Leonhart let out a short groan as his eyes gradually opened. Once his vision settled into reality, he found himself in a bed with people around looking out for his well-being.
"Leon!"
Leonhart moved his gaze towards the voice and saw his grandparents running towards him to give a hug.
They gave him the much-needed warmth he needed as Leonhart revealed a soft smile before a huge smack in the form of a fist went straight to his head.
"Owww!"
Lloyd, Leonhart's grandfather, gave him another love smack in the form of a fist using his other hand that went to his head yet again, before giving him an earful.
"What were you doing setting the school on fire, huh?!"
Lloyd gritted his teeth and added. "Have you not realized that what you were doing could lead to murder? I know about what you said, but still… consult with us if that's the action you're going to take!"
Doing excessive action shook Lloyd a bit as he staggered slightly on his place, which Leonhart tried to assist, only to realize that his hands were cuffed to the metal bars of the bed.
Leonhart's eyes darted to the cuffs, trying to move out, but to no avail, he couldn't leave his place.
That's when the doors of the infirmary room opened, revealing a few people who entered. One of those people that Leonhart recognizes is Mark, his homeroom professor.
But that's the least bit of his problem right now.
"Leonhart Porter. My name is Detective Yuri, under the Central Police Unit."
A tall man with a well-maintained mustache quickly introduced himself, not wasting a single second. Bringing down his cap, he quickly fixed his disheveled hair, which only made it messier. Then, he showed his police badge and continued.
"Leonhart, you are under arrest for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property, attempted arson, malicious mischief, and illegal possession of flammable material. You have the right to remain silent—"
Leonhart ignored the detective completely; his words passed through one ear to another. Instead, he called out to his status window to check something.
And his eyes widened in surprise.
'Shit…!'
"Do you understand these rights?"
Leonhart looked at Detective Yuri and calmly spoke.
"Can I ask a question? Did the students still attend today? If so, how many people are in this school right now?"
Yuri raised a brow, not imagining Leonhart would be asking the question. He didn't even answer.
"I think you really don't have any right to know something as simple as that, but sure, I'll answer." Yuri paused. "Aside from the fire department and a few workers of this school, due to the fire, we're the only ones here."
Leonhart let out a short, relieved sigh that made the officers, Professor Mark, and even Detective Yuri look at him in revulsion.
But Leonhart paid no mind. He couldn't care less what others will think of him, as his first goal was achieved, which is giving students an opportunity to be with their loved ones in the upcoming fall.
As for what comes after that, Leonhart also didn't care.
It's time to focus on himself.
Leonhart arranged his words and said, "Officers, listen to me. In the next 5 minutes, a holographic screen will tell you about the crisis we're about to take. We're going to be given 3 minutes to prepare ourselves. In that time frame, we should head towards the university gates. You should tell the others in this school to do the same."
[7.59]
Yuri let out a short smile before releasing the cuffs in the metal bars, before he put Leonhart's hand on the back to do a proper arrest.
"Whether you like it or not, we're still going to the gates since we'll be leaving this place and putting you in detention. And I'm not going to follow you, criminal."
Leonhart didn't answer.
He didn't need to, since he will be leaving the university one way or another with his grandparents.
'My plan to return home and do things Ma and Pa didn't happen, but this still isn't different. As long as they're with me, everything won't matter.'
[3.59]
After getting things done inside the infirmary, Leonhart was led outside with a few officers and Mark. His grandparents were just right behind him, inside the wall that Detective Yuri formed.
For the remaining seconds, each of their steps reverberated through the thick hallways. No one did unnecessary talking.
For a moment, everything was peaceful.
But it was short-lived, almost instantaneously.
[Crisis: Escape the Hansok University
[The Fall will start in 3 minutes in Earth's Time]
[Time: 3.00]
[2:59…]
"What is this…? A screen?"
Detective Yuri voiced out as he looked behind, only to see the officers and the grandparents wearing weird expressions. Professor Mark wasn't any different.
[2:50]
All of them looked at Leonhart.
"I will explain things later, but first, we should go to the gates."
Detective Yuri halted for a moment, contemplating his next decision. Yuri checked his watch and realized that a bit over 5 minutes had passed since Leonhart said everything.
Still doubtful, but after Leonhart's words played out exactly as he said, Detective Yuri quickly made a decision.
He first ordered the officers around him.
"You guys. Run as fast as you can and quickly tell everyone to move at the university gates. Go."
The three officers quickly ran once orders were given, giving Leonhart one last confused look as they went to do their job.
Then, Yuri looked at the people left to him and said. "We should go as well. Mark, can you carry, sir Lloyd? I'll carry, ma'am Sarah."
Even though Mark still had no idea what was happening, he immediately carried Lloyd, who didn't even put up a fight. The same as said to Sarah, who immediately followed.
"Let's move."
[1:59]
There were no words that came after that. Detective Yuri and Mark, who were piggybacking Sarah and Lloyd, ran as fast as possible with Leonhart trailing behind them.
They went down to the infirmary, which is located on the third floor of one of the buildings of Hansok University. Once they were out, they immediately headed towards the field and reached the gates with a bit of time left.
[0:30]
Soon, the workers at the school and the few firefighters gathered around the entrance, confused and alert. Nobody moved an inch, all except Detective Yuri, who was leading them.
"Let's wait."
Leonhart, who was still handcuffed, calmly stated.
After hearing those words from Leonhart, Detective Yuri let out a short sigh and unlocked the cuffs from his hands.
[0:10]
The timer went down every second.
It wasn't fast or slow, just at a normal, steady pace like what Leonhart remembered.
[0:05]
Leonhart paid close attention, not disturbed by his surroundings.
[0:01]
However, once that timer went to zero, everything changed.
[0:00]
[The Fall had started]
Leonhart's eyes wavered as he paid no mind to the screen anymore and directed his gaze towards the skies.
"How is this possible…"