As they walked out of the classroom, the cool hallway air enveloped them, a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere of the room. Crinix stretched his arms over his head, arching his back in a languid stretch. Takahishi watched him, a wry smile twisting his lips.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Takahishi asked, his voice laced with amusement.
Crinix's eyes sparkled with mirth as he dropped his arms to his sides. "What? Enjoying watching you almost blind everyone with your lamp? Yeah, that was pretty entertaining."
Takahishi's face flushed with embarrassment, but he couldn't help laughing. "Hey, it wasn't my fault! That lamp was possessed or something."
Crinix chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Possessed? You're just making excuses because you're a terrible at incantations ."
Takahishi's laughter grew louder, echoing off the hallway walls. "Hey, I'm not that bad! I just need a little more practice, that's all."
As they stepped out of the building, Crinix and Takahishi were immediately swept up in a sea of students from Hunter Academy. The air was alive with the hum of conversation and the rustle of footsteps as people moved in every direction.
Crinix and Takahishi navigated through the crowds, their eyes scanning the sea of faces as they made their way back to their room. They weaved past clusters of students, exchanging nods and smiles as they went.
As they turned a corner, they suddenly found themselves face to face with a tall, imposing figure. Crinix and Takahishi's eyes narrowed in unison as they took in the stranger's features.
It was the same person they had seen that day when Crinix fought Niski - the person who had stopped Niski from killing Crinix. Niski's brother.
The stranger's eyes locked onto Crinix and Takahishi, a soft smile spreading across his face. "Hie there," he greeted them, his voice low and smooth.
Crinix and Takahishi stared back at him, their faces expressionless. They were wondering what he wanted.
The stranger chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I believe I haven't formally introduced myself to you," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "I am Kinski Narukami."
Takahishi's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing in confusion. "Huh, Kinski and Niski... it sounds the same," he murmured, scratching his head.
Crinix's eyes snapped back to Kinski, his expression serious. "Wait, we saw you the other day... Niski called you brother," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
Kinski's smile grew wider, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yes, indeed... that's correct. I am Niski's older brother."
Crinix and Takahishi stared at him, their faces frozen in surprise. Kinski's eyes seemed to bore into theirs, as if searching for something.
After a moment, Kinski's expression softened, and he chuckled. "I thought I should come check on you guys, see if you were okay... it's a coincidence I bumped into you on the way."
Takahishi shrugged, his eyes still narrowed in suspicion. "Well, we're both fine."
Kinski's gaze flicked between them, his eyes lingering on their faces. "I can see that you are... and I also heard that you guys are now friends with Niski."
Crinix raised an eyebrow, his expression wry. "You could put it that way."
Takahishi snorted, his eyes rolling heavenward. "I'm only hanging around with that guy so he doesn't kill me."
Kinski's laughter was low and soothing, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You guys don't have to fear Niski... once you get to know him well, you'll find out he isn't as bad as you think."
Takahishi's expression remained skeptical, his eyes narrowed in distrust. "I still don't trust him."
Kinski's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing as he leaned in closer. "I don't blame you... you see, Niski has some emotional problems."
Takahishi's eyes snapped back to Kinski, his curiosity piqued. "Huh? Emotional problems? How?"
Kinski's gaze flicked around the crowded hallway, his eyes lingering on the faces of the passing students. "We can't talk here in the middle of the road... follow me, and I'll tell you everything you need to know about Niski."
With that, Kinski turned and began walking away, his long strides eating up the distance. Crinix and Takahishi exchanged a wary glance before falling into step behind him, their eyes fixed on Kinski's retreating back as they navigated through the crowded hallway.
As they followed Kinski through the winding paths of the Hunter Academy, the sounds of chatter and laughter gradually gave way to the sweet scent of blooming flowers. The air grew thick with the fragrance of roses, violets, and other exotic blooms that Crinix and Takahishi had never seen before.