As the night waned and dawn's first light peeked through the curtains, Ryujin awoke from a restless slumber. The events of the previous evening, a blend of nostalgia and current rivalries, played in his mind. Despite the complexities of his relationships with Amanda and Yumi and the underlying tensions that colored their interactions, there was a simplicity to the moment he found himself now.
Yumi's presence, a throwback to their childhood days, brought comfort amidst the chaos. Her decision to stay, a bold move that defied the rules and reignited memories of a time less complicated, had surprised him. Yet, there she was, curled up in his arms, a testament to their enduring bond.
"Yumi, wake up, come on."
Yumi stirred, blinking sleepily. "Ryujin-sama? What's wrong?"
"You didn't go back to the girls' dorm."
Yumi stretched languidly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Didn't I say I wouldn't? I meant it."
Ryujin sighed, a smile tugging at his lips despite the situation. "True, you did say that... yet, this isn't quite proper... Well, time for my morning discipline."
Ah, the discipline of a self-proclaimed warrior.
Scrambling out of bed, Ryujin went to the small bathroom in his room to change. His morning routine was sacred, a time to clear his mind and prepare for the day ahead.
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As the early morning sun cast its first rays over the school, Ryujin and Yumi explored its sprawling grounds. The corridors were quiet. Most of their peers were still nestled in the comfort of their beds. It was a rare opportunity to wander without the usual bustle of student life.
"Ryujin-sama, it's nice, isn't it? Just the two of us, without Amanda, little Alexia, or anyone else..."
Ryujin nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the architecture and the enchanting landscapes surrounding them.
"Yeah, it's been a while."
As they strolled, Ryujin's mind wandered to tales and legends he had heard. "Hey, Yumi, guess what? An old buddy of mine said magical schools have secret dungeons, just like in that wizard movie – you know, Harry something. I bet we have one, too! Wanna go on a treasure hunt and find it?"
Yumi's eyes lit up with excitement. "Exploring a dungeon? That sounds awesome!"
Ryujin led the way with renewed energy, though he needed to figure out where he was going.
"I'm not sure where it's hiding, but we're like detectives, right? If we keep searching, we're going to find it!"
"Hey, Ryujin-sama, what exactly is a detective?" Yumi asked, her curiosity piqued by their earlier conversation.
Ryujin pondered for a moment. "Well, detectives are like action stars but not as flashy. They don't fly around but are good at finding stuff."
Yumi nodded thoughtfully. "So, like Amanda? Whenever I misplace something, she always knows where to find it. Now that I think about it, she's usually the one who hid it in the first place."
"Kind of, but not quite. Detectives find things for fun or passion, you know? Some of them even make money doing it."
"Ah, so they're like Ester then! I saw her taking money to help a kid find their parents the other day."
"No, Ester would be more like a detective's villain. Detectives are way cooler than that. Trust me on this!"
"Okay, I'll take your word for it, Ryujin-sama. So shall we start our detective adventure?"
Ryujin, with a mission in mind, led Yumi to the one place he had never ventured before – the library. Why the library, you might wonder, especially when Ryujin was famously known for his aversion to reading? Well, despite his disinterest, Ryujin had friends who were avid readers. They often shared adventurous stories with him, hoping to ignite interest in reading. One intriguing detail in Ryujin's mind was the classic trope of dungeons hidden in libraries.
Upon entering the library, a grand room filled with towering shelves and ancient tomes, Ryujin looked around purposefully.
"Ryujin-sama, how are we supposed to find a dungeon here?" Yumi asked, her voice echoing slightly in the vast space.
Ryujin scratched his head. "From what I remember, it involves pulling out a specific book..."
Yumi, always up for a challenge, began scanning the shelves. "Sounds like a fun game!"
As she browsed, her hand landed on a particularly interesting title. "Hey, Ryujin-sama, check this out: 'How to Satisfy a Man...'" she announced with a mischievous grin.
Ryujin rushed over, his cheeks turning a shade of red. "Did anything happen when you pulled it?"
"Nope, nothing at all."
"Then it's not the right one. We're looking for a book that triggers the dungeon, not... whatever that was."
Yumi, undeterred, replaced the book. "Ryujin-sama, shouldn't the book we're looking for have some mana?"
Ryujin's eyes sparkled with surprise. "Wow, that's... smart. (Why didn't I think of that?)"
Ryujin tried to play it cool, concealing his oversight. He'd been so engrossed in playing the part of the detective that he'd overlooked the obvious. In his quest for adventure, he still needed to remember the basics.
"As expected of Ryujin-sama."
"We should pick up the pace, Yumi. Class is about to start. We need to find that dungeon quickly." As Ryujin started scanning the shelves with a newfound focus, he murmured.
Finally, his hand brushed against a book that emitted a faint glow.
"Found it!"
Pulling the book triggered a soft click, and a section of the library wall slid open, revealing a hidden passage.