Ch.26: Hidden emotions

"That's an absurd-ass mission right there."

The system replied flatly, without a hint of humor.

[The mission has been assigned according to the situation and projected outcomes. It is not absurd.]

"So what's the mission about, huh? All this 'accept yourself' crap. Sounds like something out of a therapist's pamphlet." Nyx muttered, somewhere between confused and quietly unnerved.

[Find yourself.]

A vein twitched on Nyx's forehead.

"Yeah, because if you actually told me what that meant, the world might just end, huh?"

[If I tell you the answer now, your soul will be annihilated. I can't say more than that.]

He wanted to retort. To throw something—anything—at that smug, blank tone. But the system wasn't joking. That much was clear. It didn't sound robotic this time. It sounded... loaded.

Nyx narrowed his eyes.

"Say... why does that sound exactly like the failure penalty?"

[I can't explain it. At least, not yet.]

He let out a long breath, not from fear, but from frustration that tasted too much like something else.

"Accept yourself, huh? That still sounds cringe as hell," he sighed, flopping back down on the cliff like gravity had finally won.

Above him, the moon was rising—slow, pale, distant. The night had finally taken over.

"You know," Nyx muttered, watching the moon through his fingers, "ever since I came to this world... no matter what I do, there's always something pushing me closer to the edge."

He paused, letting the silence settle over him like a blanket.

"But..." He gave a small chuckle, barely more than a breath. "It's kinda fun. Trying to live through all that."

Nyx sat up, brushing dust off his jacket. His smirk was back—not for anyone else, just for him.

"So let's go complete this shitty-ass mission and hit Phase-2 already."

And just like that, he started walking back toward the academy—calm, composed, and very likely walking into another storm.

---

"Did you go flatten the forest or what? It's past midnight," Valon grumbled the moment Nyx walked through the door.

Nyx didn't respond right away. His eyes flicked past Valon—spotting two unfamiliar faces standing awkwardly behind him.

He raised an eyebrow. "Who are these two? Your boyfriends?"

He grinned like the devil himself.

"This fucker…" Valon growled under his breath. He looked ready to lunge—but knew better. There were many things Valon could win at. A brawl with Nyx? It was not one of them.

"They're our new roommates, dumbass. Remember?"

One of the newcomers stepped forward, offering a handshake. "Hi. I'm Noah, and this is Bill.

Nyx glanced at the hand. Shook it with minimal effort.

Then collapsed onto his bed like gravity had a vendetta against him. "Cool. I'm going to sleep."

Valon flashed a tight, sheepish smile at the two. "Don't mind him. He's just a bitch with mental problems."

Noah and Bill stood there, stunned into silence.

They'd expected arrogance. Cold stares. Maybe a duel challenge before they could even unpack. But instead… this?

This was just weird.

If anything, Nyx and Valon felt more like commoners pretending to be nobles than the other way around.

---

Nyx woke up with a groan, stretching like a cat that slept on a pile of broken bricks.

"This bitch-ass academy can't even afford private rooms... What kind of third-rate, bootleg-ass institution is this?"

Valon, already brushing his teeth, didn't even flinch. "Buy it, then."

Nyx blinked. "...What?"

"You can earn private quarters with points," Valon mumbled through foam. "Get enough, and they'll let you live like an actual human being."

Nyx froze. Something in his brain clicked—hard. His eyes locked onto Valon like he'd just declared himself a prophet of salvation.

Valon looked up. Saw that stare.

"AHHHHHHH!" he shrieked, stumbling backward, still clutching his toothbrush. "H-he's possessed! Someone save me! That bastard's been taken over by a demon!"

He bolted straight to Noah and Bill, who'd just woken up, dazed and groggy.

Valon held out his toothbrush like it was a holy relic. "The power of mint compels you!"

"What? Where!?" Bill yelped, grabbing his sword from the table.

Noah followed suit, mana already glowing in his palms. "Where's the demon?!"

Nyx just stood there, dead-eyed.

"These motherfuckers…" He sighed like the weight of the universe had just landed on his spine.

---

"So you're just... curious about the mission hall?" Noah asked, all three of them sitting cross-legged on the floor like stunned monks. Each had a red palm print blossoming across their cheeks.

"I heard it doesn't even open until the second week after classes start," Bill added, still cradling his face like it'd been kissed by a divine slap.

Valon, meanwhile, looked at Nyx like he'd committed high treason. Eyes full of betrayal. How could you do this to me, brother?

'Oii, Sys. Is there anything like a communication device or something?'

[Portable sound transmitters are available for 100 SP each.]

'Buy me a pair.'

Two tiny devices materialized into his hand. Without skipping a beat, Nyx tossed one to Valon.

"Contact me through this. I'm heading out."

Valon blinked at the thing in his palm. "What is this? How does it even work?"

"Put mana into it. It transmits your voice to mine."

Valon didn't believe him. Not really. But he poured a trickle of mana into it anyway—

"Hello?"

His voice echoed faintly from the device.

Valon's jaw dropped. "Holy shit, it works! This is insane!"

Nyx just smirked as he turned for the door. 'If I showed him a smartphone, this guy would probably pass out.'

And without another word, he left.

---

Nyx reached the forest, the air around him colder, sharper. No holding back this time. No playful taps or restrained swings. This hunt? He needed to vent. To feel something break under his hands that wasn't metaphorical.

Meanwhile, at a cozy inn near the academy, the rest of the group had gathered.

Samantha glanced around, then frowned. "Where's that guy?"

Valon shrugged. "Dunno. Just handed me this thing, said to use it if needed, then dipped."

He held up the small transmitter like it was a magical relic. Samantha opened her mouth to reply—but paused when footsteps approached.

A figure stepped in. And all warmth in the room died.

Samantha's eyes narrowed. Ruby's jaw clenched. Even Valon's laid-back posture stiffened.

"Long time no see... sister," the tallest of them said with a soft, polished smile. Prince Leon.

Samantha didn't blink. Didn't flinch. But her voice turned to steel.

"If I remember right, 'that man' cut all ties with me the moment I was exiled. So no—I'm not your sister, Prince Leon."

Leon faltered. "I-I just wanted—"

But the words died as he saw her eyes. Cold. Final. Like nothing he said would ever matter again.

Samantha turned away.

"Let's go, Ruby. Looks like the prince has mistaken me for someone else's sister."

She grabbed Ruby's arm and walked out without looking back. Valon followed, not saying a word.

Leon stood there alone.

The smile still lingered on his lips. But it didn't reach his eyes anymore.