Cardinals of Auresia

Chapter 7 - Don't Wake Me Up

I was looking at the dull sky from our classroom window. It was filled with the sun's raging rays of heat.

I didn't go to Auresia and it was three days since my last logged in and it was the day that The Blue Devils confronted me. Rayumi was sending me messages and she said that it was okay if I chose to be alone and think properly.

My thoughts were disturbed when our teacher came into our classroom. It was our adviser, Miss Renshin and this would be our first class in the morning.

Yeah, I was still studying and this year would be my final year as a Computer Engineering student. I was excellent in this field but it was so hard to hack the Cardinals of Auresia's system. It was protected so that no one could get access to their system. So annoying.

"Okay," Miss Renshin said while smiling widely. "We have a new transferee."

My classmates began to create some noise and that made me feel a little grumpy, especially girls talking about if the transferee was a boy or a girl. Girls, yeah girls.

I looked at the sky again, not minding the noise that seemed to make my ears explode.

"This is Nervin Femling, be nice to him," said Miss Renshin and the noise got even louder, especially girls.

I didn't bother to look in the front and peek at the transferee. I was busy thinking of what should I choose between my guild or The Blue Devils.

If I chose the former, Shaniya would immediately undergo the operation and that would give us hope that she would be with us sooner. But my guilt would haunt me for leaving The Conqueror and my pride would be tainted.

If I would choose to stay, our hopes of Shaniya's recovery would fade away and it would give me sleepless nights thinking that I should just choose for the greater good.

"Can I sit here?" a man asked that made me shift my eyes to him.

My eyes widened upon seeing who was the man or should I say the transferee.

"Rich kid," I almost whispered.

"I guess it's a yes," he said smiling and immediately sat down on the vacant seat beside me. "I am not surprised to see you here, but I am shocked that you remember me."

"Of course," I said, still couldn't believe that we met again. "I will never forget the rich kid who gave me canned juice."

He laughed at what I just said. "It's nothing."

We got to know each other and we hang out after class. Good thing we had five subjects where in we were classmates.

Nervin came from another country and his family decided to migrate here for some business matters. We talked and talked but I didn't mention about Shaniya and about me being a cardinal. Though we shared same hobbies but I was not comfortable saying my life being Reign, the charcoal cardinal. Not because it was forbidden but because he didn't mention it at all.

Cardinals of Auresia was a famous online game and knowing that Nervin was also a fan of such games, I knew right then that he could be also a cardinal. He didn't mention it so I just kept it to myself.

"Maybe we can hang out at my house on the weekends," Nervin said while we were walking on the side of the street.

Because I refused to his invitation that his driver would drive me home, he insisted to join me on walking since we were in the same neighbourhood. He even let his driver to go first. He was indeed a kind-hearted rich kid. But of course, I would never let my guard down and admired him like a god. After all, we just met.

"Will that be okay with your parents?" I asked, a bit hesitant if his invitation.

"Of course!" he exclaimed. "They will be happy to interact with other people, especially neighbours."

"Okay, I'll talk to my parents before the weekends," I said, though Mom and Dad were not strict at all, I was still asking permission from them.

"Much better if you bring your parents too!"

I was surprised by his second invitation. Wasn't it weird? He was being so kind and I guessed it was inappropriate since we just met. Or maybe it was just me, overthinking.

"I... I'll try," I said half smiling.

We parted ways since his way was on the other street. He was smiling while he waved his hand at me. "See you tomorrow!"

I arrived home first. Mom would definitely come second. It was a daily routine and nothing new. I immediately walked into our kitchen and saw that there was little water left in the container.

I immediately looked at the calendar. I almost forgot that it was the first distribution of water in a week tomorrow for C category water sources.

I endured the thirst I felt and walked out of the kitchen. I would just wait for dinner.

I stepped inside my room and changed my uniform. I hung my uniform so I would still wear it. I throw myself on my bed and saw the canned juice on the side of my pillow.

I was hesitant up until now whether to drink it or not. It would take it two years before the expiration date. But because I didn't put it in the fridge, it might taste bad after a week.

I was about to open the canned juice when my tablet suddenly made a sound. I grabbed it and I almost dropped it.

My heart was sinking horribly upon seeing who sent me a message. Not just once but thrice. The first message was sent around nine in the morning. The second one was this afternoon and the last one was just seconds ago.

My lips formed into a smile before opening Xera's messages.

"Do you have spare time?"

"I want to talk to you."

"I will wait."

Could someone wake me up if it was a dream? No! I would definitely sleep all my life if it was a dream!

I didn't want to be cheap but I want to see her too!