My Ultimate OP System: Summoning All Dragons, Gods, Heroes & Villains-Chapter 109: And So It Begins…

The earlier camaraderie, the little that had developed just a bit, was gone.

Several students had already pulled out their Arcphones and made calls home, requesting to be picked up early.

The camp had turned into a disaster.

Even the teachers had given up.

Mr. Kieran and Miss Hana had been in one corner, speaking in low tones. Neither of them looked happy as they discussed what to do next.

Finally, Kieran turned toward his students and said, "Pack your things. We’re leaving."

Students began moving immediately, heading back to their tents to gather their belongings before making their way toward the airships.

The camp was over.

Percival and Aliyah were standing one side near the tree line, and away from the main crowd as students filed past them toward the ships.

"We’ll continue this next time," Percival said.

Aliyah mirrored his grin and nodded. "That’ll be really soon, actually."

Percival’s expression shifted to one of confusion. "Oh yeah? Why’s that?"

"Our family’s moving to the capital," Aliyah said.

Percival’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. "No way, you’re playing with me Aliyah?"

Aliyah chuckled. "I’m serious. Papa made the decision last week."

"So when then?" Percival asked quickly.

"As soon as I finish at Mallory," she replied.

Percival’s grin widened even further. "Then we shall be putting an end to this soon."

Aliyah had a matching grin. "I agree."

They clasped palms like warriors sealing a pact as they stared into each other’s eyes with this competitive fire burning behind them.

After that, they both turned and headed toward their respective airships.

The ships lifted off one by one, rising into the evening sky and turning back toward Grayfort City.

-

On board the Belsorth airship, Ethan and Bettie stared out at the darkening horizon as the wind whipped past them.

Bettie began. "That was an intense day."

"Uh-huh," Ethan muttered in agreement.

Then he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the mini grimoire he had won at the auction. He held it up for her to see.

"Come by later and we can figure some of these out too."

Bettie’s face lit up with a genuine smile as she nodded. "I’d like that."

A little while later, Ethan pulled out his Arcphone and opened his chat with Isabella.

Me: Hey love, I’m coming back.

The response came almost immediately.

Miss Berlene❤️: For real?! 😍😍🥳

Me: Yeah, it got cut short. We’re on our way back to the academy now.

Miss Berlene❤️: I’ll bring a ride with me to take you home.

Ethan’s eyes widened slightly at that message. He smiled as he typed back:

Me: You don’t have to worry about that. Eduardo’s probably already on his way.

Miss Berlene❤️: Actually I’m at Ernie’s with my friends right now and it’s not too far from the academy. I’m sure I can make it there first, plus I want to see you 🥺 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Ethan sighed and shook his head with an amused smile on his face.

Me: Fine. I’ll let Eduardo know not to bother then.

Miss Berlene❤️: Yayyy! See you soon! ❤️❤️

Ethan smiled, slipped his phone back into his pocket and turned toward Percival, who stood at his other side, staring out over the city.

"The princess is picking me up this evening," Ethan said.

Percival turned toward him, almost surprised. "Oh, I thought it was gonna be Eduardo. I was planning on catching a ride with you."

Ethan’s eyes widened. "And you said nothing all this while that you were planning to come with me?"

Percival shrugged with a grin on his face. "Oh come on, since when do I have to tell you I’m gonna hitch your ride?"

Ethan sighed. "Well, if it’s not going to be weird for you, you should join us."

Percival made a weird face and tilted his head slightly. "Aren’t you guys going out on some date or something?"

Ethan shook his head. "No, she’s just taking me home."

Percival’s expression relaxed immediately as he nodded. "Oh, no problem then." He grinned wider and added, "Besides, it’s long overdue for the introduction anyway."

Ethan shook his head in amusement.

—

The airship descended onto the academy’s landing zone, and students began filing off one by one.

Bettie waved at both Ethan and Percival before turning to head off toward the gates.

Ethan then turned around just in time to see Isabella walking toward him from across the lot.

She wore a long overcoat over her casual clothes and seemed to be trying to keep herself composed, since there were still plenty of other students milling around nearby. She was attempting not to appear too excited.

But despite her effort at restraint, her face showed her full excitement as she approached him.

Ethan smiled at her attempt and said softly, "Drop the act, love."

That was all the permission Isabella needed.

Her face broke into the brightest smile as she lifted herself up onto her toes and wrapped both arms around his neck in an enthusiastic hug.

Percival was standing behind Ethan as he made an exaggerated disgusted face and said loudly; "Yuck. The love in the air stinks."

Ethan laughed at that while still holding Isabella in his arms. "What an idiot."

Percival laughed too before Ethan pulled back slightly from Isabella’s embrace and gestured toward his best friend.

"You’ve definitely seen him around," Ethan began, "but this is Percival."

Isabella nodded politely and smiled at him. "Hi, Percival."

Percival returned the smile just as easily without any trace of awkwardness on his face. "Hi, Isabella."

-

The three of them climbed into Isabella’s car moments later. Isabella took the driver’s seat, Ethan sat beside her in the passenger seat, and Percival settled comfortably in the back.

As they pulled out onto the main road, the car filled with laughter and conversation. They joked about the auction chaos, Percival’s sparring matches with Aliyah, and the absurdity of Dante’s summon.

Isabella drove with one hand on the wheel, glancing over at Ethan every now and then with a smile that hadn’t left her face since she picked him up.

Percival made occasional sarcastic comments that had both of them laughing.

Eventually, they made a turn onto the final street leading up to Ethan’s estate, where the road was lined with trees on both sides.

And then suddenly, a figure stepped out from beside a black car parked along the roadside ahead of them.

He wore a dark suit and a black mask covering his face. In his hands, he held a handheld rocket launcher positioned directly at their approaching vehicle.

All three pairs of eyes inside the car widened in terror.

Then he fired.

BOOM!

An explosion erupted.

——

A/N:

A few more tickets to 250 tickets!