Chapter 266 Departure

[Ren Hilton POV.]

Descending the stairs, Mrs Penny's warm congratulations greeted me, yet the dorm remained deserted. Engaging in a brief conversation, I soon gathered my bags, readying myself to depart.

Before leaving, I paused and turned back to Mrs Penny, who was reaching for a broomstick. "Mrs Penny," I called out, drawing her puzzled yet amiable gaze. As I approached her, I couldn't help but notice the worn-out edges of the broomstick she held.

"Can I ask you to post some letters for me? I'm in a bit of a hurry, so..." I requested, offering multiple letters for her to take. Her smile widened as she gladly accepted the letters, her old, weathered hands taking them with care. "I'll send them through the guild," she assured me with a tone of sincerity.

Thanking her, I left the dorm and started my stroll toward the academy grounds. Along the way, I couldn't help but notice the subtle glances and hushed whispers directed my way, the students around either pretending to be absorbed in their conversations or sneakily looking in my direction.

A soft tap disrupted the air around me, prompting me to turn, only to find a group of students flinching and diverting their attention elsewhere as soon as I acknowledged their presence. They resumed tailing me the moment I continued walking, their hushed giggles barely masked behind their actions.

"Haha, what game are they playing?" chuckled Blaze within my thoughts. I continued on, the curious crowd behind me growing larger as I approached the area near the carriages. There, I spotted Aron a few steps ahead of me, accompanied by Cecelia and surrounded by a group of third years. The atmosphere seemed tense, reminiscent of a scene from a mob confrontation.

Sighing softly, I moved forward toward the carriages, where Stormborne engaged in conversation with Adam. The sunlight accentuated the diverse colors of the carriages, reflecting off the polished wood and glistening metal embellishments adorning them.

"Interesting," murmured Blaze, noting the convergence of the main cast in our vicinity. Everyone seemed to be present—Adam, Elsa, Raven, Isolde, even Cecelia and Amelia.

'What are your thoughts about this knight girl?' Blaze inquired.

Amelia Clay—reading about her in Alver's document revealed her connection to the old man Clay from Demacia Guild in Sephra, there's no doubt about it. The issue lies in the fact that she was supposed to be deceased, but here she is, her presence stronger than ever.

Her gaze briefly met mine; she didn't divert her eyes or offer a smile. She appeared serene amidst the crowd.

"You're here, huh?" Stormborne's voice cut through the peculiar silence, diverting attention toward me. Aron, ignoring the headmaster's address, marched straight into the carriage. Stormborne carried on without reacting, while Raven quietly shuffled beside me.

Meanwhile, Adam remained absorbed in Stormborne's words, seemingly unaware of Raven's movement.

"Wait! Sorry, sorry! I-I..." A voice interrupted, and we witnessed Eric rushing in, being chased by a group of girls.

"Pfff," chuckled Blaze at the sight.

"He's gaining quite the attention," I mused, finding it somewhat comical, but Eric's expression betrayed a different story—he seemed on the verge of tears.

"It looks like everyone's here," Stormborne announced, drawing everyone's focus to him. However, I caught his glance directed at me, as if searching for something.

'Don't worry, one can't discern someone's bloodline until the full manifestation, so he can't suspect your phoenix nature,' reassured Blaze. Yet, there seemed to be an inkling of knowledge or intuition Stormborne possessed regarding me.

"Once again, I'm delighted to see all of you here, ready to represent the Imperial Academy. I'm confident the cup will be ours," Stormborne declared, prompting an enthusiastic cheer from the surrounding students.

"I won't bore you all with a speech. Just remember, this Mage's Gambit will carve its name in magical history. Make sure you're a part of it," Stormborne proclaimed, his voice carrying a weight of significance.

"Professor Night will guide you throughout the competition," he pointed towards the smiling Professor Night, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

As we prepared to depart, ready to embark on this journey, I felt a tug on my sleeve, drawing my attention back. I turned and realized Raven was still there, her gaze directed upwards, her expression a pout.

"I'm... sorry," I awkwardly scratched the back of my head.

"You..." Her tug turned into a full pull, and suddenly I found myself enveloped in a hug, my nose filled with a sweet scent. She hugged me.

Stunned, frozen in the moment, I glanced around — Adam, everyone was here. She hugged me right in front of the entire school. A distant scream echoed, but I disregarded it.

What just happened?

Slowly, her hold relaxed, and I noticed her trembling. Without hesitation, I hugged her back, letting her bury her face in my chest. A skeptical gaze from Cecelia met mine.

'You wanted a good relationship with both of them, didn't you?' Smokeball prodded in my mind.

Looking at Raven, who seemed unbothered by the public display, ignoring everyone's possible thoughts, even Adam's, brought a sense of relief. To not be abandoned by her meant more than I could admit.

It felt reminiscent of the arena when she tended to my wounds, her complaints making it seem like I was a child. I couldn't fathom why she wasn't affected by the curse like everyone else, but her presence remained a comforting mystery.

I squeezed her back slightly, prompting a surprised gasp from her. She immediately pulled away, her face flushed red.

'Can't have it all, can I?' I replied to Blaze, acknowledging the complexity of the situation.

After the encounter with Aron, I chose to distance myself from Cecelia. The reasons... well, that's a story for another time.

"Don't worry, I'll bring something good... no need to butter me," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. She lightly tapped my forearm.

"Be safe," she uttered, taking a step back.

As I gathered my belongings, my gaze fell upon Vexa, who was staring at me. After a few moments, she grabbed her things and swiftly headed into the carriage. I glanced at Adam Stales, whose expression was frozen in surprise, his eyes shifting between me and Raven, who was also looking at me.

This is going to be... Weird.