I was trying to remember this rule number 7. It sounded familiar. I just could not quite recall what it was. I wondered if there even was a rule like that.
Elric tried hard to think about what this so-called seventh rule was. Then he suddenly remembered the time he met the demon named Death. Death had written down seven rules. Rules that existed before entering the narrative.
Death never wrote the seventh rule saying it had forgotten. At the time Elric did not bother to find the answer because he was too busy with everything that was happening around him.. After he left his life was turned upside down by many other things.
I really dislike that demon name Death. I bet every other demon who acts as a host tells all the rules. Except that one.
Elric closed his eyes. Thought about the pieces of memory. When he opened them again a small smile appeared on his face. "Thank you " he said.
The man in front of him who was forty years old waved casually. "Do not mention it " he said.
As evening fell Elric wanted to show his gratitude for the help so he offered to buy the man a meal. They talked as they walked and when they arrived at the restaurant they ordered food and kept talking.
Elric found out that the man had been through hundreds of narratives. He was basically an expert in this field. However he had lost a student he had trained before. The student was a beginner, around eighteen or nineteen years old. That was why when he saw Elric looking confused and unable to understand the symbol on his hand he decided to step in and help.
During the meal Elric asked a questions trying not to ask too much.
"Are you a teacher?" Elric asked. "I saw a school. I did not go inside."
"We should introduce ourselves first " the man said. "My name is Wojciechowicz. Just call me Chowicz. I am not a teacher at that school. The place you saw sells courses. They are selling dreams. Most people do not succeed. They do not truly understand the Tree of life."
Elric realized he had forgotten manners. How had he overlooked something simple? He regained his composure. Extended his hand.
"I am Elric. I am looking for a way to become a Lexmancer. I am not sure if it is even possible. The books barely mention it."
Chowicz paused, then seemed to remember something. "I can teach you " he said.
Elric was a bit surprised. He looked at the mans face searching for any hidden intentions.. Found only calm sincerity.
Still being cautious he asked questions. "Why would you offer to teach me?"
"The answer is simple " Chowicz replied. "I do not want to see the younger generation die.. I do not want them learning the wrong things or flawed methods."
Elric was about to ask about the tuition fees. Then he remembered his current situation. He had no job. The money he had might run out before he could earn more. He felt a bit uneasy.
He pushed the thought aside for now. "How much is the fee?" he asked.
"I do not charge, I am doing it because I want to."
That answer made Elric frown. He did not believe in anything that came without a price.. In this situation he did not have many choices.
"Alright" he said.
Chowicz smiled gently. "Then how about tomorrow? Seven in the morning at the Three Squares arena."
"Sounds good." Elric said.
"Oh right." Chowicz said. "I have another student. He tends to wake up noon or even one in the afternoon. He is a bit strange. I hope you do not mind."
Elric nodded. "That is fine.. You do not need to be so polite. You are my teacher now."
The room dimmed under the nights light. Elric returned to his lodging sitting on the bed with a look. He tried to replicate what he had once seen. Turning his palm upward focusing, trying to pull something invisible into existence.. Everything remained silent like a void.
Hours passed. His efforts turned into exhaustion. He repeated his methods over and over but the result never changed.
Eventually his body gave in. He collapsed onto the bed letting darkness slowly consume his consciousness.
Morning came. Elric woke up groggy. He went through his routine. Washing his face getting dressed and heading downstairs for breakfast. He greeted a familiar faces before leaving the lodging.
Today he decided to find the two people. The twins who had saved his life in the desert. If not for them he would not be standing here now.
He walked deeper into the district, a residential area. Houses lined up neatly. Some lively, others eerily silent.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of food. Soft chatter filled the air giving the place a sense of life.
Before long he stopped in front of a house. It was not small, but not large either. The structure was sturdy yet worn from use. Parts of the walls had. The wooden door bore faint scratches.
Elric stood there for a moment before knocking
The door swung open instantly.
"Who the hell are you?" a man asked.
"Uh to bother you " Elric said. "I came to thank you for what happened a days ago."
The man in front of him looked gaunt with eyes and dark circles like he had not slept. His hair was messy, clothes. A faint unpleasant odor lingered around him.
He stared at Elric confused as if trying to recall something.
After a moment his expression shifted slightly. "Yeah sure. Come in " he said.
As soon as Elric walked in, he was hit by a strange, stale smell. The floor was covered in trash. Dried food scraps were stuck everywhere. Furniture was just thrown around.
The walls had stains on them in places. Thick dust lay everywhere, like no one had cleaned the place in ages.
Elric felt a little uneasy but kept his face still.
He went into the living room, which was full of odd stuff piled up: paper envelopes, small boxes, weird materials, and things that just didn't feel safe.
On an old couch, another man was just chilling, smoking. His feet were up on the table, and he was staring at a blank screen.
He was tall and lean with hardened features. His eyes were like someone who had seen too much.
The man turned. "Who is this guy?" he asked.
"The one we saved in the desert " the other replied.
He thought for a moment then chuckled. "Oh yeah. Because of you we got benefits. Two cerulean Stones and three sel."
Elric understood they had helped him for profit.. Help was still help. "I understand " he said. ". I still wanted to thank you. I do not want to owe anyone."
The two exchanged glances. Laughed.
"You are not scared of us?" one of them said, offering a cigarette.
Elric shook his head. "I will pass. I do not do drugs or smoke."
Suddenly a heavy punch slammed into Elric face.
"No one has ever refused me you know that?" the man said.
The impact knocked Elric to the ground. The beating followed after.
Elric could only endure the pain caught completely off guard.
As the two started arguing among themselves Elric seized the chance to retreat.. Something like a vine shot out and wrapped tightly around his leg.
He. Saw the other man raise his left hand. The Tree of life manifesting clearly.
The fight erupted instantly.
In a flash, the whole feel of the house shifted. Loud crashes rang out as furniture broke into pieces. Dust filled the air, covering everything in the room. Three bright lights moved around the younger man as if they were alive and had a purpose, while the other one sent out four at once, rushing ahead without a second thought. The clash made the ground shake. Cracks spread across the floor, and parts of the walls started falling apart. The younger one seemed to be holding back, using only some of his power, while the older one let loose with everything he had, brutally. The fight didn't seem to have any rules or plan, but they fought purely on instinct and knew their powers really well.
Elric could only lie there, watching—he couldn't understand any of it.
Until...
"That is enough. Where is our money?" a woman said.
He turned to see five women standing there.
Their clothing was revealing, far too thin to be considered normal.
"Here. Two cerulean Stones."
One of the women showed clear dissatisfaction.
Her eyes burned with suppressed anger. Her breathing was heavy, her fists clenched and trembling. The others behind her looked no different—frustrated, but none dared step forward.
An older woman revealed her displeasure. "We let you have your fun all night, and you even let us choke and beat you. We agreed on 6 sel each, so 36 sel for 6 people. Therefore, you must pay more."
The older twin pulled out a gun and pointed it at the woman.
"I wanted to ejaculate inside, but you six refused. Take this money. Get away if you don't want to die."
Elric, listening from a distance, noticed that the vines binding their legs were gone. They must have gathered the Tree of Life. Frankly, from what he heard, they were prostitutes. They probably had sex until morning and then went out for more drugs.
Typical drug dealers, even with guns. Who the hell can fight against this?
Is the cerulean Stone cheap? I don't know, but it could probably buy more than 50 meals. So maybe it's worth it. He doesn't know. But it looks like it has to be divided among 6 people. These twin are sleeping with 6 people at a time. Crazy! Are they drug dealers or something?
Speaking of 6 people… Elric looked around and saw a young girl hiding behind other women.
…Damn it, they're not doing anything to a child, are they? She looks like she's underage… Even though there probably aren't any laws here…
"Go away! Get rid of them all! That damn kid too, don't come back! We don't like men!"
The moment the opportunity appeared, Elric ran—faster than anyone else in the room.
Outside, the fresh air somehow made him feel worse.
Everything he had seen lingered vividly in his mind.
He tried to steady himself, taking deep breaths—but the weight in his chest remained.
In the end, he collapsed and vomited.
His body trembled slightly.
The world he once imagined… wasn't like this at all.
From questioning and talking to the group of prostitutes, he learned that the twins were the most difficult and demanding clients.
These people didn't want to die, but they didn't have the knowledge or ability to do anything else. Thus, they ended up using their bodies for the men's brutal gratification.
They didn't want to, but it was an unavoidable choice. If they didn't, they wouldn't have anything to eat, no money, and would starve. They preferred being abused to death. They were familiar with this.
When asked about the seemingly immature girl, it was revealed she had similar problems to her older sister, forced to do the same out of necessity.
Elric had heard of similar things in other countries; such events weren't impossible, even in the human world.
Morally, there's no doubt it's wrong. It's not right. But when the desire to take a life takes over, everyone still doesn't want to die. Humans are living beings, and all living things fear death. They'd even sacrifice their innocence or commit wrongdoings.
This was the real question Elric pondered… what if someone needed help? He would have to help, but Elric believed everything has a price. The twins were no different. To help that child, he chose a path that might be wrong.
Sacrificing something might be one of the 'prices' to pay. It's the fate and karma of humanity.
There's a saying that your choice might not be the best, but it might be the right one at that moment.
Elric returned and vomited what had consumed him. He always forgot who he was. He was no different from a fool in this demon realm, just a naive kid who never expected to encounter such terrible things.
When cruelty… no… reality hit him, leaving him speechless.
Around five o'clock in the evening, he left his lodging and went to a nearby restaurant. This led him to meet someone Elric wanted to avoid because of his strangeness.
That person was Sila.
"It has been a time. What is going on with you? Did something bad happen to you?"
Elric was about to say something then....
A gunshot went off.
"Everybody get down on the ground. Give me your Lexecons or you will be killed."
Everybody dropped to the ground right away. It got very quiet all of a sudden. Nobody dared to make a sound. Not a loud breath.
Elric and Sila got down on the ground too. They both looked very worried.
Sila looked really annoyed.
"I really hate Gun Rights."