Chapter 31: The act of staying silent
Hael finally found himself at the training grounds and was surprised that a group of young men dressed in their training uniforms was already occupying them.
It looked like they were beginning to perform drills, and the instructor ordered them to pair off into groups.
The boys eagerly chose their partners and got started right away. From the corner, Hael recognized the young boy he had seen last time—Atilla, who looked around the group, but no one wished to approach him.
Hael frowned as he saw a group of three boys sneer at him before walking off. Atilla was left alone, and the instructor didn't seem to care that the group was openly ostracizing him.
The obvious hostility toward the boy didn't sit well with Hael, so he approached the instructor. "It looks like that boy doesn't have a partner," he said.
The instructor glanced at Atilla and shrugged.
"Not surprised. He's a foreigner from barbaric origins, and most people here don't treat them very nicely. It also doesn't help that he used to live in the Nahatian region, a Kingdom that is on bad terms with Trojas." He casually said until he looked up at Hael, and his eyes widened.
"Uh, Sir, Hael! I apologize; I didn't realize you were the one I was—I'm very sorry." He stammered.
Hael dismissed him. "It's fine. If he doesn't have a partner, you don't mind if I work with him, do you? It would be a shame if the child couldn't participate in the exercise because of this." He said.
The instructor profusely nodded his head. "I-It's fine; be my guest," Hael nodded before approaching the young boy.
Atilla looked up and was shocked to see Hael. "S-Sir Hael, what are you doing here?"