Free Web NovelChapter 146: Sixth and Last Group
Kai walked into the levy post, dragging a massive leather sack that got stuck for a fraction of a second on the door before he forced it through. His movements were sluggish, and his entire body was riddled with sweat and traces of blood.
A few students inside, seniors, were surprised to see his condition.
But they were not ready to see the condition of the other students behind him.
Dorian, Matilda, Bree, and Bryan were also dragging their own leather sacks through the small entrance. And their conditions were even worse than Kai’s. Other than the sweat and blood, the four of them also had heavy bags under their eyes.
Kai had bags under his eyes, too, but his were like that since forever.
And his weren’t as bad as the others right now.
Just as Dorian suggested, the five of them went all out in gathering the remaining mana ores.
Even though they were sleepy and exhausted from the second class, they pushed themselves to mine in these last couple of days. Today, luck was on their side—as they stumbled across a boulder with triple the amount of mana ores compared to normal.
It was perfect, giving them enough mana ores for the requirement before sunset. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Since today is going to be the day they created the Ambrosia Pact, even Bryan was now with them. No need to hide anymore, as after today, every single student would know that he was a part of the Lesser Angel’s group.
Ditching the Ichor Legion for the Ambrosia Pact.
"Fuck, I’m going back to my room," Dorian placed down the leather sacks and turned around.
He didn’t forget to toss Kai his student ID for when he met Professor Kimberly.
Bryan and Matilda were the same.
Neither of them had any strength to speak—as they simply placed down the leather sacks and handed Kai their student IDs. Kai didn’t stop them, of course, as they must be far more exhausted than he was right now.
"Call me if something happens," Bree said after handing Kai her student ID.
Normally, she would ask whether he would be okay making the group alone.
But after what happened, she said nothing.
As per usual, her voice wasn’t colder, but her actions were, and it troubled Kai greatly.
Kai’s lips parted fast to say something, yet not faster than the speed of Bree’s legs moving out of the levy post. He could only close his lips—again. Every time Bella got angry, he gave her time and then did something nice for her.
It always worked.
But it’s different with Bree, as she’s not always with him, and she also stays angry longer.
"You should chase her," the man said from behind. "I got your flowers."
"Huh?" Kai turned—and then smiled helplessly. "I don’t think she’d like that. Maybe I’ll give her a little more time. Besides, I can’t give her flowers in public, or else I’d get a glare from the grey-masked Angels."
"Okay..." the man snickered playfully. "But I wouldn’t wait if I were you."
Kai handed over thirty thousand mana ores, storing them as a down payment to make a group as per the requirements. Just three thousand alone was already surprising enough—for Kai to gather, so this much mana ore is inconceivable.
It was surprising for a Lesser Angel to gather this much.
Frankly, the man thought Kai was a Lesser Angel with the power of an average Angel.
But he thought wrong.
Gathering this many mana ores, even with the help of four other people—meant he can hold his own, and that’s still impressive. It took more than fifteen minutes to count the entire pile of mana ores.
And by the end of it, the machine counted a bit more than thirty-one thousand mana ores.
Kai told the man to save the excess for his next weekly quota, and then he was given a slip of paper stating that he had stored thirty thousand mana ores for the creation of the Ambrosia Pact that he could show to Professor Kimberly as proof.
"I’ll send someone to get the flowers and seed later; would it be okay?"
"I’m not going anywhere."
"Great! Thanks a lot for your help!"
Once he bid his goodbye, Kai wanted to go straight to the professor’s headquarters.
But remembering that he reeks of sweat and mud, he decided to cage that intention and went to take a shower first. Talitha stood up from her bed when she heard the door swing open—and her eyes flickered when she realized that it was Kai.
She was expecting him to come back later tonight, so this was a pleasant surprise.
"How did it go?" She asked, aware that Kai today might be the last day of his rigorous mining.
"Really well," Kai said, opening his uniform with a painful grunt, so Talitha helped. "I’m going to take a shower and meet Professor Kimberly. Wish me luck. I hope she won’t make it harder for me with another hidden requirement."
"Yes, good luck, Master Kai!" Talitha cheered.
Kai took a shower and came out after only a few minutes.
But outside, Talitha was already waiting for him right in front of the bathroom door.
"Talitha?" He walked out and closed the door behind him. "What’s wrong?"
"I have something for you." She brought her hand from behind her and showed a simple cord of braided fiber, no thicker than a blade of grass. "My mom used to give this to me whenever I’m going to have an important exam. A good luck charm."
Gently, Talitha took hold of Kai’s hand.
She was slightly surprised when she realized his hand was more than twice the size of hers, and began tying the braided thread around his wrist. It fitted him perfectly, so she must have put some thought into it.
"Normally, I’d rub it with flower petals," She murmured, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear as she worked the knot tight. When she finished, she drew back and smiled softly, "Oh, and remember, you can’t take it off. Not until it falls away on its own or it’s going be bad luck for you."
Kai looked at the braided thread and smiled.
"I need all the luck I can get, so thanks for this."
"No problem! Now hurry and meet Professor Kimberly."
Not even wasting any time, Kai changed clothes and ran up the staircase; his steps thudding hard against the wood.
He stopped at the top and looked back.
"Talitha, can you grab some things from the levy post? Just say to the receptionist there that you’re to take what’s mine!"
"Okay! I’ll get it now!"
Kai nodded and ran out, charging straight to the main building.
It had been stressful for him lately.
From the very day he decided to enter the Dragon Ring, so that he could seek refuge from the fame that came alongside it; being known by the people on the surface, restlessness had utterly claimed him.
Not to mention, soon after, he discovered someone was out for him from the shadows.
For him, a Lesser Angel, death could come at any moment and from anywhere.
It could be from Chester, who rallied his Ichor Legion to hunt him down in the Fire Swamp. Could be from the academy who made up a rule that he somehow broke, which would burden him with public execution. Or it could simply come from an outsider like the seniors sent to kill him.
Even though he never complained after his outburst at Matilda, that feeling was still there.
Others went to take a nap to rest between mining sessions, but Kai kept going. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Not because he was not exhausted. Not because he was strong—but because he knew his life depended entirely on this. He needed to quickly have a group and be eligible to participate in the Dragon Ring, or else the academy would find a way to kill him.
He also kept looking behind him in case of an assassin.
None of the others knew, but he had summoned Perion to patrol the area whenever they were mining. It was the reason why they encountered fewer Awakened Monsters and students, as Kai got warnings constantly from Perion.
Right now, it’s not ideal for the group to battle Awakened Monsters.
Too tired to do that, and clashing in their condition might be catastrophic.
So, Perion was around to keep a lookout and anticipate if there were approaching assassins.
Now, walking to the professor’s headquarters with all the requirements in hand felt surreal.
Kai didn’t know whether this was reality or a dream.
But the moment he entered the professor’s headquarters, garnering the gazes of the professors in the room, including Professor Hera and Professor Kimberly, it hit him that this was reality. That he really managed to complete all other requirements.
I don’t know what happened to the person who encouraged other students to form a group before I did, but I’m grateful no other group materialized. That last slot is mine now. Please... just let nothing ruin this. Please.
He was begging inside.
Just this one time, don’t let anything else ruin this milestone.
Kai stood in front of Professor Kimberly’s table and stayed standing there for a good moment.
His spine was straight, but it was hard for him to utter the words.
"Lesser Angel Kai," Professor Kimberly spoke first. "Do you have business with me?"
"I..." Kai’s voice cracked, so he stopped again. Then, he drew a steadying breath, calming his nerves before he finally lifted his gaze to meet the professor’s eyes. "I’ve gathered every requirement to form a group under my leadership. I am here to register it." He straightened. "The Ambrosia Pact. Please allow me to register it, Professor."
He placed the three things that were required on the table: Professor Evie’s badge, the paper slip stating the five members of the group, and also the statement from the levy post. Once he did, he bowed, desperate to be accepted this time.
All the other professors inside watched this scene with mild amusement.
Surprised that Kai really managed to gather it all.
Professor Kimberly reclined on her chair and stared at Kai.
She checked the three items on her table, and then reclined again.
For a brief moment, there was respect behind her gaze, but it quickly faded away.
"Everything is in place," She finally nodded. "Okay, I’ll accept your registration. Your group, the Ambrosia Pact, will be the sixth and last group of the freshman."
"T-Thank you, Professor!" Kai bowed deeper.
He couldn’t hide his smile anymore and quickly walked out of the professor’s headquarters after Professor Kimberly dismissed him lest she change her mind. Instead of going back, he went to the emergency staircase.
Inside, he closed the door behind him and leaned his back against the wall.
Kai slid down to a squat and breathed while holding back tears, "I... I did it."
