The class resumed, and students did their best to try to cast the spell. As usual, it was not easy. In fact, most students actually failed to conjure up the stone wall. So, just like that, class ended, much to the professor's dissatisfaction.
After class was over, Reeve decided to go and check up on Soren. The two met before walking outside the school, and sitting at the benches which were closer to the fountain. When they arrived, there were a few students, who eventually left as time went on.
"Have you managed to find any information regarding Rizaneth's disappearance?" asked Soren, when they were alone.
"No, I left the request for information this morning. I doubt Merezeka has found out anything right now", Reeve replied, thinking about the next course of action.
There was a moment of silence, before Reeve spoke, "Would you like to help me investigate the case of the missing students? I'm sure each of us would get about seven points each."
"Umm … are you sure?"
"Yes. Besides, I have a feeling that this case is related to Rizaneth's disappearance somehow."
"What if she just decided to return to her home?" Soren shrugged his shoulders.
"I highly doubt she did that. She has more to lose if she did that. Also, she wouldn't have let all the sacrifice she has made up to this point go to waste", Reeve replied, somewhat confident. Rizaneth wanted to learn martial arts so much, that she wouldn't just leave. Would she?
He knew that she had a motivation, but as for how strong that motivation was, he wasn't sure. However, he was sure she wouldn't leave just like that. Especially without giving notice.
"So, about the mission … how do we start?" Soren asked, changing the subject.
"… actually … I have no idea either. I just took the mission, and now that I think about it, I didn't come up with a proper plan", Reeve explained with a wry smile.
"I'm supposed to be going towards Enchantment class in the next few minutes. How about we meet in the Hall of Justice after the class is over?" Soren explained, standing up from the bench he was sitting.
"Why the Hall of Justice?"
"Isn't that where you are supposed to provide the clue?"
"Well, even if it is, so?"
Seeing them going round and round in circles, Soren said, "Let's just meet there, shall we?"
"Fine. If you insist", Reeve was rising up as well.
It was thirty minutes later that the two met at the Hall of Justice. Soren was coming from his Enchantment class, while Reeve was coming from the Hall of Alchemy. He had gone there to study some alchemy recipes, as well as to talk to Master Jaen, who was quite happy to have some company. Of course, it wasn't time for Alchemy class, which was why the hall was quite empty.
"We would like some information regarding the missing students", Soren spoke, when they were inside the hall.
The girl who was at the administrative counter chuckled, before asking, "What mission did you two select? Let me guess: Obtain a clue for the disappeared students and provide it to the Hall of Justice."
"That's right. How did you … Oh…" it took a while before registering in Reeve's head. The girl was being sarcastic.
Soren coughed awkwardly before saying, "We want to know which students disappeared, and when. We'll do everything else by ourselves!"
And there it was again. The chuckle. It seemed as if this girl enjoyed torturing people … or rather … torturing them. She looked nice from far, but she was far from nice.
"How many people do you think have taken that mission?"
"Umm … none? Hasn't school just opened?" asked Reeve.
She chuckled again, much to the annoyance of Reeve, who was just trying to make sure he fulfilled a mission. "The students started disappearing last semester. At first, it was passed off as students just being rebellious, until they realized that none of the missing students ever returned."
She paused. "And then that's when we wrote the mission, giving it to the beginners. However, some people were tempted by the ten points offered, and of course, they failed to get even a single useful clue. When school opened this semester, we bumped the points up to fifteen. You're the first student to take the mission this semester."
Reeve looked quite embarrassed for some weird reason, while Soren rolled his eyes. He thought the girl was just trying to be overly dramatic, and whatever the point was, it was working.
"So … are you going to give us the information or not?" asked Soren.
The girl left the counter, and went to get some files, which she handed over to Reeve, before saying, "I was trying to be nice to you, but since you don't want my sincere advice, you can go and fail on your own." She chuckled.
"Well give me a f—" Reeve mumbled under his breath. He couldn't finish the sentence, because as he opened one of the files, he saw a very familiar insignia. "N-no way … Don't tell me they're involved!"
Seeing Reeve yell out random nonsense caused Soren to tense up, before he took the files from Reeve. After opening one of the files, he saw the insignia as well, but unlike Reeve, he simply passed it. He thought it looked familiar, but he couldn't tell where he had seen it before.
"What's so special about this insignia? And who are 'they'?" Soren handed the files back to Reeve.
"Let's go collect some evidence. I just knew something wasn't right about her! Unfortunately, without evidence, I'm just spouting nonsense", Reeve replied, seemingly talking to himself.
The girl looked confused, before her face formed a frown. Seeing the two leave, she murmured, "At least he looks like he might be able to help us find you, Kathryn! I'm sorry, I haven't been the best friend, but when they give us the clue, I'll be the first one to act!" Her eyes were teary, but she managed to calm herself down.
It was only a matter of time before she would be able to look for her only friend.