"Is the man waking up yet?"
"He is, Your Majesty. We have done the interrogation, but we couldn't get anything from him."
Asteric raised his head from his paperwork before Laive continued his report.
"We have asked many questions regarding the incident in the town, but the man, Mr. Delm, did not remember anything about that. He did not remember what he had been doing before that happened. He stated that he fell asleep after he ate; that is the last memory he has."
Asteric rested his chin on his palm.
"Raihan, anything?"
"It was an aura outburst, Your Majesty."
The brown-haired man stated this, making the four people in the emperor's office go stiff for a moment.
"From what we have been told by Mr. Delm and the investigation about his history, there is no record of him possessing an aura. He was also not someone who has any criminal records."
"It was faint, but I could feel the aura flow in his body. It was like his aura was surpassed by something; it could also be why he didn't remember anything about the incident."
"However, there is no record of anything that could stop an aura outburst except ending the life of the owner itself."
Raihan nodded at Asteric's comment.
"It is, Your Majesty. We have never encountered a way to stop an aura outburst yet; thus, I believe someone managed to do that."
All eyes turned to the only person who had not spoken since then.
"Crown princess, you mentioned that a man went to handle Mr. Delm; is that right?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. He suddenly came with a sword and protected me. I did not see how he handled Mr. Delm because someone who proclaimed him to be his brother brought me back to safety. He also stated that his brother was a hunter."
Asteric hummed in understanding.
"A hunter, there are not many hunters roaming around the capital at this time. Nevertheless, a hunter I am aware of never has the ability to use an aura."
"Could he be a hunter from another country?"
Raihan asked before Laive pulled out a record file.
"I have checked the records of travellers from another country, but there are no records of hunters coming into Dradgim's capital since a year ago. He could be a hunter who has not been in service for the time being."
"The possibility is there, but make a thorough investigation regarding this person. Crown princess, assist Laive to identify this hunter."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Put Mr. Delm under surveillance after he got sent to the rehabilitation house for further assessment. Make sure to see if he will have an aura outburst again; if yes, make the preparation according to our protocol. I'll leave him in your care, Raihan."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The man the crown princess sees may be an ally or a foe. Make sure to inform me after the two of you manage to find his identity, along with his brother."
Helenis interjected after Asteric finished with his instructions.
"Pardon, Your Majesty. I do have more information to tell you regarding those men."
"Please disclose the information you have."
Helenis nodded.
"There are three men in total. The man, the brother, and one other man with the brother—I do know their names because I've heard them calling each other. The man with the sword was named Sora; his brother was named Michael; and the other man was called Leviathan."
The one name mentioned by Helenis managed to make the three go stiff for a moment. A sense of remembrance crawled into them at the familiar name.
"Their names were unique."
Asteric spoke slowly with a small smile. One name he had never heard before on this continent; one name that was almost identical to his son; and lastly, a name that refers to a demon lord, which he could say was an audacious name to be given to someone.
"This might make it easier to search for them. You also remembered their features, right?"
"I do, Your Majesty."
"That was good news. Please investigate this. You are dismissed."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
×××××
"Everyone, I would like to introduce you to your new classmate."
A murmur among the students stirred up
"I am aware you guys have heard the rumour about him already. Someone who managed to pass the special exam this year, I hope you guys get along well, alright?"
"Yes, professor."
"Those are my students. Without further ado, let's welcome our new classmate! Boy, please enter."
The door was opened from the outside, revealing a boy around their age with black hair. His body was adorned with their maroon and gold uniforms, just like the rest of them.
His steps were languid and captivating; the boy stopped next to Professor Mary before he turned to face all of them.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Shuu Orion; please do call me Shuu."
A smile adorned his handsome face after he finished introducing himself.
"Great, thank you, Mr. Orion. I will be giving you guys time after my class to get to know Mr. Orion better, so let's roll on with our lesson from last week. Please take a seat anywhere empty, Mr. Orion. There is no arrangement for a seat here, as you have been told."
"Thank you, Professor."
He walked to the nearest seat on the first level, directly facing Professor Mary. He maintained his composure while walking and taking a seat. He flashed a smile at the person sitting next to him. Professor Mary started her lesson right after that.
'This is awkward. Please end the class faster. I want to get out of here.'
He could feel many curious gazes stab at the back of his head.
×××××
He let out an exhausted and long sigh.
"I don't know that I will be missing Sora and Leviathan so much right now."
He just barely escaped from the swarm of his classmates. However, he still has one more lesson to attend today before he can go back to his dorm.
Going back to school after decades was not really a good experience.
He should have known he would attract much attention by just passing the special exam. Everyone in this academy might already recognize him through people's mouths.
Michael looked up at the blue sky while leaning back under the shady tree. The back of the academy was a nice spot to find peace because people would go to the cafeteria or anywhere else to eat. Of course, some lonely people would find a quiet place like him, but he makes sure to find a place that has no people.
The first day of school managed to drain his lifespan.
Should he abolish this mission? He didn't even know what he should do in this academy except hide his identity from whoever knew him before.
Sora was not so kind as to tell him everything. He said he would, but later, when it was the right time. Fine, then, he would do whatever he wanted in this academy. Sora shouldn't complain if he was called to come to the academy because he makes trouble or anything.
"He might come tonight."
Leviathan might be coming every night to his dorm, or that vampire snake might already be there. He was so clingy, and Michael didn't know why. That guy was not really asking for blood, but he would keep a close eye on him.
Seriously, he has nothing to do in this academy. No, he has nothing to do in this life. He just somehow clung onto Sora to find a reason to live a little longer, or that was just his mendacity.
"A company would be nice now."
He took a packet from his pocket before he opened it. He put his hand into the packet to pull out a cube-shaped chocolate.
"You are the only one who understands me, Choco."
He put the chocolate in his mouth and let it melt on his tongue while closing his eyes. A heaven for him because of months of not having dark chocolate. He has bought a box of dark chocolate with Sora's money and brought it here. His chocolate stock will keep him company while in this academy.
Pak!
"Hm?"
He opened one of his eyes.
Prakk!
"Hiek—!"
He heard a shriek.
"What the—!"
Buk!
"Ughh!"
"Aww!"
This is something unforeseen.
"Cough, cough."
He pushed away the body on top of him before he coughed loudly while thumping his chest. The chocolate has gone into the wrong pipe!
"Hey, hey, I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
A frantic voice was heard behind him, but he ignored it. His eyes began to water a bit before he could feel a hand tapping vigorously on his back. He is wheezing at this point.
"Wait, wait, don't die!"
Cough!
The last cough before a piece of chocolate that was stuck in his windpipe flew out of his mouth onto the green grass
'Almost dying on the first day of school was not on my list.'
Michael filled his lungs with air as much as he could.
"Oh, thank you, Lord Teresa. I almost killed a person with my body."
The hoarse voice from behind him made him realize what had happened to him. He looked back to see the perpetrator who almost killed him.
"Are you okay? Please be okay. I don't want to commit my first crime in this academy. This is my last year, and I need to keep my record clean."
His eyes landed on the boy's face. His pink hair swayed in the wind, and his red eyes bore into his face with concern.
"Fuh, it looks like you are fine, but we should go to a doctor for a checkup just in case. It was really an unintentional act from me."
The boy rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'll pay you back for the food, black-haired stranger."
The boy smiled sheepishly while pointing at his dark chocolate that was lying on the grass.