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« Good evening soldier! Anything new? »
The guy who just spoke is Ivann. I don’t know him very well, but he is one of the few with whom I still haven't spoken yet, so…
Oh and I’m Raphaël, full-time unlucky student! Yeah, now that I think about it, I’d even bet that my unluckiness got me into this mess! I was chilling at home when suddenly, I woke up, and I was here, in an unknown place, with some unknown dude, and as if it wasn’t enough, because of him I fell and twisted my ankle! Ah! Talk about an Ultimate Talent! It’s more of a lifestyle than anything… I mean, I should rather say “talent”, because being the “Ultimate Unlucky” is, I repeat, more of a lifestyle than a real talent!
« Soldier?
—Huh? Uh… What? »
And my “talent” strikes again. I didn’t hear what he said.
« Is everything alright soldier?
—Uh, yeah, sorry, I was busy thinking about something.
—Yeah, I can see that. By the way, sol-
—You can call me Raphaël, you know? Or Raph, it’s good too.
—Ok sol-Raph…
—There you go!
—Hm… If you say so… Anyways… Raph, did you manage to find some things to help us find a way out here, or a clue to understand where we are?
—With a twisted ankle I’m not sure I could manage to go that far, alone…
—Ah… »
Ivann looked at my ankle, then finally at me.
« How did this happen, soldier?
—I told you to call me Raph… And that, it is an example of my so to speak “talent”.
—So to speak talent?
—Yeah, I’m the Ultimate Unlucky Student, and when I woke up, I tried to go down a ladder, but Paulo, who was also there, awakened, he tried to help me, but I fell.... The usual stuff
—I see… Please wait a second. »
Ivann then searched in his pockets to finally show me...
« A flower?
—No! It’s a seventeen-leaf clover! The soldier Jacques gave it to me. But, I don’t really need it, so you can take it!
—Thanks? »
You got a seventeen-leaf clover.
« But-... Firstly, since when does it exist, and secondly, why?
—Good question… I mean the soldier Jacques is the Ultimate Lucky Student, so I guess it’s rather normal? And, if I give it to you, it’s because a four-leaf clover is a lucky charm! And, since this one got four times more leaves than usual, it should bring you enough luck to counterpart your lack of luck!
—Ah… It’s really nice but, I don’t know… And furthermore, this one doesn’t only have four times more leaves, but rather four times plus one! I’m sure that this last leaf will jinx me! I told you, I’m always unluc- »
Ivann tore one of the leaves.
« What are you doing?
—If you think that seventeen leaves will jinx you, then you just have to get rid of one of the leaves! This way you really have four times more luck. There’s no risk anymore!
—... Thanks. »
True. He got me. I can’t add anything. Let’s just hope that he’s right...
« Are you coming, soldier? We have to go eat before it’s too late!
—Yeah, I’m coming. »
I then started moving forward, limping, when suddenly…
« WAIT. What on earth are you doing?! You’re injured, and soldiers help each other, so I’ll carry you. This way you won’t get hurt again! »
… Ivann then proceeded to carry me like a princess to the refectory, where everyone laughed at us, and especially at me. Bad luck again! … I mean, it was nice, so… I guess I was a bit luckier than usual… This clover might really work finally.
After the first class trial.
I still can’t believe it… To think that [someone] killed [someone] and that they got executed… I think I’ll go for a walk. Thinking about it won’t help. I then left my room, started limping in the hallway when once again, I felt something lifting me. I sighed.
« Ivann, I can walk, you know? I don’t need help!
—Maybe, but it would hurt your ankle again, and the pain would stay longer. That would be unlucky, wouldn’t it?
—...
—Aha! I’ll never let a brother down! »
What a joyfull idiot! But I guess it will avoid a long and painful walk…
Time skip.
Phew! It really was delicious! Romain is a really good cook! Ah, and, again, everyone already left, except for him… Of course… Although, both of us are in the same place… I wonder which talent would surpass the other’s…
« So? Is my clover useful?
—I don’t know, it doesn’t feel like it, but it can’t hurt trying…
—Is that so? Aren’t you keeping it only because Ivann gave it to you?
—No! I mean, of course it makes him happy to see that I still have it… And he is nice, so I try to make him happy…
—How cute.
—Gosh. He’s just a friend, don’t get the wrong idea.
—Of course not. ... Oh, a full bag of monocoins!
—...
—You’re lucky.
—Meh, it’s not really luck.
—It’s a lifestyle?
—Kinda? It’s just that I don’t feel like I’m lucky.
—I see…
—Yup. Anyways, see you later, I’ll search for some vestiges. »
I choked while drinking my glass of water.
« Hey, don’t die! I don’t want to be executed!
—Ugh...
—Ah! He really is dying! »
Jacques ran to me and patted my back to help me.
« Ugh, thanks.
—Phew! You’re welcome. But don’t ever scare me like that again, idiot!
—But it’s your fault!
—Mine? How come!?
—Because you surprised me when you talked about vestiges! Usually it’s Paul’s thing… Not yours!
—Ahh, yeah, but I do that just to mess with him! You should see the faces he makes sometimes, it’s hilarious!
—How cute.
—...
—Ah! It’s annoying isn’t it?
—Hm, not really. And, who knows, maybe I like him.
—!
—Just kidding. But you should see your face, it’s fun! Hahahah! »
Jacques laughed and made a fortnite dance… Seriously? Ah, he’s already gone, and I’m once again alone. Well, all that is left for me is to stand up. Ouch! Damn ankle. Well, it might take a while.
Time skip.
« Soldier! I order you to stop! »
Ah, it’s been a while. I could hear steps getting quickly closer. Fuck?
« Raphaël!
—Yes? »
I think it’s the first time I’m seeing him angry. It’s scary.
« What have I already told you?!
—To be careful with my ankle, and to not move too much?
—Then why are you doing it?!
—... »
Ivann gave me a gentle but still quite strong slap at the back of the head.
« Sorry? »
Ivann sighed.
« Sit down, take off your shoe and your socket.
—Huh? But wh-
—Soldier, do you want another slap?
—...»
I obeyed and took off my shoe and my socket.
« But why did you- »
Hey! Enough with the slaps!
« Have you seen how big it is?!
—That’s not a reason to slap me!
—Yes it is. Because you’re a dipstick, soldier. When your commander gives you an order, you obey. Or else you’re punished.
—Ok, ok, sorry.
—... It’s okay. Come on, let’s go.
—... Thanks.
—It’s nothing soldier. After all, you never-
—let a brother down. »
As I finished his sentence, Ivann took me in his arms and smiled. I might really be lucky after all.
After the second class trial.
Why? We promised to never let it happen again, but here we are… I can’t take it anymore. I’ll go get some fresh air. I opened the door and saw Ivann, as always. Always… I can’t remember since when it started. But it’s nice to have someone you can count on. I passed my arms around his neck and he carried me like a princess.
« Are you ready princess?
—Ah! No! I’ve already told you! Don’t call me that! I love women, but I’m not one! I much rather you call me “soldier”!
—Hahahaha.
—But, uh, I was thinking… Aren’t I too heavy?
—Not at all, soldier! I have already carried brothers in arms way heavier haha.
—I see. Are we going to eat? I’m hungry!
—It would be my pleasure! I’m hungry too. »
When we arrived in the refectory, some were laughing, and others simply smiling. Finally, as for bad luck, you get used to it! Even if it’s really annoying at first. Speaking of annoying, Jacques is still teasing Paul. But I managed to trick him, and, as he says, it was hilarious. Since then we started talking a bit more, and he's a nice guy! Even if we’re jealous of each other’s talent.
I finally winked at Jacques who winked back.
Time skip.
Phew! Romain, I’d sell one of my kidneys to eat your food forever. Everyone had already left. Except for Ivann and myself.
« Well? Soldier? What are we going to do next?
—I think I saw something strange near the volleyball court. Can we go check?
—If you want. Let’s go! »
Time skip.
Once again, I spent my day with Ivann. I made him move for nothing, but it was fun. We found a piece of god knows what, but it was in fact another trap from Jacques to Paul. Something strange also happened. Paul decided to stay with us rather than his vestiges. I mean… It sure was strange, but the stranger, and more surprising part was then. At some point, Jacques joined us. He danced a fortnite dance. Again. And Paul… He did a fortnite dance. With Jacques. Ivann and I clearly weren’t prepared for that. And I think it was visible on our faces because of how much Jacques laughed. … Now that I think about it… Since when did the both of them become that close? Anyways, Jacques was laughing at us, when he noticed Paul’s disappearance. At that moment he left us at the speed of light.
After that, I was observing Ivann who hadn’t spoken in a while. He was looking at the sky.
« Are you okay?
—Yeah, I’m fine, why wouldn’t I?
—Ivann, stop lying, I’m starting to know you, and I’m also starting to notice when something isn’t right.
—Aren’t you hungry?»
I sighed and once again and hang on him.
Time Skip.
Knock, Knock, Knock
Those knocks… It’s Ivann, right? Ah, I remember the time he taught me morse code. Yeah, because our knockings are simply our names in morse code. Or almost. Ivann stays Ivann, but for me it’s Raph. At least, we can be sure that no-one can pretend to be one of us. You’re never too careful. Especially when you’re as unlucky as I am.
Knock, Knock, Knock
Oops, I’m thinking too much.
I opened the door and let my best friend inside.
« Are you o- »
It is then that I noticed it. Ivann’s eyes were full of tears.
« Raph… »
Without adding anything he hugged me while repeating again and again that I was someone really precious to him, and that he had never been happier than since he knew me. And like a dumbass, the only thing I manage to say was :
« You want to sit? »
He nodded, without adding anything this time either.
« … »
What am I even supposed to say? I don’t know. So I did what for me seemed to be best ; I sat down next to him and ruffled his hair. And like that, time flew. How long as it been since he entered my room? Hours? Minutes? Seconds? I don’t know. But finally, after a while, the heavy silence was broken by the sound of Ivann’s feint snoring. He had fallen asleep. What was I supposed to do? Let him sleep and go into his room? No, the door wouldn’t be locked and he could become a target… So… Should I woke hip up? But he seems so relax right now… But, I’d also want to sleep… And like that, once again, time flew while I was simply looking at the ceiling. Until he moved.
« What time is it? » He asked in a sleepy voice.
« Three twenty four.
—... Oh fuck. »
He stood up all of a sudden.
« I’m sorry to have fallen asleep! But, why didn’t you wake me up?
—I don’t know… You seemed to be sleeping well…
—... I’m really sorry…
—No problem.
—... I’ll let you sleep. See you tomorrow, soldier. »
He ruffled my hair and left. Closing the door after him… Before opening it again.
« Just to remind you to lock the door, soldier. Good night and see you tomorrow Raphaël! »
What just happened?... I think I’m too tired to understand. As Ivann said, I locked my door and laid on my bed. But, something doesn’t feel right, and I can’t put my finger on it...
Hm. I looked at my necklace. A mere string holding the seven-... No, the sixteen-leaf clover that Ivann gave to me. Looking at it always cheers me up. « Yeah, see you tomorrow Ivann! » I whispered to myself. I finally fell asleep, a smile on my lips.
Tomorrow I’ll be able to walk without Ivann’s help! … Well, I’m still a bit injured, but he promised. I’ll finally be able to show him some things! Tomorrow will be a good day!
Time Skip.
Ah… I’m so tired…
I then proceeded to wake up, tired as fu-... As hell. And went to open the door to Ivann, like every morni- Strange. He’s late? It’s not like him at all… Although, he might be as tired as I am. It might be my chance to reverse our roles!
But, barely out of my room, I heard an announcement that made my blood curdle. A BODY HAS BEEN DISCOVERED! Why is my heart beating so fast? It’s just a mere coincidence, right? Unfortunately, no. As I approached the masses, I was able to certify the founding of my fear.
There, on the ground, was the corpse of my best friend, lying, lifeless.
« No… You’re joking, right?
—Raph…
—I.. I can’t believe it.
—Raph!
—It’s just a joke, right? It can’t be real… »
SLAP
The sound of the slap of Jacques' hand against my cheek echoed in the whole building.
So, Ivann is really...
« No… If I had given him back his clover, or if he stayed in my room… No, if he hadn’t talked to me, none of this would have ever happened to hi- »
SLAP
Another slap echoed.
« For fuck sake, Raph, get a hold of yourself! You’re not responsible! It would have happened anyways!
—No! If I wasn’t so unlucky, Ivann would still be ali- »
For the third time in less than five minutes, a slap echoed.
« Rather than complaining, help us find the culprit! You’ll be able to avenge Ivann! —I… »
Paul put a hand on my shoulder.
« We’re on your side, if you have any problem, we will help you as best as we can.
—Well said Paul! And, more than anything, we’re still here Raph. You’re not alone!
—... Thanks… »
I then started my investigation. I was alone on the murder scene. The others gave me some time just for me, because it’s “My investigation”. After a while, I noticed something in Ivann’s hand. It was a piece of paper with something written on it… Morse code?
« Wait, if I remember correctly, this is an “s”, and this, a “o”, and... »
I left the other to try and decipher the paper, while they were looking for clues I could have missed.
After finally deciphering the code, and winning Ivann’s class trial, I followed the instructions he left for me on the paper. In fact, he had discovered many things and thought that he was going to die. But he hadn’t told me anything, so I wouldn’t worry…
He’s such an idiot… Such an idiot sniper… ...But thanks. Thanks for everything you did.
Time Skip.
Finally. Finally, we made it out of this killing game. Thanks to our reasoning, but, also… Thanks to Ivann…
Thanks. Thanks for everything you did for me Ivann. No-one will ever forget your heroic sacrifice. Because I will tell your story. Our story.
I then stand to attention as I’ve saw him do, and, looking at the twilight sky, I whispered :
« Farewell soldier Ivann. I will never forget you. »