Extra's Descent-Chapter 369: White Christmas [3]

There was one last thing he needed to do on his checklist. For that reason, he left Bellion's office, leaving Amelia and Belle behind.

"Where is…. she?"

Brandon looked around as he roamed the academy halls.

There were no signs of Evelyn.

He was afraid she was about to go do something stupid.

For instance, entering the tower by herself.

"Can't have…. that."

Because Evelyn was the most valuable asset after the assumed to be deceased Lucian Frost.

However, the emotional turmoil might hinder her growth.

Right now, what Evelyn needed was emotional support.

"Where—Ukh!"

Brandon stumbled, his vision growing blurrier in each passing second.

The world seemed to spin, and everyone was looking at him with concern.

Amelia had already cleaned the blood off, and bandaged his wounds. While Belle provided him with cleaner clothes.

But still, awake for twenty four hours and non-stop fighting, even injuring himself several times was catching up to him.

And to be frank, injury was an understatement.

His bones and muscles felt constricted, and all he could do was fight off the feeling.

As long as he continued tempering his body with mana, it was manageable.

"Ah."

And there, just outside the window, he spotted her.

Standing alone amidst the harsh snowfall, a woman with dark–purple hair that swayed gently from the cold breeze.

By the way her shoulders trembled, Brandon didn't need to guess what she was doing.

At least she was still in academy grounds.

Brandon was just about to twist the doorknob and go outside, when he felt something pull his clothes from the back.

"Brandon…?"

Turning around, what greeted his sight was Raven, who looked at him with concern etched on his face.

"Oh, hey."

Brandon casually replied.

He couldn't show Raven his weak side.

Amelia had told him what happened, prior to his return.

And in all honesty, the thought was quite funny.

'Belle lashing out at Raven? …I wanna see that.'

Though if he were to pass out now, it might trigger Raven's guilty conscience, and would push the agenda of him dropping–out.

He couldn't allow that to happen.

'I gotta push Belle to apologize later….' Continue reading on novelbuddy.com

"I'm so glad you're alive, dude."

Raven leaned close and gave him a hug.

"Uh, yeah…."

Brandon looked around, feeling bashful.

This was really weird.

"H-Hey…. people are watching, could you get off…?"

"Ah, right."

Raven pulled away.

"That was pretty ga—"

"And he's back."

A voice cut in from the side.

It was Reinhard, who was walking towards them, followed by Amy, Rachel, and Claire.

"Welcome back, Brandon."

Rachel flashed him a smile.

"Not for one second did I think you were dead."

Claire, cooly commented, crossing her arm.

"Oh? Weren't you the one that proposed to use all your resources in hiring the best rankers to find him?"

"W–What!? When the fuck did that happen!?"

While Reinhard was teasing her, Claire's face seemed to redden. Brandon met her gaze, and Claire looked away, slightly bashful.

'So it did happen….'

Brandon felt goosebumps all over.

When the hell was Claire that nice?

"You're thinking of something rude, aren't you?"

Before he realized it, his friends were already upon them, Claire giving him a frown.

"What? N-No…. Of course not!"

"Forget it, bastard. And just so you know, that did NOT happen."

There was a heavy emphasis on 'not'.

"Sure, sure."

Brandon turned to the side and muttered.

"Tsundere."

"I heard that."

Claire's frown deepened. From the way her hands trembled, it looked as if she wanted to grab his neck, but held herself back.

"Are you supposed to be here now?"

Rachel asked, staring at his bandages with a worried gaze.

"Just had things to sort out, but it's all good now. I'll probably rest in the following days."

"Good, you look like you haven't slept a wink."

"Is it that obvious?"

His eyes felt like they wanted them shut off any time soon.

While the group engaged in chatter, there was one person who remained silent. Brandon couldn't help but notice the pensive expression she was making.

It was Amy, who seemed like she wanted to say something.

But Brandon was blunt about it.

"What's wrong with her?"

He nonchalantly pointed at Amy, catching her attention as her brows raised.

"Uh—Ah? Welcome back?"

That was all she could say.

"Mhm, thanks."

Then, he shifted the topic as soon as the atmosphere grew silent.

Alternating his gaze between Raven and Amy, thereafter, Brandon said,

"I heard my sister lashed out at you, Raven."

In the first place, he had told Raven to abandon. If anything, the responsibility fell on him.

"Oh, what? It's fine, dude. Raise your head."

However, Brandon bent down even more, crouched down and picked something up.

Then, straightening his back, he looked at Raven and tilted his head.

"The hell are you talking about?"

Brandon held out a gold coin he had just picked up.

"Uh?"

Raven tilted his head in perplexion.

Then, rummaging his pocket, he frowned thereafter.

"Wait, that's…."

"Finders keepers."

Brandon tucked the coin inside his pocket.

Seeing the support Raven had, and that he didn't seem to be distraught, Brandon couldn't help but mess with him.

Right, there was no way this guy would drop–out.

If all it took for him to drop–out for Belle to yell at him, then what kind of man was he?

"Kidding."

Pulling it back out of his pocket, he tossed the coin back to Raven, who caught it immediately.

"You could've kept it. I wouldn't mind giving it to you."

"It's fine. You're going to need it."

"...?"

And that was the end of it.

They surprised him all of a sudden, completely catching him off guard.

"Look."

Claire held out a paper.

Flip—

The sound of papers flipping, as the others followed suit, holding out a paper for Brandon to see.

"We'll be joining the two of you now."

Indeed, as Brandon scrutinized the paper, he had realized what it was.

[Class A Promotion].

However, as he leaned in close and scanned further, there were set requirements they needed to accomplish.

But still, the fact that they were qualified for the promotion spoke volumes of their achievements.

"Good job."

They had talked for a while, exchanging laughters and conversation, even planning how they would spend their three month long winter break.

However, in the middle of it, the moment Brandon remembered what he was here for, turning his head to the side, his breath caught in his throat.

"...."

Evelyn wasn't there.