The next day came too early.
"Dumbass, wake up. Hey!"
Rin groaned, blinking open his eyes to find Ella leaning over him, her face way too close for comfort.
"Finally! You're up. Now get dressed—we're starting training."
Rin sat up with a scowl, squinting at the clock.
"It's five in the damn morning! What is wrong with you?"
"I just said—we're training," she replied casually.
"We could train anytime," Rin muttered, collapsing back into bed.
Ella huffed. "Nope. Wake up. I said wake up!"
Before Rin could roll over again, the door opened and the doctor stepped in. "Didn't think you'd be awake at this hour."
"Wasn't exactly my choice," Rin grumbled, glaring at Ella.
The doctor chuckled. "Well, the tests came back clear. You're fit to leave today."
Rin blinked. "Wait—seriously?"
Ella puffed out her chest. "Of course! If I hadn't woken you up, you'd still be drooling in bed. A pretty girl like me has great instincts."
Yeah, Rin thought, definitely not a lucky coincidence or anything.
"Well then, I'll take my leave," the doctor said, giving a polite nod before exiting.
Ella turned back to Rin with a smirk. "So… I don't think I can let you go back to sleep now."
"I know, I know," Rin sighed. "Let's just pack up."
As Rin gathered his things, Ella pointed to a small box sticking out of his bag. "Hey, what's that?"
Rin glanced down. "Oh. Cigarettes."
Her eyes widened. "How old are you?"
"Seventeen."
She blinked. "You're three years younger than me?!"
"I said seventeen, not seventeen hundred."
"I meant before I got sealed," she clarified, arms crossed.
"I know," Rin said, chuckling. "So you were twenty?"
"Yeah. And for the record, you should quit smoking. Not that I care, but still—"
"I'm already trying," Rin cut in. "Don't worry. It's not like I plan to die choking on smoke."
He slung his bag over his shoulder and headed for the door. As he approached the hospital counter, he saw two familiar faces waiting.
"Hey—Taro, Kaela."
Taro raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing out of your room?"
"The doc said I could leave early."
Kaela gave a small smile. "That's great. I was hoping to test my strength against you."
"Why me?" Rin asked. "Taro's way stronger."
"I—never mind," she muttered. "We were planning to head into the city. Want to come with?"
Ella leaned in excitedly. "Say yes! I want to see the city."
Rin hesitated. That city and I have history… But out loud, he said, "Yeah, I guess I'll go."
"Great!" Ella clapped her hands.
Kaela said "We'll meet at the gates in two hours!"
"Works for me. I've got something to do first."
Taro nodded. "Oh, right—here are the notes from class, just in case."
"Nah, I've got a better strategy," Rin replied.
"What strategy?" Ella asked.
You, of course, Rin thought. I'll just copy the answers you give me and save myself the effort.
Ella narrowed her eyes. "Are you using me?"
Yes, Rin admitted silently.
Taro shrugged. "Offer stands. Not too late to ask."
As they walked away from the building, Ella asked, "So, what's this 'something' you need to do?"
"Nothing big. Just heading back to my dorm to drop my stuff."
"Then why say two hours? That takes, like, ten minutes."
"…I don't have much money," Rin admitted. "I was hoping to ask Kobe for a bit so I wouldn't have to rely on Taro or Kaela."
Ella tilted her head. "That dark-skinned guy? Are you sure he has money?"
Rin shot her a look. "Are you being racist right now?"
"No! I'm just asking…"
"I don't want to burden anyone. That's all."
"Why not ask your parents?"
Rin flinched. Ella's expression shifted as she felt the emotions ripple through their link—anger, bitterness, and pain.
"They're dead," Rin said quietly. "My dad died before I was born, and… my mom isn't worth talking about."
"Oh. I'm sorry… I didn't know."
"It's fine."
Before she could say more, someone tapped Rin's shoulder.
He turned to see two girls. One gave him a friendly smile.
"Hi! Rin, right? We're in the same class. I wanted to ask something."
Rin blinked. "Ah, yeah. You're the two who fought during the entrance exams. Sorry—I forgot your names."
"That's fine," the girl said. "I'm Hana Greenthorn. This is Elira Vaelwyn. You can just call me Hana."
"Right. Got it."
"Well… we've been skipping class a bit," Hana admitted sheepishly. "Think we could get the notes? We can pay."
"Can't help much," Rin said. "I've been in the hospital because of that whole dungeon thing."
"Ah… I see."
"But if you want the notes, ask my friend Taro. Tell him Rin sent you."
"Thank you! I'll remember this. See you!"
As the girls walked off, Rin sighed.
What the hell was all that about?
Ella smirked. "I thought she was gonna ask you out."
"Why do you always make things weird?"
"Well, nobody would date you anyway," she teased.
They turned the corner—and there was Kobe, walking casually down the path.
Rin grinned. "Hey, Teach! Long time no see. Totally didn't bump into you yesterday."
Kobe smirked. "Out of the hospital already?"
"Yep. I actually wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Well… I don't have any money right now, and I kinda want to go to the city with Taro and Kaela…"
Kobe nodded, reaching into his pocket. "I've got thirty bronze coins on me. That work?"
Rin's eyes widened. "That's… a lot. Thanks."
"No problem. See you in class."
---
Two Hours Later
Taro and Kaela stood at the academy gate.
"Where the hell is he?" Kaela muttered.
"Yo!" Rin called out, jogging up with Ella behind him. "Sorry I'm late. Had things to do."
"Yeah, like taking a nap," Ella added. "I kept yelling at him to wake up."
Just as they were about to leave, the guards blocked their path.
"Names and destination?" one asked.
"Rin Takashima, Taro Okabe, Kaela Frostwyn. We're heading to the city."
"You three may go—except for Rin."
Rin blinked. "What? Why?"
"Due to your involvement in the dungeon incident, you're not permitted to leave without an escort."
A new voice spoke up.
"They're with me. Let them go."
The guards immediately stepped aside. "Our apologies, Professor Kobe. And Miss Arianna."
Rin turned, surprised. "You two are coming with us?"
Arianna gave a small wave. "We thought a visit to the city sounded nice."
"Oh," Taro said. "Even better."
As they walked out the academy gates, Rin glanced at Taro. "So, why the sudden trip to the city?"
Taro shrugged. "I don't know how to cook. Simple as that."
Rin raised a brow and looked at Kaela. "Shame your girl can't cook for you."
Kaela scowled. "Shut up."
"Maybe learn to do something other than run that mouth," Rin said, smirking. "Even Ella knows how to cook."
Kobe and Taro turned in unison. "Ella?"
"Oh—don't worry about it," Rin said quickly.
Ella smiled sweetly. "Actually, I can't cook. Never learned."
Rin stared at her. Didn't you say you were twenty? How do you not know—
"We had maids who handled all that," she said simply.
"You were a noble?"
"Yup. Still am."
Taro raised an eyebrow. "Didn't know my boy Rin had a girlfriend."
"She's three years older than me," Rin replied flatly. "Pretty sure that counts as illegal."
"I thought you'd say she was two thousand years older," Ella added.
Yeah, Rin thought. Let's go with that. A sealed spirit inside a flower that only I can see and hear. That won't make me sound insane at all.
"Come on," Ella said. "Let's move faster. I want to see the city!"
...
To be continued...