HUNTERS ALLIANCE - CHAPTER NINE: DISTANCE

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQRrPXUcov

The classroom was louder than usual.

Voices bounced off the stone walls while students dragged chairs across the floor, laughed with each other, and argued over who cheated during yesterday’s combat simulation.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9mMHJ1bXh

The morning sunlight poured through the tall windows of the academy tower, stretching across rows of wooden desks marked with scratches, initials, and old knife cuts from previous trainees.

Roshan Ryn stepped into the room quietly.

Too quietly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGyxbNzN31

Normally Daren would yell something stupid the moment he entered.

Lira would complain about how late he was.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkCJAdk2nJ

Miko would wave at him while pretending not to.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lr9jMM929

Today?

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkyTyEDNqT

Nothing.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQG2iTMN7e

Roshan’s eyes immediately found them near the far side of the room.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6CdgkB4jI

Daren leaned against the wall with his arms crossed while speaking to Miko. Lira sat on top of one of the desks nearby, flipping through her notebook. They looked serious.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZLzu1TfYf

Not angry.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlXnhc5NWR

Worse.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj4U6E2AJH

Distant.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgojNmthTp

Roshan swallowed slightly before walking toward them.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfewjH1YTxp

“Morning,” he said casually.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwz77T7iFd

Lira glanced at him for barely a second before looking back at her notes.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh7JZvDI6D

Miko shifted awkwardly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR70wWA6El

Daren didn’t answer at all.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgZmBWKq7k

The silence hit harder than Roshan expected.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZxJPriKim

“…Right,” Roshan muttered.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRRbkBu6cc

Before he could say anything else, Daren grabbed a chair and pulled it toward another row.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauRiQVRIrs

Lira followed him.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s1Z5vKNFO

Then Miko hesitated for a moment before quietly taking her bag and joining them.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRqki4yg7C

Roshan stood there awkwardly while several nearby students noticed immediately.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHvmNoqvwH

Whispers started.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hXEYc1czc

“That’s awkward…”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QVMwAZLxE

“Didn’t they used to sit together?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslaZkXRw6V

“I heard they fought after the exam.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVsigBKavH

“No, I heard Roshan almost got Miko killed.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkixDdj0ZU

“That’s not what happened.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VNckmk2Av

“Still… something definitely happened.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9RKQNP0QL

Roshan clenched his jaw.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhErabmlU5

Great.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUpei6Zmy0

Now the entire class was turning into gossip addicts.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0WfYS0UZ9

A chair suddenly scraped beside him.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRmbo06cRH

“You look like someone stole your favorite food.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVZjlxJLea

Roshan looked sideways.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KcEdmBHp5

Sorrow dropped into the seat beside him carelessly, stretching her arms behind her head.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITYQyFUd1y

Her black eyes lazily scanned the room.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLQJCb8vIR

“You want me to stab someone?” she asked casually.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw00DldRcN

Roshan blinked.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlvzDZBWQl

“…What?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrTfTuWkLD

“You’re making that face.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd3mkplQax

“What face?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWhDEZ0qIH

“The ‘I’m one inconvenience away from becoming a criminal’ face.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRp1KBcTQZ

Roshan snorted despite himself.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf07xKJ60Q5

“You say weird things.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolFL7lQYMn

“And yet I’m still your favorite person in this room.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FECvWTWvp

“That’s a low competition.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf4CydWOMA

“Exactly.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l3reuY0zN

Several students stared at Sorrow nervously.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBZWiEtHoq

Most trainees still didn’t fully understand her.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLzyL5NwlQ

Some thought she was dangerous.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEE5TlgJ9Z

Others thought she was insane.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cIevMcDRD

Both were technically correct.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTuFpq9vUQ

Suddenly—

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYLGl09PyV

The classroom door slammed open so hard it hit the wall.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasra3RuwJw

The entire class flinched.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKWX7ffdz8

A tall man stepped inside wearing a dark academy coat with gloves covering his hands.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsacw9Su6tU

Instructor Garrick.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFv4816pfv

The room instantly died.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAnvoOoVkd

Unlike most instructors, Garrick never needed to yell to scare people.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZvy6sEQe6

His presence alone did the work.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtiJ5uS4Yf

A long scar stretched from the side of his jaw to his neck, and his sharp eyes scanned the students like he was deciding who would survive the year.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlgHoRvHIi

Behind him walked Professor Velric.

Velric looked exhausted.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijHvojVTc6

His coat hung loosely over his shoulders while faint shadows rested beneath his eyes.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJcKU1pUnP

Roshan noticed it immediately.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc74JfTQAm

Something happened.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjwdhu8MFl

Velric rarely looked tired.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBpY71zPHI

Garrick dropped several heavy books onto the desk.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD6V8PiLT4

The loud thud made one student jump.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIoXKmFgsS

Garrick noticed.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOeTnNts9K

“…Pathetic,” he muttered.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsWjV56q9R

The student immediately looked down.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqQG1tNYdS

A nervous silence filled the room.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYmuzZzo24

Then Garrick slowly looked around the class.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp6232ecSY

“Good morning, disappointments.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKZibywuyZ

A few students groaned quietly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNszkUU6xkJ

“Ah,” Garrick said dryly, “some of you still have enough energy to complain.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwzMegCXEB

Wonderful.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSqlxqTD2y

Nobody answered.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKV4gumS66

Nobody ever answered Garrick.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdrjPfTCSk

Because somehow he always turned conversations into threats.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE5J6uBX8F

Garrick crossed his arms.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8cq3ZsGy0

“Today we’ll be learning survival theory and recovery procedures after monster encounters.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu5buPvQsU

Several students sighed.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuB6Vj4myD

One boy near the back raised his hand hesitantly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypASxXVYET

“T-Teacher… can’t we do combat training instead?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmbov9U6PA

Garrick stared at him for a long moment.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQpxzrBwGb

The room became painfully quiet.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP94dQtptp

Then Garrick nodded slowly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ82SnFYEDw

“Excellent idea.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5IsCoUm5Y

The student brightened slightly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5pCRiQD6o

Garrick continued.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP00Wj9kCAU

“Next time a monster rips your stomach open, you can fight your own organs back into your body.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTsH6vLw9t

The class burst into nervous laughter while the boy immediately lowered his hand.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe027ZrUK4Y

Sorrow leaned toward Roshan slightly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpvTn5vFZ6

“I like him.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjTSpIXvqK

Roshan stared at her.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFknDzbaesq

“Of course you do.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujwa90MuGk

“He speaks like a villain. It’s inspiring.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnygFKs2Ra

Garrick began writing several medical procedures onto the board with sharp aggressive strokes.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojcTcBwugI

“Most hunters do not die because monsters are strong,” he said flatly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN6g0uw9UL

He turned toward the class.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr9TCxZBpc

“They die because they panic. Because they hesitate. Because they overestimate themselves.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Skek27ev

For a brief moment…

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCcqCrwXbh

His eyes landed directly on Roshan.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeVWtwGVZ5

Roshan stiffened slightly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0qtVwdlLh

Then Garrick continued speaking like nothing happened.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5cFtAq5Ph

“Or because they’re idiots.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rqaJITQsE

A few students laughed nervously.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlbSCx61pG

Meanwhile, Roshan barely focused.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZOEOaXUba

His eyes kept drifting toward his friends.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFlGNP2zBb

Toward the empty space between them.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNrM1Mvjet

Miko quietly listened while writing notes.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E72jMhXtv

Lira occasionally answered Garrick’s questions correctly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWsRl4qmXD

Daren leaned back in his chair but still paid attention.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fF3m5DPWY

None of them looked at Roshan once.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4ROUZ7I4V

Not once.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf3dN0n9og

The irritation slowly returned to his chest.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQYNB1b7OV

He still didn’t fully understand why they were acting like this.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITtwRAjRLI

Yes, things went wrong during the practical exam.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG4WHHKNLh

Yes, Miko got hurt.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf8M4WTEmy

But he saved everyone in the end, didn’t he?

Why were they treating him like the villain?

Beside him, Sorrow suddenly spoke quietly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMAZvaKdNj

“You keep staring at them like you’re waiting for them to explode.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ27LwRjIV

Roshan sighed.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVQurAwSxv

“They’re being ridiculous.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1af9hThAn

“Maybe.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck3ogenxTN

“You saw what happened.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXG8yu8N2R

“I did.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4YCgpWJDv

Roshan crossed his arms.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVaiXT3rpU

“They’re acting like everything was my fault.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHet8g8lwu

Sorrow tilted her head slightly but didn’t answer immediately.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34CCZJ6rfx

And for some reason…

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FJSKFDFVr

That annoyed him more.

—

After class ended, students immediately flooded out into the hallways.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MAYNCRfzx

Some rushed toward lunch.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFfwu1iwKU

Others headed for training sessions.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdik0FDW1ts

The academy quickly returned to its usual chaos.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD58HV6sO8

Roshan moved quickly through the crowd.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyBZ7e2dTO

“Daren!”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHv6IFpoYj

His friend kept walking.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTpJVtdlpS

Roshan caught up and grabbed his shoulder lightly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMLDlIMzM6

“Can we talk?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBagAw9Yls4

Daren pulled away.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssl0eHSdhO

“About what?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOIGGjgV9S

Roshan frowned.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4BxqA3nCE

“What’s your problem?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TfymxVWgY

“My problem?” Daren laughed humorlessly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKPNVsOBjd

“Seriously?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkqFDdq15E

Lira stopped walking ahead of them while Miko looked uncomfortable nearby.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSfvDgySeU

Roshan exhaled sharply.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskpQWKQVuc

“You guys have been ignoring me for days.”

“Maybe there’s a reason,” Lira replied coldly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3sRwxnHW3

Roshan stared at her.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB75pW0eogX

“You too?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo3I42gKEd

“You almost got Miko killed.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4dI3UwZ3g

“I saved her!”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbANIspraO8

“You endangered her first!”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgBEJOoOcc

Several nearby students slowed down slightly, pretending not to listen.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYLbtoUlVE

Roshan noticed immediately.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri1UYfcVfV

His embarrassment turned into irritation.

“I was trying to win.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9AYQiYdML

“And that mattered more than your team?” Daren snapped.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMW9k85kW2

Roshan stepped forward.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRdeFEjtdk

“You think I wanted anyone hurt?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0WzbnUI5c

“No,” Miko finally spoke softly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMGlRIrNpu

Everyone looked at her.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mtAao53IW

She lowered her eyes.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTEd84AndQ

“But you stopped listening to us.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY2yI8EpLw

The hallway became quiet around them.

Roshan opened his mouth—

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOazYWxKy0

Then closed it again.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5t3JuJMFX

Because deep down…

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs9hGTO6Up

Some part of him knew she wasn’t completely wrong.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYGwsKeW2z

But his pride refused to accept it.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KNWyHsGG2

“So what?” he muttered. “You’re all just abandoning me now?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9oozZOv6J

Lira scoffed.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZLsRI9GY9

“Stop acting like you’re the victim here.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0LzRVbpzg

That one hit harder than Roshan expected.

For a second, nobody spoke.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gT3PRnGW6

Then Daren sighed tiredly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdr0KJlX2Y

“We need space, Roshan."

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65ac9kSj6W

The words felt like a punch straight to the chest.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun8Hy2rM2S

Before Roshan could respond, the three of them walked away together.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk5JCAUjsX

Leaving him standing alone in the hallway while students whispered around him.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqUIue4E6x

Roshan stared at the floor silently.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViYf6DMjgp

Then he turned and left without another word.

—

Inside the academy’s administrative tower, Velric stood near the window of Reese’s office.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEdyXX1gvE

Rain clouds slowly gathered outside in the distance.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJO4UkXtJP

The atmosphere inside the room felt heavy.

Reese leaned against her desk while listening carefully.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPVWZS7kNK

“…They actually said that?” she asked finally.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcbrZc3JS2

Velric nodded slowly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqfhYkJp5X

“The Alliance leadership wants expansion.”

Reese looked disgusted immediately.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yvRNEkRDH

“You mean conquest.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1LTP5Sf6n

“They call it protection.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD4pOYI9aq

“They always do.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYYbeAmP28

Velric sighed tiredly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn6GvkFCCo

“The northern territories are unstable after the last monster wave. The council believes this is the perfect opportunity to expand Alliance authority across the continent.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuScvtJ1mi

Reese folded her arms tightly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsCykrsEte

“And if those territories refuse?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqspgQlkJl

Velric looked at her quietly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchUHD9Xb8Q

“That’s the part that concerns me.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4RksdTKc5

Reese cursed under her breath.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8KEmrdnUn

“That’s insanity. The Hunters Alliance was created to protect humanity from monsters—not rule over kingdoms.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3om5ZjSbk

Velric nodded once.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqXWQPjNmO

“I argued the same thing.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfoCwbpBjY

“And?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW4ZQJol4Y

A bitter smile appeared on his face.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCPKEmT43e

“You already know how those meetings go.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBU483xObR

Reese looked away angrily.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbCHyhoI5h

Of course she knew.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs3TPAPT0A

The higher officials only listened when power benefited them.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXzu8guy5s

Morality came second.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhzNyoP6PX

Sometimes third.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO05mRVOre

Sometimes never.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaGsEymmoh

After a long silence, Velric finally asked,

“How is Roshan?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqtoTc2Vwr

Reese raised an eyebrow.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42N0XYSRx9

“You’re worried about him?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G5W29qOOu

“I’m worried about what he might become.”

That answer lingered heavily in the room.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8f7BVWkfl

Reese walked toward the window slowly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HrCBLodJ3

“He’s talented,” she admitted. “Too talented.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkfLa82iIz

“But?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5NnlydiSC

“He’s starting to enjoy attention too much.”

Velric closed his eyes briefly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgDfBWRBAR

That was exactly what he feared.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PIyI0cNmz

Reese sighed.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNXKcf5bBy

“I still have things under control for now.”

“For now,” Velric repeated quietly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm43nQsGevm

Neither of them sounded convinced.

—

The open training grounds stretched across the southern side of the academy.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzQNuIDVQY

Large stone arenas stood beneath the cloudy sky while trainees practiced sword forms, spear drills, and hand-to-hand combat nearby.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFfbtEm74d

The sound of clashing metal echoed endlessly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRtL5EGsXI

Roshan sat alone on the edge of one arena while spinning a practice dagger through his fingers.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitrkiUT2lu

Sorrow sat beside him lazily eating something that looked suspiciously stolen.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonqTYAATd5

“You know,” she said between bites, “normal people usually apologize when their friends are angry."

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX4wWmiS3G

Roshan frowned.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIRSZy3FcP

“I didn’t do anything unforgivable.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5CeRkiaw7

“Mhm.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt8boaIqjF

“You don’t agree?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWy1JG6tgz

Sorrow shrugged.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tApbRyOAB

“I think both sides are stupid.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qpLnhebdI

Roshan blinked.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJbKekiwh1

“That’s not helpful.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99znX9linz

“You want helpful or honest?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kBM3TXNIK

“…Fair point.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSKobbglpM

Sorrow leaned back against the stone railing.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIAr0WnWkZ

“Your friends are hurt because they think you cared more about winning than them.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTXKvVzfLj

“I was trying to protect us.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WV3AQUIsQ

“You were trying to prove yourself."

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fHK0P3QQE

Roshan immediately looked away.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGzj9NjsmK

Because that part was true.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItuYjmBFkU

Sorrow watched him quietly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5KiyyXSod

“You hate feeling weak,” she continued.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDcFbHsC94

Roshan stayed silent.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOppz5iIhw

“And now that people finally notice you…” she smirked slightly, “…you don’t want to lose that feeling.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxylZvjOtvP

The words irritated him because they sounded too accurate.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkcs8s3Rbo

Roshan stood suddenly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNwJ4or1fi

“They’re overreacting.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhywuiD8ibp

Sorrow sighed dramatically.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBka3NOvvC

“There it is again.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCASDDlBvfk

“What?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywPVdrergp

“That thing where you only hear yourself.”

Roshan looked frustrated now.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLW802I2eP

“So I’m just supposed to let them blame me for everything?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jXey86TFj

“No.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvDrwgC3eg

“Then what?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OSS4hGcL5

Sorrow tossed the remains of her snack aside carelessly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL5oIUed0Q

“You listen.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPmillFn2w

Roshan laughed bitterly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19TzZmVIni

“They won’t even talk to me.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbYGCfprBt

“Because every time they try, you defend yourself instead of understanding them.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZDWub5y2X

Roshan opened his mouth—

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpV98r5wni

Then stopped.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8SviwPQhM

The training grounds suddenly grew quieter.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkhriwVq3a

Several trainees nearby turned toward the main gate.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiadTGn4Rf0

A strange tension spread through the air.

Roshan frowned.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwb4psZiBA

“What’s happening?”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwRZ5nGCLp

Sorrow slowly stood.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R0T8U9oHV

For the first time all day…

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqNLJCFtwr

Her playful expression disappeared completely.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVHPJZAl6q

At the entrance of the training grounds stood three figures wearing long black coats marked with the silver crest of the central Hunters Alliance.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvXqunE437

Elite officials.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcIZQQTn9I

Even the instructors nearby looked uneasy.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3B0inRr5x

One of the officials stepped forward slowly.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhazvHXPp3g

Then his cold eyes locked directly onto Roshan.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGTFfnuCLQ

And smiled.

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqJj4jSPf8

“We’ve finally found him.”

47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRALrs2KZ9

ns216.73.217.22da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically