"How's the investigation going?" Gosu inquired, his eyes narrowing slightly as Reynod stood at attention beside him.
"I've got nothing so far," I replied, a hint of confidence creeping into my voice. "Whoever is behind this is incredibly skilled at covering their tracks, but I'll keep digging."
Luna's voice whispered in my mind, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Youshouldgiveupnow, boy... you're in overyourhead.
Do you ever shut up.
I asserted brushing her off my shoulder leading back to the eternal darkness of my shadow in which she dwelled.
Oh,please you know I'm right..
I silenced her with a mental rebuke, earning a withering glance from the pesky ghost.
Gosu's expression turned stern."Remember, today's the festival. Wrap up your investigation soon." He turned to leave, Reynod following closely behind.
I watched them depart, a wry smile spreading across my face. That old geezer was always piling on the pressure. But I was used to it; after all, being exceptional came with its perks.
I donned my school's track uniform and made my way to the arena, the excitement of the festival palpable in the air. As I approached the venue, the screams of enthusiasm grew louder, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation.
"Einar!"
Zuria called out, her voice carrying above the din. I turned to see her waving enthusiastically, a bright smile illuminating her face.
I strolled over, returning her greeting with a casual wave."Hey, what's up? You okay?" I asked, taking in her vibrant demeanor.
Zuria's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Just... be careful today, okay?", Her words were laced with a hint of concern, but I merely chuckled, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over me.
As we entered the arena, I was struck by its grandeur. The seats were packed with spectators, their collective energy electrifying the air. I spotted a young woman with striking silver hair and piercing eyes, her movements a testament to her exceptional skill.
"Go, Katherine!" a spectator shouted, and I turned to watch the woman diminish her opponent with ease. The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting her name and singing her praises.
As she approached us, her commanding presence was undeniable. "Zuria Elenfond," she said, her voice confident and poised somewhat angelic and dignified. "I look forward to seeing your performance."
Zuria nodded graciously, her expression respectful. "Thank you, Miss Rose."
Katherine's gaze shifted to me, her eyes locking onto mine. "And you, Einar Stonbrol. I'm expecting great things from you," she muttered beneath her voice.
My heart skipped a beat as I stuttered out a reply, my face growing warm. "Uhm... thanks." Oh, man... this woman was stunning no she was mesmerizing . And she was talking to me!
Miss Katherine had departed and only when she directly passed by me did I realize it. A gap so wide it was immeasurable. I paled in comparison in terms of magic power.
I couldn't help but keep my gazed fixated on her as she walked away..
Zuria's elbow connected with my ribs, snapping me back to reality. "Control yourself," she whispered, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.
I took a deep breath, attempting to compose myself as we continued on our way. We joined Kaiden and Lyra, who were warming up for their events. The atmosphere was electric, the tension building as the competition heated up.
As the upperclassmen took their turns, I found myself growing increasingly restless. My mind kept wandering back to the mysterious criminal, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something crucial.
Gosu's security personnel were scattered throughout the crowd, their presence subtle but unmistakable. I spotted several of them, their mana carefully concealed. It was a testament to Gosu's paranoia, but I couldn't blame him.
Just as I was starting to get lost in thought, Kai's booming voice cut through the din. "YO!" he exclaimed, his childlike enthusiasm infectious. "It's my turn now... watch closely, you might learn a thing or two!"
He uttered chuckling so innocently and freely.
I grinned, feeling a surge of camaraderie with my friend. "Good luck, Kai!" I called out, meaning every word.
As I watched Kai take his place in the arena, a sudden realization struck me. I had never seen Kaiden fight before. A snippet of conversation from our past surfaced in my mind, and I felt a pang of curiosity.
Kai's words echoed in my mind.
Despite his appearance and popularity, Kai isn't a noble... he's an orphan. He lives with his older sister, who's been taking care of him for two years now. He comes from a family of traveling performers...
My eyes snapped open, and I felt a surge of excitement. "Is this what friendship feels like?" I wondered, a sense of wonder creeping into my voice.
Kai stood at the center of the arena, his eyes locking onto mine.
"Oi, Einar! Today I'll show you... the sky isn't the limit! "Kai declared, his finger pointing toward the heavens.
For a fleeting moment, Kai looked almost cool. I felt a surge of pride and admiration for my friend, and I couldn't help but cheer him on.
As Kai began his performance, I watched in awe, my mind racing with thoughts of our friendship and the bonds that tied us together.
"You know, Einar,"_ Lyra said, her voice barely above a whisper, _"Kai's been practicing for weeks. He's really determined to win."
"Why?" I asked her as I kept my gaze fixed on Kai. She chuckled and for a moment I sensed something foreign in her speech, gratitude...
"Isn't it obvious? He wanted to make his best friend proud."
I nodded, my eyes still fixed on Kai. _"I can see,"_ I replied, a smile spreading across my face.
The festival was in full swing, and I was determined to enjoy every moment of it.
I would live,breathe,fight,every moment with the uttermost passion possible just like my best friend was about to do for me.