Chapter 6 Unexpected Encounters
1020words
The man had just seen an unexpected incident at the reception desk of Undermoon Academy. The holy crystal, a revered artifact, had inexplicably exploded, causing panic among the staff. "A-A! What happened? Why did a sacred crystal worth tens of millions explode?" the receptionist exclaimed, her voice filled with worry. "Argh! What should I do? There's no way my salary will be cut this month!" she shouted, frustration evident in her tone.
Confused by the events, the man, wearing a calm expression, took a deep breath and exhaled as he walked away from the chaotic scene. He couldn't comprehend what had suddenly caused the sacred crystal ball to shatter.
"Hah! It couldn't be that the girl who was with Lily was the culprit, right? What kind of power could destroy a holy crystal?" he mused to himself, puzzlement etched on his face.
The cold-faced man, known for his sharp wit and intuition, couldn't dismiss the possibility entirely. The girl he spoke about was none other than Moon, An unknown newcomer with Lily or Lily's friend. She had been spotted with Lily, a prodigious sorceress known for her impressive magical abilities.
Unable to ignore his curiosity, the man embarked on a quest to uncover the truth behind the mysteriously shattered holy crystal. He suspected that the girl was the perpetrator, Moon.
Meanwhile, Moon Rosela
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Lily, a persistent and determined girl who had been chasing. I stopped in my tracks and turned to face her.
"Moon! Where are you going?" Lily asked, panting from the effort of chasing after her.
"I don't know!" Moon replied, her voice filled with frustration. "I just want to get out of this place immediately."
Lily's eyes widened in surprise, and she shook her head. "So, it will be difficult for you to find your way home. I will accompany you."
I sighed, feeling guilty. "Sorry, Lily. I don't think you need to accompany me. There's no point in accompanying someone like me who doesn't have any abilities. I'm no use to you."
Lily's expression hardened, and she crossed her arms. "Huh, what the hell? I'm not the person you think I am. Did you forget what the reception lady said? You are my responsibility! So I have to..." Lily's words were interrupted by a man approaching from the distance.
He had an air of authority and wisdom, and his presence commanded attention. Lily's eyes widened in recognition, and she stepped back respectfully.
"What Lily said is true," the man said, his voice gentle yet firm. "Even if you don't have any strength, stay here. At least take a walk around this place. No matter where you come from, appreciating this place is much better than returning home selfishly. Are you okay, Lily? Let this girl go alone and get lost if that's what she wants!"
Moon looked at the man, her curiosity piqued. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice filled with suspicion and hope.
The man smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling. "I am Lily's close friend. You are a newcomer here. Lily is responsible for your presence here, although I don't know how you came here. At least respect Lily's decision and appreciate her efforts."
I was shocked and came to my senses momentarily, looking at Lily. She seemed tired of my selfish attitude.
"Grey Wolfred! I'm fine. Don't tell my friend your cold attitude," Lily protested, frustration evident in her voice. "She just doesn't want to burden me because she doesn't have the strength."
"Hah, I was just defending you! Why are you acting like that towards me?" countered the man, whose name turned out to be Grey Wolfred. His piercing gaze bore into Lily, daring her to challenge his icy veneer.
"I don't need your help! The last time you meddled, things only got worse. Leave my friends alone," Lily retorted firmly, her voice trembling with anger and disappointment.
"She's just an ordinary girl, so you don't need to worry about her," Lily added, hoping to dismiss Grey Wolfred's concerns about her safety.
"Oh, okay then. Stay careful, Lily. Evil is everywhere," Grey Wolfred murmured cryptically, his voice laced with an undercurrent of foreboding. With one final cold glance, he turned on his heel and left.
As Grey Wolfred departed, I couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that something was awry. I watched his figure recede into the distance, and that's when I noticed it – a dark aura enveloping him as if it were feeding off his very essence.
I observed the darkness pulsating within him, almost like time was being manipulated. To my astonishment, I saw time flowing backward within his being, reversing the footsteps he had just taken.
Lily made an annoyed face at Gray Wolfred. "Irritating! Always over-monitoring. You Grey!" complained Lily, frustration seeping into her voice.
I watched as she clenched her fists, clearly agitated. Concerned, I approached her cautiously and asked, "Lily, are you okay?"
Lily took a deep breath and sighed. "Yes, I am doing okay. Don't pay attention to what that man says, he is really cold towards everyone," she replied, trying to regain her composure.
I could sense the bitterness in her words as if she had dealt with Gray Wolfred's unpleasant demeanor before.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I couldn't help but inquire further. "Who was that guy just now?" I questioned, keeping my tone neutral.
Lily scoffed, a mixture of annoyance and defiance apparent in her expression. "Oh, that guy's name is Gray Wolfred. Cold man. Eh! Why are you suddenly asking about him? Do you like him?" she teased, attempting to divert the conversation with a mischievous smile.
I chuckled, feeling a tad embarrassed. "I'm just asking. Did you also see that there was a dark aura and a counting down clock inside that man's body?" I queried, my own observation lingering in my mind.
