Unexpected Summons

"Huh! Hup!"

Even though the final exams were clearly over, the lights in the training grounds were still on.

*Clack!*

"What's wrong, Kyle? Why are you so fired up again?" Fabian, who had put down his long spear and flopped onto his seat, asked Kyle, who was diligently swinging his sword.

Kyle retrieved the sword he had been swinging, turned his head slightly, and looked at Fabian sitting on the floor.

"It's not that I'm fired up."

"Hey, that's funny. You've been swinging your sword all this time, and you're not fired up?"

Fabian asked again with an excited expression, but Kyle only smiled faintly and resumed swinging his sword.

"Ugh!"

"Kyle, tell me. Why are you doing this?"

"Fabian, What are you taking about?"

"Are you doing this because of the dungeon study test?"

"… …"

*Bam!*

Kyle paused and put down his sword for a moment, then shook his head.

"No, that's not it."

"Then what is it?"

"I feel like I can't just stay like this."

"What?"

Fabian asked, clearly confused, but Kyle continued swinging his sword in silence.

Fabian stared at Kyle for a moment, then sighed and grabbed his spear, beginning his own training.

After some time had passed, both men put down their weapons and lay on the ground, exhausted.

Fabian, panting for breath, turned his head to look at Kyle.

"Are you upset?"

"Huh?"

"Are you upset that we lost the top spot? To be honest, I was really upset. I still can't believe we lost."

"I wasn't that upset. I was just… …"

"Heh, a guy who isn't even upset is swinging his sword like crazy after exams?"

Fabian grinned and continued, "Honestly, I don't like that Lucas Voss."

To Fabian, the existence of Lucas Voss wasn't particularly likable.

He had a great background and immense potential, but his tendency to ignore others and act as he pleased was the opposite of Fabian's values. If Kyle hadn't been involved with Lucas, Fabian would've been the first to confront him.

"Why, did Lucas do something wrong to you?"

"No, that's not it. It's just that the way he carries himself doesn't sit well with me."

"What part?"

"Just… everything."

Fabian trailed off and looked at Kyle again.

"It's annoying."

"… …?"

"Who would enjoy watching a talented guy from a good family act like a loose cannon?"

"Okay?"

"Yeah, I just don't get along with that type of person."

Fabian shook his head as he spoke, continuing his rant.

"Besides, there's been talk lately that he cheated on the exams by figuring out the test questions in advance."

"Cheating?"

"Yeah, how else did he have all the right items for the boss monsters in the dungeon? There's no way he beat us otherwise."

Kyle shook his head slightly at Fabian's comment.

"That's probably not true."

"Huh? What are you saying, Kyle? What do you know?"

"It's just... Lucas was sincere."

"What?"

"Did you see the look on Lucas's face after the test?"

"No, why would I?"

"I don't know how the rumor started, but it sounds like nonsense to me." Kyle groaned as he stood up again, grabbing his sword.

"So, we have to get stronger."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Fabian shook his head with a smirk, watching Kyle pick up his weapon.

"Anyway, you want to become stronger than you are now, right? You must be on fire."

Fabian said this with a sly grin before grabbing his spear and standing up. "Let me join you. I'll help."

With that, the two of them resumed their training, pushing themselves late into the night.

***

When I returned to the dorm, I immediately opened the fridge.

Gulp, gulp!

"Ah, now I feel like I can live a little."

As I drank a glass of refreshing apple juice, the cool sensation spread all the way to the tips of my hair. It felt like something that had been building up inside me was being washed away.

I nodded slightly, feeling the weight of both my pockets.

"Hmm, today's profit was better than expected."

Steaks and lobster from restaurants, cookies for dessert, and even madeleines wrapped in luxurious packaging—today had been good.

"At this rate, I shouldn't have to worry for at least a week."

After organizing the items I had stashed away, I smiled happily while looking at the secret storage spaces I had filled here and there.

"Yeah, that's life."

Living wasn't just about achieving some set goal and moving forward. There had to be room to breathe, a sense that whatever was lacking was being filled.

Dump!

I threw myself onto the bed.

"Home is the best after all."

There was nothing better than relaxing in the comfort of my own place. My stomach was full, my body at ease. Could anything beat this? I had no desire to go out and deal with people, especially those who loved to hassle me.

"…It's dangerous outside the bed."

For at least two weeks, I was determined not to leave my bed for the rest of the vacation.

That was my reward—my compensation for all the effort and stress.

While I was lying there, content in my own thoughts, a knock came at the door.

Knock, knock!

"…Bren?"

As I approached the door, calling his name, an unexpected voice responded.

"It's me, Lucas."

"...Huh?"

"This is the manager. Please open the door."

Oh no. It was the maid manager, someone I'd become quite familiar with.

But…why was she here now? I wasn't exactly in the mood to talk to anyone.

"I'm a little tired today..."

"Open the door."

"...Yes."

Her firm tone left no room for argument. Reluctantly, I opened the door.

"Hello, Lucas."

As always, she greeted me with a bright smile. I awkwardly raised my hand in return.

"Oh, hello. But what brings you here?"

"I have something to give you, Lucas."

Before I could finish my question, she held something out toward me.

"It's a letter from Professor Xabir."

"…Professor Xabir?"

That name sounded familiar.

"Yes, the head professor of magic."

"Why did he send me a letter?"

"Well, I'm not sure. I think you can read the details yourself. I'll leave you to it."

As she was about to turn and leave, she stopped and looked back at me.

"Oh!"

"…?"

"Congratulations on avoiding expulsion from the Academy, Lucas. That's all for now."

I stood there, stunned by the unexpected remark, not even able to react.

Thud!

The door closed behind her, leaving me alone with the letter in my hands.

Thud, thud!

Without wasting any time, I tore the letter open and read its contents.

**[Lucas, I have something to tell you.

Come to my office tomorrow at 10 AM.

- Professor Phelan Xabir]**

"What? Suddenly?"

The completely unexpected message left me staring at the letter, my eyes wide with surprise.

Why did Professor Xabir want to see me?

The timing felt strange, especially after everything that had happened during the exams. I glanced around my room, suddenly aware of the clutter.

"Focus, Lucas," I muttered to myself.

I needed to prepare, not just for the meeting, but for whatever might come next. My heart raced with a mix of anxiety and curiosity. The professor was known for being strict and serious, but he had always treated me fairly, even after the fiasco with the dungeon exam.

I tossed the letter onto my desk and paced the room.

"What could it be about?" I wondered aloud.