The Third Return of the Necrotic Magic Swordsman

”You remember me, right, buddy?” someone said from behind Evan, placing a hand on his shoulder.

”You...” Evan recognized who it was by the behavior and tone before even turning around.

When he looked back, his guess was confirmed; it was none other than James, who had initially gone unnoticed and waited until the class was over to approach him.

”What are you doing here?” Evan inquired, having thought he would be separated from his friends, but it seemed his luck was holding up.

”Yes, I’m here with you in the class section. What’s with that question? Don’t you think it’s good?” James asked, thinking Evan might not appreciate his company.

”No, I’m just surprised, and I’m very happy about it. But where’s Rey? I didn’t see him here. Is he on holiday today?” Evan asked, scanning the classroom for Rey.

”Oh no, Rey and I are in different sections. I’m in Section-A, and he’s in Section-B,” James explained, to which Evan responded with a surprised expression. (:o)

”Then how are you both friends as I thought only those who are in same section should be right.” Evan said as he thought that the guy we mostly time spend with is our friend.

”It’s nothing like that. Haven’t you noticed that students from different classes and sections are friends?” he said, believing it should be normal for everyone.

”I see,” Evan replied, aiming to satisfy James, yet he remained unsure.

”But when I entered the classroom, I didn’t see you among the students,” Evan recalled what he wanted to ask.

”Oh, that. I was taking a nap in the back because I had to stay up all night working,” he explained, pointing to his solitary seat at the back.

”Do you want to come sit by me, or are you okay here with this rude jerk?” he asked, gesturing towards Rook, who was angry but silent, knowing James’ reputation.

”Won’t your usual sitting partner mind?” Evan inquired, looking for James’ neighbor.

”I was sitting alone, just relaxing,” he replied.

”Then, okay, I’ll join you. I don’t think I can study in this environment,” Evan whispered, packing his belongings to move next to James.

”Alright, I’ll lend you my notes for a while until you catch up with us,” he offered, handing over a notebook.

They began discussing various topics, filling the time until the teacher arrived.

Unbeknownst to him, James’ approach and invitation to his seat significantly altered the other students’ perceptions, sparking gossip.

”See that new student sitting with James? I thought he was a nerd, but being with James, he must be rich too. Everyone knows the kind of people James hangs out with,” some girls whispered, sneaking glances at the carefree duo.

Rumors swirled, suggesting Evan was either a gangster’s child or the illegitimate offspring of a wealthy family.

As everyone knows, rumors have wings, and they grew so much that they even reached other classes.

Later, the classroom fell silent as the teacher for the next period arrived.

The new class began, and with James’ help, Evan finally started to learn a few things.

Then came the time many students look forward to: The Lunch Break.

All the students began leaving the classroom to wander or eat their lunch with friends from different classes or sections.

”Hey Evan, let’s grab something to eat from the cafeteria,” James suggested, pulling him up from his seat.

”Wait, let me grab my lunch box first,” Evan replied, retrieving a box wrapped in a plain yellow cloth.

”Ah, homemade food, huh? Let’s eat with Rey; he should be waiting for us,” James remarked as they left the classroom.

Upon reaching the cafeteria, they spotted Rey waiting. James approached with someone following behind him, but Rey couldn’t make out the person’s face because of James.

”Hey James, grab something quick to eat before we check the other section for Evan, who should be in a different sect...” Rey was interrupted when the obscured student revealed himself – it was indeed Evan, who had conspired with James to surprise Rey.

”Oh, you found him first, huh? Hi Evan, I hope you like our school,” Rey said, his words muffled by the food he was eating.

”Yes, James and I met a while back, and we’ve come here to have lunch with you,” Evan replied as he sat down beside him with his lunch.

”I’ll get something to eat for us,” James said, heading towards the cafeteria.

”Wait, can’t you just share with us?” Evan asked, thinking three students could share two lunch boxes.

”No, I just don’t like homemade food. I could bring food from home, but I prefer not to,” he explained as he walked away.

”Hey, wait...” Evan started, but Rey interrupted him.

”Don’t bother; he won’t listen. Evan, I’ve tried for over a year, but he’s as stubborn as a rock,” Rey said, although Evan remained unconvinced that James’s perspective couldn’t be changed.

”But how hard can it be?” Evan asked, his face showing his curiosity.

”Harder than you can imagine,” Rey responded, attempting to dampen Evan’s curiosity, which nonetheless persisted.

James returned with two cheese sandwiches and a soft drink for refreshment.

Evan opened his lunch to find four chicken drumsticks surrounded by an assortment of vegetables, a small chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate chips, and a small box of sauce.

Evan James was impressed, knowing that Evan was an orphan.

”Wow, Evan, you should tell us the real story. Which family are you from? I can’t believe a caretaker would pack such a lunch,” James remarked, with Rey nodding in agreement.

”Are you the rumored kid from Section A, said to be from a wealthy family or the son of a high-profile gangster?” Rey said as even in his class the rumors flowed.

”Huh what gangster child no I am not and rich kid no hell man. I am just a regular everyday normal m ...aoooch kid bro.” Evan was about to get started but suddenly his tongue was stuck into his teeth and got cut.

Attempting to belt out that tune and facing a report? Oh, no way, buddy. I’m putting my foot down on this one. Just a heads-up, if there’s an encore performance, the consequences will escalate. So, let’s keep it to shower concerts, shall we?

{A/N: You again, I thought you perished in that attack but still come back are you tired of living.}

Heh, you think that puny attack of yours can kill this legend you think so than go eat the sh*t author, and remember, legends never die. Yahhhhhhhhhhh. (Disappear)

{A/N: You won’t get away with this, now the real war begins. I swear that until I kill you this story won’t end.}

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”So, it was just a rumor, huh? But how did you manage to get into Section A? I thought the class was already full and closed to new entrants,” Rey said, recalling that even many wealthy people had attempted to join but failed, despite their financial influence. Yet now, Evan, an orphan with no such resources, had secured a place.

He knew that Evan’s identity was not straightforward, something that would only become clear in the future. Whether he would be shocked, or his predictions would come true, only time could tell.

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-- To be continued --