The lunch break passed peacefully.
Soon, the bell echoed throughout the Citadel once again.
DING!!!
Students gradually left the cafeteria and returned to their classrooms.
Royoshi and Ishara walked back together.
Neither of them spoke much.
The conversation about the Corrupted Shuryoku still lingered in the back of their minds.
The afternoon classes passed surprisingly quickly. Perhaps it was because they were shorter.
Or perhaps everyone was simply looking forward to finally going to their dorms after the hectic past few days.
Eventually—
The final bell rang.
DINGGGGGG—
"Class dismissed."
Pasithea smiled.
"Don't forget to review today's notes."
The classroom quickly emptied. Royoshi stretched once again.
"Freedom…"
Before he could take another step—
"I know what you did during the previous battle."
Royoshi stopped. He slowly turned around.
Standing behind him was Horatio. His calm yellow eyes remained fixed on Royoshi.
Royoshi blinked.
"…Did I forget to return a notebook or something?"
Horatio didn't react.
"I saw it."
"The power you used."
Royoshi scratched his cheek.
"I think you've got the wrong person."
"I barely survived."
Horatio calmly shook his head.
"You're hiding your true strength."
Royoshi laughed awkwardly.
"I wish."
Just then—
A cheerful voice interrupted them.
"There you are!"
Bela appeared from behind Horatio.
The moment she spotted Royoshi—
She pointed directly at him.
"It's you!"
"The guy who looks like a pufferfish!"
Royoshi's eyes widened.
"HEY!"
Bela burst into laughter.
"My bad!"
"I couldn't resist!"
Royoshi folded his arms.
"That's somehow even more offensive."
Nearby students couldn't help laughing as well.
Before Royoshi could say anything else—
A familiar voice cut through the crowd.
"Excuse me."
Everyone turned.
Ishara had arrived.
Several students who had been speaking with her instinctively stepped aside.
She glanced between Horatio, Bela, and Royoshi.
Then she spoke calmly.
"Leave him alone."
The hallway suddenly became quiet.
Bela blinked.
"…We were just talking."
"I know."
Ishara's expression remained unchanged.
"But he's coming with me."
Royoshi scratched the back of his head.
"…Actually…"
At that exact moment—
A familiar voice echoed inside his mind.
'Royoshi.'
His expression immediately changed.
'Leave. Now.'
'I need to speak with you immediately.'
It was Rikishu.
Royoshi answered mentally.
'Right now?'
'Yes.'
'It's urgent.'
Royoshi looked back at the three standing in front of him.
"…Uh…"
"I've got to go."
He pointed toward Ishara.
"Please handle them for me."
"What?"
Before Ishara could stop him, Royoshi had already sprinted down the hallway.
"Royoshi!!"
She frowned.
"…Honestly…"
She looked toward Horatio and Bela.
"Excuse me."
Then she quietly followed after him from a distance.
Making sure he wouldn't notice.
Meanwhile—
Royoshi continued running through the empty corridors until he reached one of the quieter sections.
An empty passageway between two older academy buildings.
He looked around.
"…I think I'm clear now."
A faint blue light flickered. Particles of Shuryoku gathered before him. Rikishu's holographic figure slowly materialised. His expression was far more serious than usual.
"Listen carefully."
Royoshi's smile disappeared.
"What happened?"
Rikishu looked toward the distant skyline beyond the Citadel walls.
"A threat is approaching."
He paused.
"A threat far greater than the one Maris became."
Hidden behind the corner of the building—
Ishara quietly watched Royoshi.
She couldn't see the figure standing before him.
There was nothing there.
But—
She could hear every single word.
And that alone sent a chill down her spine.