"Five broken ribs and two cracked ones, dislocated right shoulder and fractured upper arm, fractured chin and with a slight concussion. It is quite amazing you took so long to before going down."

"Elea, just be quiet and get me breakfast, please?"

"He he he, come on Lucas you can't hide here forever. Me and the others will wait for you downstairs."

After he left the room I could only sigh. it's been a week since my defeat, I was able to achieve second place in the tournament but I'm still sour for not reaching first.

Honestly I still can't believe I got beat up as badly as how he said but Luna and Steph could attest to that.

Getting up from bed, dressing up, and heading out for the cafeteria downstairs, these would be such simple task but lately it is not, especially the latter.

Everytime I leave my room and other students found me, they would flock around and keep saying fake praises and made up admiration, their lies are so obvious it make you just want to puke.

The only good outcome to all these would probably be the fact that the prince was expelled from the academy. why you ask? Well seems like he couldn't accept his loss against that hooded man and he hired some assassin, the rest you can imagine.

"Ah Lucas, you're here. So will you accept my request?" Luna directly asked after I reach their table.

What's this offer is, she told us that she is summoned back home and she asked if we could come with her, she also plan to go and visit Vayne along the way.

I didn't quite understand then, but after I ask her to explain she only smiled and show us a round silver token. On it engraved the picture of a nine tailed fox peering at the reflection of the moon within a still lake.

It was quite the shock as we all recognize that token, the symbol for the royal family of the Mizuki kingdom southeast of the land, the only beastkin kingdom to not join the southern union.

I asked about her story but she only told us she will tell in due time. After that everyone went their separate ways to prepare what they need, I was the only one unsure of what to do.

Even now as she confront me with it, if it was before I would be jumping at the offer but knowing we would encounter Vayne, I'm not so sure. The kid practically have stars for eyes at the talk of swords, alchemy or magic and I can tell he set me as his limit bar, so how am I supposed to face him after a defeat?

Seeing his friend struggle, Elea put a hand on Lucas shoulder and lightly remind him, "Lucas, don't stress it to much. It is Vayne after all, he'll probably brush it off."

"Thanks Elea." As stupid as it might be, that's actually true. Making up his mind he says "when will we leave?"

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Leaning back at the seat, I can't really get my head into the tome in my hand.

Looking around the emptied out room, I thought out loud. "Maybe it's about time I leave."

Sighing, I store the spell tome in my hand I went to stand before the pod.

"Now let's see what you have for me."

I've circled it many times before trying to find the way to open it but found none, so assuming it work just like the elevator port I placed my palm on it.

Intricate light pattern then spread from my palm and covered the front of the pod before it suddenly spew out a foul smelling green smog.

As I step back from the smog the pod's front split open into four part, revealing something that take my breath away.

The content of the pod are then pulled by gravity, falling to towards me. Spreading my hand I prepared to catch it but as soon as it fell into my arms the world went dark.