"It''s finally happening".


    Soma, who was basking in his thoughts, saw the other members and his group engulfed in the rowdy atmosphere upon theing news they received.


    The room was filled with the sound of murmurs from the other members, discussing about the necessity they must bring on the day it will be held, which will happen on the next month, exactly the same month when Summer begins its descent upon thend.


    Unlike the other members who were being submerged in their own celebration, Soma stepped aside to the back and began to think deeply about what kind of n he should make. Soma still remembers which character would be involved in this.


    "Soma?".


    Serafina''s voice that entered his ears and blocked his line of sight interrupted his momentary thought as he began to shake his head, telling her he was fine.


    "What are you thinking about? I saw you have deep wrinkles in your brows. Do you not like the news?".


    "Nothing, don''t tell baseless lies. I know that my expression was stagnant. You can''t fool me with those".


    "Hmm, true, though you always have that calm look in you. Is it tiring to do that?".


    "No, in particr, this is who I am".


    "Hmm, I wonder what sort of thought you have in mind?".


    Soma, who saw her blinking eyes filled with curiosity signs before he shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth.


    "I was just wondering what sort of necessity I should bring for the trip to the dungeon?".


    "Is that it?".


    "What else have I been thinking about?".


    "Hmm, okay then. I''m going to the girls'' ce, Hina, Xiao Lian".


    Serafina, who still seems to have a feeling of doubt about Soma''s words, retreated back and regrouped with the girls.


    Hina and Xiao Lian, who suddenly got entangled with her, were surprised at first, but gradually, they began to converse naturally and discuss something in whispers.


    Soma took out his phone from his pocket chest and saw that the time had already passed seventeen when the academy was almost fully closed. He turned his gaze toward the girls who were still discussing in front, then slowly approached their side, making them rmed in flushed faces.


    "HIna, Xiao Lian, I have something to do after this. Let''s part from hereafter".


    "Yes, Soma, be careful out there. As much as I want to join you, I have some discussion with Senior Sera at the moment".


    Hina sneaked a nce toward Serafina with a flushed face, and as for Xiao Lian, who had already recovered, nodded her head multiple times in high tension, then spoke.


    "Soma, see youter".


    Soma nodded and nced at Serafina, who seemed to be whispering something inappropriate toward the girls.


    "Sera, don''t corrupt them!".


    "Aw, how could you say that? We were just having some girl''s talk over here. Who Says that I was corrupting them right, Hina, Xiao Lian?".


    "Senior Sera is right. So, Soma, you don''t have to worry. You must go and finish your business".


    "Mm, we are fine. Believe in us".


    "Okay, see youter, guys".


    Looking at their expression, Soma still held doubt that lingered in his chest. But as a man, it was not wise to tangle himself with a woman during their talk. He nodded his head for thest time and turned his back to leave the club building.


    With the festive atmosphere, that still didn''t subsided. Soma, who was left unnoticed by the others, twisted the door handle and stepped outside to let his body cool down by the breeze that passed by and regain his calm mind. Slowly and with a dry thud, he closed the door, which prompted him to walk toward his destination.


    Alone and refreshed, Soma began covering his mouth with his right palm, submerged in his thoughts. The next event that will unfold in the Academy arc is when the main characters enter the newborn dungeon in Okinawa.


    Yesterday''s event, which was still fresh in his mind, happened in the academy, where Soma almost lost Hina at the cost of his ignorance. For this event, he had to prepare everything thoroughly so he wouldn''t let his close aide get harmed. For that, the first step he needs to take is to


    "I need permission".


    While Soma was having a deep thought with himself and unaware of his surroundings, a pair of eyes looking at him from afar, eyes that were filled with sharp enmity, bore through his back, watching every detail of his manner.


    "...I will find out who you truly are".


    ***


    On the deserted hallway, Soma was standing in front of a dark brown wooden door that stood in pairs, and above it, there was a letter carved on a small whiteboard that said ''Lee Office.''


    Soma exhaled the air that he was holding in his lungs and gently, using his knuckles, knocked on the door multiple times to inform the person inside.


    "Excuse me, Teacher Lee?".


    "Come on in!".


    From insidees a bold and calm voice that breaches the reinforced wall and door where Soma stands.


    Soma gently pushed the door as it glided smoothly with no sound, leaving a big enough gap for him to enter the room.


    "So it''s Soma; close the door and sit wherever you want."


    Teacher Lee briefly nces at Soma, giving him a quick notice before resuming his work. On each side of the desk, teacher Lee was buried in the stack of paper. His blurry hands kept signing the document he received from his supervisor, and his eyes darted toward the paper in an instant as he asionally nodded and resumed this high-speed work.


    "I am sorry to interrupt you in your busy time".


    Soma, who felt slight guilt in his heart, apologized while gradually shortening the distance between them.


    The ck diamond in his left palm shone in a dark color, and then from his left hand appeared a single piece of paper with a sentence that he had spent a night writing before presenting it on Teacher Lee''s desk.


    Teacher Lee, who saw what Soma had been doing, stopped his activity and took the paper he had ordered Soma to. One quick nce was all he needed to inspect it before Teacher Lee shoved the paper inside the drawer on his left side.


    "Good job in finishing your assignment. Did you have any other business here? I''m listening."


    "Thank you, Teacher Lee. The truth is I have some favor to ask".


    After Soma finished with his words, teacher Lee, who was holding a ck luxury pen in hand, ready to resume his work, halted his movement and turned his gaze at Soma.


    "Speak?".


    Teacher Lee rarely showed his goodwill toward some students, but in this case, Soma was different because of the incident that happened just yesterday. Soma single-handedly does all the work and makes the academy aware of the threat of the demons who start making their moves.


    "So, it was like this…".


    Soma, who saw teacher Lee, who was eager to listen to him, began his exnation regarding the traveling club that will hold an event at a certain point in time. Soma is aware that the event will be held a month from now on, but there is no harm in preparing it beforehand.


    "...I need permission to leave the academy to go outside to buy the necessities for the uing trip".


    Teacher Lee loosened his tension as he rested his back toward the chair. He looked at Soma in front of him then with a wide grin. Teacher Lee''s hand glowed as he took something out from his storage belt and threw it at Soma.


    It was a ck card that spun in high-speed m movement, traveling in a straight line vertically approaching Soma''s face with his swift fingers. Soma grabbed the flying card between his thumb and index finger and nced toward Teacher Lee.


    "Used that and also My name; writing a letter for your eptance is bothersome."


    "But, teacher…".


    "Don''t refuse it. This is also my thanks to you for doing all the dirty work in the case of exterminating the appearance of the demon in the academy. Take it, and I know I can trust you with that".


    "...Thank you, Teacher Lee. I will use it wisely, promise!".