"The Academy's annual Gala..."
Skyler muttered, standing beside Charles, who was selling a bundle of talismans he had crafted in class to a small shop near the talisman department. Their class had ended, and Isaac had brought them there after seeing the talisman Skyler crafted.
Charles followed Skyler's gaze, observing him fixated on a group of second-year Elite students talking excitedly in the distance.
"What Gala?"
Skyler chuckled, already aware. But he remained silent, observing Isaac turn his attention to them, eager to respond.
"It's an annual event starting in about three weeks. Students from other academies are invited to compete. Many arenas are set up for battles. In the end, the victor ascends a golden stage, earning the prestigious title 'Star of the Generation' for a year."
Isaac's usually calm eyes sparkled as he detailed the event to Charles, who nodded.
"Anyone can participate?"
"Yes, any student. Class isn't a factor. So, it's sometimes unfair since your opponent could be much stronger than you."
Charles hummed thoughtfully in answer. Observing Skyler's excited expression, he understood the other's intent to compete. Consequently, he might need to as well.
Sighing, he redirected his attention to the student he was selling the talisman to. His negotiation skills were superb. So, he sold the five talismans for 5,000 star coins. The student who bought them could only groan at the high price. If the talismans weren't of perfect grade, he would have never bought such expensive Novice tier talismans!
Skyler, who was observing, applauded with amazement. He should always assign this type of task to Charles. He quickly held out his student ID and took the 5,000 star coins from Charles, who rolled his eyes at him.
That jerk wouldn't give a star coin, even if his life depended on it. What a Scrooge!
Charles wanted to ask him 'what about his commission?', but knowing him, he simply decided to let it go. After all, he knew, even if he asked, Skyler would avoid the topic.
He was still not sure just how Skyler had given him a set of legend-tier gauntlets. His heart would have surely bled tears of regret when he took out such expensive gauntlets and gave them away to another for free.
They left the area when suddenly Skyler took a U-turn and started heading toward one of the buildings near the VP office.
"We should all register for the Gala. I heard earlier that registration is already open both inside and outside the Starlight Academy."
Isaac agreed easily, adding more.
"I forgot to mention this earlier, but we can compete in other events at the Gala as well. Although the winners in those events don't get the title, they still receive many rewards. Skyler can register for the talisman creating and beast tamer battles as well. Since I am not skilled in fighting, I am going to register for the potion-making competition."
Charles could only shake his head and follow behind, as if he had a choice.
If he didn't, he would just have to watch Skyler make a mess in the competition. It was better for him to join to prevent him from doing something too embarrassing.
Skyler groaned as they finally reached the registration avenue, only to find a massive crowd, though organized in lines. It looked like they might have to wait an entire day.
Both he and Charles' eyes widened when Isaac casually approached some students standing ahead in line and purchased their places, before turning to give an okay sign.
Charles turned to Skyler.
"Just where the hell did you find Isaac? I never knew we could do this, damn...!"
Skyler rubbed his nose, smirking. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't surprised by how easily Isaac had befriended him. But having read the original story, he understood Isaac well and knew the man meant no harm.
Isaac was just an extreme admirer of the powerful, wanting to craft potions only for them. Still, he had one rule: he wanted his friends to be genuine to him. Therefore, he joined Max's team. Yet, his dedication to Max's team ultimately led to his demise.
Skyler patted Charles on the shoulder.
"This is the benefit of having rich friends. Our poor team needed one rich member."
Charles's eyebrow twitched as he watched Skyler stand at the spot Isaac had secured for him and followed suit. He was dying to ask how Skyler had the audacity to include himself in the 'poor' category, but he held back, knowing how shameless he was.
'If even the prince of this continent counts as poor, then I must be a beggar. Seriously.'
He let out a faint laugh at his own words, earning baffled looks from both Skyler and Isaac. Pressing his lips together, he looked away, trying to compose himself—however, his eyes met Riruru's amused crimson gaze as she rested her head on Skyler's shoulder.
He narrowed his eyes.
Now that he looked closer… weren't Riruru's crimson eyes a little too expressive...? Too human—like she actually understood him.
"Riruru."
He echoed slowly and reached out to rub the snake's head. But before he could make contact, his borderline insane friend jerked away from him, slapping his hand aside.
"No touching."
Charles was left speechless.
He'd assumed Skyler had smacked Zack's hand away that morning out of concern for Riruru—but even with him? Seriously?
"You are crazy. Do you really have a thing for beasts? You are treating her like she's your girlfriend or something."
Skyler chuckled softly.
"I already told you—she's my wife."
Charles shook his head. Yet the nagging suspicion that Riruru's crimson gaze was far too intelligent, far too expressive for a mere snake beast, had already taken root.
He even wondered for a second if she might be able to turn into a human.
But before he could dive deeper into that thought, his attention was pulled away by the middle-aged figure sitting behind the counter at the front of the many lines.
Thanks to Isaac securing spots for them, they had already reached the registration desk, slipping through the crowd easily.
Isaac was the first to register, followed by Skyler and then Charles. After signing up for the events they wanted to participate in the Gala, they headed toward the training area.
But when Skyler spotted Moore coaching Max and Austin inside the dome, he did not bother stepping in. Instead, he turned away and started browsing missions in his ID.
Isaac frowned. He considered using his private training area outside the academy, but upon seeing Skyler heading off to do a mission with Charles, he quietly excused himself and went to craft some potions.
Skyler and Charles spent the rest of the day diving in and out of multiple crystals floating above the academy—gathering rare herbs and monster carcasses for their missions.
They trekked through scorching caverns, misty forests, and even battled a slime the size of a car. By the time they were done, both had earned a thousand star coins.
The sun had long since vanished beyond the horizon. Worn out but content, the two quickly made their way back to their dorms, grabbed a quick bite, took a much-needed bath, and collapsed into bed—fast asleep the instant their heads touched the pillows.
Charles stepped out of his room the next morning, clad in a dark hoodie and pants.
He intended to head for breakfast, but as he passed Skyler's door, he knocked. Sharing a meal was better than eating alone. Yet, even after the fifth knock, there was no response.
Assuming Skyler might have left earlier—though Skyler was a late sleeper—Charles made his way downstairs. But Skyler was nowhere to be found at the dining tables.
It was Sunday morning, and Charles had expected them to go on more missions.
Yet, Skyler had suddenly disappeared.
"Where could he have gone?"
He muttered aloud as he ate his breakfast. He even contacted Isaac to see if he knew anything, but got nothing. Ultimately, he left to complete some missions. But even when he returned that evening and knocked on Skyler's door, there was still no response.
"Seriously? At least reply to my texts."
Clicking his tongue, he headed back to his room. After taking a bath, he went to sleep—only to be dumbfounded the next morning when Skyler was still nowhere to be found.
As Charles made his way to attend morning classes, he ran into a familiar figure—Zack, who looked around with furrowed brows, the question in his silver eyes unmistakable.
"Where's Skyler?"
Charles shrugged his shoulders.
"Who knows? He's not replying to my texts. I last saw him on Saturday—we registered for the Gala and did some missions together. After that, he just suddenly disappeared."
Zack raised a brow, his expression turning serious. Where the hell did that guy go?
Still, he didn't dwell on it for long. The two entered the classroom and took their seats. Almost instantly, Professor Sinclair's gaze drifted to the empty seat beside Charles.
"Where's the one who sits next to you?"