The team had been summoned by Captain Amir for a briefing. As they entered the room, Amir informed them of a joint raid mission and introduced the second-years they would be collaborating with for the dungeon incursion.
Once the formalities were done, Amir exited the room, giving both groups space to get acquainted.
However, the second-years exuded an air of superiority, barely acknowledging the first-years—except for one female who walked around warmly introducing herself. Grey, on the other hand, remained aloof, not sparing them a glance.
That changed the moment he heard her voice. Something about it tugged at his memory. He turned to the group, and as his eyes locked with hers, they both squinted, as if digging through a fog of memories. Until—
"Grey?!" the girl suddenly called, her voice tinged with surprise.
"Charlotte?!" Grey responded, a smile creeping onto his lips.
"Huh? You two know each other?" asked a bulky second-year with a tone laced with suspicion.
Charlotte ignored him and stepped forward. "Is this really you, Grey?" she asked, eyes wide as she looked him over from head to toe, clearly amazed by how much he had grown.
"I could say the same. Who would've thought we'd end up in the same academy?" Grey chuckled, stepping toward her.
"What happened to your hair? It looks different," Charlotte asked, tilting her head slightly. "No wonder I didn't recognize you right away."
"I just felt like trying something new," Grey replied casually.
"I kind of… missed you," she said softly. Without warning, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
Every jaw in the room dropped.
The busty second-year girl nearby chuckled at the scene, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
'H-How could that filthy peasant touch Charlotte?! I'll kill him… skin him alive and bury what's left!' the bulky student fumed internally, his fists clenched.
'Grey allowed someone to hug him?!' the first-years all screamed in their minds, still frozen in disbelief.
'Why… why do I feel this sting in my chest?' Scarlet's thoughts twisted uncomfortably. 'No! I'm not jealous. There's no way I'd feel jealous of a peasant!'
Charlotte pulled away from the embrace, her cheeks flushed.
"That was... unexpected," Grey chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.
'He's not even mad?!' the first-years felt like collapsing right there.
"I'm sorry," Charlotte said, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "I just acted in the moment. But I never got to thank you properly for that night."
'Night?! What night?!' the bulky student thought, grinding his teeth.
"You made that night unforgettable. I still remember how wild and stylish your moves were," Charlotte added with a playful grin.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Scarlet blurted out, unable to hold back any longer.
Charlotte turned, unbothered. "Oh! Grey here beat the crap out of a noble named Solid during a party. The way he fought with different styles—it was amazing! What were you thinking I meant?" she asked innocently.
Everyone in the room let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Is Max also here at the academy?" Grey asked.
"Thankfully—or not—no. He's a third-year now at Wysteria Academy," Charlotte answered.
"Oh," Grey muttered simply.
"Wait a second," Raze said, stepping forward. "You two knew each other from before?"
Charlotte nodded with a smile.
"Then how the hell is a noble like you so chummy with a peasant like him?" the bulky second-year barked. "You should put him in his place—beneath us."
Charlotte's eyes narrowed. "Did I ask for your opinion, Dante? You're not my master, and I can associate with whoever I please.
Besides, Grey saved my brother from a rival town, stopped an assassination attempt on my father, and much more. I owe him more than you'll ever understand."
"Damn. Didn't think the ice princess could fall for a handsome peasant," the busty girl commented, walking forward with elegant strides. "By the way—that was a compliment."
"We're not in love, Lyra!" Charlotte blurted, flustered.
"Then why're you blushing, hmm?" Lyra teased, laughing softly.
"Are we here to talk about love, or to prepare for this mission?" asked a boy with round glasses, his voice calm and logical.
"Relax, Kael. Let people breathe a little," Lyra replied.
"And did you all forget Amir said this was an urgent mission?" another girl, dressed in dark, mysterious attire, spoke up. Her voice was low and serious.
"We hear you, Selene," Lyra responded. "But as Amir instructed, we're just… bonding. Starting with this delicious peasant right here." She reached out toward Grey, her fingers aiming to graze his arm.
Grey seized her wrist in a flash, his eyes sharp and cold. "Don't touch me, you perverted noble. I'm not one of your playthings. Try it again and you'll regret it."
As he released a sliver of his aura, the temperature in the room dropped. Lyra stepped back, genuinely rattled.
"Feisty. I like it," she said with a smirk. "How about you bring that energy to my bed after the mission?"
Grey scoffed and walked away toward his team. "I'm not into overinflated balloons," he muttered.
Kael and Charlotte chuckled, while Lyra stood frozen, her fists clenched in silent rage.
"You little—!" she growled and was just about to lash out when the door swung open.
Amir stepped in, his presence immediately commanding silence.
"Time's up. Move out," he ordered, his voice firm.
The students quickly saluted and filed out in order, heading to the location of the dungeon displayed on their holographic interface.
Once outside the academy, they began discussing how best to reach the dungeon site. Just then, a powerful gust of wind blew across the courtyard as a massive wind bird descended beside Grey.
"You can all get on—if you're not afraid of heights," Grey said, already astride the creature with his teammates.
"Tch. Whatever," Kael muttered, stepping forward as the others followed.
Once everyone was aboard, the wind bird took to the skies, soaring swiftly toward the dungeon.
'Amir called in five second-years for this raid. That means this mission won't be a walk in the park,' Grey thought, eyes narrowing against the wind. 'I just hope I don't have to reveal my other affinities… not yet.'