Silence once again enveloped the main chamber of the ancient ruins after the treasures and crystals within had been completely stripped away. Only the sound of Arvin and Allen's footsteps echoed, bouncing off the cold stone walls as they walked hand-in-hand back to the center of the room.
Upon reaching the center, Allen stopped and allowed Arvin to take the lead. He knew his husband possessed knowledge of this mysterious place that he did not. Arvin guided their steps until they stood directly atop an ancient carving on the stone floor, a large circle filled with intricate geometric symbols that had begun to fade with age.
"Allen, we have to circle this ring if we want to get out of here." Arvin said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm yet resonant in the vast space.
Allen stared at the pattern on the floor with confusion. "Just by walking around it?"
"Yes!" Arvin replied convincingly. "Back then, I accidentally discovered how this place works after wandering around in frustration trying to find an exit. I forgot the exact number of laps because I wasn't counting in my panic. But what's certain is that once we hit the right count, the magic mechanism will activate, and we'll both be instantly warped out of here."
Of course, this was a story Arvin had made up on the spot. The truth was far simpler: Arvin remembered clearly from a game walkthrough that a player had to circle the sun symbol on the floor four times clockwise to trigger teleportation, a trick he had learned after thousands of attempts to find a way out of that dark, stifling place.
Hearing his husband's plausible explanation, Allen nodded in agreement without hesitation. Anxiety began to creep in, not from fear of the ruins, but from the fear of the consequences if they returned too late.
"My husband, let's go back now!" Allen exclaimed somewhat impatiently, gently pulling Arvin's arm. "I'm afraid they might discover this place. If Professor Elliana or the other supervisors find us here, our secret will be exposed instantly."
Arvin gave an understanding smile, fully aware of his spouse's worries. He tightened his grip on Allen's hand.
"Alright, stay calm. Let's walk side-by-side, and whatever happens, do not let go of my hand."
Allen nodded firmly. With synchronized steps, the married couple began to walk along the line of the great circle. One lap... two laps... three laps...
And right as they completed the fourth lap...
Zap!
A spatial distortion occurred instantly. Their bodies glowed for a brief second before vanishing without a trace from the ruins, leaving the stone chamber once again in darkness and silence.
However, just seconds after their departure, something impossible happened in that supposedly dead room.
Creeeeak...
The sound of rusting metal hinges pierced the silence. The pitch-black door that Arvin had strictly forbidden Allen from approaching suddenly creaked open, inch by inch. There was no wind, and no visible mechanism to trigger it.
From the void of darkness behind the door, a pair of golden eyes glowed brightly. The eyes blinked slowly, staring at the spot where Arvin and Allen had stood moments ago, as if watching, judging, and waiting for the right moment.
Meanwhile, on the surface, a fresh forest breeze brushed against their faces. Arvin and Allen were now standing right next to the two fallen trees that served as the marker for the secret entrance. The rustling of leaves welcomed their return.
"My husband, we're really back!" Allen cried out with sparkling eyes, looking around as if he couldn't believe the warp had been so instantaneous. "The air here is so much fresher."
However, the reality of their school assignment soon rushed back into his mind. Allen turned to Arvin with a slightly confused expression. "But... what now? We haven't obtained a single monster part or mana crystal as proof for the assessment."
Arvin fell silent for a moment, his mind racing. Hunting for monsters now would take far too long.
"We don't need to push ourselves." Arvin suggested casually while straightening his slightly wrinkled clothes. "It's better if we just go back empty-handed. We'll just say we didn't find a single monster while hunting because they all ran away in fear."
"Will they believe that?"
"They have no choice but to believe it. Besides, who would dare argue with me?" Arvin smirked confidently.
Allen let out a soft laugh at his husband's characteristic arrogance. "Alright, I agree."
Hand-in-hand, the married couple walked leisurely along the forest path toward the academy boundary gate. Their steps were light, as if the weight of the world couldn't touch them.
However, upon arriving at the massive iron gate that marked the edge of the practice area, they were met with a confusing sight.
The gate was shut tight. And even stranger, no one was there.
Arvin and Allen looked at each other. Silence. There was no sound of Professor Elliana's firm voice, no chatter from classmates showing off their hunt, and Arvin couldn't even sense the presence of the shadow supervisors who usually hid among the trees.
The area was completely deserted.
"Where did everyone go?" Allen murmured in confusion. "Were we in there so long that the practice session is already over?"
"It seems so. Perhaps time moves differently inside the ruins, or we just got too caught up in harvesting magic crystals." Arvin replied calmly, though his brain was working fast to find a solution.
The gate was locked with a magic seal from the academy's side. They couldn't just open it without a key. Arvin looked up, staring at the high perimeter wall of the academy looming before them.
"Allen, let's climb this wall!" Arvin invited suddenly.
Allen's eyes widened, his jaw dropping slightly at his husband's absurd suggestion. "My husband, are you joking? This wall is over twenty-five meters high. How are we supposed to climb something this tall and slippery?"
Arvin chuckled at Allen's innocent reaction. "My cute Allen, have you forgotten who your husband is? We'll just use magic to get to the top!" Arvin replied, reaching out to gently caress his spouse's cute face.
Then, he turned his back to Allen and crouched slightly. "But, if you're hesitant to jump on your own, get on my back. I'll climb while carrying you!"
Allen paused for a moment, staring at his husband's broad back. Actually, as a mage, Allen could have used wind magic to jump. However, the offer was too tempting. It wasn't because he doubted his abilities, but rather because his heart yearned to be pampered.
Without a second thought, Allen decided to accept. He wrapped his arms around Arvin's neck and climbed onto his husband's back.
Arvin smiled thinly. He knew exactly what Allen was doing. My cute spouse is truly so spoiled with me. Arvin thought. His heart warmed as he felt the light weight of Allen on his back. I really want to pinch your cheeks because of how cute your spoiled behavior is.
"Allen, hold on tight, I'm going to do it!" Arvin warned. "Hug me firmly! I don't want you to fall and scratch that smooth skin of yours!"
"Yes, my husband!" Allen replied softly.
He tightened his grip around Arvin's neck, and instinctively, he also wrapped his legs tightly around Arvin's waist to maintain his balance.
The position caused Allen's front to press firmly against Arvin's back. Because of the tight grip of his legs, Arvin could feel something hard pressing against his lower back.
Arvin gave a mischievous smirk. "Hmm? Your shaft is getting hard, isn't it? Hahaha." Arvin teased shamelessly.
Allen's face instantly turned beet red all the way to his ears. He buried his face in the nook of Arvin's neck out of embarrassment.
"Be quiet!" Allen whispered crossly, though his voice trembled with a mix of shame and desire. "Of course my shaft is going to react to you, you stupid husband! You're the only man who could make me fall in love and react like this, even though I'm also a man just like you!"
Arvin's laughter softened into a sincere smile. "Hahaha. I feel the same, Allen." he replied honestly.
Arvin turned his head slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of Allen's hidden face. "You were the first man to captivate me from the moment I saw your cute face. And now, you belong to me completely."
Arvin's gaze drifted far away, beyond the academy walls, beyond this world, remembering his hollow past life before entering this game world. "I never imagined I could marry a cute boy I liked so much... it feels as if I died and lived again in this world just to meet you."
Allen's heart fluttered wildly at that confession. He understood the sincerity behind his husband's words, even if he didn't know the context of reincarnation or transmigration. To Allen, it sounded as though they were given a second chance at life because of a life-and-death vow that remained unspoken in a previous existence.
The pink-haired teenageboy hugged his husband even tighter, hiding the happy smile spreading across his blushing face. The masculine scent of Arvin's body made him feel safe and loved.
A moment later, Arvin refocused on the wall in front of them.
"Alright, Allen. Keep hugging me tight. Here I go!"