Charity Ball (7)

"Should we have a celebration?" I wondered.

We got rid of all the monsters while the humanoids had all escaped. With all the ruckus of the monsters in the other areas in the first district, it was no doubt that this mansion was one of the safest places to be right now. Maybe it was even safer than the school.

"Are you kidding me Rika?" Alex unfroze from his spot first.

I nodded my head and erased my emotions that showed on my face to show I was serious.

"Your hand is still bleeding," Luke frowned in disapproval, urging me to sit down.

Luke got out a roll of bandages from his marble as he quickly wrapped it around my hand to stop the bleeding. Maybe the bandages were different in the first district as well, I was amazed I could move my other hand again as soon as he finished tying it into place.

"Well… the charity ball is still going on, right?" I went through all the events inside my head.

"We need to continue to get our points," I pointed out.

We would definitely be the winners since Charles' team had abandoned their venue. Where were the others anyways? Ever since I went to be the lookout, I realized I never saw a speckle of them.

For once, no one disagreed with me. Luke looked at Lucius for his approval as he nodded his head to agree. I smiled as it appeared the charity ball would still continue. It was also the perfect distraction to forget all those horrible events from the past days.

"Where is everyone?" I asked them.

"On the first floor, charging the teleportation gate," Luke offered to escort me down the stairs.

I accepted his hand as we separated from Lucius and Alex. I knew they were heading towards the weapon room to return the dangerous sword. I pushed the door to find nobody charging the teleportation gate anymore, instead, they looked at me, wondering if I was a real person. I guessed they had watched the fight from the ground.

"Is the teleportation gate charged?" I wondered.

"Rika!" Shelly ran to hug me.

"We all saw the fight from the windows," she shivered from recalling her memories.

"This is why we should do a celebration!" I suggested to the group of weary faces.

Ben's hair was drenched in sweat from exhausting most of his mana, "I don't think this is the time- ."

"It is! We got rid of all the monsters to the point this is one of the safest places in the first district!" I argued.

"You do know the purpose of this party, right?" I placed my hands on my hips.

"But- "

"Even Lucius approved," I emphasized when they looked at Luke for help.

Ben sighed as he gave in, making everyone unable to refuse. I happily skipped in front of the teleportation gate to see how much it was charged. Viewing the gauge, there was enough for about a quarter of us to travel back to school.

"In fact, there seems to be enough so that those who don't want to participate can leave," I continued until Luke elbowed me to stop.

"Can we leave?" Ellen unexpectedly put up her hand.

I sadly smiled as I knew Ellen was trying to be considerate to us by leaving with her team. It would be awkward if they were here while we were on opposite sides. I nodded my head as Luke pressed the settings onto his teleportation gate while Charles, Miliana and Allan entered after Ellen. In a flash of a second, they were gone, leaving the original five pairs of guests with us.

"Is this how you escaped yesterday?" Oili appeared worried for me.

"Somewhat…" I sadly smiled.

"That's why we would be really thankful if you donated so we wouldn't have to try as hard to get points in other missions," I slightly bowed.

I quickly brought out the donation box placed on top of the cabinet inside the same room. It was Luke's great thinking to make sure there were various donation boxes everywhere in the mansion where the guests were able to access. Oili waved his hand on top of the box to donate one million Aris.

My jaw almost dropped from his generous donation. This was too much even though he came from a wealthy family. Even Luke appeared stunned as he stared at Oili's face for a while. Oili waved his hands like it was no big deal, "it's nothing compared to saving our lives today."

But if he never accepted the invitation in the first place, he would've never landed in this mess. After a few seconds of awkward silence, Ethan coughed as he waved his hand to donate one and a half million Aris after Oili. It was like money raining down to the ground.

"This is for Sprinkles," Ethan coughed to hide the favor I would have to return.

My eyes welled up from tears from the support given by my two childhood friends. Even if Sprinkles was a disaster, it didn't compare to the situation we put them through. I would never be under the threat of dying by helping him take care of Sprinkles. I was seeing Sprinkles in a new light now.

"How do you two know each other?" Oili wondered as we were in opposite fractions and different years.