No one else turned up that night. If they had planned to, then it seemed that the young man's words of advice had deterred them.
Adonis had finished his first night in Mzdrig's Paradise comfortably, despite the headaches that he had experienced after using the powers of erasure.
Luckily, the humans he had erased were weak and were not expecting the erasure to happen at all. Thus, they were not able to fight against it.
However, erasure was not a concept that Adonis had full control over. Simply using it contained risks, such as the fractional chance that he miscalculated his ability and erased the wrong subject.
Such a mistake could lead to his non-existence, yet there was no other way to grasp control of the concept than using it.
Great power came with numerous drawbacks. Some that even he was not aware of himself.
---
Adonis awoke early the next morning and rose to drink water from a nearby fountain. He was hungry, but he had gone much longer without food in the past, so he could manage for the time being.
When the streets began to fill with students once again, Adonis noticed a difference in the space around him.
The Plaza was much emptier than before.
Few people passed, and that was only to make it to the other side of the city. And when such people did pass through, Adonis noticed that no one dared to look at him, or even come close. It was as though he were a virus that nobody wished to catch.
Adonis controlled sound and focused on conversations that took place in the distance. It was as though he could remove his eardrums from his body and have them travel to a location of his choice.
His hearing landed on a small group of students relaxing by a nearby park.
"Erased... but that doesn't even make any sense."
"I know. I feel like I've seen him somewhere before... his red hair rings a bell."
"I wouldn't be surprised. I just hope he leaves this floor soon so we can continue living in paradise."
...
Adonis removed his hearing from the conversation and rested his head back against the cross.
It seems his tale had certainly spread, but his identity had not yet been recognised.
Good... the less attention the better. I just want the days to go faster. This floor is boring.
...
Nightfall arrived, marking the end of an uneventful day. The streets cleared once again until they were practically empty, and Adonis was left alone by the cross.
His thoughts wandered to times of the past and future.
..
The academy rose hundreds of years ago. Thousands have entered, and yet none have ever returned...
It makes sense. The maidservant only told me how I could reach the next floor. They were no mention of how to go back.
I can only assume that you must climb to the top to make it back.
But that brings the question. Why?
Some of the strongest humans of today, such as the Heirs of the Five Families have entered this academy, as well as their parents and those that came before even them. Those who entered the academy before King Blackheart was born and named it after himself.
Has there truly been nobody in history to climb to the top? Or perhaps there is some other secret that lies on the floors above.
An external force preventing those from returning? Or is it simply too difficult?
...
Adonis relaxed his mind, freeing himself from the thoughts. Not just because he has started to have headaches but also due to the approaching footsteps.
He did not need to focus on sound to hear them. The footsteps were light, yet non-secretive. Whoever it was, did not wish to mask their presence.
Adonis raised his head and opened his eyes, and standing before him was a familiar figure.
"H-hello, Adonis."
At first, a look of surprise etched onto his face, but it was swiftly replaced by concern. Adonis rose himself to his feet.
"Raphilia? What happened to your eye."
The brown-haired woman stood with her hands clasped behind her back. Her red dress was slightly torn down the torso, with dried blood sealing the tear shut. Her curly hair was now messy, and her pale neck was bruised.
Most noticeably though, the woman now had only one of her green eyes. The other had a vicious scar running from eyebrow to cheek. It had already begun to scar, which would have given her the look of a warrior if not for her cute and innocent face.
Raphilia tried her best to smile at Adonis, but the gesture sent pain shooting through her face, forcing her to wince.
"My partners." She whispered whilst looking up at him, probing at her wound. "We had a slight... disagreement."
Adonis stepped closer, getting a better look at the scar. It seemed that the healing process was unnatural.
Raphilia's cheeks grew red as he used his hands to inspect her face.
Adonis immediately knew what was going on.
"They want to stay here, don't they? So they attacked you, because of what the maidservant said?"
Raphilia's face became surprised for a moment, her lips slightly cursed. Then, she sighed.
"Of course, you knew. Why am I surprised? I've heard the news after all, about what happened last night."
Adonis remained silent for a moment, before returning to his seat by the cross. Raphilia stood in front of him nervously, unsure of what to do.
"It was an unfortunate event." Adonis proclaimed. "As pathetic as I find these students, I would hate to have to get rid of them all."
Get rid of them all? Raphilia thought to herself. Is he really capable of such a thing?!
She didn't voice her thoughts aloud.
...
As they stood underneath the dark sky, things felt natural. Adonis had already closed his eyes and rested his head against the cross uncaringly, leaving the pretty woman standing in front of him, unsure of what to do with herself.
It was only after moments of hesitation that she made her way beside him and took a seat by the cross.
Adonis opened an eye and looked over to find the woman mimicking his position.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm resting here with you." She answered trying to hide her nerves, yet her red cheeks giving it away. "You are the only one on this floor with the same goals as mine."
Adonis chuckled.
"No offence, but you do not know what my goals are."
"..."
"Well... I know your goal isn't to stay on this floor. That is good enough for me." Raphilia responded.
Adonis looked over to find her with her eyes closed and her head resting on the cross. He took in the unique look on her face that the scar gave her, yet she still managed to keep the entirety of her beauty beneath it.
...
He did not need a partner, but he supposed there was no harm in allowing her to rest there. After all, he had no claims of the Cross or Plaza.
So with a final sigh, he shut his eyes and rested his head back against the cross as he often did.
"Suit yourself."