Descending Into A Novel

"I’m jealous. I can’t believe you get to skip class just to attend a concert."

Lucy bitterly commented, hey eyes enviously watching Ellen’s two VIP tickets in her hand.

"But I didn’t know Raymond was also a fan?"

"He’s not. But where I go, my shadow also has to follow."

Raymond already knew he was going to be forced to go, but hearing it like this...

I’m right here. Couldn’t you have asked me for permission at least?

Lucy made eye contact with him, before wisely choosing not to pursue the topic anymore upon seeing his disgruntled look.

"Can you buy me a few of their merch then? There’s this figurine I really want but it only comes in those blind boxes."

Raymond already knew the price of one those blind boxes, they went for 100 dollars each and with eleven members in the band. The chance that Lucy got her figurine on the first one was pretty low.

Naturally however, money wasn’t an issue to these scions. Especially for Ellen and Lucy—one was the only child of a conglomerate and the other was a treasured member with a father that few in the world could face head-on.

"Sure. You want anything as well Noelle?"

The corners of her lip curled up slightly, barely noticeable. But Raymond noticed it of course, her taunting not going unnoticed by Noelle as well.

"...no thanks."

But while Noelle remained calm on the outside.

Internally, her mind was more like:AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Ellen already knew her pride wouldn’t allow herself to ask, so she did it with the intention of provoking Noelle.

Raymond shook his head upon seeing it.

For someone like Ellen, she really was too petty.

Standing behind Raymond, a small girl with red hair squinted. Seeing all the women around Raymond, she narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

One. Two. Three. Four...

Minus the fact that Raymond wasn’t even talking with Noelle, Audrina or Lucy all that much. She still felt worried for mom.

"Can you buy me a few blind boxes as well? I’ll give you the money."

"Sure, and you don’t need to give me any money. But I didn’t know you were also a fan of this band?"

"The song that always plays in the cafe is from this band?"

Lily tilted her head, with how often Raymond spent time in the cafe they used for the coffee club. Surely he should have known this much?

Except he didn’t know, mainly because he spent his time in the coffee club meetings just relaxing and using his phone.

"Really? Who’s the one that picks all the music?"

"It’s me..."

"I’ll get a few for you then, any specific ones that you want?"

"I want David’s, he’s the lead guitarist."

Arthur quietly moved in next to her, fake tearing as he put a hand on his shoulder once Lily had said her thanks.

"I’ll never forget you."

"I’m only going to be gone for a week."

"That’s one week with no one to spill rumors, talk trash or laugh at others together."

"..."

"I’ll miss you too."

His best source of entertainment in the academy grabbed his hand, shaking it.

Although Raymond also felt a small bundle of money being discreetly slipped into his palm.

Leaning into his ear, he whispered. "Mind buying me a few things? You have to hide it from the academy."

"I want a cut."

"Deal."

So this was his true motive after all.

The academy sold many things—potions, elixirs, rare magical components, phones, furniture and basically everything an awakened community would need.

But it didn’t sell everything.

For starters, there was no alcohol. Which was normally fine, except the academy was for students from ages 15-20. For the fourth and fifth year students, it was unfair that they weren’t allowed to get it just because of their juniors.

Arthur would take over the role of smuggling in goods into the academy sometime during their second year, and it seemed he was already starting the business.

Normally he relied on academy staff that he bribed, but with such an easy opportunity here. Arthur definitely wasn’t going to let this go!

Raymond shook his head internally, but he s accepted the money anyways.

Honestly, they were only leaving for a week. So why had so many people come to send them off?

He didn’t even know why Audrina was here, probably dragged out of bed by Thomas but why was he also here?

Erin felt a hand tap on her shoulder.

Turning around, her eyes was met with a mental equivalent to a flashbang. His radiant appearance making everything seem dazzling and the sun even more bright

"Do you want candy?"

"Dad says I shouldn’t accept candy from strangers."

Raymond patted her, "It’s okay to accept candy from him."

"Yes I want candy."

The speed at which she immediately accepted caught even Thomas off guard as the candy in his hand was swiped away in a second.

***

"Wooow!"

Raymond took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air of the City of New Rayan. Compared to the capital air which could feel stale at times, the air here felt much better.

Erin ran around in circles around them, looking at every one and everything that caught her attention.

A few of the adults around them smiled, seeing how happy she was. It was hard to not be as equally happy.

Her current dragon features were being hidden by Raymond’s magic. While Erin had been warned to stay away from strangers so no one would accidentally touch any of her hidden features.

They didn’t want any random stranger to discover her identity so fast after all.

"It’s been a while."

"It really has."

Neither of them had been in New Rayan ever since entering the academy. While Ellen could have left the academy to visit during the end of year holidays, she had chosen to stay at the academy in case Raymond woke up. While Raymond was in his coma.

But seeing the familiar sights really made him a bit nostalgic. Its appearance remained consistent all the way to the end.

Raymond could even recognize a few places that had once been destroyed in the future fighting, still standing proudly now. Untouched by anything.

"You haven’t told Rayez or Clara yet right?"

She grinned,"Nope. It’s a complete surprise. You have the camera prepared right?"

He pointed at his breast pocket, revealing a small hole with a camera inside.

"Perfect."

The whole time, as the three of them made their way back to the Grace estate. Raymond and Ellen giggled together at just the thought of the reunion. A very confused Erin joining them although she was unsure of why they were laughing so much.

If they’re happy then something good is happening right?

So she just joined in on them laughing. An invisible tail smacking their legs back and forth as it swished.

Arriving to the Grace estate in a taxi, Ellen handed the driver an extra hundred dollars bill. Putting her finger on her lip.

"Keep the change."

"Yes ma’am!"

Maybe it was because he hadn’t seen it in a long time. But the Grace estate was always such an impressive work of architecture.

As the richest Family by far, the Grace Family always had tons of money to throw around. A private army like theirs couldn’t be maintained without money after all.

But the estate was just a straight up ridiculous show of wealth.

Sweeping gardens the size of football fields, with several winding paths of stone surrounded the mansion. Right in the heart of the property, the pale stone and tall windows, elegant columns and intricate arches. Each small part meticulously overlooked by its architect to make sure it was just perfect.

Large walls surrounded the entire property, smooth, and nearly thrice his height. They looked deceptively easy to break through. If not for the hundreds of defense systems built into the very foundation of this property.

Walking up to the front gate, a robotic voice greeted them.

"Welcome back. Ellen, Raymond."

Opening up the massive gates, the two of them entered. The garden and pathway practically screaming luxury and wealth at them. The clean white stones and carefully trimmed bushes and flowers showed just how much care they put into keeping up appearances.

The thoroughness showed, the smell of different flowers crafted to ensure every guest always had a pleasant entry. It was still early in the morning and much of the morning dew could still be seen. Everything was balanced perfectly.

The moment they reached the double door main entrance however, it practically slammed open by itself. A man wearing a black suit and tie rushing out.

"Ellen!"

Looks could be deceiving, he may look like an extremely doting father. But he absolutely refused to give them any money when not necessary!

Despite the fact that he, as an S-rank and the CEO of the Grace Conglomerate made money as easy as breathing. He still refused to give them money.

Enveloping Ellen in a massive bear hug, Raymond could hear a second pair of footsteps.

With the same golden blonde hair that Ellen did, Clara—Rayez’s wife and Ellen’s mom came running as well.

He quietly pressed record on his camera. Pushing Erin toward the two.

"You never told us you were visiting! But who’s this little girl here?"

Erin looked up at his towering figure. Recognizing his face from the pictures Raymond and Ellen had shown her, and just as practiced.

"Grandpa?"