Elias raised his head slightly, looking up at Orion with an expression caught between admiration and grudging agreent. "Fine, Orion. I’ll concede your point. But you can’t tell you’re not at least a bit annoyed."
Orion chuckled softly, nodding in admission. "Of course I am. But annoyance won’t help us in battle. Preparation and determination will."
Emilia, who’d remained silent, suddenly added, her voice quiet yet resolute, "Exactly. It’s just another challenge. We’ll just have to clear it."
Felira smiled warmly, her gentle voice reassuring, "We’ll get through this easily. After all, we’re among the strongest students here. If we can’t, then none of the others can."
Arya smiled, nodding in agreent, "Exactly. As long as we train diligently, we’ll definitely beco stronger."
Feeling the resolve of his friends, Orion stood up slowly, brushing off stray petals from his uniform. "Well, it seems like everyone is determined enough. I should head out for now. There’s still much I need to think about."
Arya looked up, giving him a soft, encouraging smile, "Take care, Brother Orion. Let’s all et again soon to discuss our training plans."
Elias mockingly waved goodbye, regaining so of his earlier humor, "Don’t overwork yourself, Orion! We’ll need your legendary luck to survive Vice Dean Hargan’s madness."
Orion shook his head with a wry smile, then turned and began walking toward the exit of the garden.
He slowly made his way along the peaceful, petal-strewn path leading out of the academy gardens. Lost in thought, Orion gazed upwards, admiring the drifting petals set against the soft backdrop of clouds drifting lazily across the vast azure sky.
’Nyss’s bad luck should be enough to keep all of them down,’ he inwardly thought, rembering her silently sitting so distance away from the group.
Lumi hovered gently beside him, her holographic form radiating soft pulses of calming light. Her voice carried a playful tone, clearly intended to lighten the mood.
[Master, cheer up! You’re going to scare everyone with that serious face. Besides, there’s nothing to worry about—ten months is plenty of ti! (ง’̀-’́)ง]
Orion chuckled softly, shaking his head as he glanced sideways at Lumi’s system panel. ’I know, Lumi. I’m not particularly worried about myself. But I have a responsibility now—not just to myself, but to Arya, Elias, and the others. They joined the club trusting in . How can I let them down?’
Lumi tilted her head curiously, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
[Aren’t you getting a little too protective, Master? Arya and the others are quite talented as well, you know?]
Orion exhaled softly, his lips curving into a slight smile. ’I know, but having talent doesn’t guarantee safety. War isn’t like any training or duel we’ve experienced before. There will be unforeseen dangers. That’s why preparation and vigilance are key.’
Lumi humd thoughtfully, floating around Orion playfully.
[Well, if that’s the case, Master just needs to beco strong enough to defeat anything! If you’re unbeatable, you can protect everyone else easily, right? Easy! (≧▽≦)/]
Orion laughed lightly, his expression softening. ’You sure have an optimistic view on things.’
[Of course, Master! After all, optimism makes everything feel better!]
Orion’s smile widened slightly as he finally approached the academy gates. Outside, the familiar sight of the obsidian carriage awaited him, with Edgar and Lucan standing patiently in front.
Edgar’s calm and composed deanor was unwavering, while Lucan stood casually, juggling a pebble between his fingers as usual. Both turned their heads toward Orion as he drew near.
Edgar greeted Orion with a gentle nod, his deep voice calm, "Young Master, how was the test? You seem unusually tired."
Orion sighed quietly, fatigue briefly shadowing his features as he waved them toward the carriage. "Let’s head back first. I’ll explain everything on the way. It’s a lot to take in."
Edgar exchanged a subtle, curious glance with Lucan before obediently stepping forward, opening the carriage’s elegant door for Orion.
Lucan swiftly jumped onto the driver’s seat, comfortably taking the reins, and glanced back with an expectant expression.
Once Orion settled comfortably inside the carriage, Edgar quietly took his seat across from him, gently closing the door behind them.
The carriage rolled forward smoothly, the soft rhythm of hoofbeats echoing faintly against the paved road.
For a mont, silence lingered comfortably within the carriage, Orion’s expression thoughtful, his gaze distant.
Eventually, Edgar cleared his throat quietly, breaking the silence with a calm voice. "Young Master, forgive my insistence, but could you elaborate now?"
Orion t Edgar’s gaze and nodded slowly, his voice carrying a subtle weight. "In ten months, the academy is sending us to the southern border warzone. That’s the next test."
Edgar’s eyes widened, a rare glimpse of shock flickering briefly across his composed features.
Even Lucan, who had clearly overheard through the open carriage window, nearly stumbled in his seat, hastily regaining his balance.
"The southern warzone?" Edgar repeated in quiet disbelief, his voice heavy with genuine concern. "The Thunderpeak Royal Academy has never sent first-year students directly into active conflict. This decision is quite... unprecedented."
Lucan’s voice ca through the carriage window, equally incredulous, "Are they truly so confident in this batch, Young Master? Or have things escalated to that extent at the southern border?"
Orion exhaled quietly, leaning back in his seat. "Perhaps a bit of both. The vice deans seed troubled, though they tried not to show it. Regardless, we’ll need to prepare diligently."
Edgar slowly nodded, absorbing Orion’s words. "Indeed, preparation will be crucial. We’ll ensure that you’re ready for whatever might happen."
Gradually, the conversation drifted onto lighter topics, the tense atmosphere gradually easing as the carriage smoothly traveled along the winding road toward the Helstorm Mansion.
After several minutes, Lucan’s playful voice suddenly rang out from the front seat, his tone lighthearted and teasing, "Young Master, now that things are about to beco even busier for you, you probably won’t have much free ti left, right?"
Orion raised an eyebrow curiously, leaning slightly forward to better hear Lucan. "Yes, you’re right. My schedule will indeed beco more packed. Training and preparation will eat up most of my attention."
Lucan chuckled lightly, continuing with playful amusent, "Then what about Fiora and Rina, Young Master? They’re both still young maidens, after all. Keeping them cooped up in the mansion all day long isn’t good. You should take them out on a date soti, show them so attention!"
Orion blinked in mild surprise, a faint blush briefly coloring his cheeks before he quickly composed himself. "A date?"
Edgar smiled subtly, amused by Orion’s contemplative expression.
Lucan laughed, clearly enjoying Orion’s reaction, "Indeed! Master Eldric already left for the Empire before. Plus, I just got news earlier that Lady Selene went to the Royal Palace—King Reynold invited her for sothing important, apparently. So you’ll have the mansion to yourselves for a while."
Orion speechlessly looked at Edgar through the window, "You really thought this through, haven’t you, Brother Lucan?"
Lucan’s playful laughter carried back to them, his tone teasingly mischievous, "Of course! As your loyal retainers, it’s our job to help you manage both cultivation and relationships, Young Master!"
Edgar shook his head with a wry yet gentle smile. "Lucan isn’t entirely wrong, Young Master. Fiora and Rina would surely appreciate your attention, especially now that you’ll soon beco preoccupied with your preparations."
Reviews
All reviews (0)