Extra's Descent

Lectures continued from then.

Brandon sat at the back. For some reason, he was instructed to sit next to Claire.

The two hadn't had a conversation in over a year. Despite the fact that the others approached him, Claire didn't.

Amy as well. However, it couldn't be helped. Before he left the combat hall, it was Amy's turn to duel.

The current class was magic theory.

The instructor walked around the podium. Even while there was a new student, he held no regards to it, and carried on with his lecture as if it was a regular day.

But during the moment, Brandon and Claire exchanged messages.

—I heard you and Rachel made out.

—Huh?

What the fuck.

—Sorry, that was a tpyo. I meant, 'made up.'

—Oh, yeah. We did. You mean typo, right?

For some reason, Claire kept on making typos. She was like that in the past, but it seems like she hadn't changed that habit of hers.

Now that he took a peek, it made sense why Claire made so many typos.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Her fingers were way too big for her phone.

—I feel like you're thinking of something rude.

"...."

Can she read minds now?

—Nope?

—Fuck off, I saw you smirk.

Despite how hostile Claire was, it was a breath of fresh air. While the others seemed to walk on eggshells around him, Claire remained the same old bitch.

Besides, the two were quite close a year ago. After all, they used to train and spar together under Evelyn's supervision.

It was then when an idea flashed in Brandon's head.

He sent a message.

—So, have you chosen a place?

—Yeah. In thend, everyone voted for a karaike place."

Claire sent a follow–up message.

—In the end* Karaoke*.

—Yeah, I got that. Thanks for setting this all up, Claire.

—Huh?

All of a sudden, he felt an intense gaze coming for Claire.

She sent a message.

—No, this was a combined idea.

Wow, a perfect message.

—I heard it was your idea actually.

—No way! Why owduklijg.

"Kuhum…."

Claire coughed and redid her message.

—Why would I do that?

—Dunno, because we're friends?

—Who told you this anyway?

Brandon's lips curled up to an ominous smirk.

This was what he was waiting for.

—Who else? Raven.

At that moment, Claire's head abruptly flicked to the front and glared. There, Raven sat in his seat. Currently, he was taking notes of the lecture.

"Achoo!"

Raven sneezed.

That aside, the lecture carried on.

***

It was now lunch break.

Brandon, Raven, Amy, Reinhard, Claire, Rachel, Sarah, and Cyrus, sat together at a big table.

They were a big group.

Eyes were fixed on Brandon once again. It seemed like the friend group was actually quite popular in the academy. And the fact that there was a new addition had caught the interest of the other cadets.

While some paid no heed to them, already knowing Brandon belonged in the friend group, some watched with curious gaze.

While waiting for their food to arrive, Brandon was on his phone.

—Where are you?

—I'm on the cafeteria's rooftop. I'm eating with my friends, why?

He was currently chatting with Amelia.

—You have friends?

—That's rude. (╥﹏╥)

—I'm joking. Want me to pay you a visit?

—That's fine. But don't you want to spend more time with your friends? You haven't seen them in a year after all.

She had a point.

All of a sudden, Raven, who sat beside him, asked.

"Who's that?"

"A friend."

"A friend, huh?"

Raven inched close, trying to take a peek.

"Hey, no peeking!"

"Ah."

Then, Raven's expressions change. Maybe even distorted.

Raven leaned close and whispered in Brandon's ear.

"Since when were you in that kind of relationship with…."

His voice became even more inaudible.

"...The Princess?"

"The Princess?"

The hell kind of nickname was that?

"Let me educate you in this academy's hierarchy."

"....?"

Brandon's head tilted.

Since when was Raven like this?

What kind of difference happened for Raven to even act like this?

Seeing all the variants of Raven. Or rather, Jin, in his memories, this version of Raven seemed to be the quirkiest.

Maybe even annoying?

However, it was good.

He felt comfortable with this Raven.

Brrt….

Then, his phone vibrated.

Raven had sent a message.

"...."

And it was a really long one.

Raven leaned close once again and whispered.

"I only copied that for your information."

"Right."

Brandon scanned the contents of the message.

[Imperial Academy's Goddesses]

He already had a bad feeling.

[Ranked #1. Amelia Constantine (The Princess)

"...."

What kind of weirdo….?

"Who wrote this?"

"Some sicko put that in the Imperial Academy community page. The page is managed by the cadets. So there's no supervision in regards to the contents there."

"....."

Some major creepy vibes.

He had to report this to Bellion before things got out of hand.

Seriously, in the past few months, he was in a life and death situation. And the cadets in this academy were wasting time with this nonsense?

That, and there was an upcoming war. A war that he had managed to push further back.

Brandon continued reading.

Already well known during her time in Astrea Academy. Amelia Constantine continues to take the breaths away of everyone in her presence…..]

And he stopped reading the message from there.

"Why did you even send me that….."

"So that you're well aware of the social circle within this academy. Only three weeks had passed since its establishment, yet deprived from academy social life after the calamity…."

Brandon got the gist.

Major degenerate vibes.

"I'm reporting that website. Send me the link."

"You think we haven't done that? The website gets taken down. But a new one emerges soon after. No one even knows who keeps making the website."

"Hmm…."

It was interesting.

An idea flashed in Brandon's mind.

"Send me the website anyway. I'll do something about it."

"Alright."

Just like that, he received the website link.

Then, Raven changed the topic.

"So, what's your relationship with the Princess?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Fair."

Brandon was still taken aback. To think he would have this kind of conversation with Raven.

He actually had changed.

He seemed to be more sociable now.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Amy's voice cut in.

"Nothing."

Raven quickly shot down.

"He's asking where he should take you for your anniversary."

Brandon said with a grin.

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

The two's brows raised. Amy's face seemed to flush a slight beet red.

"Anniversary? But we aren't even dating….."

For a second, he could hear Amy murmur, "Yet."

"Oh?"

Brandon started poking Raven.

"You're taking this way too fast, Raven."

"You–you…."

Raven stammered. Unable to come up with a remark.

It seemed like their relationship hadn't progressed at all in the past year.

"Pussy."

Brandon added.

"You….."

Raven had a defeated expression on his face.

Despite the casual atmosphere, there was something more important.

Their food was here.

"Enjoy."

***

The classes for the afternoon ranged from Physical Exercise, Mana Core Training, Weapon Development, Magic Circle Configuration, and Affinity Progression.

It was a long and exhausting day. But it was expected for a military academy.

But Brandon received it well. It was way more productive than Astrea. In fact, he could see the percentage of his stats rise just a bit.

——[Status]——

∟ STR: A —[12%]

∟ MP: A+ —[58%]

∟ DEF: B- —[24%]

∟ AGI: B+ —[49%]

∟ INT: S- —[7%]

∟ CHA: SS —[88%]

[AVG: A]

————————

The most noticeable change was his defense and strength stat. Though it wasn't because of today's session, it was because of the auction.

His defense stat increased exponentially, as well as his strength.

Because of today's session, most of his stats rose a percentage.

They were already dismissed, and his friends were outside, waiting for a ride.

While the others engaged in conversation, Reinhard noticed Brandon's arrival first.

"Yo, you've seen the message?"

"Yep, a karaoke place, right?"

"Yeah, you ready to depart?"

"Wait, you guys go on ahead. I have to stop by some place first."

"Oh, okay."

"We've reserved room number three. Come whenever you're ready."

Claire suddenly informed him.

"Sure."

They called for a taxi, which drove off soon after, leaving Brandon standing alone by the exit.

He looked around. Cadet's started commuting, or walking home. Some looked at him and waved their hand after recognizing him.

Brandon waved back. However, he had no idea who they were.

Turning back around, Brandon called for a taxi and entered the vehicle.

The taxi driver asked 'where to,' and Brandon replied as he leaned back in his seat.

"Vale General Hospital."