Chapter 39 — No Place to Hide
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Kael Grenfort:
I stepped outside.
The streets were packed with people. Wherever I looked, everyone was talking about the same thing.
— Did you feel that pressure?
— That wasn't ordinary…
— I thought the ground was shaking.
— No. Someone was behind it.
— I heard a lot of people passed out.
I walked on in silence.
So the news has already spread across the entire city.
The aura of those three Immortals had shaken the whole city to its core.
A clothing shop on my route caught my eye.
I don't have proper clothes for tomorrow's training. Since I'm passing by anyway, might as well pick something up.
I entered the shop. The middle-aged shopkeeper looked me over — scanning my clothes, my posture, my demeanor.
"Welcome, young sir. What can I get for you?"
"I need training clothes."
"Oh, then take a look at this."
He placed a black outfit before me.
"This is specially made for fighting human opponents."
"No. Show me something else."
"How about this one?"
He pulled out another set.
"This one is for hunting magical beasts."
I glanced at it.
"They all look the same, don't they?"
"Hmm... then take a look at this."
He brought out yet another outfit.
This… looks way too much like women's clothing.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Are you mocking me?"
"N-no, sir! This is the best outfit for fighting demons!"
"What? So demon hunters dress like succubi to fight? What kind of taste is that…?"
Just then, my eyes fell on another set hanging in the corner of the shop.
"That one."
"Yes?"
"The one in the corner."
"Ohh... this one?"
He brought it over.
Simple. Comfortable. Exactly what I needed.
The shopkeeper studied me from head to toe.
"Young sir… judging by your clothes, you must study at Revius Academy."
"Yes."
"I heard only nobles and children from wealthy families study there."
He smirked.
"To be honest… if you weren't wearing that uniform, I would have assumed you had no money and thrown you out already."
I shot him a cold glare. My fingers tightened in my pocket.
"Do I really look that poor?"
He let out an awkward laugh.
"No… just joking."
His eyes fell on my ear.
"To be honest… there's a little blood on your ear. Nobles don't usually walk around like that."
Oh, right. I forgot to wipe that off. Thanks for the reminder.
I paid more than the price of the clothes and left the shop.
I made my way back toward the academy.
The streets were still buzzing. Everyone was talking about that unnatural pressure. But no one… no one knew who had caused it.
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Two guards stood at the academy entrance.
Before reaching the gate, I ducked into a small side street and wiped the blood off my ears.
Wait…
Why am I even preparing to walk in normally?
It's late. If a new student enters the academy at this hour, questions will immediately arise.
"Where did he come from?"
"When did he leave?"
There's no need to raise unnecessary suspicion.
I pulled the invisibility cloth from the ring.
Hmm… as long as I make no sound, the guards won't notice me. Even Hamel didn't spot me… or maybe he did, and just pretended not to?
Doesn't matter. I'll find out later.
I wrapped the cloth around myself and headed toward the academy gate.
I walked slowly, silently, past the guards.
One of the guards yawned.
"Alright, it's getting late. Shall we close up?"
"Yeah, let's close. The director's not here anyway. If we close a bit early, no one will care."
Seriously? Right when I'm trying to get in?
They started closing the gate. I quickened my pace — just as it was about to shut, I slipped through.
Ahh, barely made it.
I walked a bit further and entered the main building.
Students were finishing their classes and heading back — most of them, anyway. I moved to the side and removed the cloth.
I leaned against the wall and let out a deep sigh. I stood there for a few minutes.
Alright. Let's go.
I stepped out from the side and started walking toward the dormitory.
Then I glanced back at the main gate. The surrounding fence was about five meters high. The gate itself was massive. It was closed, but the barrier on top hadn't been activated yet.
And beyond the fence, a woman was staring straight at me.
Her gaze made my legs tremble. My heart started pounding.
Who is that?
"Hey, activate the barrier!" one of the guards called out.
One of them ran into the guardhouse.
"Gentlemen," the woman said, approaching the gate. "May I come in?"
"Oh, if you can verify your identity and you're here to visit someone — that's fine. But only second-years and above, since their classes haven't started yet."
"Oh, is that so? I have a brother and sister studying here — one in first year, one in third. So I could visit the third-year?"
"Of course. But he's probably not here yet — most third-years haven't arrived."
"He came yesterday."
"What's your business?"
"I need to give him something. I forgot to hand it over the other evening."
Oh, damn it. Time to run.
I sprinted toward the dormitory.
Faster, faster, faster!
I burst into the dormitory. I needed to get to my room.
I reached my door and grabbed the handle — then stopped.
No. She might know which room is mine. And if she does, I'll be putting others at risk too.
I began walking slowly through the hall. A few students were coming out of their rooms.
I went up to the second floor, then the third, and slipped into an empty room. The second and third floors were mostly empty — or at least, very few people were there.
"Criss!"
A voice echoed through the hall.
"Criss, where are you? I know you're here. Come out!"
"Hey, you're not supposed to make noise here!" someone protested.
A door opened and a boy stepped out. The woman rushed over, struck him on the neck, and knocked him unconscious.
"Don't give me orders," she said, dragging him back into his room.
"Criss!" she called out again, stepping into the hall.
Good thing only two third-years have arrived so far — otherwise I'd have been exposed.
"Look what I'm willing to do for you, Criss… or should I call you Kael?"
She smirked.
She started walking toward this room.
Oh, no. Where can I hide?
My eyes fell on the closet.
She opened the door.
"Criss, are you in here?"
She stepped inside the room. I was in the closet.
"Not here, huh?" she muttered, and left the room.
She headed toward the corner of the hall — toward the restroom.
Good. If she comes back in, she'll spot me.
I slipped out of the closet and peeked through the door to check the hall.
Yes. She's in the restroom.
I moved quietly, soundlessly, toward the stairs.
Footsteps echoed from below.
Ah, damn it!
I started climbing upward.
I made it to the roof of the dormitory and held the door shut, pressing my weight against it from the inside.
The footsteps grew louder, closer. Then suddenly — they stopped.
I held my breath, keeping absolute silence, listening intently.
Is it over? Did I lose her?
I finally relaxed.
Uhhh, I made it.
I leaned against the door. Then I stood up, cracked it open, and peered down the stairs.
No one was there. Good.
"Ohhh, where were you running to, Criss?"
A voice came from behind me.
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. No, don't tell me… she's behind me…
I turned around and looked into her eyes. In the dark night, they glowed with a crimson light.
"I had business with you, Criss."
Twin swords appeared in her hands. She scraped them against each other.
"Or to be more precise..."
She smiled coldly.
"You bastard... Grenfort."
No room to retreat. Behind me — the railing. In front of me — her.
I slowly raised my hands. My fingers brushed against the ring.
Careful. This time, it's serious.
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