A Heart of Nightmares

Shin had tried to fall back asleep, but it was no use. 

He spent the rest of the night lying awake, haunted by memories of the past. 

When the sun finally rose above the jungle, it lifted him from his torment. 

Like everyone else, he got up and went to have breakfast. No one noticed how much paler he seemed than usual. Breakfast options were scarce, as the place was just an outpost. The managers had set up a canteen where all the food was centralized, but the prices were rather high due to the scarcity of food in the area.

The poorest among them had to make do with a piece of bread and a glass of water. The wealthier ones could afford better-quality bread and even a small piece of meat, accompanied by some alcohol. 

As for Shin, he was neither very rich nor very poor. He settled for a medium-quality bread with a glass of water and even managed to get some salad.

After breakfast, everyone heading to Istria gathered in front of the carriage, which was about to set off again. 

A few deaths had occurred, freeing up some seats, and new arrivals climbed into the vehicle. Additionally, new guards had been hired, though their numbers were still not very large at the outpost.

Around noon, the caravan resumed its journey. 

The road to Istria wasn't very long anymore, with no more outposts separating them from the city. 

They would arrive in about two hours. In the meantime, Shin had nothing to do, so he chatted with Ryan and Edward. 

He learned that Ryan, as Shin had guessed, used to be a lumberjack. Edward, on the other hand, was once a small merchant who went bankrupt and had to retrain as a hunter. He was heading to Istria in search of job opportunities. His family… had been horrifically massacred by beasts just as he was starting his business.

Shin had a pleasant time talking to them, a faint smile playing on his lips despite the haunting images still imprinted on his mind. 

After a while, the forest thinned out, and the road widened. The driver called out loudly:

"We'll be arriving in the city soon, get ready!"

Shin and his two new friends stopped their conversation and got up from the ground. They checked their belongings before the carriage came to a halt. 

They exited through the back and saw the city's wall, towering about thirty meters high. However, when they turned around…

They beheld a vast city, at least forty times larger than the outpost they had just left. There were hundreds of homes and multiple neighborhoods. To the west was a gigantic market where various products were sold. Shin could imagine the mix of aromas reaching his nostrils even from a distance—spices, meat, furniture wood, and many more.

He turned his gaze towards the city center, where an enormous castle rose towards the canopy. It was the castle of the royalty of the kingdom of Osram, its black stone walls both sublime and a bit terrifying. 

To the east of the castle, standing in stark contrast with its pristine white walls, was a no less grandiose building: the Melna Academy of Magic, his destination.

Though he couldn't see it from where he stood, further north behind the castle was the organization that managed the hunters. 

The commercial district was where they currently were. The trade between the North and South districts was managed by the West district, hence the market. 

The remaining space in each district was dedicated to housing.

Looking at his two new friends, Shin announced with a heavy heart:

"It's time to go our separate ways."

"You said it," Ryan replied, equally disappointed.

"Let's try to stay in touch," Edward added.

The two nodded in agreement, though it would be difficult with so many people in the city.

They stood there for a few moments in silence before Ryan finally said, "Well, I'll be off then."

"Me too," Shin replied before turning away. 

He glanced at Melna University for a split second, motionless. 

But finally, gathering his courage, he walked towards it without looking back, the wind playing with his clothes. 

The cool air hitting his face, Shin managed a small, pained smile as his eyes took on a serious look.

He murmured to himself, as if making a promise:

"Lynia, I will find you. I promise."