The Protagonist Already Knows

Perhaps in the past, for the sake of maintaining the timeline, I would have fought Leon like Coal had in the original novel while waiting for Ren to show up.

But I didn’t care too much about that.

If I fought Leon here, I would likely lose, with him being a full two letter ranks above me at D-, so there was no point.

Activating Anubis’s Ferry, I simply phased right through the grinning Leon and through the elevator’s doors.

For some reason, though, at that moment, a thought I had been suppressing for quite a bit re-appeared in my mind.

Earth...how was I going to get back to my world after all of this was said and done?

Unfortunately, I really had no answer...

Re-materializing in the elevator, I tapped the third-floor button and patiently waited as it went up.

The past two days I had spent all my time making up late assignments, so it was finally time for sword-training.

How could I make my sword jabs faster and more accurate?

However, as the elevator doors opened, a familiar brown-haired figure appeared in front of me, distracting me for a moment.

Glancing over the railing, Carissa paused for a moment before turning back to face me.

"..."

"..."

After a brief moment of awkward silence, she managed to ask.

"Was something happening down there?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I casually replied while walking past her and toward the AI dummy rooms.

"No idea."

...

...

...

What was that about?

As the elevator doors opened, Carissa confusedly stepped out and onto the first floor, surprised for a moment upon seeing a large crowd gathered nearby.

Normally, there weren’t more than thirty students in the training hall at a moment, but now, there was a crowd of 50 on the first floor alone?

Subconsciously, she muttered, now also seeing Leon standing outside the elevator as well.

"What’s going on?"

Her father and Leon’s father had been close business partners even before the two of them were born, so she had met Leon countless times before when their parents spoke.

Although both of them were known for being overly stubborn and cocky, they got along quite well, playing together as children and being close friends through middle school.

Last Wednesday, Carissa had even had dinner with Leon and Lily, the group of wealthy childhood friends meeting up to celebrate her recovery.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Carissa turned to her side and glanced at Leon, whose hands were clenched into fists and trembling.

What could have gotten him so angry?

Approaching Leon, Carissa asked confusedly.

"What happened here?"

Clicking his tongue, Leon simply said while avoiding her gaze.

"Nothing."

Holding in a laugh, Carissa nodded and walked toward the exit.

It was probably Ren, wasn’t it?

For the same reason she saw Haerin as an enemy due to the proximity in rank, Leon must hate Ren.

However, after a moment of silence, Leon suddenly caught up to her and asked as the crowd in front of them slowly dispersed.

"You’re going to try out to be part of the first-year team, right?"

As Carissa nodded her head, the two of them exited the training hall together.

"Yeah, you’re trying to be one of the Team Leaders, right?"

For the first time, Leon’s composure was broken as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head in silence before finally asking.

"The 2 First-year team leaders will probably be Ren and me...Lily isn’t trying out for Team Leader."

Already sensing Leon’s silent question, Carissa grinned and looked up at him.

"I want to fight against Ren. There can only be one best archer in the school."

In an instant, Leon’s previous frustration vanished as his palms relaxed and a genuine smile reappeared on his face.

"Sounds like we’ll be working together, then."

As a split in the path ahead of them appeared, Carissa asked.

"I’m heading to the dining hall, wanna come?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Leon followed behind Carissa and answered.

"If you say s-"

However, before Leon could finish his sentence, Carissa suddenly sprinted forward and yelled while pointing at a silver glint in the distance.

"Is that Lily!?"

Leaving Leon behind in the dust, Carissa ran ahead and leaped up into the air, trying to land on Lily’s back.

However, at that moment, Carissa’s body...suddenly froze mid-air.

With her arms stretched out and legs off the ground as she attempted to grab Lily back from behind, Carissa floated in the air as if time froze, completely unable to move.

Even a leaf that had been falling in the air above their heads halted in the air completely.

Then, in the next moment, Lily took a step forward.

Time immediately resumed as Carissa fell stomach-first on the path, groaning and rubbing her stomach as she stood back up.

"Don’t abuse your gifted ability like that!"

Looking back coldly, Lily answered.

"Then, don’t harass me."

"Saying ’hi’ is harassment, now!?"

As the two of them argued, Leon caught up and asked.

"Heading to the dining hall too, Lily?"

Not even looking back at the two of them, Lily nodded her head and began walking, forcing Carissa and Leon to catch up.

As the three of them walked together to the dining hall, Carissa couldn’t help but say sadly, feeling oddly nostalgic as the image of their three childish figures appeared before her.

"We’ll drift apart after graduation, won’t we?"

Lily ignored her question and pushed up her glasses while Leon muttered, barely loud enough for the two of them to hear.

"Let’s just always keep in contact."

"..."

Seeing Lily distractedly gazing off into the distance, Carissa took the chance to grab her shoulder and say.

"You’re still trying out to be on the First-year team, right?"

As Lily nodded her head, nudging Carissa’s hand off her shoulder, Carissa smiled and looked ahead as well.

In middle school, the three of them had fought together as well, easily winning the top position.

Were things going to be...different this time?

Shaking her head vehemently, Carissa led the way as the three of them stepped into the dining hall.