Both first-year and second-year students flooded out of the hall as they conversed about the speech Orion gave.
The majority of the first-year students were happy about the holiday, quickly forgetting that a Vampire attack was what led to it in the first place.
At this point, their reaction was as if they were now even happy that Vampires attacked.
Just because of a holiday?
With his hands in his pockets, Arin strolled out of the hall as he began walking back to the first-year side of the Academy.
On getting there, he could already see a group of people, who seemed to be hired by the Academy, clearing the debris and bringing different items out. Some of the students were even there, finally seeing some of their missing items.
Arin wasn't worried that some of his belongings would be found. In the end, maybe some of his clothes would be seen, but at least they could be replaced.
'At least, that paper is in my inventory,' Arin thought. 'Apart from that, I don't have anything else that's suspicious.'
He squinted his eyes as he noticed something.
"Seraphine, you've been oddly quiet," Arin said. "What is the matter?"
"Hmph! If I talk, you'll say I talk too much," Seraphine said. "Now you want me to talk."
Arin shook his head. "My bad....."
"You did well yesterday," he said. "I appreciate it."
Seraphine giggled. "You see..... I deserve to be praised, hehehe."
"Though," she added, "you still haven't granted me my walk you promised me."
Arin remembered that after the first battle against Alex, he had promised Seraphine that he would let her have a walk.
"Oh, don't worry, I'll certainly make sure to remember," he said.
Finally, he got to the Academy's gate, where all the first-year students were told to gather so that the carriages would drop them at their different houses in different cities.
He could see some of the teachers calling the names of students that were in a particular city. Those students would then enter that particular carriage.
The number of carriages present stretched out as far as the eyes could see. Well, the first-year students were quite many, so...
Arin also noticed that no student was holding a bag.
'They literally have nothing to carry, so a bag isn't even needed,' Arin thought.
He looked to the right and saw Tessa entering one of the carriages alongside some other students. She kept glancing around as if she was looking for someone.
When he looked to the left, he saw Lina walking towards him.
"Arin," she called out as a smile formed on her face.
Arin smiled back. "I knew you would be looking for me."
"Hmm, no. I was actually with Hector," she said. "I went to tell him goodbye."
Arin smiled wryly. 'Why did that hurt me....? And also, the way she said it made it sound like she went to break up with him or something.'
Arin shrugged. "Well, I guess it's time to go home."
"Yes!" Lina exclaimed. "I can't wait....."
Arin nodded with a smile, but he couldn't help but feel like he was forgetting something or rather overlooking something. This feeling had been present ever since Orion made the announcement.
'Hmmm, what is it? What am I forgetting?' Arin thought.
He felt like he was remembering it, making him remain silent so he could completely remember.
Lina raised her brows in confusion and was about to speak, but Arin instantly covered her mouth, not wanting her to say anything and disturb his concentration.
There it was..... It was coming closer....
A few seconds later, he finally remembered, but instead of feeling glad that he remembered, his face suddenly paled as he slowly turned, looking at Lina as if he had just seen the worst thing ever.
Lina frowned as she held Arin and shook him. "Arin.... What is it?"
Arin stammered as he stared at her, his eyes twitching slightly. "I.... It's a holiday, r.... right?"
Lina nodded her head. "Yes..... I don't understand, what is it?"
Arin's breathing became heavy. "T.... That means we're going home, right?"
"Of course," Lina replied.
Arin's eyes instantly widened as he trembled.
"No.... No..... This can't be happening..."
"Arin! Talk to me. What is it?" Lina asked, already panicking.
Arin finally looked at her again, but he was unable to say anything.
Others were happy that they were going home to see their family, but it was a different case for Arin.
'My family isn't normal at all...'
After convincing Lina that he was okay, she finally left to say goodbye to some of her friends.
It wasn't time for the carriage assigned to their city to leave yet, so they were still standing at the Academy gate.
Riya walked towards Arin and stood beside him, her arms folded, with an indifferent expression on her face.
"This isn't the proper place to talk about what happened yesterday," she said, staring at the carriage in front of her. "But I'm sure everything is okay for now, at least."
Arin nodded. "Yes, it was quite hectic."
Riya's indifferent expression remained. "I see..... Say hi to Roxanne for me."
With that, she walked away.
Arin sighed. 'I have some unread system notifications.'
Before he could open the system screen, a man's voice was suddenly heard.
"I'll start calling the names of students who will enter this carriage going to Rainfall City."
Rainfall City was the city where Arin and Lina came from. Instantly, Lina rushed towards Arin as she prepared to enter the carriage.
Meanwhile, Arin froze, silently praying to whoever was listening that his name wouldn't be called.
At this point, he just wanted a miracle to happen.... Anything that could help him.
But well, miracles do not happen every time.
Arin almost fell to his knees as he frowned and dragged himself to the carriage, with Lina, whose name had been called, following him from behind.
A few seconds later, the carriage was full, and it began levitating, ready to depart.
While the students inside the carriage were excited, Arin's face was filled with horror.
'This holiday will be hell for me...'