CHAPTER 127: 127 - PLAN FAILED

July 13, 2080

Monday, 9:00 AM.

...

...

(Raven’s POV)

Today is the day that me, Blake, Alec, Adelle, Eve, Aoi, and Curtis are finally going to step into one of Lunar’s private dungeons.

A full week inside that place is waiting for us, and even though I’ve been through worse, there’s a certain weight in the air that I can’t quite shake off.

Right now, we’re all gathered in front of the [Eden] dormitory, bags packed, weapons strapped, and expressions mixed between excitement and seriousness.

"Are you guys ready?"

I asked, scanning everyone one by one.

"I’m ready!"

"Me too!"

"Me three!"

Alec, Adelle, and Blake answered almost in unison, their voices full of energy like they were about to go on some kind of school trip rather than enter a deadly dungeon.

-Kyuu!

Even Yuki, perched comfortably on top of my head, let out a cheerful chip.

Yes, she’s coming with us...

I’ll admit, I was hesitant about bringing her along, but in the end, I decided to take her.

She insisted on joining, and she’s also strong in her own right.

I left her with Ruby, Levina, and Keara for the past two days. That way she’d get to spend some time with them before we leave.

"I think I’m ready too."

"I got everything I think I’ll need."

"The same as me."

This time, it was Aoi, Curtis, and Eve who answered, their tones much calmer compared to the earlier three. They carried themselves like they had prepared thoroughly, no hesitation in their eyes.

I double-checked my own gear once again just to be certain, and after confirming that no one had forgotten anything, we started moving out, walking toward the dungeon’s location.

*****

Lunar has about 10,000 students overall. Freshmen, sophomores, and tertiaries combined. And each grade level? Split into 36 separate sections. The campus itself is designed like a fortress with logic behind every structure.

The freshmen’s area is at the bottom left corner of the academy, sophomores on the bottom right, and the tertiaries at the top middle. Together they form a triangle, balanced and structured.

Each grade has five large buildings to house all their sections, and those buildings are always clustered near one another, forming a circular arrangement.

The dungeon we’re going into is located right in the heart of the sophomores’ circle of buildings. It’s not by accident either. They intentionally constructed their entire sector around it so the sophomores would always have direct access.

In fact, dungeons like this were originally intended only for sophomores and tertiaries. Freshmen are never allowed.

So the fact that me, Alec, and the others are granted permission to enter? It’s a privilege, plain and simple. One that says a lot about how the academy views us now.

"Fuuu... I’m getting excited."

Blake’s voice suddenly slipped out from behind me. He sounded like he couldn’t wait another second.

We were walking at a steady pace, the morning air still cool enough to keep us comfortable. Our destination wasn’t far from [Eden], and the walk served as a light warm-up before entering a place where one mistake could mean death.

Out of boredom, I glanced at Blake.

"Why are you excited?"

I asked him.

"That’s because..."

Blake jogged up to walk right beside me, his grin spreading wider.

"We’ll be fighting as a team!"

He declared with way too much enthusiasm.

"..."

I stared at him for a few seconds, my face blank. Then I turned back to look ahead, ignoring that idiotic smile of his before it got on my nerves any further.

While keeping my eyes forward, I spoke, my tone calm but firm.

"I’m going to be acting as a detachable force. I’ll observe the battlefield, analyze every movement and pattern, and act independently based on my judgment."

I paused, letting my words sink in before continuing.

"That’s what we agreed on. Basically, I’ll fight separately, but step in where necessary. That’s how we’ll be most efficient."

Eve’s voice cut in right after mine.

"Though there will be times that we’ll help each other and act as a team."

"Right!"

Blake nodded in agreement, eager as ever.

I looked at both of them, then at the rest of the group. Everyone’s eyes were already on me, waiting for confirmation.

Everyone except Curtis.

[She has a point.]

Sariel’s voice echoed in my head, cool and steady.

I shrugged lightly.

"I know that too."

I replied to both Eve and Sariel at the same time, not bothering to dwell on it any longer.

...

...

Since [Eden] is at the center of the academy, right next to the headmaster’s office and other important buildings, it doesn’t take us long to reach different parts of the campus.

Sure enough, within a short time, we arrived at the sophomore area.

Nothing noteworthy happened on the way. We kept our conversation light, tossing around more detailed plans for inside the dungeon, and all the while, as usual, we drew the attention of every passing student and staff member.

’Lillen officially announced us as the new members of the student council yesterday. No wonder everyone’s staring harder than usual today.’

I thought, glancing sideways at a group of whispering sophomores.

[And the article about you hasn’t died yet either.]

Sariel reminded me.

’Yeah, that one too...’

I sighed inwardly.

’Well, whatever. As long as things stay under control, I’ll be fine.’

Shrugging it off, I adjusted my bag slightly and kept walking.

"Let’s go see the dungeon."

Eve suddenly spoke up, her tone brimming with excitement.

Before any of us could reply, she had already marched off toward the entrance, ignoring the stares around her like they didn’t exist.

I smirked slightly at her boldness, then followed suit.

"Eve, wait for me!"

"And me!"

"And me too!"

"And me three!"

"Guys, shut up."

Curtis’s voice cut through the air with annoyance, while Alec, Adelle, Blake, and Aoi trailed behind.

I didn’t bother to look back. I knew they’d follow anyway.

...

And soon, when we finally reached the dungeon’s entrance—

"...!"

We all stopped in surprise.

Because standing near the entrance was someone I knew very well.

"Keara."

I muttered, my expression complicated.

"Oh, you’re here."

Keara turned her head toward me with a dazzling smile that made my chest tighten just a little.

-’I’m here too!’

Levina’s cheerful voice rang out inside my head right after.

I exhaled slowly and looked at the others.

"Erm... I’m just gonna talk to her for a while."

I muttered lowly, then disappeared from my group in a flash.

Swoosh—

In an instant, I was standing in front of Keara.

"Why are you guys here? Is something wrong?"

I asked softly, lowering my voice so only she could hear.

Keara shook her head.

"No, everything is alright."

-’Yep, everything’s okay!’

Levina echoed.

"Then...?"

I pressed, but instead of answering, Keara’s smile grew brighter, more dazzling than before.

"We just came to see you off."

She explained gently.

"Unfortunately, Ruby couldn’t come. She’s stuck with work."

Her smile faltered with a tinge of disappointment.

At that, my own lips curved into a smile.

"Thanks."

I said simply, gratitude in my tone.

"Tell Ruby to take care of herself. I’ll see her later."

"Okay, got it!"

Keara replied with that same beautiful smile. It was so radiant that for a second, I had the ridiculous urge to kiss her right here in front of everyone.

But I held myself back. With Alec, the others, and dozens of students and staff all around us, doing something like that would’ve been far too awkward.

So instead, I reached for her right hand and lifted it gently.

"?"

Keara tilted her head slightly, her innocent eyes blinking at me.

’Cute.’

I thought, then lowered my lips to her hand.

Chu—

I kissed the back of it softly.

"!"

Keara froze, her eyes widening, her face instantly flushing bright red.

"Take care. I’ll come back as soon as possible."

I said warmly, letting every word carry reassurance.

"O-okay!"

She stuttered out, clearly flustered.

’She’s really freaking cute.’

I thought again.

-’Not fair, me too!’

Levina’s voice suddenly chimed in my head.

Zwoom—

"Eh?"

A bluish light burst out from Keara’s sleeve before I could even react, surging up my arm and crawling toward my face.

Chu—

A quick, warm kiss landed on my right cheek.

Zwoom—

And just as fast, the bluish light retreated back into Keara’s sleeve.

It all happened so quickly I couldn’t even process it.

-’Ehehehe.’

Levina giggled playfully inside my head.

"..."

I stayed silent, glancing around carefully.

Luckily, no one else seemed to notice what just happened. Except for Keara, of course.

"Haaa..."

I let out a soft sigh of relief.

’Don’t do that again in front of people.’

I told Levina firmly.

-’Then how about when we’re alone?’

She teased back slyly.

’Just... not around people we can’t trust.’

-’Okay!’

Levina replied quickly.

I looked back at Keara and exhaled.

"I better get going."

Her smile dimmed a little, sadness flickering in her eyes. But she still nodded.

"Okay, I’ll wait for you."

Her words were soft but steady.

With a faintly gloomy smile, I released her hand.

Fwip—

Then, without warning, I pulled her into a hug.

"!"

Keara stiffened in surprise at first, but then slowly, she returned the embrace, pressing herself closer against me.

She was small compared to me, her face buried against my chest, her head resting just beneath my chin. Her soft scent filled my nose, calming and intoxicating at the same time.

I lowered my head, letting my lips brush against her hair, and gently—

"I love you."

I muttered that.

"Keara..."

"I ended up liking you a lot..."

I admitted quietly, tightening my hold on her.

"More than I originally planned."

A small smile rested on my face, remembering the time I first met her.