BOOK 1 - Destiny (Shonen Anime Style)

Chapter 21: Interesting Questions

Ravi, Leah, Idus and Kadiah headed to the Tower's Cafeteria and took a seat at a distant table, far from the other people around. Idus stared suspiciously at both Leah and Ravi as if trying to figure out why they suddenly wanna talk about the Awoken's realm. Nonetheless, Kadiah remained as innocent and cheerful as ever while leaning her head on her hands and smiling.

"So..." Ravi began. "Can you help us?"

"That depends" Idus replied. "First of all... Why are you interested in the Reef?"

"Ehh... It's for our homework" Leah replied with a fake grin.

"So, the academy left you a task in which you need to do research about the Reef? Now that's weird"

"Why do you say that?" Ravi asked with a puzzled expression.

"Because the Vanguard hasn't shown any interest in the Awoken's realm for hundreds of years" Both Ravi and Leah startled after hearing this. "So, there are only 2 possible options here. The Vanguard has suddenly gone crazy... OR... YOU ARE LYING"

Leah and Ravi were tense and sweating while keeping their fake smiles. What is more, a very uncomfortable silence suddenly took over the situation, and as Idus kept on staring at the guardian duo with suspicion, Kadiah tried to calm down the pressure around. "Oh, come on!" she said with a cheerful tone. "Don't be like that, Idus. They are my friends!" she then leaned closer to Idus in order to whisper him something. "And if only you tried being nice for once... they might even turn into your friends too... hehehe..."

Idus looked to one side as if trying to figure out what to do next. Meanwhile, Ravi and Leah stared at him with a confused expression. "Okay..." the awoken boy finally muttered in a soft tone after taking a long sigh. Then, he stood up and walked towards Ravi and Leah. "I'll answer all of your questions. But first... I need to ask you a favor"

"Wh-what is it?" the blue-haired boy asked, a bit doubtful.

Idus turned to face Kadiah at that moment and this last one simply nodded at him with determination while clenching her fists and smiling softly. Then, Idus turned to face Ravi and Leah yet again... and...

"Please, let's be friends" the awoken boy finally claimed with seriousness while leaning forward slightly, as if doing some kind of reverence.

"Huh?" Both Leah and Ravi muttered a bit weirded out.

"You heard me. I want us to be friends. That's the only condition I put"

"W-well... I have... no problem with that" Leah replied while sweat-dropping. "But, you didn't have to ask that in such a formal way"

"Mmmh? Really?" Idus raised his head again and then continued with his usual serious expression. "I'm sorry... it's just that I'm not used to doing this" He then turned to face Kadiah with a troubled face and scratching his head. "Sorry, Kadiah... I guess I totally blew this chance... Just like the others"

"Of course not" Ravi added with a grin as he stood up as well. "The truth is... you didn't even need to ask that"

"Eh?"

Ravi raised his fist towards Idus. "Kadiah is my friend... and any friend of hers is MY friend as well" Leah and Kadiah smiled softly while staring at both guys. Meanwhile, Idus stared with surprise and a bit puzzled at Ravi who was still with his hand up, waiting for a fist bump. "I'm Ravi Azarov and she's Leah Polgaze... and we'll gladly be your friends... haha..." the blue-haired boy finally stated with a smile, after which Idus remained in silence for several seconds, amazed by Ravi's bright attitude and also because he was about to realize who that pair of trainees really were.