Chapter 296 - Nes and Nes
Being in the shadow world, Ray needed his full abilities to fight, he not only needed to use his magic skills but his fighting skills as a knight and his other abilities as well. So he decided there was no need to disguise himself while in the shadow world.
He could have disguised himself as the adventurer Nes but it had been a long time since he had just been him. He would only use adventurer Nes when he had to talk to the Red wing members as a whole.
The leader of the Red wings was to remain a mystery to most, a powerful man that was rarely seen that they could rely on.
This way he also wouldn't reveal to the student's that he was the student Nes as well.
As the others saw the young a.d.u.l.t walk through to the village, with the large wolf calmly following behind him, they all had one thought. This person was strong. They didn't need to see him fight but unlike the rest of them there was no fear of him being in the shadow continent and it was clear he was the master of the beast.
"Hey, do you think that boy is the one who owns the wolf then?" Bliss asked.
"It would seem like it but the question is, is he friend or foe?" Springett replied.
As Flynn looked at the person closer, he noticed the red hair. "Wait isn't he a part of your special unit Bliss, he has red hair?"
"No, I know what everyone looks like in that unit and this person I have never seen before."
While the students were worried and discussing just who the mysterious man was, there was one person who decided to step forward.
"Ray?" Max said. "Is it really you?"
Shocked that Max was friendly with the beast, they were now shocked again that Max also knew this stranger.
"Wait you know this person?" Bliss said.
"I think so, unless I'm imagining things but I think he's my sister's boyfriend."
"Huh!!!" The group surrounding Max all had the same reaction. They knew Max was a noble but not form one of the big families. To know someone who was able to command such a powerful beast as this.
They started to wonder who Max sister had manged to snag.
Of course, what Max had also said wasn't true. Max had only assumed that the two of them were an item. Every time Max would hear from his sister it would always be about Ray this, or Ray has done this for the city, and I don't know what Ray is doing. The amount she talked about Ray, he could only assume the two were together.
When Ray finally got close to the village, he allowed Noir to go back and lie down in the spot he was in before. He always felt bad for her being stuck in the system but there weren't many chances where he could bring her out and she could roam about freely.
Seeing the village, Ray was quite surprised to find all the students here, he had decided to follow the strange energy source that was drawing him here. The energy had long gone but he still wondered what it was only to find out that all the students had arrived.
"Is this your beast?" Springett asked.
"Yes," Ray replied.
Springett then got down on one knee and bowed down to Ray.
"Thank you, when we were in deep trouble your beast saved our lives."
It was a strange sight for Ray to see. While in the academy he always saw Springett as a threat, someone who was out to expose his secret but now she was here bowing down to him.
"Please stand up."
As Ray looked at all the students and his group of friends at Roland, he had to remember he was no longer playing the role of a student and had no clue who these people were. As he looked at Max, Max had raised his hand and gave half a wave.
"Do you remember me?" Max said pointing at himself.
"Yes, I wouldn't forget Slyvia's brothers."
"So it really is you?" Max said rushing over. "I wasn't sure at first but, I mean what are you even doing here, why are you in the shadow continent?"
Ray was unsure of how much Max knew but thought Slyvia would have at least told him about the Red wings and Avrion.
"I am here on a secret mission form the Red wings, I felt something and just happened to pass by."
Kaito who had been busy drawing the magic circle suddenly stopped and immediately rushed over. He took Ray by the hand and started shaking it up and down.
"Nice to meet you sir, my name is Kaito, I have heard so much about the red wings." Kaito then started to look Ray all over. As if he was looking for something.
"Are you really from the red wings, I don't see the mark on you anywhere?"
Ray was under no such contract so his body didn't bear the mark of the Red wings, nor did any of his equipment show it either. Which made Kaito suspicious. From what he had gathered, these two things were on every member of a Red wing.
"Because of the secret mission, I bear no marking," Ray replied.
"Hey Kaito, you know about the Red wings?" Max said, "Well I can guarantee what Ray is saying is true, my sister runs most of their operations."
Kaito attention was now suddenly on Max.
"Really." He said as his eyes lit up. "If you don't mind please, can we visit Avrion one day, will you take me with you."
"Of course, just please calm down, you're kinda creeping me out."
Kaito then let go of Max's hands before heading back to the magic circle to continue his work.
The group continued to ask Ray all sorts of questions but it was mainly about what he had seen or if he knew of a way back.
But there was one question deep on Max's mind. However, he decided not to let it be known to the others. The last time Max had seen Ray was in the tournament. Sure, Ray was strong back then but strong enough to venture into the Shadow continent on his own? No, unless he had a huge power boost in the short time frame. Then Max started to look at Noir, he had no clue Ray could control a beast like this.
That's when something had clicked inside of Max's brain, he realised why the wolf had looked so similar, He had seen it that one time being used by the adventurer who had saved their lives form the Dark Guild leader. It looked like an exact replica only a bigger version of it.
"Wait wasn't that adventures name Nes as well. If the Nes here is using the same wolf and wasn't Nes the leader of the Red wings and then the Nes in school!"
It had all caught on. Max lifted his hand and pointed out at Nes. "Aren't you…" But before Max could finish his last words, Ray immediately went over to the other side and covered his mouth.
"Me and my friend here are just going to have a little talk," Ray said.