When Ethan, Chloe, and Luna arrived in the Dining Hall of the Academy, their arrival instantly pulled all attention.
Chloe and Luna were walking in the front, while Ethan walked two steps behind them.
The handsome young man glanced at the table of Jaeger Manor, and there, he saw Lily looking back at him with a smile.
The two exchanged a nod of understanding, looking at each other until Ethan reached the table reserved for students from Dud Manor.
This exchange between him and Lily didn’t go unnoticed, especially to those who had heard about their story.
Of course, since no one really knew what happened, rumors had spread about their romantic and amazing adventures in the past.
Two people developed feelings for each other after being sent to an unknown place. Their feelings for each other gradually grew until they became more than friends, and then lovers. Their bond only got stronger as they, together, overcame the obstacles that prevented them from going home.
Some even speculated that their relationship had already reached fourth base, which was juicy gossip for the ladies of the academy.
Of course, until either of them confirmed these rumors, the words spreading in the academy would be nothing but baseless imaginations.
Ethan and Lily already had a plan as to how they’d deal with this situation. Avoiding each other was not an option since that would be too suspicious.
Imagine spending tough times with someone where they had nothing but each other. After surviving and returning to the academy, was it really possible to cut off their ties? That would certainly raise eyebrows, making people think that the two of them were trying to hide something.
People would find it easier to believe if they acted like close friends because that would be more realistic.
Although several people didn’t like the idea of the adorable young lady being close to Ethan, they could find nothing wrong with this setup because it was perfectly normal.
After all, both of them must have relied on each other to return to the present.
“Fortunately, I can eat these special limited puddings as long as I am at Dud Manor’s Table,” Chloe said with a smile as she took one of the puddings that were already laid out on the table.
Luna also took one, also smiling. This was something they looked forward to every weekend.
Ethan was just about to get one himself when someone else took the dessert from his hand.
“Thank you, Ethan,” Nicole said with a smile. “You’re a real friend.”
Ethan only smiled as he looked at the pink-haired beauty who had taken his limited-edition dessert. Clearly, he didn’t take Nicole’s antics to heart.
His sparring partner sat across from him and took a bite of the dessert that every girl wanted to eat on the weekends.
A moment later, a blissful expression appeared on her face, making him wonder if the pudding was really that good.
Just as Ethan was about to put some other food on his plate, he heard a faint ringing sound coming from the Headmaster’s table, which could be seen on an elevated platform of the dining hall.
“I am sorry to interrupt everyone’s meal, but I would like to make an important announcement,” Professor Rinehart said. “Nightfall Academy, which is located in Grandshire, has sent an invitation to our academy for an exchange student program. They sent invitations to the other Magical Academies on the continent, which was something that they had done for the first time.
“According to them, they want to promote good relationships with various academies by allowing students to mingle with their peers and form strong connections.
“Right now, the spots are limited, and we can only send twelve people from our academy. Because of this, the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Years can only have three slots each.”
Professor Rinehart scanned the faces of the students in front of him.
When his gaze landed on Ethan, it lingered there for a little longer before he continued to address everyone about the specifics of the exchange student program.
“For the First Years, we plan to send two Pillars to represent us,” Professor Rinehart stated. “The last slot for the first years will be decided by a ballot. Anyone interested may write their names on a piece of paper and place it in the Ballot Box that will be placed in the Plaza of Beginnings.
“We have already chosen a candidate for each of the Second, Third, and Fourth Years, and the last two slots will be drawn from the ballot box. Once again, if you are interested in this exchange program, kindly write your names. The drawing of the ballots will be done three days from now. Please spread the word to your friends.”
Chloe, Luna, and Nicole all looked at Ethan, who was casually putting food on his plate.
Sensing their gazes on him, the handsome young man sighed and raised his head.
“I’m not planning to join this exchange student program,” Ethan stated. “I just got back, and I want to visit my Grandparents this Autumn Break. I don’t want to start another adventure anytime soon.”
Chloe, who had completely forgotten about the Autumn Break because of Ethan’s disappearance, nodded her head in understanding.
“It’s been a while since I saw Grandma Agnes,” Chloe commented. “Can I come with you when you visit them?”
“Of course,” Ethan replied. “Actually, I was planning to invite you and Luna to come with me to the countryside. I’m sure Grandma will be happy to see two young ladies accompanying me back home. She pestered me a lot about bringing back a rich noble’s daughter before she sent me to the academy.”
Luna, who was seated on Ethan’s left side, blushed after hearing the handsome young man’s words.
Chloe, on the other hand, just smiled because she could already imagine Ethan’s Grandma nagging him for not bringing home a young lady that she could brainwash into becoming the young man’s wife.
“Hey, aren’t you going to invite me?” Nicole asked.
“Why would I invite you?” Ethan arched an eyebrow.
“Because we’re friends?”
“Maybe next time.”
“Wow.” Nicole smirked. “Discrimination much?”
Ethan only shook his head helplessly after hearing Nicole’s comeback. He knew that the young beauty was only teasing him, so he didn’t bite back.
He had already talked to Lily about the Autumn Break and wished to take her as well to meet his Grandparents, but Lily declined.
She said that she needed to return to Southshire to see her parents because she was certain that they were worried sick about her.
Also, she added that she would lay down the groundwork of introducing him to her parents, which Ethan took seriously.
“Wait, if you are not going, does that mean that Kurt and I will have to go on that exchange student program?” Nicole frowned.
“Yeah,” Ethan smirked. “Have fun.”
“Ugh… I don’t want to go.”
“Well, they needed two Pillars. I’m a Double Pillar Holder, so you and Kurt are the next best thing.”
Nicole glared at the handsome young man because he was making it sound like they were sacrificial lambs who would be sent off for slaughter.
However, before Ethan could even take a bite of his food, he felt a hand rest on his shoulder, which made him turn his head behind.
“Ethan, come to the office after breakfast,” Professor Rinehart said with a smile. “We need to talk.”
The Headmaster didn’t even wait for Ethan to give his reply before he left the Dining Hall with steady strides. 𝑂𝚟𝗅xt.𝑐𝚘𝑚
For some reason, the handsome young man had a bad feeling about this, but he hoped that he was just overthinking things.