Leaving her FIC, Isla looked around her silently. Everyone seemed rather exhausted after a long day of school. The very first day had indeed come to an end and its effects were certainly clear on the students.
“Ugh, I just want to go to sleep.”
“Me too… I’m hungry…”
“Do you want to go eat out?”
“No. I’m going home.”
Even Isla herself was feeling a little tired after an entire day. But, she wasn’t as affected as everyone else. She was accustomed to intense work rate and constant stress physical and mental. So, as much as she wanted to go home, she wasn’t as eager as everyone else.
‘I wonder what he wants with Arthur.’ She looked at the only unopened FIC in the class with a calm expression. She was very curious as to what Theodore wanted to talk about but she knew he would not let her listen to them.
‘I will ask him when he comes out.’ Resting her back against the FIC, she closed her eyes as she waited patiently. At that moment, a few students approached Isla slowly.
“Mmm, excuse us… Miss Isla.”
“What?” Isla opened her eyes and looked up at the group. They immediately flinched when they made eye contact with her. “Can I help you?”
“Well… Ehem, we are going to celebrate our first day in the academy and we thought umm… Do you want to go with us?”
“Go with you?”
“…” Isla eyed everyone there for a moment, giving them an awfully awkward few seconds of silence. She could see some hope and excitement in their eyes, wishing for her to accept their offer.
If they could get her to join them in their celebration, they would be able to create some kind of connection with her that they could use for their own benefit. However, it didn’t take long for their hopes to get completely crushed.
“No, I have some other things to do. Thank you for your invitation.” Isla shook her head.
“… Is that so?” Their hopeful looks immediately vanished. They couldn’t hide their disappointment at all. Then, one of them suddenly said.
“Does it have to do with that guy?” He asked with an almost mocking tone. He was one of the students that saw them together earlier that day and since then, he had kept an eye on Arthur. The boy didn’t stand out at all amongst the other students.
In fact, he was quite mediocre and their training session proved that. He was lacking a lot compared to other students. He looked completely clueless while swinging the sword like an idiot with no technique at all.
Those who saw it were completely confused. ‘Why is she friends with him? He’s clearly not that good at anything. I could be a better friend to her than that person!’
They were very jealous of Arthur’s privileged position and they wanted to snatch it from him one way or another. But, to do that, they had to somehow catch Isla’s attention, something that Arthur had somehow done.
However, he didn’t realize the disaster he had just done. Isla’s attitude shifted instantly as she looked at him coldly. “I believe it isn’t something that concerns you.”
The boy felt a chill run down his spine as his bravado crumbled instantly.
“No, he meant… We were just curious about your relationship with that guy. Are you really friends?” His friend instantly tried to save the situation with any excuse he can come up with.
“…” Isla stared at the boy coldly before she replied. “As I said, whether we are friends or not is none of your business. For your own sake, I believe you should stay away from this matter and especially from him. I’m just giving you some advice for your own good.” Isla’s tone was flat, but the threat was as clear as day and the message was even clearer.
‘Do not even try to mess with Arthur or you will bear the consequences.’
At that moment, Arthur’s capsule started opening as the boy emerged from it. So, Isla picked herself up and moved away from the group toward him. Then, the two walked out of the classroom, leaving a stunned group of students behind them.
‘What is even their relationship?’
***
“What did he tell you?” Isla asked.
“… Well, it’s a little complicated. But, don’t worry about it, it’s not something serious.” Arthur replied with a laugh.
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, he just wanted to talk about training.” Arthur rubbed the back of his head.
Isla squinted her eyes and stared at Arthur silently. Something told her that it wasn’t as simple as Arthur was trying to make it, but she couldn’t really see what it was. She also didn’t want to push Arthur to tell her when he didn’t want to.
‘If it isn’t a problem, then it is none of my business.’ She thought to herself.
“Isla! Arthur!! We’re here!” A good distance away from them, Herculia threw his hand up, waving at them with a smile.
“Let’s go, Isla. They’re calling for us.” Arthur said as he nudged her.
“… Yeah.”
Gathering with the group, they all left the building and headed back to the main hall where they went down the elevator along with everyone else. The time was almost 6 pm and the sun was setting in the distance.
“AAAGH! Freedom! I can finally breathe some fresh air.” Arthur stretched his limbs.
“Do you guys want to go out for dinner? We have to celebrate the first day like everyone else!” Emmy clapped her hand excitedly.
“Hmm, maybe two hours from now. I want to take a shower and take a nap.” Danny replied.
“That’s fine. That’s around the time I eat dinner myself. What about you Isla?”
“… I do not mind.”
“Great! That’s a done deal!”
“Mmm, can you guys go without me?”
However, surprisingly, Arthur refused the offer. Knowing his personality, Arthur was usually the one to ask such questions.
“Why?”
“Mm, yeah, I have to do some stuff,” Arthur said with an apologetic look on his face.
“Oh come on, man. It’s not as fun without you!” Herculia tapped his shoulder roughly.
“Hahaha, I’m really sorry. Let’s go tomorrow, ok?” Arthur said.
“…” Isla squinted her eyes for a moment. ‘He’s definitely hiding something.
“Ok, man, if you’re busy, nothing can be done about it. But, you better keep your promise tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I promise we will go tomorrow. Now, I’m gonna excuse myself. See you later guys!”
Before anyone could even say anything, Arthur stormed away in a hurry. They watched his silhouette vanish into the academy city.
“I wonder what he has to do.”
“Knowing Arthur, probably something weird,” Emmy replied.
“… Good riddance.”
“Hey, don’t be mean, Danny!” Emmy smacked her friend’s shoulder.
“Tsk, I don’t care. Let’s go.”
With that, the group started walking again, going back to their dormitories. However, unbeknownst to them, Arthur didn’t go too far after he took a turn. Standing near the wall, he waited for them to vanish. Resting against the wall, he heaved a sigh of relief before he looked up.
“You have got to be kidding me…” He muttered as he rubbed his face. “The joke is not funny, man.”
A//N: Don’t forget to give the book some golden tickets for good luck! :3
