Taro, Kobe, and Rin stepped out of the courthouse into the bustling streets of Matoka. Taro walked on the left, Kobe in the middle, and Rin on the right. The tension of the trial still lingered in the air, but the city's warm lights and the scent of street food made it easier to breathe.
"Holy crap," Taro muttered, running a hand through his hair. "We almost ruined our lives back there."
He leaned slightly to glance past Kobe and looked at Rin. "Didn't think you'd actually speak up like that."
Rin kept his eyes forward, face turning slightly left. "Didn't think you'd stay quiet."
Taro sighed. "Anyway… thanks, Teach."
Kobe stopped walking and shot Taro a glare. "When are you two gonna drop the act? We're outside the academy now, so quit calling me 'Teach.' And while we're at it—why the hell were you pretending like we didn't know each other? Acting like it hasn't been three years?"
Rin smirked. "You really think I'd go, 'Yo, Kobe!' in the middle of class in front of everyone? Come on."
"And besides," Taro added, "we called you 'Teach' instead of 'teacher' so it wouldn't seem weird. If we suddenly started acing everything, people would definitely think something's up."
Kobe narrowed his eyes. "Huh. You actually thought that far ahead. You did the math, didn't you?"
He shook his head with a grin. "Anyway, I always figured you two were troublemakers back in Gloomshade, but attacking a commander? That's next level. Tell me—how'd that even happen?"
Taro raised a brow. "We'll explain later. But when we got to the capital, they used a portal to bring us here. Why not just use that to teleport us to the academy instead?"
"That portal wasn't standard," Kobe said, lighting a cigarette. "Let me guess—some knight stepped out of it?"
"Yeah," Taro nodded.
"That guy created it himself. It costs a ton of mana to teleport others. That's a rare trait of the Space element—the same one you have, Taro."
Taro smirked. "Guess I'm special after all."
Rin turned to Kobe. "Then why'd you put me in the advanced class? I haven't even awakened a trait yet. Doubt it was a mistake."
Kobe exhaled a puff of smoke, looking sideways at Rin. "It wasn't. Even the academy was impressed by your move during the match. That sacrifice stunt? Not something you'd expect from some student."
"I didn't do it on purpose," Rin muttered. "Still don't know how to use my lightning properly."
Kobe frowned. "Still? Don't tell me you haven't trained at all."
"I've been working two jobs just to get by," Rin said flatly.
Kobe sighed and pulled out another cigarette. "You need to catch up. You're way behind everyone else."
"Yeah, yeah. I get it," Rin said, waving him off.
As they approached a restaurant, Kobe held out the cigarette pack. "Want one?"
Rin shook his head. "I'll pass for now."
Taro looked at him suspiciously. "Since when did you have money, Kobe? I used to lend you cash all the time."
"Don't forget I work at the best academy in the country now," Kobe grinned.
Rin smirked as they stepped inside. "Yeah, and we're somehow studying there. Makes no sense."
"Don't forget—it's your treat, Kobe," Taro said as they sat down.
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't go overboard," Kobe muttered.
Once they'd settled at the table, Taro leaned back. "Oh right, we totally forgot—we still need a third member for our group."
Rin shrugged. "You pick. I forgot we even needed one."
Taro turned to Kobe. "Any suggestions?"
Kobe thought for a moment, then said, "How about that girl taro fought? Kaela. She's not in a group yet."
Rin raised a brow. "You really think she'd want to join us?"
Kobe smirked. "She'll have to join someone. Why not you two?"
Taro leaned forward. "You have anyone else in mind?"
"How about Jin?" Rin suggested. "He's strong."
Kobe shook his head. "He already joined a group. They submitted the form yesterday."
Taro sighed. "So it really is just Kaela then. Alright. We'll ask her tomorrow."
Rin scoffed. "We? No, you're asking her. Why would I bother?"
Taro blinked. "Huh? Why me?"
"You're the one who wanted her to join."
Taro groaned. "Like I have a choice..."
Just then, the food arrived.
Kobe clapped his hands once. "Alright, alright. Enough talk. Let's eat. You can worry about your little group dilemma later."
...
To be continued...