“Hey. Hey… wake up. Hey!”

Inside the carriage, Jenyx repeatedly nudged Trey who was soundly sleeping on his side. No matter how hard he tried, Trey showed no signs of waking up. 

(“Haaaah… why do I have to deal with this?”)

The carriage had already come to a complete halt, but Trey was still fast asleep. Jenyx cursed himself for going along with him even though he was in a hurry. Still, he owed Trey for sheltering him last night, so he felt like it would be boorish of him if he left. As he continued to shake him, Trey’s hand suddenly flew in the air and whipped Jenyx’s face sideways. Jenyx’s brows knitted together, slowly turning his glare towards the snoring Trey. 

“Oi… are you actually awake…?” 

No response. Trey kept snoring while Jenyx stared intently at him. However, he seemed to be truly asleep. Jenyx sighed and pushed open the doors of the carriage, allowing the morning light to bathe them in its sweltering rays. Jenyx raised his hand in order to shield himself from the sunlight and made his way to the front of the carriage. 

“Hello, I’m the person who rode alongside Mr. Lofit. Could I trouble you to awaken him? I'm in a hurry.”

The coachman nodded back to him. Although he felt bad for leaving, he had something more important to do. Jenyx bowed and started walking towards the gates of the institution. The pearly white double gate emblazoned with the mark of Visterga’s royal family; two winged serpents with blue bodies, stood proudly for all to see. Jenyx put his hand inside his pocket and withdrew a small handkerchief containing a similar mark. In the handkerchief, only one of the serpents existed, coiling around a blue pentagram.

(“I hope this is enough…”) 

Jenyx folded the handkerchief neatly before putting it back in his pants' pocket. He stood in front of the double gates and yanked a purple plate from his left pocket and headed to a small counter situated near the gate. After placing the plate down, a blue glow emanated below the plate, and within a few seconds, the gate automatically opened. Revealing two guards standing on opposite sides and countless students roaming about. Jenyx took his plate back and entered the institution. Today, the institution was quite boisterous due to the ongoing event. Most of the students were clumped together with their respective groups since there were currently no classes. Jenyx seamlessly weaved through the crowd and entered the main building.

After climbing a flight of stairs, Jenyx walked down a long corridor, stopping in front of a classroom with a plate on top reading “Class 2-A”. Jenyx breathed in and out a few times as he prepared his heart. Behind the door sat the top students of their year. Jenyx thought to himself that he needs a plan of action. 

("Just go in, take Rose and then-- no, no, no, that would garner way too much attention. Oh, I know! I’ll ask the first person I see to call Rose for me. Wait, would they even listen to me? Do they know me? What if they know me and my class? Hmm…”)

“What are you doing…?” 

!!

Jenyx hurriedly turned to the source of the voice and saw a pretty girl standing behind him. Countless peach-colored strands flowed freely from the girl’s head. She wore a pair of glasses, and for some reason, she had a scowl on her face as she looked at him.

“Oh, aren’t you that crybaby childhood friend?”

“W-what?”

“What did you come here for?” 

Though she seemed to know him, Jenyx regrettably had no idea who she was. “...Are you a student of class A?” Jenyx gathered all his courage in order to reply.

“What of it?” 

For some reason, there was an irritated tone to her voice. However, Jenyx couldn’t recall any instance where he had inconvenienced or even met the person before him.

“I’m here for Rosecca Grayle… could you please call her for me?”

“Huh? Are you ordering me around?” The girl coldly replied to him.

(“B-but I was just asking...”) 

Jenyx could not hide his shock, however, he quickly regained his composure. He cleared his throat and faced the rather aggressive girl. 

“W-while I don't know how I may have offended you, I apologize... please forget this ever happened.” Jenyx stepped aside in order to make way for the girl. It seemed that the girl was aware of his identity and status hence the cold shoulder. Jenyx thanked himself for not opening the door to Rose’s classroom or else he might’ve been subject to even harsher treatment. However, the girl refused to move from her position.

(“Really… did I do something to her?”) 

Jenyx strained to remember if he had come across the girl at some point of his life as it seems the girl truly despises him. However, nothing came to mind. 

“Hmph.” 

The girl closed her eyes and walked towards the door. Just as Jenyx thought she was about to open the door, she turned towards him.

“Rose isn’t here.”

“I-is that so?”

“For some reason, Instructor Sillia took her some time ago. Something about being summoned to the headmaster’s room.”

(“Damn! I was too late!”) 

“I see.” Jenyx slightly bowed to the girl and hurriedly turned in order to catch up with them. Just then, he felt something grasp his wrist. 

“W-wait! Do you know what it’s about?” 

“Not in the slightest, but thank you for telling me. Please let me go.” 

The girl refused to let go of his wrist. Jenyx considered shaking her hand off but it might cause more complications for him later on. While he wondered what to do, the pressure on his wrist faded. The girl had suddenly let go of him.

“Don’t let anything bad happen to her. Ok?”

The girl had a worried look on her. She might harbor a distaste for him, but in that short exchange, Jenyx could tell that she cared for Rose, much like him.

“I won’t.” Jenyx nodded as he replied and started running across the corridor.

The girl watched Jenyx as he ran like he was being chased by monsters.  

“I don’t know why you’re so fond of him, Rose… He looks so unreliable.” 

Ria shook her head sideways repeatedly as she opened the door to the classroom. Much as she wanted to come to her aid, Rose told her she'd be back in time for the test. As her friend, she decided to trust Rose and wait for her patiently in the room.

**

Jenyx raced across the building and eventually reached a spiral staircase. From what he could remember, the headmaster’s room was on the 4th floor of the building, a floor for all the members of the faculty and staff. He quickly ascended the stairs and quietly walked along the silent hallway, trying to find the headmaster’s room. He stopped in front of a large brown door. 

(“Found it.”)

Jenyx looked around him. Fortunately, nobody was around, probably because of the spell mastery exam which was about to start in 20 minutes. Jenyx wasn’t at all worried about it as he had no plans of attending, but he was thankful as the exam made it easier for him to reach the room. He placed his ear against the wall. At first, he could only hear faint sounds from within and was unable to make out what they were saying at all. Jenyx focused all of his attention towards his ear. Soon, the sounds started becoming audible to him. As he concentrated even further, the voices became clearer and clearer until he was able to discern who was speaking. 

(“Good… now I can hear them…”)

Jenyx had no idea when it started, but for some reason, whenever he focused intently on any particular sense of his, their performance was heightened exponentially. In the dark, his eyes are able to adjust quickly, and in time, he can see his surroundings clearly as if it were daytime. When tasting food, he is able to single out ingredients, granted he has tasted it before. And right now, when he strains his hearing, he is able to listen to conversations even if they were in another room.

“...It’s ok, Father. Thank you”

(“Brad…”) 

Jenyx clicked his tongue as he heard Brad’s voice through the wall. Jenyx burned with anger once he heard Brad’s voice. He wanted to quickly burst into the room and just punch him but he had to calm down. It would do them no good anyway. He had to find a suitable time in order to make his entrance. For all he knew, Rose might have everything under control.

“As a gracious noble, I am not averse to forgiving the rude actions of my people. I merely request that you simply follow a few of my stipulations…”

Gracious? Forgiving? Stipulations? Did he go crazy? Jenyx couldn’t believe what he was hearing. For whatever crazy reason, Brad was speaking as if he was not in the wrong. It was like Rose was the one at fault. Sure she attacked him with magic, but it was all to protect him from Brad. Jenyx was starting to lose patience as he listened on.

“State them.”

(“What!? Rose, are you crazy!?”)

Rose seemed like she was ready to listen to his so-called “stipulations”. 

(“What is going on in there…?”)

“It’s very simple. I wish to erase the stain on my reputation when you so cowardly attacked me from behind.”

“...And how would you do that?” Rose replied.

“The day of the combat simulations, I shall request that you battle me and for you to give me the win.”

“...” Rose was left in deep thought. However, the silence did not last for long.

“Done.”

!!

Brad's smile furthered after hearing Rose's reply. 

"That's not all. I request that you be part of my attendants in the institution. As one of the best students in our grade, I would be able to study more securely and peacefully knowing that you are there to protect me. Don't you think so, Father?"

"Huhuhu... a wise decision. You truly are my child." 

"Just a minute! I can accept the first condition, however, for the sec--"

“What’s the matter, Ms. Grayle? Don’t you think this is lenient enough? For you to reject the Baruth family's compassion... do you truly wish to be expelled? In the first place, you should not have done such a thing. If it irks you so, then please be mindful of yourself in the future.” 

Rose dumbfoundedly stared at the headmaster. The first condition was a simple one. Even if it meant besmirching her reputation in the institution, she had no problems because compared to Jenyx's well-being, it was trivial. However, the second condition was problematic. If she accepts, it would be as if she has agreed to be Brad's servant in the institution. She would no longer be able to protect Jenyx from him. She wanted to voice her dissent but the words wouldn't come out. 

*Bam!* 

Just as she had closed her eyes in resignation, the door burst open. All eyes went to the racket from the entrance as they beheld Jenyx emerge from the now broken door.