Chapter 4: Randell and Luca

After the fight, Mhyv picks up a piece of french fry on the ground and playfully tosses it up in the air and eats it.

His neck swells into big clumps of lumps, moving and expanding until he swallows it all whole with a big gulp.

Licking his lips in delight, Mhyv then walks behind Randell who was helping the wolf to sit up by pressing him on a wall.

The stench of his vomit was repulsive, but Randell covered his nose and grab a few handkerchiefs that he stored from one of his bags, using it to wipe off small traces of vomit that stained his fur.

“ Yuck… “

“ Could you help me clean him up? “

“ There's no way I'm eating vomit. “

“ Well could you at least help me carry him? His way is heavier than a boulder. “

“ Okay now that I can do “

“ What are you even talking about?… “

The wolf asks, confused as to why was Randell talking to a wall.

Randell however doesn't mind as he keeps cleaning his fur while saying, “ Nothing much, just talking to my extra special imaginary friend…

Though I don't think I have enough handkerchiefs to clean your tank top. “

“ No… it's fine… though you should leave this place, the labyrinth barrier around this town is broken. “

“ W-wait broken!? Who broke it!? “

“ No one knows yet, this happens so fast that we didn't even have time to warn the townsfolk.

And worse, a passage labyrinth suddenly appeared in this alleyway so monsters might start to migrate here. “

“ Gosh… a-are there any licensed knights or licensed sorcerers surrounding this alleyway? “

“ The authorities communicated with the Polyurea Kingdom and said that reinforcements will arrive, but it will take awhile for them to get here.

So, Nightfall Academy sends in 2nd to 3rd year students to be in charge of preventing these monsters from reaching the public eye. “

“ Isn't it dangerous to let students fight these monsters? “

“ We've been dealing with monsters and labyrinths before, you don't have to worry about anything. “

“ Said the one who’s been beaten by two giant slugs. “

The wolf’s expression turned sour from Randell's response.

“ Well monster or not you're still badly injured. Come on, me and Mhyv will carry you to the hospital “

“ Mhyv, your extra special imaginary friend? “

“ Yup “

“ Are you sure you didn't escape from a mental asylum “

“ Hey! There's nothing wrong with having an extra special imaginary friend! “

“ Yeah but it still doesn't stop you from looking insane. “

“ Shut up Mhyv I'm validating your existence here! “

Mhyv didn't respond to Randell as he simply sank to the ground, leaving behind traces of black smoke.

“ Where are you going? “

“ Helping you carry him, I'll try to push him at the back while you pull him from the front “

“ Couldn't we just pull him together? “

“ Nah I prefer it this way, make sure you don't break any bones~ “

He said before fully disappearing from his eyes. With Mhyv entering the ground, all that Randell can do right now is to try pulling the wolf back up to his feet.

“ C-could you at least try to get up? “

“ No thank you, just leave this place “

“ Bu- “

“ I have a spell that allows me to reverse my injuries into healing, but I’m almost out of mana so I only need an hour of rest before I can cast that spell again.

Besides, the hospital nearest to Applebreacket is two miles away “

“ Well nonetheless I can't just let you sit here all alone!

How about resting at a cafe or restaurant, it's near the alleyway and Applebreacket is filled with them! “

“ But the monsters- “

“ You said it yourself, Nightfall Academy students can handle monsters, correct?

Then let them handle it! It's way more beneficial that you rest at a relatively safer place. “

“ But- “

“ No buts, we're leaving this place and that's final! “

Randell tries again, using everything that his skinny long twig arms can handle, yet he barely even moves a dent. Even the wolf barely felt any pressure coming from Randell's arms.

Mhyv's arms however pass through the ground, as each of its six bony arms manages to push the wolf out of his ground and causing the two to be launched from the other side of the wall.

“ !? “

The two were about to fall, but the wolf quickly grabbed onto Randell's back and turned around to take the solid stone, closing his eyes to embrace the impact until Mhyv simply grabbed Randell's hoodie, stopping the two mid air.

* Tug *

“ … “

Feeling no sense of pain, the wolf beastkin opened his eyes and saw Randell's gaze. Entranced as he couldn't help but to admire Randell’s lime, almost shimmering eyes.

“ Oh hehe… I guess I don't know my own strength… “

“ …. “

“ S-sir? “

“ Oh s-sorry “

Mhyv moved his arms at the wolf's back and fixed them right up, stabilizing the wolf’s balance while Randell holds onto his shoulder.

“ Weird… just a second ago you were struggling to even pull me up “

“ Of course, It's all thanks to Mhyv! Why else would you be standing up right now?

Come on I'll treat you with some food when we get out “

“ Wait…

YOU'RE treating him.

How about me? “

“ Fine, I'll treat you too. “

“ Still talking to yourself huh. “

“ I'm not! “

“ … heh…

I guess you're right…

It is foolish of me to rest in a dangerous place without any strength. “

“ See! You finally come to your senses!

I almost thought you're a moron. “

“ I'm way older than you, you know “

“ Age doesn't always determine intelligence. “

Randell and Mhyv both helped the wolf to stand up, allowing them to leave the alley without much of a hitch.

Once they arrive on the streets of Applebreacket, the wolf shyly glances at Randell for a couple of seconds and asks.

“ Hey, I didn't ask for your name yet… “

“ Oh right, sorry for the late introductions.

My name's Randell, Randell Clawlas, you? “

“ Luca… “

“ No last name? “

“ You can find that out once you're finally enrolled at Nightfall Academy “

“ Really? Are you trying to surprise me or something? “

“ Pretty much, yeah. “