The Gathering.

I arrived at the academy with Ziona shortly after leaving the restaurant.

"...I just got a text from Ayla saying they're in the Archery grounds, waiting for us," Ziona said abruptly.

"Huh? what for? Are they not intending to attend the classes?" I asked.

"I have no idea either, she didn't mention anything about it, but your next class is usually Archery, so you'll have to go there eventually," Ziona remarked.

"...Well, you're not wrong," I said as I followed her to the archery grounds.

We soon arrived at the archery range and noticed that it was empty even though it was class time.

"Why are there no students on the archery range? Did we miss something significant by skipping just one class?" Ziona spoke as she focused her attention on me.

I shrugged in response, and we soon moved into the professor's private room, which we are now using as our meeting space.

Clink!—