It was evening, and Orion stood in the center of his room, feeling the emptiness that surrounded him. The space felt larger than usual, stripped of the items that once filled it. He had sold almost everything he wouldn't need for his journey to Dollas Academy, including possessions that had once seemed essential but now served no purpose.
His shelves were bare, his desk free of clutter, and even the walls felt strangely empty. Orion couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of finality—this was no longer the space where he would spend his days. It was just a temporary stop before the next big chapter in his life.
"It's not like I'll be returning here anytime soon. So, it's fine," Orion muttered, wondering if there were any other things he needed to take care of.
"Mr. Ray, is there anything else you want to sell?" A fat man arrived at his room with two other men.
"I'm fine for now, but if I remember anything, I'll contact you," Orion replied, glancing at them.
"It's nice doing business with you, Mr. Ray. I'll be waiting for your call," the fat man nodded and left with the other two, leaving Orion's house.
Orion closed the door and returned to his room.
"Now, I'm free. Should I go to this party?" he wondered. Truth be told, he wanted to enjoy himself like a normal person, going to a party without a care in the world, but he hadn't been able to do so before. Now that he had the opportunity, he didn't want to miss it and regret it later.
Tapping his halo watch, Orion messaged Erza that he would be coming to the party, then sat down at the desk in his room.
He took out another book from the row of books on the desk and began reading while waiting for time to pass.
Not long after, the sun set and the moon rose high in the sky.
"It's time to go to the party."
Orion muttered as he closed the book and returned it to its place.
Orion took out his formal attire: a sleek black suit paired with matching pants. It was the only type of clothing he associated with formal gatherings, although he wasn't entirely sure if the customs in the Human Federation Realm differed. Still, the thought didn't bother him much—he knew he'd look sharp regardless.
Wasting no time, he slipped into the suit. Once dressed, he reached for a comb, a tool he rarely used, but this was a special occasion. He couldn't attend the party looking unkempt.
For once, he made sure to carefully style his hair, ensuring he looked like an esteemed guest, ready to make an impression.
"I look smart," Orion thought, checking his reflection in the mirror.
"Time to leave."
"I'm fine," Reilly responded, though his brows twitched in annoyance.
Orion noticed his bad mood and understood it was likely due to his defeat. For Reilly, it wasn't just a normal loss—the chance to attend Dollas Academy had slipped away with his defeat.
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"So, what are we waiting for?" Orion asked, noticing many people roaming the garden instead of going inside the villa where the main event would take place.
"We're waiting for Erza. Once she's here, we'll all go in together," Shuna explained.
Orion nodded in understanding, but at that moment, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance. It was a lady—Ray Wiser's sister, Tracy Wiser.
She was with a group of people, walking up the stairs to the garden.
"She's here!"
Orion felt anxious the moment he saw her. The thought of her being at the party hadn't even crossed his mind. If he had known she would attend, he might not have come.
It wasn't that Orion was avoiding Tracy. No, he simply didn't want to reveal that Ray Wiser's brother had become a genius until he arrived at Dollas Academy. He had hoped to keep a low profile, believing that if he stayed under the radar, his identity would remain hidden.
But he had clearly been mistaken if he thought he could keep himself concealed from the Black Reaper Guild.
'How should I react when she sees me?'
She was still a bit of a distance away, giving Orion a moment to think. Tracy's approach made his mind race with conflicting thoughts.
Should he ignore her and pretend he hadn't noticed her? Or act surprised, as if he hadn't expected her to be alive? Perhaps not reacting at all would be the best option—remain neutral and let her make the first move.
'This bad luck never ends.'
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