I WAS The Rank–1 Hero

Location: East Cabinet, Mira Beach, Vanilla City, Aquadore

…

My feet landed on the sands of Mira beach.

The cruise ship which Ruby borrowed from her friend was parked just offshore. To the right Maria stood by her small boat with two of her crewmates.

"Well this is where we part," she said, approaching us.

Ruby gave her a smile.

"Thanks for everything."

Maria nodded, before she stepped onto her boat, I was planning to ask her to be a part of my organization.

But, before I asked her, she pulled out a small silver device, and handed it to me.

"What's this?"

"A transmitter, use it to contact me anytime." She said, "we are now acquainted, don't hesitate to call me, alright?"

I looked at it, then at her.

"Thank you, Miss Maria."

I will just inform her later. Right now let me just go over with this practical which Nova was conducting in Vanilla City.

"I will be at the sea most of the time, but I will try my best to reach out to you."

I slipped the device in my Inventory Ring.

"Got it."

She gave me a rare smile. Then her eyes flicked toward Ruby's coat.

A soft rustle followed, and a tiny head peeked out. It was Lily, her wide ocean blue eyes blinking as her small, pointy ears twitched in the wind.

"Oh, Lily." Maria crouched to Lily's level and gave her a gentle pat. "Stay safe, okay?"

Lily blinked once and gave the smallest nod before ducking back into Ruby's dimensional coat with a squeak.

'She understood her?'

Maybe Lily only responds to females.

Maria rose and gave one last look to the both of us.

"Take care of each other. May your bond remain as lovely as the sea."

With that, she stepped into her boat and pushed off, the small boat glided smoothly over the tide.

For a while Ruby and I just stood there, waving our hands, as we bid her farewell.

She helped us a lot. I hope I meet her again soon.

"Ughh, I hate emotional goodbyes!" Mue groaned. "But that was kind of… sweet. Whatever. I'm not crying, because she didn't say bye to me! Is that racism against poor old relic like me?"

I smiled faintly.

'Now don't say that.'

"Sigh, what should I do with her…"

Sera interjected.

'Don't worry. She won't utter a word when you're with your friends.'

I hope she doesn't.

I could already picture Aria and Anna giving me that curious look.

Well, now that I am here, and about to be with them in an hour, I have make a solid excuse for my missing and going my separate ways to arrive at the practicle.

Ruby turned to me.

"I will be going straight to the faculty office."

I nooded, "Alright, I'll… umm see you soon."

With the thought of my friends in mind, I moved toward the main road to catch a taxi.

Ruby took the other path, telling me she'd arrive a few hours after I reached the training zone.

Well, it's not like anyone would question her.

As the Academy's Headmistress and the Rank 7 Hero, she had her own priorities.

…

Time: 10:00 AM

Location: Nova training Zone, Phase 1, Vanilla City, Aquadore.

…

Passing through the gates after showing my Nova ID, I stopped infront of an office, where in bold letters, a name was written.

Monica Montessa.

My homeroom teacher.

Apparantly I have to get my alloted room key from her.

The rooms have already alloted last night to the all the students, and because I took a day off, I have to directly confront her to get my keys.

Now the things is— why the hell am I hesitating?!

It's not like she will eat me or anything. I took Ruby's permission and officially took the day off, so she got no words questing it. Right?

'Let just leave the future to the future.'

But before I enter, I spoke with Sera in my mind.

'Sera, make sure Mue shuts her mouth.'

'Leave it to me!' She gave me a heads up.

With that, I knocked on the door.

"Come in." Came for the other end.

Opening the door, I stepped inside.

Miss Monica was seated on a brown leather couch, flipping through a thick stack of documents spread across the table.

She raised her head for just a second.

"Oh, Mr. Skylark," she said flatly. "You can take your keys from that drawer over there."

She pointed without much energy, then returned to her paperwork.

Dark circles hung under her eyes. Her voice sounded dry, exhausted.

"Don't mind me," she added.

I nodded, walked over, and pulled open the drawer. A small envelope labeled with my name sat inside. I took it, gave her a quick bow, and exited the room without another word.

As the door shut behind me, I let out a breath.

"…That was easy."

I walked toward my allotted building.

On the way, I passed several first-years.

Some were already in their training suits, jogging or practicing their forms. Others just wandered about, probably getting used to the new surroundings.

"The trio must be in their rooms, probably."

Considering that they are the top rankers of 1st year, they must have got a luxury room.

I kept walking at a steady pace when I suddenly heard a soft whisper in my mind.

"Is Mue going to meet new friends?" Mue asked in the gentlest tone I'd ever heard from her before.

That was… unexpectedly wholesome.

Cute, even.

I smiled to myself.

"Yeah," I replied quietly. "They're good people. But for the god's sake don't say a word."

"Mue won't."

Her voice rang softly as the golden helix on my hand flickered with a tiny light.

According to Sera, whenever Mue speaks, people around me might be able to hear her if they're too close.

For now, she had no control over it.

And I wasn't exactly ready to explain a talking relic to Anna or Aria.

So, I told her not to speak when peoples are close to me.

Better safe than awkward.

Apparently, the rooms were divided into groups. That meant my room had three other members inside.

They were going to be my teammates for this practical session.

I finally reached my assigned door. Swiping the key card, the lock clicked open.

The room was big, like surprisingly big.

A common living room took up most of the center space, with a small kitchen to the side and four individual bedrooms spaced out evenly.

I stepped in, scanning the space.

"I wonder who my teammates are."

"Hey, try this one!"

"Haha, it's so cute!"

"I swear I will never wear something that gross—!"

I froze.

I heard three different female voices. And one of them sounded familiar.

They were coming from the door on my right.

They must me my teammates then.

Good. Lets greet them first.

"…That's the living room?"

I whispered to myself as I stepped forward and pushed the door open.

"Hello, sorry I was late—"

My words cut off.

My brain almost shut down.

There, standing before me, was Anna.

Hair still damp, exposed legs, skin glistening with droplets of water, and wrapped only in a short white towel.

She wasn't alone either, two other girls were beside her. Both in fluffy bathrobes, their hair still steaming from the shower.

Every neuron in my brain screamed in panic, but I calmed myself.

I took a deep breath.

Karton's voice echoed in my mind.

"Leave the worry about the future… to the future."

"My bad," I said calmly.

And slammed the door shut.

SLAM—!

HUHHHHHHHHHH?!?!" Anna shrieked.

"…Who… was that?" one of the girls whispered from inside awakwardly.

"No! no! No! that was definitely Zane!" Anna screamed.

"Oh my god—ANNA! Your towel!!"

A loud rustle followed.

""WHY DIDN'T YOU LOCK THE DOOR?!"

"I THOUGHT HE'D ARRIVE IN THE EVENING!"

"HE SAW EVERYTHING!! I JUST KNOW IT!"

"Now I'll never get married!!!"

"…I'm

From behind the door, I just stood still, eyes locked on the opposite wall, as I heard them scream.

'Well… this is awkward.'

Mue sighed in my mind.

"Ten years of divine training and you still forget to knock."

Even Sera couldn't hide her quiet amusement.

'It seems you've returned to reality, Human.'

I facepalmed.

A little while later…

I sat awkwardly on the living room couch.

The room was quiet. A bit too quiet.

One of the girls, silver hair, calm face, bright blue eyes walked over and handed me a cup of coffee.

She was now dressed casually, a simple white cardigan over black tights.

"Here," she said calmly.

"Thank you," I replied, accepting the cup with both hands.

I took a sip.

Then I looked up and nearly choked.

Anna was sitting right across from me, arms crossed, a towel now replaced with an oversized hoodie.

To her side, the third girl one with golden-blonde hair that matched her sharp amber eyes, was watching me like a hawk, chin propped on her palm.

I cleared my throat.

"H-Hello, Anna…"

She didn't reply. She just stared.

Then she leaned forward.

"So… what's the story?"

Straight to the point.

I blinked. "Story?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Why did you arrive so late? I called you so many time! What happened?"

That's what she meant.

I nodded slowly.

"Ah. That."

Honestly, I knew why she was pressing me. She was worried. This was just her way of asking if I was okay without actually saying it.

Before I could answer, Mue muttered inside my head.

"She's scary. I like her."

'Shut up.' Sera said.

I turned back to Anna, I had to keep it short.

"My sister Elise was in Aquadore. She forgot her dimension pouch, so I came here ahead of everyone else to drop it off. Oh, and I also took permission from Headmistress Ruby."

The blonde girl beside her narrowed her eyes.

"That's all?"

I nodded. "That's all."

Anna looked at me a moment longer… then sighed and leaned back.

"Fine. Just don't make us worry next time. And try contacting Aria and Julius too, they were worried you know?"

So she was worried.

"Alright," I said, hiding a small smile behind my coffee.

"Also…" she added, her eyes suddenly sharpening. "Next time please try knocking the door."

The blonde girl snickered. "It's fine, that was an accident."

I nooded.

Atleast someone understands.