Robert tapped in air couple of times till Luka got a notification on his chip, Robert messaged him a file, he curiously opened his screen and scrolled through it, a familiar face showed up, someone he traveled with before.
"SKY?!!!" He exclaimed flabbergasted.
"You know her?" Robert wondered.
"Ah?! w..we traveled together all they to academy, she is Natalie's childhood friend. That's why...I mean..are you sure? Sky is just like me, a poor villager, nothing notable about her background".
"Poor or not, elements doesn't favor its bearers regarding to such trivial things. What's important is,...Luka I want you to take her away at least till her brother come back" Robert stated.
"Brother? Wait... what?!!"
"Her adoptive brother Dante, the second ranked from last year".
Sulked thinking, Luka remembered hearing about him, the (B) ranking nightwalker with high potentials. But then again, how in the world someone like him was adopted into a poor family? Then he remembered their situation is reversed.
"According to information, her brother will be sent into expedition to the ruins of city (C) under his highness appeal. Although before all of this, I was going to quest him to find some resources like star dust, Meryl's feather, and etc. But I think it's also a good idea if you go instead. You know...gain some experiences and stuff" Robert said turning to him.
"Huh?"
Luka eyes twitched and was growing darker, this old man really doesn't know how to make a proper conversation, rolling around ambush. Robert quickly waved his hands exclaiming:
"Think about it. I will give you 1% of materials as good deed, and one star point for each item, what do you say helping this old bones here?"
Luka can withstand this harsh training but the oldster is on another level, he frowned bumping the Screw drive on ground.
"What the hell?! Then why did you burden my shoulders with such heavy informations, was that just doddering signs?!" He was furious.
"How lame. I told that...because I trust you Luka" Robert smiled with sparkling eyes.
Luka's felt warmth and flatter-hearted as he grinned foolishly rubbing his back head.
"Sir Robert..." Yet that was foreshadowing to his fast dark switch..."I pray you travel to hell soon..." He menacingly stated shooting him death glare.
Poor Robert shivered heart broken.
"Both you and Sam are so mean! Ungrateful divel's spwans" He cried.
Knowing he just wanted to send Sky away with him for awhile was only because he meant well, Luka sighed massaging his temple from upcoming headache. However, it's actually a good deal hard to refuse. Calculating the benefits against the losses, he sighed again then nodded accepting his offer.
"If you know about Sky's affinity wouldn't there be others who know too" Luka shared his concern about Sky's situation.
Giggling like young naughty kid Robert stated:
"Nope, I changed most of the information related to her affinity. Even if she used it upfront, they will pass it off as some branch affinity".
"Alright then, when should we depart?"
As a habit of his, Robert rubbed his chin, then snatched a small wrinkled paper then handed it over to him. Luka awkwardly fixed it to read the written information about their destination.
"Hmm?...Ryett ruins? isn't this...?" Luka was puzzled.
"Yes?"
Robert grinned knowing Luka's short temper made him fly in rage inwardly. To think he wants to send him to abandon palace in the desert even though most of these materials can be get from safer common places?!
Luka swallowed his anger and gave up the idea of arguing with his master. He hid the paper inside his pocket and hastened to leave but his feetsteps halted when Robert stated:
"Think of it as a chance to prove yourself, kiddo" He smirked.
Sending him a glare one last time Luka then left the research facility in with thoughts clashing in his head.
[Teacher's Hall]
Class (B):
"Just to let you know, if anyone got less than rank thirty in the rank's ascending test next week.. I'll kick you out myself from academy, got it?!"
Out of fear, class (B) students nodded aggressively as they were threatened by the man infront them.
Him on the otherside looked satisfied with the impact he left along with creepy smile printed in their poor mind.
"I swear!...I just..want..."
"Shush! Cheryl! If Helton hears you..."
Grumps abit, Cheryl sat again glaring at the new young master of Greens family. Honestly, she was surprised Helton didn't question him at all, even when he was twenty minutes late. he humiliating those who dare to enter after him before suspending them for two weeks if not a month, is Helton's normal reaction.
She must gazed along on him Luka felt her stares as he turned back to the tangerine-like head girl who narrowed her eyes scanning him curiously.
' What was her name again? Cheesy..., Cheery? Hmm..whatever. I need to find Sky and others before they leave the building' Luka's thoughts surfaced.
Gathering his things, he headed to class (C) in a haste, it wasn't that far from his class, so it was short walk. Luckily, he glimpsed Sky, Natalie, Sara among other people grouping outside class while discussing something.
"So,...teacher hurricane won't be able to teach us this week too?"
Disappointed, Natalie asked Winter who was facing her.
"Unfortunately no, it seems the issues between the Morgens and councils get worse these days, that's why they needed someone with no belong to any sector". Winter replied.
"And you'll be teaching us instead, right Winter?"
"Looks like it" Said Winter chuckling at excited Sky's reaction.
"Ah..Hello, everyone" Luka barged into conversation greeting them, he immediately turned to him, his friends were surprised to see him here.
"Luka? Oh...its Luka! long time no seen"
Sara brightly smiled and was about to hug him only Luka dodged her, and plainly added:
"Yea, for almost a month. I hope everyone doing fine".
He felt awkward meeting them again, its not like he abandoned them or anything, however, he doesn't remember the many times he glimpsed their figures from a distance but avoided them everytime, until Natalie caught him off guard, hence, they became study companions. He would've prepared much better if he knew this day will come this soon.
Stretching his lips into a smile he couldn't help but to glare at Sky who lively waved goodbye to Winter following by menacingly glare but to shift into surprise.
"We're fine so far,...Oh! You...changed? I mean changed so much Luka,...good for you"
Clicking his tongue at her tone specially the last words.
"Changing is part of growth, Sky" He blankly stated.
"Is that so?" So did Sky.
Feeling out of place in this tense atmosphere, Feng steps back tending to leave then Sky called out for him.
"Where are you going Feng? didn't we agree to train together?"
"Well...I thought..." Feng stuttered.
If they left now he won't be able to do what's he's here for, thus with a sigh Luka announced
the commission and rewards, hoping he gets their attention.
As he was done explaining what he knows so far, Sky questioned:
"So...each one of us get one star point, hmm.. its about 100ul, right?"
Luka positively nodded then added:
"Maybe more if we found all the requested materials. Unfortunately, I can only take three more people with me".
Sky noticed his nervousness and grew suspicious, she trusts her guts and she survived because of it until this day, so thinking there is more into this commission she glared at him.