56 Punishment

If he had not known Kuvar and Timothy for a month and grew close to them in the past month, he wouldn't definitely try to meddle in their lives and forcing them into training. Though he sounds forceful, it was for their benefit as well. If they cannot improve their ability within a year and just stuck at the current level, probably working like a normal person would be their life path.

"Come on, why are you guys look so depressed like that." Luke tried to lighten the atmosphere, "Why don't we play some games together now?"

Because of the Inner Competition LSA held, Luke's attention was entirely focused on the training and ended up neglecting quality time with his friends. As a result, he rarely played games with them and only exchanged little pleasantries before going to sleep due to his tiredness from exercising. Thus, with the competition neared its end, he wanted to slack off a bit.

Upon hearing Luke's suggestion, Kuvar and Timothy exchanged glances with each other before Kuvar turned to Luke with shock written over his face, "Who are you? Our protagonist Luke would now suggest us to work-out instead of playing games!"

"..." Luke was speechless before he gritted his teeth in annoyance and amusement, "I'm a ghost spirit who will haunt you for the rest of your life!"

In the end, Luke and his friends ended up playing games together. They played until Luke gets a notification message from Aisyl regarding their incoming appointment with the principal. Lifting his body, Luke jumped directly from the upper side of the bunk-bed before announcing, "I gotta go."

"WHAT??" Came two simultaneous replies from Kuvar and Timothy.

"Yeah, I got an appointment with someone." As he said, Luke already wore his uniform and currently adjusting it in front of the mirror.

"Then, how about our game?? What should our team do to fight against 5 people when our team only had 4 members after you left."

"What should you do?" Luke paused at the door before turning around and said, "Wise men know when to advance and retreat. In this case, your best option was to initiate SURRENDER!" After saying that, Luke quickly stormed out of the room.

"F*** You!" Kuvar cursed.

...

With the scorching sun position precisely at its peak, Luke's figure gradually revealed from the dorm building. Placing his palm above his eyelids to cover his face slightly from the heat, Luke narrowed his eyes trying to see the distance. Slowly, Aisyl's slender figure comes into his sight. Wearing the same clothes as in the morning, her violet hair seems glowing under the sun's brightness.

When their eyes met, a smile formed on their faces. Increasing his walk pace, Luke finally arrived in front of Aisyl and immediately went to greet her, "Hi! How's the lesson?"

"Not bad, the teacher praised me a lot today," Aisyl said with a tone of pride.

"Really? How so?" Luke inquired as he placed himself beside Aisyl and walked side-by-side toward the principal's office on the main building.

...

As they filled their journey by chattering, Luke suddenly asked in a worried tone, "Say, Syl. Would our punishment be severe? If they handed us over to the disciplinary committee, I would be relieved instead."

"Haha, no worry, no worry. It was my fault at first after all. If he decides to punish us, I'll take all the penalty." Aisyl replied assuringly while patting her chest.

"But then you'll shoulder all the burden," Luke replied hesitantly.

"Are you a woman? Stop being wishy-washy. You want a light punishment, but don't want me to get the most penalty. Then, how could your wish be granted?" Aisyl rolled her eyes.

Luke was about to refute when he sees Aisyl stopped in her tracks. Questioning her silently, Luke shifted his head to his front and finally knew what's stopping her. It turns out they already reached their destination. It wasn't within Luke's expectation since he was expecting a kind of colossal future-shaped building like any other construction on LSA. Instead, it was surprisingly a normal-shaped building like his house!

"Is this the correct place? Because I feel the opposite." Luke muttered in doubt.

"I'm not sure either. But we have seen it properly on the map, and along the way, we have asked several people just to confirm. So, I guess this is the correct place." Aisyl spoke after analyzing.

"Let's go," Luke said as he leads the way.

Pressing the doorbell, the bell rang twice before it ended. Standing nervously, Luke heard the sounds of footsteps slowly nearing before the door creaked open.

"Yes?" The door opened as a figure belonged to Mister Braun popped out from the inside.

"Is this Elder Wayne's house?" Luke asked politely.

"Oh, you're the youngster who caused chaos yesterday's night!"

The corner of Luke's eyes couldn't help twitched at the mention of chaos they caused yesterday.

"Come in, come in. He's already waiting for you guys' arrival." Mister Braun invited and closed the door when both Aisyl and Luke already done stepped inside.

Led by Mister Braun, they were escorted to the somewhat living room with pretty normal decoration and furniture as any other household has.

'It feels like I come to my house.' Luke thought to himself before spotting Elder Wayne's figure sitting on the couch in the middle of watching the news on the TV.

Never did he expect a strict, mighty Elder Wayne would look so carefree inside his own house.

Upon seeing how casual Elder Wayne is, Luke and Aisyl exchanged glances before breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sit wherever you like." Elder Wayne said.

Luke and Aisyl proceed to sit on the nearest couch as Elder Wayne ordered. With Elder Wayne being silent, Luke was about to initiate the conversation when Aisyl outstrips him by saying with an apologetic tone, "I'm sorry, Elder Wayne. I was careless yesterday for executing my ability openly like that."

Elder Wayne went quiet for a moment before said, "Just apologize? You two alarmed our defensive measure, and if it were not for our people who recognize the badge attached to your chest, you'd be completely barraged by hundred of beams."

Hearing their fate was close to death that day, Luke involuntarily gulped his saliva. One beam could gash Aisyl badly. Even more hundred of beams.

Before both Aisyl and Luke able to respond, Elder Wayne continued, "However, due to the good merit you've done for us in sparring match with Myre Academy a month ago, I'll let you go this time."

"But..."

"Luke Lewis wasn't the same. He's a newcomer here, and for him already caused such trouble this early wouldn't be a good example for other students. If I let him go just as you, wouldn't Luke Lewis 2 or 3 appear sooner or later? Thus, I've decided to punish him by sending him out on a mission."

"But he only saved me that day!" Aisyl argued.

"There's no but! Once I've decided, I'll stay to that thought no matter what." Seeing Aisyl unconvincing look, Elder Wayne creased his forehead, "Don't challenge my authority here, little girl."

Seeing the atmosphere turned tense, Luke tugged at Aisyl uniform to draw her attention, "Hey, I think it's fine. It's just a task from the school. Nothing will go wrong, right?"

Giving him a wry smile, Aisyl said, "Don't say like that, Luke. Every character in scary movies I've seen. They always say, "Nothing will go wrong." before trouble happened to them."

Luke was stunned hearing her words for a moment before realization hit him. With an unnatural smile, "I think such a thing only happened in movies."

Though saying that, he couldn't help but feel nervous due to Aisyl's warning.

"Cough, did you forget this old man still here?" Elder Wayne coughed to announce his presence.

"Sorry, Elder Wayne." Luke hurried apologized to Elder Wayne before sitting up straight and inquired, "When does the mission take place?

"Soon. I'll send a man to inform you later." Elder Wayne briefly said.

"Can I join along too?" Aisyl asked as she raised her hand.

"No!" Elder Wayne immediately replied and quickly added before Aisyl able to argue, "This task is too easy for you. If you tag along with him, the punishment would be meaningless."

Aisyl obligingly nodded her head. Seeing she becomes docile, Elder Wayne smiles in relief, "That's it. You can go back now"

Seeing the matter is resolved, Luke and Aisyl didn't stay any longer and immediately escorted outside by Mister Braun.

When Mister Braun comes back to the living room, Elder Wayne inquired, "Are they finally gone?"

"Yep." He nodded his head before asking confusingly, "Why are you preventing her from following him along? If you pairing her with your disciple, wouldn't the mission goes way smoother?"

"Heh, we need great bait to attract them. And Aisyl Lexis is the most suitable candidate for that." Elder Wayne said thoughtfully as he stroke his beard.

"Tch, you old fox. If her father hears you talking about his daughter like that, you'll be doomed in no time." Mister Braun clicked his tongue as he began to sit on one of the chairs.

"Heh, but he's not here, right?" Elder Wayne scoffed when a whooshing wind suddenly comes, along with an emergence of a lean figure wearing plain clothes.

"How's the investigation?" Elder Wayne inquired.

"No movement yet." The mysterious-figure replied shortly.

Elder Wayne seems to think for a moment before asked, "How's your opinion about Luke Lewis?"

A glint of friendliness flashed across the mysterious-figure eyes before he replied, "I don't think he's one of their members. But my judgment could be wrong."

"Hmmm...I'm already assigned him to be your partner for your infiltration mission. I believe you'd know about his true intention at that moment."

"I'd do as per your order, sir."