"Oh my God, you all have exactly the same taste in clothes. Zero creativity."
Reem said this while standing near the academy's exit, looking at them.
Eugene lifted his gaze toward her.
She was wearing a black abaya and hijab, but with elegant details that made it look more refined and beautiful—almost like a simple formal dress.
Eugene spoke with a mix of sarcasm and surprise:
"With everything you own, this is what you decided to wear?"
Fred looked at her and said,
"What's wrong with it? It looks nice."
"…Oh."
Eugene sighed after Fred ruined the moment, while Reem laughed with a small, victorious chuckle.
Eugene raised his head and one eyebrow and said,
"Does anyone here even know where Melissa's house is?"
Silence spread for a few seconds before the group realized they had no idea.
"Didn't she give you the invitation? She should've told you where her house is."
Eugene spoke with slight irritation toward Reem.
Reem raised an eyebrow and replied in the same tone,
"She only gave me the invitation. She didn't say where her house is."
Ren placed both hands on his head, his expression a mix of shock and mild despair.
"Then how are we supposed to get to her birthday on time?"
His mind began imagining several scenarios—using her father's influence to punish them, cutting ties with them, or them appearing arrogant in front of all the guests.
Eugene raised his hands slightly, eyes closed, with a calm smile.
"Relax, guys. I know where her house is."
Everyone froze for a moment, then turned toward him. Reem and Ren both spoke with mild anger and annoyance.
"If you knew, why did you let us argue?"
"You should've told us earlier."
—Eugene glanced at Reem briefly—
"I owe you an apology. I blamed you."
Reem looked at him, calmer now.
"It's fine. I'm at fault too. Maybe she did tell me, and I didn't hear her properly because I was excited and nervous when she gave me the invitation."
Ren and Reem's eyes widened slightly, then they looked at each other for a few seconds before staring at Eugene in disbelief.
Ren spoke, still shocked,
"Wait… you just apologized to her."
Fred turned to Ren, confused.
"What's the big deal? It's normal to apologize when you make a mistake."
Reem looked at Fred confidently and said,
"It's normal for anyone else. But Eugene? Apologizing to me—the one he usually competes or argues with—that's strange."
Eugene felt a bit embarrassed. He closed one eye and raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know why you're both so surprised. I've become more mature—and way less arrogant."
Fred tilted his head slightly to the left, speaking calmly but with curiosity and confusion.
"Could it be… that you like her?"
The moment Reem and Eugene heard the question, sarcasm and disbelief appeared on Reem's face, while shock and disgust appeared on Eugene's. Both spoke at the same time, pointing at each other.
"Me? Like this? Disgusting. Where's your brain?"
"Honestly, this is the first time I've ever agreed with you."
Ren placed his thumb and index finger near his eye, close to his nose, whispering with disappointed sarcasm:
"So you've become reasonable now, huh? Looks like you just found an excuse to justify your apology."
Eugene put both hands on his waist and looked at Fred.
"Enough of this nonsense. We're going to be late for the birthday—or whatever. Where exactly is her house?"
Fred moved ahead and exited the academy. Eugene, Ren, and Reem followed him toward the train station.
—A train that flies through the air and lands at specific points. Passengers board, then it moves to the next stop.—
Inside, the train was quiet and cool, with only a few passengers.
The group remained silent throughout the thirty-minute ride. When the train reached the next stop, they got off.
The moment Eugene stepped off the train, he raised his eyes—and froze.
A massive palace, four stories tall, painted blue. Yellow lights glowed from large windows. Grass surrounded the area, guarded by numerous guards. The palace had elegant wave-like decorations on parts of its walls.
"A huge palace… This is the first time I've seen a house this big!"
Reem and Ren shared the same feeling.
For someone raised among grasslands, even a forest looked like paradise.
"Come on, stop staring at the palace."
Fred commented on their long pause.
Eugene moved toward Fred with quick steps.
"If this is what it looks like outside, how does it look inside?!"
Ren and Reem followed.
When they reached the giant brown wooden door with a large golden handle, guards stepped forward and raised their hands, signaling them to stop.
The guards wore red cotton shirts and blue pants made of the same fabric, carrying long rifles. Their expressions were cold and calm.
"What?" Eugene asked.
Fred looked at Reem and extended his hand.
"Where's the invitation?"
Reem searched through the pockets along the sides of her black dress, which reached her ankles.
After a few seconds, she pulled out the invitation and handed it to Fred.
He took it and gave it to the guards. As soon as the guard on the left saw it, he opened the door. A strong light burst out at first, then the image slowly became clear.
A crowd of people of various appearances, all clearly wealthy and noble.
Black and brown suits, elegant canes, refined gazes, shiny accessories, ties, wide long dresses in pink, black, and blue, and noble hats.
Luxury and elegance filled every corner of the vast palace. White and glossy brown walls, a long table filled with food, the scent of flowers and perfume, bright lights overhead, large glass windows, and a staircase at the end of the hall leading to the second floor.
The amazement was even greater than seeing the palace from outside.
One of the guests turned to look at Eugene and Ren, a smile of surprise appearing on his face.
"Wait—aren't you the survivors of that incident? What was its name… right, Piso Village."
That question was like a lit match. All eyes turned toward them as people began gathering around, forming a circle.
"Your eyes are beautiful."
"You look very cute."
"Smile, boy. I want a picture with you."
"I heard you receive special treatment from Moses—is that true?"
"You look handsome and strong. How much would you cost?"
A flood of questions rained down on Eugene and Ren. As the crowd grew, some women began pinching Ren's soft cheeks. His face turned red, almost exploding from embarrassment.
To Ren, the attention felt like a massive spotlight burning down on him, making him tense and slightly sweaty.
Eugene, on the other hand, adapted quickly, smiling brightly.
Ren looked toward Reem and Fred.
"Hey—help me!"
Reem smiled.
"That's your problem. Enjoy your fame."
Fred pointed at Eugene.
"Be like your brother. Use this fame to make friends—or overcome your fear."
"Guys, don't leave me alone!"
A hand grabbed Eugene's wrist and pulled him out of the crowd—along with Ren.
Eugene looked like someone waking from a pleasant dream. His smile faded slightly, one eyebrow creased, confusion and surprise written all over his face.
Ren, however, looked slightly relieved—and surprised.
Melissa was the one pulling them away.
She wore a wide pink dress, high heels, neatly styled soft hair, gold bracelets, and a small silver necklace.
"Why did you pull us away from all those people?"
After a few seconds, away from the crowd near a large pillar, Melissa said,
"Didn't you see Ren's face? He was about to explode from embarrassment."
—Eugene glanced at Ren, raising an eyebrow—
"And I also want to introduce you to my father. He's curious about you."
A few seconds later, steady footsteps approached.
Eugene and Ren looked up.
A tall man with brown hair, emerald-green eyes, a face marked with time's wrinkles, wearing glasses and a formal black suit. His expression was kind and warm.
"So you're Ren and Eugene," the man said in a deep, calm voice.
Eugene looked up slightly and muttered in sarcastic awe,
"My God… a giraffe."
He was immediately smacked on the back of the neck by Ren, who whispered,
"Shut up, man."
Melissa gestured toward the man.
"Let me introduce you to my father—Kanvi Ryo."
Eugene extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Eugene Noah."
Kanvi looked slightly surprised—he was usually the one to initiate greetings—but he shook Eugene's hand.
His hand is warm, rough, and big, Eugene thought.
Ren then spoke, trying to appear confident despite his nervousness.
"And I'm Ren Shadow, his brother."
"Pleasure to meet you both. Tell me—how is life at the academy?"
Eugene thought for a moment, then said,
"Good… but dangerous."
Kanvi laughed briefly.
"You mean the monster attack? Don't worry. That's extremely rare. I doubt it'll happen again."
Ren asked, mixing curiosity with nervousness,
"Sorry for asking, but… why did you stop Alex from punishing Eugene?"
Kanvi looked at Ren and Eugene, then replied with a gentle smile,
"Simply because Melissa asked me to."
Ren looked at Melissa in surprise.
Kanvi added jokingly, his smile widening,
"Seems she likes your brother, boy."
Eugene frowned slightly.
"What's with today? First Fred, now you? And liking someone like Melissa is impossible."
Melissa raised an eyebrow and pouted.
"Yes, I'm dying over your beauty. You look like a rare monkey species."
Eugene smirked confidently.
"Even in your insult, you said 'rare.' That means I'm special."
"That's not what I meant—ugh… you twist everything."
Kanvi laughed.
"You remind me of my youth. That's how I used to act with her mother before we married. Who knows? Maybe I'm right."
"If it were any other girl, I'd say yes—but this one,"
—he gestured at Melissa—
"I'd be the girl in this situation."
Kanvi laughed again.
"You really do resemble me."
He looked at Melissa.
"Aren't you supposed to give your speech soon?"
"Oh, right. Thanks for reminding me, Dad."
She walked toward the podium.
"Don't bother them, Dad."
"Haha, don't worry, my little one."
'My little one,' huh… what a funny nickname, Eugene thought, smirking.
Kanvi gestured toward a nearby round wooden table.
"How about you sit until she finishes her speech?"
Ren nodded politely.
"Of course."
Eugene and Ren sat at the table while Kanvi headed toward the staircase leading upstairs.
They both looked toward Melissa as she prepared to speak.
To be continued…