is that clear kids?"

The siblings nodded and followed their dad's instructions.

...….

Up until now, Henry and I did not go to school. It felt..wrong to leave our parents behind….

but now…

Hatz's eyes finally opened from his slumber, he got up but his whole body was very sore from the digging and bringing. George's spell was still not enough for him to recover.

"George…" In a morning voice,

!! "You're finally awake Hatz" George, in a calm voice said, he wanted Hatz to know and feel that he is always there for him. He wanted to comfort him.

"..." Hatz was unexpectedly silent then he eyed the village,

He heavily stands up and grabs George, then heads over to the village. He knew he missed something and the barely-recalled dream hinted to him. He must have missed his family so much that he already dreamt about them.

Block….Hatz thinks carefully and tries to recall what it looked like. It did say it can be pressed.

? Is it? Hatz had a guess, then he quickly went over to their burnt house, all that was left was the well that Hatz used to shower every morning.

"So that's where dad hides all the stuff" He unconsciously murmured not knowing that George could hear it. Well, there is no harm even if George heard it.

Hatz walks up to the well and then begins to press every brick seen. With a clacking sound, he finally opened something and with a grumbling noise coming out from the floor, an iron wheel was seen popping out of the snow. Seems like all Hatz has to do is to stir it just like opening a valuable vault.

"!" With eyes beginning to tear up again, Hatz saw so much money stacked up with two pairs of Student identification cards, two pairs of school uniforms, and sports shoes.

Dad..must have wanted to see us wearing the uniform.

He began to tear up, he knew that, yet he did not even bother trying it on for his dad to see. That must be why their dad planned early for their school life.

He silently took a little money, an ID with his name on it, and his school uniform with a pair of shoes. He did not take the rest as they were for Henry and he knows that he needs to find him at all costs. It is unlikely that anyone will try to steal the things from this hidden vault.

After a while, Hatz changed his old ragged clothes into a new school uniform. It had a black necktie and white-long polo shirt, with long black pants and a belt that had the school's logo made of iron.

Hatz did have a hard time wearing them, he was scared that he could rip them at any time because he did not know how to wear them. Good thing George guided him, especially on how to tie a necktie.

"You look good in that, Hatz" George was sincere with that, "Also, you should cover your necktie from the collar of the polo."

"Like..this?" Hatz shows it to George crouching. George may be small since he is only 0.5 inches with a height of 130cm long pipe.

"Mhm!" George replied happily, Hatz also smiled a little while looking at the necktie as he played the tip.

Suddenly, he walks toward the line of buried bodies and then stops at his dad's.

"Dad, I wore it now, how do I look?"

....Since all bodies were already buried, Hatz was looking at a lump of snow.

The silence was to be expected and Hatz knew that he might look crazy but he isn't bothered by it.

"Until I find Henry and mom, can you wait? Dad? I'm sorry you have to be here sleeping in the cold, but I will get you a nice place."

....

"Then it's a promise." Hatz got back to his normal personality after that silent conversation. Moreover, the reason why he said he will find Henry and his mom is also the sole reason why he will attend the university.

It seems Hatz has accepted this reality. Even if it was still yesterday….I commend him. George seems to have more respect for Hatz.

When Hatz was done showing his uniform to his dad, he looked back at George who was in a standing form laying on the well,

"George, will you go with me to the City?"

Hatz was determined that he will need to find his school and find a way to search for Henry after he enters the City. That is his first step toward his new life as a student in the City.

"I'm always with you, Hatz."

"...." He looks at the pipe awkwardly, as if he saw George, the pipe blushing, "You know,

It sounds a bit cringe"

"Shut up."

As they were on the way to the City, it was very convenient that there was a small path that could lead toward the City. So Hatz would not have to worry about being lost. On the road, the two were surprisingly silent, both of them wanted to wait for their expected question. For example, George wants to ask if Hatz is curious about his identity now that he was exposed, and as for Hatz, he wants to know why he came here, etc.

Finally, someone start speaking,

"Hatz"

"George",

They both called each other at the same time.

"U-um you can go first." Hatz quickly gave in as he was still reluctant in his questioning.

"No, you must have a lot of questions tangling around your mind. I would be willing to answer them if I can." Instead, George knew that Hatz was hesitant about this matter but he did consider his feelings and respect them since spirits are very rare after all. Answering the questions that are supposed to be answered is a responsibility to George too.

"..." Hatz continues to walk on the path as he sheathed George in a sword sheath. "Are you a spirit?" It may be an unreasonable question since George has already changed his appearance but it doesn't seem real that some random spirit suddenly appeared near their village and became their last survivor's weapon. This was too good to be true, and considering this statement, George replied honestly, "Yes, I am. I have descended here since 300 years ago."

Hatz suddenly stopped walking and froze like a stone as he heard the "300".

!! What? Hatz did not expect that number, "W-w-wait, so you are… 300 hundred years older than me?!"

B-but! You look so young!

"Pfftt," George began to laugh, "Hahahaha!" This was the first time Hatz heard George laugh sincerely but sadly he could not see his expression.

"W-what are you laughing at?" Hatz then continues to walk as he pouts.

"Well," George stops laughing slowly and stays in a good mood. "Spirits age slowly, after all, 300 years is still considered young in our case."

"Eh????"

For spirits, 300-500 years is their prime and youth stage, most spirits die within 1000 years and above depending on their power and health.

"Then… Why did you descend, George?"

"That…" George expected that question yet he was wavering, but he was still determined to answer it because Hatz has the right to know.

"It's because I saw a prophecy when I read a book back in the heavens. The name Hatz was written saying that the shadows will come back, destroy and corrupt the whole City."

"..." Hatz listens attentively as he walks.

"I knew that I should go down and help, there were too few spirits who were still interested in the human world. Most of them have already chosen to live their own life and not bother with them. The spirits held back their "hobbies". But I, who was the only one left reading human histories in the library, was still searching for what piqued my attention. When I came 300 years earlier, the Golden Age was still present."

"!!"

The Golden Age was when humanity was divided into two parts, rich and poor. Not a single day during that time was peaceful to even live. People were struggling to even find a water supply and pay taxes. War, war, war….there were missiles everywhere every day. Those who did not have money to even buy a house had to dodge places with firearms to protect their lives. But those with money had a luxurious life in their palaces and capitals. Why did war keep happening at that time? This was because when elements were discovered to be powerful, people kept on fighting for the top to see which element was the strongest. But it all stopped when shadows came to destroy their land. They thought that teaming up was the best choice to drive them off. More or less, this was the reason the Golden Age ended, in other words, the "War Of Elements" ended. It was all thanks to the shadows that the City has become as peaceful as today, it was also thanks to the shadows that Lumiero Clan has a reason to live.

How can this get even more bitter…

"However, I remained a spirit at that time...So I only watched the people fighting in the war." This was a lie. In the past, he had the first master during the war and it was the reason why George transformed into a pipe. Spirits are shapeless weapons to begin with, so they shape according to their master's capability. But soon after his master died, he never had another master again.

"..." Hatz remained silent. "So you knew that our village would get attacked."

"!!" George didn't expect that kind of reply, especially from Hatz who was supposed to have an innocent, wholesome personality. "That–"

Hatz stopped walking and then asked out of curiousity, "Why?" his head bowed down avoiding the sight of George.

Not because he hates him, but because…

"If you knew this would have happened then why did you even bother coming down here?" This one question was not something George could answer.

"..."

But because he thought George was wasting his time.

"If that prophecy that you were saying was true, did you really come down here to help? Or was it because this situation was interesting and nice to watch that you can't help but be by my side?" Instead of getting angry, Hatz had a sad tone, he thought if George really did wait around just to see this tragedy.

"Then, let me ask you, How was the scenario that you are viewing, George? You can rate it from 1 to 10."

"...." Another long silence was displayed, "I was too late–" George mumbled,

"300 YEARS WASN'T ENOUGH TIME FOR YOU?!"

"I–" George hesitated to answer,

I shouldn't have said that Hatz admitted and continued, "No, George," he assumed that George was going to say sorry, "This isn't your fault, this was our clan's responsibility to begin with. And these people died because they were weak."

"?!" George was shocked by his words and instead of asking why he said that, he remained silent along the way

...

Hatz continued to walk again as they had almost arrived at the gate of the City.

"I'm sorry George….Please forget what I just said. I was a bit too selfish." Hatz decides to ignore this problem and move on but his harsh tone still hasn't changed.

"....." And George still remained silent.

As the sound of footsteps from a young lad stopped at the front of the city gate, two guards were standing in front of him blocking the entrance with their iron spears and one asked, "Young boy, may I see your government-issued card?"

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________End of Chapter 2.2: The City