The sound of the carriage’s wheel halting echoed as Zeres stepped out.
Taking out a bunch of Haven coins, he passed it to the coachman waiting for him to pay.
"Thank you! " the coachman bead, a bright smile on his face before he continued to roll the wheels of the carriage.
"The second sester’s already here" he mumbled to himself.
Standing before the opened gate, Zeres stared at the shop.
If there wasn’t any ghost or wraith haunting this shop before—he was sure it had already beco a property for the rchants.
Walking slowly on the pavent, he arrived before the two opened wooden doors. "I’m back" he said, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
"Zeres! " Ryu sprang up from his seat. "Would you like a coffee? " he asked.
"Yes please" Zeres nodded.
"How’s the trial? " Ryndol asked him, he held up the saucer while he sipped the coffee on the cup.
"Great"
"You’ll need to prepare, appointnts will start flocking in this business within two days." Ryu put the saucer and the cup carefully on the polished wide wooden table.
"What happened? "
"Ryu managed to create so connections within the five days you’re in the Trial." A smirk appeared on Ryndol’s face. "So even tried to adopt him."
"Haha" a dry laugh ca of from Zeres mouth.
"How about you head up to your room now, take the coffee there—you looked tired." Stepping closer, Ryndol patted his shoulder.
Zeres nodded, then he went upstairs.
Arriving before his own room, he twisted the door knob then entered.
The room was surprisingly lavish for a student. Dark velvet curtains frad the tall windows. While a woven carpet softened the wooden floor. A polished mahogany desk sat near the corner. It’s surface occupied by neatly stacked books, unopened letters and a half empty bottle of wine. Beside the fireplace stood a leather armchair worn just enough to suggest frequent use. There were no extravagant ornants, no piles of golds or gemstones. Everything was expensive, enough to suggest Zeres prefferee quality over quantity.
He stood before the dark velvet curtain framing the tall windows, his hands moved to carefully slid the curtain to the side.
The sunlight hit his face imdiately.
"Phew, the trial’s finally done! " a breath he’d been holding since earlier escaped from his mouth.
Staring at the humans who went on their own business, Zeres pulled the curtain. Darkness filled across the room.
Zeres crossed the room. Settling beside the hearth while he grabbed so woods to slid inside on the fire. The fire cackled, casting soft light on his pale face.
Staring at the hearth, Ryndol’s voice began to surface to his mind.
"Do I really look exhausted? "
He wasn’t really tired or exhausted, it’s just that he had been endlessly worrying about what will happen now that the story was heading straight to chaos.
He felt lost.
Like a treasure hunter that had lost his treasure map. It felt like he’d been walking in a tightrope; where a single mistake could result into serious circumstances.
"Brother, are you okay? " a child-like voice echoed behind the door of his room.
Zeres sighed softly. "Co in, just put the coffee here."
The door to his room opened and Ryu stepped inside. Compared to before, Ryu and Ryndol looked healthy now that he took them in.
"I’ll just put it her then." Ryu muttered, carefully putting down the tray.
It had a bread on it, and the scent of the sweet aroma drifted across his room.
"Thank you" Zeres stood up from his bed. His hands reaching up to Ryu’s head.
"Good job, Ryndol told you’ve done your job splendidly." He praised, his hands softly ruffling his Auburn hair.
"Hmm, I just did what you told to."
"Even so, you can reject my requests sotis, it’s not like you’re my slave." A soft smile made it’s way across Zeres’ face.
"Okay" Ryu nodded, walking out of the door, he turned slightly.
"Your room’s too dark, at least light so candles"
Zeres stared at Ryu’s departing figure, then he crossed the room. Settling on the leather armchair, he lifted the cup with the saucer.
"Is it really that dark? " he sipped the hot coffee, putting it down, he grabbed the bread.
Zeres tore off a piece of bread. The crust cracked softly, revealing a fluffy interior.
The bread carried a faint sweetness from honey, making it difficult to stop after a single piece.
"Seriously, when did that kid learn how to do this? " he muttered, still munching on the soft pieces of bread.
"I can only hope my sister didn’’t kill any of the nad character with just the first act." He mumbled to himself.
Just then, a faint sound chid inside his head.
His gaze imdiately snapped upwards. A translucent red screen was there, hovering before him like a death sentence. The contents of the screen made his throat felt dry.
[Congratulations Host. You have passed the First Sester succesfully!]
[The second sester have now arrived.]
[You are to act as nothing but an overseer, for anything that you ddle with will lead all of the nad character’s fate to ruins.]
Zeres’ hands trembled, his body went still, cold sweat had ford behind his back.
He gulped.
"What do you an? " Zeres shifted uncomfortably on his seat. The coffee on the table had gone cold, the taste of the bread had turned bland.
[Exactly as how you understand it Host. Do not ddle with the story’s plot more than what you’ve already did. Or else, ’they’ might co for you.]
[If you fail to do so, the written ones will banished you from existence.]
"W-what are you saying all of a sudden? " Zeres gritted his teeth.
"You suddenly lost your sentience then now you’ve regained it? And now you’re telling to just watch them die?" His voice ca out rough, ragged breathing escaped from his mouth.
[It is predestined. It is already written]
The system responded flatly.
[However, if you wish to intervene. I will have to raise your assimilation percentage.]
"What did you just say?" A crack appeared on his faked composure.
"Do you fucking know how hard it is to survive normally everyday because of that fucking assimilation?!"
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