Cillian walked alongside Kris as they made their way down the halls toward the school entrance. The buzz of students echoed through the corridors, but Cillian was more focused on Kris.
"So, how were classes today, Young Master?" Cillian asked with genuine curiosity, glancing over at him.
Kris shrugged, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
"Not bad. I actually made some friends."
Cillian stopped in his tracks, beaming with pride.
"Friends? Look at you, making connections already!" He quickly pulled out his phone, typing furiously as if taking notes.
Kris raised an eyebrow, amused. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making sure to remember this for when I report to the Masters later about how amazing their son is for making friends," Cillian said with a playful grin.
Kris shook his head. "You know I could just tell them myself. No need for a formal report."
Cillian blinked in surprised by his young masters changes.
"Wait, you don't mind telling your parents about your day? You're okay with that?"
Kris looked at him, confused.
"Why wouldn't I? Isn't that how parents work? Don't they usually ask about your day and stuff?" He paused, thinking back to the movies he'd watched in his old life during training camp—those cheesy, heartwarming family movies.
Being raised as an orphan, Kris only knew about family dynamics from what he'd seen on screen, but he figured it couldn't be much different in reality.
Hearing this, Cillian's expression softened, his eyes welling up with emotion. He staggered, covering his mouth to keep from crying. His fingers flew across his phone screen again before he dramatically declared, "Sent!"
Kris, completely unfazed by the display, just shook his head. "You're overreacting."
Cillian quickly composed himself and cleared his throat. "So, uh, why are we heading to the entrance?"
"Oh, right. I'm going out for lunch with Teacher Lea," Kris replied casually.
Cillian stopped dead in his tracks again, staring at Kris in disbelief. "You're going out… for lunch… with Teacher Lea?" His voice trembled with emotion, and once again, he staggered, covering his mouth as a tear slipped down his cheek.
'Finally! Master is going on a date! I must tell the Masters!' Without missing a beat, he pulled out his phone again, typed furiously, and proudly declared,
"Sent!"
Kris, now completely used to Cillian's theatrics, could only shake his head once more.
They arrived at the school entrance, where they stood waiting for Teacher Lea.
As they waited, Cillian decided to fill Kris in on some important details.
"By the way, Young Master, do you know who Teacher Lea really is?"
Kris shook his head, curious. "Not really. I assumed she was just a normal teacher."
Cillian chuckled. "Lea Lavigne is one of the youngest and brightest teachers at this school. She graduated early because of her groundbreaking research on Virals and their sentient minds."
Kris raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "How old is she, exactly?"
Remembering he thought Lea was only a freshmen the same as him.
Before Cillian could answer, the remarkable roar of an engine interrupted them. A large 4x4 truck came to a halt in front of them, its tires kicking up dust as it idled.
The windows rolled down slowly, and there, behind the wheel, was Teacher Lea.
"Let's go, Kris! We've got limited time!" Lea hastily said, a playful grin on her face.
Kris glanced and pointed at Cillian. "Can I bring him along?"
Before Lea could respond, Cillian suddenly doubled over dramatically. "I-I just remembered! I have to go to the bathroom. Urgently!" He clutched his stomach as if in pain, but the glint in his eye gave away the act.
Kris frowned, concerned. "We can reschedule if you're not feeling well. It's no problem—"
"No, no!" Cillian interrupted, waving his hands as if his life depended on it.
"Don't let me be a hindrance to your plans. Go on, have lunch without me! It's my duty to ensure you live your life to the fullest!" He spoke with the drama and flair of a stage actor, causing Kris to blink in confusion.
Kris shook his head and sighed.
"Alright, alright." He climbed into the truck, still concerned about Cillian's sudden 'illness.'
Lea raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Cillian's retreating figure. "Wasn't that the campus president, Cillian Reed, just now?"
Kris nodded. "Yeah, that's him. Strange guy, but good company."
Lea chuckled, her eyes drifting toward Kris as he settled into the seat, looking around the truck. The bulky vehicle reminded him of the massive military jeeps he once drove during his Marine missions. A brief flicker of emotion crossed his face—memories of a past life he still wasn't fully adjusted to.
Lea noticed the shift in his expression, feeling oddly captivated by the quiet depth in his eyes. "You okay there?"
Kris blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Yeah, just reminded me of something. Aren't we in a hurry?"
Lea smiled, snapping back into her energetic self. "You're right. Let's get going."
With a roar of the engine, the truck sped off down the road, leaving the school behind as they ventured off to whatever lunch destination Lea had in mind.
...
As their vehicle neared the towering castle-like structure known as Hell's Shelter, its grandeur became undeniable.
A side sign gleamed proudly, announcing "Deluxe Inferno – 5-Star Restaurant."
Despite the ominous names, the place looked like something out of a fairytale, with majestic spires and intricate stone carvings.
Up close, the blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication was clear, captivating any visitor who laid eyes on it.
A chauffeur approached their truck as it came to a halt. Kris and Lea stepped out, and Lea handed the keys to the chauffeur.
but before they could enter the grand hotel, a paparazzi suddenly blocked their way. Lea rolled her eyes, assuming they were after her.
then suddenly an influx of paparazzi came into the scene instantly blocking their way to the hotel.
While she was well-known in scientific circles, she wasn't famous enough in the entertainment world to draw this kind of attention.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a luxury car pulled up, and the paparazzi swarmed, clicking frantically.
Guards from the vehicle formed a human barrier, pushing the paparazzi aside as a tall figure stepped out of the car.
Long legs and model-like grace captivated everyone, including Kris and Lea. The young woman, exuded an effortless beauty, her tiny face perfectly framed with minimal makeup.
"Miss Kass! Over here!" one paparazzi yelled.
"Miss Kass, how does it feel to win your second Artist of the Year award at the GGA?" another shouted.
"Miss Kass, my mom loves you!" a fan added.
Lea was momentarily taken aback by the scene.
Despite her groundbreaking work on the sentient minds of Virals, she had never received this kind of reception.
She remembered her quiet interview for the Nobleness Award in the Magazine of Discoveries and couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
Kris, unaffected by the chaos, noticed a clear path into the hotel.
He nudged Lea, signaling toward the opening. Lea, still absorbed in the commotion, needed a moment before Kris gently pulled her along, ushering them inside unnoticed.
As they entered the opulent lobby, the paparazzi still in a frenzy outside, Kass, the young woman, paused for a split second.
Something about the figure entering the hotel struck her as familiar, but she quickly dismissed it, though her mind whispered,
'That can't be who I think it is…'
Inside, Kris and Lea approached the reception desk.
Lea had already booked a table using her connections, and the receptionist quickly guided them toward the restaurant. As they walked, Lea vented her frustration over the lack of recognition for her work.
"It's ridiculous," she muttered. "I literally discovered how Virals form sentient minds, and no one outside the Data Trainer community even cares. But someone sings a tune, and suddenly they're a star." She shook her head.
Kris, always pragmatic, simply nodded along, asking questions here and there about her study, though his mind seemed to be elsewhere.
Finally, they arrived at the restaurant and were seated by an attentive waiter.
Lea perused the menu, flipping through page after page, ordering multiple dishes as she went.
Every time she flipped a page she selected two or three items, Kris raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"I'm glad we managed to get a table here," Lea said, finally looking up.
"Yeah, it's really fancy," Kris replied, glancing around. "Never been anywhere like this before."
Lea paused, staring at him in disbelief.
Lea's eyes lingered on Kris, her curiosity piqued by his reaction to the extravagant setting.
"Aren't you supposed to be a rich scion?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
But as the thought crossed her mind, a flicker of doubt followed.
'What if the money I saw that day wasn't for something ordinary... but for a Data Beast?'
The realization unsettled her, making her regret her actions.
Kris shrugged, his expression casual. "I don't mind. let's just enjoy our lunch."
Their food began arriving, dish after dish filling the table.
Kris watched in quiet amusement as Lea tackled her meal with enthusiasm. He thought to himself,
'How is she going to finish all this?'
After a few minutes, Kris caught the waiter's attention.
"Could I get a 30-year-old eastern whiskey? and a Chilled glass, with an orbital glacial ice cube, please."
The waiter, observing Kris's confident and composed demeanor, nodded without hesitation. Despite Kris's youthful appearance, his mature presence gave the impression that he knew exactly what he was asking for.
With a polite smile, the waiter turned and swiftly left to fulfill the request, clearly convinced by Kris's calm authority.
Lea blinked at him in confusion.
"Isn't that, you know, alcohol?" Lea asked, raising an eyebrow as she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You're a minor."
Kris chuckled, brushing off her concern with a casual wave. "Just eat before your food gets cold."
Lea, still uneasy, glanced at Kris again. His calm, self-assured demeanor only deepened her suspicions.
'He must have done this a lot' she thought, her mind racing.
'He might really be a rich scion. Finally I get to clutch on a rich guy's leg. My food drought is over!' Lea rejoiced in her mind
Lea dove into her food, savoring each dish as it arrived, while Kris sampled a variety of offerings scattered across the table.
He was enjoying the atmosphere, but his attention was drawn to the arrival of his whiskey. The waiter approached, presenting the drink with a flourish, as if unveiling a masterpiece for Kris's approval.
With a swift motion, Kris removed the cork, the satisfying pop resonating in the air. He held the glass to his nose, closing his eyes to fully immerse himself in the scent. The rich, smoky aroma enveloped him, releasing hints of caramel, oak, and a subtle spice that stirred a sense of nostalgia within him.
He took a moment, letting the fragrance wash over him like a warm embrace before he opened his eyes and smiled at the waiter.
The waiter, feeling a rush of satisfaction, nodded in acknowledgment as he set the chilled glass with the orbital glacial ice down in front of Kris.
"Enjoy, sir," he said, stepping back to give Kris his moment.
Kris picked up the glass, admiring the way the light danced through the amber liquid, glinting against the glacial cube that floated effortlessly. He swirled it gently, watching the ice shift, then brought the glass to his lips.
With practiced grace, he took a small sip, allowing the whiskey to coat his palate. He let the rich flavors unfold slowly, appreciating the warmth that spread through him as the alcohol mingled with the nuanced notes of the drink.
Kris savored the balance of sweetness and smokiness, closing his eyes briefly to enhance the experience.
The whiskey lingered, leaving a smooth finish that tasted like an old memory—a reminder of his old life where the taste was his only experience of relief.
Lea watched in awe, admiring every movement he made.
To her, it was as if he was performing an intricate dance. Each gesture was fluid and deliberate, turning the simple act of drinking into a captivating show.
The way he savored the whiskey, the flicker of joy in his expression, and the subtle elegance of his demeanor left her mesmerized. It was a moment of artistry that felt both intimate and grand, showcasing a side of Kris that intrigued her deeply.
Eventually, Kris caught her gaze and offered her the whiskey.
"Want to try a sip?"
Lea, still captivated, nodded and took the glass.
The moment the liquid hit her throat, she winced, coughing uncontrollably.
"How do you drink this? It feels like I swallowed a broken glass!" she gasped, downing a glass of water to soothe the burning sensation.
Kris laughed heartily, finding her reaction endearing. "Guess it's not for everyone."
Lea, still recovering, waved him off.
"Stop laughing, it's not funny!"
After they finished their meal, Kris checked his watch.
"We should get going. I've still got class this afternoon."
Lea nodded in agreement, her casual demeanor shifting as she signaled the waiter for the bill.
But before she could ask Kris for the payment, the waiter's voice cut through the air with an unexpected revelation.
"Your bill has already been covered," he announced, his eyes darting to a figure approaching their table.