"So now, tell
what happened. Where were you for so many days? Where and how did you find this one, and what exactly is going on?" Gunther asked as he leaned forward, his hands resting firmly on his desk. His sharp gaze bore into the duo, causing Grey to gulp loudly.
"Sir Gunther…"
"Just call
Gunther. Nothing more, nothing less," Gunther interrupted, lifting his hand to cut Grey off before he could say anything further.
"Gunther… uhm. On the day of the assessnt, when we were asked to hunt beasts in the forest, I was so consud and engrossed in the hunt that I chased one of the beasts all the way to the edge of a cliff and then… fell off." Grey began his story, while Gunther's brows drew closer together in suspicion.
"Hold on. You fell off the cliff? While hunting a beast? How exactly does that make sense?" Gunther asked, rubbing his temples as he studied Grey's expression.
"That was what happened. I was chasing the bunny until I reached the cliff's edge, then I slipped and fell off." Grey nodded, speaking with practiced calm, though Thalos shot him a sidelong glance.
"Wait. Did you not co with two others? I thought the three of you had grouped together to hunt," Gunther pressed, narrowing his gaze further.
"Yes, I did co with two others. But at that point in ti, we had split off to hunt separately. The plan was that whatever we each gathered, we would regroup, combine our spoils, and complete the assessnt together," Grey explained with a straight face.
"Humph. You do realize that your story does not add up?" Gunther remarked, settling back in his chair while keeping his eyes fixed on the two before him.
"What do you an?" Grey asked, raising an eyebrow, though his heartbeat quickened slightly.
"When I questioned your friends, they told
the three of you encountered the direct descendants. According to them, those individuals were not exactly wearing the friendliest expressions." Gunther's frown deepened. "So my question is—why lie to protect people who clearly ant you harm?"
"Well, I am not lying. Yes, I did encounter the direct descendants, but all they did was threaten . They told
to back down from the assessnt or to abandon any thoughts of joining the academy.
After that, they left. I chose to continue hunting as though nothing had happened, and that was when I slipped and fell from the cliff." Grey kept his voice steady, his expression unreadable—his best poker face on display.
'If it were anybody else, this lie might have fooled them completely. But I have a feeling this instructor is not convinced,' Thalos thought as he watched the slight tension in Gunther's features.
A small sigh escaped Gunther's lips before he shook his head slowly.
"I truly do not understand why you are going out of your way to shield them. But very well. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and let this go." His words were calm, yet heavy with unspoken aning.
That was enough to make a faint smile creep across Grey's face, though deep inside, he knew the conversation was far from truly over.
"Now, answer my other question. Who is this guy, really? Where did you find him?" Gunther asked, leaning forward once more, his gaze sharpening.
"Oh!" Grey replied simply, his poker face sliding back into place. "His na is Pink. I found him at the bottom of the cliff as well. I think he might have fallen during his own assessnt or sothing like that. I am not entirely sure of the details though."
"If you are not sure of the details, then surely he should be," Gunther said with a faint, knowing smile as he tilted his head toward Thalos. "So tell , what happened?"
"Just as Grey ntioned, I was not part of the last batch of applicants. I belonged to the group from two batches ago. During my assessnt, I was attacked by several people, and the fight ended with
being forced over the cliff. I barely managed to survive, relying solely on my skills and strength, but I still sustained injuries."
Thalos' tone was calm, his words deliberate. "I ended up living in a cave for months, recovering and staying hidden. One day, I decided to venture out, and that was when I ca across Grey.
He was badly injured, and it seed clear to
he had fallen from the cliff as well. I took him in, treated his wounds, and over the next few days, we got to know one another. Eventually, we decided to return together."
His delivery was clean, flawless—no hesitation.
'Huh? Damn. Thalos can definitely lie so smoothly,' Grey thought in quiet admiration.
"Alright… I think I am going to lose my mind soon," Gunther muttered under his breath, rubbing his forehead before leaning back in his chair.
'This guy… I do not know exactly what is going on, but one thing I am sure of is that he is a Cromwell. They are always full of secrets—secrets the world has yet to uncover. I suspect his two friends from earlier are Cromwells as well.
I do not know why he is protecting the direct descendants, nor do I know who this new one is. But for them both to be here, sothing is definitely off.'
Gunther's thoughts grew heavier as he stared down at his desk.
'For so many years, nothing has changed in this academy. Yet for so reason, I feel like a storm is coming—sothing that will shatter the stillness.
A change so vast it will alter the life of this faction forever. And sohow, the Cromwells will be at the center of it. I suppose I have no choice but to help them in whatever they do. After all, I owe them my life.'
He finally looked up, fixing his eyes on the two before him.
"Alright. I have heard your explanations, and although much of it still does not make sense to , I will let it go for now. But understand this—whatever happens, whoever tries to harm you, you co to .
I honestly do not understand why you are shielding the direct descendants. Even though my younger brother is one of them, I would not have hesitated to punish them if you had given your testimony. But very well, it is your choice."
He exhaled a deep, confused sigh.
'Of course I am shielding them. I want to punish them with my own hands,' Grey thought, a faintly wicked grin tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Anyway," Gunther continued, "with the power vested in , I hereby welco you both—Grey and Pink—into the academy." His voice softened into a rare smile as he said the words.
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