Chapter 57：Kody Nightroad (1/2)

”Your runic bracelet, aren't you registered in Yalveran Runes Association?” Ori asked with confusion, looking at Arthur like he was an alien species.

”There's a runes association?” His eyes turning wide, Arthur was even more confused. The two looked at each other for a few moments in silence.

”… You're clueless, huh?”

”Well, I can't deny that.” All Arthur could do was scratch his head and avoid the group's gaze. Ori sighed and pulled the chair from underneath the table for Arthur to sit on. It was the start of another studying session.

***

”Bro, don't do anything reckless, please. I think it'll get better later, I can…” His brother texted him, trying to stop him. Arthur doubted there would be anyone threatening him in the academy, so he just told his brother to shut it and give him the name. After a while, he finally got it.

Kody Nightroad, Year 3 Class A.

He was Arthur's classmate, but Arthur never had the time to meet the rest of the class. He knew Ellen, Markus, and barely Amelia. He didn't even know the name of the rest of them, let alone some Kody.

Arthur opened the classroom door, drawing some attention in. It was the quiet transfer student that everyone was curious about but too cautious to make acquaintance with.

”Kody Nightroad?” Arthur spoke loudly enough for the whole class to hear, and they begin to whisper among each other before a guy stood up from a group of three students. It was a redhead student with green eyes, a noticeable belly protruding in front of him. He wasn't fat, just not having a lean body either.

”Yes?” Unlike what Arthur had expected, his face was a lot less intimidating than he imagined. His eyes were round and clueless, giving him an innocent vibe.

”You're Kody Nightroad?” Arthur asked again, unsure of the contrast in imagination against reality.

”I am, you are…”

”Arthur Silvera,”

”Oh,” It was then that realization dawned on Kody's face, his eyes turning round. It looked like he recognized Oren's last name and his face took a shade of yellow.

”Do you want us to go somewhere else?” Kody bobbed his head up-and-down like he was prepared for this, and took the initiative to ask Arthur this question.

”Uh, sure.” Arthur felt like he was thrown off by such an unexpected attitude, and the two left the classroom alone before it got a lot nosier.

Their walking was filled with nothing but silence, and Arthur's perception could pick up how nervous Kody was. He kept mumbling something like he was rehearsing a mantra for him not to forget, and the two reached the rooftop in a few minutes.

After leaving the building and going to the academy's rooftop, Kody turned around suddenly making Arthur dodge backward instinctively. Thinking the redhead was trying to attack him, Arthur almost knocked the hell out of him on reflex. It was only then that Arthur saw Kody was bowing down, ninety degrees even.

It was such a clean-cut bow that Arthur was sure this guy rehearsed it before, and Arthur cursed himself for being mesmerized by how professional it was.

”I'm sorry!” Kody's body was sweating visibly while he apologized. ”I didn't mean for it to go this far, I only wanted to intimidate him a bit!”

”Why would you do that?” Arthur's eyes were cold, he wasn't ready to be fooled by a person's external demeanor.

”You might already know the story, but my little sister likes your brother. However, he rejected her saying things like he was unworthy. It was the first time that she had a crush on someone, and she cried all day in her room because of that rejection,” Kody was still bowing down as he explained, and Arthur had to stop him and ask him to lift his head.

”Thank you. After I saw her like this, my heart ached. I asked around and found out what happened, and decided to…”

”Beat my brother into submission?” Arthur folded his arms in front of his body, thinking of ways to beat this fool.

”No! I wouldn't dare! I just wanted to give him some pressure to awaken, they always said that revenge is the best reason for strength!” Kody shook his head like a scared chicken, and Arthur realized his reasons.