After their conversation, James and Rey headed to their respective classes. By the recess period, they had already received information about the examination day.
It was scheduled for May 16th, exactly 31 days from today, April 15th.
{Author's Note: The months in this world are the same because I am too lazy to invent new ones, and I have many things to remember and create for the future storyline. The timing is set for later due to some future calculations.}
{T/L: I'm aware he's unprepared and merely bluffing, presenting his outdated story script as a mystery by dubbing it 'future calculations.'}
Students were given the freedom to either leave or have one last meeting with their teachers, but unsurprisingly, most chose to leave. Who would want to stay at school except for a few studious or top-ranking students?
Rey and James waited for everyone to leave before heading to a specific teacher's office.
James waited outside while Rey entered. It was Sir Peter's office, and Rey was there for a final discussion.
"So, Rey, what brings you here to see me? I don't recall leaving a good impression on you," Peter remarked, observing Rey who stood before him silently, hands clasped behind his back.
"Sir, it's not like that. I'm here to thank you for everything you've done for me after the incident, and I promise to repay you many times over," he said, bowing ninety degrees in front of him.
"Oh no, it's merely my duty to assist a student in trouble. You don't need to repay me; I've received much help from your father, and it's my honor to assist you in return, and remember if you need any assistance in study then come to my house, I will help you in it." he replied as he organized the last batch of papers.
"Thank you, sir, but please don't forget to call me if you need anything," Rey said as he began to walk away.
"Hahahaha, I'll remember that" he laughed, responding in a mocking tone.
"Just be careful, kid, because I think your life might be in danger too," Peter whispered in a voice too low for normal ears, but Rey's body was stronger and his senses were enhanced, so he could hear it.
'What did he just say?' Rey wondered, certain he had heard something about being in danger, just like his father.
"Hey so if the reunion is done then can we leave as we have to find Evan also." James said who was waiting for him outside the cabin.
"Yes, and I know where we can look for him," Rey said as he started walking towards his classroom to pick up his bag.
"So, where are we going to look for him?" James asked as he also picked up his bag.
"Just listen to me, and we will be able to get there in twenty to twenty-five minutes," Rey said with a confident smile.
"Okay, I suppose so, but little did you know that you look great in this form," James said as he glanced around the hallway. The other girls in the class were stealing looks at him and Rey.
James was usually the center of attention, but now Rey, who was often overlooked for his nerdy and frail appearance, was receiving more glances from the girls, stirring a mix of jealousy and happiness in James.
"Let's go before we bump into another teacher," James suggested after a lengthy escape from his literature teacher.
"Okay, let's go," agreed Rey, and they both headed towards the main gate, leaving the school building behind.
Reaching the gate, they encountered a large crowd of students, easily over a hundred, gathered outside, discussing where to celebrate their final day.
Groups were forming among close friends, eager to enjoy the festivities, with even the smallest circle consisting of about seven people.
"Let's slip away before we get roped into a party," James proposed, anticipating the inevitable invitations if they lingered.
Rey nodded in agreement, and they began walking towards the main street.
However, their attempt to leave unnoticed was thwarted when a familiar voice called out to them, halting their escape.
"Hey, James, and the new guy, want to join us for the party?" Jonny, the extrovert who had once bullied Rey near the factory, approached with his group. The group was large, about thirty students, with girls outnumbering boys by four to five.
The girls in the group cast curious glances at both of them, their good looks and stylish clothes making them stand out, even more appealing than the other guys in the group.
"Yes, you should come with us; it will be fun," said a girl with brown hair and black eyes.
"No, sorry, we're getting late to meet our friend," James replied as he grasped Rey's wrist and began walking away.
Jonny's friends started criticizing him, making fun by saying, "Trash always accompanies trash," but James didn't stop and walked steadily until the situation escalated.
"Jonny, haven't you trained your pets? They're making quite a racket," James retorted, glancing at Jonny after eyeing his friends.
The entire area fell silent, Rey included, utterly shocked.
"What did you say? Do you have the guts to repeat that?" one of Jonny's goons challenged as he advanced towards James but was halted by Jonny.
"Let that be, but where are your 'too good friends' you're always with? And who is this new guy? I don't recall him being a student in our class," Jonny inquired, eyeing Rey, who stood behind James, urging him back as they were running late to find Evan.
"Jonny everyone was saying he was Rey, the gloomy guy we beat on that street beside the factory." His one friend said who was with him on the day he was bulling him.
"Oh, look at this boy; he's got some muscle and even a new face, huh? Did you summon a demon to form a contract with from your novels, huh?" he said as all the guys started laughing loudly.
"Boss, I think he's just a substitute who was hired with his money. But hey, bro, why did you take this job? I don't think that guy can even pay you," he said as they all laughed more. Rey didn't mind them at all, as from today, his life and theirs were different; a whole level was between them that they could never achieve.
"Hey, why aren't you saying anything even after they're insulting you?" James asked as they moved away a bit.
"Leave them alone; responding to them is akin to banging your head against a rock with sharp edges, and have you ever seen a man arguing with children?" he replied, beginning to walk away. This prompted James to ponder briefly before deciding to follow, as his concern for Evan outweighed the desire to argue with those individuals.
Eventually, they arrived at the location James had described.
"So, this is the place you were talking about," James remarked, gazing at the surroundings in awe.