Chapter 104 Maya

A month had passed since the day they went from Nether Realm, three weeks since they returned from being missing to being found, and two weeks since they started to attend classes again after the 'mental' break that was given to them.

And within this week, a piece of shocking news spread to students from A1 to A-2 to A-12 classes of first years. It's about a certain A-1 student that drop out for unknown reasons that seemed provocative to those who didn't have the ability to think logically as some of them only thought that it was kind of insulting that privilege of being an A-1 student was just thrown away as if it's trash just meant for a bin.

"Some people really concluded their own to satisfy their own opinion."

Amelie said in a monotonous tone, sitting on her seat with her right hand supporting her right cheek as her right elbow was over her desk. The professor for this day's class had just finished his lesson and left the A-1 classroom.

"I hope Amery's alright... Hmm... Amelie, do you have any idea why Amery wanted to be strong... like stronger than anyone else? Unfortunately, we haven't been able to do our supposedly predetermined battle as I promised her before."

Freya said in a nostalgic tone, she recalled the moment she met Amery or the moment she first interacted with her after the Disciplinary Trial Exam. Freya and Amery didn't fight during the exhibition battle on the last day of the event of Emergence Anniversary Remembrance because there was nothing at stake which was according to Freya, the condition needed for battling with her.

"I'm not exactly sure about her desire or what motivates her to become stronger, quickly at that. But if I have to guess... she grew up in an orphanage, so maybe it has something to do with her parents. Russell also clearly lets us hear how Amery obtained her current profession right...

"Amery aside... I think it's no use to ask why someone needed to be stronger, especially when you shared with us your... you know..."

Amelie said casually, but it made Freya ponder for some time as she realized the meaning of Amelie's last sentence.

Freya realized the content of her Star Quest Party, the enemies they would have a fight or war with in the future; Heretic of Nature, Rakshana (SS+), Blood Addict, Cassius Crimson (SSS-), and a staggering powerhouse, an Ex-Constellation, Urg'r Mor.

Upon realization, she seems embarrassed with her question just now.

'It doesn't matter what Amery's reason for getting stronger is... We'll accompany her on her journey.'

Freya thought inwardly, feeling her desire to be stronger intensified, she then glanced at the front of the classroom.

"Fair enough..."

Freya replied, revealing a faint smile, then after some time, Amelie asked with a concerned tone, but this time, it was delivered via Telepathy through their connection as Chaos Companion.

<Freya, how about Estelle? I'm curious, Verg-Or said she'll need Evil Spirits whatever they are when she started to walk here in our world...>

Freya chuckled inwardly at Amelie's way of saying things, she was reminded that Amelie was someone who seemed to possess different personas as if an actress in different plays in the theater.

Amelie's cheerful in front of people she had barely connections with.

Her personality becomes gray when being confronted or engaging with people she deemed as enemies just like how she looked when she stabbed Kevin Springer in the chest and neck, ending his life in the process.

Then, when she's with them, she shows how intelligent she was when it comes to analyzing and hypothesizing various things while being cheerful or cheeky almost at the same time.

Freya put her assessment at the back of her mind before answering via Telepathy.

<About that... it's fine for now, I learned that Estelle only needed Evil Spirits if she's out here for 8 hours, and that duration won't be counted down if she's inside the Treasure Chest with a Living Eye. That's why I barely summon her recently, only when she wanted to eat food made from here.>

Freya learned about Estelle in a general section of one of the books she received, specifically the Nether Creatures Bestiary (Ancient).

'Well, not specifically about her, but the nature of Nether Creatures and when they needed Evil Spirits to eat.'

<Is that so... okay, that's fine then. I don't know what consequences are to happen if she's not fed at the right time.>

Amelie said with a hint of curiosity, which Freya satisfies by answering her vaguely.

<Well, she'll eat a living soul, whatever, I don't want to think about it for now.>

The books Freya received, after skimming through some of them, were found complicated in her view that she almost wanted to drop out just to have more time to study those books.

Creak-!

The door on the right side, near the front of the classroom, creaked and revealed a teacher. It was Professor Eric Romer who handles the Dungeon Geographical System (DGS) subject.

His entrance cut Freya's thoughts as she tapped on the shoulder of a man from her side. It's her older brother who earlier fell asleep.

"Wake up, Oppa... Oppa...!"

...

After a few hours, the classes and breaks ended as if a wind just passed by.

Russell's patience was reaching its rock bottom as the rumors about him and Victoria, the former Student Council President seemed to spread like a virus everywhere.

He also saw the face of the Student Council President passing by who inconspicuously looked at him with pity while maintaining his saint-like public image.

Aside from that, Russell observed the businesses of the main characters he wrote in his original, but unpublished novel.

Anya Amasawa and Han Jiho seemed to have deepened their connection for some reason, but Russell guessed it was because of Anya's curiosity about Han Jiho and Alexander's identity, although Anya used Arthur's two-faced persona as a cover.

He also painted in his mind the two Princesses that were like a cat and a dog, but in a cheeky way.

Then he recalled Samantha who seems to avoid him for some unknown reasons, and Leon who's quiet, but surrounded by goons with a connection with his family, Obreyon.

'At least everything isn't that different from the original...'

The only difference that Russell was noticing the most was the timeframe the things were happening which seemed like faster than what he originally anticipated.

'Well, I don't have the right to complain... the original plot is already twisted.'

He lampooned inwardly while walking side by side with his younger sister and Amelie, then after some time each of them parted ways, going to each of their own dorms.

...

Sitting on a couch with his hands on the back of his head as he leaned backward, Russell analyze his plans and how to execute them at the right time.

After an unknown period of time, he changed clothes from his school uniform to simple black shorts and a shirt with a gray hooded jacket, then he took out the Mask of Night from his Dimensional Inventory, wore it, then vanished from his dormitory room.

...

"It is time?"

Amelie — who also changed her clothes from her school uniform to black pants, and a simple black t-shirt — asked with her lips slightly curled up, then Russell wore a look of confusion with what she wears next, it was a shoulder-length black veil, slightly covering her face.

Then after a few seconds, after Russell nodded, she transformed from a human to a being called 'Shade', took out her new staff, 'Staff of the Lost Shade (Growth)', and opened the Spade Warp which she and Russell walked through.

...

"You're quite an adventurous one."

They instantly arrived at one of the secret passages that Amelie knew near the 'Player General Store' near the Northernmost Olympia where Armageddon Mountain could be seen.

"Considering the influence of Thorn of Rose, and by the organization I was in, I'd say I traveled many places, but what's convenient the most are the locations where you wanted to go are also the places I have already been."

Amelie answered casually, her pink hair that turned black fluttered slightly.

'She's right, with Spade Warp, combining with the location she traveled to. It's easy to traverse the place.'

Russell admired Amelie's adventurousness which seemed to stem from hardships and the Spade Warp skill that she obtained from the Lady of Shaded Spade.

"Yeah, it's truly convenient. By the way, let's buy some high-quality food for our host tonight."

Amelie didn't question Russell as they started to take their pacing, looking for a restaurant near the Player General Store.

...

Inside the Player General Store where Maya — the salesclerk that Russell interacted with before he went on a journey to Armageddon Mountain in search of the Seed of Chaos — was arranging the various Low-Grade Potions before the end of her shift.

After some time, she finished tidying up and bid goodbye to her co-worker who just arrived.

The Player General Store runs for 24 hours and doesn't close because some Players or adventurers prefer to raid Strayed Dungeons during the night.

Walking on the sidewalk, she felt a presence around her, but being a perceptive woman, she felt two people were following her, but she brushed it off and continued to walk to her home that's only a few blocks away from the Player General Store.

After a few minutes of walking, she opened the door to her apartment, the scenery of her neat apartment interior entered her sight the moment she opened the lights, then she locked the door, and tidied herself up.

She looked at the mirror, reflecting her fair-skinned face, sapphire-like eyes, and waist-length auburn hair that contains smoothness, as well as her voluptuous body.

After some time of tidying herself up, her eyes widened at the two figures sitting on the chairs around the table that were reflected in the full-length mirror.

"Three seats, but you're living alone."

A womanly figure in all black, wearing a black veil that hides her face spoke in a cold voice, she only listened but with cautiousness.

Maya was just about to reply when a manly, cold voice of a figure wearing a dirty white mask with the symbol of 'X slanted 45 degrees to the right' carved on the mask's forehead part, cut off what she was about to say, prompting her to look at the other figure who wore a gray hooded jacket.

"I know where your parents are."

The voice of the manly figure reverberated in her apartment, but it pierced her soul as she trembled.

...

'Maya's parents were already dead in the original story, but in this reality, and at this point in time. I'm certain they're still alive.'

Russell thought inwardly, looking at Maya whose auburn, smooth hair flutters as the cold wind entered from the window of her apartment.

"I'll tell you the details, but after you calm down first."

He looked at Amelie, then Amelie took out food from her Dimensional Inventory, it was the food they bought before coming to Maya's place.

Amelie placed the food on the circular table, causing Maya's eyes to tear up a little because it was the food that she and her parents mostly shared together, Nereian Seafood Ramen.

Maya cautiously took a seat, recalling her parents whose been missing for at least two years for reasons unknown to her.

After taking a heavy breath, she looked at the two figures who took their own seats, but they didn't use the two remaining chairs around the table in respect to her parents, but rather took out two plastic chairs. Maya then spoke firmly.

"Tell me."

...

<Russell, don't you find it strange?>

Amelie's voice sounded in Russell's head through Telepathic communication.

<Yeah, something's strange...>

Russell agreed to what Amelie guessed. Although they were not certain about it, they felt that something was amiss with Maya.

<As if...>

<She knew we were coming.>

Russell interjected, continuing the words that Amelie was about to say.

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Author's Note:

Please read the updated notice written under the Synopsis. Thank you, readers!