Chapter 647: The Starchasers [Intro]
Northern observed Aster's expression. The boy tried to suppress it, but he still looked disturbed. He seemed hurried, as though he just wanted to leave this place but was forcing himself to pretend otherwise, masking his discomfort with a smile.
Northern glanced down the hall. It was empty. He was utterly confused.
As if to confirm his suspicion, Aster spoke.
"Can I come in?"
Northern frowned immediately. "Come in and do what?! You don't just show up at my door this early wanting to come in. Come in-why?"
Aster looked down, rubbing his hands together nervously.
"I'm really sorry, fella... I wanted to talk to you about something. I was wondering if you could help?"
He glanced back briefly before fixing his gaze on Northern, waiting for a response.
"Well, we can talk right here and now. You don't need to come into my room."
Aster's face looked as though it was beginning to break apart. His left hand trembled slightly, but he quickly steadied it with his right.
Northern's frown deepened, his tone dark and demanding.
"Aster? What is wrong?"
The boy's lips quivered, but this time not from his usual chatter. He looked like he was in some kind of trouble, which only troubled Northern more.
"Please... let me in," Aster said, his tone trembling.
Northern stared at him deeply for a few moments before opening the door wider, silently inviting him in.
Aster hurried inside, glancing around Northern's minimalist space. As he took another step, he suddenly dropped to his knees, shocking Northern.
'What the hell did this guy get himself into?' Northern sighed tiredly.
He didn't want to get involved in whatever mess this was, especially not this early in the morning. But it was clear Aster had been up to something suspicious and was likely being chased for it.
Right now, though, he just looked like he needed water-lots of it.
Northern touched his shoulder. "I'll go get water for you."
As he turned to leave, Aster grabbed his arm, shaking his head slightly. "Please... don't go."
"What do you mean, don't go? You look like the living dead right now. Drinking water will help you calm down, and once you're calm, you can tell me whatever it is you've gotten yourself into without stuttering."
Northern gently pulled his hand away from Aster's grip and walked out before the boy could protest further.
However, as he closed the door, he caught a muffled phrase:
"...but they're outside!"
Northern shook his head, dismissing the comment, and continued down the hall. The corridor was eerily silent.
It was barely seven in the morning. Most students were likely just waking up, preparing for their day. Breakfast wasn't until 9 AM, and classes started at 10 AM.
He descended the stairs, turned right, and headed toward the large dining hall. At the back wall stood a vending-machine-like contraption, which accepted one talii per bottle of water.
It reminded Northern of vending machines from his own world, but here it was called a Water Letter.
'I guess it's called that because it lets you get water when you pay.'
This particular machine only dispensed bottled water, though other machines throughout the academy offered sweet drinks. The Juice Letter was one such option.
Northern retrieved a bottle from the machine, flipping it playfully in his hand before catching
it.
As he turned to leave, he paused, his head snapping up calmly. A second later, the sound of footsteps reached his ears. Slowly, two individuals entered the dining hall.
Their outfits were unlike the school's standard attire. Instead, they wore black uniforms with golden buttons, resembling ceremonial military outfits-except they lacked caps.
One had maroon hair and intense blue eyes, while the other had a buzz cut and eyes so small it was hard to discern their color.
"Who are you, and what are you doing walking around at a time like this?" the buzz cut boy asked, his tone thick and meant to intimidate.
Northern frowned but replied casually, raising the water bottle. "Getting water?"
"Didn't you get the notice? There's a curfew in place-no movement from 10 PM yesterday to 10 AM today," the maroon-haired boy explained.
Northern noted his tone wasn't offensive and appreciated the courtesy.
"Why are we wasting time here? If he didn't get the notice, then he must be one of them!" The buzz-cut boy's gruff voice boomed, offsetting Northern's composure.
The larger boy took a step closer, clenching his fists as though preparing to subdue Northern. Northern, however, stood silently, his expression blank as he observed them.
"Stop it, Schneider," the maroon-haired boy commanded.
Schneider released his clenched fists, straightening his posture, but his fiery gaze remained fixed on Northern.
Northern on the other hand now obserber them with a look of predatory curiosity, as though he'd found a new toy to add to his collection.
"Everyone in this dormitory is a privileged student," the maroon-haired boy began. "I hear Professor Heimburger has a privileged student here..."
He stared at Northern intently. "I hear he has black hair and ocean-blue eyes. I also hear he loves to act on his own and do whatever he pleases."
"You're seriously backing off because of that old professor? What if he's behind them?"
Schneider retorted.
The maroon-haired boy's calm expression sharpened, his piercing gaze silencing Schneider.
"I'm... I'm sorry," Schneider mumbled, backing down.
"Professor Heimburger is one of the academy's most respected officials. Any student he recommends should be treated with utmost respect. Besides, I hear this student has only been
here for three weeks. There's no way he's involved."
The maroon-haired boy turned back to Northern, speaking directly.
"I apologize for the inconvenience. These are dark times at the academy, and we in the disciplinary committee are doing our best to maintain order. If you notice anything strange, report it to us at Stanley Brateon Hall in the main school."
With a flicker of something dangerous in his blue eyes, the maroon-haired boy studied Northern briefly before turning away.
"Let's go, Schneider."
Schneider shot Northern one last angry glare before hurrying after his partner.
Northern stared at the water bottle in his hands, a grin spreading across his face.
'Oh, oh and oh... this just got very interesting. Now I'm very curious about what that damned blabbermouth did.'