Unprecedented Drama [1]

It was already 7 a.m., and Asher was strolling through the academy fields, his face lowered to his phone as he scrolled through everything.

He had been patiently waiting for a credit notification since the moment he registered, but there was nothing.

He thought about calling Guild Master Veylan, but he saw no point in that. Still, he needed the money for a few basic things.

Exhaling lowly, he stuffed his phone back into his pocket after scrolling idly and let the early morning air cool his hot head.

He had already wasted time thinking of ways to make Reed pay for his idiotic remarks but brushed them off anyway.

As long as Reed didn't throw a punch at him or someone he knew, then he was fine with that.

The vibration in his pocket made him pause mid-step, pulling his attention back to earth. He took the phone out, already annoyed, only to see another message from Reed.

"Lecture Hall B. For the briefing."

Asher's eyes narrowed. It wasn't just a prank, as much as he hated to believe otherwise.

Because with the memories he had seen, Reed had bullied Asher a lot, and the pathetic kid could do nothing but smile, until Tay stepped in for him.

If there was anything Asher hated the most, it was being treated like trash for doing nothing absolutely nothing.

It wasn't like the previous Asher was a bully or had an illness of some sort, but because he always worked hard and ignored everyone.

Which was stupid to Asher. And that gave him even more reason to want to beat Reed up, to show him he wasn't the Asher of two days ago.

Turning around, he made his way toward the academy buildings.

Upon arriving on the second floor, where the hall was, he was taken aback by how massive the structure was not to mention its grand design.

It was a large, domed structure, unlike the regular rectangular halls, capable of fitting about a hundred students at once.

Not only was its size intimidating to those who hadn't seen it before, but the crystals in the lights gave off a good amount of energy.

Similar to that of an Arcanist.

As he stepped forward, hurried footsteps behind him caught his attention.

"Mmfh—A-Asher!"

He turned just as Tay and Emma came rushing toward him, their mouths full.

Emma had a slice of bread between her teeth, while Tay was attempting to hold an apple to his lips.

Both were in the middle of an obvious sprint to the hall, half-dressed in the academy's combat gear.

A black suit bearing the academy's logo, with ruffled collars that could act as masks in case of poisonous gas or smoke.

It also had the best heat resistance magic, as well as cold resistance, ensuring students remained in perfect condition regardless of the weather.

Asher, however, refused to wear his. Simply because it was optional. And being that safe would be boring for him.

He raised a brow as he turned fully to face them. "You two are a mess."

Emma grabbed the bread from her mouth and chewed hurriedly. "We overslept!"

Tay, still chewing, groaned. "Training… too late… hungry…"

Asher smirked. "Whose fault is that?"

"Don't start."

A soft chuckle escaped Asher's lips as he turned and made his way into the Hall.

They followed him, and slid into the nearest available seats in the massive, theater-like lecture hall.

Other students had already arrived the early birds and those who didn't like sitting at the back. Which was a good thing, for Asher.

Leaning back in his chair, he folded his arms as the seats filled around them.

From where he sat, he could spot Reed near the front, wearing his usual smug expression.

Glancing at him.

Like he was waiting for something.

But the moment Naomi stepped in, looking like the center of attention as always, Asher shifted his gaze to her. And Reed couldn't help but clench his fists.

Asher watched blankly as she handed her bag over to a girl who looked a lot like Emma, except she had red hair. Then, she started walking in his direction.

He thought about provoking her a bit.

But when she spotted him with Emma, who was on his phone, doing one or two things, he saw anger flash through her eyes.

No.

Jealousy.

But why? He thought about it. She had called him a loser and said she was done with him, so why would she suddenly be jealous of her mini helper?

A small smirk made its way to his lips when she finally got close enough, and she managed to pull off a smile.

"Emma," she called, her high-pitched, excited tone.

Emma raised her head from Asher's phone, and smiled as she waved.

"You didn't come to call me," Naomi said, now standing before Asher's desk.

"I'm sorry about that," Emma mumbled, and she lowered her head. "I woke up late, so I had to come alone."

Naomi's brows rose. "But you were supposed to meet up with me so we could go together."

"I... It's not like that. You know we moved… and… and Dad said I should head straight to school or go over to Asher's place instead of walking alone..."

Her tone dropped until it was barely audible, and Asher noticed immediately.

The Morgan and Lockwood families had been friends since Asher's mother married his father.

They had kept that bond strong, even when the Lockwood family was at the mercy of the Sinclairs. But that hadn't stopped them from remaining close.

From the memories and the things he had read, especially the letters Emma had sent Asher years ago, he discovered they had been friends since he learned how to walk.

But since he had always been the kind of child who wanted to be a warrior, Emma became friends with Alya who had more time instead.

However, during their teenage years, Naomi made Emma her personal maid.

That was when she met Asher, when Emma visited his mother and Ria while she was sick.

Not only had Asher been astonished by Naomi's beautiful hair, but she had also kept up the facade of the good girl.

Until… Asher Renewed came into the picture.

And even now, he kept wondering why his past owner couldn't see how much of a player Naomi was.

Naomi cast a glance at Asher, who had his eyes closed, listening, waiting for the right moment, But she assumed he was sleeping and turned her attention back to Emma.

"You didn't come to the mansion yesterday," she paused, tilting her head. "Why?"

Emma snapped her head up. "It's not like I didn't want to come… You know Dad quit his job since the Organization made him a guild master. He's doing quite well now, so we moved to Asher's building."

'Eh?'

"What?!"

Naomi and Asher were both shocked. Although Asher's reaction wasn't visible, he was very much taken aback.

And he felt guilty—for more than one reason.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Naomi almost yelled. She was fuming, so close to hitting Emma, but she controlled herself.

"I… I, um… I didn't want you to get mad at me."

In truth, Tay had told her not to contact Naomi anymore—not until Naomi reached out first.

But now Tay was asleep, a half-eaten apple still in his mouth, and Asher was assumed to be sleeping, too.

That gave Naomi all the advantage she needed.

Without hesitation, Naomi yanked Asher's phone from Emma's hands and raised it to her face, only to see a photo of her and Asher together on the roof.

He looked dazed from all the information about dragons he was receiving, but he still had his two fingers up in a peace sign.

Even though he had never taken pictures with Naomi, all in the name of not being photogenic.

Jealousy took over Naomi's emotions.

Not only was she upset about not having her servant by her side, but she was also enraged by the fact that her ex-boyfriend.

Who she had recently discovered had nearly killed one of her guild's members, Celestia—was now getting close to Emma.

And with what she had overheard Yumiko discussing with Veylan, she had been thinking about making up with him.

"You pig! You went behind my back to steal my boyfriend!"