Two years had passed.

Era was no longer the same boy from Mathura. Today, he was preparing to enter college. At the moment, he was at home, about to leave for Agra.

“Okay, Auntie, I’m going now,” Era said as he picked up his bag.

“Travel safely, and take care of yourself,” Yumi reminded him warmly.

“Got it. Bye,” Era replied, stepping out.

From Mathura, he headed toward N Mall. Once there, he boarded a helicopter bound for Agra. Within a short time, he landed in the city.

“Hah, they even set up an office here? Nice. I told them to—guess the plan is set,” Era muttered to himself.

Waiting for him were his trusted members—A1, A2, A3, and A4. As he stepped out of the helicopter, he saw them sitting in formation.

“Oh, come on, stand up already. You don’t have to do that every single time,” he said casually.

“Yes, Nightmare,” A1 replied respectfully.

“So, what’s the progress here? How much control do we have in Agra now?”

“Almost full control, Nightmare,” A2 answered proudly.

“Nice. Percentage?”

“I’d say around 85 to 90 percent.”

“Cool. I’ll be attending college here, so you guys keep running things as usual.”

“Yes, sir,” A3 nodded.

“Oh, by the way,” A4 interrupted, “your college schedule is ready.”

“Yeah? Tell me.”

“You’ll attend classes three days a week. The other four days, you’ll operate as Nightmare.”

“Okay… and?”

“There are twenty-three students in your class, including you.”

“And?”

“Your college professor’s name is Aghav.”

“Nice.”

“Your college life begins tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

“Come, we’ll show you your room,” A2 said.

“Wait—don’t tell me this time it’s not the whole floor like before? If not, I’ll just pay for another building and stay there.”

“No, no, this time your floor has your room plus four others—mine, A1’s, A3’s, and A4’s.”

“Then it’s fine. Let’s go.”

The Next Day

A loud knock came at Era’s door. It was A3.

“Sir! Nightmare, sir!”

“…Ugh, what is it?” Era groaned.

“It’s time for college. You should get ready.”

“Oh, right!” He quickly got up.

The college was called LKL College. This would be Era’s first year here.

As he walked into class for the first time, his eyes fell on a familiar face.

“…What the—why the hell are you here?!”

“Oh, Era. It’s just a coincidence,” Rita said with a sly smile.

“Yeah, like I’m going to believe that.”

“Well… I asked Auntie, and she told me you were joining this college, so I decided to come too. That’s all.”

“And why exactly did you want to come here?”

“Why? Can’t I?”

“First, you got personal information about me from my aunt. Second, you’re following me. And third—you’re seriously annoying. I’m not letting this slide!”

“Catch me if you can!” Rita laughed and bolted out of the classroom.

Era chased after her down the corridor. But she bumped into a student whose ID read Bitu.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going. You must be a first-year. Hah… though you’re not too bad-looking,” Bitu smirked.

“Uh… um… T_T,” Rita froze.

“Hmph,” Era muttered. “Serves you right.”

“Hey, how about after class we hang out? Just you and me. What’s your name?” Bitu asked.

Rita’s eyes began to water. Tears slowly fell to the ground, catching Era’s attention.

“…Wait, is she crying? Ahh, great. What a pain,” he thought.

“You know, you look even cuter when you cry,” Bitu grinned.

Era walked up to them.

“Hmm… oh yeah, you’re right,” he said.

“?!”, Rita looked confused.

“?! Who the hell are you?” Bitu demanded.

Era didn’t answer. Instead, he grabbed Rita’s hand and started walking away. Bitu tried to stop him, but one cold glare from Era made him step back instantly.

“What the heck is with this guy?!” Bitu muttered.

“I wasn’t going to step in… but someone told me to pull you out of there,” Era said to Rita.

“Th… thanks,” she murmured.

“Yeah, yeah. Just be more careful next time.”

“…Hmm.”

Days passed. Era and Rita now attended classes together, often helping each other out. But Era never forgot his duties as the leader of the Nightwalkers.

Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, he worked alongside his gang—because after all, he was Nightmare.

[Chapter 16 End]