A bomb
"Where is this bomb?" Professor Eldrich asked checking his office which made Elior chuckle softly
"Not in that way"
"I mean, there is a runic symbol structure I can't decipher"
"That is why I called it a bomb" Elior said as he averted his gaze
"Okay" Professor Eldrich said sitting down on his chair
"So, can I see this runic structure?" Professor Eldrich stretching forth his hand
Elior handed over the paper and showed Professor Eldrich
Elior just sketched the runic symbol on the box and showed Professor Eldrich
Professor Eldrich looked at it for some time before turning to face Elior seriously
"Where did you get this structure Elior?" Professor Eldrich said in a serious tone
"I saw it in some textbook in the library" Elior said shyly
"Is that so?"
"Yes"
Professor Eldrich stared for a while before answering
"This is an Adept Runic structure which is far beyond your level"
"Thank you, sir," Elior said bowing his head
Professor Eldrich spent over thirty minutes deciphering the runic structure
"All done" Professor Eldrich sighed as he gave Elior the piece of paper with the solution underneath it
As Elior left the office, he bumped into someone
"Ouch" Elior said
Standing before Elior was a tall student emitting a suppressing aura around him
"Watch yourself kid" the figure
"Yes, Senior Voss" Elior said bowing his head before storming off
As Elior took a corner, he stopped to catch his breath
"The demonic crest manifestation on Senior Voss had almost fully materialized" Elior said huffing
"Status"
A blue screen appeared
[WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU WANT?]
"Oh, new mechanism I suppose!" Elior said grinning
"How far has the demonic crest manifestation materialized on Senior Voss?" Elior asked
[CALCULATING......]
[RESULT: 87%]
Elior sighed before dismissing the blue screen
"Well, it isn't my fight, leave it for the main characters" Elior said as he walked towards the uncompleted building
The next days, Elior spent his time in the uncompleted building adjusting the runic structures according to Professor Eldrich's instruction and with two days to go, Elior finally cracked
"Hah, Eureka" Elior said as he sat down cleaning the sweat that had accumulated on his face
"Took me about three days just to decipher this structure and I got no more time to spare" Elior said as he faced down
Standing up, Elior walked towards the window of the uncompleted building
"Guess the festivities had begun"
As Elior watched, he could see students setting up decorations. Some carrying ladders, balloons and decorations with plans of decorating the hall
Some boys were asking girls out, some were rejected and some landed. Some students were showing others their fancy new dresses and clothes.
Elior smiled briefly
"Will the smiles still remain after the gown?" Elior said as he opened the window
The gentle breeze blew past his face making his facial features stand out
Elior walked down from the uncompleted building and began strolling down the streets of Astralis Academy
As Elior walked with his head buried in thoughts, a voice reached out
"Elior" the figure shouted
Elior snapped back to reality and saw Aria with her friends at some distance
Elior rushed over to them
"Hey Aria, what's up?" Elior said with a small smile
"I'm good" Aria smiled averting her gaze
"How are you all?" Elior asked
"We are doing fine" Aiden and the other protagonist answered quietly
As they all walked through Astralis Academy, they chattered
"So Elior, taking Seris to the dance?" Aiden asked with a sly smile
"Sorry, I am not" Elior said rubbing his hand behind his hair ruffling it
"So, who will you be going with then?" Aria asked hiding her embarrassment
Elior kept quiet for a moment before speaking up
"I will be going alone"
That caught everyone off guard
As the others bombarded Elior with questions, Elior caught a glimpse of Seren
As their eyes met, Elior shot a small smile which Seren returned the favor
It was nothing more, just two individuals who respect each other so much.
"Umm guys, I have to go" Elior said as he began walking in the opposite direction
Aiden and the rest waved at Elior as they watched his back disappear into the fog of the night
"Guess, I have to start distancing myself from now on" Elior said as he stopped in his tracks
"Can't be drawn into the light"
And with that, finally the day came: The Astralis Academy Gown