Ring
The buzzer, a signal reminding everyone that the class was over.
All the children submitted their work to the Professor.
Before walking out of the room.
But Garret—still sitting there, with a scowling face and furrowed brows, confusing about his potential Rank value.
To make this things clearer, he got up from his chair.
And walked over to ask the Professor.
"Um, Professor," Garret asked, "why does mine say that my Authority level can't be measured?"
Hearing this, the black-bearded professor flinched, his heart falling.
Good heavens, Murphy's student is no ordinary one.
But never mind, we can't tell him the truth directly, or danger will surely arise.
"Don't be surprised! My former student, Murphy.
He got the same result as you. So, take it easy, Garret,"
the professor replied.
"You mean Professor Murphy?" Garret raised his brow.
"That's right. After you finish lunch, go see him at the fountain. He has something he wants to discuss with you."
The professor's words, hanging in the air.
A wonder wind to Garret's mind.
Professor Murphy wants to see me about what? Is it about the question I asked him before? No, it must be something more than that.
――✧ Chamber of the Murphy ✧――
Having finished his food bar, Garret went to find Professor Murphy.
"Good afternoon, Professor," he said, his eyes fixed on Murphy. Who was sitting on a bench in the fountain garden.
"Ah, hello Garret. Sit down on the bench. I have something I need to talk to you about," Murphy said.
Garret tossed the food bar wrapper into a nearby trash can.
And sat down on the wooden bench.
The food bar he had chosen looked like a small cannonball and tasted quite sweet.
"You fought Ralph remarkably well.
For a 12-year-old like you." Said Murphy.
His friendly blue eyes fixed on Garret, as he gave him a thumbs-up.
"Thank you, Professor. But... why did you see me fighting?" Garret asked.
His voice cutting through the soothing sound of the fountain.
"You'll understand in time," Murphy replied, pausing for a moment before continuing. "Let's get to the main point. You asked me.
Why Charlotte would want to form a contract with you, didn't you?"
A heavy sigh escaped Garret before he answered, "Yes, that's right."
"Is that so?" Professor Murphy said. "My father once told me. The Goddess only bestows her smile upon those who are worthy of it."
Hearing this, a mix of thoughts and underlying doubts swirled in Garret's mind.
But why? A goddess shouldn't be something cruel, finding happiness in the screams of sinners, right? What a confusing thing.
"So, the fact that she did that means..." Garret began, piecing things together.
"Exactly! The Goddess smiled upon you," Professor Murphy interjected before Garret could finish.
"But why would she smile at me?" Garret pressed, still seeking answers from Murphy.
"Perhaps because you will be a crucial pawn in this universe. If you were lost, it would be difficult to find a replacement," Murphy explained.
Hearing this, understanding dawned on Garret.
He smiled before Murphy continued, "But maybe you should go look after Leon, your friend. He's probably getting into trouble again."
Everything seemed normal in the cafeteria, except that—
"Miss lone wolf, does the food bar taste good?"
Cubie-chan, hearing this, offered no help, only staring.
The light in her eyes now narrowed into lines.
Leon is really good at bothering people, isn't he?
Asami—sitting alone, and eating her food bar.
Clenching her trembling fists as Leon continued to tease her.
She tried her best not to say anything harsh.
"Come on, Asami! People are just trying to be friendly, don't be so quiet!" Leon continued to mock, fluffing his golden hair.
"Ahem... is it very amusing for you to bother others like this?"
"Yes, it's a lot of fun! Aren't you having fun with your only friend talking to you?" Leon said, poking Asami's arm, completely unprepared for her sharp retort.
"If this life has nothing more to offer, you might as well just die," Asami shot back, with a queit and horse voice.
Emotional damage.
Hearing Asami's words, Leon recoiled in shock.
Clutching his chest and burying his face in Cubie-chan's core.
Seeing Leon's reaction, Cubie-chan closed her eyes.
Garret, please come get your friend.
And indeed, he did.
Leon turned to his left and saw Garret standing there.
"Leon, what's wrong?" Garret asked.
"Asami told me to go die! Help me, Garret, please, please, please!" Leon wailed dramatically.
Hearing Leon's exaggerated plea, Garret nodded and walked over to Asami. "Asami, would it be alright if I sat here too?" he asked.
The girl in the Cosmic Ranger uniform.
With her neat brunette bangs, nodded in response.
"How do you feel?" Garret asked her gently, his voice warm.
"Just don't like it," she replied, her tone still subdued.
"Why don't you tell me why you don't like it?" Garret asked.
Asami took a deep breath and sipped her drink. "I just don't like... him acting like he's the only one.
Who acknowledges my existence," she said, stroking her elf-like ear, her voice trembling slightly.
"Ahhh, I understand. You don't like him bothering you, right? But could I ask you for one thing?" Garret inquired.
"What is it?" Asami asked.
"Please... could you try not to hate him? He probably just wants to find friends but doesn't know the right way to go about it," Garret explained with a soft tone.
Leon, overhearing this, flinched.
Is he secretly scolding me? But it's good that he's clearing things up.
"Okay, I won't hate him," Asami replied before continuing, "But could I ask for one thing in return?"
"Of course," Garret responded.
"Ever since the assembly... could I have your Interstellar Box contact?"
As she finished speaking, they exchanged contacts.
"Thank you so much, friend," Garret said.
"Those three... Leon, Asami, Garret... dangerous individuals. I must inform the Master immediately."
A mysterious voice echoed, bypassing the normal auditory senses.
And directly entering Cubie-chan's internal systems.
――✧ Chamber of the cosmic trio✧――
At 5:00 PM, Garret had finished three classes.
The academy was mostly deserted with only about 20 students remaining.
From all the different classes.
Among them were Garret, Leon, and Asami.
As the large doors slid open, they gathered in the training room.
The spacious room was filled with a long, soft blue light.
A few seconds later, Professor Murphy walked in.
He clapped his hands together a couple of times.
Before smiling and saying, "Welcome, everyone, to Combating class. I'm Professor Murphy, and I'll be supervising your training."
He took a sip of water before continuing,
"Without further ado, let's begin."
Switch
The spacious room, which had been empty moments before, was now filled with various monsters.
Seeing this, Leon's thoughts raced:
Seriously? Starting without any explanation? Oh man, and goblins too? Ughhh, just let me faint for a second...
It wasn't just Leon; the voice in Asami's head echoed her fear:
No way... so many monsters? Eeeew! How disgusting!
In stark contrast, the thoughts running through Garret's mind were filled with anticipation:
Let's see if what I learned will be pay off.