After a full day of rest, Jaylen and Yuki finally returned to class. Although they were back in the classroom, the atmosphere had changed. Yuki, who usually sat at the front, had decided to move to the back, right next to Jaylen.
Jaylen turned his head towards the unexpected occupant of the back row and couldn't help but ask, "Yuki, what brings you back here?"
Yuki raised an eyebrow at his question before responding, "I wanted to, isn't that easy to understand? Besides, Brandon and Sarah are already accustomed to walking back here to talk to you, before you went lone wolf. So, isn't it quicker if I just move my seat?"
"Fair point," Jaylen conceded, and an awkward silence settled between them, palpable to the rest of the class.
Breaking the silence, Yuki asked, "So, have you decided what club you're going to join?"
"Hmm, I think I'll join a club that does extensive research on Remnants."
"I don't think that's a great idea," Yuki replied, her tone skeptical. "There are so many different clubs, and you want to spend your school years researching Remnants? You can get all the information you need about them from the Record when you get stronger."
"Oh yeah? Then what club are you joining since mine is such a bad idea?" "Jaylen snapped back, irritation lacing his voice.
"Culinary Club," Yuki stated matter-of-factly.
"Culinary Club? Why?"
"Well, there's this Dragon I can't beat in a fight, so if I want to beat it, I'll beat it at something else. I heard this Dragon really likes to eat, so I'll use its stomach against it," Yuki explained nonchalantly, highlighting her unconventional strategy.
Jaylen laughed softly at her logic without revealing the flaws of it.
"So why don't you try something else and actually enjoy school life? It only lasts for three years," Yuki added.
"Fine, I'll consider something else," Jaylen relented.
"Awesome. Here are some recommendations: First, I think you should join the Adventuring Club. You could fight monsters and maybe even encounter Remnants. During breaks, members of this club usually go to the Adventure Guild to go on quests, so it's perfect for you.
Then, there's the R&D Club. With how smart you are and how much you enjoyed creating your own inventions in the past, I think you'd fit right in. And lastly, I recommend the Forging Club. I truly believe you would enjoy that one as well."
Listening to Yuki's suggestions, Jaylen realized he would have missed out on a lot. Why research Remnants when he could fight them? He was definitely going to visit the Adventuring Club.
The other clubs also piqued his interest, and he decided he'd check them out if he had time when the Adventuring Club wasn't active.
The anticipation for the Adventuring Club made Jaylen excited, but he had to temper his enthusiasm as Miss Xirenia walked in.
"Good morning, everyone," she greeted, addressing the class. "Before we begin today, Jaylen and Yuki, you two are to report to the headmaster's office to receive your punishment for the destruction of school property."
"Yes, Miss Xirenia," they both said in unison, rising to their feet and exiting the class.
As they left the Libra complex area of the school, Yuki asked, "Hey, do you know where the headmaster's office is?"
"Yes, I do. Follow me," Jaylen replied, leading the way toward the Ophiuchus complex where all the Main faculty offices were located.
When they arrived at the building, they didn't bother to look at it closely. They knew it would change whenever the headmaster felt like it, so its appearance never really mattered, or so they had heard.
As they walked through the halls, Yuki broke the silence. "So, what do you think the punishment is going to be?"
Jaylen shrugged a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Well, knowing Headmaster Jevelyn's eccentric behavior, it could be anything. Remember when Brandon accidentally called her 'Aunty'?"
Yuki shuddered at the memory. "Ugh, don't remind me. I still have nightmares about some of the ways she got her revenge."
"With how she is, she might even make us fight everyone in our year," Jaylen suggested with a grin.
"Ahh, don't say that! You'll jinx us," Yuki whispered fiercely, glancing around to ensure no one overheard them.
Jaylen laughed heartily. "Ha ha ha ha, don't worry, I won't jinx us."
"And if you do?" Yuki asked, her tone turning serious.
"Well, if I do, then I'll fight everyone by myself for five minutes," Jaylen responded his tone more serious than Yuki expected.
"Deal! You can't go back on your words," Yuki almost shouted, her voice echoing slightly in the quiet hall.
"Well, it looks like we're here. Let's head inside and see what our punishment will be," Jaylen said, opening the door and gesturing for Yuki to enter first.
Yuki stepped inside, followed by Jaylen. The door closed behind them with a definitive click.
Seated behind a grand mahogany desk, Headmaster Jevelyn regarded them with a mischievous smile. She motioned for them to sit in the plush chairs before her desk.
Once they were seated, she finally spoke. "Well, well, you two just had to have a lover's spat during school hours. You could have at least waited until after school. Think about how us single people feel."
Mumbling under her breath, Yuki retorted, "Who would want to date an old hag like you?"
"I heard that," Headmaster Jevelyn said sharply, causing Yuki to cover her mouth in surprise. The headmaster continued, "So, I need to punish you two lovebirds. Hmm... I need a punishment more creative than what your parents have planned."
"Huh, our parents have something planned?" Jaylen asked, his curiosity piqued. Why would his parents be involved the never cared before.
"Oh, yes," Headmaster Jevelyn replied. "After hearing what happened, they decided to punish you separately from what the school has in store. I believe they're finalizing their plans as we speak."
"Oh great, now our parents are butting into our dispute," Yuki said sarcastically, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I told them not to interfere, but they never listen," Headmaster Jevelyn sighed.
Silence filled the room as Yuki and Jaylen pondered their parents' impending punishment, while the headmaster contemplated their fate.
"I've got it!" Headmaster Jevelyn exclaimed suddenly, breaking the silence.
"What is it?" Jaylen asked, his curiosity deepening.
"Well, next month we're introducing something new for the first years. To keep busy until the Solaris Festival, we're calling it 'Battle of the Classes'. Each class will choose representatives to participate in various categories."
"So far, we have six categories. I thought it would be boring if it just ended without something exciting. But thanks to you two needing a punishment, I've had a brilliant idea."
"You two, the top Transcendents—first and second place, respectively—will fight the other classes all at once. It'll be perfect." With a decisive flair, the headmaster concluded her explanation, clapping her hands together sharply as though sealing the fate of the discussion.
The sound echoed in the room, leaving no room for doubt that her decision was final.
Jaylen and Yuki were stunned into silence. Turning to Jaylen, Yuki glared at him, clearly blaming him for jinxing them.
"I need to work out some details, so you two can go back to class," Headmaster Jevelyn said, waving her hand dismissively. In the blink of an eye, they were back in front of their classroom.
Yuki rounded on Jaylen, her eyes blazing with anger. "This is your fault. If you hadn't said anything earlier, she wouldn't have made us fight every class in our grade."
Without giving Jaylen a chance to defend himself, Yuki opened the door and reentered the classroom.
"Haa," Jaylen sighed, following her inside. He hoped the day would pass quickly so he could start his training again.
Some time later in the cafeteria, Jaylen, Yuki, Brandon, and Sarah sat together, enjoying their lunch. The room buzzed with chatter and the clinking of cutlery, creating a lively atmosphere.
Sarah, who had been dying to ask, finally voiced her question. "So, what was the punishment she gave you guys?"
Yuki, still irritated by the morning's events, deflected the question to Jaylen. "I don't know, why don't you ask Jaylen?"
All eyes turned to Jaylen. He thought quickly, 'It would be bad if Sarah and Brandon knew they would be fighting both me and Yuki at the same time. We haven't seen them fight much, so I definitely don't want them to know.'
With his decision made, he planned to tell Yuki later when they weren't around. "Well, she wants us to complete a task for her next month."
"Oh, really? That's it?" Sarah replied, sounding disappointed. She had expected something more bizarre, like fighting every student in their grade. Brandon, too, looked unimpressed, having anticipated a more intense punishment.
Yuki, however, was puzzled by Jaylen's lie. She glanced at him and noticed he was signaling her with his eyes not to say anything.
After a moment's thought, she understood. Brandon and Sarah would be their strongest opponents, so it was best if they didn't know yet.
"Well, enough about that. It's been so long since all of us were together. Let's talk about something that isn't school-related," Sarah suggested cheerfully.
"Sure," Brandon agreed, while the rest nodded in unison.
"Alright, who starts first?" Yuki asked. It was a fair question since they hadn't interacted for years and most likely hadn't talked about their families with anyone yet.
"How about Jaylen goes first? He recently became the heir of his family, so something must have happened there," Sarah proposed.
Jaylen smiled, ready to share. "Well, I'm excited for the break to arrive. If I'm correct, both Jasmine and Julia are due to give birth around that time and then—"
Interrupting him, Sarah's eyes widened. "Wait, wait, wait. You mean to tell me you're going to be an uncle?"
"Yes. Is that a problem?" Jaylen asked, tilting his head in genuine confusion.
"It's not a problem that they're having kids. The problem is definitely you becoming an uncle," Yuki chimed in with a teasing tone.
"What's that supposed to mean? And last time I checked, if nothing changes, you'll be an aunt too," Jaylen countered with a smirk.
"Oh no, he's right. Those kids are doomed—they have an uncle crazy about training and an ice block for an aunt," Sarah joked, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Like you could talk, stupid vampire. Your sister could have kids at any point and she doesn't even need a partner to do so," Brandon interjected, his tone playful.
Hearing Brandon's retort, Jaylen and Yuki, who had been thinking of a good comeback themselves, burst into laughter. Sarah, unable to counter Brandon's point, joined in the laughter as well.
Once their laughter died down, the friends continued to catch up on the past, sharing stories and memories, the bond between them growing stronger with each shared moment.