The Lobby of Doors is a section within the High Periphery where you'll find doors leading to various locations. Although trainees have a rest day once a week and they are allowed to go outside the academy, the doors that can be opened are limited, restricting their choices.
Some trainees, including Agysmal, decided to visit Legolus Town. Initially, Agysmal had wanted to go to Volition Abode or Central Town, but he joined his fellow trainees because access to those places was constrained.
Legolus Town is famous for its delightful beerhouses, live musical bands, and wooden souvenirs.
"You'll definitely relish the butterbeer at the beerhouse I often visit," Comtalc said excitedly. Agysmal looked around, clearly amazed by the array of establishments.
But the wonder on his face faded when he saw the wanted posters plastered on the walls. Not only was his face printed on them, but his two siblings, Revictor and Recontesa, had their own posters as well.
His uncle would stop at nothing to find him. Given that Legolus Town was on a different continent, it was clear the information about him had spread far and wide. Thankfully, his transformation made it unlikely his companions would recognize him.
"Imagine the fortune you'll get if you bring those three siblings to the King of Lovelrinth," Matrix said pensively, eyeing the wanted poster featuring him and his siblings. "Not only will you be rich, but you'll also gain a position in the kingdom."
"Lovelrinth is the largest and most expansive kingdom in the world, renowned for its grandeur and formidable army. It's no wonder the king is determined to capture the three escaped siblings, fearing they'll seize the throne," Daisygil surmised, gazing intently at the poster. However, they were taken aback, especially Agysmal, when Erewhen ripped the wanted poster featuring Agysmal with his dagger.
"As long as the three missing royals aren't caught, we still have a chance," Erewhen said obnoxiously. The poster tore, particularly around Agysmal's face, and his fists clenched in annoyance. "And as for Prince Revaliant, it looks like I'm the only one who can find him," Erewhen added.
Comtalc draped an arm around Erewhen's shoulders. "My roommate's got some serious confidence. He's so machiavellian, he'd almost be embarrassed to show off his skills, but I've got faith in him."
"Let's see who can find the exalted siblings first." Agysmal couldn't hold back and chimed in, his tone challenging. His royal blue eyes locked with Erewhen's, creating a fiery tension between them. "Given their experiences, those siblings won't be negligent. They're planning something. And if you manage to catch one, especially Prince Revaliant, you'll likely be nothing but residue before you can even hand him over to the king."
"Don't fight!" Comtalc intervened, echoed by Matrix, who was positioned between the two, who had almost come to blows earlier.
"We're here to make the most of our rest day, remember?" Matrix reminded them. Agysmal was the first to avoid looking at Erewhen, but the disgust was still imprinted on his face. He thought that if he was tactless with his words, emotions and actions, he would be suspected.
Once they calmed down, they decided to head into a beerhouse. All of a sudden someone grabbed his arm and pulled him along. When he turned to see who it was, he was surprised to find it was the resplendent Lotuslush with a dainty smile on her face. Taken aback, he went along with her.
"Come with me," Lotuslush said. "I saw a souvenir store where I can find something to give to my friends at the academy."
"But they'll wonder why we're together," Agysmal replied.
"As Larkansas, we're our own masters," Lotuslush responded purposefully. "In the High Periphery, we follow rules or regulations, but out here, we make our own protocol. My rule when I'm with you is simple: I go where I want, and you come with me." After saying that, Lotuslush winked at Agysmal.
When they entered the souvenir store, the owner greeted them warmly. The store has a wide selection. There are handmade items like pottery, textiles, and woodcarvings. They also have clothing items, keychains, and memorabilia. However, Agysmal's attention was drawn outside, where he spotted a person walking by.
The person wore a woolen hood, and despite her inscrutable appearance, Agysmal felt like he had encountered her before.
"Her scent still lingers in my nose," Agysmal muttered to himself, still gazing at the person cautiously walking outside.
When the person disappeared from sight, Lotuslush nudged him. "What's wrong? You seem lost in thought again."
"Nothing," he replied, scratching the back of his neck with an awkward smile. "Have you picked out something to buy?"
"I found something I like, but it's pricey," Lotuslush responded wistfully. "I don't have enough money, so I'll look for something more inexpensive."
"Buy whatever you like. I have some extra penny, and I'll lend it to you." Lotuslush couldn't help but feel thrilled by his offer. In her excitement, she unintentionally wrapped her arms around him. Despite receiving smaller training incentives than Lotuslush, he still offered to lend her his savings.
When they left the souvenir store, Lotuslush still radiated joy and contentment. Although Agysmal had spent all his savings on the expensive items Lotuslush picked out, he couldn't help but smile, especially at what he had witnessed. He didn't expect that he was slowly warming up to Lotuslush, given his first impression of her was that she was jagged and opinionated.
The color of the sky changed, and Agysmal looked up. He stepped forward, reaching the middle of the road, still gazing upwards. The once-blue sky now seemed to be drenched in a blood-red hue.
"What's happening?" Lotuslush asked dauntlessly, now standing beside him.
"I don't know, but this sight seems to bring a bad omen," he replied. The strange atmosphere, brightness, and contrast of the surroundings drew people out of establishments and homes.
A large drop of blood-red rain fell from the sky, hitting the ground and exploding into flames. Another drop fell nearby, causing another explosion close to Agysmal. He grabbed Lotuslush's hand, and they desperately sought a safe place, but explosions continued to erupt around them.
"We need to get out of here," he said as they tried to dodge the peculiar bombs falling from the crimson sky. Lotuslush nodded in agreement.
"But we can't just leave these people behind. They need our help," Lotuslush replied.
"I know, but for now, let's be heroes to ourselves." Agysmal's words left Lotuslush staring at him, taken aback by his response. Lotuslush wanted to help the people, but she fell silent, remembering that people like them weren't trained to be heroes.
Panic spread as the sauntering Meadow Ferals and ordinary citizens screamed and ran for their lives, while innocent children cried out in terror. Agysmal felt a pang of sympathy for the children, but his instincts told him this disaster was no accident.
Determined to confront those responsible, he scanned his environment. That's when he spotted Comtalc, dodging the deadly blood rain alongside Ivypom, Matrix, Magalang, and Daisygil. Meanwhile, Erewhen hung back in a safe corner, eyes narrowed, aware that sinister forces were at play.
After the explosions, the trainees scattered to help the injured and wounded. Once they had gotten the people to a safe place, the trainees reassembled secretly.
"Where did you two go?" Comtalc asked him, seeming to find amusement in the situation despite the destruction around them. "You two have a secret tryst, huh?"
"None of your business where Agysmal and I went," Lotuslush interrupted with a hint of sass. "Well, to avoid any more envy, you're welcome to join us next time."
"You want me to be a third wheel? That's a great idea," Comtalc replied sarcastically.
"Quit it!" Erewhen cut in. "We need to get back to the High Periphery."
"Are we really going back to the academy already?" Comtalc asked, disappointed. "We shouldn't let this chaos spoil our fun. There are still many beerhouses that remain open despite this tragedy. And this time, these two lovebirds need to join us. I'm the one who organized this outing, so I need to make it happen."
"Enjoy yourselves, but I'm heading back to the High Periphery to train. After all, the purpose of our rest day is to refine what we've learned." Erewhen suddenly turned his back on his companions, but he froze in his tracks when he saw what was happening in the sky.
The sky seemed to be veined, and it was throbbing heavily. There were also alphabet letters written across the scarlet sky, each with its own font style and artistic design. As a large cloud drifted away, a group of diverse people, dressed in perfidious robes and carrying weapons of various shapes and sizes, suddenly appeared in the air before them.
The trainees couldn't recognize the faces because they wore masks, but to Agysmal, these people seemed like terrorists. All of them effortlessly exuded an aura of mystery and bedlam. Agysmal's attention was fixed on the burly man in the robe at the center, who seemed to be staring directly at him.
"Rejoice, for the group that brings anguish and melancholy to the world has arrived - we are the Vitamins," the man introduced their group with a bass-baritone voice. And despite floating in the sky, his voice was audible not just to the entire Legolus Town but to different parts of the world.
People across all continents could see them too.