Chapter 73: The Hero Who Hates Himself
Inside the city, the carriage came to a stop next to a massive building. It was a stunning sight made of white marble. There stood a massive statue at the front, a golden bird spinning in flight as flames wrapped around it.
They all came down from the carriages. Raze took in the sight before him. The building was magnificent; he didn’t need anyone to tell him what building this was, as he already knew it was the Crimson Auction House.
Lady Terra and the others walked up to him. "This is the auction house where your products will be sold. The first sale will be in three days," she said and pulled out a golden card from her ring, handing it to Raze. He took the card and inspected it. It had the same flaming bird and the words VVIP engraved on it.
"That card will enable you to come in and watch the auction. You can bring the others with you, the card allows it."
"Thank you for everything, Lady Terra," Raze appreciated her and gave a slight bow, but she grabbed his head and stopped him. "Stop with the humble act, we both know you aren’t humble like that," she said, then stretched out her hand for a handshake.
Raze let out a chuckle and then shook her hand. "I guess you already know me too much," he said.
"Alright, I’ll take you guys to the academy. You can all sleep there until tomorrow when you take the exam," Lewis came forward.
"Uhm, no," Raze said, shaking his head.
"What?" Lewis asked, confused.
"This is the first time I’ve been in another city; there’s no way I’m spending it inside the same academy you plan to lock me in. For the first day, I’m exploring the city of Ravenhold, and tomorrow I’ll head to the academy," Raze said.
Lewis shook his head. "No, you’re a target now, and the academy is the safest place for you," Lewis said.
"Still not going yet. If I die inside this city on the first day, I guess I deserve to die," Raze said, and then turned around. "Before you all find a way to stop me and use some sort of excuse to cage me, I’m off to see the city," he said, waving his hand over his head.
Ella looked at the departing Raze and immediately followed after a bow to Lewis, Ken, and Lady Terra. Then Gavin followed as well, and finally, Riker decided to see the city with them.
Lewis stood there confused. He opened his mouth to say something, but Ken threw his hand over his shoulder. "Don’t worry, the kids aren’t weak. And I’m sure Lady Shadow won’t attack in the city, also, she should be tending to her wounds now."
Lewis took a deep breath and then let the issue be. "I guess that’s true," he said.
[....]
Raze and the others walked through the city. They observed the markets and the activities happening around. Some salesmen called out to them to purchase their wares.
"I think you need a magical tool," Ella suddenly said.
"A magical tool?" Raze asked. He knew what this was, but he couldn’t say he did, since he never spoke of it, randomly knowing it would be a little suspicious.
"Yes, many mages use wands, staffs, swords, and what have you to help their magic. It’s essential," she said. "Especially if you’re going to be in the academy, where competition is tight.
Gavin has his sword, which in some regard is his own tool, but for you and Riker, you don’t have one," she explained.
"You don’t have one either," Raze stated.
"I do," she replied before taking out a ring with a red gemstone. "This is mine. I barely wear it because Lady Green said relying on the tool too much would make you a weaker mage. So despite its importance, I do my best to ensure that I don’t wear it all the time.
"Also, the ring was a gift from her, and it’s a special-grade magical tool. It enables me to cast flame magic at double the normal strength."
"That’s awesome," Riker said, looking at the ring. Double the spell power was no joke, and despite the fact that he wasn’t as studious as Raze and Ella, he still knew quite a bit about magic, so seeing something like this was a real shock.
"So where can we get a magical tool from?" Raze asked.
"I know a shop not too far from here. The owner is a runist and a friend of Lady Green," Ella said and led the way. "Follow me," she said.
As they walked, Gavin found himself beside Raze in the back. He kept his gaze forward and said nothing. They just kept walking until Raze spoke. "Say what’s on your mind already."
Gavin was stunned. He glanced at Raze. "Was it that obvious?" he asked.
"Not really, but I can tell. So talk," Raze replied.
"Sigh, you killed people," Gavin said, his tone heavy.
"They tried to kill me," Raze replied without a moment of hesitation.
Gavin looked at him. He saw no emotion while Raze spoke. "A life isn’t something to toy with. You can’t just take the life of someone like it’s nothing and feel no remorse about it," Gavin said, a hint of anger in his voice.
’Hypocritical bastard, with how many people you killed in your blind rage, you shouldn’t speak to me. Tsk,’ Raze thought. He understood that Gavin was created that way for the story and that he hated killing people. He wanted to stand for justice, but like an alter ego, that killer remained inside him.
No matter how Gavin tried to be the symbol of justice, he was also the Grim Reaper in disguise. And for that reason, Gavin hated himself more than he hated demon beasts. He hated his rage and the fact that he knew that rage would never be quelled as long as the demon beasts existed.
The Hero who hated himself.