327 I am not complaining

[Ren Hilton POV.]

"Umm... Raven," I said awkwardly, looking down.

But instead of looking at me directly, Raven buried her face deeper into my robe, her hands tightly wrapped around my waist.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I heard that the first time. I missed you too, but I think you should pull away now."

"Nnn," but she didn't pull away immediately.

Looks like I really have to do it now. "Well, I am fine with this too. I just thought you wouldn't want everyone to look at you, but look at you, you don't care, do you? Maybe I shouldn't either—" I slowly began wrapping my arms around her.

Whoop*

And with a shocked, crimson-blushing face, Raven immediately pulled away. "T-that's... no." Her eyes wandered around, mostly noticing that the students were not paying attention to us or were already back to their rooms. Some did stick around but kept their distance.

I chuckled softly until—

Tut*

"Eek!" Raven yelped in pain as I pulled her wrist.

"How'd this happen?" I knew that my voice had deepened.

"R-Ren, it's..." She stuttered.

"What is this? Who did this?" I asked, a bit intimidatingly.

Raven's whole right arm was wrapped in bandages like she had been in some kind of fire or something. Now that I looked closely, there was a cut mark around her collarbone that was visible through her white one-piece.

"How'd this happen—"

But before Raven could answer, a voice came from behind. "She had a duel in the academy two days back."

I turned around and saw Cecelia standing there with her arms crossed, in her usual knight armor as always. Behind her was Amelia.

There was a bit of a pause. "I don't think there was going to be an event in the academy—"

"It was a mutual duel, for practice," Raven answered almost in a whisper, drawing my attention back to her.

I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. "A mutual duel? For practice? And you got hurt like this?" My voice was laced with concern.

Raven nodded slightly, avoiding my eyes. "It's not as bad as it looks. I just need some time to heal."

Cecelia stepped closer, her expression serious. "It was an intense duel. Both parties pushed their limits. But Raven's resilience is remarkable. She'll be fine with some rest."

I looked at Raven, my worry evident. "Who did you fight, though?"

And with that question, they went silent.

"Why don't you rest and not discuss these kinds of things—" Amelia began for some reason. Did I ask her anything? Why is she talking?

"There." I pointed behind. "Adam and Princess Elsa are both standing right there. You should meet them—Princess might need something." I replied.

Amelia's expression changed from shock to narrowed eyes before she sighed and left.

"That was rude," mumbled Cecelia under her breath.

"Who?" I repeated.

"Mary Kleine," Raven immediately answered without beating around the bush.

Mary? Raven fought Mary? And Mary did this?

"Why?" I asked.

Raven hesitated for a moment, glancing at Cecelia before speaking. "She challenged me. Said something about testing my strength, seeing if I was worthy."

"Worthy of what?" I pressed, trying to understand.

Cecelia sighed. "It's complicated, Ren. Mary has been... different since the last attack. She's been pushing everyone, trying to prove something to herself and others. The duel was part of that."

"Prove what?" I asked, still not satisfied with the vague answers.

Raven looked at me, her eyes softening. "It's not important, Ren. What's important is that I'm fine. Really."

I wanted to argue, but the earnestness in her eyes made me stop. Instead, I nodded, trying to let it go. "Alright. But if anything like this happens again, you tell me. Promise?"

She nodded, giving me a small smile. "Promise."

"Good," I said, my tone softening.

"Kids!" Professor Night walked up to us, the others behind her. Aron stood way behind, but his eyes were glued to me—or the person beside me, Cecelia.

"Headmaster wants us in his office. He wants to thank y'all for what you did and talk to you," she said.

"I have a lot to talk about, though..." Raven added somewhat depreciatingly.

"Why don't you wait a bit outside the office? We can then go to my room and talk—"

"Your room?" Adam, who had been preoccupied with others until now, suddenly interjected.

"Yeah, my room," I replied without looking at him.

"Why would Raven go—"

"Oh, that sounds great! I'll wait outside the office. I literally have tons to ask! Like how did you defeat the Amphiptere alone and

—" Raven seemed not to notice Adam's concern at all.

"Okay then," I said, turning around, "Woah!" I flinched as I nearly bumped into Vexa, who was staring at me with her sapphire blue eyes.

What the heck! By this time, I should have gotten used to her popping up out of nowhere, but for some reason, I couldn't.

"Let's go," Professor Night said, and Vexa turned around immediately and left.

***

This was awkward. We all currently sat in the office while Stormborne was in front of us, sitting behind his desk. The room felt imposing, with its high ceiling and dark wooden furniture. Shelves filled with ancient tomes and mysterious artifacts lined the walls, and a large, intricately woven tapestry depicting the founding of the academy hung behind Stormborne's chair. The dim light from the high windows cast long shadows across the room, adding to the tension.

I was seated beside two of the most awkward people I had ever met: Vexa, the silent lady, and Aron, the grumpy kid. Vexa sat with an air of detached calm, her eyes occasionally flickering towards Stormborne. Aron, on the other hand, was fidgeting, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

Adam was surrounded by Isolde, Elsa, Amelia, Cecelia, and Mary. Mary, who somehow found her way around Adam, looked pale. I glanced at her briefly before refocusing on my own concerns.

Erik had vanished into thin air by the time we reached the office. He was just gone, like a ghost. Raven was still outside, clearly too nervous to come in and sit in front of Stormborne.

Stormborne's eyes scanned the room, settling briefly on each of us before he spoke. "I understand the recent events have been challenging. However, we must remain vigilant and prepared for what lies ahead."

And...he kept talking.

Eventually, Stormborne concluded, "You are all crucial to our success. Stay focused, stay vigilant, and above all, stay safe."

With that, we were dismissed. I stood up, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Raven was waiting just outside the door, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"Shall we?" I asked her, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Yes! Let's go!" Raven replied eagerly, practically bouncing on her feet.

As we walked back to my dorm, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much larger and more dangerous. The academy's stone walls seemed to close in around us, the weight of the upcoming battles pressing down heavily. Raven chatted excitedly beside me, her energy a stark contrast to my brooding thoughts.

We finally reached my room. I opened the door, letting Raven in first. The room was a small but cozy space, with a neatly made bed, a wooden desk cluttered with books and papers, and a wardrobe in the corner.

Closing the door behind us. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Raven turned to me, her expression serious. "First off, how are you really doing? With everything that's happened, I mean."

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "It's been... a lot. But I'm managing. Just trying to take things one step at a time."

She nodded, her eyes full of understanding. "I get it. If you ever need to talk or anything, I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Raven."

"And next, tell me everything you saw after leaving the Solstice,how was the journey!" She asked excited.

This is going to be longer than expected.

She nodded, her eyes full of understanding. "I get it. If you ever need to talk or anything, I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Raven."

"And next, tell me everything you saw after leaving the Solstice,how was the journey!" She asked excited.

This is going to be longer than expected and I am not complaining at all.