Reminder
So, in the previous chapter, we saw a glimpse of Nyra's memories. We also saw how hopeless she had become and how she even attempted suicide.
Now next...
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Scene Shift
NARRATOR VOICE =
The scene opens with the Falcon Team traveling back to Sun Academy alongside Reika Kurotsuki.
Their carriage was moving at full speed.
Suddenly, a boy stepped directly in front of it.
The horses stopped just in time.
The carriage shook violently.
Everyone looked outside.
Aria immediately leaned out with an angry expression.
Aria (angry) = Oi! Do you have a death wish or something? If you want to die, go somewhere else!
Reika Kurotsuki = Manu?
Manu = Hello.
I'm back.
---
NARRATOR VOICE =
After saying that, Manu casually climbed into the carriage and sat down.
Everyone immediately started glaring at him.
The atmosphere became awkward.
---
Elira Windmark = Don't you think you should apologize?
Manu = Nope.
Darius = Forget it.
This guy doesn't know how to apologize.
He only knows how to create problems.
I wonder how his wife is going to survive.
---
Lyra = Darius, you crossed the line.
This was Manu's mistake, but why bring his parents into it?
Manu, I'll apologize on his behalf.
---
Manu = It's fine.
I'm used to it.
And if we're talking about my mom and dad...
Perhaps none of you can ever meet them.
No one can.
If you want to meet them...
You'll have to die first.
---
Kael Draven = Enough.
Let's keep things calm until we reach Sun Academy.
---
Reika Kurotsuki = I'm sorry.
Hearing that must have reopened old wounds.
---
Manu = It's okay.
If we keep living in the past, all we'll gain is pain.
Sometimes it's better to hold a funeral for those memories and move on.
And if Nyra is angry because of what I said...
There's nothing I can do about it.
The more you run from reality and past trauma, the faster they'll catch up to you.
And one more thing...
I don't use the word "sorry" the way most people casually do.
But yes...
I truly feel sad for Nyra.
---
Sun Academy
NARRATOR VOICE =
Soon, everyone arrived at Sun Academy.
Nyra was nowhere to be seen.
By now, the news about the forbidden object had already spread throughout the academy.
---
Reika Kurotsuki = Manu.
Come to my office.
---
Reika's Office
NARRATOR VOICE =
Manu entered her office and stood in front of her desk.
---
Manu = Why did you call me?
---
NARRATOR VOICE =
Without saying anything, Reika pressed a red button hidden beneath her desk.
Suddenly, the sofa on Manu's right side moved downward.
A trapdoor opened.
The wall behind it slid backward.
A massive hidden bookshelf appeared.
Manu walked over and picked up a random book.
The moment he read the title...
The book slipped from his hand.
He looked at the book.
Then at Reika.
Then back at the book again.
The expression on his face looked as if he had just witnessed a peaceful vegetarian monk eating steak while leading a battlefield massacre.
---
NARRATOR VOICE =
Reika instantly grabbed the book and hid it behind her back.
Then she awkwardly looked at the ceiling and started whistling.
---
Manu = So you're telling me...
The great Reika Kurotsuki...
The emotionless President of Sun Academy...
The woman whose gaze alone can make students sweat...
Reads this stuff?
---
Reika Kurotsuki (covering face) = Stop...
---
Manu = This explains why you're still not married.
I bet the moment your future husband discovered these books, he canceled the wedding.
Honestly, I'd probably do the same.
---
Reika Kurotsuki = That's not what happened!
I showed you this for a reason.
---
Manu = Really?
Then explain this title.
"100 Ways To Annoy Your Future Husband."
And this one...
"100 Ways To Torture Your Husband."
And this one—
---
Reika Kurotsuki = STOP!
You're misunderstanding everything!
My family forced me to read those for blind dates.
---
Manu = Sure.
I totally believe you.
Not suspicious at all.
So how exactly were they forcing you?
---
Reika Kurotsuki (embarrassed) = My grandmother said...
"As long as I'm alive, perhaps I'll get to see my grandson."
If I refuse these marriage meetings...
She'll stop talking to me forever.
And if I keep refusing...
My family will marry me off to a wealthy middle-aged man.
It's a political alliance.
The wedding is in eleven days.
You're invited.
The day after the tournament ends, there will be a celebration party.
Come.
---
NARRATOR VOICE =
After hearing that, Manu turned around and started walking away.
Then a question appeared in his mind.
Before he could ask it...
Reika spoke first.
---
Reika Kurotsuki = Yes.
I know you have a lot of questions right now.
If you want answers...
Come back to my office after the party.
At midnight.
Now you may leave.
---
Celebration Party
NARRATOR VOICE =
Manu attended the celebration party.
But honestly...
It didn't feel like a celebration.
The atmosphere was silent.
Heavy.
Almost like a funeral.
Everyone sat quietly.
No laughter.
No excitement.
No joy.
Manu simply ate all the food he could find and left.
---
Midnight
NARRATOR VOICE =
The moon rose high into the sky.
A perfect full moon.
Meanwhile, Manu was sleeping peacefully.
Suddenly—
RING! RING! RING!
An alarm exploded beside his head.
At the same time, a jar of water tipped over and dumped its contents directly onto him.
Manu instantly jumped out of bed.
---
Manu = Yeah...
That felt like a mini heart attack.
But honestly?
Worth it.
The alarm is connected to a rope.
The rope is connected to a water jar.
When the alarm rings, the jar tips over.
Guaranteed wake-up system.
Perfect.
---
NARRATOR VOICE =
Manu stretched.
Then suddenly froze.
---
Manu = Wait...
Why did she specifically tell me to come at midnight?
What if she's planning something?
What if she uses me somehow?
I mean...
She's technically my future wife.
But safety comes first.
Let's take some pepper spray.
Just in case.
---
Midnight Meeting
NARRATOR VOICE =
Manu arrived at Reika's office.
The room felt strangely cold tonight.
Under the moonlight, Reika looked even more dangerous.
A knife rested in her hand.
---
Reika Kurotsuki = I'm asking you one last time.
Do you really want to know?
Because the man behind that tunnel...
Is extremely dangerous.
You might die before finding your answers.
---
Manu = Honestly?
I'm scared.
But curiosity is like an insect.
It never lets me leave.
---
NARRATOR VOICE =
Reika pressed a button on a remote.
The bookshelf slid away.
An underground tunnel appeared.
A terrifying pressure burst out from within.
Manu struggled to breathe.
Then...
A voice echoed from the darkness.
---
Tunnel Voice = Who are you?
Why have you come here?
Leave me alone...
---
NARRATOR VOICE =
The pressure intensified.
Blood slowly trickled from Manu's nose.
The darkness inside the tunnel seemed alive.
Watching.
Waiting.
---
COMING SOON...
Hello, lost traveler.
You somehow ended up here again.
I know I only upload one or two chapters a week.
Sometimes not even that.
But honestly...
There's a curiosity insect living inside me.
It's the same reason I climb rose trees even though I'm scared.
I sit on the branch.
My hands shake.
My heart races.
And somehow...
I eat breakfast there.
It's terrifying.
And fun.
Then I get tired and can't write.
Don't worry.
I'll figure it out somehow.
---
Which part was the most interesting?
Comment below!
Your comments motivate me to keep moving forward.
And if you're enjoying the story...
Throw a Power Stone at it.
I mean the red one.
Not an actual stone.
---
Author Note
Thank you for staying with the story.
I know updates have been slower recently, but I appreciate everyone who continues reading, commenting, and supporting the novel.
The next chapter will dive deeper into the mystery behind the tunnel, the dangerous person hidden beneath Sun Academy, and the answers Manu has been chasing.
See you in the next chapter.