A full day had passed since Kaela agreed to join their group. Morning sunlight spilled across the academy courtyard as Rin and Taro walked side by side toward their classroom.
Ahead of them, Kaela walked alone, her white hair catching the light.
"Hey! Kaela!" Taro called out with a casual wave.
She didn't turn. Didn't flinch. It was like no one had spoken.
"The hell?" Taro muttered. "Aren't we a team now?"
Rin scoffed. "You think we'd get along with that creature? Keep dreaming."
Kaela stopped mid-step. Slowly, she turned, her expression sharp as ice. "You really are desperate for a fight, aren't you?"
Around them, students paused to watch. Whispers spread like sparks on dry grass.
"They're at it again?"
Rin didn't even glance at her. "I'm just stating facts," he said, walking past.
Taro groaned internally. Not again… Then, out loud, "Kaela, don't mind him. He'll come around. Just give it time."
Kaela sneered. "I never said I wanted to get along with someone like him."
The three entered the classroom in tense silence. A few seconds later, Kobe strode in and clapped his hands once.
"Everyone, take a seat."
His eyes scanned the room—and landed briefly on Rin. There was a pause. A sigh.
"Today, we're going over what your group assignments will be," he continued, motioning to a glowing screen that floated beside him. "Each team will be assigned a dungeon based on your performance in the placement exams. You'll explore and report back."
The screen shifted to show maps and symbols.
"Each team will also have a leader. You'll decide that among yourselves."
Kobe gave Rin a pointed look.
"Make sure you get along with your team. You don't know what could happen in there."
Then his tone shifted slightly, more serious.
"The mission starts in two days. Prepare yourselves. If something dangerous happens, your student watch will signal the nearest instructor—but don't let that make you careless. Anything could happen."
He snapped his fingers. "Dismissed."
As the students got up to leave, Taro glanced over at Rin. "What do you think of this group mission thing?"
Rin folded his arms. "Sounds like Kobe picked something annoying on purpose."
Kaela's voice cut in cold. "Didn't I already tell you not to refer to instructors by name? Or were you deaf the first time?"
Rin turned to her, unbothered. "I'll call them whatever I want. Stop spewing nonsense and move on."
"You're really disgusting," Kaela muttered.
Taro, visibly suffering inside, held back a scream. "Please," he begged. "Just stop. Both of you."
Then, after a breath, he turned to Kaela. "Want to eat lunch with us?"
Kaela hesitated, then shrugged. "Sure."
she glanced once at Rin's back. Why does he get under my skin so easily…?
Rin clicked his tongue.
Kaela's eyes narrowed. "What was that? You really are trying to pick a fight."
Rin stood abruptly. "I'm going to the bathroom. Don't wait up. I'll meet you both at the cafeteria."
Taro nodded. "Alright. See you there."
As Rin walked alone through the hall, something caught his eye.
A single feather drifted down from the sky. It wasn't normal—not in shape, nor in feel. There was an hourglass symbol etched into the center of it.
The moment he focused on it, a wave of dizziness hit.
Dreams he couldn't fully remember flashed and faded in his mind.
Then pain.
His head throbbed like it was about to explode. He collapsed, grabbing at his skull, gasping for breath. His vision blurred. The world spun.
Voices echoed around him, distant and hollow.
"are you okay?"
"Someone call the infirmary!"
But Rin couldn't hear any of it. He was consumed by the pain.
Back near the cafeteria, Taro and Kaela stopped as a faint commotion reached them.
"What's that?" Taro asked.
Kaela frowned. "I don't know. Let's go check."
They approached a crowd of students gathered in a circle.
"What's going on?" Taro asked one of them.
"A student collapsed. They're calling the doctors."
Taro leaned over, trying to get a better look. The color drained from his face.
"Rin…?"
He pushed through the crowd. "RIN!"
Kaela called after him. "Wait—what happened?!"
But Taro didn't answer. He dropped to Rin's side. "Rin! Rin, what's wrong?! Talk to me!"
Moments later, medical staff arrived. They gently moved Taro aside and carried Rin toward the academy's hospital.
Taro and Kaela followed in silence, hearts pounding.
Hours passed.
They sat outside Rin's room, waiting. The quiet buzz of magic and machinery filled the hall.
Taro stared blankly at the glowing panel across from them. He remembered a night back home—when Rin collapsed after training too hard in the rain. It had been the first time Taro ever felt afraid of losing him.
Finally, a doctor emerged. Taro was on his feet before the door fully opened.
"What happened? Is he okay?"
The doctor gave a reassuring nod. "He's fine. No physical injuries. We gave him a potion to help him rest. He might've just been suffering from extreme exhaustion or stress. We'll know more once he wakes up."
The door closed again.
Kaela broke the silence. "What do you think happened?"
Taro stared at the floor. "I don't know. The doctor said there's no injury, but… Rin wasn't just tired. You saw it. He was in pain. Like something was tearing through his mind."
Kaela's voice was low. "Yeah… That's what makes it even stranger."
They both fell silent, watching the door.
Waiting.
Taro clenched his fists, a cold dread sinking into his chest. Please… just wake up.
---
To be continued...