Chapter 9 - Midnight Escape

Rion sat on his bed, staring out the window of his dorm room, lost in thought. The events of the previous day played over in his mind like a never-ending reel. He could still feel the rush of adrenaline from the intense battles, the mix of excitement and fear that coursed through him as he faced each challenge. But even as these memories filled his thoughts, they couldn't entirely drown out the memories of his past.

Growing up in the slums of Iturreal had been a trial of survival. The harsh realities of life in the underbelly of the city shaped him into who he was today. He thought about his sister, Penelope, and how much he missed her. The responsibility of keeping her safe weighed heavily on his shoulders, a burden he bore willingly but one that never grew lighter.

Penelope was in a secluded village now, hidden away in a Trinity Church branch under the care of a priestess. It was a quiet, serene place far removed from the chaos of their past, a place where she could be safe, away from the dangers that Rion faced daily. He had made a promise to keep her protected, no matter the cost.

Rion shook himself from his thoughts. He had to focus on the present. Today, he needed to visit Penelope and make sure everything was alright. It had been a while since he'd seen her, and his heart ached with longing and worry. He stood up, stretching his limbs, and made his way to the window. His room was on the second floor of the student dormitory, a vantage point that provided a clear view of the academy grounds.

He looked out over the campus, taking in the familiar layout. The student dorms, where he currently stood, were at the centre of the compound—a tall, rectangular building made of grey stone with rows of windows stretching up to the fourth floor. Adjacent to the dorms was a similar structure, designated for the instructors. The two buildings faced each other across a paved courtyard, their austere facades reflecting the rigid discipline of the school.

To the left of the dorms was the sports facility building, a large, domed structure that housed various training rooms and equipment. It was where the students honed their physical abilities, engaging in everything from martial arts to archery. The building's metal roof glinted faintly in the moonlight, a silent sentinel watching over the campus.

On the right side of the dorms, the classrooms stretched out in a neat row. Each classroom was its own building, constructed from the same grey stone as the dorms, giving the school a uniform appearance. There were about ten of them in total, each designed to hold a specific class or training session. Beyond the classrooms, at the far right of the campus, lay the training centre, a vast, open area where students practised their combat skills. It was a place of sweat, blood, and relentless effort, the proving ground for aspiring rangers and warriors.

Directly in front of the dorms was a large field, a wide expanse of grass that served as a recreational area and meeting spot for the students. At the centre of the field was the school's crest, a massive emblem etched into the ground with precise lines and intricate details. It was a symbol of pride and tradition, a reminder of the academy's long history of excellence. At the edge of the field stood the entrance to the school—a single red door framed by stone pillars. It was a simple yet imposing gateway, leading to the outside world.

Encircling the entire compound was a tall, 4-metre-high fence, a barrier of wrought iron and steel that kept unwanted visitors out and students in. It was both a protector and a prison, a stark reminder of the academy's isolation from the world beyond.Rion took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to do. He climbed out of the window and perched on the narrow ledge, his bare toes gripping the cold stone. With a swift motion, he jumped down, twisting his body mid-air. He focused his Kami, channelling his fire through his feet. Flames burst forth, slowing his descent as he landed softly on the grass below. He quickly glanced around, ensuring no one had seen him, then moved silently toward the back of the dorms.As he approached the wall behind the dorm, he noticed a figure already there, examining the stone with a calculating gaze. Kasuto stood with his hand against the wall, his eyes glinting in the moonlight as he muttered calculations under his breath.

Rion smirked and called out softly, "Kasuto!"

Kasuto turned his head slightly, his expression unchanged. His eyes glowed with a faint white light, showing he was using his Kami. "Rion? What are you doing here?"

Rion shrugged nonchalantly. "I could ask you the same thing."

Kasuto's eyes narrowed but didn't answer directly. "You're sneaking out too?"

Rion nodded. "Looks like we had the same idea."

They stood in silence for a moment, neither willing to divulge their true intentions. Finally, Kasuto spoke. "If we're both going over this wall, we might as well help each other."

"Agreed," Rion replied.They approached the wall, standing side by side. Rion looked up at the imposing structure, its smooth surface broken only by the occasional crack or outcropping of stone. "So, how do we do this?"

Kasuto tapped the wall, then glanced at Rion. "I've calculated the best spots for handholds and footholds. I'll go first, and you use your Kami to boost us up once I reach the top. With your fire and my calculations, we should be able to clear it easily."

Rion nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Let's do it."

Kasuto took a step back, his eyes narrowing as he focused. He placed his hands and feet on the chosen spots, climbing with a practised ease that spoke of his calculated precision. He moved quickly, scaling the wall with an efficiency that seemed almost unnatural, even though it was purely his intelligence guiding his actions.

Rion watched closely, waiting for the right moment. As Kasuto reached the top of the wall, Rion ignited the flames beneath his feet. With a burst of heat and light, he launched himself upward, catching Kasuto's outstretched hand.Together, they vaulted over the wall, landing softly on the other side. They quickly crouched down, listening for any signs of alarm, but the night remained still and quiet.

Kasuto gave Rion a brief nod of acknowledgment. "Not bad, fire boy. Not bad at all."

Rion grinned. "You're not so bad yourself, Mr. Genius."

Unbeknownst to them, a figure watched from the shadows of the dormitory. Connor stood there, a faint smile on his lips, his eyes glinting with amusement. He had seen everything but chose to remain silent. This would be an interesting day, indeed.

With a chuckle, Connor turned and disappeared back into the darkness, leaving Rion and Kasuto to their journey.