Walking towards the same secluded area I found a week ago, I couldn’t help but think about Sophia.

Maybe I got a little too used to Leo’s incessant attempts to befriend me even when I tried my best to act like a piece of shit. Maybe Sophia’s reaction is a reasonable one…?

“Ahhh, why has everything become so dramatic lately…” I whispered to myself.

The air was cold and my breath came out like smoke, it was dark but I could see it dissipating.

The wooden bench was somewhat cold and still a little wet from last night’s rain.

I haven’t been to this place since my run in with Thompson, speaking of which, whatever happened to that guy?

Haven’t really heard from him… Curious.

I let my head drop backwards as I listened to the darkness around me.

There was something unnerving about it but it was also strangely… peaceful.

It felt as if I could just fall asleep at any moment, everything felt like a drag at this moment and just thinking was a tiresome activity…

How do I fix this problem with Sophia? Do I even fix it? Does it matter at all…?

My eyelids grew heavier with each sound the crickets around made until the darkness consumed my vision.

Everything felt like such a waste of time, yet what am I even in a rush to? Here I thought things were getting better but lately I don’t even want to participate in my own life anymore.

How exhausting…

“Life’s coming at you hard as well huh…?” A familiar female voice said.

“Who- Oh it's you… What would a rich brat even know about ‘hard’?”

“Br-Hey! I have a name you know, I told you to remember it last time we met! And I’ll have you know my life is very difficult. What would a nasty guy like you even know about the struggles of a woman?” She retorted.

“Yeah yeah, my bad… Can you quiet down a little bit? I’m not in the mood for all of that bullshit.” I said as I closed my eyes again.

“W-whatever…” She sat down on the bench and sighed deeply.

We both sat in silence for a few minutes before blondie whispered something I couldn’t hear.

I ignored it. I could feel her shuffling in place as she was probably about to say something again.

“S-say…” She whispered again.

“Huh?! What the fuck do you want? Can you please just be quiet?”

“Tch! Do you really have to be so nasty?! I just wanted to ask you something about pr-prince Leonardo!”

Ahh this guy… Throughout last week the dreams have been haunting me more and more because of him.

“What is it about Le-red hair?”

I looked at her face as it went very ironically, red, she was obviously embarrassed by whatever it was. “D-do you know if he has a girlfriend?”

“What in the name of Rachel the Second are you asking me… How the fuck would I know?”

“Rachel… Rachel! That’s a good idea you nasty guy!” She announced.

“Huh? Wha-”

She looked at me with sparkling pink eyes and her face got closer as she started talking again.

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“Do you know if there’s a statue of Rachel in Mil-Ansk? Ahh I guess you wouldn’t know, you commoner freak.

If I could only find a statue and pray for the prince’s lov-”

“Can you just shut the fuck up already?! Why is it that every time I meet you my head just hurts and I want to pluck my own ears or just kill you?!”

“Eeeek!” She jumped up from the bench and started running away.

“Sorry, thanks, bye…!” When she got a bit further away blondie turned around and yelled “Freak!”

God this fucking girl is annoying… What was her name again? cl, clora? Whatever…

I guess I should also head back, it’s getting late and tomorrow we have a trip to Guardian.

***

The prince didn’t even try to talk to me when I returned, fortunately, the dreams followed his example.

When I woke up I just grabbed a piece of bread and some cheese and left the empty dorm.

I guess it really is hard to appreciate something before it’s gone.

***

“I will now go through the list of names to make sure everyone is here, please respond swiftly so we can embark… today hiyahiya.” The black-haired fat lady with a pointy hat who stood in front of us said.

“Jameson” - “Here!”

“Laprunica…” - “Here!”

“...Skyler” - “Here!”

“Great! seeing as everyone is here and the sun hasn’t come down yet, I’ll leave you guys in the care of someone you should be familiar with.” The teacher said.

She motioned to her left and I realized there was someone I haven’t seen in a bit there.

“Much appreciated lady Liante. Before I introduce myself to some of the faces I haven’t met before, do you guys have any questions for your teacher, Miss Liante?” He asked.

A few students raised their hands before the fat lady said “No questions it seems! Great. Then I’ll finally rest a little bit.”

“Keh hem”

“Hiya hiya, just joking Zicky darling, let’s start with Stephanie.” Liante said.

“Teach, when are you going on a diat?” The student said and everyone started giggling.

“Right after you learn how to fly dear.

Please practice diligently! If you wish I can introduce you to a decent cliff with spikes at the bottom, the incentive to succeed is even better! I’ll even give you a small push to help out.” The fat teacher smiled warmly.

A group of students including Stephanie erupted into laughter “Pahahahaha! Lia is always the funniest! I’ll miss you, teach!”

“Right then, next question please, Karakov.”

“How long will it take to reach Guardian? Isn’t it dangerous?” He asked.

“Oh my, aren’t you a brave one… The trip will take 4 hours at most. By the time you get there however, I do hope your balls finally drop.”

The guy didn’t even seem angry, his expression was just… natural. Either way, this woman is hilarious haha.

“Well, seeing as none of you have any more interesting things to ask me anymore, I’ll swiftly take my leave and go to rethink my life choices, alone, in my room. Hiya hiya, have a good trip, dears.” She smiled again and waved the students goodbye.

Liante was escorted away by the praise and cheers.

Zick clapped his hands twice and drew everyone’s attention “Alright alright, it has been a little over a week since we have met so I will reintroduce myself now.”

He turned his head to his right and up at the sky, with his left hand, he put 2 fingers over his left breast pocket and with his right hand, just above it, over the left shoulder, he made a sign resembling a circle.

“My name is Zick Brown, I am a proud soldier of the kingdom of Rintiya and I serve as a training instructor in Mil-Ansk military academy upon request from your headmaster Rick.

As a former captain of guard in the city of Guardian I will guide you all in your trip to the guarding wall of our beloved kingdom, the fortress city, Guardian.

Any questions before we go into briefing for the journey?” This guy sure loves to talk, but I have to say, his presence feels astounding.

“Alright, great.

We will soon embark on a march towards Guardian, the event has been settled and arranged with the military and Rintiya’s special enforcement branch.” He said.

“A march? With all of this equipment? isn’t it a bit much, even for us?” Some students whispered to each other.

“The march shall serve as a form of training to all the students, you are all fated to grow into great soldiers and heroes that will protect the kingdom in times of great peril.

We may have had a period of relative peace but tomorrow is never a promise, it is but another achievement to be earned, it is to be defended.”

Zick closed his fists tightly and his expression hardened “Even right now, we have the looming threat in the north, Lingyle’s army is not to be taken lightly!

The devils in the southern wilderness too. They established a relationship with the demi-human tribes, we have to be prepared!

As you all know already, in Rintiya’s proud military forces we…” He lifted his fist in the air and everyone shouted in unison “Strive For More!”.