I Don't Need To Log Out

"I think you should go back, Elwyn," Cika, the Head Teacher, said, her tone firm but calm as she reclined on her cushion. Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire

Elwyn, standing by the glowing orb, crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly. "You think so? I know Arlon's team just found the last marker, but they shouldn't be back anytime soon. They've got a decent walk ahead of them."

Cika raised an eyebrow, her shimmering wings fluttering lazily. "Just go. What if, somehow, they get back before you?

Will you be able to confirm the exact time they finished without being there? They're on track to break the record, Elwyn. You wouldn't want to miss it, would you?"

Elwyn sighed dramatically, running a hand through his long hair. "I understand, but it's going to be dreadfully boring waiting there alone. Watching the clock isn't exactly my idea of fun."

Cika smirked faintly, a rare expression from her. "Since when do Fhrems care about being alone? I thought your kind thrived in solitude."

Elwyn chuckled, shaking his head. "That's a stereotype, you know. Just because we're quiet doesn't mean we don't appreciate company—or the occasional excitement.

And, let's be honest, the academy hasn't been this interesting in years. These guest students are shaking things up."

"You're stalling," Cika said simply, her gaze steady.

"Fine, fine," Elwyn relented, throwing up his hands. "I'll head back to the clearing. But if I'm stuck there twiddling my thumbs while they take their sweet time, you owe me a drink."

"A drink?" Cika repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Do Fhrems even drink?"

"Another stereotype," Elwyn said, smirking as he turned to leave. "We're not all sipping tea and meditating under trees, you know. Some of us enjoy a good bottle of Trionian mead now and then."

Borik, the Dwarf professor, chuckled from his seat across the room. "Now there's something I can agree with. Bring one of those bottles to the staff lounge later, Elwyn. We can compare notes."

Elwyn waved him off. "Don't hold your breath, Borik. You'll just complain it's too light for your taste."

As Elwyn stepped toward the exit, Cika's voice stopped him. "Before you go..."

He turned, raising an eyebrow.

"Keep an eye on that Arlon," Cika said, her tone thoughtful. "There's more to him than meets the eye.

Zephyrion wouldn't have sent him here without reason. Pay attention to how he leads and how his team responds to him."

Elwyn nodded, his smirk softening into a more serious expression. "I've already noticed. He's different—not just strong, but... deliberate. I'll observe."

"Good," Cika said, leaning back against her cushion. "Now go. And don't dawdle."

With a light chuckle, Elwyn stepped out of the room, the faint rustle of leaves in the wind following him as he made his way toward the clearing.

Borik leaned back in his chair, letting out a hearty laugh. "You know, if Arlon really does break that record, I'd pay to see Elwyn admit he's impressed."

Cika smiled faintly. "I think we'll all be impressed. But let's not get ahead of ourselves."

The two professors turned their attention back to the glowing orb, where other students' progress flickered into view.

---

"And with this, we are done!" Mei said, clapping her hands together as the final marker's glow faded.

"Congratulations," June added with a small smile. "We've finished the last marker with teamwork."

Arlon simply nodded, his expression calm as ever.

But Mei wasn't entirely satisfied. She crossed her arms and let out a dramatic sigh. "Still, I could've finished it much faster by myself! If I'd worked alone, we could've saved at least ten minutes."

June raised an eyebrow. "Teamwork lesson, remember? The academy isn't just about speed."

"Hmm, you're right," Arlon said, his tone even. Then, to everyone's surprise, he added, "Let me give you a reward that will save us more than ten minutes."

Mei's ears perked up, and she leaned forward, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "A reward? What kind of reward?"

Arlon extended his hand toward her. "Give me your hand."

"M-m-my hand? Why?" Mei stammered, her face turning a faint shade of pink. "W-what are you going to do?"

Before Arlon could answer, June, who had already figured it out, grabbed his other hand without hesitation.

"See?" June said with a knowing smirk.

Realizing she was missing something, Mei hesitated for a moment before cautiously placing her hand in Arlon's. "I still don't get—"

Before she could finish, there was a faint shimmer of light, and the world around them blurred.

One second later, they were standing in the middle of the forest's starting clearing, the one where they'd begun the lesson.

"Wait, what just—" Mei blinked, looking around in shock.

June let go of Arlon's hand and shrugged. "He teleported us back. Guess that's your reward."

Arlon, as always, remained silent, adjusting his sword on his hip as if nothing had happened.

Mei opened her mouth to protest, but he decided not to. Teleport was not a spell any mage could have, especially not at the age of 17.

So she was sure that Arlon used some important equipment just so that they can come back earlier and it wouldn't be good to pry into that too much.

Then she paused when her eyes landed on a figure standing near the center of the clearing. "Uh... is that Professor Elwyn?"

Indeed, Professor Elwyn was standing there, staring at them with wide eyes. He looked utterly frozen, his mouth slightly open.

What caught Mei and June's attention even more was the half-eaten sandwich in his hand, hovering mid-air as though he'd been caught in the act.

Elwyn's gaze darted between the group and the glowing clock hovering above the clearing, which displayed the current time. He quickly realized the impossible speed of their return.

"1 hour and 27 minutes!" he sputtered, finally swallowing the bite of sandwich still in his mouth. "This is a new record!"

June raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a laugh. Mei wasn't so subtle and started giggling.

But Elwyn didn't seem to notice their amusement. Panic flashed across his face as he realized the sandwich in his hand was still visible.

Clearly, he hadn't anticipated anyone returning so quickly.

In a clumsy attempt to hide it, Elwyn shoved the sandwich into his robe pocket, which only made things worse. The faint grease stain that formed almost immediately drew Mei's attention.

"Did you... just pocket your sandwich?" Mei asked, biting her lip to keep from laughing.