The cafeteria was loud and full of life. Students laughed, couples fed each other food, everyone tasting new dishes like they had no worries in the world.
Aether, Aisha and Vincent walked in Together, the moment they entered the atmosphere changed student started whispering to each other's.
They took trays, picked food, and sat at a table with five chairs.
Aether and others can hear the whispering going around in the hall
" Do you know that first ranked betrayed Aisha to get the reward" a girl whispering to others as if they don't care if Aether heard those whisperings
"Your reputation is pretty bad right now, bro," he said quietly. "Most people think what you did to Aisha was cold. But some of them… they actually agree with you. Said it was necessary. Relic was worth more than anything else."
Aether didn't answer it he was silent and eating the food he took, he thought about the betrayal he felt bad for betraying her, but he did what looked right to do at that time to get the relic.
After a while, Vincent's friends from Class B showed up. They joined the table, laughed, talked about the test, complained about their rankings. Aether listened more than he spoke. The food tasted like nothing.
All the Classes were Completed and now they were free to do whatever they want in this free time, the academy had allowed them to go outside the academy to city whenever they want.
Vincent caught Aether heading back to his room
" Hey bro want to come with me to academy's treasury I want a good sword for practice, and you are the first rank so you can get High-Grade weapon for free."
Aether thought about it. He had nothing else to do. Training sounded good, but his body still ached too much. He needed rest more than he wanted to admit, so he agreed.
Aether changed back to his normal dress, and they both reached the Exit gate, he saw a lot of Wyvern flying around with a Box tied to tier foot, few were flying in sky, and few were sitting in the garden.
Vincent caught Aether staring at them.
"This is The Talon carriage provided by Nexus corps for the travel to Castle of Afar. Academy bought these carriages for student so they can travel safely" Vincent explained
Aether Stopped at the spot he was walking, stunned and after hearing the name of Nexus corps. he was enraged, Vincent sensed the killing intent Aether showed towards Nexus Corps, but Lucia Interfered and pulled Aether's Soul into the Sanctuary.
"You can't show this here. Calm down. You're in public. If you lose control now, everyone will notice."
Aether took a slow breath. The rage cooled, but didn't vanish
" I know" he said "I'm fine now"
Lucia watched him little longer and let him go
Back in the real world, Vincent was still staring at him
"Bro… you okay?" Vincent asked. "You just… blanked out for a second."
Aether forced a small nod.
Vincent noticed the disturbance of Aether's mind and quickly changed the subject
" You know what? you can get a weapon for yourself too you are First rank so there will be plenty of high-grade weapons will be available for you"
" I'm better without a sword. It feels like dead weight. Not part of me. But I'll look. Maybe something else fits." Aether said
They reached the treasury. The guard checked their ID cards, nodded, and let them in.
Inside was a huge room — walls lined with weapons, racks of swords, spears, bows, staves. Accessories too: rings, amulets, bracers. Everything glowed faintly with enchantments.
Vincent found a spear almost immediately. long, black shaft, silver tip. he swung it once and smiled
" This one fit perfectly" he said
Aether walked the aisles slowly. Swords felt wrong. Axes too heavy. Staves too slow. Nothing looks to him.
He stopped at a shelf of elixirs — recovery potions, mana restoratives, strength boosters. They were expensive. First-rank discount helped, but still too much for what he had. he can only get Weapon for free
He left empty-handed. Two days passed quickly. The morning of the trip arrived.
Aether stood at the exit gate again, watching wyverns land and take off. Boxes tied to their feet. Students boarding in groups. Vincent appeared beside him, excited.
"Ready for this, bro? Castle of Alfar. Hidden chamber. Ancient elf magic. We're basically going treasure hunting."
Aether looked at the wyverns. At the sky.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I'm ready."