Chapter 326: A Man (Han) on Edge

Sir Leon cleared his throat and waved a hand. "We're glad you're joining us now, Han. You've been a little on edge for the past weeks, well… it still seems like you are, but it's great to finally have you back on the table."

"Er, I don't think there's much to say..." Han said as he finished his meal. 

He wasn't the most confrontational of people—and while he did talk, it was never as bad as Timothy or some other folks. But based on how Donovan reacted, it seemed like he wasn't only him who thought that Sir Leon did too much. 

"I suppose, but that's all in the past." Sir Leon said and then continued eating. "There's not much use to looking back at it."

In some ways, the Noble was even sketchier than Kai and that was saying something.

"You were really anti-social for some time." Russel frowned. "But… I already brought that up."

Diov rolled his eyes. "Countless times already, not everyone thinks it's impressive that we were out late and didn't come right away during the curfew."

"A cautionary tale, at worst you guys will get point deductions," Sir Leon said.

Han winced at the memory. "Yeah, sorry. I really didn't think it was that big of a deal when I'm quite new compared to you guys." He didn't want to say that he didn't feel like he belonged to their social circle. "—Plus I needed to pull my grades up or risk getting expelled, you know? The monthly tuition is expensive here."

"Huh, haven't you tried volunteering during the break?" Donovan asked.

"Wait—there's something like that?" Han blinked.

"Yeah, during the semester break you can help out here in the Academy." Kai rolled his eyes. "Did no one over tell you that? A good percent of the Students here also do some activities that help lower the fees."

"Oh." Han frowned. Did Old Man Joe know about that? No, it wasn't him that was the problem—the Headmaster never mentioned something like that at all! He assumed that everyone here was bleeding or pooping gold coins or something. 

"I did mention that some also get sponsored by certains Nobilities, haven't I?" Diov raised a brow. 

"Not really sure I have anything to offer that's special or useful," Han said. While he could probably impress them with his Levels now, if people started to pry too much then it wouldn't do him any good. Somebody already knew it and he wasn't going to blow it up even more.

"But about that party—you sure you're not going?" Kai frowned at Han and prompted him again. "I've got some other ideas to sneak us in."

"Why aren't you inviting us too?" Russel sighed. "Keeping all of the fun to yourselves."

Han hesitated and started considering the benefits of attending the party versus doing volunteering like the others had said. 

Maybe Timothy might help him out if he kept in touch? 

It had been awhile since he checked on his status screen and ranking—it was almost like he forgot he even had it since nobody else in this world did… but as long as his ranks didn't stay at the bottom then he wouldn't get expelled.

That meant Han might get the chance to attend?

What happened right after that party and before it was just grinding up his levels for his own benefit. Besides the gold in his Inventory and two precious enchanted wands—there wasn't much for Han to go after. 

Return back to Rockfall Village and mass-kill the crops at Old Man Joe's fields? Although he was now more confident in maybe taking on the Enchanted Forest's insects, he was still allied to Faeran and couldn't do much more than harvesting plants.

That was all there really was to it. 

Han was going to keep himself out of the radar of people and just live his life in peace while getting stronger. Boring, but practical. Maybe he really was going for what his father said in the first place? The thought that the two of them were more alike in some ways made Han's lips twitch in strange amusement.

"Hey, it's that guy from last night," Russel said out of the blue.

Han looked up and frowned. "What?" He glanced over his shoulder and then saw one of the Guardsman from last night looking around the dining hallway all by himself. 

"Huh, is he going to get you guys in trouble or reprimand all of you?" Kai chuckled for a moment, until he stared harder at the man and inadvertently gulped. "But ah, I think I better get going now. I've got places to be."

The sudden shift in Kai's attitude didn't go unnoticed.

"Are you some sort of outlaw?" Russel asked.

Donovan snorted. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's an illegal traveler here."

"Say what you guys like, but I'm out." Speaking those words, Kai flickered out of their sight.

"Waait, did that guy just teleport?" Russel's eyes widened.

"You should know better," Diov clicked his tongue. "It's more of an Invisibility Spell. A teleportation Spell is too much."

The Guardsman finally arrived at their table and gave them a nod. "Good afternoon gentlemen, it seems like all of you are here. Where's the lady from last night?"

"She's over at the other table," Russel said with a small frown. "But uh… are you here to report us to the Headmaster?"

"That's already been dealt with and the reason why I'm here is actually different. I'm here to talk to one of you guys—" Boaz placed a hand over Han's shoulder. 

Han jerked back a little. "What? Why me… I have my right to remain silent unless..eh, what do you need me for?" He held no knowledge if there was a constitution here in the Kingdom that protected his rights for questioning. 

Probably? But it was better to at least get what the guy wanted in the first place.

Boaz smiled. "Don't worry too much, lad. It won't take too long, but it's a conversation about what you encountered last night during your little outing all by yourself. We didn't get much of a chance to talk since we patched you up last night, right?"

The Guardsman was talking about those gangsters?

"Er… I don't actually remember much." Han started to get himself out of this situation. Until he remembered Doug, Hailey and the rest of the kids that lived in that area. 

In the midst of his rather apathetic feeling now was him remembering them. And maybe he could have let this thought slip pass him. Forget about them. But this conversation was going to help make that part of the city a better place, wouldn't it? He didn't like the idea that kids needed to arm themselves up just to live without fear.

Be a good person.

No, even just a decent one was fine for Han. He sighed and stood up to look at the Guardsman and nodded. "Alright, let's talk—but I've got to get to class soon."

"You don't have to worry at all about being late. Han, right?"

"Yeah, that's me."

—-—-

Author's Note: I forgot if I ever talked about Cognitive Dissonance before. I probably already did, knowing my chatty self. So yeah, I hope Han's motivations make sense. There's some lack of it here and there, some jaded feelings… and trying to overcompensate at times? I'd love to talk about it as an over-analytic, but I leave the impression to you guys!