The academy life was so boring and uneventful. Because of that, it didn't feel like a week had passed since Noir sparred with Astro.
Despite that, Noir never complained. He always found a way to make the supposed dull life more enjoyable, at least for him.
What could it be that made his day enjoyable? Well, pursuing romance? Just kidding, that thing wasn't exciting.
For the past week, Noir had never been absent from Astor's challenge, even though he lost eight times by now. But he still concealed his Resonance from Astor.
Other than that, there was exercising to make his body and bones flexible like in the old times. And the worst thing he could do to make his academy life more exciting was to break out from the city without a license.
But the result was...
'No matter how I look at it, the wall, even the security, is impregnable. How am I supposed to leave the city then?'
It was nihil.
On every corner around the city wall, you would see various tools and armaments, if not the sentinel. And the amount of those were countless.
'Is it necessary to put everything on the city wall?'
Of course, it was. Because dangers were lurking outside.
"Halt!"
The sentinels stopped the supply truck that approached the colossal gate. They conducted a quick inspection, searching for anomalies in the supplies.
After searching through it, the sentinel found something among the supplies. It was hidden inside the crate.
"You again?" The sentinel said.
Noir, who hid himself there, smiled awkwardly.
"Hehe... hello, sir."
The sentinel rolled his eyes. Sighing, he grabbed Noir as though he were a stray cat, dropping him in the office after giving the driver a green light to continue.
Sitting before the sentinel, Noir heard a loud noise from the colossal gate. Unfortunately, by the time he sat there, he had no way to even take a glance at the world behind the wall.
Full of regret, he bit his fingernails.
'I just want to see the view of the outside world! I want to know what's out there!'
Noir had a reason why he was obsessed with the region outside the city of this world.
Although books, information, or whatever explicitly described what the region outside the city looked like after everything that happened in the past existed. There was no image.
And the fact the cities were built inside the colossal wall only made Noir more curious. In his previous world, such a thing didn't exist in the first place. The road was connecting one city to another.
But in this place, the road would lead to the colossal gates. And whether there was more behind those gates was uncertain.
'Is the situation outside really that bad?'
Noir imagined the outside region would resemble the view of something he had seen in post-apocalypse movies. Deserted cities, nature reclaimed its land, and so on.
'A world filled with wasteland," Noir grinned.
For the record, Noir was a big fan of a post-apocalyptic world.
Seeing the young man was grinning out of nowhere, the sentinel raised his eyebrow. In his mind, he probably thought there was something wrong with that kid's head.
Shaking his head, the sentinel said:
"Do you remember what I said last time?"
"That I'll get punished if I was caught again?"
The sentinel leaned in, placing his hands on the table. His expression turned serious.
"Then why did you do this again?"
Noir gulped.
"I can't help it. It's because of my Resonance."
The sentinel remained silent, prompting Noir to continue.
"It's the desire. The desire always makes me curious about everything!"
After hearing Noir's explanation, the sentinel finally spoke:
"Desire, huh? It's more the reason it'd be dangerous for you if I let you pass the gate."
The sentinel observed Noir. "Judging by your appearance. You look like a first-year student. Which academy do you attend?"
"It's Virgo Academy."
Surprised, the sentinel rubbed his chin.
"Really?"
He frowned a little, continuing, "It surprised me that a troublemaker like you can enter that academy. They used to be strict to their student's discipline."
Noir smirked.
"It's not a compliment, so wipe that smirk off your face."
And quickly put on a poker face.
The sentinel asked Noir a few questions. Ten minutes later, as he was about to put a sanction and complain about Noir's behavior to Virgo Academy, he asked:
"Lastly, what's your name?"
Faking his dejected tone, Noir answered. "Noir Teundre..."
Abruptly stopped, the sentinel lifted his face, staring at Noir.
"Come again?"
"Noir Teundre."
At that moment, the sentinel was completely frozen. Unmoving like a statue. His eyes were wide open like a tennis ball, shaking as he inspected Noir. And the pen in his hand fell and rolled down to the floor.
His face was like someone who had realized late about something crucial.
"Is there something wrong?" Noir asked when he noticed something was wrong with the sentinel.
Coming back to his senses, the sentinel wiped the cold sweat on his head. Faking a cough, he said:
"N-nothing," his eyebrow knitted. "You can go."
Noir nodded, excusing himself. As he was about to open the door, the sentinel called him.
"Oh, before you go... I'm letting you know that I won't report you for today's action."
Raising his eyebrow, Noir said, "Sure...?"
"But, if I caught you sneaking again for the third time. I'll really send a complaint. So please, don't let that happen."
Couldn't understand what the sentinel was thinking, Noir only nodded and went along since he wouldn't get sanctioned.
As Noir was getting escorted by one of the sentinels to the tunnel entrance, he looked out the window, wondering what method he should try next.
Arriving at the tunnel entrance that led to the city's exit gate, Noir got out of the car.
"Don't make trouble again, kid. Just focus on your study, and you will have your chance to see the outside world in your second year."
Saluting, Noir smiled.
"Alright. I'll behave!"
The sentinel snickered. He turned on the car and drove into the tunnel.
Staring at the disappearing car, Noir grinned.
"Waiting until I become a second-year student? As if I'd do that. Next time, I'll get out for sure."
Turning around, he walked away. After tens of steps from the entrance, his FT Phone vibrated.
Checking it, Noir found a message from Argent.
"Oh? Looks like my next plan is determined."