As Raye continued eating, savoring each bite— His eyes flickered toward Jerusha as his cheeks were still puffed with food. Jerusha, who had been quietly watching over him, blinked in surprise. "What is it? Do you need something?" She asked, tilting her head slightly. Raye swallowed his mouthful of food before responding. "Can you tell me what happened while I was out?" His voice was calm, but his gaze was sharp and unwavering. A month was a long time. Too long. Raye needed to catch up on what happened. And Jerusha, hearing his request— She nodded without hesitation. Of course, she'd tell him. Raye deserved to know. As Raye continued eating, Jerusha sat beside him and began. "I figured you'd ask that, so I'll start from the beginning." She had come prepared. She had brought plenty of food. More than just one packed lunch. She knew how hungry Raye would be. "So this is what happened after that—" Jerusha began telling him everything. Raye chewed his food slowly. Processing everything Jerusha just told him. There had been no classes held ever since the demons' invasion. The academy focused on rebuilding the town and helping the citizens recover from the attack. The other academies were lending aid. Their staff members and students, they hadn't gone back yet. Also, the security around the academy was being enforced. And how the demons got inside the barrier... It had been investigated. And based on the investigators— The way the demons got in... "It was an inside job..." Jerusha declared, her expression serious. Raye's stomach twisted. "Someone had deactivated the defenses from the inside." "The staff in charge of security were attacked." "Some unconscious. Some dead." And the culprit behind it— "It was Rickrey Marcos." Jerusha muttered, a frown appearing on her face. Raye stopped eating all and all. The metal spoon that he was using was bent weirdly as he clenched his hands into fists so hard. And with a cold look in his eyes... Raye mumbled that, looking slightly down as Rickrey's face appeared in his mind. It was the same Rickrey that lost against him in the sparring match and against Devin in the tournament. It was the same arrogant bastard who acted like he was above everyone. And as Raye thought that he couldn't get any more trash— "According to the investigation, Rickrey gained a lot of strength because he... He became a demon contractor." Jerusha suddenly went and stated that. He muttered under his breath. His grip on his spoon tightened even more— The cheap metal broke under his fingers. But she didn't say anything. Rickrey wasn't forced into this. He deliberately chose to betray humanity and let the demons run rampage in a civilized place. He chose to side with the demons. He chose power over the lives of many innocents. Raye took a deep breath. And slowly exhaled it out weakly. "...How did they find out?" But Jerusha could hear it. The restrained anger from his tone. Jerusha looked at Raye. Her expression was crumbling as she slowly frowns. "The survivors saw him." "He wasn't even hiding it—he was fighting alongside the demons, Raye." Raye clicked his tongue. Rickrey wasn't even hiding it. He was proud of what he did, he saw nothing shameful or bad about it. And that he doesn't plan to return to this side anymore—in humanity's side... That pissed Raye off even more. Jerusha closed her eyes for a moment. "The teachers and the headmaster already confirmed it. They're treating him as a high-priority target now." "His execution is guaranteed if they catch him." Raye responded to her. His eyes were filled with something else. "...But the problem is." "They don't know where he is now." Rickrey disappeared after that invasion. "Villains like him are cowards... After all." Raye whispered to himself. Rickrey knew that he'd be hunted and be treated as a most wanted enemy.. He closed his eyes for a moment. And opening his mouth— After eating and catching up with the general events— "Where are the others?" Raye asked that to Jerusha. And without further ado— She started telling Raye about the others. "They were back at the shop and they're operating it again." "But at the same time, they were helping in rebuilding the town by donating money used for the constructions." Kyle, even with only one hand now, was still working hard. 'He wasn't going to let something like that stop him, huh.' Raye thought with a smile. 'Well, that idiot wasn't the type to sit still.' He was doing whatever he could to help. Even if that meant heavy lifting or fixing broken buildings with sheer force. "...Those two never change." Jerusha just nodded her head with a smile on her face. Lycus, Leon, and Allen next. "The three of them were training..." They were going all out. Then Lycus, a feral beast in human form. Each of them had their own fighting style. And if they were training together— Then they were refining their skills with every bout they have! They were pushing themselves to do even better! Preparing for the next battle! Raye whispered, hearing that the three of them are getting along now. "She was producing mana and health potions like a factory... In just minutes." Jerusha ssid that with a frown. "That girl's insane." Raye muttered, he knows first hand just how high quality was the potions Sofia was creating. "That's true... Hehe..." Jerusha chuckled after hearing Raye's words. "She's been working non-stop." "Some of the injured townsfolk are already recovering thanks to her potions." Having someone like Sofia around— 'It made a huge difference.' Raye thought to himself. "She's always in the library... And she's studying about healing spells now." "...She's been studying healing magic?" Raye asked to himself, muttering. "She's been reading everything she can get her hands on. Advanced healing spells, ancient techniques… anything that might help." He knew why she was doing it. 'Someone probably almost died in front of her and Lena hated how powerless she was when that happened.' "She's pushing herself." Raye weakly whispered under his breath. And knowing Lena's personality and a similar scene from the game— "...Has she been eating properly?" "But she barely leaves the library. I've tried bringing her food, but…" "...She just thanks me and keeps reading." And then she followed, letting out a tired sigh. "... She's an idiot." Everyone was dealing with this in their own way. She just didn't want to be useless ever again. "Thanks for telling me." He said that to Jerusha. Jerusha smiled a little. Processing everything. There was a lot to think about. But one thing was certain— Raye needed to get stronger. Then finally, after readying himself— "Also... How are Pyro and Zephyrus?" Raye asked that, scratching the side of his right cheek and looking toward Jerusha. He had been worried about them. Feeling that his connection with them was still intact... Raye knew they were doing fine. And hearing his concern— "The two of them are at the cabin." Jerusha muttered that with a smile. "They're taking care of it and protecting it. They'd be happy to see you—I'll bring them over later." Raye let out a relieved sigh, his shoulders loosening slightly. "I don't suggest summoning them right now." Raye looked at her with questioning eyes. "They're probably inside the Northern Forest now." "Meditating and recovering their mana." "I'll let them rest for now." Spirits, like mages, needed time to recover their mana. Especially after something as draining as the invasion. And seeing Raye being so considerate— "I'll bring them later so you three can meet." Jerusha muttered that. Raye wasn't in any condition to summon his spirits casually right now. And noticing her kindness— A genuine, sweet smile. She muttered under her breath, her ears slightly pink.