Chapter 24: An Unexpected Mix-Up
Inside Fate's bedroom, the only sound was the faint rustling of pages.
Fate sat at his desk, his posture relaxed but focused, eyes scanning the textbook notes he had taken earlier in the day. His fingers absentmindedly traced the margins of the paper as he reread certain sections.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
The sudden sound broke the silence.
Fate lifted his head and turned toward the door.
"Who is it?"
A familiar voice answered from the other side.
"It's me, Master Fate. Fiona."
Fate immediately pushed his chair back and stood up. He walked toward the door and opened it.
Fiona stood outside, hands neatly folded in front of her. She gestured toward the hallway.
"Some students who said they are your friends are outside," she explained politely.
"They asked if I could come and get you, Master Fate.
Fate blinked, then nodded.
"Alright, I'll handle it."
He stepped past Fiona and opened the main door.
Standing there were Kyle and Isabelle.
Isabelle noticed him first and smiled.
"Good afternoon, Fate."
Fate looked between the two of them, confused.
"Why are you both here?"
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"Did you seriously forget?" he said.
"We agreed to meet in your dorm to discuss the upcoming Familiar Battle. You know—when we were walking through the academy hall."
Fate froze.
Slowly, he closed his eyes and brought a hand up to his face, rubbing his forehead as he searched his memory.
Then—
"Oh."
He straightened.
"Right. We did agree to meet here at four."
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I must've forgotten while I was reading."
Kyle let out a short laugh.
"Unbelievable. School's already over and you're still studying?"
Fate laughed awkwardly in response. Isabelle sighed softly, while Kyle chuckled again.
"Well," Fate said, stepping aside, "you might as well come in."
Kyle and Isabelle entered the dormitory.
Inside, Fiona was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. The faint aroma of food filled the room.
Isabelle glanced around, clearly impressed.
"It's clean as a whistle."
Fiona heard that and lifted her chin slightly, pride evident on her face.
Fate gestured toward his bedroom.
"Let's talk inside."
As they walked, Fate spoke.
"So—do either of you have ideas on how to deal with Jake's familiar?"
Kyle sat down on Fate's chair and crossed his arms.
"My plan is simple. The Red-eye Gecko will be my problem. Scar and I will face Jake directly."
Isabelle, meanwhile, was looking around Fate's room with curiosity as she spoke.
"When Jake's familiar activates its stealth skill, Heracles will use Vibration Detection to locate it."
She paused, then added more seriously,
"But Heracles will be vulnerable while using that skill."
Fate nodded immediately.
"You don't need to worry about that. Soo-ah will handle Thomas's Steel Ram and Andrew's Wild Boar."
Kyle leaned back slightly.
"Then that settles it. I'll deal with Jake. You two manage Thomas and Andrew."
He continued, laying it out clearly.
"When the Red-eye Gecko uses stealth, Heracles activates Vibration Detection. While Heracles is focused, Soo-ah protects him."
Isabelle nodded.
"As long as we stick to the plan and don't rush things, we'll win."
Fate smiled.
"Then our strategy is complete."
Isabelle glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Looks like it's getting late. We should head back."
Kyle stood up.
"Yeah. See you tomorrow, Fate."
"Be careful on your way back," Fate replied.
He watched as they left, then headed toward the kitchen.
Fiona had already finished preparing the meal.
"Master Fate," she said, "the food is ready. Please eat before it gets cold."
Fate nodded and sat down.
"Alright. Let's eat, Fiona."
They ate together quietly.
Afterward, Fiona washed the dishes while Fate took a shower. When he returned, dressed in his pajamas, he lay down on his bed.
Before long, sleep claimed him.
The days passed.
Morning exercise.
Classes.
Study.
Rest.
The routine repeated itself until Saturday arrived.
Inside Fate's room, Fiona was cleaning as usual. Fate sat at his desk, holding a piece of paper and a pen.
He spoke softly to himself as he began writing.
"Since it's the weekend… I should write a letter. Just like I promised Mother."
The pen moved steadily.
He filled the letter with stories about his first week at Valhalla Academy—his classes, his friends, and his experiences.
When he finished, he folded the letter carefully.
"I'll deliver this now," he said.
He turned to Fiona.
"I'm heading to the academy's mail services. I'll be back shortly."
Fiona bowed politely.
As Fate walked through the dormitory halls, his thoughts drifted.
(I wonder how my family is doing… I hope they're safe.)
Lost in thought, he failed to notice someone running toward him.
—BAM!
They collided.
Papers flew everywhere.
Fate stumbled, then quickly regained his balance.
"I'm sorry—are you alright?"
The student he had bumped into wore the academy uniform. He had long black hair and striking red eyes. His arms trembled as he panicked.
"I-I'm s-sorry," the student stammered.
"I w-was in a r-rush."
Fate knelt down immediately.
"Here, let me help."
He picked up the scattered documents one by one.
"T-thank you," the student said quietly.
Once everything was gathered, Fate bowed slightly.
"I really wasn't paying attention. Sorry about that."
The student shook his head nervously.
"It's f-fine. Th-thank you, but I h-have to go."
He hurried away, disappearing down the hallway.
Fate watched him go, then sighed.
(I really should be more careful.)
He reached into his pocket.
Nothing.
His expression froze.
"…Huh?"
He checked again.
Still nothing.
He looked around the floor.
(Where's my letter?)
Then realization hit him.
Fate laughed weakly.
"Hahaha… no way."
He covered his face with his hand.
"My mail got mixed in with his documents…"
He let out a sigh.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
Chapter 24 End