"Hey, wake up, Ren!" Blaze's voice rang in my head.
"Hmm?" I woke up feeling very weird, like my head was aching. That small amount of alcohol shouldn't give a hangover, so this was new.
I swept my gaze around my room and saw Blaze staring at . "What ti is it?" I asked.
"Around 10:30. You should leave for the eting," he reminded .
"What eting?" I questioned. I don't rember any eting.
"Don't y'all do etings before Challenges?" he questioned. We do, but there's no challenge today.
At that ti, the door swung open, and Professor Night entered the room. "Thank God you're awake! I thought you were still asleep...oh, maybe you should—"
I looked down and saw the only thing covered by the thin bedsheet was my groin; everything else was out in the open. "I'll... just give a second," I said as I pulled the bedsheet and adjusted it, putting a pillow on my lap.
"Anyways, why were you here, professor?"
"Oh..." She blinked a few tis, finding words before she said, "I wanted you to be present for the eting. Please co to the common room in a few minutes... an hour or so if you want, but just co by," she said as she turned to leave.
"..." I couldn't say anything as she left the room. eting? Are they taking the next round that seriously? Well, they obviously should, but still, it was surprising.
I grunted as I jumped out of my bed, and the door of the room swung open again—this ti Vexa entered.
S I L E N C E
"..."
"..."
We both stared at each other before she cleared her throat and muttered, "I'll co back later," and left. I pulled the bedsheet up and covered thing that Vexa shouldn't have seen, and the first thing I did was to lock the door.
***
After locking the door, I quickly dressed and gathered my thoughts. The common room was buzzing with energy when I arrived, students and faculty alike discussing the upcoming Challenges. Professor Night stood near a large table, poring over a map with several other instructors.
"Ah, Ren, glad you could join us," she said, glancing up. "We have important matters to discuss regarding the next phase of the Challenges."
I sat down, and Blaze went under the round table. My eyes t Vexa's; her face turned a bit red, and she avoided eye contact.
On the table, on my right was Erik, and on my left was Aron, while Vexa, Adam, and Isolde sat opposite . Professor Night stood in front with a small parchnt of paper.
She always had the sa parchnt every ti she explained sothing—it contained details about things that could be useful.
C R E A K
Soone's chair creaked.
"What's happening?" Professor Night asked as she saw Isolde standing up from her chair.
"Oh, just needed a change in seating. Erik, would it be fine if I sit in your place?" she asked very politely.
"Oh..." Erik looked stunned and glanced at . "Y-yeah, you can." He slowly got up from his seat while keeping his eyes on . Did he expect to say anything?
I said nothing. What is she trying to do? Isolde imdiately rounded the table and sat in the chair even before Erik could step towards hers.
She had a very nice scent. Sitting down, she looked at and gave a slight smile before turning her attention to Professor Night.
"Okay, now can we start?" she asked. "I'll start then." But she didn't wait for an answer as she began.
On the other side, I saw Adam staring at with his eyes red and jaw clenched. He looked like he would jump any second. What's happening? Did they have a fight or sothing?
Because Isolde sitting beside on her own accord was very weird and didn't sit well with in any circumstances.
"We are already leading in terms of points, so if we win the next round, then it's going to help us in the long run. I'll need everyone to listen carefully while trying to give their own opinion on this matter," Professor Night gave a small brief on the importance of the next round. "The Phantom Chamber, this is actually more dependent on the individual, strength-wise and even ntal strength-wise. I'll require y'all to write down—"
"Professor," I called.
"Hmm?" She turned towards . "What is it, Ren?"
"...are you fine?" I questioned. What does she an by that?
"What do you an, Ren?" She questioned in return.
I scrunched my nose when I heard this and objected, "We just cleared a round yesterday... What's happening? Why'd you say that—"
Professor Night looked at for a second and then asked, "What do you an?"
I replied, "What do you an 'what do I an'? I an that we just completed a round yesterday. Why are you saying weird stuff?"
There was a mont of silence before a small chuckle ca from Adam. He mocked , saying, "He must have hit his head in the Chaleon's Maze if he's spouting such ridiculous stuff."
Ridiculous stuff? What I said was ridiculous? On what terms was that ridiculous?
"Ren, are you joking? Is this so kind of prank?" Professor asked, smiling.
"No... why would I joke with y'all of all people? I am serious, we just lost Phantom Chamber yesterday... rember?"
"Lost? Don't talk so negatively out of nowhere, Ren! You'll push the team's morale down," the professor narrowed her eyes. Motivation of this team? It's not going to happen since there's nothing that demotivates them.
I turned to Erik, who also looked puzzled. "I don't rember doing the Phantom Chamber," Erik said. "We just completed the Chaleon's Maze yesterday. Do you need a nurse or healer to check if there's any damage around your skull?"
Professor Night's expression shifted from confusion to concern. "Are you sure you're feeling alright, Ren? We just did great in mazes because of you, and The Phantom Chamber is the next challenge, scheduled for tomorrow. Are you fine? Do you need any help?"
My mind raced. "But I rember—"
"Are you sure you're not mixing up dreams with reality?" Isolde interjected gently, her earlier smile replaced with a look of worry.
I felt a wave of dizziness wash over . "I... I don't know. Everything feels so jumbled."
Professor Night stepped closer, her voice softening. "Ren, maybe you should visit the infirmary. Just to be safe. We need everyone in top shape for the Phantom Chamber."
As I stood up, Blaze nudged my leg reassuringly. I made my way to the door, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on . I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that sothing was terribly wrong.
What is happening?
As I stood in the doorway, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself against the rising tide of confusion. The common room had fallen silent, all eyes fixed on with varying degrees of concern and bewildernt. Professor Night's voice broke through the tension, her tone gentle but firm.
"Ren, why don't you let Isolde accompany you to the infirmary? Just to make sure everything is alright," she suggested, her concern palpable.
Isolde nodded beside , offering silent support. I glanced around, eting the eyes of my teammates. Erik's brow furrowed with worry, Isolde's expression reflecting genuine concern, and Adam still watching intently, though his earlier mockery had faded into a more neutral expression.
"Fine by ," I said, trying to understand what's happening.
Professor Night nodded, her features softening with relief. "Good. Isolde, take care of him," she instructed, her gaze moving from to Blaze.
We left the common room. I just couldn't get my head in the right place. What is happening here?
"We should get to the Healer, they might—" Isolde started to say.
"Nah, I'm fine," I interrupted.
"Huh? Oh, you can't... I think you should check what's up? You don't behave weird like that—" Isolde began.
I turned to face her. "What's happening?"
Isolde looked confused, a question mark forming on her face. I repeated myself, "Why are you following ?"
"Um, Professor said to help—"
"Okay, and now you can go. I'll figure out what's happening and solve it myself. I don't need your help—thanks for your concern," I said, feeling like she might have different intentions behind her actions.
Never had this girl looked at with a smile before, but now she smiled and sat beside , helping ... weird as hell.
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