Prior Appointments

I have a prior engagement.

Heading back to the dormitory.

Rohan sent a message to Sion and Clara that he was on his way, then pulled up the notification windows he needed to check.

'Should I put off the third restricted viewing video for now?'

The main story glitch notification was nagging at him, and his body wasn't in peak condition either.

It would be trouble if he collapsed like before.

'Besides Weakness Infliction, one of my unique skills leveled up too.'

In his half-dazed state, had he only relied on Weakness Infliction?

Now was the time to leisurely review the info he'd glossed over.

'Transcendence is even on sale now, and the consumables have expanded. Chat with animals? Does that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mean communicating like with Noah?'

A ton of intriguing items caught his eye, tempting him to splurge.

With plenty of points left, the urge was even stronger.

Look at that solid balance—even after buying the 20,000P level-up.

It was the glorious reward from the points pouch earned for taking down Omega.

'No, hold back. Gotta prioritize the weapon and transcendence.'

Rohan closed the shop and opened his next unique skill.

The newly revealed third sword form.

Rohan instantly understood what Light Wing Piercer entailed.

'A thrusting technique. Relax the body, then unleash instantaneous elasticity with accompanying flames. Needs mana and wrist for rotation, plus a tough core and flexibility.'

He grasped the stance and principles on a conceptual level.

But without massive practice, it wouldn't work in real combat.

'⋯This is tough.'

The motion was simple, but the mana application difficulty had skyrocketed.

He couldn't even imagine how hard the next one would be.

"Hmmm."

Still, the answer was obvious.

It wouldn't change.

'What can you do? Gotta grind hard.'

Even with the tough challenge assigned, he was genuinely pleased.

Feeling himself grow step by step was motivating in itself.

He arrived at the dormitory late, closed the door, and Sion and Clara—who had been holding their breath—greeted him.

"Oppa!"

"Rohan. Good work out there."

The warmth of someone waiting and welcoming him back was wonderful.

"Surprised I got back so quick, huh? You two get along okay?"

"Yeah! Did you see the messages we sent?"

"Too many to read all at once. We just sent whatever popped into our heads."

Chatting and grinning, Rohan unpacked.

He hesitated on what facts to share first with the girls, then decided to clean up first.

"Gonna shower quick."

"Eep, ah, yeah⋯! Towel's in the usual spot!"

"Thanks."

As he grabbed comfy clothes to wash up, Sion approached silently and poked his shoulder.

"Rohan. Eaten dinner?"

"Not yet, starving. You and Clara?"

"Us too. But we prepped dinner. Wash up and eat together."

"Oh! Be right back."

An unexpected surprise gift.

Rohan, who'd been debating eating out, sped up.

"Guess I should learn to cook sometime."

"Absolutely not. I prefer your cooking for my taste."

"M-me too⋯!"

Dinner was homemade by the two.

Impressive. The thoughtfulness and effort touched him.

And it tasted great—he was on his third serving of instant rice.

"Rohan. Yoho gave us a licensed realtor's number in Academy City."

"We'll check houses together. Big money on the line—no trusting just anyone's referral blindly."

"Heh, sound advice."

"With Oppa there, it'll be fine⋯! Easier to get around too⋯."

"I promised to tag along from the start, remember? Shopping too."

Rohan polished off the last of the rice and sides.

Sion and Clara beamed at him.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Oppa. Busy tomorrow? Got time⋯?"

"Heading to the academy, but no classes—just chats. Not sure when it'll end, but nothing else scheduled besides."

"Then shopping together tomorrow. House hunting too if times line up."

Rohan nodded without hesitation.

He'd been thinking of getting a pistol anyway—perfect chance with two experts.

'Mana-infused bullets as a tomorrow surprise?'

Wonder what reactions they'd have.

Even just shock would satisfy him.

"Sion, sleeping at Clara's tonight?"

"Yeah!"

"That's the plan."

Rohan quickly changed.

"I'll walk you. Let's go."

"Oppa! Lemme do the dishes first⋯!"

"Nah, I'll handle it. Out we go. Tell me on the way why the exam ended early too."

He considered hiding the uninhabited island events to spare their worry.

But since they'd decided to move as a team, he couldn't.

'If I stay mum and they hear from someone else⋯total worst case.'

Burying ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠something this big would crack their trust.

Plus, Reverse Praise Society tied into Sion's revenge.

Perfect chance to share details naturally.

"You hosted, so drinks on me."

"Rohan. Can I borrow clothes just till tonight?"

"M-me too, this⋯."

Sion had borrowed his t-shirt and sweats.

Clara layered his outerwear over her usual flashy outfit.

"No prob."

Leading the satisfied girls, Rohan stepped into the night streets.

This would be a long talk.

⋯

⋯

Orion Academy, no-class day.

Rohan arrived at Class 1, sat by Gilbert, and recalled last night.

'Tough, but⋯we cleared a big hurdle.'

Explaining the island to Sion and Clara had taken nearly four hours.

Calming the girls as emotions flared with every detail had him sweating.

Srrrr—.

Dick Wikitree entered through the front door, shuffled in wearily, and slumped in the back.

Rohan eyed him quizzically.

"You're here. Ate and all—why the pallor?"

"Stomach issues from what Gilbert fed me⋯still going strong⋯."

"Blaming me is proof of your frailty! Behold, this body is unscathed!"

Dick glanced at Gilbert's face and sighed.

"⋯If we team up in another exam, I'll forfeit."

"Next team-up, I'll knock you out first. Time to fix that head of yours."

The nutrient-void banter continued when—

Drunk!

Juyeon entered.

Rare for her to visit class outside lesson time—cadets froze mid-play, blinking.

"Hm, a bit early, but I'll start interviews with whoever's free. Rest at ease."

Her gaze hit Rohan.

He stood without a word and followed.

Thus, self-volunteered first, Rohan was in his interview with Juyeon.

He spilled every Omega detail.

"I see. Emerged from a worm's mouth crawling from the earth. Bizarre, unheard method."

"Yes. And he mentioned sending samples to someone."

"Hmmm⋯."

Juyeon tapped keys gravely, logging info.

"Body condition?"

"Perfect. No issues."

"Still, better safe. Head to medical for a recheck."

"Got it."

Juyeon sipped her pitch-black coffee from the mug.

Rohan watched her profile, noting her fatigue.

The instructors around seemed the same.

They'd pulled all-nighters at the academy, no leaving.

Busy with nonstop calls, or sorting mountain-like meeting notes.

Carrot Instructor's rabbit ears drooped lower than usual—rough shape.

"Instructor."

"Hm?"

"No going home yesterday?"

"Not your concern, cadet."

Juyeon smiled faintly, flicked his forehead with a finger.

"Next⋯."

Answering her questions earnestly, Rohan thought of the shop.

'Fatigue recovery for her? But she won't take cadet stuff.'

Spending points on his benefactor wasn't a waste. But her personality—she'd refuse.

Too bad.

"Rohan."

"Yes."

Finishing one Q&A, Juyeon used mana.

Space felt isolated—like sound looped inside.

"You've got a special skill."

"⋯."

Rohan clamped his mouth.

Juyeon chuckled silently at his tension.

"No need to stiffen. Not digging. But as your instructor, had to say this."

"Listening."

"Use with caution. If it spreads publicly, nuisances will stick."

"⋯Yes, ma'am!"

Showing resolve to heed it, Juyeon withdrew her mana, satisfied.

"Interview done. Send one available from Class 1 on your way out."

"Understood the process."

"Medical check or classroom rest—either fine. I recommend the former."

"Send one, then straight to medical."

Rohan stood, bowed, and left the office.

"Interview over?"

"Huh?"

Right outside—Ichinose Yui.

Rohan closed the door quietly, faced the closed-eyes girl.

"Wanna go next? Instructor wants the next cadet."

"Sure. Was looking for you first—got something to say."

"To me?"

Ichinose hugged her sword, nodded small.

Bowed her head, lips twitching, then mustered courage.

"⋯Rohan. How about the three of us grab dinner today?"

Three meant Noah too.

Sequel to yesterday's talk.

Her prior boldness gone—odd, but Rohan was thrilled.

But.

Truly regrettably.

"Sorry."

Rohan had a prior appointment with the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dorm girls.

*****

'Next is Ichinose Yui, huh.'

Juyeon flipped papers as the petite girl entered the office.

"Sit comfortably."

"Uh⋯ yes⋯."

"Hm?"

Her usual sharp vibe was gone—dazed.

Seemed deflated, lips parted in shock.

Of course, Juyeon had no clue why.