The classes for first years worked 6 days a week and the weekend was a holiday for everyone. At Least until the first semester ends.
The weekend was a time for the students to rest, relax and research - to do whatever one wanted. You could train all day, or visit the library to check out the books and self study, or you can just sleep in your room until the next day.
Since the students were still new at the academy, and didn't know many people, most of them chose to remain at the academy and just visit all kinds of facilities or see the scenery here and there.
Some who were already friends made groups, and made plans to visit the city outside and enjoy everything the Laurelia Sanctum had to offer. The entertainment, food, games or tourist places - students made plans to go out and enjoy according to their own wishes.
Well as you can guess, most of them chose to go out and enjoy themselves, instead of staying inside.
Yet there was one boy who was too dedicated to his future.
"I'm telling you, I won't go." Rio said in a serious tone, resolutely refusing Amelia, who was planning to visit all the famous restaurants in the city and empty their kitchens.
Currently he was in his room and Amelia just used one of her protection artifacts to call him and inform him.
"I'm not asking you, come on, we only got one day." Amelia said in a pleading tone, as her eyes narrowed and got covered by water.
"Stop acting." Rio said, as he slapped her head when he saw her trying to bring out tears forcefully. "Rebecca, Ayla and Rubina - aren't those 3 free too. Just go with them."
"Leave it Amy. This guy probably just wants to laze around and sleep all day." Rebecca said, as she came into the room and heard the discussion between the two.
"No, I'm not." Rio said as he defended himself. And added "Unlike you freeloaders, some of us have work to do. I'm planning to visit my company and see their progress."
"You're going to Angel, why?" Amelia asked.
"What do you mean why? That's my company, I haven't been there for 2 years. Now that I'm back and have some free time, I should just go and see what they all did while I wasn't around." Rio said, informing them about his plan.
"Mother handled everything about Angel all this time, so there's no need for you to go there." Amelia asked again, only to be refused again.
"No means no Amy. I'll join you girls in the evening if I get free first." Rio said and cut the call by severing the mana into the artifact.
Once that was done, he just lay in his bed again to sleep. He didn't lie to them, he really was planning to go to his company, but there was no need to go there so early in the morning right. He could just sleep for a little and then go there after he woke up again.
[You really do just want to sleep huh.] System said, disturbing its host.
"Fuck off. No one asked you. Anyway, what kind of boss goes to his company on time? It's natural." Rio said, pulling the quilt over his head and closing his eyes. "Now disturb me Or I'll mute you again."
[I'll remind you, cause it seems you forgot. There is an event which will happen today with the protagonist. Aren't you planning to stop it?]
Hearing systems words Rio answered without opening his eyes "Don't worry, I've already planned for that."
[Leon is THE PROTAGONIST.] system said highlighting the final words.
"Okay fine." Rio said and opened his eyes.
He picked up his phone and called his shadow.
"Master" Esme picked up the phone in the first ring and answered in an elated tone.
"Amy and Becca are planning to visit the city today. You can go with them. Make sure everything's alright and they're safe." Rio said what he wanted and cut the call.
"There, happy now" Rio said to the system and before it could reply he continued " Now shut up and let me sleep." Rio said and closed his eyes.
-beep beep-
On the other side, Esme, who was sitting in the office at Angel, looked at her phone for a while, and sighed. 'Looks like he's not coming.'
She thought, feeling a little sad. But then she shook her head and walked out of the office. In the absence of Rio, all the affairs of Angel were handled and every major decision was made by Artemis, but since obviously Artemis couldn't just leave Damascus and come here to manage this company. And she had her subordinates do everything.
Now after Rio was back, and he joined the academy again. Esme, who wanted to follow him, transferred herself as the head of security for Angel and came here. Artemis didn't have any problem with it, as Esme could help Rio deal with some little problems if they arise and protect him if necessary.
Thus this Shadow of this villain followed him back to this islands. Rio only learned about it after he joined the academy and didn't bother with it.
In the novel too, when the plot began, Esme who was getting hunted by both the Blake family and Scarlett family - came to hide on the floating islands. Knowing both families wouldn't be so outrageous in the properties of the World Association.. This is how she also meets Leon later and they both join hands and have their own adventures and fight against him.
Rio had a feeling Esme coming to the floating islands was the work of fate, as it tried to keep the story the same as in the novel, but he didn't worry about it. He was sure about where Esme's loyalty lay.
And if she chose to betray him due to whatever trick the fate or Leon's halo pulled, let's just say he didn't just give them artifacts which could save their lives as a gift all this time. Some could also take it away, on his smallest sign.
Esme called for some other guards and started giving them some instructions. She also called Amelia and talked with her about where she wanted to go and suggested driving her there herself.
Every noble family or elite family or those rich guilds and associations controlled many businesses and had their own branches and people staying at the floating islands. Since living on the floating islands for the general public or buying mansions for students wasn't allowed. Every family just opened a branch of their famous businesses here and had their trusted people transferred to these locations. This way it didn't break any rule and still gave them security and background that was necessary.
Blake's too being a Duke ranked noble family and owner of one of the top 5 guilds had their own many businesses and many which were famous enough to open a branch on the islands of world association.
In the novel, the Blake family had the branch of Genesis Corp. - the company managed by Artemis, but due to the sudden growth and large reputation of Angel, it had opened its branch here on the floating islands too.
This happened the last time the World Association started the bid for the places of businesses to be allowed inside the floating islands, more than two years ago.
Every business could only be allowed entry for 5 years and after that, they'd have to take part in the bids again and earn their place again, if they want to continue managing a branch here.
Floating islands only allows the best of the best in every field to take part in bids, and it takes all things in consideration - the image, the background, the reputation, the quality and ranking of their product, the services they provide etc etc.
So everything you see outside Zenith academy, is the best of the best in their fields. Best hotels, best food, best entertainment sites, best training grounds, artifact sellers or potion business. Best of everything with no compromises.
There's even a saying in Arcadia, that if you never went to Floating islands, then you aren't successful in business. Having a branch here is actually a goal to all those new up and coming businesses. It's like a proof that they made it to the top.
Angel, with its reputation of making and selling the potions of Pura Corpus and Celestial Cleansing was obviously invited to bid last time the World Association shuffled the businesses. And Rio won the place for his company.
After all, the profits earned by those two potions were enough to easily challenge the capital chain of many other rich tycoons. Plus he had his Blake family behind him, so the last thing he lacked was money to bid.
He opened the branch of Angel near the academy for two reasons - first, to have his own eyes and minions gathered near a place where the main plot starts. Second, Angel became a front which he could use to get things done and hide what he didn't want the world to see. The boost in reputation and the profits earned were just a plus that he didn't care about
And today he wasn't interested in going to Angel and talk about potions or profits, he just wanted to see his other business and minions who said there was some problem with his plan.
He was looking forward to see, who dared to forget their place and interrupt his plans.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel