25 - Gates [2]

"But, Professor Kenivale—"

"What is it, Allison?" the vampire interrupted the Student Council President.

His face was rigid, clearly expressing the firmness of his decision.

Despite knowing that her words would be no different from talking to a rock, Cecilia still persisted and went on to protest the Professor’s decision.

"We are not ready for a practical exercise," she said. "There was no prior information concerning that and many of us are not properly dressed or equipped for such an activity."

Professor Kenivale crossed his arms over his chest, his crimson gaze breezed past the entire class.

"Would you still protest if a Gate were to open right in the middle of this class?"

A simple question. Yet there was great difficulty with providing an answer.

Cecilia was right in her argument, but the professor was also not wrong in his judgment.

In real life situations, the Gates did not wait until awakeners are properly set to challenge it before it appears.

"An Awakener ought always to be ready. Any day. Any time," the professor said, gesturing elegantly to buttress his point. "You may be the difference between the death and survival of many people. How would you feel if so many lives were lost simply because you had left your sword at home, or you were taking a coffee break. Maybe you forgot your belt."

At this time, the vampire was mocking us. The taunting smile that tugged at his lips spoke loudly the same.

He had disarmed Cecilia with his points, leaving her weak with words.

He then looked around once more as if expecting to protest but no one spoke up.

"We will rendezvous at the academy’s Ivory Fountain. You will receive your teams then as well."

Professor Kenivale walked towards the door and stopped, turning back.

"See you all at the fountain in thirty minutes."

With that, he walked out of the class.

The instant the doors shut behind him, the class erupted into chaos.

Those who weren’t prepared for one reason or the other hurried to get themselves sorted out before the grace of thirty minutes elapsed.

Those who were ready simply sat back waiting for the next set of instructions.

I, Wendy and Bran were also among this group.

"Good thing you made him bring them, Link," Bran said, gratitude in his youthful eyes.

I smiled and nodded.

’Of course.’

I had also brought my sword to class and managed to get Bran to carry gauntlets with him without making him suspicious of anything.

’There are changes quite alright,’ I drifted into my thoughts, comparing the events of the original novel and what was my present reality.

’Instead of the female professor, the vampire came to teach us. Still, the class ended with a Gate practice. This was the same for me as it also was in the original novel.’

I felt relieved, my heart settling a bit. ’Good thing there are no drastic changes. If that’s the case, then that event is still bound to take place.’

If things were to go as planned, it would mean that I had just found a way to strengthen and increase my bond value with Eris.

I glanced at her from where I sat. It was instinctive but that was not what Wendy wanted to know.

The second I turned away, before I could even process the wholeness of Eris’ image, Wendy’s face was plastered in front of me.

Her lips spread into an eerie smile and her eyes widened a tad bit. She looked menacing right now.

"Link..." she called me, her voice slow and dragging for a second despite calling only my name.

I smiled weirdly, my eyes glued to my girlfriend. "Yes, Wendy."

Wendy didn’t say anything further.

She simply turned to look at Eris, who had this time had also turned her eyes in our direction.

Both ladies locked eyes and one could tell that there was still tension between them.

"Any idea what type of Gate he would want us to challenge," Bran cut in with a question, trying to quell the tense atmosphere.

I shook my head.

"I have no idea," Wendy replied before sitting back down.

The professor that was originally assigned to us had fixed the Gate practice test under a subjective setting, based on what she wanted.

I’m guessing the same would apply to Professor Kenivale since there had also been no prior information.

Since no two minds worked the same, and no two people are the same, it was hard to know what type of gate Professor Kenivale had planned for us to challenge today.

I stood up.

"Where are you going?" Wendy asked, holding my hand.

I turned my head and gave her a reassuring smile.

"I will be right back. I just want to use the restroom briefly."

She understood and let me go.

****

I needed some privacy.

That was the reason I had come to the restroom, and not for any other reason.

While the other final years were rounding up preparation for the gate practice, I had come here to make finishing touches.

I took a deep breath, saying a silent prayer in my heart as I willed the system into manifestation.

It was time to look at the reward notification that had randomly popped up in the middle of Professor Kenivale’s lecture.

"I hope it’s something very useful," I muttered with profound hope.

[Ding...]

[Do you wish to receive your outstanding reward?]

"Yes," I answered impatiently.

Time was not on my side.

I needed to know quickly, and if it was something I couldn’t use, then I would have to act fast and come up with something then.

[Ding!]

Following the soft sound from the system, an image appeared immediately afterward, revealing the reward to me.

Right underneath the image were three bracketed words.

I controlled myself, maintaining a strong composure.

Otherwise, I would have fallen on my knees and shed an ocean of tears after seeing it.

[You have received the reward...]

I clicked on the image of a glass container.

[...Carafe of Essence]