As I prepare to depart from the tavern, I raise my hand slightly to catch the attention of the attendant. Carefully, I place two rupi bronze coins on the worn tabletop, signifying the cost of the refreshing ale I enjoyed.
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Noticing the payment, the attendant promptly approaches and collects the coins, her smile reflecting a sense of gratitude.
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"Hope you come back, sir," the attendant says warmly, extending a sincere invitation.
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"Perhaps, one day," I respond, reciprocating her smile with a gentle one of my own.
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As I rise and make my way towards the tavern's exit, I seize the opportunity to employ telecommunication magic to inform Marcus of my new plans.
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"Marcus, can you hear me?" I utter, my voice resonating through the magical connection.
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"Raphael, is everything alright?" Marcus inquires, his concern evident in his tone.
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"Yes, everything's fine. I'm reaching out to inform you about what I'm about to do," I reveal.
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"I wasn't expecting to hear from you through this form of magic. I must admit, I'm both surprised and intrigued by the nature of this communication," Marcus responds with curiosity.
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"While I was stepping out for a breath of fresh air, I decided to stop by the tavern, and guess what I heard—Barbuda has chosen to proceed with the plan of mass-producing vampire blood," I disclose.
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"Yeah, it's been a hot topic lately, but what are you thinking?" Marcus asks, his hope mingled with a hint of worry, desperately hoping it's not what he suspects.
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"Oh, nothing much. I just had this fleeting idea of visiting Pretória," I casually reply, with nonchalance.
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"Ah... you really—never mind. Just let me know when you're going and if you'd like me to come along," Marcus offers, his concern evident in his voice.
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"There's no need, Marcus. It'll be a quick visit, as I mentioned," I assert matter-of-factly.
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"I'd like to say 'don't do anything stupid,' but at the very least, don't get caught," Marcus sighs, his worry palpable.
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"Who do you take me for? Of course, I won't get caught doing anything wrong, after all I'm just going to visit. One or two days should be enough to sightseeing" I retort, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
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"If you say so I'll trust you, but don't forget to call me in case something unexpected occurs"
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"Of course, I... I'll call you later.”
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Before Marcus can respond further, the telecommunication magic abruptly ceases, cutting off our connection.
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"Show yourselves," I command, my voice carrying a calm yet unmistakably hostile tone.
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They may believe their silence will deceive me, that I'll doubt my instincts. However, in moments like these, I've learned that nothing spurs action more effectively than embracing the raw power of bloodlust."
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I exude an aura of bloodlust, sensing the palpable tremors emanating from the group of five surrounding me. With each step I take towards them...
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"Wait!" interrupts a young man, appearing to be around my age.
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Undeterred, I continue moving forward, taking another step and then another.
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"Wait, please, and hear us out," the young man implores, his voice quivering but determined.
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The rest of his group remains silent, wisely opting to withhold their words, for they would struggle to speak coherently in their current state.
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"And why should I wait?" I assert, still emanating bloodlust.
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The young man, whom I perceived as their leader, attempted to regain his composure and clarify, "We weren't following you with any intention to rob you. Please, allow us to..." However, before he could finish his explanation, I abruptly cut him off.
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"Yes, you were. I don't mind hearing your explanation, but I won't tolerate any lies," I responded with hostility, making my stance clear.
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As he opened his mouth to speak, one member of his "thief group" suddenly began throwing up, causing everyone to tense up. The young man, his voice filled with both fear and hope, pleaded, "We didn't mean to mess with you. Please, stop with your hostility and give us a chance to explain."
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"Done. Now tell me why you decided to rob me, and don't think you can lie" I say with a serious tone.
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Admitting their intentions, the young man mustered the courage to speak truthfully. "I want to be honest with you," he began, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "We were desperate for money. Times have been tough, and we were struggling to make ends meet. No one wants to hire us because of our reputation, and we were left with no other options. Stealing seemed like the only way to survive, even though deep down, we knew it was wrong. We deeply regret our actions and are genuinely sorry for what we did."
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His words hung heavy in the air, filled with a mix of desperation and remorse. The other members of the group stood silently, their expressions mirroring the young man's sentiment. It was evident that their actions were driven by desperation rather than malice.
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Listening to their confession, a wave of empathy washed over me. I understood the harsh reality of trying to survive in an unforgiving world. While their choices were misguided, it was clear that their circumstances had forced them into a corner.
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Taking a deep breath, I softened my tone and spoke with compassion. "I hear your words, and I understand the difficult circumstances you're facing. Desperation can lead us down some dark paths. However, it's crucial to acknowledge the consequences of your actions. I implore you to reflect on the choices you've made and search for a different path—one that allows you to rebuild your lives with honesty and integrity."
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Their eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and relief as they absorbed my words. They knew that they had been given a second chance, an opportunity to break free from this vicious cycle of desperation and wrongdoing.
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"I offer you this chance," I continued, my voice gentle yet resolute. "But remember, the road to change is not an easy one. It will require commitment, self-reflection, and a genuine effort to make amends. I hope you'll embrace this opportunity and strive to become better versions of yourselves and..."
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"...while I acknowledge your apology, it's important to remember that an apology alone does not mean much. I kindly request that you and the members of your 'group' undress, leaving only your underwear". I convey this message calmly, yet with utmost seriousness.
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"Undress? You're not thinking about... please no don't do it." Says the young man desperately
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"Yes, don't do it please." Another member of the group adds, his voice filled with concern.
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"What did we do to deserve this?". One of the women in the group questions, her voice filled with confusion and anxiety.
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"Hypocrites... the hypocrisy displayed by some of you is too much. You exploit others but resist experiencing the same fate. Have you considered how it feels when the tables are turned? You believed your unity made you invincible, but to me, it simply reveals a group of individuals unaware of the harsh realities of life. I will not repeat myself. I urge you to undress before you come to regret it." My words are straightforward, neither conveying happiness nor sadness, but merely stating the facts."
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The group casts pleading gazes in my direction, their eyes filled with desperation, yet no voice dares to speak out. Slowly, they begin to disrobe, removing every article of clothing save for their underwear. A sense of anguish fills the air as some among them appear on the verge of tears.
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In this harrowing moment, the bitter reality of a robbery comes to life.
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"For starters this is pretty much what you feel when you're being robbed; I demand and you comply."
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Reflecting on my past, I realize that I once lacked the capacity for such actions. However, life has taught me that profound lessons often arise from moments of pain. I have come to accept and embrace this previously unfamiliar aspect of my character, understanding that excessive amiability can leave one vulnerable to losing everything. There are times when it becomes crucial to embrace a certain level of ruthlessness, but always accompanied by a discerning eye that carefully evaluates the circumstances at hand.
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There are individuals whose lives have undoubtedly been severely impacted by their actions, so why should they be exempt from experiencing the consequences they have caused?
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"I'm marking your mana signature, there will be no second time." I state.
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It is possible to mark the mana signature of an individual who possesses weaker magical abilities than you in order to discern if they are being truthful.
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"We understand" says the leader of the group.
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As the group stood before me, clad only in their undergarments, the weight of their actions hung heavily in the air. They wore expressions of remorse and resignation, aware that their attempt at robbing me had led them down a path they never intended to tread.
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I decide to return the clothes I asked them to take off. I have no intention of robbing them; my only aim is to help them wake up to reality. As they look at me with skeptical expressions, their thoughts may be filled with questions about why I am returning their clothes.
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"Dress yourselves," I say, my voice now devoid of hostility but filled with firmness. "Consider this moment as a turning point in your lives—a chance to confront the consequences of your actions and reflect on the path you've chosen."
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Relieved yet uncertain, the group hastily retrieves their clothing, each movement a reminder of the weight of their choices. As they redress, the lines of regret and understanding etch themselves onto their faces.
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Approaching them once they are fully clothed, my gaze remains steady and unwavering. "I offer you a second chance," I assert. "It is now up to you to seize it and redirect the course of your lives."
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They stand before me, gratitude and trepidation shining in their eyes. Uncertain about what lies ahead, they seek guidance, waiting for the next step.
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"Reflect on your actions," I continue, my tone firm. "Understand the consequences and let them shape your growth. Take responsibility for your choices, strive to make amends wherever possible and take this."
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Reaching into my spatial ring, I retrieved a small card containing my contact information. Holding it in my hand, I spoke with a firm yet compassionate tone, "If you find yourselves truly struggling to get your lives back on track, don't hesitate to reach out to me. This card holds my contact information. Use it wisely, and remember that there is always a chance for a path towards a better life."
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I extended the card towards the young man, ensuring that he understood the weight of the gesture. His eyes widened with a mix of surprise and gratitude as he accepted the card, realizing that a lifeline had been extended to him and his companions.
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With a nod of acknowledgment, I turned away, allowing them to process the opportunity before them. It was up to them to take the first steps towards a brighter future, but the knowledge that someone believed in their potential might serve as a guiding light in their darkest moments.
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As I continued on my journey towards Pretória, a sense of fulfillment accompanied me. The act of offering assistance to those in need, even in the face of their transgressions, resonated deeply within me. I knew that the road to change was a challenging one, but I hoped that my gesture would serve as a catalyst for their transformation, reminding them that they were not alone in their pursuit of a better life.
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With those final words, I turn away, allowing them to find their own path forward. Their journey of growth is not mine to chart, but I hope they will grasp the significance of this moment and embrace the right way.
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