The employer continued speaking in a firm voice that sliced through the silence, as if his words were blades falling upon our hearts:
"Then… I will begin naming the individuals selected for this task."
A heavy stillness spread across the rows. Each of us held our breath, hoping our name wouldn't be among those called.
It was a suffocating moment. Eyes met with wary glances—some fearing to be chosen, others fearing even more to be left out.
The employer slightly raised his hand, then said in a tone that allowed no argument:
"First… Sirion. Since your ability is non-combat."
A few heads shifted, as if silent whispers were passing between everyone.
As for Sirion, he stood like a statue. Nothing in his expression changed, as if he had already expected this outcome.
He didn't sigh, complain, or show resistance or fear. He simply maintained a cold gaze that revealed nothing.
The employer paused briefly, then continued in a heavier tone:
"Second… Zairos. Your ability is communicating with animals. But since there are no animals in this field, we will consider your ability useless here."
Zairos's shoulder trembled, and he lowered his gaze to the ground, as if a massive weight had suddenly fallen upon him.
His eyes seemed sunken, filled with sadness and bitterness, as though he wished he had never been forced to reveal his weakness in front of everyone.
He looked like a child who had just realized he was about to be thrown into a battle he didn't know how to escape.
The employer didn't give us time to exchange looks or think, as he immediately added:
"Third… Vesper. You have not shown any extraordinary ability so far."
But before Vesper could accept the decision, he suddenly raised his voice. There was a mix of embarrassment and determination in his tone:
"Excuse me, sir… but I gained my ability today."
Surprise appeared on the faces of those present. Even the employer raised an eyebrow with interest and said slowly:
"Really? And what is this ability?"
Vesper gave a shy smile—half admission, half hesitation—then answered in a faint voice:
"I can harm an opponent without touching them… but the effect is weak."
A heavy silence followed, as if everyone was waiting for a final judgment.
Then the employer said firmly, without any hint of leniency:
"I see… very well, you will be chosen regardless."
I didn't know what Vesper felt in that moment.
Did his heart fill with sadness because his ability didn't save him from being selected?
Or did he feel pride because, at the very least, he possessed something that could be called an "ability"?
His expression was unreadable, as if he chose to hide his feelings behind a faint smile that said nothing.
The employer took a deep breath, then fell silent for a moment, as if preparing to announce the final name that would settle everything.
I felt my breathing tighten as I waited for his words, my eyes fixed on the movement of his lips.
Then he finally said, pointing at me like he was delivering an inevitable fate:
"Fourth and last… you. Because your unique ability is not combat-based, but merely 'Refreshing Breath.'"
I froze in place for a moment, even though I had expected this decision beforehand.
I was nearly the weakest among them. It wouldn't make sense for my name to be left out.
And yet, hearing it announced publicly made it far harsher.
What no one said—and what burned inside me—was that I had lied to the employer … and to everyone else.
Yes, I had made them believe that my true ability was "Refreshing Breath," a trivial skill that did nothing more than provide a temporary boost of physical energy.
I know… I know that lying is wrong, and that I shouldn't deceive the one who gave me a place among his men.
But in this harsh world, I learned that trust is not given easily—and revealing your truth too early might be the shortest path to your end.
Even if I try to justify myself, there's one small excuse I cling to: I didn't completely lie.
I do have that minor skill—"Refreshing Breath." But it is nothing more than a thin cover hiding the deeper truth of who I am.
And yet… what I did is still a lie.
I cannot escape that reality.
I know well that time will eventually expose what I'm hiding.
Lies do not live forever.
A day will come when my truth is revealed to everyone—perhaps in a few days, perhaps months, or even years.
But I'm certain that day will come… and I won't be able to stop it.
I stood among my companions, feeling the weight of the decision pressing on my chest.
The names had been decided, and fate had chosen its four victims: Sirion, Zairos, Vesper… and me.
For a moment, I felt as though the entire yard had grown too small to contain my breath, as if invisible walls were closing in around me.
As for the man with the yellow eyes… his cunning smile grew wider, as if it had been made specifically to watch the faces of the four of us—and no one else.
…
The employer continued in a steady, serious tone:
"Then… in one hour, those who have been selected will come with me. I will personally oversee the situation at the location specified by the man standing beside me… whose name is Aureus."
He paused briefly, letting his words sink in, then added firmly:
"The four of you are to gather here exactly in one hour. You may leave now and return to your tasks."
As soon as he finished, the group began to disperse, each returning to their usual work.
It was as if nothing had happened—as if selecting four of us for a fight was just part of the daily routine.
But the truth was that a hidden tension suffocated the place, visible in stiff shoulders and in the silence that came before whispers.
I returned with Vesper to our tasks—the crates waiting to be carried, the tools needing arrangement.
I tried to focus, but my mind was consumed with what awaited me in an hour.
I grabbed a heavy box, and just as I was about to lift it, a sudden voice came from behind me:
"So… that's why you didn't want to tell me your ability."
My body froze for a moment, and the box nearly slipped from my hands.
I turned quickly, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest, to find Vesper standing behind me with a faint smile.
I exhaled sharply and said:
"Darn it… my heart almost jumped out!"
Vesper laughed softly, raising his hand as if apologizing:
"Hahaha… I'm sorry. But I was surprised when I heard your ability is 'Refreshing Breath.'"
He added with an encouraging smile:
"Don't worry, it might develop over time. Who knows? Maybe you'll surprise us one day!"
I didn't respond.
I had nothing to say.
Any word could expose the truth—that what they called "my ability" was nothing more than a fragile cover hiding my secret.
I simply looked at him for a few seconds, then said coldly:
"Then… get back to your tasks."
He nodded without adding anything, then turned to continue his work with his usual enthusiasm.
And so the minutes passed—heavy as lead—until the hour the boss had set finally arrived.
Then I went to Vesper and said:
"Come on… it's time. Let's go to the meeting place."
He nodded eagerly, and we quickly headed together to the yard.
There, we found Sirion standing in his usual calmness, and Zairos looking hesitant as always, his gaze shifting between the ground and Aureus.
The employer stood with his usual firmness, beside him Aureus—that man with yellow eyes that stirred unease and suspicion.
Behind them, a luxurious carriage awaited us.
It nearly rivaled the elegance of Lord Valis's carriage, though it didn't quite reach the same level of splendor.
It was painted in a dark color resembling midnight blue, adorned with fine golden patterns that shimmered under the sunlight.
The wheels were large and well-crafted, covered with a gleaming metal rim that spoke of solid durability.
The small windows were framed with polished wood, with simple crimson velvet curtains hanging at their sides.
Despite its beauty, it was still less magnificent than Valis's carriage, which was a masterpiece in itself, decorated with intricate details and gemstones.
Aureus stepped toward the carriage first, wearing his mysterious smile—as if he alone knew where we were being led.
The employer followed with confident steps.
Then Sirion boarded calmly, followed by Zairos, who climbed with visible hesitation, as if each step weighed heavily on his chest.
Vesper followed with childlike enthusiasm and endless excitement.
Then it was finally my turn.
I placed my foot on the first step of the carriage, and a voice inside me whispered:
This is where the journey begins.
I entered the carriage, greeted by the scent of polished wood mixed with a faint fragrance—perhaps deliberately added to enhance its luxury.
The seats were made of dark brown leather, smooth to the touch, lined with golden stitching along the edges.
The ceiling was decorated with fine geometric patterns.
I sat beside Vesper and Zairos, while across from us sat Aureus next to the employer, with Sirion between them—their seats facing ours.
Aureus's gaze moved calmly between us, as if studying every motion we made.
The driver closed the door from outside, then climbed to his seat and took the reins.
After a few moments, the carriage began to move slowly. Its wheels rolled over the stone road, and the faint vibrations beneath our feet reminded us that we had truly begun a journey into the unknown.
I sat there, my back pressed against the seat, my eyes fixed on the small window revealing a fragment of the sky, thinking silently:
Where are we going… and what awaits us in the place Aureus has chosen?
All I knew was that I was heading toward a confrontation I was not prepared for…