Except for the start of the class, the alchemy session went on peacefully with nothing big happening.
I just sat in the corner, listening to the lesson.
Professor Jacqueline kept eyeing me throughout the class, checking if I was doing something shady.
But I just let her, I can't blame her or stop her anyway.
And after two whole hours…
"That's all for today, class dismissed."
The class came to an end.
"What's my next class again?"
I asked myself as I stood up from my seat.
I hadn't looked at my full schedule, so I planned to check it again later.
'There's an hour of free time, what should I do?'
I initially thought of going back to the cabin, but that'd be too tiring and time-consuming.
So instead…
"I should visit Kyle."
I decided on that. It's been a long time since I checked on him.
'I wonder how he's doing.'
With that, I left the classroom and immediately headed to Kyle's store.
*****
Tap- tap- tap—
On my way to Kyle's store…
"Where are we headed again?"
Devin asked as he walked beside me.
"Ugh..."
I groaned in annoyance.
I didn't invite him, he just saw me leaving Xapham Hall and decided to come with me.
"…"
I've been ignoring him since earlier.
"Ah! I heard you made a flashy entrance on your first day in Alchemy Class."
But when Devin said that…
Tap—
My steps halted, and I turned to him.
"What?"
I asked him.
And with a carefree expression on his face…
"There's a rumor that you made a flashy entrance by attending the class late and getting into a fight with the professor."
He explained that to me.
A frown appeared on my face.
'I can't believe it, there are already rumors about it?'
I thought they would lose interest in me after being silent for a month, but it seems they hate Raye more than I thought.
"Haaa…"
I sighed in resignation, shaking my head.
"It's nothing big."
I said. Then I started telling Devin what actually happened to make him shut up.
...
…
"Well, that's a pretty flashy entrance if you ask me."
Devin said after hearing my story.
"Whatever. What I'm saying is that it wasn't intentional."
I responded.
I didn't tell him the reason I was late, I just think there's no need to.
Then, as we were walking…
"Catch him!"
"Stop right there!"
Bam!
Tap- tap- tap—
I heard a commotion nearby.
Looking in its direction…
"Oh?"
I saw Leon running after a guy.
Not far behind him, there was a beautiful young woman with silky-long black hair and obsidian-like eyes, she's holding a big staff as she follows after Leon.
I immediately recognized the young woman, it was Aria Themis—the main heroine in the game.
She's from the same village as Leon and the protagonist's childhood friend.
Anyway, looking at them…
'The game story is proceeding on time, that's good.'
I thought about that.
Act I: The Creepy Stalker.
That's probably ongoing right now, seeing Leon angrily chasing someone.
In this part of the game, Aria keeps receiving death threats and feels like she's being watched.
After Leon learned of this, he became angry and took charge of solving the matter.
'Soon, they'll find out the person behind this is just an obsessed noble from the second-year magic course.'
He was so in love with Aria that he tried to scare her, hoping that she would rely on him.
But when Leon entered the scene, he became furious and really tried to do shady stuff.
Anyway…
'That's that, I'll leave it to them.'
I don't plan to involve myself in that.
So, I went on my way and started walking toward Kyle's store again.
"That Leon guy is always doing crazy things ever since he got admitted. It's like he's some protagonist of a story or something."
Devin said as he followed me, he seems excited talking about it too.
'This guy is sharp even though he's stupid.'
I thought.
'I don't want him getting involved in the game story because of curiosity and messing it up.'
After all, this isn't like a game, everyone in this world has their own consciousness and will. They have their own life.
It's not just me that can be an unexpected variable. Anyone can.
'This is reality now.'
The people here aren't just NPCs who say the same thing over and over and just stay in their place.
I need to keep that in mind.
So to shift Devin's attention away from Leon...
"Don't mind him, let's just go. I'll treat you to some smoked beef."
I said that.
"Really? Thanks!"
Which worked like a charm.
*****
A few minutes later, Devin and I reached Kyle's store.
"Ah, Brother Raye!"
Kyle greeted me. He started calling me brother after we ate together on the first day of the class placement test.
"How're things going here?"
I asked as soon as Kyle approached us.
"Never been this good before!"
He exclaimed excitedly.
"After advertising like you said, customers kept coming like floods. I don't actually need to stay super late now!"
He added with a bright smile on his face.
"Ah, by the way, this is Devin, a classmate of mine."
Then I introduced Devin to him.
"Hello."
Devin said.
"Hello, I'm Kyle Larson."
Kyle introduced himself.
They shook hands, and after that…
"Can you make us something, Kyle?"
I asked him.
"I'll pay."
I added.
And at my words…
"Ah, wait!"
Kyle's eyes widened as if he just remembered something.
Then, with a grin on his face…
"Tadah!"
He handed me a small cloth bag.
"...?"
I was confused at first.
"Huh?"
But when I felt the bag's texture, I immediately realized what was inside.
Looking at Kyle, surprised…
"It's early."
I mumbled.
Kyle shook his head at my words.
Then, smiling at me…
"I wanted to surprise you, so I decided to give it earlier than we promised!"
He declared.
"Huh, what's happening?"
Devin asked, looking back and forth between us.
I ignored him and focused on the bag in my hand.
Opening it up…
"…"
It was full of gold coins, approximately 20 of them.
'It's more than in the game.'
I thought.
Looking up at Kyle…
I felt kinda proud, I knew he would succeed, but still seeing it now fills me up with happiness.
"I told you, my money isn't wasted on you."
I said to Kyle, smiling softly him.
"Thanks."
Flustered, Kyle thanked me.
And with that…
"We should all eat together, my treat!"
I declared.
And even though he had no idea what was happening…
"WHOOAAAAHH!!!"
Devin was excited when he heard my words.
"Free food!"
He exclaimed.
'I can't believe he's a noble.'