Villain : Nonchalant Greedy-Chapter 15: Just The two of them

Klause clapped Clem on the shoulder.

"Don't say that! You did good—all of you did. That's what matters: teamwork. You just need to fix that laziness of yours. Bit more discipline, that's all."

The four of them were in Arsene's apartment, enjoying a post-battle meal after their first match in the academy's activity. Everyone was scattered around the place, too exhausted to move. Only Klause was still standing, staring down at them.

"How the hell am I supposed to attend Professor Miguel's class? I'm dead tired. I just wanna sleep," Sarl muttered with a groan.

"Skipping? Might do the same. I've got a class too, but there's no way I can show up like this." Arsene said lazily.

"Oi, oi, you two! Don't you know skipping your first classes of the year comes with consequences?" Klause explained. "Yeah, the timing for the first match sucked, but the next ones are all scheduled for the weekends, so no more excuses."

Arsene and Sarl imagined getting detained and punished for skipping just one class—and laughed. Neither of them actually wanted to go.

Clem stood up, stretching. "Aaah, I'm tired too, but I have to go. Malagan's workshop. He took me as a new apprentice. I don't wanna give him a bad first impression!"

Sarl raised an eyebrow. "A workshop? You didn't tell us. Are you low on money or something? We can help. Arsene's got some cash."

Klause scoffed. "No, dumbass. A workshop's where a professor works on actual stuff. The work gets sold, sure, and apprentices can get paid. But that's not the main point. Being an apprentice gives you security. You get to learn. You can ask questions like you've got a living encyclopedia at your side.

Plus, you need a professor's recommendation to get into the second year—and those are hard to get unless you're apprenticed under someone."

Sarl crossed his arms. "Man, why is everyone rushing like this? It's just the first week at the academy and you're all diving into activities, workshops, and forming ties with professors already."

"If you don't wanna get left behind, then move. Seats are limited. And not all recommendations are equal. Professors are ranked too, y'know," Klause explained.

Sarl gave him a side-eye. "What about you? Found someone to kiss ass for a recommendation yet?"

Klause smirked. "Of course. I'm Klause, after all. I'm training under the academy's own Lady Kramarith von Massor. She was impressed by my spirit and energ— Wait, what the hell did you just say!? Kiss ass for a recommendation?! Do I look that desperate to you?!"

They all burst out laughing.

Then Arsene turned to Clem, "I thought you'd go with Juaquing. Isn't Malagan specialized in runes and inscriptions?"

Clem replied, "Malagan's a solid pick too. Juaquing already has several second- and third-year students. He rarely takes in first-years. Besides, I've got some prior experience in that field.

But the real surprise is you, Arsene. Haven't found anyone yet? No professor caught your eye?"

"Not really. I just... haven't gotten around to it," Arsene said casually.

Clem tied his shoes and headed for the door. Klause followed behind. "Hold up. Let's go together. I've got a private lesson to attend too. See you later, Arsene, Sarl!"

Click! The sound of the door shutting echoed behind them.

Sarl blinked. "Man, what's with them? They're way too hyped for this stuff. Is this the famous first-year fire I heard about? It's supposed to die out in a month when people get exhausted and start taking things slow."

Arsene smiled up at the ceiling. "They're trying hard. As long as they reach the results they want—and feel happy doing it—that's good.

As for you and me... let's just sleep."

Arsene felt something fall over him. He opened his eyes—Sarl's face, dumb expression and all, was hanging upside down right above him, grinning like a fool.

"What is it?" Arsene asked.

"Wanna go somewhere? We can't just spend the whole day cooped up here. The other two are probably busy anyway, so this is the perfect time to sneak off," Sarl suggested.

"Go somewhere?" Arsene looked confused. "Where exactly?"

Sarl grinned.

Wik! Wik! Wik! Birds chirping in the forest. The scorching noon sun beat down through the trees. Worms wriggled on bark. Twigs snapped, and something rustled in the grass nearby.

Sarl was holding a snake. There was a bite mark on his hand, but he was smiling, unfazed.

"Told you. I know this kind. It's not venomous. We used to roast 'em on sticks in my tribe. Tasty little things."

Arsene gave him a blank look... then smiled too. Sarl was good company—broke the monotony, and never boring.

Suddenly, they heard something tearing through the forest—branches breaking, footsteps crashing.

Both of them tensed up, falling into combat stances, ready to face whatever was charging toward them.

But when the figure emerged from the bushes... it was someone they knew well.

Another Sarl. A clone. He didn't stop, just kept running—straight past them.

Then came the beast. A massive, wild bull tearing through the trees, chasing after the clone. And the clone had just dragged it straight to them.

"Dammit! Why'd you bring it here?!" Arsene yelled as they both turned and ran.

Eventually, they both collapsed, panting in relief.

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"Finally lost it! Good thing we ran the right way. We're super close now," Sarl said.

Arsene looked around. The forest had changed. The trees here looked like they were withering, their branches lifeless,It also gave off a light aura with tiny glowing sparks floating around it ,also leaves falling like it was autumn.

Sarl felt something too. He looked up and spotted his clone on a tree branch, pointing toward something.

"Arsene! Come on! It's here!" Sarl called out.

The three of them headed in that direction. Arsene followed, wondering where Sarl was taking him.

Traaaa! Another dumb grin stretched across Sarl's face like he was saying, "Look what we found."

"How'd you even know there was a cave here?" Arsene asked.

There it was—a massive cave mouth in front of them, covered in a shimmering layer of water. Like a magical membrane, blocking entrance. Definitely magic. And the cave was right beside a steep cliff.

There was another cliff on the opposite edge, and everything around it looked black, as if it were surrounded by a faint aura—like a scorched forest for some reason... or perhaps it had been drained of life somehow.

Yet, despite that, it carried a subtle presence faint glowing specks of light scattered around it.

"That dumb clone led me here yesterday. Must've been the one to discover it," Sarl said, glancing at his duplicate.

Arsene frowned. "Don't you find that weird?"

"Not really. My clone always helps me find weird spots like this—abandoned inn on the way to the academy, house on top of a giant tree, underground tunnel near our tribe... even helped me sneak into a brothel once. Now it's led us here."

Arsene smiled for a few reasons—but for one last reason, he said, "We can't enter. It's sealed with magic. They probably have sensors and surveillance. They know we're here.

And if it's sealed off... doesn't that mean it's dangerous? That we shouldn't go in?"

He was just messing with Sarl. Trying to make him want to go in more.

"You're right. I couldn't get in alone yesterday. I didn't wanna spoil the surprise, so I waited for today. But those two would've stopped us if they were here. Now it's just us. No one to get in our way.

Just... don't say you're backing out now. I spent all night dreaming of this moment."

"So that's why you skipped class," Arsene laughed. Sarl scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Alright then. But how do we get into this crazy cave?"

Sarl walked toward the cliff's edge, turned, grinning at Arsene with that same stupid, mischievous smile.

"The entrance... is right here."