Location: East Cabinet, Mira Beach, Vanilla City, Aquadore
…
My feet landed on the sands of Mira beach.
The cruise ship which Ruby borrowed from her friend was parked just offshore. To the right Maria stood by her small boat with two of her crewmates.
"Well this is where we part," she said, approaching us.
Ruby gave her a smile.
"Thanks for everything."
Maria nodded, before she stepped onto her boat, I was planning to ask her to be a part of my organization.
But, before I asked her, she pulled out a small silver device, and handed it to .
"What's this?"
"A transmitter, use it to contact anyti." She said, "we are now acquainted, don't hesitate to call , alright?"
I looked at it, then at her.
"Thank you, Miss Maria."
I will just inform her later. Right now let just go over with this practical which Nova was conducting in Vanilla City.
"I will be at the sea most of the ti, but I will try my best to reach out to you."
I slipped the device in my Inventory Ring.
"Got it."
She gave a rare smile. Then her eyes flicked toward Ruby's coat.
A soft rustle followed, and a tiny head peeked out. It was Lily, her wide ocean blue eyes blinking as her small, pointy ears twitched in the wind.
"Oh, Lily." Maria crouched to Lily's level and gave her a gentle pat. "Stay safe, okay?"
Lily blinked once and gave the smallest nod before ducking back into Ruby's dinsional coat with a squeak.
'She understood her?'
Maybe Lily only responds to females.
Maria rose and gave one last look to the both of us.
"Take care of each other. May your bond remain as lovely as the sea."
With that, she stepped into her boat and pushed off, the small boat glided smoothly over the tide.
For a while Ruby and I just stood there, waving our hands, as we bid her farewell.
She helped us a lot. I hope I et her again soon.
"Ughh, I hate emotional goodbyes!" Mue groaned. "But that was kind of… sweet. Whatever. I'm not crying, because she didn't say bye to ! Is that racism against poor old relic like ?"
I smiled faintly.
'Now don't say that.'
"Sigh, what should I do with her…"
Sera interjected.
'Don't worry. She won't utter a word when you're with your friends.'
I hope she doesn't.
I could already picture Aria and Anna giving that curious look.
Well, now that I am here, and about to be with them in an hour, I have make a solid excuse for my missing and going my separate ways to arrive at the practicle.
Ruby turned to .
"I will be going straight to the faculty office."
I nooded, "Alright, I'll… umm see you soon."
With the thought of my friends in mind, I moved toward the main road to catch a taxi.
Ruby took the other path, telling she'd arrive a few hours after I reached the training zone.
Well, it's not like anyone would question her.
As the Academy's Headmistress and the Rank 7 Hero, she had her own priorities.
…
Ti: 10:00 AM
Location: Nova training Zone, Phase 1, Vanilla City, Aquadore.
…
Passing through the gates after showing my Nova ID, I stopped infront of an office, where in bold letters, a na was written.
Monica Montessa.
My horoom teacher.
Apparantly I have to get my alloted room key from her.
The rooms have already alloted last night to the all the students, and because I took a day off, I have to directly confront her to get my keys.
Now the things is— why the hell am I hesitating?!
It's not like she will eat or anything. I took Ruby's permission and officially took the day off, so she got no words questing it. Right?
'Let just leave the future to the future.'
But before I enter, I spoke with Sera in my mind.
'Sera, make sure Mue shuts her mouth.'
'Leave it to !' She gave a heads up.
With that, I knocked on the door.
"Co in." Ca for the other end.
Opening the door, I stepped inside.
Miss Monica was seated on a brown leather couch, flipping through a thick stack of docunts spread across the table.
She raised her head for just a second.
"Oh, Mr. Skylark," she said flatly. "You can take your keys from that drawer over there."
She pointed without much energy, then returned to her paperwork.
Dark circles hung under her eyes. Her voice sounded dry, exhausted.
"Don't mind ," she added.
I nodded, walked over, and pulled open the drawer. A small envelope labeled with my na sat inside. I took it, gave her a quick bow, and exited the room without another word.
As the door shut behind , I let out a breath.
"…That was easy."
I walked toward my allotted building.
On the way, I passed several first-years.
So were already in their training suits, jogging or practicing their forms. Others just wandered about, probably getting used to the new surroundings.
"The trio must be in their rooms, probably."
Considering that they are the top rankers of 1st year, they must have got a luxury room.
I kept walking at a steady pace when I suddenly heard a soft whisper in my mind.
"Is Mue going to et new friends?" Mue asked in the gentlest tone I'd ever heard from her before.
That was… unexpectedly wholeso.
Cute, even.
I smiled to myself.
"Yeah," I replied quietly. "They're good people. But for the god's sake don't say a word."
"Mue won't."
Her voice rang softly as the golden helix on my hand flickered with a tiny light.
According to Sera, whenever Mue speaks, people around might be able to hear her if they're too close.
For now, she had no control over it.
And I wasn't exactly ready to explain a talking relic to Anna or Aria.
So, I told her not to speak when peoples are close to .
Better safe than awkward.
Apparently, the rooms were divided into groups. That ant my room had three other mbers inside.
They were going to be my teammates for this practical session.
I finally reached my assigned door. Swiping the key card, the lock clicked open.
The room was big, like surprisingly big.
A common living room took up most of the center space, with a small kitchen to the side and four individual bedrooms spaced out evenly.
I stepped in, scanning the space.
"I wonder who my teammates are."
"Hey, try this one!"
"Haha, it's so cute!"
"I swear I will never wear sothing that gross—!"
I froze.
I heard three different female voices. And one of them sounded familiar.
They were coming from the door on my right.
They must my teammates then.
Good. Lets greet them first.
"…That's the living room?"
I whispered to myself as I stepped forward and pushed the door open.
"Hello, sorry I was late—"
My words cut off.
My brain almost shut down.
There, standing before , was Anna.
Hair still damp, exposed legs, skin glistening with droplets of water, and wrapped only in a short white towel.
She wasn't alone either, two other girls were beside her. Both in fluffy bathrobes, their hair still steaming from the shower.
Every neuron in my brain scread in panic, but I cald myself.
I took a deep breath.
Karton's voice echoed in my mind.
"Leave the worry about the future… to the future."
"My bad," I said calmly.
And slamd the door shut.
SLAM—!
HUHHHHHHHHHH?!?!" Anna shrieked.
"…Who… was that?" one of the girls whispered from inside awakwardly.
"No! no! No! that was definitely Zane!" Anna scread.
"Oh my god—ANNA! Your towel!!"
A loud rustle followed.
""WHY DIDN'T YOU LOCK THE DOOR?!"
"I THOUGHT HE'D ARRIVE IN THE EVENING!"
"HE SAW EVERYTHING!! I JUST KNOW IT!"
"Now I'll never get married!!!"
"…I'm
From behind the door, I just stood still, eyes locked on the opposite wall, as I heard them scream.
'Well… this is awkward.'
Mue sighed in my mind.
"Ten years of divine training and you still forget to knock."
Even Sera couldn't hide her quiet amusent.
'It seems you've returned to reality, Human.'
I facepald.
A little while later…
I sat awkwardly on the living room couch.
The room was quiet. A bit too quiet.
One of the girls, silver hair, calm face, bright blue eyes walked over and handed a cup of coffee.
She was now dressed casually, a simple white cardigan over black tights.
"Here," she said calmly.
"Thank you," I replied, accepting the cup with both hands.
I took a sip.
Then I looked up and nearly choked.
Anna was sitting right across from , arms crossed, a towel now replaced with an oversized hoodie.
To her side, the third girl one with golden-blonde hair that matched her sharp amber eyes, was watching like a hawk, chin propped on her palm.
I cleared my throat.
"H-Hello, Anna…"
She didn't reply. She just stared.
Then she leaned forward.
"So… what's the story?"
Straight to the point.
I blinked. "Story?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Why did you arrive so late? I called you so many ti! What happened?"
That's what she ant.
I nodded slowly.
"Ah. That."
Honestly, I knew why she was pressing . She was worried. This was just her way of asking if I was okay without actually saying it.
Before I could answer, Mue muttered inside my head.
"She's scary. I like her."
'Shut up.' Sera said.
I turned back to Anna, I had to keep it short.
"My sister Elise was in Aquadore. She forgot her dinsion pouch, so I ca here ahead of everyone else to drop it off. Oh, and I also took permission from Headmistress Ruby."
The blonde girl beside her narrowed her eyes.
"That's all?"
I nodded. "That's all."
Anna looked at a mont longer… then sighed and leaned back.
"Fine. Just don't make us worry next ti. And try contacting Aria and Julius too, they were worried you know?"
So she was worried.
"Alright," I said, hiding a small smile behind my coffee.
"Also…" she added, her eyes suddenly sharpening. "Next ti please try knocking the door."
The blonde girl snickered. "It's fine, that was an accident."
I nooded.
Atleast soone understands.
Reviews
All reviews (0)