Chapter 23: Epicenter [3]

Looking at the mirror, Leon adjusted the black tie, placing it neatly over the button lines of his white shirt. From the table, he picked up the navy blue coat and slowly draped it over his body. A metallic logo of Eclipse Institute was printed on its left pocket. "I look like I’m cosplaying." Still, he couldn’t deny the fact that he looked good. Straight black hair, and eyes like gold, he was confident that he could charm anyone with his looks alone. "Heh," he sneered, recalling something, "and this is only F-rank charm." Imagine what an S-rank charm would be capable of. Just the thought alone made Leon excited. Oh, and by the way, the protagonist of the story had an A-rank charm. And today was the first time he would see him in real life. ’We worked our ass off crafting his designs,’ he thought. Just then, someone knocked on his door. "Young master, your breakfast." It was Myra. "Come in," he ordered. Walking inside in her usual black and white maid uniform, and an apron with House Valentine’s crest over it, she set a large tray on the table. Sure, Eclipse provided meals for their students, but nobles could reserve a kitchen to make their own. "Good morning, young master," said Myra, holding both sides of her skirt in grace. "Morning," Leon dryly replied, walking over to her. "Please have a seat. I’ll set the table." Leon took his seat, his gaze slowly raised upward—towards Myra, as she tied her hair back. There was a fresh cut mark on her nape. Then his eyes fell on her wrist as she poured him warm milk. Her skin was slightly burnt, almost fading, and the area around it was yellowish. ’This only happens when someone uses healing potion,’ he thought. "Please enjoy yourself," Myra said, standing beside the table. ’Did she have a fight?’ Leon was thinking as he sliced the pork. Clearly, those bruises on her skin looked fresh, which indicated she was indulging in action last night. ’Hibuki said she would inform me as soon as she finds any clue...’ It had been two days already, but she never contacted him. ’Did I get scammed?’ Hibuki was someone who valued her pride over betrayal. "Haaa..." ’I must be over thinking this.’ After finishing his breakfast, he wore his boots, which matched the color of his black pants. The classes will begin at exactly 09:30 AM. Today was the first day, so it was clearly important not to be late. From his pocket, he took out his silver-chained watch and glanced at the time. ’09:25’ "Shit!" He was late alright. Taking his handbag, he rushed out of his dorm room. He ran. ’Five minutes, I can do it!’ Like hell he would. Thinking about his upcoming plans at night took a toll on him, he didn’t take note of the time. "Haa...Haaa...Haa..." He reached his destination. Standing in front of the door of the classroom, Leon read the text written on. ’1-A’ He was informed that this was supposed to be his lecture hall for his first class. ’1’ indicates the first year, and ’A’ was the section. He checked the time again. ’09:32’ "..." Yeah, he was fucked. He wasn’t slow or anything, it was just that the academy block was only thirty minutes’ walk from his dorm. Still he got late. And it looked to Leon that every other student had already arrived. ’The professor is here,’ he could hear it from outside. "First day, and late... now that’s a cliché," he muttered, about to push open the door... Just then— He felt someone standing behind him. His hands halted, he turned to look who it was. And the moment Leon’s eyes met that person’s, he wholeheartedly wished he had arrived early today. ’It’s her.’ He recognised her instantly. With her ruby-red eyes, black hair with purple strands, and her sour expression, she stood there narrowing her eyes. She was one of the main cast of the game. Alice Nightson. "..." "The fuck you looking at." She was in a hurry, maybe she’s late too. Great, now they’re both fucked. Eclipse takes discipline and punctuality seriously. And breaking those means punishment. Alice frowned, noticing the blunt expression on Leon’s face. "What? You gonna stand here the whole day?" Her tone was as harsh as ever. If anyone else had heard it, they would’ve thought she was mocking... well, in reality, she was. Leon didn’t mind it much, knowing this was her character, and she was coded to act this way. It was technically not her fault but the developers. ’You, poor thing.’ Leon thought to himself. "Tsk," Alice clicked her tongue, and just as she was about to say something, Leon interrupted. "You are late too, huh?" He asked, acting amused. And that pissed her off. Alice frowned, the glint in her eyes intensified. "Don’t count me as one of you noble ass-lickers." "Aren’t you one too?" This pissed her off even more. "Hey," she said irritatingly, "say that again, and the next thing you’ll see is your internals becoming externals." "..." The way she said it... ’She isn’t kidding.’ And for the first time, Leon genuinely thought he made a mistake poking his nose where it shouldn’t belong. ’She doesn’t look like she’ll leave me alone now...’ Racing his brain at top gear, he tried finding out any solution that would let him out of this mess. ’Should I just run away?’ It’s the best choice he had right now. As he made his decision, he turned his body into a running position. Alice’s hand shot out, grabbing Leon by the tie as he shifted into a sprint. "Wha–!?" he yelped, stumbling backward. ’This bitch,’ he cursed in his mind. He had it enough. "Let go, you psycho." Leon hissed. "Psycho!?" she snapped, tugging his tie tighter. Their voices were loud, at this point they were literally shouting. And then— Click—! The door to the classroom creaked open. Both of them froze in place. A tall, broad-shoulder man with a grey hair and purple shade strand, wearing a long navy coat, and a pair of sharp red eyes stared down at them. "You two seem close already." the man said calmly. They both turned his way. Leon blinked. ’Shit.’ Alice blinked. ’Shit.’ Leon recognized him instantly. Raizen Nightson. The Headmaster of Eclipse. The man who admitted Leon on the basis of his outstanding research-like answer into this academy. And more importantly— He was Alice’s grandfather. "I was under the impression," Raizen said, arms behind his back, "that the youth these days had learned basic decency." Alice quickly let go of Leon’s tie. "Tch," she clicked her tongue, looking away. "It was all his fault." Leon stared at the ceiling, he didn’t say anything, knowing very well that it’ll back fire. Raizen’s gaze shifted to Leon. "Valentine." Leon stood straight. "Yes, Headmaster." "Class has already begun." "Yes, Headmaster." He just shook his head at Raizen’s every question. This pissed Alice even more. Raizen paused, then motioned inside the room with a slight nod. "Great, then both of you enter. And take your seats. I was just about to start." "Yes, Headmaster," this time, both of them said in unison. As he stepped inside, he sensed several students staring daggers at them. But, Leon didn’t mind them. His thoughts were occupied in search for only one particular student. He switched his gaze at the very back. There, he saw a lone student seated right beside the window. A grin spread on his face. ’Found you.’