"...Mhm~"
Gray stretched his arms high over his head, letting out a satisfied hum as he walked away from the bloodstained training grounds.
"Finally… time to leave this dump."
[...Really? Isn't the academy's entrance exam… in a month or so? You've got time, no?]
"So?" Gray muttered, eyes half-lidded with boredom. "I still need to buy a few things in Gloria City… and that's exactly why I stole one of my stepsister's ruby pendants."
[…You what?]
"Yup. Took it the night before leaving the D'Aurélion Manor," he replied casually, hands in his pockets.
"I knew I was gonna get kicked out eventually, so I figured, why not make it worth it? And it wasn't just any pendant… it was one of Alina's favorites."
[Alina?]
"My dear, sweet oldest stepsister," he replied with a grin, teeth flashing faintly as his voice dropped into a dark, teasing tone.
"I really can't wait to see her again…"
A chill ran down his back, not from fear, but anticipation.
