Chapter 87: An Invitation

A boy stepped through the doorway of the classroom, his silhouette casting a long shadow across the linoleum. He turned his gaze—eyes with unsettling black sclera and haunting purple irises—toward a cluster of his classmates.

They belonged to a world that didn’t know where to put him: Yagami Kaito stood with his arms folded; Tanaka Ren lounged in a chair; Watanabe Mei sat beside him, her legs crossed; Takahashi Yua was buried in the glowing screen of her phone; and Suzuki Haruto leaned against Kaito, their laughter ringing out like a melody he was never allowed to sing.

The boy moved toward them. As he walked, his vacant expression was forcefully pulled upward into a bright, brittle smile. He raised a hand in greeting.

As he drew near, the volume of the group’s chatter plummeted, replaced by a rustle of whispers.

“Hey guys, how are you doing?” he asked, his voice light and fragile, tilting his head slightly. “Can I join your talk too?”

The five exchanged glances, disgust flickering in their eyes, followed by fear. Seconds stretched into an agonizing eternity, the silence pressing against the boy’s chest.

Finally, Kaito turned his head.

“I… don’t think so?” Kaito said, his face feigning concern. “Don’t misunderstand… we’re just talking about some private stuff.” He laughed, but the sound was a hollow rattle.

The boy stared at Kaito, his purple irises shimmering. The invisible strings holding up his smile were suddenly cut, letting his lips collapse back into a neutral, lifeless line.

Whatever. At least I only had a little hope today, he thought as he walked past them, his footsteps echoing like a solitary heartbeat down an empty hall.

“Thank god he left,” Kaito whispered to Ren. “We can’t just coldly reject him because we don’t know what a weirdo like that might do. At least he can take a hint.”

The boy’s legs froze for a brief second. The whisper was a needle piercing his chest, thin and sharp.

But then he continued forward, his gaze fixed on the ground. This time, his lips curled into a smile—not a warm one, not a happy one, not even a sad one.

It’s fine… right? I was expecting that anyway. I just have to wait.

“What a freak,” Yua muttered, clicking her phone off.

“I know, right? Let’s just go somewhere else to talk. The air in here feels weird now,” Ren said, standing up.

As they filed out of the classroom, their whispers lingering in the air, the boy left his bag on his desk and stepped onto a nearby balcony. Placing both hands atop the parapet, he looked down at the school courtyard bustling with students.

I swear… if I ever get the chance, I’m going to kill all of you fuckers, just like I did to those two.

The world below seemed to twist and spin as his thoughts churned. The longer he stared, the deeper his rage burned.

Then—

“You’re alone again?” A voice echoed behind him.

The boy turned around. There, leaning against the balcony doorway, stood a youth with hair the color of a clear summer sky, wearing the same school uniform. His face was obscured by a distortion, yet the boy looked at him as if it were entirely normal, as if the blur were just another face in the crowd.

“You again?” the black-haired boy asked, his voice tinged with annoyance. “What do you want now?”

Before answering, the blue-haired boy stepped forward. Resting one foot against the parapet, he leaned into it, looking back with his featureless face.

“What are you talking about? Can’t I talk to you? Aren’t we friends?”

To the boy, even through the blur, it was obvious he was smiling—a grin that felt more genuine than anything in that classroom.

“‘Friends’…?” the boy asked in a daze, the word tasting foreign on his tongue. “Wait… you are—!”

He lunged toward the blue-haired boy, but the figure was already dissolving into mist.

“Wait!” The boy tried to grab him, but his hand passed harmlessly through his chest, clutching nothing but empty air.

***

“Wait!” Noa shouted, his hand shooting upward as if to catch a phantom.

“Noa? What’s wrong?” The voice was soft and grounding.

Noa blinked, looking around to find himself in the royal garden of Aurelyth’s castle.

He was lying on a bench, and the support beneath his head was not hard wood, but the warm, soft lap of Mara. She looked down at him, her face etched with a mother’s quiet concern.

Noa stared at her for a long moment, his chest heaving. He closed his eyes and let out a heavy exhale before sitting up.

“Nothing… just a shitty dream,” he finally answered. “Sorry to make you worry, Mom.”

Mara searched his face, her eyes warm. “…Are you really okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just something from the past. I think I mentioned some of it to you before.”

Patting his head in a comforting motion, she chuckled softly. “Okay then.”

He glanced up at her hand, then looked back at her face. “Stop doing that. I’m twenty-two right now, you know? I’m not a kid.”

She stopped patting his head and cupped his cheeks with both hands, a mischievous smile gracing her lips. “So what? I’m still a lot older than you, anyway.”

“That’s only like a twenty-three-year difference! And it doesn’t mean you have to—”

“Shh~” She placed a playful finger over his lips. Leaning in slightly, she whispered, “I’m a lot older than you think.”

What was she talking about? He didn’t know, but one thing was for sure: it annoyed him that she still treated him like a child.

Noa gently pushed her finger away before standing up from the bench.

“Whatever. I’m going to go meet Vionette. I’ll talk to you later,” he said, offering a parting wave.

“Mmm… you really can’t sit still without her, can you?” Mara teased, waving back cheerfully. “Go on then, go see your Princess.”

“…I hate it when you guys do that,” Noa muttered.

[Blink]

---

Vionette walked through the pristine hallways of Aurelyth Castle, dressed in her office attire. Her white hair caught the sunlight, shimmering like spun silk, while her crimson eyes, under the round glasses, surveyed the new territory they had carved out.

[Blink]

“…Why are you here, Blackie?” she asked without turning, tilting her head slightly. “Weren’t you with Mom just now?”

“I came to see you. I need to talk about something,” Noa said, stepping closer.

As she turned, Vionette paused. The lazy, carefree aura he usually carried was gone, replaced by a sudden gravity. Sensing the shift, Vionette’s smile faded.

“What is it?” she asked, her tone sharpening.

“Well… I need your help with something.”

Taking her glasses off, she studied him for a moment in surprise. It’s the first time he’s ever asked me for help.

She stepped forward and pulled him close, resting her forehead against his. The scent of jasmine filled the brief quiet between them.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered, a warm, grounding smile touching her lips. “I’ll do anything for you.”

“Thanks… here’s the thing…”

…

“I see. I’ll look into it.” After hearing his story, she nodded firmly.

The two were now making their way toward the office of the Aurelyth Archduke. Noa carried Vionette bridal-style in his arms, while she rested her head against his neck with her eyes closed, listening intently to his explanation.

“We’re here,” Noa said, halting in front of a massive set of double doors. “This is it, right?”

“Yes. I told them to gather here.” She slid effortlessly from his arms, smoothing down her red blouse.

The doors swung open, and the two entered, Vionette naturally looping her arm around Noa’s.

Inside, the inner circle was already gathered: Elina, Lina, Viselle, Kaelen, Rose, Lucien, and the new Archduke of Aurelyth, Elan. The chatter died down instantly as the pair took their seats at the head of the table, Rose taking her post behind Noa.

“Elan, how are things progressing here?” Vionette asked, her gaze sweeping across the room.

“No problems whatsoever, Lady Vionette. Please, do not worry,” Elan replied with a polite bow.

“Good. On to the main topic. The reason I called you all here—especially these two,” she said, gesturing toward Elina and Lina, “is because we…”

[Reserve]

“…have received this.” Vionette reached into the dimensional rift and drew out a cream-colored envelope sealed with black wax.

Six pairs of eyes—excluding Rose, who already knew—devoured the letter as Vionette placed it onto the table. Even Elina leaned forward, squinting at the parchment and pretending to read with intense concentration, though she privately considered it a waste of time.

“An invitation to the opening ceremony of the Onyx Spire Academy… in the Kingdom of Gergrain?” Lina muttered, her gaze darting toward Vionette.

She’s already finished reading? Elan wondered, casting a glance at the young girl.

“Ohh… I’ve heard about this,” Viselle said, her eyes widening slightly.

“Wait, we got the invite this early? I thought it wouldn’t show up until after that yearly council meeting whatever thingy,” Noa said, looking surprised. “It’s only been two months since you mentioned it.”

“Yep! It’s being held in exactly two months.” Vionette tucked the letter back into the spatial rift. “As stated in the letter, an invited kingdom can bring two guests in addition to the King and Queen. That’s why ya’all are here.”

“An academy ceremony? I’m in! I vote for myself!” Elina shouted, raising her hand immediately.

There’s going to be so many new food recipes there too… Wait! Does that mean I won’t get to try Miss Mara’s new dishes?! Her eyes widened, lost in frantic thought. But then again… what about the food over there? BUT then what about Miss Mara’s food—

“Actually, I’ve already picked the team. I’m just here to assign your roles while we’re gone,” Vionette said, letting out a playful huff of laughter.

“Huh?!” Elina’s dreams of a foreign buffet shattered like glass. Her hands trembled in dramatic despair.

Noa laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Sucks to be you, stupid lizard!”

“Kaelen and Rose,” Vionette began, looking at both of them. “You two are to protect Crimvane while we’re away. Contact us immediately if even a hint of trouble arises.”

“Yes, My Lady,” Rose nodded.

“I will establish contact every day for a formal report,” Kaelen added with a bow.

“Next… Elan and Lucien.” Activating [Reserve] again, Vionette handed a thick stack of documents to Lucien. “You two are heading to Lythoria. You’ll be handling the finer details of the trade routes and ensuring the alliance stays stable. Any other information you might need is in these files.”

“Lythoria? Just the two of us?” Lucien looked between himself and Elan. “We’re not that strong, you know?”

“Ahh… don’t sweat it, my dude.” Noa waved a hand lazily. “Lucien, you alone are more than enough.”

“Huh? Well… if you say so, Lord Noa,” Lucien, ever the prideful individual, agreed, his posture straightening instantly.

“Now then, the two joining us at the academy will be…” Vionette glanced at Viselle, then Lina, and finally Elina. “Our very own Elina-chan and Lina~” She flashed a sweet smile, spreading her hands as if presenting a grand prize.

“OHH!!! I knew you couldn’t do it without me!” Elina roared, her amber eyes igniting with excitement. Then a sudden thought crossed her mind, her eagerness dimming. “Wait… what about Viselle?”

If she’s left behind… wouldn’t she be lonely, like I was in that cave?

“Yeah, what about Viselle?” Lina asked, her blue eyes turning toward Vionette.

“She…” Vionette looked at Viselle and offered a gentle smile. “She doesn’t need to go with us.”

“Huh? We can’t le—”

“Yes, it won’t be necessary. Please, enjoy your journey,” Viselle interrupted, smiling back at Vionette.

Elina and Lina exchanged confused glances, wondering how the Viselle who usually lived for chaos was so willing to sit this one out.

“Hmph! Whatever! Do what you want then,” Elina said, sticking her tongue out at Viselle. “Just don’t cry when we come back with all the good stories.”

“Little Lizard, how are you of all people going to make me cry?” Viselle chuckled mockingly.

“You…!”

“Cut it out, rascals,” Noa said, standing up and stretching his arms. “Now then, let’s go see what this academy is all about. It’s time for a new arc.”

“Yay!”

“Please have a safe journey.”

“I’ll be waiting for you, Little Lizard~”

“Fuck off!”