Five days later, Bakvik's life at the university seemed to be falling into place. On a bright, clear morning, Professor Klars appeared and led him to the room he had arranged. As they walked down the main hallway, filled with bustling students, all eyes turned to stare at Bakvik with a mix of surprise and curiosity. They were all taken aback to see the influential professor walking alongside a new, unfamiliar student. Everyone collectively bowed and greeted him,
"Good morning, Professor."
Professor Klars simply waved and offered a faint smile in response, continuing his rapid pace with Bakvik close behind. Arriving at the room, Klars unlocked the door and held it open, explaining,
"This is your room. It may be a bit old, but the good thing is it's right next to the park."
Bakvik surveyed the room for a moment, then gave a satisfied nod.
"Okay!"
Klars adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
"If you need anything, just let me know. See you later." With that, he departed, leaving Bakvik alone in his new quarters.
Time passed slowly. Bakvik spent many hours in the silent room, his only companion the sound of his own thoughts. Eventually, a wave of boredom pushed him to the balcony, where he gazed out the window. His sharp eyes looked blankly at the scene below.
"I've been here for 10 days now..."
he murmured to himself.
"But I still can't figure out what my future holds." His mind drifted back to a memory from just a few days prior...
Four Days Ago...
Bakvik looked at the face of his first friend
"Can you give me a tour of the school? You're an alumnus, aren't you?"
Lonner met his gaze with a look of guilt.
"Sorry, I have to go to work."
Bakvik's eyes widened in shock.
"Work! You?"
"I forgot to tell you! I'm a member of a support organization." Bakvik was stunned, as if he couldn't believe that the timid boy in front of him was a member of an organization he'd heard about. "Huh?"
"Why didn't you tell me from the beginning! I thought you were just a kid who got bullied by a gang." Lonner offered a faint smile that seemed to contain a hint of annoyance.
"When I got stuck in that tree... I accidentally used my powers."
Lonner let out a heavy sigh, a sense of weariness in his posture
"I'm afraid of heights too!" The thought of how pathetic he was crossed his mind.
"So who's going to give me a tour of the campus now?"
Lonner met Bakvik's eyes once more.
"I don't have any friends besides you... I'm sorry! I have to hurry. See you later!"
After that, Bakvik returned to sit blankly by his window. The nighttime atmosphere was serene and beautiful. The lights from the buildings and the moonlight scattered across the pool's surface, shimmering as if a million stars had fallen into the water. A gentle breeze blew through the window, providing a cool sensation. Bakvik looked at the moon in the sky. "The night sky here is prettier than I thought. Even though it's not far from my old house."
He took a slow sip of his hot tea, reflecting on his past life "Honestly... I'm quite happy here. Not bothering anyone."
Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of the building across from him. He wondered what they were doing down there. A group of women were arguing in the distance.
"You should just go away!" A girl who had been bullied collapsed to the ground, exhausted. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
..Harsh insults continued to pour from their lips "You know what you broke was property from a senior, don't you!"
One of them spoke in a cold tone
"Get out of our group!"
Another added with finality
"Don't let me see you again!"
The girl slowly walked away, her shoulders slumped in sadness. Bakvik, who saw the entire incident from a distance, felt no surprise. He let out a weary sigh.
"Girls fighting? It's a common sight everywhere."
Feeling bored by the spectacle, Bakvik decided to walk to the university's pool. He noticed the same girl sitting by the pool, singing in the distance. Bakvik walked silently toward her and sat down at a respectable distance. When her mournful song ended, he spoke his first words to her with genuine sincerity. "You sing beautifully."
She jumped, startled, and turned to look at him, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She was silent for a moment before replying softly, "Thank you."
Bakvik moved a little closer.
"I come here every day. I thought I was the only one who sat here."
She clasped her hands together in front of her waist, looking nervous.
"I come here every day too."
Bakvik looked at the pool, which was beautiful under the moonlight.
"I just came here to sit by the pool."
He looked at her and felt a small jolt of surprise. She was a very beautiful and well-behaved woman, and he could sense her purity. "I saw you and was a little startled."
She tilted her head slightly, her expression filled with curiosity. "But I've never seen you before."
Bakvik sat down on the ground beside her, looking at the pool. "My name is Bakvik. I'm a new student. I just moved in 10 days ago."
She was so shocked her cheeks turned a deep red. "Mr. Bakvik?!''
Bakvik himself was surprised by her reaction, as if she were excited. "Everyone is talking about you!"
She smiled so gently that Bakvik felt a strange, almost magical enchantment.
"My name is Racquelna. It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too."
Bakvik's mood suddenly shifted upon realizing people were talking about him.
"Everyone is talking about me! I didn't realize."
Racquelna acted excited, happy, and cute.
"Sir Konji walked up to you. Everyone was shocked."
Bakvik was slightly startled.
"Sir? Why do you call a senior 'Sir'?"
Racquelna explained to him from an alumnus's perspective
"Sir Konji is highly respected by many. Because of his excellent fighting experience, his strength, his love for his subordinates, and even his work—he helps the less fortunate."
Bakvik's jaw dropped.
"Wow!" "He's an amazing guy."
The two talked for hours. That night, Bakvik confided in Racquelna.
"I've been in school for 10 days now... but I only have one friend."
Racquelna stared at Bakvik, perplexed, without looking away. Bakvik spoke seriously, "Would you be my second friend? It's up to you."
Racquelna was shocked when Bakvik said that. "Huh?" "Huh?" Her cheeks turned completely red. Bakvik saw her reaction and was taken aback and embarrassed.
"I'm sorry for saying that."
Racquelna quickly interrupted with a sweet smile. "It's not strange!" She said in a gentle voice, "I'd like to be your friend too."
"Please take care of me, Miss Raquelna."
"Yes."
As Racquelna talked, Bakvik listened and thought to himself, "A pretty girl like her... why does she have so many bad friends? If she had gone to a normal school, she'd be a star. The reason she doesn't have good friends might be because she doesn't trust anyone."
When it was time to part ways, Racquelna said with a gentle smile, "Thank you for being my friend."
Bakvik smiled faintly. He waved goodbye to her. After she walked away, he put his hands in his jacket pockets, his gaze lowered as he walked forward in a daze. He was oblivious to the darkness around him, with only the moonlight shining through him...
Stay tuned for the next episode...