The lecture concluded.

Professor Kali dismissed the class with a wave of her hand, and students immediately rose from their seats.

The sound of chairs scraping against stone filled the classroom with conversations beginning before people even reached the door.

Reinhard gathered his notes. His visible eye tracked the papers as he organized them into his leather satchel, ensuring they wouldn't crumple or bend.

Around him, students filed toward the exit in small groups, discussing Mythic Keys with enthusiasm that bordered on obsession.

He stood, slinging the satchel over his shoulder, and prepared to head to the dining hall alone. Marie and Joseph were third years, and so their schedules were different from his first-year classes.

A figure rushed toward him.

Reinhard's lips twitched as his gaze followed the approaching student.

It was a young woman with long blond hair that curled into twin tails, the color fading to orange at the tips. Cyan eyes locked onto him with intensity that suggested singular focus. She wore the standard black-white uniform with a skirt, white stockings, and black shoes.

"Yes, Irene?" Reinhard said in amusement.

Irene didn't slow as she reached his desk and planted both hands on its surface, leaning forward until her face was close enough that he could see flecks of darker blue in her cyan eyes.

Those eyes shine with barely contained excitement.

"Rein! Are you ready to write about your dreams?"

Reinhard's lips twitched again.

Irene had become his partner a week ago during Magic Class. The professor had assigned group discussions about dreams and their potential meanings.

Reinhard had mentioned his Beast Spirit dream, which led to Irene's curious reaction. She had a massive grin spreading across her face, questions tumbling out faster than he could blink.

Since then, she'd been relentless, and every class they shared, she found him. Every break, she asked about the dream, but it wasn't exhausting, it was endearing.

She reminds him so much of Anasha when she becomes curious about something and can't wait to ask about it.

"I would love to write it down, but I'm busy catching up from the first semester and keeping up with the second semester." Reinhard says with a sigh.

Irene blinked before she tilted her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "Is that all you're busy with? Catching up?"

"Well, and keeping up with future classes." Reinhard shifted his satchel, adjusting its weight on his shoulder.

Irene's grin returned, but this time it was bigger as she leaned closer. Eliminating the remaining distance until their faces were only inches apart.

"So you really can summon your Beast Spirit." She whispered despite the classroom being nearly empty. "After all, the only reason I can think you'd be this busy is with Expeditions that a First Year Herald can go on."

Reinhard blinked in surprise. "So you didn't believe the rumors already?"

Irene's chuckle. "Well, the rumor that you've been on multiple missions during the first semester didn't really have any proof."

"But my implication about being busy is proof enough?"

"Other than Expedition Missions, I can't see anything that would keep you this occupied." Irene's cyan eyes narrowed at Reinhard with a smirk. "Plus, from what I observed during Magic Class, you didn't seem surprised or interested in most of the stuff mentioned compared to how you were in this class."

Reinhard's lips twitched before asking with a raised brow. "Are you part of the Investigator Clubs?"

Irene hummed. "You have enough time to know about the clubs?"

Before Reinhard could answer, another voice rang out in amusement.

"Well, he is the Herald of our year. He has to know at least this much, as he represents us." Leading Reinhard's gaze shifted to the approaching young man.

He had a fair complexion, knee-length gray hair with fuchsia-colored eyes that gleamed with mischief, and a standard black-white uniform.

"Alger, have you come to take her away?" Reinhard asked with a chuckle.

Alger laughed. "No, I just came to see when you two got so close, considering you're only a few inches from each other."

Reinhard sighed while Irene laughed, and then they turned back toward each other simultaneously.

"Well, your analysis is right, so I can't help-"

"Well, fortunately for you, I have a good solution!" Irene leaned back, her chest puffing out with obvious pride. Her hands moved to her hips, posture shifting into something triumphant.

Reinhard blinked before glancing at Alger, who offered a wry smile that suggested he knew exactly what was coming and found it entertaining.

"Do we dare ask what it is?" Alger asked with a raised brow.

Irene's head nodded with a grin, twin tails bouncing with the motion. "The Dream Writer Club can write down the notes for your classes, and in exchange, you not only tell us about your dreams but also what happened on the expeditions-"

"Full notes, summary explanations, and willingness to help me out with other things. And I'll tell you everything with no details untouched-" Reinhard's interjection came swiftly.

Irene's hands shot out, grabbing Reinhard's with surprising speed while her cyan eyes shone with delight. A beaming smile spread across her face as she said. "My dear Reinhard, you truly are the person I was destined to meet! To understand me so well!"

Alger's brow rose as he smiled in amusement. "So you're going to use us for your agenda?"

Irene blinked before turning to Alger and tilting her head at him. "Are you saying you aren't curious about the type of missions he does? About the dreams he has?"

Alger's mouth opened, closed, opened again. Before then, he sighed and said. "That's true. Fine, we'll do it." He paused. "But the details better be mind-blowing."

Reinhard's chuckle. "Of course they will be." He paused as he tapped his chin. "The only thing is you'll need to keep some stuff secret as it involves the Empire and oh, the Sinners."

Complete silence descended, as they were the only three left in the classroom.

Alger stared at Reinhard, his eyes going wide, and disbelief flooding across his face. His mouth fell open slightly, and he even pinched his cheek to see if he was dreaming.

Irene's grin grew impossibly wider before launching forward and wrapping her arms around Reinhard in a hug that nearly knocked him backward. "Rein! I knew we would get along very well!"

…

Irene dragged Reinhard by the arm through the hallway while humming with a grin on her face. Alger walked beside him, hands tucked into his pockets. His gray hair swayed with each step, as his eyes glanced outside to the rain.

They moved through Memento Mori's corridors, which were lined with tall windows. Rain fell steadily, drumming against the windows in a rhythm that created ambient sound throughout the hallways.

"Why are you so interested in my dreams anyway?" Reinhard's question came as they turned a corner.

Irene stopped abruptly while her hand remained wrapped around his wrist. She turned with her cyan eyes widening with surprise. "I didn't mention the reason?"

"No." Reinhard raised a brow. "But I'm guessing from your surprise that you usually do?"

Alger nodded. "Irene always gives a reason so the other person knows why she's so excited and doesn't misunderstand."

"Because of how close and excited she is toward them?"

"Exactly." Alger chuckled.

Irene pouted as she nervously shifted. "I didn't expect them to..." She trailed off, waving her free hand dismissively. "Well, it doesn't matter. Rein understands, and that's all that matters."

"That is a surprise, but well as expected of our Herald." Alger paused, his expression shifting into something more teasing. "Or maybe our Irene isn't his type?"

Irene rolled her eyes, and she turned back to Reinhard, her expression becoming more serious despite maintaining the pout. "It's because I want to discover the entire history behind Paradise's past."

Irene clenched her free hand while her eyes shine with joy and curiosity. "From the first time I read about other people's creation stories, I've always been curious. Why do different creation stories show up? Are they all true? And could the history of Paradise be way longer than we originally thought?"

Reinhard blinked before he nodded in understanding and a bit of appreciation for her persistence. "I can see your interest." His head nodded slowly. "Well, I hope you can share any findings you get with me. I've been puzzled about my dream for a while now."

Irene's beam returned. "Of course! Only by working together can we really analyze it. And besides, I want to share with the whole world what I discover."

"Irene wants to become the head of the History Institution in the future." Alger supplied helpfully, his tone carrying obvious support for her ambition.

Reinhard's brow rose. "Is there a good benefit, or is it because it would be easier to share?"

"Both!" Irene's response came before her expression shifted with slight worry. "Now come on, lunch only lasts an hour and we've already wasted fifteen minutes!"

She resumed dragging Reinhard forward. Her grip tightened slightly on his wrist, her pace increasing as they moved through the corridors quickly.

Alger's laugh followed behind them.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.