Extra's Descent

Their exams for the preliminaries were over.

However, they were given no breaks. It was understandable, it was a military academy after all.

For that reason, the class was relocated to the combat hall.

It was time for the monthly duels.

However, since this was the first month, this marked the first duel.

It was a way to check how cadets would fare against humans instead of monsters. After all, it was much harder to fight something with the capacity to think.

The cadets all lined up in six rows.

There were a total of sixty people in Class B.

Meaning, ten people in each row.

The instructor, Delton, stood in front of all cadets present, putting on his usual stern demeanor.

He was the one in charge of this class' monthly duel.

Raven stood and listened attentively. Truth be told, he liked this instructor. While other cadets were usually intimidated by Delton, Raven knew another side of him.

He was a hardcore karaoke addict.

The past few months, Raven had been engrossed in singing.

Aside from training, Raven practiced singing everyday.

It was because of the talent show during the festival last year.

Raven too wanted to stand at the center of the stage after seeing Brandon's performance that year.

But he had no talent for instruments. Regardless, he loved music.

According to Delton, he wasn't that bad at singing.

Yes, the two were karaoke buddies. During Friday's they would sneak out with disguises and enter karaoke buildings, drinking and singing to their heart's content.

Not just them, but Reinhard too.

Though it was much harder for Reinhard since eyes were on him. After all, he was the nephew of the current Headmaster.

Reinhard wasn't that bad either. A bit out of tune, but it was at least better than his comedy acts.

However, now was not the time for games.

It was time to get serious.

The entire session, Raven had been looking around. As if he was looking for someone.

And he in fact was.

"Where is he—"

"Raven?"

A voice cut in.

"Ah."

It was Rachel who stood beside him on the opposite row.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Didn't you see the message?"

The two were currently whispering to each other.

"I did. What do you think? Could his phone be stolen and someone is playing a prank?"

There was a message that was sent to their group chat about five minutes ago.

A group chat they had abandoned a year ago.

—I'm back.

It was from the person, who was the sole reason why they had decided to abandon that group chat and create another.

A dead man.

Brandon Locke.

There was a reply to that message as well.

—Fuck of.

Of course, it was from Claire.

—Return that phoun from where you stolw it.

—Or else, I'll do everything in my powrr to fidn you.

She made several typos.

A usual habit from hers.

And of course, there were follow–up replies as well.

—Off*

—Phone*

—Stole*

—Power*

—Find*

It seems like Reinhard wanted to die early.

"Could it really be him?"

A voice cut in from the side.

It was Amy.

She too was whispering.

"I mean…. I know he was pronounced dead. But his body had never been found. Maybe he really was missing all this time….?"

"And he decides to come back now?"

Rachel crossed her arms. Her brows furrowed in disbelief.

"Still, isn't this kind of crazy?"

Amy's eyes were glued to the phone the entire time.

"If it really is him, then wow! I mean…. wow couldn't even begin to describe my reaction."

"If it is him, then we'll see him eventually."

Raven cooly added. Amy tilted her head in response.

"You're way too nonchalant about all of this. It's your best–friend, you know?"

However, despite his cool facade, Raven's palms started to sweat.

In fact, his eyes kept darting around.

'Where are you? Come on, Man! Stop edging us!'

Raven had become engrossed in social media as well. Even learning internet lingos and so on.

Amy's influence rubbed off on him.

All of a sudden, Delton's voice echoed throughout the entire vicinity.

"Raven Blackheart, please step forward."

"Huh?"

All eyes fell on Raven.

"Me?"

He pointed at himself.

"Yes, this was requested by the Headmaster. That you, Raven Blackheart, will showcase your skills in front of all the cadets present. You are held as the strongest in this class after all."

"Ah."

Raven could tell where this was going.

'This must be his doing…..'

Breathing a heavy sigh, Raven resigned himself and stepped forward.

"For your opponent, you will be fighting….."

It was then.

An ominous pressure bore down on Raven.

No, not just him, but to everyone present.

It was getting harder to breathe, as if something was choking him.

He looked at his hand.

"...."

It was trembling.

What the hell is this?

The pressure grew heavier and heavier in each passing second.

Even Delton's facade seemed to be breaking. However, it seemed like he was having an easier time than Raven and the other cadets.

It was then.

Clank—!

The door abruptly opened. All heads flicked towards the source of the sound.

A man with ink–black hair and ink–black eyes walked towards them.

Despite sweat beading down, Raven's lips pulled up to a smile as his eyes continued tracing the man.

The man walked with authority, much to the point that took the other cadets' breaths away as they started murmuring with one another.

"Eh? Isn't he that guy from the exam?"

"The guy who cleared the entire chamber all by himself?"

"Yeah, the instructors counted the bodies. It was a total of 98 points."

"Damn."

Then, all eyes fell on Raven. He could tell what their gazes meant. 'Is he supposed to fight that guy?'

However, there was one person who's gaze continued to linger on the man.

It was Rachel.

With wide eyes and furrowed brows, her head moved slowly, following the man, until he stood next to Raven.

All of a sudden, Delton's voice rang.

"Cadet, identify yourself."

The man raised his head after hearing Delton's voice.

He took in the sight of each and every cadet present. Until eventually, his gaze landed on Raven.

A smirk etched on his features. Raven couldn't help but smile as well.

The two nodded their heads at each other.

And it was then.

The man opened his mouth, and his next words….

"Cadet, Brandon Locke."

Left everyone stunned.