'Looks like you finally went and did it, Adonis…'
Rey's thoughts flowed as he watched Adonis storm out of the room.
Even though he expressed shock just like everyone else, Rey was actually smiling within.
'Don't blame yourself too much. This was inevitable.'
There was no way all of the twenty-eight students would be equally useful to the cause.
Most of them were going to abandon the Alliance at one point or another.
Rey thought he was probably being too pessimistic, but he knew enough about his classmates to tell that they weren't the selfless, altruistic type.
They were merely teenagers who wanted to have fun, enjoy life, and live carefreely.
The only reason they stuck around for this long was due to the perks of developing their powers and learning how to survive.
Once they could no longer gain anything from the Royal Estate, they were bound to leave.
'It's unfair, but that's just how it is…'
Only a few were going to remain, and while not all of them had the purest of intentions, Rey felt like their motivations were enough.
'Even if I leave the Royal Estate, it'll be so I can focus on getting stronger. I don't think I'll ever abandon the people here…'
After all, Rey already knew within himself that he didn't want to go back to Earth.
If this was the world he wanted to live in, then he had to help defeat the Dragon Emperor and keep everyone safe.
To do that, though, he needed power.
'Then, there are a few others that I think won't leave…'
Trisha was definitely in the list, considering her personality and how much she valued growth and strength
She was definitely going to challenge the Dragons—but not necessarily because of the people of this world.
Belle was also on the list.
'She's crazy, but she's not stupid. She recognizes that her powers will be very useful in stopping the Dragons, and she definitely desires to stop them so she can deal with Adonis and Alicia.'
As much as Rey disliked Billy, he knew the guy also wouldn't abandon this world.
His desire to be accepted by people and seen as a chivalrous individual would drive him straight into the fire.
'Plus, he has something to prove to Alicia…'
Then, of course, there was Adonis.
Rey already knew his personality, and based on what Alicia told him about their dear Hero, he already knew Adonis would never abandon H'Trae.
Hearing him proudly say it out loud now only cemented his already solidified belief.
'I'm not sure about the others. Alicia will definitely try to help, since she's a kind person, and she can see the bigger picture, but apart from her… I don't know about the others.'
Noah was a coward, so he would probably back out and hope that someone else defeated the Dragons for him.
Most of the students were like that too.
They were probably thinking Adonis would lead the way and do most of the heavy lifting while they only watched from behind.
'The thing is… I don't think Adonis minds doing the heavy lifting. I think he just wants comrades who have his back.'
But most of these students were not those kinds of comrades.
'I'm sorry, Adonis. I genuinely don't know what's going on in your mind, but…'
Rey glanced around him and saw most of the students looking conflicted by all they had just heard.
'… These people aren't the saviors this world needs.'
********
Rey returned to his room after the meeting was called off.
Grandmaster Conrad assured the students that they would update them on the recent happenings, and he also made a pathetic attempt to make everyone feel better.
He probably thought doing so would discourage the students from leaving, but Rey saw it as pointless.
Everyone already knew what was at stake this late in the game.
If the so-called saviors were still being uncooperative, then…
'It's better to nip it in the bud early. The useless ones should leave so the serious ones can remain.'
That was his simple line of reasoning.
However, the moment he entered his room and collapsed on his bed, his thoughts swiftly changed to the initial issue.
'Alicia's missing… and she was last spotted with Billy.'
To Rey, this entire line of logic didn't make sense.
After they made up in the Library, on the night after the Excursion, Alicia had told him all about what Billy did to her.
The entire incident in the Town Square was known to him, and he could clearly see the disgust on Alicia's face as she described it.
There was no way she would want to associate with Billy after that.
Rey had heard a few people whisper stuff in the lines of "Maybe they're secretly dating…"
However, he didn't believe it for even a second!
Sure, Rey was doubtful that he had a chance with Alicia, and he knew Billy seemed to be a man with better prospects than him.
But…!
'I know Alicia would never go for that snake! He's a creep, and nothing about their interaction strikes me as anything more than a one-sided obsession.'
Rey didn't doubt Alicia for even a moment.
'Billy must have done something to her. Maybe he charmed her or something…'
It was possible that he had even eloped with her after placing her under his Spell.
'I wouldn't doubt it if he was that unhinged now!'
Just thinking about Billy and the possibility of what he could have done to Alicia placed Rey in a different state of rage.
'I need to join this investigation.'
It was possible that he could make considerably more progress if he had access to the resources of the Alliance's investigation, but Rey had a different thing in mind.
'I can't trust the process. If I want to find her, I'll have to do it on my own.'
There was one thing that kept popping into Rey's mind when he thought about Alicia.
'The White Ember!'
All he had to do was find the ring, and he'd be able to know where she was.
With his first clue in mind, Rey already knew where he had to go.
'Looks like I'll be returning sooner than I expected…'
This time, however, this wasn't about business.
*
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Thanks for reading!
I know the title of this Arc is about the Dungeon and all, yet we haven't even spent much time there.
Sucks, but we'll get to that.. I promise.
In the meantime, I hope you're not too bored.
