Chereads / Negative Point / Chapter 135 - Afternoon

Chapter 135 - Afternoon

The streets of Negative Point hummed with a quiet tension as the young elf, Verte, walked hand in hand with her mother. Her braided ponytail swayed with each step, and her eyes flickered with a mix of curiosity and unease. Dressed in a fancy red robe, she stood out amidst the muted tones of the bustling streets. Her parents, clad in equally elegant attire, walked beside her, their expressions a blend of determination and apprehension.

Her father, holding a worn map, stopped abruptly. "Oh goodness," he muttered, his brow furrowed as he scanned the area. Then, a look of relief washed over his face as he pointed ahead. "I thought I was walking in circles for a moment there."

Before them loomed a colossal tower, its sleek exterior adorned with countless windows. A massive door—towering over them many times their height—sat at the base. Verte stared up at it, her small frame dwarfed by its sheer size.

"This is scary…" Verte whispered, clutching her mother's hand tightly.

Her father crouched down to her level, a gentle smile on his face. "Don't worry, sweetie. Behind that door is a brand-new adventure for you!"

As if in response to his words, a deep, resonant clunk echoed through the air. The immense door creaked open slowly, revealing the mysterious interior.

The family stepped through, and Verte's eyes widened in awe. The inside was a world of its own—bright, immaculate, and sprawling. The space was filled with colorful blocks and open areas that stretched into the seemingly endless ceiling above. The sheer expanse of it left Verte speechless.

"So this is where all the magic happens," her mother murmured, her voice tinged with wonder.

"It really is amazing," her father agreed.

After a short walk through the grand halls, they arrived at a small, modest wooden door. Her father knocked gently.

"Come in," a voice called from within.

He opened the door to reveal a cozy office. In stark contrast to the grandeur of the building, it was unassuming and tidy, with a simple desk and three chairs. Behind the desk sat an elderly man with a kind, weathered face.

"Hello! Take a seat," the man greeted warmly, gesturing to the chairs.

The family settled in, and the man leaned forward with a smile. "You must be the Haricot family. I'm Mr. Fukaiumi, the principal of this school."

Her mother nudged Verte gently. "Introduce yourself, honey."

Verte fidgeted nervously before speaking. "Hi… my name is Verte Chaîne Haricot."

Mr. Fukaiumi's eyes softened. "Pleasant meeting you, Ms. Haricot. I understand that you and your family are well aware of the... turbulent times we live in."

Her father nodded solemnly. "Oh, yes, we are. As elves, we're accustomed to warring environments. We've come to enroll our daughter in your school so she can become a future wizard."

The principal's brows rose. "That's a noble goal. Rest assured, your daughter will receive the finest education in the arcane arts here. However…" He paused, his tone growing serious. "Her enrollment in this school also enlists her in the N.P.D.O. By the age of 15, she'll be drafted into our military. That means she may see the battlefield as early as 15."

Her father's expression didn't waver. "I'm aware. By the time she's 15, I have no doubt she'll be one of the finest soldiers you have. This school's reputation as one of the world's best magic academies is why we're here. As a retired druid, and with my wife being an accomplished astrologer, Verte comes from a lineage of powerful magic users. My only request is that you teach her well and keep her safe."

The principal inclined his head respectfully. "You have my word. Welcome to the school, Verte."

The classroom buzzed with energy as Verte stepped inside, her sack bouncing lightly on her back. Her hair, now styled into two neat braided ponytails, swayed as she scanned the lively room. Children of various races filled the space, each group caught up in their own conversations or antics.

Near the front, a small goblin child giggled as he played a game of tag with a tall orc boy. Across the room, two boys—one with short purple hair and the other with messy brown locks—chatted animatedly with a younger version of Juyo. On the far side, a powder-blue-haired boy was gesturing wildly while pleading with two girls—one blonde and one with fluffy brown hair.

Verte's nerves gnawed at her confidence as she hesitated by the door. Where is the teacher?

Before she could process her surroundings, Juyo's familiar presence appeared in front of her.

"Hello, Verte," he greeted casually.

Startled, Verte blinked. "How do you know my name? Who are you?"

Juyo, true to form, ignored her question completely. "Allow me to introduce you to the others."

"You didn't answer me!" Verte huffed, but Juyo had already grabbed her wrist.

"Hey! Let go!" she squeaked, cheeks blooming red as he dragged her through the room.

The purple-haired boy noticed them first. "Juyo, who's this cute girl? Is this one of your friends?"

Verte's blush deepened.

The brown-haired boy smirked. "She's turning red."

"No," Juyo replied flatly, "She's just as new as the rest of us."

The purple-haired boy gave him a skeptical look. "So you just dragged a girl over here?"

"Yeah."

The brown-haired boy laughed. "Juyo, what can't you do?"

"Hi!" The purple-haired boy grinned. "My name is Yunqi!"

"And I'm Vant," the other boy added.

Verte tried to introduce herself, voice timid. "I'm Verte—"

Before she could finish, Juyo tugged her away again, leaving Yunqi calling after them. "Hey! We just started talking!"

Juyo didn't answer. Verte stumbled behind him, bewildered. What is he doing?!

Their next stop was the goblin and the orc child. Verte froze as she stared at the towering orc, her mind racing. That's an orc… Who let one of those things in? And even with a pet goblin…

The goblin looked up and grinned. "Hello, Juyo."

"I have someone I think you should meet," Juyo announced.

"H-Hi…" Verte mumbled nervously.

The orc straightened, his voice a deep rumble. "I name Thom."

"I'm Judin," the goblin chirped cheerfully.

Verte forced a small smile. "M-My name is Verte."

As quickly as they'd arrived, Juyo grabbed her again and dragged her to yet another group.

"What are you doing?!" Verte yelped.

"It's the optimal route for you not to be lonely here."

"What does optimal mean?"

Juyo glanced at her with mild surprise. "I forgot you were 4."

"Aren't you?"

"Yes. Well, optimal means just right—like the perfect hug: not too tight, not too loose, but exactly what you need!"

"Who told you that?"

"A friend."

Finally, they arrived at the powder-blue-haired boy, who was mid-plea with the two girls.

"Please? I need a wife!" he begged, hands clasped dramatically.

The blonde girl scowled. "Leave us alone!"

"I don't want to be your wife!"

The boy's eyes darted to the fluffy-haired girl. "What about her?"

The blonde girl slapped his arm. "She has a name! Pointing is rude!"

Before the conversation could escalate, Juyo placed a firm hand on the boy's shoulder. The blue-haired boy tensed, a visible shiver running down his spine as he fell backward onto the floor.

"Ah!" he yelped, spinning around to glare at Juyo. "What the crap?!"

Juyo ignored his protests, gesturing toward Verte. "Our last classmate has arrived."

The boy shot to his feet instantly. "A new girl! I'm Kaito Fukaiumi, son of Mr. Fukaiumi, and grandson of Mr. Fukaiumi!"

Verte tilted her head, puzzled. "How are you both the son and grandson of Mr. Fukaiumi?"

Kaito puffed up proudly. "My father is the teacher Mr. Fukaiumi who teaches the other class. My grandfather is the principal, Mr. Fukaiumi."

"That's… confusing," Verte admitted.

Kaito leaned forward, his tone suddenly dramatic. "Will you be my wife?!"

Verte's face turned crimson. "Uh—"

The blonde girl shoved Kaito onto his back again. "Leave her alone, you perv!"

"Hi," she said, turning to Verte with a much kinder tone. "I'm Sumajo."

Verte smiled faintly. "I'm Verte—"

Kaito sat up indignantly. "You're all so mean!"

Meanwhile, Juyo stared pointedly at the fluffy-haired girl.

Sumajo raised her hands defensively. "Hey, Juyo, stop! You're scaring her!"

The girl shook her head, her expression calm. "No, it's fine." She turned to Verte with a small smile. "Hello, Verte. My name is Kibirka Cherry. You can just call me Kibi."

"Ok," Verte replied softly. "Nice meeting you, Kibi…"

Kaito's eyes widened when he noticed something. "Gah! Juyo, is this your girlfriend?!"

Verte blinked, confused—until she realized her hand was still in Juyo's. Her face turned scarlet.

"W-WAH!!! WAIT NO!!!" she shrieked, yanking her hand back. Without another word, she turned and bolted out of the classroom.

Juyo watched her go, unphased as ever.

Sumajo smacked Kaito's arm. "You scared her away, you idiot!"

"Ah crap," Kaito muttered. "Sorry, Juyo…"

Juyo shook his head. "Apologies are not needed."

Verte sat just outside the classroom, her cheeks flushed with a restless warmth as she fiddled with her sleeves. The school bell erupted through the halls, a sharp and definitive chime that jolted her back to the moment.

"Just on time!" a voice rang out, clear and oddly cheerful.

Verte's gaze shot upward, her eyes widening in surprise. Standing before her was Yoraki—a much younger Yoraki. The blindfold he wore in the present day was nowhere in sight. His sharp eyes, now revealed, carried a calm assurance. A single strand of hair fell in a deliberate sweep over one eye, giving his otherwise clean teacher's attire a disheveled charm.

He extended his hand with a gentle smile. "Are you okay?"

For a moment, Verte hesitated, but then she took his hand. His grip was firm but kind, and he helped her to her feet as though her troubles could be lifted with the same ease.

"Yes..." she managed softly.

He studied her with quiet curiosity. "You look sad. Hey, come into the classroom."

Without waiting for her response, Yoraki turned and opened the heavy wooden door with practiced ease. Sunlight pooled into the empty classroom like liquid gold, but Verte couldn't shake her unease. Still, she followed him in.

"You must be Verte," Yoraki said as he led her toward the center of the room.

Verte blinked. "How do you know my name?"

"My class is a small roster," he replied smoothly. "I know everyone. Besides," his lips quirked into a faint grin, "you're the only elf in the Negative Point. I'm honored to be in your presence, ma'am."

Verte's brows knit faintly at the formal tone. "Thank you, sir..."

Yoraki turned sharply, holding up a hand in protest. "Don't call me 'sir.' You can call me Mr. Hinansho. I'm your teacher!"

Before Verte could process the shift, the classroom stirred to life as other children noticed Yoraki's presence. The air buzzed with murmurs and whispered exclamations. Yoraki, however, was unfazed.

"Hello, class!"

And just like that, he vanished. The spot where he had been standing was empty—but only for a heartbeat. Suddenly, he reappeared at the front of the classroom, standing confidently before the board.

Gasps erupted from nearly every corner of the room, except for one—Juyo, who watched with a knowing calm.

"I'm your teacher, Mr. Hinansho!" Yoraki announced, his voice ringing with a playful energy. "Go ahead and take a seat, everyone, so we can get this class moving!"

The children scrambled to their desks, their excitement tempered only by the shuffle of chairs and bags. Verte settled into a seat next to Juyo at the front of the room.

Yoraki gave an approving nod as he grabbed a piece of chalk. "Thank you. Let's get to some icebreakers. I'm a Purotekuta rank, which is the highest achievable rank among normal N.P.D.O. members."

The chalk screeched softly as he wrote Purotekuta and N.P.D.O. on the board in bold strokes.

"Does anyone know what N.P.D.O. stands for?"

Juyo didn't miss a beat. "Negative Point Defensive Organization."

"Correct, Juyo. Raise your hand next time," Yoraki said, though his tone lacked any sternness. He scrawled the full name onto the board for emphasis.

"I'll be your teacher for the next decade until you're all enrolled into the N.P.D.O.!"

A hand shot up.

"Yes, Kaito?"

"What's a decade?"

Yoraki paused, suppressing a chuckle. "Ten years," he said with patient clarity. "You all have the special and unique opportunity to learn magic and combat skills! My goal for the next ten years is to unlock all of your potential—help you discover your destiny magic, see if any of you have magical weapons, and teach you different types of magic!"

The room buzzed with anticipation as Yoraki turned back to the board, writing a new question in clean, deliberate letters:

If you had any type of magic, what would it be?

Sumajo raised her hand eagerly.

"Sumajo?" Yoraki prompted.

"What's destiny magic?"

"Great question!" Yoraki's tone brightened. "Destiny magic is the magic you're always destined to have. It's the first type of magic you unlock."

Another hand went up—Vant this time.

"Vant?"

"I want fire magic! You can breathe fire with that!"

Yoraki gave an amused nod. "Good choice."

Before another hand could rise, Yoraki cut in. "To speed this up, let's go one at a time without raising hands. Kaito?"

"Water magic! It beats fire magic!"

Vant groaned. "Hey..."

Thom chimed in next with a grin. "Earth magic! Big rock."

Yunqi raised his voice over the soft laughter. "Air magic! You can fly!"

Judin jumped in immediately after. "Electric magic!"

Yoraki paused, lifting a brow as he turned back to the class. "You guys have no variety! There's more magic out there than just basic element magic."

Sumajo perked up again. "Dream magic!"

"There we go!" Yoraki encouraged. "Why?"

Sumajo hesitated. "I... I don't know."

"Well, at least it's unique," Yoraki said with a small smile.

"Kibirka?"

"Dark magic."

"Spicy." Yoraki grinned, his tone teasing yet intrigued.

Finally, Verte spoke softly. "Light magic."

Yoraki's gaze sharpened slightly. "More conflicting magic—interesting." He turned toward Juyo. "What about you, Juyo?"

Juyo shrugged, his voice calm. "I already have the magic I want."

Kaito's jaw dropped. "You know magic?"

Yunqi chimed in enthusiastically, "Yes! Juyo is one in a million!"

Yoraki tilted his head, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "Oh, really? Then what is that magic?"

Juyo raised a hand, summoning a bubble of inverted colors around a pencil on his desk. "This pencil is frozen in its own bubble of time."

The room fell silent. Even Yoraki blinked, taken aback. "That's the real deal... Juyo, I did hear you were a prodigy, but time magic—at such a young age? You even cast it in your mind. There's not much I can teach you, but we'll talk about this after class."

Sumajo broke the momentary silence. "Mr. Hinansho, what's your destiny magic?"

"Raw Magic," Yoraki replied simply.

Sumajo's brow furrowed. "What's that?"

"Straight, powerful blasts of magic. It's very difficult to get the exact destiny magic you want. There are so many types of magic out there that you could end up with almost anything. Having basic elemental magic is honestly rare—you could always end up with something goofy to start with. But remember, all magic is strong. It just depends on how you use it."

He set the chalk down, brushing his hands together. "This week, I won't be teaching anyone anything magic-related. We'll just be going over the basics of mana!"

The room hummed with energy as anticipation settled like an electric charge in the air.

The day flowed by in a delightful blur, with Verte and Juyo becoming inseparable. They played together during recess, shared laughter over lunch, and walked home side by side when school ended. The two trudged along the dirt path under the evening sky, their conversation filled with youthful curiosity and honesty.

Juyo glanced sideways at Verte. "The Negative Point is an interesting place—a melting pot of all kinds of people. But I know elves face a lot of prejudice because of the so-called racial hierarchy."

Verte's expression softened as she reflected. "I didn't grow up around other elves. I was homeschooled until I was four. My parents and I moved away because... we didn't like the others."

Juyo's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "From what I've learned, elves can be... hypocritical. They think of themselves as superior, claiming higher intelligence and larger mana pools than humans. They might not lack emotions, but they certainly act like they're above everyone else, calling non-elves 'savages.' Yet, their actions often contradict that self-righteousness."

Verte flushed, a tinge of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "I... I never knew that."

Juyo softened his tone, his voice tinged with reassurance. "You're different. Your parents made the right choice moving away. You've got something rare for an elf—humility. You don't carry that entitled air. This might sound odd, but you're more human than elf."

Her cheeks burned with a deep blush. "Oh..."

He smirked, lightening the mood. "For someone who didn't know what 'optimal' meant earlier, you seem to follow my rambling pretty well."

Verte crossed her arms defensively. "Hey, I am smart! I just don't use that word a lot."

"For a four-year-old, you're definitely smart."

She huffed. "You say that like you're not also four!"

Juyo chuckled, the sound oddly mature for his age. "Touché. But I have my own reasons for being this... peculiar. Still, you're doing your race proud, showing some wit."

Her curiosity piqued. "Why are you so smart?"

He hesitated, then shrugged. "Telling you wouldn't change anything. And honestly? It wouldn't make you happy."

"What?! That's so unfair!"

Their banter ended as they arrived in front of a modest house. Juyo stopped and gestured to it. "This is my place. See you tomorrow, Verte."

Before she could reply, two identical girls burst out of the house, their small figures barreling toward Juyo. One had her black hair tied back in a ponytail, while the other's hair flowed freely around her.

"You're back!" the ponytailed one cried, wrapping her arms around him.

"We missed you!" echoed the other, clinging to his side.

Verte blinked in surprise. "Juyo, are these your sisters?"

He nodded with a faint smile. "Yup. This one is Anna." He patted the girl with free-flowing hair on the head. "And this is Aubrey." He gave the ponytailed girl a similar affectionate gesture.

Anna's eyes sparkled as she looked at Verte. "You got a new friend?"

"Yes, I did," Juyo said calmly.

Aubrey's enthusiasm was infectious. "Do you want to play with us?"

Verte hesitated but smiled. "Sure..."

Anna beamed. "Juyo's got so many cool toys! You'll love it!"

Before Verte could respond, both girls grabbed her arms and tugged her inside, their laughter filling the air.

"Ah! Slow down!" Verte exclaimed, stumbling slightly as they pulled her along.

Juyo stood at the door, smirking as it closed behind them.

Time moved swiftly, and the next year found Verte at her desk in class, facing Yoraki. His eyes gleamed with encouragement as he spoke.

"It's your turn to start exploring magic, Verte. Your destiny magic is fascinating. Elemental magic can lead to many paths: summoning elementals, harnessing their power, or refining raw elemental strength. You could even master all three!"

Verte tilted her head. "Mr. Hinansho, what's an elemental?"

Yoraki clasped his hands behind his back, pacing slightly. "Elementals are magical beings composed entirely of a single element. They're powerful... and often destructive."

Verte frowned. "Destructive? I don't like destruction."

Yoraki smiled kindly. "It's your choice, Verte. No one can force your hand."

Another year passed, and the class gathered outside, forming a circle. Verte stood at the center with Yoraki, her hands trembling slightly.

"Concentrate..." Yoraki's voice was steady, his tone both calming and commanding.

Verte's brow furrowed in focus as a crackling orb of electricity flickered to life in her palm. The class gasped in unison, their awe palpable.

"Now release it!" Yoraki instructed.

"I-I don't know how to—" she stammered, panic creeping into her voice.

Before the energy could spiral out of control, Yoraki stepped forward, effortlessly grabbing the orb and snuffing it out.

"Woo, that's okay!" he said with a reassuring grin.

Two years later, Verte stood outside Juyo's house, her fire magic enchanting Anna and Aubrey. The flames danced like butterflies, spiraled in mesmerizing patterns, and formed glowing constellations that twinkled against the evening sky. The younger girls squealed in delight, clapping their hands as Verte continued to display her growing mastery.

It wasn't long before Juyo appeared, walking up the path with Vant. The two were deep in conversation until Anna and Aubrey ran toward them, giggling and tugging at Juyo's hands.

Vant chuckled, glancing down at the excitable twins. "Hey, Anna, Aubrey. Did Ms. Tonomasa tell you anything about your class joining ours tomorrow?"

Anna tilted her head, confused. "Ms. Tonomasa didn't say a thing."

Vant scratched his head. "Ah... maybe it was supposed to be a surprise, and I just spoiled it."

Aubrey beamed up at Juyo. "Hey, Juyo! Can you play with us?"

Juyo smiled softly. "Of course." He turned to his companion. "Vant, want to join in?"

Vant shrugged. "Why not? Beats being bored."

As the evening wore on, the group played until the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the lively scene.

The next day, excitement filled the air as Verte's class was joined by the slightly younger students—and a particular standout among them, Onri. As the third graders filed into the room, Kaito blinked in confusion.

"Why are the third graders here?" he asked, furrowing his brow.

Yunqi rolled his eyes. "Did you not pay attention yesterday? Mr. Hinansho told us about this."

Onri, standing at the front with her class, approached Yoraki with curiosity. "Hey, Mr. Hinansho, I brought my class along. What was it you wanted to show me—"

Before she could finish, Yoraki stepped forward, holding a small box behind his back. His demeanor softened, his usual energetic presence shifting to something sincere and heartfelt.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" Yoraki began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "We were just kids, running through the world without a care, sharing snacks, secrets, and silly dreams. Even back then, I felt like life was a little brighter whenever you were around."

The class fell silent, the room filled with anticipation.

Yoraki continued, his gaze locked on Onri. "As we grew up, life changed in so many ways, but one thing stayed the same—you. You were always there, my partner in crime, my confidant, my best friend. Whether we were celebrating our wins or picking each other up after our losses, you've always been my anchor, my constant, my home."

He took a deep breath, his words resonating with a deep sincerity. "Now, here we are, side by side in this new chapter of our lives, even working together—still laughing, still dreaming, still figuring it all out together. And somewhere along the way, I realized something: You're not just my best friend. You're my heart, my other half, the one I want to share every moment with for the rest of my life."

A collective gasp filled the room as Yoraki knelt on one knee, revealing the box he'd been holding. Inside sparkled a flawless diamond ring, catching the light like the moment itself.

"So today, I'm not just asking you to be part of my story," Yoraki said, his voice unwavering. "I'm asking you to help me write the rest of it. Will you marry me, and let's keep building this beautiful life together, hand in hand, forever?"

Onri's face turned crimson, her hands covering her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Oh, Yoraki! Yes, I do!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.

The class erupted into cheers, clapping and celebrating the unexpected yet heartwarming proposal. Laughter and joy filled the room as Onri and Yoraki embraced, their bond sealed in a moment none would soon forget.