Chapter 4

Christopher said his goodbyes to Elise and managed to get himself smacked a few more times for some of his off hand remarks. As he began making his way back home he found a public bench and decided to sit down and rest for a minute. He watched as everyone went about their business with smiles on their faces. 'How oblivious these people are.' Christopher couldn't help but to be envious of them. Going through their lives haggling, lifting, working their same routine never changing....Happy. He knew that Elise was right he had to at least try to take things more serious, many people in the world would give their left arm for the chance to attend the academy that he was going to. The same time his patience could only carry him so far. Everyday he had to endure favoritism and society ranking being shoveled in his face. There were multiple occasions their teachers would try to change facts award the right answer to some high ranking brat. Just as an example say the teacher asked a noble what is 2+2? If Christopher answered 4 and the noble answered 5, the teacher would try to claim the correct answer was 5. Multiple times a high ranking noble would try to pick a fight with Christopher, but when he struck back and beat them to a bloody pulp the teachers would report Christopher was the instigator. The only reason he was able to attend this school was thanks to Lady Cassandra, an old friend he had met some years ago and managed to help get him registered using her status to push it through. If not for trying to repay her kindness he would have left long ago.

Exhaling a deep breath Christopher stood up ready to head back home. The moment he got to his feet a small person ran head first into him knocking each other to the ground. Christopher stood and began dusting himself off. When he turned his attention to the person who had run into him they were already on their feet and took off running without saying a single word.

''Wow rude much?' he thought to himself. Following only a couple yards behind a small group of three others began to run past. One of them a middle aged man came to an abrupt stop in front of Christopher "I apologize for my companion, but there is an emergency and they must get home fast." 

Chris just blankly nodded "sure no problem" The man did not waste a moment more of his time and took off after his companions waving over his shoulder. Well guess I wasted enough time. May as well get heading home, I'll probably arrive the same time as Elise. He continued on his way home which was located on the outskirts of the city. While on his way he was able to enjoy the nice warm summer evening, taking in the sights, and browsing some merchant stalls, there had even been a puppet show the kids were enjoying. When he got a few blocks from his home his ears couldn't help but to catch something interesting. As he got closer to an alley way ahead of him he could hear multiple people arguing.

"If you are aware of who we are then you would be wise to step aside and not get in my way." Said a feminine voice.

"Oh we know exactly who you are and what you are doing. We definitely can't step aside, as a matter of fact we have orders to make sure you don't leave the city." A Male voice replied.

"If we let you go we will definitely be dead. If we follow our orders not only do we live but we get rewarded for our efforts. You can see the dilemma we have here right?"

Christopher stopped and peaked his head around the corner. From what he could see there was a group of four people surrounded eight. By the looks of it out of the four people surrounded only two of them were actually fighters they were trying their best to keep the non combatants behind them and their backs to a wall. Chris immediately recognized them as the group that had bumped into him earlier and took off running.

"If its a matter of money then we would be more then happy to pay you double what you would receive."

"We could also just take that amount and anything else you have on you which I'm going to assume you probably are holding out on us."

"Even though some of you will die?"

"Meh were all pretty shallow here. We don't mind losing one or two people if it means a payday like this. We are definitely ok with a little loss." one of the hold up goons said.

"HELP!" One of the hooded people cried out. The cry for help echoed off the walls of the alley, and through the air. The small group looked and listened hopeful for someone to come to their rescue.