The group of kids blocked their path again.

  A big one named Bob with broad-shoulders and cocky face—grabbed Calum's arm.

  "Oi, you."

  Catherine shouted back immediately. "Bob, leave him alone!" And grabbed Calum's other arm and pulled it hard. Bob also yanked back. Calum stood between them, getting tugged in both directions like a rope in some stupid game.

  For a moment, Calum just let it happen. Rolling his eyes while they fought over him like he was a doll.

  Then he twisted his body, pulling both of his arms free at the same time.

  Catherine stumbled back and hit the ground. Bob also went down, his face-first in the dirt.

  "Ah!" Catherine cried. And Calum instantly stepped over and offered his helping hand which she took and he pulled her up. She brushed dust off her clothes, hands shaking.

  Bob's friends rushed over, hauling him up. His face went red but not from the fall.

  "You pig girl!" Bob shouted, voice cracking. "How dare you! You ugly pig!"

  The others laughed immediately joining in the fun.

  "Look at her face!" one of them sneered, pointing at Catherine. "Why are there so many dirty dots on it? Hahaha!"

  They were talking about the freckles scattered across her cheeks and nose. Small dark marks probably since birth. But to them, it was something to mock. Something to hurt her with.

  Catherine stood frozen beside him. Her hands clenched into fists and her eyes became wet.

  Calum looked at her, then at the boys still laughing. He sighed and took Catherine's hand and turned away, heading back toward the village.

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  But the group didn't stop shouting insults after them.

  Back in the village.

  Catherine kept her head down, wiping at her eyes even after the tears stopped, both then entered Inside the house where Old Charles sat by the fireplace, carving wood. He looked up and saw Catherine's face.

  "What happened?"

  But, Catherine didn't reply. She walked past him and curled up in the corner, knees to her chest. Calum stood near the doorway for a moment, watching her. Then he turned to face Old Charles.

  "I'm leaving now."

  Charles blinked. "What? Why?"

  "I need to go to the wizard town. I still want to attend the academy."

  Catherine's head snapped up. "What?! You're leaving?" Her voice shook. "But... but..."

  Old Charles sighed. "It's his choice, Catherine."

  She stared at Calum, who'd already started pulling on his boots. Her mouth opened like she wanted to say something—wanted to ask him to stay—but the words didn't come. She couldn't find them.

  Calum finished with his boots and walked over to Old Charles. Bowing his head slightly.

  "Goodbye, Old Sir."

  Charles nodded slowly. "Take care of yourself, kid. You're always welcome here."

  Calum turned and walked toward the door. While Catherine and Charles watched him leave. The door closed softly behind him.

  He then started walking down the road towards Wizard Town and the village faded behind him until there was nothing but an open road ahead.

  After an hour later, the noise of the bustling town hit his eardrum. Voices of people creating noise—haggling, arguing, shouting. The smell of food, herbs and smoke went through his nostrils.

  Moving through the crowded streets. Merchants called out from their stalls, trying to catch anyone's attention.

  Eventually, Calum found what he was looking for. A small inn tucked between a blacksmith's shop and a tavern. The sign above the door read The Copper Rest. Calum pushed the door open.

  The interior was well designed and smelled like old wood and cheap alcohol that had been sitting out too long. A few people sat scattered around, drinking.

  Behind the counter stood a fat man with a thick beard and tired eyes. Calum walked up to him.

  "I need a room for three weeks."

  The innkeeper looked at him, up and down. His eyes lingered for a moment before flicking back to Calum's face. "Three weeks? That'll be ten copper coins. Upfront."

  Calum pulled out ten copper coins and set them on the counter, one by one.

  The innkeeper grunted and swept up the coins instantly. "Second floor. Third door on the left." And tossed him a key.

  Calum caught it. "Thank you."

  He climbed the narrow staircase. His footsteps creaked on the old wood.

  ..

  After finding his room, which was small—just a bed, a wooden chair, and a cracked mirror on the wall—but it was clean enough for a person to stay.

  Calum locked the door and sat down on the bed. Closed his eyes for a moment and opened up the system window.

  ____________________

  [NAME: CALUM WARDEN]

  [AGE: 12]

  [GENDER: MALE]

  [LEVEL: 5]

  [SYSTEM LEVEL: 2]

  [MAGE CIRCLE: FIRST CIRCLE, MID-STAGE]

  [SOUL CHARACTERISTIC: HIDDEN FROM SEER]

  ___________________

  Calum stared at the numbers which were still Level 5. But the system had reached Level 2 after he studied non stop and went through many books in the library.

  He closed the status window and opened his inventory section. He reached into the glow and pulled out what he had.

  Two short daggers with leather-wrapped handles. Arm guards of hardened leather lined with thin metal plates and a chest guard that could sit under his shirt and even cover his neck.

  He placed everything on the bed and began putting them on.

  First the arm guards, tightening the straps until they fit firmly against his forearms.

  Then the chest guard and at last, he picked up the daggers and stood up from the bed, starting moving the blades in the air as if familiarising himself with them.

  He was getting ready to hunt. And the bait was already set.