Late night had blanketed the Capital of the Astoria Kingdom. The twilight sky had now turned into a pitch-black velvet expanse without stars, seemingly sharing the fatigue weighing on Arvin's shoulders.
The young man's footsteps sounded rhythmic on the stone pavement that was beginning to quiet down. Magic crystal-powered street lamps bathed his figure in dim yellowish light, creating long shadows that moved with his steps.
Arvin let out a long sigh, thin white steam escaping his mouth.
A very long day. My legs feel like they're about to fall off. Being a mastermind behind the scenes turns out to be much more exhausting than practicing swordsmanship all day.
His sharp eyes swept across the row of buildings in the trading district that had already closed their doors. He was looking for a place to rest his body tonight. It was impossible to return to the academy, and sleeping on the street was clearly not a solution.
Ah... if I recall correctly, there is a decent inn near the Merchant Guild. It's called 'The Golden Rest'. The facilities are complete and privacy is guaranteed. I better go there!
Arvin adjusted his robe and hurried toward the inn. His mind was already filled with visions of a soft mattress and warm water.
However...
In the middle of his steady steps, out of nowhere, a foreign feeling crept into the recesses of his heart. An empty feeling that suddenly came when the crowd subsided.
Without permission, the image of someone's face appeared in his mind. A sweet face with pink hair, eyes that always looked at him with a mixture of fear and innocence.
And that figure was Allen.
Arvin's steps slowed.
Why... why am I missing Allen at a time like this? Arvin asked himself, feeling ridiculous. I just left the dorm this afternoon. But it feels like the dorm is a home far away without him.
Arvin stopped under a street lamp post. He watched a moth flying around the light.
Has he eaten? Is he sleeping soundly? And... Arvin swallowed, a selfish question appearing in his head. Does he miss me? For just a second, is he wondering where I went?
That small hope swelled for a moment, providing a deceptive warmth.
SLAP!
The sound of a loud slap broke the silence of the night.
Arvin slapped his own right cheek with his palm. The slap was so strong that it left a red mark on his fair skin. Several pedestrians who happened to be passing by jumped in surprise, staring at the handsome young man with strange and horrified looks.
But Arvin didn't care about people's stares. He needed that pain to kill his ridiculous hope.
Wake up, Fool! Arvin cursed inwardly, holding his hot cheek. It's definitely impossible, right? Allen hates me! In his eyes, I am a demon who always tortures him. Impossible that he would miss me!
"Hahaha." Arvin laughed softly, a laugh that sounded hollow and sad.
He must be grateful that his bully isn't there tonight. Don't expect more from someone who hates you, Arvin.
With a heart forced back into coldness, Arvin continued his steps toward the inn, dragging the shadows of loneliness behind his back.
Meanwhile, far from the hustle and bustle of the capital, the atmosphere in the Astoria Academy dormitory felt quiet and peaceful. However, that peace did not touch the occupant of a room in the academy dormitory.
Allen was lying on his bed. His eyes stared at the dark ceiling of the room, but his mind was fully awake. His body felt restless, tossing and turning seeking a comfortable position he never found.
There was something wrong tonight. This dorm room felt too spacious. Too quiet.
Why do I keep remembering him? thought Allen, confused.
The image of Arvin. His annoying, rude, and arrogant classmate kept spinning in his head like a broken cassette. Allen should have been happy Arvin was gone. He should be celebrating this quiet night. But in reality, his chest felt tight with longing.
I want to see him. I want to know where he is. But I don't dare approach him. He must be very angry with me because of the incident in class earlier. He must consider me weak.
Allen turned on his side, hugging the bolster pillow tightly. But the restlessness didn't go away. He finally gave up, sat up on the edge of the bed, and ruffled his pink hair in frustration.
"Ah... Arvin, why are you always in my thoughts? I really can't stand holding back these feelings. This uncertainty is torturing me."
Allen stood up, walking toward his window which he had just opened. The night breeze hit his face. Down there, in the dormitory courtyard, he saw several students joking and laughing under the moonlight. They looked so free.
Allen's mind drifted back to the incident in the classroom this afternoon. The incident that was the source of all his confusion.
At that time, Arvin forced him to drink something. Roughly. With force.
What potion did he give me at that time? Allen pondered. At that time, I thought it was poison. I thought he really wanted to kill me because he hated me, and I had resigned myself to facing death.
Allen stared at both his palms. He clenched his fists, feeling a different flow of energy.
But what happened next... my magic power actually increased even more. The mana flow in my body became smooth, my body felt light, and my mind was sharper. That wasn't poison... that must have been a very expensive potion.
Allen walked backward, then lay back down on the mattress. His eyes stared at the ceiling with a blank gaze, trying to piece together the puzzle.
I always wonder... did he really intend to be evil to me, or did he deliberately act evil just to help me?
Allen's logic began to work. If Arvin hates me, why give me an expensive potion that makes me strong? It doesn't make sense. Unless, all that rude behavior is just a mask. And from his action of forcing me to drink that potion... AAAHHH...!!! That other thing really makes my mind uneasy!
Allen let out a long sigh, as if wanting to release all the anxiety settling in his heart.
"Hey Arvin..." he whispered softly. "Do you actually have feelings for me? But, for some reason, deep in my heart, I feel that you care about me."
Allen got up again, sitting cross-legged on the bed. He tried to remember the details of that incident. But suddenly Allen's face turned red up to his ears. His heart also beat fast.
There was one physical memory he had tried to ignore for fear of being harassed, but now it was the most honest proof that couldn't be denied.
When Arvin was on top of him, pinning his body to drink the potion, Allen felt something. Their bodies were touching closely. And at that moment, Allen felt something hard originating from Arvin's crotch pressing against his thigh. Something warm and urgent.
That was not the reaction of someone who was angry or hateful. That was the pure reaction of a man holding back desire.
Allen covered his face with both hands, his cheeks feeling hot.
His eyes widening behind his fingers. I'm sure! He... he must like me! If he didn't like me, impossible for his body to react like that! Impossible for his shaft to become erect when our groins touched!
The body cannot lie. Arvin's mouth might spew harsh words, but his body betrayed him. Arvin was aroused because of their closeness, which signified that he wanted Allen.
Instantly, all doubts in Allen's heart vanished. His fear of social status and Arvin's cold attitude collapsed by that single fact. He was convinced Arvin didn't hate him. Arvin was just hiding his own feelings behind a wall of arrogance.
And now, the puzzle was complete. Allen's gaze changed. There was no longer doubt or fear there. There was only burning hope and determination.
It seems I have to find his whereabouts! Allen decided in his heart.
He turned to the window and it was too late to go out now.
Tomorrow afternoon... yes, tomorrow afternoon, I will go out to look for him. I will follow him to the capital, find him, and reveal these feelings directly. I want to hear the truth from his own mouth.
Allen clenched his hand over his chest.
If it turns out I'm wrong... if he hates me more because of this insolence... then I will immediately leave this academy and disappear from his sight forever.
That was the biggest gamble of his life. But Allen was ready to take that risk.
Without waiting any longer, Allen jumped off the bed. He took a bag from inside the closet.
With deft movements, he began packing necessary items.
The quiet room now became a silent witness to the courage of a young man chasing his love. Allen had made up his mind to meet his destiny tomorrow.