Rosanna's P. O. V:
To my relief, we didn't go through the Simulation session directly.
We were given a long lecture by Kairos who pointed out it would be foolish to send us all into a Simulation or Pocket Dimension without adequate knowledge and certain skills.
So Kairos simply briefed us about Simulations and Pocket Dimensions while we all sat on the grass floor.
I totally agree with Kairos' mercy and reasoning. We all did.
...Can't tell about Player 70, though. He looked kind of disappointed like a bullied bunny with dropping ears.
One cannot tell the mind of the abnormalities....
We all agreed with Kairos throughout the entirety of the class. Finding it extremely nice that he gave us a breather after that freak incident.
But we certainly did not celebrate when things got physical during the class session. Of course, those are memories too exhausting to dwell on.
"My assignment for you all is to create a 3,000 word essay on Pocket Dimensions and the rules of a Simulation. 2,000 words for defining a Pocket Dimension and 1,000 words for a Simulation Trial. Deadline to submit would be our next class session.
Those who fail to submit this assignment or give a good report will be subjected to punishments. And those who make a satisfactory effort will receive a reward. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir!" Our group of seventy echoed. With a mixture or groans from the lazy people like me. Who were all holding dead expressions.
Our voice created a lively atmosphere in the midst of this dense forest and plain grassland, which was dimly lighted by the moon and one flickering magic crystal.
I tend not to look back at the wide expanse of tall trees, for fear of seeing something I shouldn't in a world of Hibiscus Wisps.
"Dismissed." Kairos said, eyes locking intensely on mine for a split second before my vision became blank.
A moment of darkness ensued and I found myself standing in the Classroom with Aniysa and the other students.
Space-time teleportation.
"Want me to escort you to your new dormitory?" Aniysa suggested, placing her hands in her pockets. And looking up at me with her cute fat baby cheeks.
I hesitated. "Um, I-"
"If you want to, feel free."
Which was not what I intended to say but Elan interrupted, flashing a smile at Aniysa. With his arm swung across my shoulders.
I was surprised from the sudden intrusion, ignoring how close his body was to mine.
Rather my mind went blank on how to explain to Aniysa I wanted her to come with me but at the same time, I didn't.
Aniysa raised a brow in surprise, looking at Elan with scrutiny before turning her judgemental stare to me. And I stared back dumbly.
'You know him?' her eyes seemed to say. And a good answer definitely didn't seem like a 'yes'.
Then suddenly, Aniysa's expression morphed into confusion, understanding, then anger. An animated myriad of expressions.
"Don't tell me he's Jones Walker!"
I was taken aback by her strong declaration. Wondering how the heck she came to that conclusion.
Jones doesn't even exist!
Well, technically he did. Kairos, I mean.
But, Jones is fictional!
"No- he's just a dorm mate! Or what do you call people living in the same dormitory as you? Anyways, thing is, I'm not in charge so I've got to ask for permission and he's not Jones."
"Permission from who?" Aniysa crossed her arms, her suspicion clearly not rescinding.
"From," I stressed. Shrugging Elan's arm off.
"Uh..." I trailed off, my mind clearly failing to make a good excuse or give an understandable explanation.
I didn't exactly lie when I said Jones- Kairos, my 'boyfriend'. My mate, took me under his 'supervision'. But if I do tell her it's Kairos, and that he's the 'owner'- just, argh!
Lying with half-truths can also screw you over.
"It's a private dormitory that only accepts visitors that have been approved earlier."
Karissa came to my aid, staring at Elan with a suspicious look. And Elan- the culprit of this escalated situation, was deeply focused on watching Aniysa with a predatory gaze.
There was a strange light I saw in his eyes when he looked at Aniysa, whose feet began to shuffle due to all our gazes. Especially Elan's downright suspicious look.
I nudged Elan and he broke away from that eerily deep stare and he resumed the lost facade of smiling perfectly.
What's going on here?
"Okay," Aniysa squeaked, blushing a bright red before turning around in a haste and walking fast-paced.
Walking awkwardly like some stranger just pointed out to her exposed panties on the floor.
Just what...?
Ani looked like a penguin with that walk. But I'm all the more confused.
What's happening here? What happened? Why's everyone so... Odd? Is any of us on the same book??
"Thanks for scaring her away." Elan grumbled at Karissa with a slight glare, before taking a quick turn and leaving.
"Says the one who's looking at her like a starved wolf in front of a piece of fresh red yummy meat!" Karissa clicked her tongue and walked the opposite way.
Strangely descriptive but okay. Should I now say crisis averted? Thank the weird scenario? But why do I feel so lonely in the midst of all these telepathic acts?
I can only understand when I think. But I'm not gonna think. I'm just going to peacefully get to my bed and sleep. That was the goal.
So I stood, leaning on the grey walls for more than a while. Waiting for Kairos to finish arranging his documents on the teacher's desk.
And the dude started writing, stamping and signing some shi to my utmost annoyance.
I sincerely wonder why the Prince, an Admiral is doing- ohhhh, Princes do have paperwork!
But now's not the time? Someone's waiting for you- it's past her bedtime!
Slowly my patience wore off and jumped out the window. Because I saw that gradually, everyone had left the class at some point in time.
And I cursed Kairos for complicating my life with the mate bond. I wouldn't be stuck to him in the first place!
None of this would've happened if dude controlled him- haha, funny.
Control is used when something's at stake when you're not in control. But what Kairos acted on was 'do whatever', 'can't bother me in the worst scenario'.
A perk for overwhelmingly powerful people. An attitude backed up by factors I wish I had too.
But everything aside, why does Kairos look so good working on that desk?
I squatted down and leaned my head on the wall, expressing pure exhaustion.
Sadly, there were no chairs or tables in this room except for the teacher's desk. So I was stuck with the wall and my bones.
I might have dozed off and on waiting for Kairos to finish doing his stuff. Time passed by painfully slow.
And it later struck me how I could've followed any of the other members of Team Alpha to the mansion.
But that thought was cancelled the second it came. Firstly, Kairos is the safest.
I can't walk with some stranger in Hibiscus Wisps during an isolated, dark hour. And into a series of portals I can't identify.
I was experiencing the statement that the most dangerous can also be the most safest.
While the other members were less dangerous, I doubt I have a neutral, friendly or cooperative relationship with them.
Logically stating, I don't. Where, when, how did it develop?
And secondly, I did not foresee this! I did not foresee waiting pathetically in this room. What I imagined was my warm, comfortable bed and rest!
I am dearly exhausted.
The Simulation class lasted for hours till morning! And the only reason I didn't sleep off during the lecture was because of our wonderful teacher; Kairos.
Who made us do exercises in between and punished us to repeat if we slacked off.
Kairos is an amazing teacher, alright. With a beautiful sense of justice and righteousness etched into his- oh wow, I just received the lie of the century award!
F*cking sh!tty man!
From my sore muscles, it's obvious I was punished a lot. But no one seemed to understand the fact I was a weak human in that class.
Okay, correction, physically weak. So slacking was merely a differential gap in our bodies.
Wait, am I even strong mentally?
Nahhh. But point is, I was unjustly punished!
Kairos seemed to love calling my name a lot. Someone could literally doze off right besides me and if I even take as much as a blink, he'd go "Rosanna." with that fine voice that I realized could no longer make me like him.
"Rosanna."
Oh look, I'm imagining it again.
"Rosanna."
Ugh, the training is over, let me sleep! Am I even hearing this awful sound in my dreams? Gosh, cut me some slack! I've been tortured enough.
Soon my sense of gravity changed and I found myself lifted on a warm body.
Kairos.
Snapping my eye wide in shock, I realized my face was very close to his. Being in a princess carry position and Kairos leaning slighly to my eye level.
I feel shy.
His golden eyes gazed deeply into mine as usual. And in this absurd situation, Kairos' face was normal. Without a hint of shyness or hidden motive.
Too normal and nonchalant that it made me calm down subconsciously.
"Ah-!" Kairos began walking with me in a princess carry position.
Where do I begin to protest? I'm feeling so embarrassed right now I can't even make a proper sentence.
"Sorry," He said, making my eyes grow wide for a second before reverting to it's normal size.
"I-I can walk." I stuttered.
"Enjoy the ride." Kairos gave me his business smile. The corner of his lips slightly tilted with amiable eyes but I knew that his true feelings did not fluctuate as mine did.
"I can't enjoy what I'm not comfortable with." I stated bluntly.
See, Rosanna has a problem. I get wayyy to honest as a facade to combat my shyness.
"Oh." He responded, walking through the door with me awkwardly placed in his warm electrifying hold.
I feel small and weightless... And comfortable. What is this sh!t?!?!
"Thought I'd treat my guest right."
This isn't how you treat a guest-
And also isn't how you apologize normally to a normal person.
"Please let me walk. Or give me a piggyback ride. I'm quite fond of that."
Okay I could've done well with only that first sentence. But no no no. It just had to be, my brain is in total alliance with my mouth.
With a wry smile, Kairos set me slowly on my feet. Then moved to my front with a lowered back.
This is too out of character!
But. In a way, it is his character. It's... Always been.
I climbed awkwardly on his back, and he held my legs up while I wrapped my arms around his neck.
I know it's not right but I really really want a piggyback ride right now. Plus, I'm sleep deprived. All my actions are justified till I've had enough rest.
"You're bold," Kairos said.
"You offered." I retorted, suppressing a tired yawn.
Kairos Athanasius has always been a gentleman. He kept this polite but detached front dealing with most people.
Kairos never unnecessarily acted abnormal. He had the perfect prince facade. (In blind people's eyes).
But I guess, in my case he tended to express his indifference more and show abnormalities I could not understand.
Let me think. He doesn't care about me as an individual. But the mate bond is messing Rael about.
I feel so smart at this conjecture.
Unknowingly, the warm sensations from his body, and the comfortable position I was in after those pained moments in class, forced me into lalaland.
My last thoughts being about the Simulation Trial. The power I felt... And Konah, I need to know.