Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 72 - One-Touch Knock-Out

Previously:

While waiting to take his mana exam, Kiel feels sick and ends up falling unconscious. An unknown person is helping him towards the infirmary. The last thing Kiel does before falling unconscious is to call out to Elaru.

Venric Rroda put up a mission in the Shadow Lodge, requesting a Shadow to infiltrate Muni, capture Kiel Rroda and prevent him from taking the exam. Dusk Rose is forced to take the mission as he is one of the rare people capable of entering Muni – he is one of the examinees. Dusk Rose waited for Kiel in front of the classroom where Kiel was supposed to take his exam, however, Kiel arrived suddenly, in the nick of time and Dusk Rose had no time to act against him before they were ushered into the classroom.

* * *

When the examiners finally asked who wanted to take the exam first, Dusk Rose noticed Kiel Rroda taking a step forward, and his heart skipped a beat.

I knew it! He intends to go first!!

Time seemed to slow down as Dusk Rose stealthily kicked the guy standing in front of him, making him stumble forwards a few steps.

The guy looked around himself in a daze, searching for the person who pushed him forward. Dusk Rose had already moved away from his previous position and looked as innocent as possible.

When the guy couldn't find the culprit, he decided to go with the flow and take the exam. Only then did Dusk let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

As soon as the examinees were ushered out of the room, Dusk Rose made his move.

He approached Kiel Rroda waiting for an opportunity to join the conversation on how that unfortunate sod was horrible for going first. If Dusk wasn't concentrating fully on the job, he would have found it amusing.

No. Scratch that. He still found it amusing.

Even more so when he finally joined the conversation. Just like all of the fawning people around Kiel Rroda, Dusk spoke honeyed praises: "You're a good guy. You don't get agitated because of such small matters. I wish I could be more like you."

Kiel Rroda turned towards him and smiled a radiant smile. Dusk's heart couldn't help but skip a beat. Goodness, gracious!

Dusk couldn't help but lament that he was basically tasked with ensuring Kiel Rroda wouldn't pass the entrance exams. Such a pity. This beautiful person was someone Dusk Rose would rather date than plot against. Alas, the fates were cruel, and now, he would never get the chance.

Dusk sighed internally, before clearing his thoughts and focusing on the task. Without giving Kiel Rroda the chance to respond to his flattering, Dusk offered him his hand. "I don't think I've introduced myself before. I am..."

Dusk Rose gave a random, made up name, to go along with his current random, made up face.

Dusk closely watched Kiel Rroda who showed slight hesitation in taking his hand. Dusk's heart skipped a beat, his hand in the air seemed to hang there for eternity. Will he take it? Did he figure it out?

Only a few seconds later did Kiel Rroda accept the handshake and nodded his head at Dusk.

Dusk Rose resisted letting out a breath of relief. However, a gleeful smile still bloomed on his face. He stepped back from his target, as to not rise any further suspicion.

From a few steps away, he watched Kiel Rroda in satisfaction.

One-third of his work was already done.