Chapter 128 — Before the Celebration

Kael sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the tuxedo hanging from the wardrobe.

The black suit had been prepared earlier that morning, along with a white shirt, a dark vest, and a pair of polished shoes that he had no intention of wearing for longer than necessary.

It was obvious that he already knew about the party.

He had attended the end-of-semester celebration countless times while playing the game as Leon. He remembered the event fairly well—the decorations, the nobles showing off, students gathering in groups, and the inevitable arguments that usually broke out after someone drank too much.

Back then, it had simply been another event on a screen.

Now he was actually expected to attend one.

Kael stood and looked at himself in the mirror.

"Well, at least I don’t have to fight anyone tonight."

He paused.

"Probably."

He changed into something more casual for the moment.

There were still several hours before the party, and he had no intention of sitting inside his room until then.

For the first time since entering the academy, Kael realized something rather embarrassing.

He had barely explored the place.

He knew the important facilities because the game had shown them to him. He knew where the training grounds were, where the simulation rooms were located, where the Student Council operated, and where the various classrooms could be found.

But that was all.

He had spent most of the semester moving from one major event to another.

Tournament.

Training.

Exams.

Disciplinary Committee.

More training.

And somehow, in between all of that, he had never really taken the time to see how ordinary students lived inside the academy.

Kael walked through the corridors with his hands in his pockets.

Students were scattered around the academy.

Some were sitting outside talking.

Others were carrying bags toward the dormitories.

A few groups had already begun preparing for the party.

Kael slowed down.

These people had always been background characters to him.

NPCs.

That was how he had thought about them when playing the game.

They existed to fill the academy.

They had names, faces and occasional dialogue, but they had never felt particularly important.

Now that he was actually walking among them, that thought felt strangely uncomfortable.

They weren’t NPCs.

They were people.

Kael shook his head.

"Still getting used to that."

He continued walking until he reached the academy’s general store.

The academy had several restaurants and food stalls, but Kael had always preferred cooking for himself.

He entered the store and picked up a basket.

Milk.

Bread.

Meat.

Vegetables.

A few spices.

Some snacks.

He stared at the last item for a moment before putting it in the basket.

"Training food."

He picked up another packet.

"Definitely training food."

He added two more.

"Very important training food."

The cashier didn’t even bother reacting.

Kael continued down the aisle, checking the shelves.

Then he stopped.

A familiar figure stood several shelves away.

Blonde hair.

Soft expression.

A calm presence that didn’t attract much attention.

Kael blinked.

"Lilian."

The girl turned at the sound of her name.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Oh, Kael."

She smiled.

"I didn’t know that you knew my name," she stated.

Kael stared at her.

"But I thought we had an introduction or brief meeting in class. And aside from that, how do you know my name?"

Lilian paused.

She looked at him for several seconds.

There was a strange intensity in her gaze.

Then a hint of worry crossed her eyes.

"Kael, if you require any help at all, it might not be that good... my main magic is healing magic."

Kael froze.

He stared at her.

Then slowly placed an arm over his face.

"I see now that was a stupid question."

Lilian couldn’t hold it anymore.

She chuckled.

Kael sighed.

"Alright, let it out of your system."

He rubbed his head and started walking toward the next aisle.

Lilian followed him.

"I didn’t actually expect you to be like this," she said with a smile.

Kael glanced at her.

"Like what?"

"You know... normal."

She smiled.

"I really didn’t expect to see you like that with the reputation you’ve built."

"Oh, don’t remind me of that."

Kael sighed.

"The only reputation I remember having is being the first top-ranked student with multiple... incidents. And looking at my track record, it might not be changing any time soon."

Lilian tilted her head.

"What do you mean by that? You are considered a legend."

Kael looked at her.

"If you don’t know, you were the first D-rank student to ever become a top-ranked student. And while you were still in D-class, you always carried that air of mystery around you."

Kael nearly laughed.

"I’m sure you’re the only one that sees it as an air of mystery. Every other person would just consider me arrogant."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Lilian looked at him again.

"Although you don’t seem like most nobles."

"Yeah, because I’m introverted and extremely antisocial, so they didn’t get to influence me."

Lilian laughed softly.

"I guess that’s true. They really didn’t see anyone from the Draven house much during social gatherings."

She paused.

"So would you be attending the par—"

"Yeah, why wouldn’t I?"

Lilian smiled.

"I was just asking."

Kael placed another item into his basket.

"You don’t seem very enthusiastic about it."

Lilian’s expression changed slightly.

She looked down at the basket in her hands.

"I’m honestly a little worried about the party."

"Why?"

"I’ve never really been comfortable around nobles."

Kael glanced at her.

"Because of the way they act?"

Lilian nodded.

"I’ve heard enough stories."

Kael sighed.

"That’s fair."

He leaned against one of the shelves.

"But you don’t have to worry about that here."

Lilian looked up.

"In the academy, noble rankings don’t carry the same weight they do outside."

She smiled slightly.

"Don’t they?"

"Not really."

Kael shook his head.

"Sure, preferential treatment still exists, but nobles can’t exactly throw their authority around the same way they would outside the academy."

He paused.

"So just enjoy yourself at the party."

Kael smiled.

"I plan on doing exactly the same thing."

Lilian stared at him for a moment before smiling.

"I suppose if you’re going, it won’t be quite as intimidating."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Because you’re probably the most talked-about student in the academy."

"That’s not reassuring."

"It is to me."

Kael looked away.

"You’re making me regret coming."

Lilian laughed.

They continued shopping.

Their conversation drifted from the party to their classmates.

Lilian asked about the Disciplinary Committee.

Kael complained about Cairo.

She asked about Lynx.

Kael described him as "a professional sleeper who occasionally wakes up when food is involved."

Lilian laughed at that.

They even discussed the upcoming Interhigh Tournament.

"You really intend to participate?"

"Of course."

"Even though the academy hasn’t won in years?"

Kael looked at her.

"That sounds like another reason to win."

Lilian smiled.

"You really are different from the rumors."

"That’s what I’ve been trying to tell everyone."

"You also have a reputation for being lazy."

Kael’s expression became serious.

"That’s slander."

"You sleep during class."

"Strategic recovery."

"You’ve been late countless times."

"Time management."

"You left your exam almost immediately."

"Efficiency."

Lilian covered her mouth.

"You’ve got an excuse for everything."

"That’s one of my talents."

She laughed again.

Eventually, they finished shopping.

Kael carried most of his bags while Lilian carried the rest.

They left the store together and headed toward the dormitories.

The academy had become livelier as evening approached.

Students were already gathering near the central hall.

Some were dressed for the celebration despite the party still being several hours away.

Kael watched them for a moment.

"Everyone seems excited."

"Are you?"

"Not really."

Lilian looked surprised.

"Why?"

"Parties are tiring."

"You’re attending anyway."

"I like food."

She laughed.

"That’s probably the most honest answer you’ve given me."

They entered the dormitory building.

The elevator doors opened.

Both stepped inside.

The doors closed behind them.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Lilian looked at Kael.

"I hope to see you at the party."

Kael looked back at her.

"Be expecting me."

Lilian’s cheeks became slightly flushed.

"Then I’ll see you there."

The elevator stopped.

Lilian stepped out first.

She turned around and gave him one final smile before walking away.

Kael watched her disappear down the corridor.

Then the elevator doors closed again.

He leaned against the wall.

"That was... surprisingly normal."

He looked down at the bags in his hands.

Then at the floor indicator.

The elevator continued upward.

For a few seconds, Kael simply stood there.

The academy had changed more than he realized.

People he once considered background characters were slowly becoming actual parts of his life.

Lilian was one example.

Charlotte was another.

Zion.

Auriella.

Verdia.

Even the members of the Disciplinary Committee.

They were no longer names attached to character portraits in a game.

They were people he had conversations with.

People who could surprise him.

People who could disappoint him.

People who could eventually become enemies.

Kael’s expression became slightly more serious.

And that last thought reminded him of the piece of black cloth still hidden inside his room.

The Velvet Gang.

He hadn’t forgotten about it.

He had simply decided that tonight wasn’t the time.

Tomorrow, perhaps.

Tonight was supposed to be simple.

A party.

Food.

A little conversation.

Maybe some alcohol, although Kael had no intention of getting drunk.

He smiled.

"Guess I should start preparing for a party."

The elevator doors opened.

Kael stepped out and walked toward his room.

Behind him, the academy continued preparing for the celebration.

Music began to echo faintly through the central hall.

Students laughed.

Decorations were being placed across the walls.

The semester was ending.

For most students, tomorrow would simply be a night to celebrate surviving their first semester.

For Kael, however, something about the atmosphere felt different.

He couldn’t explain it.

Maybe it was simply because he had spent so long treating this world like a game.

Or maybe his instincts were warning him that things were beginning to move.

Either way, Kael wasn’t going to spend the evening worrying about it.

He opened his door.

Dropped the shopping bags on the table.

Then looked toward the tuxedo waiting on his bed.

He stared at it for several seconds.

"Tomorrow."

Kael smiled.

"Tonight, I’m cooking."