Chris’s Little Secret

Ashen continued his leisurely stroll through the expansive grounds of the academy, his footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestone pathways.

Passing through oak trees lined on the walkways, he felt a fleeting peace. The gentle sway of the branches momentarily eased his worries.

He paused occasionally, taking in the grandeur of the buildings that surrounded him, appreciating the blend between Gothic and classical styles in the architecture.

Ashen continued his walk with a sense of curiosity and appreciation, discovering a more hidden courtyard as he meandered toward a quieter part of the academy.

As he ventured further, the bustling energy of the central campus faded into a tranquil stillness. 

He found himself in a less populated corner, where the pathways narrowed and the foliage grew denser, creating a secluded, almost secretive atmosphere.

He passed a row of weathered stone benches, half-hidden beneath vines, and noticed a small courtyard tucked between two ivy-covered buildings.

The place was quiet, save for the gentle tickle of a moss-covered fountain at its center. 

Ashen paused, a bit drawn to the serenity of the space before taking a seat on one of the benches, letting the peace of the moment wash over him.

Wishhh… rustle-tussle…

The breeze tickled the branches, and they couldn't stop giggling.

Just as he began to relax, a low murmur caught his attention. 

It was coming from around the corner of one of the buildings, where a narrow alleyway led to a secluded alcove.

The voices were hushed but urgent, their tone unmistakably secretive.

Curiosity prickled at him, and though he knew he shouldn't, he leaned slightly to listen.

The fragments of conversation that reached him were a bit unsettling.

Words like "confidential", "leak", and "recruitment" floated through the air, accompanied by the occasional sharp whisper of a name he recognized — Cornelia.

Suddenly, the volume of the conversation spiked as tempers flared. It seemed they had forgotten the risk of being overheard.

"This isn't what you promised me! Do you know how hard those damn drills are?! And now you want me to deal with an entire academy? Do I look like a damn student to you?!"

A crackling voice answered in an eerily patient tone.

"Chris, have some patience. What was promised will be delivered. All you need to do is recruit as many trainees as possible—the more talented, the better."

A heavy silence followed.

"You won't have to convince them of anything drastic," the voice continued. "Simply ensure that when their contracts expire in six months, they switch to our faction. That's all."

Chris's frustration was tangible. "And if they refuse?"

"They won't." A chuckle. "Just tell them the truth—their contracts are temporary. If better offers come, they're free to take them. Easy, isn't it?"

Chris scoffed. "And what about our deal?"

The voice took on an amused edge.

"Naturally, we will uphold our end. You'll have full freedom to indulge—kill, rape, toy with your victims however you please. Your cravings will be satisfied… once you complete your task."

A long pause. Then, a grunt.

"...Fine. I'll play your game. But don't forget—we signed a contract."

"Yes, yes," the voice dismissed. Then, a sudden shift to something more serious. "Now, destroy this communication device. You know the risks. If any faction finds out, we'll be hunted like rabid dogs."

A sharp name followed. "Especially with the Red Wolf, Cornelia, overseeing this semester's tutorial city."

Chris scoffed. "How scary can she be?"

Silence. Then, a single, weighted response.

"...Very."

The sounds faded. Footsteps retreated, fading into the distance.

Yet, the weight of their words lingered.

Ashen rose slowly, his gaze sweeping the area to ensure he was alone.

Then, with deliberate steps, he walked away—gradually at first, then faster, as if shaking off the eerie tension clinging to him.

The words he had overheard echoed in his mind, casting a long shadow over his once-peaceful stroll.

'Haah… that voice was Chris's, wasn't it?'

He started talking to himself inside his head in an attempt to calm down.

'Hell, they even called him by name. Yeah, it's 100% Chris.' 

'I already knew that guy was a lunatic, but damn, his lunacy ranking just shot up a few levels. Definitely gotta steer clear of that creep.'

Ashen reinforced his decision—stay the hell away from Chris.

He exhaled, shaking his head. Forget it. He wasn't here to play hero or get tangled in a mess that was way above his league. 

If he had power or authority—maybe then he'd take a different approach.

But right now he was just another trainee in a foreign land, completely out of his depth.

With that, he continued toward the dormitories, though his mind refused to let go of what he overheard.

'...Six months. That's when the contracts expire.'

That bit of information was worth keeping. Not that it changed much—he doubted they'd be allowed to simply walk away when the time came. 

More likely, they'd be forced to sign new contracts under pressure.

Still, knowing this gave him options. A small opening to work with.

'Maybe I can use this to renegotiate those ridiculous clauses later.'

His gaze drifted skyward for a moment before he sighed and pushed the thoughts aside. Dwelling on it wouldn't change anything now.

Instead, his mind wandered to Cornelia.

He had already pegged her as a big shot, but this conversation made it clear—she was more than just a big shot.

A dangerous one.

He would have to tread carefully if he ever crossed paths with her again.

Passing by the cafeteria, Ashen intended to grab a quick meal before heading back, but he stumbled upon a better option.

A counter, manned by one of the ever-present maids, was distributing fresh food ingredients—for free. 

Seeing the quality, he wasted no time lining up and taking a portion of everything before hurrying back to his apartment. 

He did not forget his agreement to meet Seraphine this evening after all.

After whipping up a meal that turned out barely passable, courtesy of his lackluster culinary skills, he indulged in a long, relaxing bath to wash away the day's sweat and fatigue.

As Ashen changed into comfortable sleepwear, a series of knocks echoed from his door.