Chapter Twenty-Three: An Unexpected Ally
The days that followed were tense. Rumors about Rin's altercation with the upper-class students had escalated, morphing into wild tales that ranged from him single-handedly defeating an army to uncovering a secret treasure hidden in the forest. Rin, unsurprisingly, ignored the noise. He focused on his daily routine, pretending as if nothing had happened.
Keon, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. Every shadow, every sudden noise, made him jump. Rin found it almost amusing—almost.
"Relax, kid," Rin said one morning as they made their way to class. "They're not going to jump us in broad daylight."
"That's easy for you to say," Keon muttered, glancing over his shoulder. "You didn't see the way they were looking at you in the cafeteria yesterday. They're planning something, Rin."
"Let them plan," Rin replied with a shrug. "Worrying about it isn't going to change anything."
Keon sighed but didn't argue.
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A Message from Above
The first class of the day was combat theory, held in one of the academy's massive lecture halls. Rin and Keon found seats near the back, as usual, hoping to stay out of sight.
As the lecture began, Rin's attention drifted. The instructor was droning on about battlefield strategies, but Rin found the ceiling far more interesting. He was just starting to nod off when a small piece of folded paper landed on his desk.
He blinked, glancing around to see who had thrown it. No one was looking his way.
"Another note?" Keon whispered, peeking over Rin's shoulder.
Rin unfolded the paper, his brow furrowing as he read the message.
"Meet me at the old library after class. We need to talk."
There was no signature, but Rin recognized the handwriting. It was Lila's.
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The Old Library
The old library was a relic of the academy's past, a sprawling building filled with dusty shelves and forgotten tomes. It had been replaced by a modern facility years ago, but students still used it as a place to hide away or hold secret meetings.
Rin arrived shortly after class, his hands in his pockets as he stepped through the creaking double doors. The air inside was cool and smelled faintly of old parchment.
"Lila?" he called out, his voice echoing through the empty space.
"Over here," came her reply.
He followed the sound to a secluded corner of the library, where Lila was waiting. She looked nervous, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
"Thanks for coming," she said quietly.
Rin leaned against a nearby shelf, crossing his arms. "What's this about?"
Lila hesitated, glancing around as if to make sure they were alone. "I wanted to warn you," she said finally. "The Crimson Circle… they're planning something big. I overheard them talking last night."
"And you're telling me this because…?" Rin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because I don't want to see you get hurt," Lila said, her voice firm. "You saved my life, Rin. I owe you. And if the Crimson Circle gets their way, you won't stand a chance."
Rin smirked. "You think I'm scared of a bunch of spoiled brats with magic tricks?"
"You should be," Lila said sharply. "They're not just spoiled brats. They have resources, connections, and power. Real power. If you underestimate them, you're as good as dead."
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A New Perspective
Lila's warning hung in the air as Rin made his way back to the dorms. He didn't want to admit it, but her words had struck a nerve. The Crimson Circle wasn't just a group of bullies—they were an organized, dangerous faction with influence that extended far beyond the academy.
As he walked, Rin found himself lost in thought. He wasn't used to relying on others, but the stakes were higher now. He couldn't afford to make mistakes.
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A Mysterious Visitor
That night, as Rin was preparing for bed, there was a knock at the door. Keon, who had been reading on his bed, looked up in surprise.
"Expecting someone?" he asked.
Rin shook his head and opened the door. Standing on the other side was a tall, slender man with dark hair and sharp features. He was dressed in a pristine suit, his demeanor calm and composed.
"Rin Park, I presume?" the man said, his voice smooth.
"Who's asking?" Rin replied, his eyes narrowing.
The man smiled faintly. "My name is Elias. I represent an organization that has taken a… keen interest in you."
Rin raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? And what organization would that be?"
Elias stepped inside, ignoring the question. He glanced around the room before turning back to Rin.
"You've made quite a name for yourself," he said. "The incident in the forest, your confrontation with the Crimson Circle—it's all very impressive."
"Glad someone thinks so," Rin said dryly. "Now, are you going to tell me what you want, or are we just going to stand here making small talk?"
Elias chuckled. "Straight to the point. I like that. Very well. My organization is called the Vanguard. We specialize in… counterbalancing the excesses of groups like the Crimson Circle."
Rin folded his arms. "Counterbalancing, huh? Sounds like a fancy way of saying you don't like them."
"Let's just say our goals are aligned," Elias said, his smile never wavering. "We believe the Crimson Circle has overstepped their bounds. And we believe you may be the key to stopping them."
Rin snorted. "Me? I'm just an F-rank nobody. What makes you think I can do anything about them?"
"Your rank is irrelevant," Elias said. "What matters is your resolve. You've already proven that you're willing to stand up to them. That's more than most can say."
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An Offer
Elias reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, silver emblem. He held it out to Rin.
"This is a token of our support," he said. "If you accept, we'll provide you with resources, information, and protection. In return, all we ask is your cooperation."
Rin stared at the emblem, his mind racing. He didn't trust Elias, but the offer was tempting. The Crimson Circle was a threat he couldn't ignore, and having an ally—even a shady one—might give him the edge he needed.
"What happens if I say no?" Rin asked.
Elias's smile faded slightly. "Then you're on your own. But I wouldn't recommend it. The Crimson Circle is already moving against you. Without our help, you won't last long."
Rin glanced at Keon, who was watching the exchange nervously. Finally, he took the emblem and slipped it into his pocket.
"Fine," he said. "I'll hear you out. But if this turns out to be a waste of my time, don't expect me to stick around."
"Understood," Elias said, his smile returning. "Welcome to the Vanguard, Rin Park. I have a feeling this is the beginning of a very fruitful partnership."
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End of Chapter 23