Everything was going downhill when the headmaster had so much paperwork to deal with, especially regarding the people's concerns of their children's well being that were attending the academy due to Rei's presence.
"No matter how many reasons and important points that I have put up with them. They are absolutely stupid and shameless." Sho sighed as another paper came from the administration department in Ethereal itself to put Rei in isolation for safety measures.
However, they couldn't do anything since Sho had a great reputation and is well respected among other continents and figures in Ethereal itself.
"Any reports of who leaked it?" He asked his secretary, the green haired woman who was the proctor of the sports event. "No progress. They are tight with their movements since I haven't seen any suspicious behaviour from our staff or students that may have broken in." She said as Sho nodded his head.
"I see. Asides from that, please keep tabs with Eunji, Rinka, Eri and Elliot's report regarding Rei's current mental state. We can't have someone relapsing hard or spiralling worse." He said as Eto nodded her head before leaving although she stopped for a moment, "Yes sir. I'll keep you updated if there are any updates." She said before heading out and closing the door behind her.
...…
Rinka was trying her best not to pressure the male as Rei was barely able to focus with his training. Refining his new technique seemed to become unstable due to not putting enough or too much power into his 'Totality' technique.
"That's enough. Take a rest." The orange-haired girl said as she went to help Rei although the latter slapped her hand away.
"It's fine. I can keep going." Rei said as Rinka noticed his stubbornness as he continued talking while training with his new technique, "I was just out of focus. I can go 20% this time!"
Red sparks instantly went all over him as Rinka watched the male get better than before, her mind wondering if the latter was really fine and forcing himself. "He looks fine but I can tell that he's struggling." She thought to herself as Rei was barely able to make noticeable mistakes when landing or when getting his stance all messed up.
"At this point. He's not gonna be able to get into his flow and start spiralling down." Rinka sighed as she immediately activated her prowess, commanding Rei to fight with her.
Once the fight had started, she had already saw the tiny bridge and gaps that Rei had left opened due to his unfocused state and how he was just desperate to continue, the way he throws his punches was careless as the orange haired girl used that opening to throw him away before landing her foot onto his guts.
Rei grunted in pain as he was sent a few feet away from her, struggling to get up and keep up with her although the latter was barely putting any effort which made the male frustrated.
"You're overthinking everything." Rinka stated that startled Rei before continuing further, "You have too many things on your mind."
"I know-" Rinka immediately interrupted him, "If you keep thinking that way, then it will happen. So stop worrying about other things when you have something or someone to keep on continuing for yourself."
Rei was internally having a dilemma under his own mind before her next words had broken him out of his negative feelings and thoughts.
"Get a grip of yourself. Sylvie needs you and she can't bear to see you like this, so get a goddamn hold of yourself and live your own life rather than listening to these pieces of shxt that can't find their own path."
Her words made him clench his fists, the bad memories of his childhood immediately vanishing as it was replaced with the warmth of his moments with Sylvie and the new friends that supported him.
"Thank you." He muttered silently although Rinka smirked as she manifested two long blades, "So. Who are you?" She asked as Rei smiled before powering up instantly as red sparks went haywire which surprised her.
"I'm Rei Nishimura. Sylvie's closest friend. I am not the fallen. I am his vessel and I control my own decisions!" He shouted as he immediately dashed in, his fighting stance and execution of his punches much more refined and precise than before.
...…
Eunji arrived at the Assault Division training area as she was about to tell the two to end class early for today since she was worried that Rei might break although the sight before her had changed the sorceress's decision.
"I'll let them go for a few more hours. Maybe I'll ask the headmaster for our division to have a week break. It's been awhile since I even had a break." Eunji thought to herself before leaving the two to continue fighting as she made her way to the headmaster's office.
...…
Rei was relaxing with his friends at his dorms when Eunji had told him to take the day off since their extracurricular class will end early and will have a short week break for a while before he can get to work once again after recovering physically and mentally.
"Really? He did that?" He asked as Haruki was embarrassed with Erika who looked smug at telling the male's mishap from two years ago.
"Yup. He had to immediately cover himself on the stage after accidentally burning his own clothes from his own prowess." Erika said while Hinata tried her best not to let out a laugh but sneaked a giggle out while Sylvie was laughing at the story.
"Very funny…" Haruki muttered before smirking back, "Shall I tell them your first year here?" He remarked as Erika started blushing.
"No. You don't dare…" She uttered before Hinata held her, "Go on! Tell them!" The pink haired girl said mischievously as Erika tried her best to get out of her hold.
"Back when we were freshmen. Erika over here tripped on the stairway while trying to look nonchalant while reading a book. What's worse is she blamed me for it when there were a lot of people who saw it." He said while chuckling as Rei laughed softly before asking him, "Really? Was she actually reading to look cool or what?"
"Trying to look cool." Haruki answered as Erika's face turned red, embarrassed at her own story.
It was a lot of laughter which brought Rei out of his zone, relaxing and finally being at ease due to them making him smile and laugh then have fun.
They played games in which they all enjoyed Sylvie's losses in every match of PvP games while they all cheered and impressed with Rei's gaming skills which made the whole dynamic of the magenta haired girl and him become even funnier.
"You know. We should do this again." Rei said as the rest agreed with him, after all, they're still young and are looking forward to their future.
The group decides with the paths that they'll take while supporting each other no matter what. Rei decided to share a bit of his past as a late-bloomer to which Erika and Sylvie found to be intriguing since late-bloomers were rare at this generation.
A lot of questions of his parents in which he answered immediately, a 'blank' father and an awakened mother which he still had clue about but Sylvie reassured him almost immediately.
They were having fun until curfew was up when their phones had vibrated, seeing Eunji's message to them to pack it all up. While they were disappointed at such an early reminder, they still had fun as they began to say their goodbye to each other although Sylvie still stayed to sleep over at his dorm as usual.
"Hey, Sylvie." Rei called out as he was washing the dishes, "What?" Sylvie responded while she was changing into her pajamas.
"Thanks for everything again." He said, which made her smile before hugging him from behind, "No need to thank me. I'll always be here when you need me." She smiled as she hugged him tightly.
The cries of the ancient being within Rei was complaining but didn't say anything since there's nothing that they can change as it had already incarnated in his body. "I should've hid myself much better than this…" The being muttering to themselves before blocking the view and drowning out the noises of the two.
...…
The next three days, it was supposed to be a quick scouting mission with Rei, Sylvie and the trio since they've received a formal request from Ethereal's letter for them to take in which made them confused but still took it.
It was simple since Rei was the team leader and at front line, Sylvie as the medical and support unit while Haruki was the rear guard then Erika and Hinata being the main assault and defense since their prowess were compatible with each other.
They were supposed to head back after checking the abandoned building at the far East corner of Ethereal although it would go downhill after encountering something that they had not expected…
...…
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