Chapter 27 - The Shocking and the Brewing

The afternoon sun was just starting to dim when a group of first-years exited the VC lab. Drai could be seen among this group, looking quite weary. He proceeded to sit down on a nearby bench, trying to recover before heading back to the dorm.

A young girl approached the bench and sat down beside Drai. She looked in amusement at the young man who was currently massaging his temples with a slight frown.

"Were the classes that tiring?" Natalia asked.

"Yeah…" Drai answered helplessly. He actually had quite enjoyed the System Introduction class where he spent most of his time making a tentative training schedule for the task that Paul had given. During his report at the end of the class, Paul even praised Drai's detailed knowledge of his own body along with his elaboration on the predicted effects that his training would have, although Paul was also quite baffled by the peculiar methods that Drai had proposed, including one where Zar was supposed to help by utilizing his portals.

However, after that was the Introduction to Atrian Nations class, in which students basically would have to learn about the history, economy, politics, and current state of the countries in Atria, the continent Rivideria was situated in.

Today they had learned about their own country, and Drai was astonished by the amount of knowledge regarding his homeland that he never knew of. Natalia was equally astonished by Drai's questions about things that were supposed to be general knowledge. However, she merely thought that perhaps in the countryside people weren't as knowledgeable about these things as those living near the capital. If only she knew that it was Drai who was the oblivious one.

The last class was Technology 1, in which the students had to learn more about virtual computers, including how to operate commonly used programs. Drai had almost never used a VC, so he felt like a caveman who was trying to handle fire. Luckily, he had Natalia to help him so that he could barely follow the lesson.

All of this resulted in Drai's current mental exhaustion. Natalia even felt pity toward Drai that she didn't consider Drai a rival anymore but a poor soul whose knowledge and intelligence couldn't match his diligence. That's why she had been taking care of Drai throughout the day, displaying such attentiveness that resembled a motherly affection.

"At this rate, I'm going to start loathing Monday before the month's over," Drai muttered.

"Don't worry. You'll get used to it soon," Natalia remarked. "Besides, we only get theoretical classes two days in a week, Monday and Wednesday. The rest of the weekdays would probably be less taxing for you, at least mentally."

"I hope so," Drai said. His schedule was quite interesting as three whole days were dedicated to two classes. Body Transformation 1 used up all Tuesday and Friday while Combat Training 1 was on Thursday. On Wednesday were the rest of the supposedly theoretical classes, which were Flora 1, Fauna 1, and the elective Survival 1. Drai had chosen Survival 1 due to his roommates' advise, who had also chosen this course as their electives.

"Before we head back, let's exchange contact numbers," Natalia suggested, to which Drai agreed. The two quickly fiddled with their comms before putting them up close against each other to scan and receive the other's contact info.

"Okay, see you tomorrow Drai!" Natalia said as she patted Drai's shoulder and stood up. She then walked away toward the direction of the female dorm, which was in a different direction from the male dorm.

Drai stared at Natalia's departing figure, feeling deep gratitude for her help throughout the classes. He then checked the new contact in his comm while thinking that his mom's worries were so far unproven, as the people he met had been very kind to him.

However, Drai had to stop his thoughts due to the abrupt shock that he felt as he looked at the name under his new contact number. He immediately stood up and shouted to the distant figure of his new friend.

"Natalia! Is Alancho your uncle!??"

Drai actually had just learned from her contact info that Natalia's family name was "Skyward", which was also Alancho's last name. He was reminded of Auri's situation, which was the reason he suddenly asked such a question.

Hearing Drai's shout, Natalia stopped in her tracks. She briefly looked back at Drai before breaking into a smile. She then turned around and resumed her walk, ignoring Drai's inquiry. Soon, she was already gone from Drai's sight.

Drai was left there standing in shock. He could only watch helplessly as Natalia's figure disappeared.

Smiling wryly, he shook his head and prepared to head back to the dorm.

'It might just be a coincidence… or maybe she's like Auri and doesn't like to bring up family matters in the academy,' Drai thought as he steeled himself to never receive the answer to his question.

Suddenly, he noticed his comm flash, indicating that he had just received a message. Drai rarely received such messages except from his parents. He immediately opened it, expecting some words of encouragement or inquiry from Lina or Daro.

However, the message didn't contain any words but merely a picture. Drai could see three people posing in front of a military building with several soldiers in their vicinity. There was a man, a woman, and a young girl.

Drai instantly noticed that the man in the photo was Alancho. He was wearing a military garb and looked unusually happy, not exhibiting the fierceness shown in the numerous photos and videos of him that Drai had seen.

Drai's eyes moved toward the woman whose face he didn't recognize. She was fairly young and quite pretty. Her eyes shone with gentleness, which was in contrast to Alancho's sharp eyes.

Drai then looked at the young girl who was standing between the other two. He was immediately stunned because Drai had just become familiar with this face after today's classes.

She was a younger version of Natalia, lacking the azure scales, feminine figure, and slightly mature facial features of the current Natalia. The young Natalia was looking at the camera with a wide grin while holding hands with the other two people. She looked very bright and happy, which didn't really resemble the current Natalia who always looked composed and spirited.

Drai then noticed a caption underneath the photo, which made his eyes bulge as his breathing stopped.

Only after a while did Drai wake up from his stupor. He took a last look at the picture, which was now obvious that it had been sent by Natalia, before closing his comm's display.

Looking toward the distance where Natalia's departing figure had previously been, Drai took a deep breath, as he was still suffocating from astonishment.

Recalling the caption that read, "Visiting Dad's office with Mom," Drai's mouth opened slightly as he mumbled in daze.

"Natalia… is Alancho's daughter…"

***

In a dark corner, a figure was sending a message through a strange device.

Shortly after, a reply was received.

It took a while before N replied.

The figure then turned off the device and proceeded to swallow it. The device wasn't too small, but it didn't seem to affect the figure as he looked fine as if he had only swallowed water.

The figure stood up and stared at a distance, far beyond the confinement of the academy walls.

'It's been ten long years… Just a little bit more and it will all be over. The time I've spent won't be for naught!'

The figure stretched out his right hand as if attempting to reach for something unseen. Suddenly, the fist clenched as the figure's whole body shook in response to his fury.

After a brief moment, the figure calmed down and retracted his hand. Taking deep breaths, the figure stepped out from the shadows.

Looking at the grandiose buildings and numerous students, the figure smirked before carrying on, disappearing from sight.

No one would be able to tell that a peculiar conversation had just occurred at this inconspicuous corner, or so it seemed if not for the appearance of another figure who looked with intrigue at the dark corner then at the direction where the previous figure had gone to.

'Interesting… I wonder if I can get something out of this…"

With such thoughts in mind, the second figure also left the scene.

Purple clouds hovered in the reddish sky above the academy serenely, uncaring of the brewing schemes and the oblivious souls that would likely be implicated.

***