Emotions Stirred Again

The sun was rising and was covering the sky with its sunlight, making it blue. Shadows formed everywhere and every second that passed, it shortens by a millimeter.

Even by dusting off his clothes, Renir still looked like a mess. His clothes had noticeable tears and cuts here and there, not only this but also, it was ripply and crimpy just like his messy hair as if he had slept for three days straight while having ten different sleeping positions for him to have the worst "bed hair"

In short, he looked like a beggar on the corner of a street. Fortunately for him, it was too early to have that many people walking on the streets. Some were still preparing for the whole of school, job, or something they have business about or some were still sleeping.

It was a good thing that it was still too early in the morning also because Renir planned to borrow the school nurse's office's shower again. It was thick-faced but he has no choice. Before, seamlessly going in the school nurse's office was the only enviable thing about him and that made the other boys, especially the bullies, finally had a reason to hate him. Although ironic, it was reality.

However, Renir currently does not have the mood to be ashamed about his appearance. His head was filled with thoughts, resolutions to be exact. His body tingling for action while he had eyes of determination.

He had no other worries than to top the exam. Renir was recollecting all the things he learned and reviewed while he was with Imee. There were moments that his mind would just wander and think about Imee but instead of getting distracted, it turned into motivation.

He had already planned in his head. Although money was still vague about how he will earn some, thanks to his Uncle Ernanfo, he wouldn't have to worry about a place to live. Pentoran High was a school with free tuition fee, a free education so unless the class itself have a requirement that would need money, he wouldn't have a problem. Renir was also decided that after finishing his "responsibilities", he thought he should train martial arts too.

As a Rune Master, Renir's defense should be impeccable. He knew how far that is from a normal person's body so even if Ernanfo had superhuman capabilities, his brute strength was still not enough to defeat Renir's defense. However, it was not all about brute strength. As a complete amateur in martial arts, Renir didn't have the slightest idea how his Uncle Ernanfo could achieve that level of skills. No matter how much he adapts and tries to follow Ernanfo's movements. he gets confused and was thrown into muddles, letting the attack pierce the fragile spots of his body.

So with a body of a Rune Master, how much stronger can Renir get if he achieved the same level of skills as his Uncle Ernanfo. Surely he should have the power to protect Imee, right?

The body of a Rune Master is limit-breaking, especially Renir's body. His body was already two ranks stronger because of the accumulated energy he absorbed and also, how much it was trained. With the addition of his new improved abilities, Lasting Breath, after just an hour and he was fully rejuvenated. You could say the battle he had earlier helped activate his mind and warm up his body.

In other words. Renir was in a top condition in contrast to his appearance!

While having thoughts concentrated on his studies, Renir was still searching his way around the streets. The Fellnigh's dojo was farther than he expected. But no worries, since it was the city he was born and raised, he could take a guess where to go based on his memories.

So one hour had passed. Students on their way to school were increasing on the road.

Renir inwardly sighed in relief to see that he made the correct path. Although walking in a barely familiar place far from his destination was a bit rough, it was better than asking Uncle Ernanfo, who he just fought, to give him a ride or some money to commute. Not only was it audacious to do, but it will also definitely turn awkward. He followed along the atmosphere and walked off the dojo.

By then, he could hear whispers around himself. With his heightened senses further improved, he was able to hear everyone's whispers and could tell that it was about him. Although it would be hard to understand it all because their conversations were like the buzzing of bees. But after putting his mind to a few students, Renir could get the grasp of the surrounding whisper's topic.

"He's back again."

"I really thought he was just trying to show off to the Idol but after realizing he had done, he chickened out."

"I know that he's great at studying but can he defeat the Alpha who ranked third even though he was focused on martial, especially that the Alpha also skipped school to study. Man~ they live in an entirely different world."

"How could you say that?"

"Well, they study for the exam. Who does that?"

"The Idol, although, it's a given that she would be at the top. And I get that feeling, I slept last night late because I tried to get my rank bank again after having a losing streak. I never thought of studying..."

"Me too, but look at him, is he going to take the exam? Why is he not in his school uniform? And did he had an accident or something? Is that okay?"

"Given that the school doesn't really care, maybe."

.....

'The Alpha they were talking about should be that guy.' Harvie's face that Renir found annoying popped on his mind, 'So we both skipped school after that... but he studied hard and I chickened out? I really have a bad reputation.' he shrugged his shoulders as his mind turned to recall all that he learned from the first subject to the last.

Imee's arrangement of subjects was in the order of the schedule they would take the exams. So after keeping the first subject clear in his mind, he would throw it off after the test and onto the second subject and so on.

Renir hadn't noticed he reached the school gate because of his thought-filled head. And there, Old Rogers greeted him with a smile.

"I thought you have gone to a faraway land, boy. Never expected for you to really show up. I wonder what you did in these past two days."

Renir just waved and thought, 'Oh, you have no idea...' he took off without replying.

"Hm, giving me the cold shoulder." Old Roger sat on his chair with a smile, "Maybe he's going to take a shower again at the school nurse's office, lucky boy." but then after thinking for a while, he put his hand on his beer belly and whispered, "Doesn't he have bandages before? So it was healed. I thought I heard that it would take a month before? Ah... I'm failing to gossip again."

The students who were whispering about Renir earlier saw this and had their eyes widened.

"So the school doesn't really care..."

On his way to the nurse's office just like what Old Roger had thought, Renir's head was oscillating from the left to right, hoping to find Imee at the crowd. Although he planned to meet up with Imee after all the exams, he just hoped and wanted to see and tell her he's okay. But unfortunately, Renir arrived at his destination before spotting Imee.

'Maybe she's in her class...' he thought, but also, 'Did she know about Uncle Ernanfo?' he remembered that was one of the people that looked shocked when her father showed his immense strength.

In the school nurse's office, Nurse Mitha was always studying in her spare time. The job as a school nurse there was for college credits, or else, she would have gone to a better school to apply. Everyone could tell that she still a young age since her youthful beauty was vibrant.

While focused on her studies, she heard a knock on the door. Wondering who needs something from the nurse's office so early in the morning, or maybe, it was just another "ill" student boys who never learned.

"Enter," she said and saw a familiar face enter the doorway, "Oh..."

"Nurse Mitha, could I please use the shower again?" Renir entered.

"Hm" Nurse Mitha forcedly but lightly exhaled through her nose as her brows furrowed and her lips frowned, "You said you were going to tell me what happened to you but then proceeded to be absent till yesterday. So you come back here now when you need something from me? What am I, your plaything now?" she puffed her cheeks.

"Ugh..." somehow, Renir expected this to happen as a bead of sweat dripped through his cheek, "Eh... umm... sorry... a lot happened so I didn't have the time to come back."

"Ohh..." Nurse Mitha glared at first but then her frown turned into a smile, "Heh- just kidding." she lightly laughed, "I knew what happened with you and the Alpha so go ahead and use it."

"....." Renir was surprised, 'Was nurse always this caring?' although he spent a lot of time with her before, he always felt she was talking to him out of boredom to keep her entertained, especially since his stories back then was "hilarious" for her, but now it felt different.

"Thank you, nurse!" Renir quickly bowed and immediately took a shower.

"Oh, and I only have a spare PE uniform if you need it but that's better than the casual clothing you're wearing. I mean, what were you thinking of going to school like that? You look like a beggar."

"....." Renir was feeling gratitude and insulted at the same time, "Okay"

As he took a cold shower he didn't mind, only a few minutes were left before the exam begins.

Inside the shower, Renir was preoccupied with thoughts as the water poured onto his head from the shower.

There, he realized, that although his body was in top condition and his brain was active, his emotions were still unsteady.

He then hurried up in the shower. Before the exams start, he just wanted to tell Imee that he was fine and give good luck. He knew he needed to meet her because he felt only by doing so would ease his worries and hidden anxiety.