Day at the Infirmary

Atsuo woke up later that evening. He was brought to the infirmary right after the incident, which the people in class described as a panic attack. The doctor advised not letting anyone in until he got some proper rest.

As per their request Yuna and Taru were immediately notified once Atsuo regained consciousness, and they made their way in.

“Atsuo!” Taru yelled as he and Yuna ran inside.

“Hey, keep it down. He’s not the only patient here,” said the nurse.

“Sorry” bowed Yuna and Taru, and they walked over to Atsuo.

“What happened?! We heard you collapsed!” Taru muttered.

“Long story–” Atsuo began.

“We can wait” persisted Yuna.

“Well, actually–” started Taru.

Yuna glared at him. He was probably thinking about the promise with Fumi, Atsuo thought.

“We can wait” Taru woefully mumbled.

They sat down near his bed and patiently waited for his explanation.

Atsuo hesitantly recounted what happened with him and Lord Kaiser after they went to the Boundless forest for the courage test.

“…are you sure that wasn’t just a drea–” Taru began to ask.

Yuna elbowed him in the stomach.

“So… what happed after?” Taru growled in pain while bending over.

“I somehow appeared in the morning class, and then this happened” Atsuo said.

“Hmm… For now, maybe you see if Lord Kaiser remembers anything?” Yuna proposed.

“Actually, never mind. Get some rest. Taru and I will go instead.” she said.

“Maybe we just bring him here to talk to Atsuo?” Taru asked lazily.

“I’m not sure he’ll like that idea” Atsuo replied.

“We’ll find a way to persuade him” said Yuna and they walked off to the Externus faction.

At the Externus faction…

“Now men, let us devise a plan” Lord Kaiser said, sitting with his legs crossed, his head supported by his fist. “We need to find a way to have Yuna transferred from those Basfort bastards. Any ideas?”

Suddenly one of Lord Kaiser’s henchmen, Reyn, entered the room.

“Sorry— to interrupt— your Highness… but the matter is urgent” Reyn said out of breath.

“Hmm? What is it?” Lord Kaiser opened one of his eyelids.

“We’ve received word that there will be a courage test at 10pm near the Bound—"

Kaiser sighed while leaning back in his chair.

“What a joke. We’re past that–”

Another one of Lord Kaiser’s henchmen, Dart, barged in.

“YOUR HIGHNESS” he yelled.

“Yes, Dart?” replied Lord Kaiser with hints of annoyance.

“We’ve received word that her ladyship Yuna is on her way here, your Highness!” he said

“WHAT?!” Lord Kaiser shot up from his chair, “Are you sure?” he asked in disbelief.

“Yes! Without a doubt, your Highness!” Dart replied.

“Good work Dart. Everyone, clear the room! Dart, Reyn, get ready to welcome our guest!” Lord Kaiser ordered.

“Yes, your Highness” they replied and exited the dorm.

On the way to the Externus dorm…

The dorms of the three factions were relatively close to each other. Naturally the Externus faction had the nicest looking dorm at the top of the building, considering they were “honorable guests” at Brimor Academy. Then it was the Internus faction right below them, and the Fortunatus faction at ground level.

Taru and Yuna were ascending the flight of stairs that led to the Externus dormitory.

“So, we’re going to bring him to the infirmary?” whimpered Taru.

“More like ask him to go” corrected Yuna, “Atsuo said he’ll likely be opposed to the idea. I’ve also heard they really hate the Fortunatus faction.”

“Yeah, ‘Basfort’ they call it. Then why–” he started but abruptly stopped at the sight of two figures near the entrance.

“Looks like they are expecting someone” she whispered as they looked down the hallway.

It was Reyn and Dart.

“Did they know we were coming?” Taru whispered, his eyes slightly concerned.

“Maybe. They could’ve overheard us in the infirmary.” Yuna replied.

“Well, it’s pointless just standing around. Let’s go” Yuna said as she pulled Taru behind her.

Reyn and Dart scowled as soon as they saw them approaching.

“We were expecting only her ladyship Yuna” said Reyn coldly as he blocked off Taru from the entrance to the Externus faction.

“Follow me, your ladyship, his Highness awaits you” Dart told Yuna, escorting her to Lord Kaiser.

“Your lad–… Wait, WHAT?” Taru exclaimed as he glanced at Yuna.

Yuna looked surprised as well, as she followed Dart.

They disappeared behind the arching entryway, leaving Taru alone with Reyn.

In the dormitory, Lord Kaiser was seen fixing his hair. He had to look good he thought, especially in front of someone he valued above himself. As soon as he heard footsteps he sat back down in his chair, just to get up again the moment Yuna and Dart entered the room.

“Good evening my… lady” Lord Kaiser greeted her awkwardly.

“Are you here to join the Externus faction?” he asked, sitting back in his chair.

The question caught her off guard. She couldn’t understand how he arrived at that conclusion. She wasn’t even royalty, she thought to herself.

“N–… No” she answered.

“Are you sure? It’s quite lovely up here.” Lord Kaiser persisted as he gestured around the dorm.

“I’m sure, uh…” she said, struggling to remember his name.

“Your Highness” Dart whispered to Yuna.

“– your Highness” she quickly added.

“Don’t worry about the formalities,” he grinned flicking his wrist, “you can just call me Kaiser!”

“Then, what can I do for you?” he asked, giving up on persuading her to transfer.

“The thing is… My friend Atsuo had an accident, and he wanted to talk to you” Yuna hesitated, preparing for a rejection.

Lord Kaiser’s crossed his hands in front of his darkened face. The news of her male friend tore something inside of him. He wanted to see this lucky bastard.

“Well, if it’s a request from you, I suppose I have no choice!” Lord Kaiser said behind his hands.

“Bring him in!” he instructed Dart.

“Actually – he’s in the infirmary…” Yuna said uncomfortably.

This bastard made her walk all the way here, Lord Kaiser thought to himself enraged.

“Let’s go see him in person!” he suggested himself.

They made their way down to the first floor and entered the infirmary.

Atsuo sat up, looking at Lord Kaiser. Their eyes met.

Lord Kaiser’s eyes widened.

“Aren’t you…” Lord Kaiser began.

Atsuo tensed up, clutching his bedsheets.

“…–the guy who fainted?” he laughed.

Atsuo fell back down, tilting his head back towards the window.

“He doesn’t remember…” Atsuo said hopelessly.

“Remember? What? Not the scene from earlier?” Lord Kaiser said provocatively.

“Kaiser!” Yuna intervened, to which he scoffed and looked away.

Atsuo looked back dumbfounded. ‘Kaiser?’ he thought. Since when are they so close. Suddenly it hit him. Could it be that the person Lord Kaiser wanted to meet…

He grinned at Lord Kaiser, saying “You’ve got a lot of competition, Kaiser.”

Lord Kaiser looked at him confused, yet in a way, reminiscently.

“Never call me that again” he said repulsed.

“Anyway. Are you sure you’ve never met him before?” Yuna asked Lord Kaiser.

“I never forget those I’ve previously met” he replied seriously.

“Then maybe it was just a dream?” Taru joined in out of nowhere.

Everyone looked at Atsuo. He couldn’t help but sigh. ‘Just my luck’ he thought to himself as he looked up at the colorless ceiling.

They thanked Lord Kaiser for his time and waved him goodbye.

Atsuo was told to stay in bed for the rest of the night, and so he remained in the infirmary.

He felt like he was awake for days. It seemed all the stress he’d accumulated to this point was finally able to leave his body, as he dozed off looking at the darkish sky.

“Awooooooooo”

“Awooooooooooooooooo”

Atsuo could hear the wolves’ cries in the background.

He gradually felt himself waking up.

He slowly opened his eyes.

There he stood, in the middle of The Boundless Forest.