Chapter 15: A raining school day

It had been two days since the monster ambush at the banquet. The city was still restless. Rain drizzled over the rooftops, the streets glistening under the gray sky. Guards patrolled the roads, and investigators combed through the banquet hall, searching for answers.

Meanwhile, the university had finally reopened. Students poured into the dorms and classrooms, their chatter filling the air. Some discussed the weekend, others whispered about the attack, and a few focused on their studies.

Near a window, three figures stood. Ray, Aeon, and Shin. Ray extended his hand beyond the frame, letting the cold rainwater trickle through his fingers.

"You like the rain, Ray?"

Shin asked, leaning against the wall, lazily chewing on a bag of chips.

"Affirmative."

Ray replied, eyes fixed on the overcast sky. Aeon joined him, reaching out to feel the rain himself.

"To be honest, it's rare to see rain before Flowerfrost."

Suddenly, a faint glow flickered from Ray's pocket. A small, teardrop shaped crystal, deep purple in color—floated out, as if drawn by the raindrops on his palm. It shimmered softly, spinning gently in the air.

Shin's eyes widened.

"Damn, wat is dat?"

He reached out, trying to grab it, but the crystal danced just beyond his grasp, orbiting around Ray's wet hand. Ray remained calm.

"No answer."

"Huh? Where'd ya even get something like that???"

Shin pressed.

"I've had it for as long as I can remember."

Aeon glanced at the crystal, and for a moment, his usual expression faded into something unreadable.

"Uh… before class starts, wanna grab something to eat?"

Aeon suggested, shifting the mood. Shin shrugged, and the three of them agreed. As they left the classroom, Mizuko glanced briefly at Ray before turning back to her conversation with her friends.

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At the canteen, they each grabbed a small meal—Juice and Brioche. They sat at a table, the light hum of conversation around them.

"You know, Ray, you could talk more,"

Shin teased, taking a sip from his juice.

"Not everyone's as chatty as you,"

Aeon defended, and Ray gave a small nod in agreement.

Before they could continue, someone dropped into the seat beside them, uninvited. Celest. His tray was filled—beans, fried eggs, bacon, coffee, a loaf of bread, and a tomato-lettuce salad.

"You guys don't mind if I join, Haha,"

Celest grinned, his golden eyes carrying an eerie glow. A few students glanced their way, curious.

"Yeah, no prob."

Shin and Aeon replied casually. Ray, on the other hand, didn't even acknowledge him, focusing solely on his food.

Celest took a few bites before suddenly pausing. His grin returned.

"So… do any of you know anything about the monster attack that night?"

His voice was light, but his gaze was sharp.

"Negative. We were evacuated first."

Ray answered before the others could.

"Yeah, what Ray said."

Shin added, chewing lazily. Celest let out a quiet sigh, still smiling, then stood up. With a casual wave, he left.

Shin glanced at his mostly untouched food.

"Uh… he just left all that behind?"

Neither Ray nor Aeon responded.

Aeon subtly gestured near Ray's pocket, muttering an incantation under his breath. The teardrop crystal glowed faintly before slipping from Ray's pocket, undetected and disappearing into Aeon's.

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The bell rang, signaling that classes were about to begin. Students hurried toward their classrooms, filling the hallways with chatter.

As everyone settled into their seats, the classroom buzzed with conversation. Then, the door opened, and Professor Archwood entered—accompanied by Principal Kenshinton. A murmur spread across the room as students wondered what was happening.

"Ahem!"

Professor Archwood cleared his throat, silencing the class.

"My dear students of the University of Valoria—"

Principal Kenshinton began,

"As you all know, Crystalautumn is coming to an end, and Flowerfrost is just around the corner. As per tradition, we will be taking a tour to the Kingdom of Frhosien."

A few excited whispers broke out.

"Everyone must wear warm clothes."

Professor Archwood continued.

"If anyone wishes to not to tour, they must inform the student council in advance."

Some students nodded, others exchanged glances, whispering amongst themselves.

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Classes had ended hours ago, and now it was just before dinnertime. Ray lay stretched out on the couch, a heating pad pressed firmly against his abdomen.

"How did that even happen?"

Yana asked, stirring a pot on the stove as she glanced at him. Ray groaned.

"We had Vladimir's class… Shin… punched me… right in the upper stomach…"

His head hung back against the couch as he clung to the heating pad.

"Vladimir?"

Yana raised an eyebrow.

"Y… yeah—"

Ray mumbled.

"He's our new PA professor… wanted to… test our strength…"

Yana smirked.

"Well, that's surprising. The 'Greatest Dominator' got dominated by an average human."

She scooped up a spoonful of soup and tasted it.

"Mmm, delicious."

Ray shot her a glare.

"Curse you."

"Yeah, yeah,"

Yana teased.

"Your mushroom soup is almost ready, so quit whining."