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Chapter 12
The Golden Capital shimmered under the moonlight, like a living painting from another world.
Naomi walked beside Jin, her steps light, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She took him on a wide tour around the capital, speaking animatedly about the different districts, the shops, the beautiful lights decorating the streets, and the residents and vendors who filled the place with life.
Everything here was completely different from the outside... As if they had stepped into another world... a world pulsing with vitality, unaware of the misery or decay that engulfed the outer world.
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At the end of their tour, they arrived at the heart of the capital.
There stood a massive academy, its structure towering like ancient castles, its walls made of black stone, its towers reaching for the sky, surrounded by an aura of pure magic.
Naomi stopped and proudly stretched out her hand toward the building.
"Look, Jin..." She said with a wide smile, "This is the Academy of Heroes. From here will emerge the hero who will save the world."
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Jin looked at her, then at the colossal building. His eyes showed no surprise, only a clear questioning expression.
"I don't get it..." He said coldly, "I want to find a job, not sightsee."
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Naomi paused for a moment, then crossed her arms in frustration and muttered, "Hmmm... You're really boring."
But she didn't give up.
"Alright, alright... I'll take you." She said suddenly, grabbing his hand.
Then she started running, laughing, "Come on! I'm taking you to the guild!"
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Jin looked at her hand holding his, then at her bright, smiling face... He felt something strange... A warmth he hadn't felt in years.
Something in that moment awakened a feeling inside him he had nearly forgotten.
"Wait... stop, don't run..." He whispered softly... Simple words... light... but coming from deep within his heart.
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As they ran, a huge man suddenly appeared in the middle of the road. He was dark-skinned and massive.
Beside him stood a boy dressed finely, clearly noble, with golden blonde hair and features that marked him as the son of an aristocrat.
Both stopped.
The blonde boy smiled calmly at Naomi and said, "Hello, Naomi."
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Jin turned to him... then looked at Naomi.
But he saw no response on her face... only silent gazes... Gazes full of anger... and hatred.
Something ignited in her eyes that he had never seen before.
The noble youth looked at Jin. His long black hair was messy, and his clothes were tattered, nothing like the shining citizens of the capital.
Then he turned to Naomi, frowning artificially:
"I know you're kind, Naomi, but you shouldn't be walking around with vagrants like this... They're dangerous."
He reached out to touch her face... but she slapped his hand away fiercely.
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The massive dark-skinned guard moved from his side, ready to react, but the noble youth stopped him with a wave of his hand without looking.
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Naomi said coldly, her eyes locked onto his:
"Don't talk about my friend like that, Victor. You have no right to judge my friends... or speak about them that way."
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Victor smiled, then his face twisted into a cold, heartless grin.
"You should consider my offer, you understand, Naomi? Or... do you not want to see your dear father lose the only shop he loves?"
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Naomi trembled... Her expression suddenly changed, and her eyes dropped to the ground.
Jin, still holding her hand, felt the shiver.
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Victor smiled, looking at Jin mockingly:
"Well then... goodbye. Be careful, boy."
Then he turned and left, leaving a heavy silence behind. Naomi still stood next to Jin, afraid, staring at the ground.
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Jin... his gaze shifted. It was no longer a look of surprise or confusion... but calm, cold, as if something inside him was beginning to plot something.
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Then, amidst the heavy atmosphere, Naomi forced a fake smile, clearly scared:
"Come on, Jin... let's keep going."
They walked in silence... neither spoke. Naomi tried to pretend to be strong, but her uneven steps said a lot.
Jin didn't look at her, didn't ask, showed no reaction. But he felt something stirring inside... That kind of calm that comes before the storm.
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In his mind, the blonde boy's face kept flashing before him. His words... the way he looked... that smile.
Jin wouldn't forget.
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He didn't intend to say anything. And he didn't need to. He simply decided to remember his face.
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Naomi tried to regain the cheerful mood: "Well then, why so silent? Are you scared for me? Don't worry, I'm strong! And also... it's only been a day since we met, and you already fell for me that fast? Haha, sorry, my standards are high." She laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
Jin gave her a strange look and said, "You're not my type."
Before finishing, Naomi kicked his foot: "Shut up, keep up. The guild is close!"
Jin followed her, watching the fiery sparks fly over her head.
"... Why is she angry? Did I say something wrong?"
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In front of the guild gate, Naomi said irritably: "Here it is, come on, enter."
She went in, leaving Jin behind.
Jin looked puzzled: "What's wrong with her?" Then said to himself: "Doesn't matter now, let it be."
Jin entered the guild, bustling with sorcerers, knights, hunters, and all kinds of races. Everyone stood gathered around the mission board, while others were eating.
Jin looked and followed Naomi until they reached the registration table, where they met a clerk with long, neat black hair dressed like a maid.
The clerk smiled: "Welcome, gentlemen, how can I assist you?"
Naomi said, "This young man wants to register. His name is Jin, he came from outside the capital."
Everyone turned to Jin. Those coming from outside the capital were considered legends.
The clerk asked surprised: "Is he a knight?" She looked at the swords hanging behind Jin's back.
Naomi: "Yes, he is a knight."
Clerk: "Alright, we will conduct a simple test for him in the magic room to determine his level, then give him a hunter's card."
Naomi smiled: "Of course, Jin, it's your time."
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Hello dear readers! I'm the author, and I'm really glad you're enjoying Chapter 12 of the story. What do you think Jin's level will be in the upcoming test? Will he be as strong as he seems, or will unexpected challenges await him? Share your thoughts—I'm excited to hear your predictions!