I WON'T JUST LAY DOWN AND DIE

MISFORTUNE FINDS HIM AGAIN

Maxwell had sat up on his bed with tears dripping down his cheeks. A memory, a memory he had forgotten resurfaced. The memory of that night, a night of horror played back like a movie in his mind. He teared up as he recalled those moments.

Ruth's tense nerves relaxed as she saw the boy crying. She approached him, offering a warm embrace while gently stroking his head.

"Let it out, I'm here for you; you can cry as much as you want to," she spoke in a soothing tone.

Despite not knowing the reason for the boy's tears, her motherly instincts took over as she held him close, providing comfort.

Maxwell felt a comforting warmth enveloping him as he sniffled and returned the hug.

"He is just a child; what happened to make him cry like that... It doesn't matter what happened or what he is; a child is a child," she thought to herself as she hugged him tighter. They remained in that comforting embrace for a couple of minutes.

"Sister Ruth, thank you. I am okay now," Maxwell said, his voice hoarse from crying.

Ruth let go of him, and Maxwell gradually calmed down, his eyes still swollen from crying.

" Am I interrupting something", Estel stood at the door and cleared her throat.

Ruth turned to meet her gaze. In her opinion, this elf lady was a bad influence on Maxwell. If she had her way, she would have asked her to leave.

She looked at Maxwell affectionately. "Max, I will be back. I am going to prepare a meal for you," she said as she stroked his head one more time and then left. She didn't even spare a glance at Estel as she passed by her.

Estel did not feel offended; she recognized that she was the intruder in this situation, and the actions of someone as young as Ruth did not bother an elf like herself.

"Maxy, may I?" Estel said as she requested to sit beside Maxwell

Maxwell, who had felt nostalgic during their first meeting, now regarded Estel as a stranger.

"Yes, you may. And if I may ask, who are you?" Maxwell inquired with a curious tone.

Estel was not surprised by this question, as she had encountered it three times before.

"You know, this is getting old," Estel said, rolling her eyes.

Maxwell became even more puzzled. He didn't recognize the elf lady, but she seemed to know him.

"My name is Estel, and I am your wife. Do you know how far I had to travel to get to you this time? Couldn't you have been reborn a bit closer?" Estel exclaimed, clearly frustrated.

"Madam, you know I am five years old, right? How can you be my wife?" Maxwell unconsciously answered.

Estel looked at him surprised, She noticed that Maxwell had sealed his memories away. She changed her approach, clearing her throat she spoke, " I am just joking... I meant to say that I will be your caretaker"

" Oh okay, that makes more sense, I am quite a lucky kid, having such a beautiful lady to help me out... Madam what might your name be" Maxwell spoke as he wore a sheepish smile on his face.

"His caretaker?! Who gave you that role?" Theresa said as she pushed the door open, holding a tray of food meant for Maxwell. She approached cautiously, her guard up.

Estel knowing this might cause a commotion, pulled her out of the room.

" Sister, please take it easy, I am a very close friend of his family and would like to act as his caretaker" Estel exclaimed

" A family friend, that sounds suspicious. What proof do you have to support your claim." Theresa raised her guard further, ready to defend if necessary.

" I can not prove my claim, Can't you make an exception and let me in," Estel pleaded.

Theresa didn't let up and refused her.

" I didn't know you ran the place, then please, I want to stay the night, can I? A mocking tone reverberated through the hall. A charming woman with a motherly allure stepped out of the shadow. Unlike the rest of the nuns, her robes were snow white with a black belt tied around her waist. Her black hair flowed freely unrestricted by a veil.

" Reverend Mother Mary, I apologize for my insolence," Theresa said with a shaky voice.

" No need to apologize You were just looking out for the kid, you are excused" Mary, the Reverend Mother spoke, her tone warm and gentle.

Theresa bowed, feeling rather embarrassed leaving her with Estel.

" The mother goddess told me about you

You have permission to be his caretaker but you will have to follow our rules... Can you do it"

Mary spoke, her tone unchanging.

" I have even traversed mountains for him, this is nothing" Estel responded, her tone full of conviction.

" Come with me"

************

Two years passed, and within these years, Estel had served as Maxwell's caretaker, her job was done flawlessly.

The Isis institution was a school of some sort. The kids were taught basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. They had a similar setting to that of grade schoolers.

Maxwell lived just like everybody else, learning, going to class, following the rules, and all the things of a boarding institution.

But all of that was a preparation for their actual schooling. At the age of seven, children graduate from learning basic knowledge and skills to intermediate ones, knowledge, and skills that allow them to live as God's chosen

In this world, mana is an abundant resource accessible to all, although some possess a greater affinity for it than others. Those who can adeptly manipulate and utilize mana are known as God's chosen. They wield significant influence over the economy and societies as a whole. God's chosen, make up approximately seventy percent of the population, leaving the rest as common folks. In various countries, some practice the principle of Noblesse oblige, while others oppress the common folk. The Maurya Empire aligns with the former approach."

It was a law for every child at the age of seven and above to train in mana and magic. But the Isis Institute takes it a bit extreme.

***********

In a forest, a forest teeming with demonic flora and fauna, the children of the Isis Institute found themselves.

A total of a hundred children discovered that they were in this forest, only yesterday having celebrated their graduation and excitedly anticipating their next adventure. Yet now, they were surrounded by the wilderness.

" CHILDREN OF ISIS, TODAY BEGINS YOUR FIRST TERM AS GRADUATES AND THIS IS YOUR FIRST TEST." A woman's voice echoed throughout the forest.

The children were shocked upon hearing the message, they were all just seven years of age and panicked at the prospect of staying in a forest.

"EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SURVIVE HAS BEEN TAUGHT TO YOU. USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND INSTINCTS TO REACH THE RED BEAM OF LIGHT. I BELIEVE YOU CAN ALL SEE IT FROM WHERE YOU ARE. YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO REACH IT. IF YOU FAIL, YOU WILL START OVER AGAIN. GOOD LUCK," the voice reverberated throughout the forest once more.

The children's eyes darted around, attempting to locate the beam of light the voice had mentioned. Luckily they were on higher grounds and thus easily spotted it.

What they saw was a long beam of light, a seemingly endless beam that connected the earth to the sky.

It looked to be a few yards from where they stood.

As the children faced this challenging task.

Some decided to run into the forest, their destination the red beam of light. Others sat on the ground, overwhelmed by fear and anxiety while a few stood there seemingly lost in thought.

Maxwell felt nostalgic as memories of an unknown past flowed through his mind. He looked in a different direction as he felt something calling him.

He moved, leaving his colleagues behind. Most, if not all of them, were preoccupied with their troubles and thus failed to notice him leave. Michael, his best friend, noticed his absence. He caught a glimpse of the direction he had left for. Out of worry, he decided to follow him."

Maxwell moved swiftly avoiding poisonous and dangerous flora. He could vaguely remember these plants and their properties as he passed by them.

His body which had not received much training felt fatigued after running for a couple of hours, he found a tree nearby and sat down to rest.

**********

"It is finally out. I have to kill it, then maybe my senior brothers will accept me," a crooked voice sounded in an obscure cave not far from the Test grounds.

**********

After a couple of minutes of resting, Maxwell got up and continued his journey. He stopped abruptly as he gazed behind him. His clear blue eyes changed to a shade of purple as a vision flashed across his mind.

Strangely, he knew what he saw was not a past event but a future to come. He changed direction and headed towards where the children were. He stopped and looked around anxiously for clues, things he saw in his vision. He spotted one—a blood rose.

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A blood rose is a carnivorous flower that attracts bugs and small birds, with its beautiful petals and sweet fragrance. When its prey lands on it uncoils its spiral petals and swallows the prey whole

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He changed his direction as he saw more clues, eventually arriving at the spot of his vision, but it was too late. What he had wanted to prevent had happened. In front of him stood a goat man, with its hooves piercing out of Michael's chest.