Extra's Descent

"Huu….."

All of a sudden, as Rachel and the other cadets turned their attention to the chamber's entrance, a figure emerged and collapsed on the ground soon after.

Of course, they recognized the figure.

It was Brandon, who fell on the ground, dropping Amy down.

"Brandon, Amy!"

Immediately, they rushed towards the two figures.

It seems like Rachel's lack of concern was to naught. Clearly, something went wrong.

But that begs the question.

'Why does it always happen around Brandon?'

Thinking back to all the major events that transpired, things always go wrong when it comes to Brandon.

It felt as if he was a magnet for calamity itself.

"Brandon, what happened to you!?"

The first one to voice out their concern was…

Surprisingly, it was Claire, who approached Brandon first. While Reinhard helped Brandon get up.

"Kh…!"

Brandon let out a groan first before he continued.

"We were attacked…. It seems like their goal was the instructor…."

"We were attacked too…. But they didn't harm us unlike you."

Reinhard, who took Brandon off Claire's shoulders, supported Brandon with his own.

Alternating his gaze between the two, Brandon pursed his lips.

"Huu…. Go see Amy. I was able to protect her somehow. But she fell unconscious from their attacks."

"I see."

"Okay, rest for now."

Just like that, Claire left and walked towards Amy. A concerned expression etched on her face.

The others laid Amy down on the ground, allowing her to rest. Brandon, on the other hand, was being treated.

Though most of the attention was fixed on the unconscious Amy, they needed answers from Brandon.

While Brandon appeared to have injuries, he was conscious.

But since none of them had the [Life] affinity, they could only stitch up his wounds and bandage him up.

"What happened to the instructor?"

Reinhard asked.

Then, a grim expression spread across Brandon's face.

"I'm not sure…. Sir Zeke told us to return here as soon as the fighting starts. Of course, I tried to help, but…."

Then Brandon paused and looked around. Upon realizing something was off, he turned towards Reinhard and asked.

"Where's Raven?"

"I don't know."

Reinhard shook his head.

"He isn't back yet."

Brandon suddenly grew confused at that moment. Why isn't Raven back yet? Did something perhaps go wrong?

But he had specifically instructed Kael not to harm Raven.

'Did that bastard actually…..'

***

Deep utter darkness.

"Are you sure this is the right way?"

Raven asked.

Despite leading at first, he had realized he was going the wrong way.

"It should be."

Rebecca responded.

"I think?"

The two were lost.

Due to the adrenaline that coursed through him a few moments ago, Raven remembered just how bad his sense of direction was.

For that reason, the two collectively decided for Rebecca to lead the way instead.

"It seems like another dead end."

Rebecca scratched her cheek in embarrassment and turned around, meeting Raven's gaze.

"...."

"Okay, let's go."

"Hold up."

As soon Rebecca walked past him, Raven immediately grabbed her wrist.

"This is the fifth time."

"Fifth….?"

Rebeca's eyes started darting around. For a second, Raven could swear he had seen sweat starting to trickle down her cheek.

"Trust me, Raven."

Rebecca lowered Raven's hand, a warm smile spread across her features.

"I know what I'm doing. We'll be there in no time."

"Haaa…. Alright, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt."

After all, he was bad with directions. There was no way he could lead.

*

Another dead end.

This made it the ninth.

"...."

"Haha. Trust me, this will all be worth it in the end. Now we know there are nine dead ends, right?"

"...."

Raven could only stay speechless.

He was a fool for trusting Rebecca.

They were both horrible at directions.

Horrible couldn't even begin to describe it.

Unable to bear it any longer, Raven sat down.

"We should just stay here before we get even more lost."

"Ah—No, I swear I'll definitely get us ou—"

"Sit."

Raven's face began to gleam a little darker. A face he usually didn't make.

"....Okay."

Just like that, Rebecca sat down and leaned on the rocky wall across Raven.

Raven began to ponder.

He couldn't help the unease he felt. He was concerned about the others since most probably, they could've also been attacked as well.

All of a sudden, Rebecca's voice reached his ears.

"Hey."

"Hm?"

Raven raised his head, meeting her gaze.

"What is it?"

"That Brandon guy. I'm quite curious. Why do you all respect him so much?"

"Ah?"

A question Raven didn't expect.

Unknowingly, a smile spread across Raven's features.

The words flowed out smoothly. Despite the fact that Brandon was quite brutal when it came to spars, even fighting, he couldn't help but acknowledge his respect for him.

"Well, first of all, he's freakishly strong."

"That should be obvious. He beat you to a pulp right in front of all of us."

"Y-yeah…."

Raven scratched the back of his neck out of embarrassment.

"That's actually the first time I've fought him after he disappeared."

"Ah, really? It seemed as if you were actually aware he was alive. The others were kind of shocked and all, but you on the other hand…. You were smiling."

"Oh, you noticed?"

"Well, yeah. I didn't actually know who he was. He was kinda scary, and I couldn't help but see how the others reacted."

"Is that so?"

Scary?

Now that he thought about it, there were times when he could admit Brandon was scary.

However.

"Pftt…."

He found the thought kind of funny.

"Don't worry. He's only intimidating at first, but he's actually a nice guy."

"I see."

Time passed, and the two continued to converse with one another. Certain topics were exchanged between them such as academy life, how life was before the calamity, and so on.

"Rebecca! Raven!"

A scream echoed from somewhere.

The two were immediately alerted and turned their heads towards the source, screaming in response.

"We're over here!"

***

Everyone was quick to act.

They had come to know of Zeke's disappearance, yet they didn't let it get to them and focused on their priorities first.

For that reason, they were able to leave the labyrinth under Reinhard and Claire's leadership.

Raven and Rebecca on the other hand, were banned from taking the lead going forward.

They returned to the academy soon enough after realizing there was no sign of Zeke returning anytime soon.

As soon as they arrived at the academy, they had all reported the occurrence inside the labyrinth, and the circumstances regarding Zeke.

At that moment, a search party was sent to find Zeke. However, they had found no traces of him.

The only thing they had found was a single chamber where a colony of all sorts of monsters were found, lifeless.

Clearly, the entire situation had been orchestrated. Yet there were no traces found.

The academy could only rely on reports of masked individuals suddenly appearing within the labyrinth, ostracizing their test.

That being said, Brandon had managed to accomplish his objectives, and was called upon by Bellion.

Brandon looked around Bellion's office.

"...."

It was a mess as usual.

Bellion stood right by the window, hands clasped behind his back as he was turned away from Brandon.

Without looking back, Bellion opened his mouth.

"I've got their reports. But I want to hear it from you. I assume you know something?"

"Hm? Why do you think so?"

Brandon walked around and sat on the seat, tracing his fingertips on the desk.

At that moment, Bellion turned around. His blue eyes seemed, aiming to intimidate Brandon. But it was for naught as Brandon could care any less.

If he wanted to fully hide his traces from Bellion, he would've done it.

Of course, Bellion would be the only one to notice it.

"You're the only one injured. Reports say they weren't harmed even once. So why only you?"

"Hah."

Brandon couldn't help but chuckle.

"How much do you trust me, Bellion?"

"I want to trust you. That's it."

"That's enough for me."

Brandon shrugged his shoulders.

At that moment, he began to recount everything.

"So…."