Spirit Game

There was something more to this mission, something Santi wasn't telling him.

~Chi . . .~

'Rather,' Chi's voice took on a teasing note, 'this new troop is attracting quite a bit of attention.'

Chi's attempt to divert Rain's thoughts didn't go unnoticed, and Rain chuckled softly. "Ri's an Oni, and his kind is mostly found on the mainland. The others probably haven't seen someone like him before."

Ri's presence had indeed drawn attention from the other troops. Yet, despite the curious glances and whispered conversations, Ri remained nonchalant, his expression unreadable as ever. Nothing seemed to shake his poker face.

Rain couldn't help but notice the wariness in his other troops. Chi and the others weren't particularly fond of Ri, and #4 outright refused to talk to him.

They weren't hostile, but Rain sensed an undercurrent of unease. Were they worried they were being replaced? Or perhaps they felt that Chi's position was already threatened?

Or was it simply because Ri was an Oni, and other races naturally viewed his kind with suspicion?

Whatever the reason, Rain hoped the others would eventually warm up to Ri. He felt like he wasn't a bad kid and was just plain silent and indifferent.

"We'll reach the Dustplain in about a week if we push hard," Helliana announced, her voice cutting through the rumble of hooves and the creak of carriages. Warhorses, carriages, Warhogs, and Cockatrices served as their modes of transportation, forming a formidable convoy.

Santi maneuvered her Cockatrice closer to Rain's warhorse. "Are the Ebizo joining us?"

"Yes, they're taking the sea route," Rain replied, holding onto Chi tightly to keep from slipping off his horse. He was still learning how to ride, and though it was embarrassing, he rode with Chi to avoid making a fool of himself.

Here he was, a lord, yet he couldn't even ride a warhorse properly. The thought would've been laughable if it weren't so mortifying.

But as they rode north, Rain steeled himself, knowing that they couldn't afford any more delays. The battle ahead would demand everything he had, and then some.

"Hey, Rain!"

Rain jerked awake, his vision blurring as he blinked rapidly, trying to get his bearings. The sound of muffled laughter filled his ears, and as his surroundings came into focus, he realized he was in the middle of class.

His classmates were snickering, some whispering behind their hands.

"The teacher's calling your name."

Rain's gaze shot to the front of the room where their teacher, Professor Darrow, was glaring at him over the rim of his glasses.

The older man's patience was clearly at its limit, and Rain could almost feel the heat of his silent fury.

"Auhm . . ." Rain stammered, forcing a sheepish laugh, but Professor Darrow wasn't having it. With a sharp, deliberate jab, he pointed towards the door.

"It seems you don't care to listen to my class, Mr. Rain. You and Mr. Nathan can stand outside."

Rain blinked, then glanced to his right. Nathan, who had also just woken up, was wiping a thin trail of drool from the corner of his mouth, looking equally disoriented.

"You too?" Rain whispered, trying to hide a grin.

Nathan met his eyes and chuckled, the absurdity of their situation not lost on him. "Looks like neither of us caught much sleep last night, huh?"

"Ahahaha, yeah. Busy studying and all," Rain lied smoothly, scratching the back of his head.

Nathan looked to the side, mimicking Rain's nervous laughter. "Yeah, same here. Studying . . . Ahahaha .

. ."

The teacher's growl echoed through the classroom, cutting their awkward exchange short. "You two . . . Stand outside! Now!"

Rain and Nathan scrambled out of their seats, grabbing their bags as they hurried to the door. The moment they stepped into the hallway, the heavy door clicked shut behind them, leaving them in the cool, quiet corridor.

Nathan sighed, leaning back against the wall with a resigned smile. "Well, at least we're in this together."

Rain nodded, leaning next to him. "Yeah . . . But seriously, next time, let's try to get some actual sleep." He grinned, bumping Nathan's shoulder playfully.

Nathan chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Deal. But you have to admit, standing out here is a lot better than enduring Darrow's lecture."

Rain smiled. "True . . . But maybe next time, we won't get caught."

The two laughed, but their laughter quickly faded as the door creaked open, revealing Alice.

Nathan's jaw dropped at the sight of her, stunned to see her outside. "Alice? Don't tell me you've been sleeping in class too?"

Alice stood silently beside them, her expression unreadable as she muttered under her breath. "Been studying for exams."

Liar, Rain thought.

Nathan burst out laughing. "Ahahaha! Who would've thought the three of us were this serious about exams, right?"

Alice flipped her sleek, black hair over her shoulder. "I'm aiming for Zephyr University, so it's only natural that I study hard."

Rain and Nathan's eyes widened in unison. "Zephyr? The top university in Zone A?"

"I heard it's nearly impossible to get in," Rain added, still in shock.

Nathan nodded, still processing the information. "Yeah, they only accept geniuses with straight A's, and even then, there's the written and oral exams. Not to mention, you need a fortune just to afford the tuition."

"That won't be an issue for me," Alice said, her voice cool and confident. "I've already passed most of the requirements. The only thing left is the entrance exam."

Of course, part of that was thanks to Cedrick's connections, she thought, but she wasn't about to share that detail.

"That's incredible, Alice," Rain said, genuinely impressed.

Alice's lips curled into a satisfied smile as she tilted her chin upward. "You could get in too, Rain, if you have the right connections. I can help you, if you're interested."

Rain's excitement faltered, his smile fading. He knew exactly who Alice was referring to — Cedrick. There was no doubt about it.

"Hey, why only offer to help Rain?" Nathan complained, raising an eyebrow. "I want to get into that prestigious university too!"

Before Alice could respond, the classroom door slid open again, and out stormed their teacher, eyes blazing with anger.

"You three! It's bad enough that you keep sleeping in my class, but now you dare to disrupt my lessons with your chatter? Detention! All of you — DETENTION!"