Chapter - 26 : Reunion

(Continuation…)

(After the Opening Ceremony)

(Rai's POV)

"Is this the Café where we are supposed to meet?"(Rai)

I asked, my voice laced with a hint of uncertainty.

The Café before me was a burst of overwhelming colors, bright and radiant to an extent that was a bit too grand for my taste.

The sheer size of it...

Is it even appropriate to call this a Café?

And also…

"Why is it so crowded?"(Rai)

I couldn't help but remark, my attention drawn to the throng of people around us.

First the bustling Opening Ceremony, and now this.

When was the last time I found myself surrounded by so many people?

"It's not crowded, Your Highness Rai Karnal.

"This is how it usually looks."(David)

David chimed with his words poking tone.

I couldn't help but think, David, aren't you getting a bit too informal with me?

Is it only me, or did his change from the timid and overly modest side to his newfound clinginess feel too abrupt?

"Well maybe it is slightly more packed than usual.

"After all, today's Opening Ceremony."(David)

David added, agreeing with my thoughts.

"*nod."(Kavir)

Ignoring his antics I turned to Kavir for confirmation, silently seeking his input, and he affirmed my realization with a nod.

"But from the looks of it, you don't seem to mind the crowd."

David noted, implying that I wasn't exactly uncomfortable.

Should I be uncomfortable?

"...I don't mind every now and then"(Rai)

I chuckled, letting a hint of my perspective slip through.

Memories of my days as a student in Rohith's densely populated cities flashed through my mind. It wasn't foreign to me.

David carried on–

"It's a good thing we made a reservation ahead of time."

"...yeah."(Rai)

I responded, a quiet agreement.

Entering the café, my eyes roamed across the interior.

It didn't take much time for me to spot a section in the corner of the café where the supposed meeting would be held.

The tables in the whole section are clearly marked with reserved signs, which is, of course, our work for privacy.

This section was distinct, housing around eight empty tables arranged in pairs, enclosed by the walls on all four sides.

We settled into one of the tables in the front of the section.

The subtle clinks of chairs and quiet discussions blended smoothly with the background noises from the other sections of the café.

My fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as my gaze kept drifting towards the entrance.

.

A few minutes had ticked by, the Cafe's door swung open, revealing the arrival of a pair.

Both were dressed in the same uniform as us, a clear indicator that they too were fellow first-year students.

One among them strode in confidently, leading.

Her appearance was hard to miss even if she was in the mass crowd, while her companion followed in her footsteps slightly behind, a touch more reserved.

My focus was solely sharpened on the leading figure pair as she made her way inside.

The confidence in her demeanor stayed as her gaze swept across the room, searching for someone.

Not later her eyes locked onto our group and eventually, her gaze settled on me.

We both stared at each other without much change in expression.

…at least on the surface.

After a second she averted her gaze away from me.

Despite being here to meet me, she didn't continue her stride in my direction.

I watched as she exchanged some words with the person beside her.

And then, rather than moving towards me, she passed through me and claimed another vacant seat across from me.

Observing this, I couldn't help but notice the dynamics at play.

As if on cue, the figure accompanying her began moving in my direction, responding to some sort of request.

Well, I think this is enough playing strangers, I guess.

Undeterred, I pushed my chair back and stood up.

I exchanged a knowing glance with Kavir, who offered a simple nod, before I made my way to the table taken by-

-Lotuscrest Viviana Rosalind-

"Greetings, Your Highness Rai Kavi–"(Maya)

"Later, Maya."(Rai)

I cut off Maya's impending formalities and acknowledged her presence with a wave of my hand.

There is no need to act on what Viviana meant by taking another seat and wasting our time while Maya performs her scripted act of 'apologizing' for her Master's behavior and 'inviting' me to join her.

The ambiance was a blend of clinking cutlery and the gentle hum of background conversations as I approached her.

"Miss Second Ranker, what an honor to finally meet you in person."(Rai)

I greeted Viviana with a playful tone, pulling out a chair across from her.

"Well, well, if it isn't The Privileged One."(Rosalind)

Viviana retorted with a raised eyebrow.

…damn, the rumors have already started to spread?

"*chuckle~"(Rai)

Contrary to my thoughts, an unintentional chuckle escaped my mouth due to the conversation we just had.

Viviana and the one who heard my chuckle will never know it, but I knew the reason behind my slip up.

The two titles we just referred-

-Miss Second Ranker-

and-The Privileged One-

Are the same ones that our two characters in the Novel simply loathed to their cores.

Yeah! As you may have guessed, the Novel-[WarZone]-plot had begun.

The novel starts off with the first Arc.

-[Entrance Test Arc]-

Meaning this was also the first appearance of-Viviana-in the Novel.

…and also the Protagonist and stuff, but let's ignore him for now.(Author : Yeah! My MC has the gall to ignore the 'Protagonist' itself, even though he is a mere 'Extra')

This is where Viviana made the Greatest and most Commanding appearance ever in the history of the Entrance Test of the Elite-Class with her dazzling performance.

It left everyone awestruck, including the Protagonist and various powers within the Empire.

And whoever previously ignored and dismissed her from the Battle of the Throne were berated.

Oh, the irony of it all.

While the main plot in the Novel begins with the Entrance Test, I, your dear Extra, was also(:only) Honing(:dozing) in my Kingdom.

I practically breezed into the Elite-Class by skipping the test using my Privilege.

Of course, it wasn't the first time a Noble or a Royal made it to Elite-Class without an Entrance Exam, though I am the only one in this year's class of first-years.

However, there is a difference between the Nobles and Royals, who had the same privilege in the history of the Academy, and me, and that is-

They were all either recognized and praised as geniuses and prodigies on various occasions.

Or possessed above basic abilities to at least keep up with their fellow students and commoners.

No.

Though my character in the novel was definitely not a prodigy or a genius, he is among the second case and is capable of pulling his own weight.

Despite this, he(:I) was still monikered with the title referring to my Privilege.

The reason behind it was that he lacked the most important thing whoever fell in the second category had, and that was 'Allies'.

The lack of interest in involving myself with anyone outside of my family had practically left me unsocialized with the nobility's heirs or forging alliances, and I ended up without any connections.

And there was also the news of his 'Engagement' with Viviana was speeded.

The jealousy over his Privilege and him being the Fiancé of one of the beautiful and talented women, on top of having no connections, were enough to stir the students against him.

Similarly, Viviana also hated her title, as the prideful woman she was being called by that name irritated her.

She was all for the first spot but lost by a small margin of 'one point' due to the miscalculation in her plan.

Truth be told, if anyone else had addressed either of us with titles we just referred to each other by, our responses might have been quite contrasting.

…and dangerous.

However, we are still sitting in our same positions, with me even chuckling at the title I should hate.

We knew it was just teasing, and either of us really didn't mean it.

After all, of all the people, she's one of the few who knows my true abilities.

…after Kavir.

"What happened?"(Rosalind)

Viviana inquired, catching sight of my amused expression.

"Nothing.

–I shrugged, my smile lingering.

"So Why did you ask me to meet you..?"(Rai)

"Sure, if you say so."(Rosalind)

She arched an eyebrow, unconvinced.

.

(To be continued…)

★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★

Chapter words : 1445

Total words : 35.71K