“Well, I’ll be off now. Jared… you take care of yourself, okay?”

I smiled at Neron and nodded.

We didn’t need many words to correspond to whatever we had in our respective heads.

There was bound to be some ‘funny business’ to occur in his absence, mostly having to do with whatever penalty I would be getting from the higher-ups.

In the few days I had gotten to know my dear teacher, it was evident to me that he was similar to me in many aspects–that included thought faculties as well. He must have also suspected a few things on his own.

“You should take care of yourself too…” I returned his words, watching as he turned his back and began leaving.

“Sure.”

In a flash–no, faster than that­–Neron vanished from my sight. The evening wind howled as my outfit soaked in the chilly breeze, allowing it to tingle my tired body.

“Huu… looks like he was right. I should rest up a bit…” My smile showed hints of exhaustion and I collapsed to the ground.

THUMP

I didn’t even feel the impact. My numb body simply went into a brief moment of hibernation. One could question my decision to stay out in the open–unguarded. It wasn’t a safe choice.

However, it was certain I wasn’t in any form of danger at the moment. I just needed a moment to catch my breath.

‘He’s gone… in two days, no, I basically have one whole day left. I’ll be getting my punishment then, uh?’

There were many ways to wiggle out of this one, so I had to play my cards well. The problem was the ‘other party’. Whoever was sent after me, most likely the mastermind himself–or someone closely related–was already in Ainzlak. That much I was certain of.

Everything added up, except the fact that I couldn’t predict what would happen next.‘What will his move be? I can’t wait to find out…’

He had better pray I wasn’t going to survive from whatever scheme he had going since I would be nabbing him right after he played his card.

‘Huuu… training, planning, and so many other things. I’ve gotten quite busy, eh?’

It couldn’t be helped, though.

The breeze blew on me for much longer, and the orange sky turned darker. Once I realized that the moon had shown its full splendor, my body limply rose, and I brushed off whatever remnant of dust hung to my outfit.

It took a few seconds for the thought to register that I didn’t need to do that. My outfits were enchanted, after all.

“I should get going now.” My lips parted and words came out as I stared at the night sky.

I was sure it hadn’t reached curfew yet, but… one can’t be too sure.

Looking at the brightly lit path before me–illuminated by several magically powered street lamps­–I began moving calmly to my destination.

It was time to head to my dorm.

‘At this time, there should still be a bunch hanging around, but…’

It didn’t matter to me.

For this week, and most likely the next days to come, the path of solitude was the only clear way I could traverse. With so many uncertainties hanging above me… I found myself strained across many sides.

‘I just wish these days would elapse quickly…’

More winds howled, the greens danced, the sky grew darker… and I vanished amid the scenery–contemplating as I walked home.

************

“He has left Ainzlark Academy, uh? Finally…” A voice rang out in the darkness.

It was a completely dark place–like an alternate dimension filled with nothing but black.There seemed to be multiple individuals in this plane, yet only two were engaged in a conversation.

“So, should we attack now?” A husky, impatient voice surged forth.

It belonged to Kahn­–the Shadow Demon that plunged a portion of the Eastern Kingdom into ruin. His eyes narrow as they could see the premises of Ainzlark Academy. The screen he watched displayed the landscape like a magical mirror.

“No. Not yet…” The first voice called out.

While Kahn was raring to go, the other man–the same one who had approached the Demon not long ago­–was exercising great caution.

“Why?” Kahn snapped in slight annoyance.

The evil monstrosity glared at the man who stood across from him. Even though they were temporary partners, he still didn’t trust the stranger. Was he trying to go back on their deal? Kahn couldn’t shake off his unease.

“Relax. I don’t plan on changing the plan. It’s just that Neron hasn’t completely left the area. We must take extra caution to ensure he has a distance of a hundred miles, at least. Only then can we launch an assault.”

Kahn’s glare loosened a bit.

He kept hearing about the Neron Kaelid man as though he wasn’t a mere human. That alone seemed to put the Demon in a wary spot.

“Plus. Even with Neron gone, there are still a lot of strong people in the Academy–myself included. If you attack now, I’ll be forced to put you down. I don’t want to do that.”

The man’s voice sounded serious, and the darkness surrounding them twitched.

Neron knew he was in a dangerous spot.

Being trapped in the human’s domain meant he would not have an even battle. Perhaps his ‘partner’ was waiting for a chance to claim his head.

“Sheesh, I’ve told you several times… I don’t have the intention to fight you. You have to kill someone for me, don’t you?” The man, who sensed Kahn’s slight bloodlust, quickly retorted.

“Why don’t you kill him yourself?”

There was an uncomfortable pause in the monochrome room–filled with pitch black darkness.

“Well, that’s not your business, now, is it? Just know that I’ve tried a couple of means already… he just seems to slip out of my grasp. That Jared Leonard is one tricky kid…” There seemed to be a bit of frustration in the man’s voice as he spoke.

But that only lasted for a short moment.

“In the end, though, he’s still a kid. There’s no way someone of his caliber should be able to beat you… right?”

Kahn chuckled a little. The man across from him had just told a bad joke.

“Not a chance.”