When I opened my eyes, it was already morning.
I was still sleepy, actually, and my head felt heavy for a moment.
However before I could rest my head again, when I remembered about the first thing I should do in the morning---the event last night that I had to report to my guild master.
I left my bedroom, heading to the bathroom to take a morning shower.
Although it was rather cold, I took a quick shower nonetheless. I did it because I didn't take a shower last night and I felt rather sweaty.
Also, I liked to take a shower in the morning.
Back when I was a child, I was wondering when he told me about taking a shower in the morning. After I did it a couple of times, he was right.
Sometimes, I felt the water washed away any thoughts from my mind. It helped me to refresh my mind for anything that had happened a day before, to make sure I'd be ready for anything that would happen.
Taking my clothes off and removing my hair tie, I turned on the shower and let the water poured to my body with my eyes closed.
With every second passed I took a breath and exhaled it.
More and more I felt my head became lighter, despite I had so much thoughts in my head already.
Opening my eyes and exhaling my breath once again, I murmured to myself.
"Alright..."
Then I turned off the shower and wrapped myself with a towel.
It was rather quiet, so before I went to my room to take my clothes, I turned on the TV.
In front of my wardrobe, I chose my usual outfit, which consist of magenta T-shirt covered by red hoodie with white pants.
Soon after I wore my clothes, I tied my hair to ponytail.
"Done."
Without further ado I took my bag and head to the kitchen.
The only breakfast I could get was a sandwich, which I warmed it up using microwave. To me, it was quite decent for a breakfast.
While eating my sandwich, I turned on the TV.
What surprised me was the first show that appeared.
News, and its coverage was about the monster's attack on the shopping mall last night.
"After the monsters took a hold of the building, one person, who has been reported as a Guilder, went inside and took care of them. However, after some explosions took place, she got thrown out of the building."
Most of the report the newscaster told was already obvious for me, but even then, there was one report that I still had to confirm.
The person who took the monsters alone after I fainted.
"Some witnesses said one male person saved her from falling. It is unclear whether the man is one of the girl's acquaintance or not, but from the report, the girl was unconscious and he took down the monsters after they were following and trying to kill the girl, single-handedly."
So it was true. A man saved my life. Even more he really did took down the monsters by himself.
Not to mention he was a Wanderer, and he did all that without any weapons. Broke Razor's shield with his bare hands, even.
"Nevertheless, no one was injured, despite the considerate amount of damage the building took."
With that last sentence, the newscaster moved on to the next topic and I exhaled my breath in relief.
At least the civilians were safe, and I had more than enough to report to my guild master, even though there was one thing I couldn't hide from her.
Having finished my breakfast, I sat on a sofa and turned on my Guild-Arm.
My gaze went immediately at the clock on my Guild-Arm.
6.40 AM. There's some time left for the train to depart to the academy.
Speaking of it, it was the first day to attend the academy. Known as Seven Stars Academy, built a few months after the chaotic day that happened ten years ago.
Everyone had known this academy only for those who had special powers, mostly Guilders, since the students and teachers who attended there were Guilders as well.
The name itself came from the founders of the academy, who were known as the Seven Stars, as far as I could remember. They were also the leaders of the top seven guilds in the world. People said they were the bravest and the strongest warriors to fight the monsters on the chaotic day.
The Emergence of Otherworldly Beings, or in short, The Emergence, was the event that people called for that day. Many innocent and brave soul died, striving against the monsters which invaded this world without a warning.
Till this day, no one knows where they came from. All of the people who lived in this world could do was to be prepared at all times, in case the monster would appear again.
"Alright, time to call her."
Choosing the contact menu and after I found her name, I called her.
It didn't take long before the hologram screen appeared and showed her presence.
Her long, midnight blue hair reaching down to her hips, her black-colored eyes and her casual yet calm demeanor, with the outfit she wore which consist of black shirt and pants covered with white parka, it gave two certain vibe.
Cool and elegant.
From what I could see, she was sitting in a place that looked like a café.
Perhaps she was taking her breakfast. I couldn't tell for sure.
Then again, what would people do in this hour if it's not for breakfast?
"Ayumi-san, good morning."
I greeted as modest as I could, hiding the fact that my body was shaking in fear.
"Morning, Suzuka."
Her tone was calm as usual, there was no doubt about it.
Rather, she was giving me her cold look. In an instant I sat dumbstruck, my mind filled with a thought.
'What should I do...She seems mad...'
Still giving the same look and tone she asked me, "Any particular things you want to say to me this early, Suzuka?"
Taking a gulp before I stroked the back of my head I nervously answered, "Well...There's something I need to talk to you."
"Hoo..." she mumbled as she closed her eyes with a smile. "Is this about last night?"
So she was expecting it.
Well, of course. She's my guild master, after all.
"Yes," I nodded while clenching my fist, hoping she wouldn't angry.
Her eyes opened. The glare she gave was frightening.
Nevertheless, I gulped before I began to give my report.
However, she cut me off before I could give it.
"Tell me what was really happened there."
With her warning, fear began to spiral through me.
That moment I could tell she already knew everything, but wanting my clarification.
As I thought, it was unavoidable to find herself wouldn't angry.
So I mustered my courage, and began to tell her.
"I received the mission to eliminate the monsters while protecting the civilians. The scene was the shopping mall, as you have heard. Inside I found the Howlers, almost killing a few civilians. I took them down, however, before they could hurt the civilians."
I took a deep breath before I continued my report.
"After that, I went to another floor to look for more civilians. It was then I saw another monster was roaming. I was about to kill it but I didn't realize there were another of them around."
"You got surrounded by them," she commented while crossing her arms. "Is that correct?"
"Yes." I ended up making a bitter smile while turning down my gaze. "Because of that, I used my fire magic to burn them. But..."
"You burned the whole building in the process."
I couldn't dodge it. She saw it through already.
"Yes..."
It seemed she didn't mad about it, although she was sighing so deep after hearing that.
"Is there any particular reason about why the building was burning, other than the magic you used?"
After I heard that question from her, I looked at her again.
"Well...There was no other cause, but the maintenance staff said the emergency system didn't work, so the sprinklers and emergency lights weren't working."
With that, I did hope she would kindly take my excuse.
As I had hoped, she did.
A warm smile she showed as she said to me, "I see..."
I took a sigh in relief. My body stopped shaking, the heavy feeling inside fade away.
It felt like I had avoided the death's door.
"Don't look so happy now, Suzuka."
As if she could read my expression, she criticized with the tone of no hesitation, as usual.
That's just how she is.
"You better tell me the rest or I will give you the punishment you thought I wouldn't give."
I gulped.
"O-okay..."
She had a point. It was too soon for me to rejoice when I hadn't even finished my report.
"After the whole building was on fire, I continued to the next floor. There I found one Gram Lizard alone, and I defeated it. However there were more of them, Howlers and Gram, and I had no chance but to use everything I had to take them down."
She listened carefully, and I kept on.
"It was then a machine exploded, well...because of my doing, to be honest, that I got thrown into a window. The monsters were still alive, then after another explosion, I was thrown out of the building, and I lost my consciousness."
I reported as detailed as I could. After telling her that, I took a deep breath, before I follow up with another sentence.
"When I woke up, Ren and Hikaru were there. They told me I was saved by a man, presumably a Wanderer, fighting the monsters all by himself. Oh they also told me Razor Gram appeared, and he broke its shield with his bare fists."
With an exhale, I finished my report.
"Hmm..."
She looked delighted, but at the same time confused.
"A Wanderer, huh...Defeating the monsters by himself, even breaking Razor's shield..."
From the looks of it, she too, was wondering how that person did all that by himself.
To be honest, I knew some people would wonder it as well. Although, for me, I didn't.
I knew someone would be able to do that. At least, someone I knew.
And that someone was the childhood friend I had when I was a kid.
He saved me. Even going by teaching me how to fight. How to survive in this world.
Even so, that didn't change the fact someone else could do it.
Like one of the Stars, perhaps.
Then again, Ren said he wasn't a Guilder, that's for sure. Which means he wasn't one of the Stars.
"Suzuka."
A voice called out to me. The moment I turned to the source of the voice, I realized I was spacing out too much in front of her.
"I will report the same thing you reported to me to the Ministry. In the meantime, try to find out who is this Wanderer."
'I'm going to, even if you didn't tell me to do it,' I thought to myself as I responded with a nod.
"Regardless of the situation, you're good, for now. And if you happen to meet up with Ren and Hikaru, tell them a punishment is waiting for them."
"Eh?"
'What? Did I just mishear that?'
"If they're asking why, tell them it's because they didn't help the Wanderer to fight those monsters."
Oh...
I thought she was going to punish them for no reason, but after hearing that, I couldn't help but to reply with, "Okay..."
However, I knew she wouldn't let me free yet.
"And don't think I won't let you go from this trouble easily, Suzuka. You still have to pay for the damage you caused."
She said that with somewhat amused look to me which made me gulped once again.
"Anyway, thank you for the report," she added while exhaling her breath. "I'll make sure you get the payment today, if not, tomorrow. For now, you better get ready."
After she told me that, immediately I turned my attention to the clock.
6.55 AM. Considering the nearest station from the apartment, it would take around ten minutes to get there while the train would depart at 7.10.
I could still make it.
But what about her? She looked so calm despite the nearest station from her place took around twenty minutes.
Perhaps she was in a café near a station?
I couldn't help but to ask.
"How about you, Ayumi-san? Should you get ready as well?"
What I didn't expect for an answer was...
A chuckle.
Followed with, "Don't worry about me. I'm already near the station."
My hunch was right, at least.
Judging from what she said, she was around the east of the island.
"I guess you woke up really early just to get to that station, right Ayumi-san?"
I giggled as I said with cheerful tone.
Then I got another answer I didn't expect came from her.
"I woke up early just to ascertain the report from you."
She gave me a warm smile which had another meaning in it.
"Ahaha..." I gave a small laugh instead.
Without waiting any longer, I decided to finish the conversation.
"Alright, thank you, Ayumi-san. I'll be going now."
She nodded. "Take care, Suzuka."
"I will."
Closing the screen, I went to my room to take my bag before leaving my apartment.
The moment I went outside, I looked at the sky.
Bright weather, the blue sky...
'Glad the weather is bright for the first day...'
I smiled, hoping this weather would be a sign of something good that would happen in the first day as a student in that academy.
After a few seconds had passed, I realized I was smiling long enough to waste my time to the station.
"Oh oh..."
And I began my steps.
Well...
I mean running.