.... Bakvik sank into his dorm room chair, his eyes sweeping over the rules affixed to the wall. He surveyed the countless names of student organizations before one particular title snagged his attention, prompting him to furrow his brow in suspicion.
He mumbled the name under his breath, finding the group's title profoundly strange and utterly unsettling. "The Outgoing Group... what a truly baffling name."
His eyes continued to traverse the text, but a chilling sentence instantly froze the blood in his veins, as if he'd been struck by an ancient curse, detailing a grim, historical disappearance. "Disappearances after leaving 19 years ago."
He thought, shaking his head with firm conviction, his mind utterly unwilling to risk his life for an organization shrouded in such darkness. "I absolutely refuse to risk my life getting involved with that."
He then picked up a newspaper and absorbed the alarming headlines, which spoke of the pervasive crisis currently gripping the city.
"Crime has been rampant lately. Everyone, please be extremely careful. There have been homicides occurring with baffling mystery, and not a single clue has surfaced yet."
The article confirmed that the police were relentlessly pursuing the investigation. Bakvik let out a heavy sigh, frustrated that even the seemingly peaceful sanctuary of the school could not escape the shadow of danger.
"I suppose I'll have to keep away from news like this for a while, then."
Enraged, he tossed the newspaper aside with force, swearing under his breath as he expressed his profound dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
"Dammit! Is this really how things are going to be now?"
He decided to step out for a walk and grab some bread. Taking a bite, the first thought that crossed his mind was his consistent displeasure with its unchanging, poor quality.
"This bread is still as unappetizing as always."
The vendor, a cheerful old man, smiled happily, eager for his young customer's opinion, speaking in a friendly, inquisitive tone.
"How does it taste, young man?"
Startled from his reverie by the question, Bakvik quickly replied with an overly flattering, perhaps slightly dishonest, response.
"It's simply magnificent, sir!"
The vendor stood with his arms crossed, a look of immense pride etched onto his face, as he commented on his favorite regular customer.
"Truly worthy of my favourite customer!"
Bakvik returned the grin, his response equally upbeat.
"Yes, sir!"
After leaving the shop, he sauntered along the path, observing the daily routines of the other students: some engrossed in reading, others playing sports, chatting, or practicing magic. He murmured to himself, admiring the marvelous atmosphere of the place.
"This place is genuinely breathtaking, wouldn't you say?"
...Suddenly, his gaze fixed on the main building, and he spotted a figure standing motionless atop the Nesvan building. A deep sense of unease instantly seized Bakvik; he quickly hurried away, a single, powerful thought dominating his mind as he walked.
"That man is utterly terrifying! What on earth does he want with me?"
On the Main Building, a mysterious woman approached Nesvan on the rooftop. She possessed long, beautifully flowing black hair, a profound gaze, and reddish-pink eyes; her attire subtly hinted at a certain degree of innate dexterity. She began the conversation with a direct inquiry, seeking a clear reason for his presence. "What exactly are you doing up here, I wonder?"
Nesvan turned to her, his expression frigid and emotionless, and offered a simple, yet perhaps unconvincing, explanation.
"I came up for some fresh air."
The mysterious woman spoke, her tone heavy with skepticism regarding his reply.
"Is that truly all?"
Nesvan sighed, choosing silence. She approached him, settling on the railing at the building's edge, then brought up a past mission they had tackled together.
"Do you remember that time Professor Klars assigned you to investigate a case in Veze City?"
She asked, a sly smile gracing her features, before confessing her initial, unfavorable impression of him. "I'll have you know, I was utterly annoyed with you at first. But I changed my mind after you successfully saved everyone."
Nesvan replied, slightly taken aback that she was recalling old events. He crossed his arms and commented on his own seemingly unapproachable expression. "Why bring that up now? I didn't realize my face looked so hard to approach."
She chuckled softly, playfully mocking his formidable reputation among the junior students. "All the underclassmen are absolutely terrified of you!"
Nesvan turned away. She then swiftly changed the topic, asking a direct, pointed question.
"Are you thinking of recruiting a new detective already?"
Nesvan turned back to her, a faint smile playing on his lips, as he described an unusual person he had encountered.
"I ran into a kid wearing a coconut shell. He somehow managed to enter this school without any proper inspection."
The mysterious woman looked at him with curiosity. Nesvan elaborated on an impossible thought that had crossed his mind regarding the boy's potential. "I just imagined that if I slashed at him at top speed with my sword, the boy might actually be able to dodge it."
She wondered aloud, finding his statement quite beyond the realm of common human capability. "Could that even be possible?"
Nesvan looked down at the building below, concluding the conversation with an unceremonious dismissal.
"You may leave now, Enda."
Enda retorted, feigning outrage and extreme displeasure at being suddenly ordered away.
"How dare you chase away your boss like that!"
With a frustrated huff, she turned and walked away.
As Racquelna walked past, she noticed Bakvik hiding behind a wall and questioned him with surprise. "Mr. Bakvik, what are you doing lurking here?"
In a fit of sheer panic, he quickly pulled her close and covered her mouth, concealing both of them as a couple passed by. He whispered softly to her, pleading for her cooperation.
"Be quiet for now."
After the couple had gone, Racquelna was left shocked and deeply embarrassed, her cheeks still flushed as she lightly scolded him.
"Mr. Bakvik, you are truly the absolute worst!"
Bakvik's face flushed crimson, and he offered a profound apology, looking at her with wide, genuinely remorseful eyes.
"I am so terribly sorry! Please, can you possibly forgive me?"
Racquelna let out a faint sigh before accepting his apology. She leaned forward slightly, inquiring about the reason for his sudden need to hide. "It's alright. Why were you hiding from them, though?"
Bakvik gave a simple answer.
"I just didn't want to see them right now."
As they began to walk and talk, Bakvik asked her about the group she belonged to.
"Which group are you in, by the way?"
Racquelna offered a soft smile as she described her responsibilities.
"I'm a nanny at an orphanage. I still work with various rescue groups as well."
Bakvik was momentarily stunned, the answer completely unexpected. He thought to himself, thoroughly shocked.
"A nanny at an orphanage?"
She then returned the question.
"And what about you, Mr. Bakvik?"
He replied.
"I haven't joined one yet. Oh, speaking of which, may I be so bold as to ask what power you possess?"
Racquelna readily agreed to share her secret.
"Yes, you may. I'm a healing mage."
Bakvik gasped in sheer surprise.
"Huh? A mage!"
Racquelna looked away, a slight hint of hurt crossing her features. Bakvik noticed and swiftly grabbed her shoulder, smiling confidently as he quickly corrected her misunderstanding and expressed his pure excitement.
"I didn't mean it like that at all! I meant, aren't you absolutely incredible? Could you possibly test me? Hit me hard and then heal me!"
Racquelna looked at him for a moment before a small smile appeared, and she gave a small, formal warning before acting.
"Excuse me, then."
She then delivered a sharp slap to Bakvik's cheek and instantly used her magic to mend the pain. Bakvik clutched his cheek and examined the effect, utterly marveling at the power. "That is phenomenal! You really are incredible, aren't you?"
Racquelna felt a mixture of delight and embarrassment from his overwhelming reaction, and she thanked him softly.
"Thank you."
The two soon parted ways. After bidding him farewell, she quickly ran toward the spot where Enda was waiting in the distance.
Racquelna ran up to Enda, looking incredibly sweet and innocent, announcing her arrival.
"I'm here, senior."
Enda stood with her arms crossed, a sly, knowing smile on her face. She playfully nudged Racquelna with her elbow, making a mischievous face as she teased her about her companion.
"You two seem so awfully close. Are you perhaps dating, or keeping a secret from me?"
Racquelna was instantly shocked and blushed crimson, quickly denying the insinuation to correct the misunderstanding.
"No! We are only friends!"
Enda laughed happily, then revealed she was only teasing.
"Haha, I was just kidding around."
Stay tuned for the next episode...