Chapter 84: The End and The Beginning Part 1
“—Huh…?”
After returning to the dormitory for the first time in a week, Folia opened the door to her room and was shocked speechless. She hadn’t saw her roommate yet and thought that Razé would return later. But now she found out that Razé’s place was empty.
Her desk drawers, her book shelf – everything was empty.
Folia stood in front of the opened door dazedly. After a while, she came to her sense and threw her bag away. She hastily went to open Razé’s closet.
“This can’t be true…”
Some of Folia’s dresses that couldn’t fit in her own closet was still there. But Razé’s stuffs were no longer there. No matter where she looked, she couldn’t find anything that belong to Razé.
“!” Her expression changed and she suddenly left the room and ran down the hallway. She was heading to the dormitory lobby. The matron always standby at the counter there if the students needed help.
Folia ran against the wave of students who were on their way back to their room. She almost collided with some of them but kept running hastily down the stairs. She moved along the students that just arrived from the teleporter hall and rushed to the lobby.
“Excuse me. I’m Folia Cresias from Room 2103.”
The matron was surprised to see her acting panic, but had a look of realization when she heard the room number.
“My roommate – her name is Razé Granoli. I saw that her stuffs are not here. Do you know what happened?” Folia seemed like she was about to cry.
The woman looked sadly at Folia with droopy eyebrows. “… Razé Granoli-san from Room 2103, right? She’s no longer in this academy due to personal reason.”
The matron herself was shocked when she was told to clear the room because the student had quit the academy. She knew the student was a commoner who entered Centrior Imperial Magic Academy as a scholarship student. She felt this was a rather regretful matter, even for someone who rarely had interaction with the student personally.
“—But why? Why so suddenly…”
Folia was too shock by the unexpected farewell, she could barely stand. She had never imagined that Razé would be gone someday. She thought they would enjoy the second day of the school festival together, and then study for the next test together, then join the winter tournament together. After that, they would become 3rd Year students – she thought they would be together until they graduate.
Razé didn’t show any sign that she was quitting the academy. Folia tried to recall their last conversation.
“No, it can’t be true. Razé-chan, I’ve bought souvenir for you. Why…”
She couldn’t accept the news. Razé had left too suddenly without saying anything. They couldn’t even say goodbye to each other…
“Would it be possible to send a letter to her? I don’t know her address,” Folia said to the matron. She didn’t want to give up without doing anything.
“Yes, sure. You can pass me the letter. I’ll send it out for you.”
“Thank you!”
Folia wanted to return to her room and write the letter as soon as possible. She turned back in a haste and bumped into someone. “!”
“What’s wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?” Carna asked her. Actually, Ruben was standing right next to her together with Claude and Adis, but Folia could only see Carna at this moment. Carna had returned to her room earlier than her. She probably was on her way to the school building.
Folia instinctively grabbed Carna’s arm. “Carna-sama… Razé-chan… Razé-chan had quit the academy!” Folia screamed sorrowfully.
It took a while for Carna to digest the news. Her expression gradually changed. “What…?”
“I thought she was late because something came up. I was waiting for her but she never came. When I got to our room, I saw her stuffs were all gone—” Folia squeezed Carna’s hand. “I couldn’t find her anywhere.” Tears were welling up in her eyes.
Adis walked past the two girls who was unable to move. “Razé Granoli is not on leave of absence but quit?” he asked the matron in a calm voice. The woman nodded to him.
Adis: “…I see. Thank you.”
A heavy silence dominated the lobby.
* * *
It was time to start the lesson. All students, minus Razé, was staring at Hugan. Hugan could guess what they were trying to say from their gazes.
Hugan: “Alright, everyone’s here. Oh, that’s not accurate… Well, it seems some of you already know.”
He heaved out a sigh with a downhearted look.
Hugan: “I don’t want anyone to get a false idea. Razé Granoli quit school because of personal reasons. I was also surprised because it was too sudden but she must have her own reason and we should try to understand her situation. You all should know very well that she had a fulfilling school life, right?”
Hugan was looking straight at Folia. Razé didn’t quit because of a dissatisfaction with the academy. Anyone could see that she had spent her school life happily.
Folia clenched her fist as she wondered the reason and what had happened to Razé. Even without Razé here, the time is moving forward without any problem. The seat at the back was left empty but it didn’t cause any strangeness.
Folia felt disappointed with everything. She couldn’t concentrate with the lesson on that day at all. As soon as the bell rang to indicate the school was over, she rushed back to her room to write a letter.
She checked every day to see if there was any reply from Razé.
On the 1st day she thought: It’s too soon. Of course I won’t get a reply today.
On the 2nd day she thought: Considering the letter is send from the academy to outside, Razé should receive it today at the earliest.
On the 3rd day she thought: I think Razé should be able to read the letter today.
On the 4th day she thought: Maybe I will receive a letter today.
On the 7th day she thought: I’m sure Razé has a lot to think while writing a reply.
On the 10th day she thought: She quit because of personal reasons, so she must be busy now. She hasn’t reply yet.
… Just like that, two weeks had passed.
No matter how long Folia waited, there was no reply from Razé.
