As Rain and Ethan were busy roving their eyes, they were suddenly interrupted by an overpowering voice.
"Excuse me."
Alfonse interrupted as he pulled Arca towards Rain and Ethan. "Kindly heal my friend, please."
Alfonse's voice was polite, yet it didn't hide the commanding tone in them.
Rain and Ethan glanced at each other before they stared at Arca.
Rain stared unblinkingly at the beauty in front of him. He couldn't help but compare her with that woman with blue hair he saw a while ago. In terms of charms and elegance, that blue-haired woman was still at the top of his list.
But oddly enough, he couldn't tear his eyes away from this lady with white hair, the same color as his.
For Ethan, though his sister was a peerless beauty herself, she was family. This was the first time that Ethan saw a beauty that could compare with his sister, up close and personal at that. His face instantly puffed red.
"R-right away!" Ethan immediately materialized his staff, and with a simple spell from him, all the colors drained from Arca's face returned.
"Thanks," Arca said simply. Even though she was haughty and arrogant, she knew when to give thanks when it was due.
"Ehehehe . . . I-it was nothing . . ." Ethan rubbed his nose as his ears reddened while Rain watched this all happened in amusement.
"Let's go." Alfonse pulled Arca away as they walked towards one of the corridors, but Rain's voice stopped them.
"Wait!"
Rain caught up to Alfonse and Arca in a hurry, with Ethan following behind.
"If it's alright. Can we join your team?" Rain knew that this was not the time to be prideful. Forming groups would increase their chances of survival, and right now –– surviving is all that matters.
Alfonse and Arca looked at each other before scrutinizing Rain and Ethan, that the two unconsciously straightened their back.
Traversing in numbers would increase their survival, but only if those companions were useful. Everyone knew that having weak people in the team would hinder the team's performance. They would turn out to be baggage rather than an asset. Thus, it was better to venture with a few people that knew how to fight.
However, having been trained since young, Alfonse sensed that Rain was no ordinary guy. He felt that the man was capable with just his aura alone that emanated calm and experience.
As for Ethan . . .
Having a healer in the team was never a wrong choice.
He will be helpful for Arca.
"Alright," Alfonse said after a while.
Actually, the reason he accepted the offer was mostly because of Ethan.
He can heal Arca just in case.
Alfonse knew his strength, and he was confident that he alone would match the beasts roving in the corridor. Regarding the rank-B, with Arca supporting him, he didn't have any reason to doubt.
Only carefully playing it would be best. After all, no one can say what will happen.
As for Arca, she didn't say anything and continued to remain quiet. She knew what Alfonse was thinking right now. Even so, she couldn't help but frown. She didn't like it if someone was treating her like a precious glass doll, but since it was Alfonse, she remained tight lip.
"That's great. My name's Rain Rizwalde, and this is Ethan Hal." Rain was all smiles as he could now be slightly at ease.
He sensed that the people in front of him were not ordinary. Though he didn't know why a person like Arca had entered the Academy when clearly she couldn't absorb arcane energy based on her carrying an Armalest weapon, he didn't ask.
The matter at the moment is more important.
With two people who specialized in attacks, he wouldn't have a hard time protecting Ethan since Ethan's combat style was support, not the offensive.
Alfonse, upon hearing Rain's name, his brows slightly twitched. He knew about the swordmaster Raymont Rizwalde, but he didn't know about his son.
So this is his son. I wonder how strong he is.
Alfonse fought the urge to have a sparring match with Rain as this was not the right time. Although his eyes lit up, his face, however, remained calm.
Upon hearing Rain's name, Arca couldn't help but sized the man up. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon knowing that these two men in front of her were not entirely useless.
"My name is Alfonse Vormont."
"And I'm Arca Deux."
Rain and Ethan took a step back abruptly. Their eyes almost went out of their sockets.
"V-Vormont . . . a-and . . . D-Deux!" Ethan stuttered as he remained in shock.
Who wouldn't be shocked?
Standing in front of them was the second son of the great Duke Robertus Vormont, who controlled almost a third of the power in the kingdom of Alistar!
And the Deux!
Not a single person who practiced in the arcane arts didn't know the name Deux. The one and only founder of Deux Machina, the very person who developed Armalest!
The Vormont and Deux were well known throughout the four kingdoms. Still, only a few knew the appearance of the second son of Robertus Vormont and the only daughter of the founder of Deux Machina, CEO Emelia Deux.
Ethan almost wanted to kneel at the extraordinary figure before him if not for Alfonse's cold remark.
"No need to be so shocked. My name means nothing as I haven't proven myself . . . yet." Then he walked towards a passageway without looking back.
Arca, too didn't like it if others revered her just because of her mother's accomplishments. In actuality, she felt annoyed because whatever she did, it would always be overshadowed by her mother's accomplishment.
She would always be labeled as the only daughter of Emelia Deux.
Without a second glance, she walked after Alfonse.
Rain felt sympathy towards the two, at the same time, admiration. He understood the feeling of being overshadowed by someone who was always greater than you.
But this two remained steadfast and determined to prove themselves.
He felt somewhat closer to them. Although Alfonse was arrogant and proud, he wasn't boastful and self-centered, unlike most nobles.
And Arca was haughty, acting high and mighty, but she was quite honest and kind.
"Hey, you guys! Wait up!"
Yelled a cheerful voice that came from a man with red hair and a rouge-like appearance.
When the man with red hair caught up to Rain's group, he bent down as he placed his hand on his knee while his other hand was raised in the air with open palm and fingers stretched.
"W-wait . . . *huff . . . *huff . . . let me . . . *huff . . . catch my breath first . . ." The man wheezed as he gasped for air.
Rain and the others all looked at each other before they quietly stared at the red-haired man in curiosity.
After a while, the red-haired man jumped in full energy.
"Alright! I'm up and going!" The man grinned as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"The name's Rever Ixion. You lovely lots ain't mind to have one more person in your group, right?"