"What are you doing here?!"
Eve exclaimed while pointing her slim index finger at me.
"Why is Raven here?"
"I don't know, he just disappeared last Wednesday."
"And why is he in the office having a private conversation with Eve's father?"
Then I heard whisperings behind Eve, and it turns out it were Blake, Alec, and Adelle.
Aoi and Curtis are also with them. Aoi is showing a confused expression while Curtis is glaring at me.
I looked at the group and opened my mouth.
"Sir Clifford and I were talking about business."
I casually said. I can't think of any plausible lie to answer in why I'm here with Clifford, so I just said the truth.
Eve, not convinced by my answer, frowned and looked at Clifford. The others did the same.
Clifford looked at me with a frown.
I just shrugged my shoulders and relaxed myself.
Seeing that, Clifford let out a sigh and shook his head before looking back at Eve and the others.
"We really were talking about business."
Clifford said.
The others looked at me with disbelief. I just ignored them and turned my head back at Clifford.
"So what's your answer about my proposal?"
I asked Clifford. He frowned and pointed at Eve and the others.
"Let's talk about it later."
Clifford replied.
"Hm? I don't really mind them hearing about it, but sure. Let's talk about it later."
I casually said, I still have some time before starting the businesses anyway.
After that, Clifford looked back at Eve's group.
"Do you guys know each others?"
Clifford asked looking back and forth to me and the others.
"I'm Raven's friend."
Alec answered immediately.
"Me too!"
Blake exclaimed, raising his hand.
"Me three!"
And Adelle followed too.
I'm actually happy to know that they consider me as a friend, but I didn't show it to my face.
Then not long after that, the other answered too.
"We're acquaintance."
Aoi sternly stated.
"I don't know him."
Curtis grumbled while still glaring at me.
Though, I don't really mind his answer and just ignored him.
Then Clifford looked at Eve, my eyes followed too unconsciously.
"We're in the same class."
Eve said with a frown.
'Hm, at least she remember me being in the same class as her.'
I thought. Eve usually forgets stuffs she's uninterested in, the same as me.
Well, not that I care if she remembers me or not.
After hearing their answers. Clifford looked at me with a questioning gaze.
His eyes were asking me if what they said were true.
"It's just as they said... Hwaaaa..."
I casually said then yawned as I'm pretty exhausted.
Clifford, who knows why I'm exhausted, ignored my rudeness.
"Why did you not tell me then?"
Clifford asked me. To be exact, he's asking me why I didn't tell him that I know his daughter when we were in the [Mysterious Woodland].
Shrugging my shoulders again for 'god-knows-how-many-times'...
"I forgot."
I replied half-heartedly.
I'm lying, I didn't forgot, I just don't have a reason to tell Clifford at that time. And if I told him, he might make me Eve's bodyguard in the academy. I don't want that, sounds troublesome.
Accepting my answer, at least for now, Clifford brought his attention back to Eve.
Though, he frowned at me before doing so.
"Eve, what do you want?"
Clifford asked Eve with a strict tone. He's acting calm but Clifford is a sucker to his daughter.
"I actually want to borrow a training room for us to use until our assessment test."
Eve said her reason of visiting immediately.
"Sure, there's plenty of vacant training rooms so you can use any room you like. Want me to send heroes to train you guys too?"
And Clifford immediately answered, still trying to keep his strict father facade.
'What a doting father.'
I thought, shaking my head after seeing Clifford's bad acting.
"That would be very helpful."
Eve didn't deny his Father's suggestion as she immediately answered happily.
But it was that when...
"Can Raven come with us?!"
Adelle exclaimed while looking at Clifford and Eve.
"Of course, Raven is a very good kid after all, I owe him a lot."
Clifford then replied to Adelle with a smile.
Eve frowned and looked at me.
"Well, why not, if father agrees."
She said after a while of silence.
"Yay! Do you want to train with us Raven?"
Adelle asked me.
I shook my head.
"I already have a plan on how to train myself."
I said in a bored tone.
"That's too bad."
Adelle said with a dissapointed tone.
Alec and Blake also seems to be dissapointed.
Eve and Aoi seems doesn't really care that much.
But Curtis sure is happy at my answer.
'Well, I asked Oscar and Ruby to train me, and there's also Levina so sorry.'
Clifford can't train me anymore about swordsmanship because he have to work things in the guild.
So I'll just ask Ruby.
Oscar said he'll happily train me as a thanks for saving the girls in the dungeon.
While Levina just want me to master my electric attribute as fast as possible.
"Well, we need to go now Father."
As the room is getting awkward as time passes, Eve talked.
Clifford just nodded as he still thinks his act is convincing everyone, though it's the contrary.
"Bye Sir Clifford!"
"Nice seeing you Sir Clifford."
Adelle and Aoi respectively said then bowed their heads a little.
"It's nice meeting you Sir, don't worry I will protect Eve with all of my might."
Curtis said as polite as possible.
'Um, ew.'
I thought, the others might thought so too as they all frowned at Curtis's words.
"Goodbye Sir."
"Thanks for lending us a training room."
Blake and Alec politely said and bowed their heads.
"See you at the academy, Raven!"
Adelle exclaimed waving at me.
I nodded my head.
"Yes, see you."
Then I replied.
After that, they all left.
"I need to go too, I have an appointment."
I said to Clifford as I walked toward the door.
"You're busy for a normal student huh."
Clifford teased. Looking back at him, I opened my mouth.
"I'm gonna be busy now, then enjoy my freedom later."
I said with a grin.
After saying that.
Click-
I left the the room.
***
Meanwhile, the Alec and the others.
They're on their way to the training area in the [Coldvale]'s guild building.
"Too bad he can't join us huh."
Adelle muttered, he's talking about Raven.
"Why do you want him to join anyway?"
Aoi asked Adelle with a frown.
Not that Adelle care as she just placed her hand on her chin.
"Aren't you guys curious on how he fights?"
Adelle replied with a question.
Which got everyone's attention.
"Now that I think about it, because the shooting range is divided by rooms, no one ever saw him shoot a gun."
Alec said as his curiosity got piqued.
They're assuming Raven can fight, forgetting that Raven is supposed to be a non-combatant awaken.
"As a person who uses long-range weapon, I would lie if I said wasn't curious in his fighting style."
Aoi said in a curious tone.
"I don't know how he fight but I know he's hella strong!"
Blake exclaimed, everyone's attention went toward him.
"Why do you think so?"
Adelle asked Blake.
"Just gut feeling."
Blake proudly said. Not that it convinced anyone, in fact it made everyone doubt him more.
"He's strong."
But then Eve spoke.
Her words surprised everyone.
"Do you have a reason why you think so?"
Aoi asked this time. Eve looked at the others, then she opened her mouth.
"I can feel it."
Eve said seriously.
"Oh! So you're the same as me, just gut feeling huh."
Blake who can't read the mood exclaimed,smiling at Eve weirdly.
"Well, I'm stronger than him so no need to talk about that lame guy."
Then Curtis said in a boastful tone.
"Well Alec is stronger than you, so shut up."
Eve shot him down with a clear annoyance in her voice.
Curtis immediately shut up, but when Eve adverted her eyes on him, he glared at Alec.
Alec just smiled awkwardly.
"But Raven is really mysterious huh."
Adelle talked again. Meeting her words with silence, she spoke once again.
"Raven is having a private conversation with Eve's father, the guildmaster of the number 1 guild, [Coldvale]. They said it's about business, but how did Raven did that? Even my mother can't talk to Eve's father about business easily."
At her words, the others halted their steps.
They started to wonder too.
'What did Raven do?'
This question was carved in their minds.
"Raven also have a relationship with Miss Ruby, an <S> rank hero, he's also stupidly smart, and sometimes... The presence he gave off just feels really different, he acts mature that it's like he's already at his 30s."
Adelle listed and stated all the things she finds weird about Raven.
"Why does someone like him is not known? He's actually way smarter than any of us."
She added.
They might not want to admit it, but they really think that Raven is smarter than them.
Raven is a genius, he's a gem. But that gem didn't shine, no one discovered it, why is that?
That kind of question was attacking their heads.
Then after a while of total silence because of thinking about Raven.
"Well, who cares, let's just go."
Curtis grumbled and started walking toward their destination.
The others followed in silence.
In the midst of the silence, the bored Adelle talked again.
"When I saw Raven with Eve's father earlier I thought that Eve and Raven have a secret relationship."
Then she laughed.
At her words, the others halted again.
Aoi, Blake, and Alec are showing a surprised expression while looking at Adelle.
While Eve and Curtis are glaring at Adelle.
Adelle noticed that she said something that she shouldn't have.
"Sorry, lets just go."
She apologized awkwardly.
With that, they all continue to walk to the training area.
But with a weird atmosphere around them.
***
[Raven's POV]
It's now 7:30 P.M.
I just met with Tyrone and gave him the [Phantom Meteor].
I asked him how long does he think it will take to make a katana, and he said that he will do his very best and focus on my weapons to finish it within this month.
Normally I'll decline and tell him that just take it easy, but I'll need them for the assessment test so I just thanked him, I also left him 5 Million zeals, 3 Million for the budget to upgrade and create my weapons, while 2 Million is for the commission.
Tyrone said I don't have to pay him, but I don't want that.
Also, someone who is being paid does his job the best, in that way, I will put a pressure on Tyrone so that he will take forging and upgrading my weapons more seriously.
And now, I'm in front of the Lunar Academy.
Entering the gate, a scene I haven't seen for a while entered my sight.
Tall buildings and structures that have at least 30-80 floors are all lined up, their designs are very modern that it's like I'm in the future if I may say when I was still back in the old Earth.
There's also a small trains travelling all around the academy as a transportation purpose.
All in all, now that I take a good look of the academy, it's just now that I realized that I'm in a different Earth and I'm in a fantasy world.
"It's good to be back."
I mumbled as I walked through the academy and continued to watch the scenery.
Even with the modern designed structures, there's still nature designed landmarks in the academy like; a small forest or lake.
Man, I'm really glad to be back in this peaceful place.
-Is this where you study?
It was then, Levina appeared.
"Hide yourself, spirits are rare here so you might cause some commotion, also I think I'm the first human to ever formed a contract with a spirit."
'In fact, I'm the very first creature to be a spirit's master. Spirits are a high class race, even the elves who made a contract with them are just servants of the spirit.'
I like the idea me being the first person, but when this bacome known to public, it's gonna be hell for me.
Following my words, Levina hid herself in the chest pocket of my uniform.
-Why do you want to hide me? Isn't it better if I'm revealed as your partner?
Levina grumbled.
Well it's true, hiding her will be bothersome as this academy have a lot of strong heroes that may detect Levina.
Also being known as the first human to be ever form a contract with a spirit and the master above all of that, sounds good.
I can already imagine my trait's effect, <I like the spotlight>, being boosted, resulting to me being stronger faster.
But...
"Not yet, until I build up my strength, at least until then, be hidden."
Everything have it's right timing, and now isn't the right time to reveal Levina.
-Hmhp, fine.
Levina is pouting. Though, I just ignore her.
I said that I'll keep her hidden but I'll reveal her to certain individuals like Keara and Ruby.
They have my trust to begin with.
***
Standing in front of my dorm, I took out my Lunar ID and scanned it to the scanner that's locking my door.
Click-
With a subtle sound, the door became unlocked.
I then reached out to the handle and opened the door.
Swoosh-
Looking inside my dorm, to be exact, my bed.
I can see Keara peacefully sleeping while holding her phone.
Her phone is open, it looks like Keara was reading one of my novel and fell asleep in the middle of doing so.
'I almost forgot that she's a fan of my novels.'
That's how I met Keara, because of my works. A smile emerged from my face.
-Is this woman one of the people you told me?
Levina asked.
"Yeah."
I already told Levina some names of people that I'm planning on revealing her existence to.
And Keara is one of them.
-She have a blood of an elf.
Levina said looking at Keara curiously.
Guess she can feel that Keara have an elven blood as spirits and elves are both close to nature, thus their races are compatible with each other.
"Yeah, she's an half-elf, now don't wake her up, I'm gonna cook."
I'm pretty hungry.
"Oh, but I should take a bath first."
It's been a long time since I had a proper bath.
I'm clean as I used cleansing magics on me, but I still feel uncomfortable about not taking a proper bath.
-Okay, don't worry, I'll protect this room.
Levina proudly declared.
"Thanks."
With that, I entered the bathroom.
***
"Hm?"
Keara slowly opened her eyes as she smells something delicious.
"Ah."
Then she realized that she's been sleeping on Raven's bed.
'How long did I sleep?'
Keara, in fact visits and sleeps in Raven's dorm from time to time as she feel lonely about him going somewhere.
'I haven't heard about him these past days, is he okay?'
Keara's face unconsciously turned gloomy as such thought entered her mind.
But it was then...
"Oh, you're up."
She heard a familiar voice that she haven't heard for a while.
Keara's head quickly turned to the source of it, and there she saw Raven cooking.
"I didn't wake you up because you look tired, anyway, I'm almost done here so let's eat afterward."
Keara stare Raven for a while, dumbfounded and still thinking if what she's seeing is real.
"Oh, and I'm back."
Raven said awkwardly.
A bright smile emerged from Keara's face and her gloomy mood quickly changed into a happy one.
"Welcome back!"
She happily exclaimed and got out of the bed.
***
[Raven's POV]
Before Keara and me eat, someone arrived.
It's Ruby, she said that she heard that I already came back from Keara, so she immediately came to visit.
Keara said that Ruby deserves to know I'm back so she told her.
Though conflicted, I didn't mind it too much, and so the 3 of us ate together.
"I haven't had your cooking in a while, now it reminded me how good you are."
"You are really the best!"
Ruby and Keara praised me after eating.
I smiled at their comments about my cooking, but soon I got serious.
"I have someone I want you guys to meet."
I muttered while looking at them. Keara's and Ruby's attention shifted to me.
Not waiting for them to reply, Levina came out from my chest pocket.
Of course Ruby and Keara got startled by her.
And it was then, Levina transformed into her human-like appearance.
"My name is Levina, an electric spirit. And Raven is my master."
Levina then proudly announced that she's my servant.
Ruby have a high influence and have a good information source, so she immediately know that Levina is a real spirit.
While Keara have a blood of an elf so she can feel that Levina is a member of a high race.
As the awkward silence is engulfing the room.
"Oh... And I'm also Raven's partner like you guys."
Levina announced.
Ruby's and Keara's eyes turned to me.
They have this piercing and questioning gazes, I don't really care but it's still kinda affecting me so I opened my mouth.
"She's talking bullshit."
I mumbled with a frown.