Master Jaiardun rolled his eyes and huffed, “He does not need to know all that. Just tell him to do it and let us move on. I have other things to do today.” Rezkin had to agree. He was tired, and he did not need to know all of the details. They needed to tell him what to do so he could be done with this task, but Master Peider always insisted that Rezkin possess all of the information, so he listened carefully.

Master Peider scowled and turned back to Rezkin. “You will carry out his sentence using Method 16. Remember, one quick thrust upward.” He handed the young man a thin, silver blade. Rezkin took it and walked to the criminal. He had used this type before for Methods 14 and 27. It was optional for several other methods, but it was not his weapon of choice. His favorite for close-range attack was a broad, slightly curved, double-edged dagger with a hook catch on the back side near the hilt that could be used to tear flesh, disembowel, or simply catch and lock an opposing blade in a fight. It was a highly versatile weapon that would have been utterly useless for this task.

Rezkin grabbed the smelly man’s hair and jerked his head forward.

“No! Please!” The man lurched as he cried out.

Rezkin ignored him. He pressed the tip of the stiletto into the man’s neck. “Yes, that is correct. Right there,” stated Master Peider who was watching closely.

“Wait!” begged the vermin at his feet. “H-How can you be so cruel?”

Master Peider stilled Rezkin’s hand. “Cruel?”

“Y-yes, you talk about killing me like it’s just another job. I am a man, damn it!” The man struggled against his bonds but stilled when Rezkin pressed the blade into his flesh.

Rezkin frowned in confusion. “Master, what is cruel?”

Master Peider shook his head, “No, Rezkin, we are not cruel. Cruelty is when one takes pleasure in the pain and suffering of another.”

“Ah, I see,” Rezkin said as he felt his face relax. Then he jerked the man’s head back by the hair and spoke clearly as he looked into the terrified man’s eyes. “Cruelty is how you felt when you raped and murdered your victims.” He shook his head. “No, I do not feel pleasure in this. I feel nothing.”

The shivering man’s eyes widened. “No, n—”

The sound was cut off as Rezkin thrust the blade upward into the skull. The dead criminal slumped to the ground as the young man released him. Rezkin looked at his hands and noted the lack of blood with a satisfied nod.

“Well done. You may go for now. Be at the main hall in two hours,” Master Peider said over his shoulder as he and Master Jaiardun walked away.