Chapter 320 - No title
In the office without many ornaments, a lone figure sat in front of the desk. Any type of silk did not cover her slender pale arms, yet her clothes resembled a young lady's from slightly retro times.
As Mistress Miriam delicately moved her slender fingers across the desk, tiny sprinkles of frost formed and danced around her fingertips, reflecting the dim light filtering through the room. Her expression was a mixture of gloom and serenity; her thoughts were weighed down by a burden unseen to others.
"It is getting worse," she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible above the soft rustle of frost.
Just then, the door swung open, breaking the quiet of the room. A young maid, dressed in the customary attire of the household, entered with a sense of urgency.
"Mistress Miriam," the maid announced, her voice carrying a note of 'concern,' "a special envelope with your signature has arrived at the mansion."
Miriam raised an eyebrow at the unexpected interruption, her curiosity piqued by the mention of the envelope.
'I guess my daughter is working hard.'
With a graceful gesture, she motioned for the maid to bring it to her.
The maid approached, carrying the envelope with care, before placing it delicately on the desk in front of Miriam. With a nod of acknowledgment, Miriam dismissed the maid, who quickly exited the room, leaving her alone once more with the mysterious envelope.
Though the maid or the other people didn't know much about it, this envelope itself is, in fact, an artifact.
An artifact that could only be opened by the mana signature of the person that was meant to send. Thanks to her unique condition and her standing in the mansion, she needed to resort to such methods to even be able to contact her daughter.
With a sense of anticipation mingled with trepidation, Miriam reached out and picked up the envelope, her fingers tracing the elegant curves of her signature, and the frost-attributed mana covered the signature; the seal was removed.
Miriam's heart skipped a beat as she saw the familiar handwriting adorning the parchment within the envelope. It was unmistakably her daughter, Seraphina. With a mixture of relief and longing, she eagerly unfolded the letter, her eyes scanning the words penned by her beloved child.
"My Dearest Mother,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. As for myself, I am doing well despite the challenges that come with attending the Academy. I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my studies, even though 'that woman' clearly attempted to hinder my aspirations."
Miriam's brows furrowed slightly at the mention of 'that woman,' a pang of resentment stirring within her.
She knew all too well the obstacles her daughter had faced, but she admired Seraphina's resilience and determination to overcome them.
"However, none of those matters as I am in the academy. I am not sure if the news has reached you, but now I am the second-ranking student in the academy, one place away from reaching my deserved spot."
Hearing this, a smile bloomed on her face. A smile contrasting to the demeanor of gloominess inside the room.
"My dear, you really deserve it."
She mumbled.
"But, mother. These are not important to me. Reaching the first rank is just the way to trample on 'that woman' and 'that man' who abandoned you looking for 'that woman.' I will never forget the moments of that time when your dresses were trampled, your pride, and, most importantly, your core were damaged intentionally. I will prove to everyone who did all those despicable things to you.
Once I return to the family, it will be the day I get control of it, and the day I will make every day hell for them.
I am working hard to achieve it, and there are many potential candidates for me here. Many hidden talents had yet to bloom, but with my special eyes, I can see.
However, the mother. I still need you here. I wish for you to use your eyes to see. Though I know it may be painful, I can't afford to waste my resources right now, as 'that woman' is still constantly keeping tabs on me.
Behind this letter, you will see another small paper, which contains the list of the people I deemed as potential. Please check if they would be helpful to me or not.
And for those who you deem to be useful, I will leave the decision to you, as I know you have the necessary channels to reach me and them.
I miss you dearly, Mother; please stay safe.
Your daughter
Seraphina."
As Miriam read through the heartfelt words of her daughter, a mixture of emotions washed over her. Pride swelled within her at Seraphina's achievements and determination, yet sadness tugged at her heartstrings as she sensed the growing distance between them.
"She is getting farther and farther away, becoming like them..." Miriam whispered to herself, her voice heavy with melancholy. She couldn't help but reminisce about the innocent smiles of Seraphina's childhood, contrasting sharply with the calculated determination evident in her daughter's words.
With a heavy sigh, Miriam acknowledged the path that Seraphina had chosen, understanding the weight of her daughter's ambitions and the sacrifices she was willing to make to achieve them.
"My daughter, if that is what you wish for, then I can only support your will," Miriam murmured softly to herself, her gaze lingering on the letter in her hand. Though she longed for Seraphina's happiness and peace, she knew that her daughter's journey was her own to walk, filled with challenges and choices that only she could make.
With a sense of resolve, Miriam turned her attention to the small paper enclosed with the letter, her thoughts already drifting towards the task ahead. As she scanned the list of names, her silver eyes turned pitch white and filled with complete brightness.
With a sense of solemn purpose, she began to mumble the names on the paper, her voice resonating with a power that seemed to transcend mortal boundaries.
As each name passed her lips, a profound energy surged forth, causing the ink on the paper to shimmer and fade away.
In its place, the same names began to emerge, but this time written not in ordinary ink but in symbols of power and destiny.
Some names appeared as if etched in the holy light of yellow, excluding the feeling of being helpful.
Others manifested as if forged from flames, their fiery script dancing with an intensity that spoke of being hard to control.
Miriam's hands moved with a grace that seemed guided by unseen forces, her fingers tracing the contours of each newly inscribed name with reverence and purpose.
–PAT!
However, what she did wasn't without a price, as blood dripped from her nose and eyes, the corners of her fingers getting more and more frosty with each second.
She felt the pain all across her body, yet she knew this was the necessary price.
As Miriam's fingers passed through the last name on the list, her voice faltered slightly as she read it.
"Astron Natusalune!"
At that moment, a sudden surge of power emanated from the paper, causing it to burst into flames. The fiery inferno consumed the parchment, engulfing Astron Natusalune's name in a swirling vortex of pitch-obsidian and purple hues.
Miriam staggered back in shock as the intense heat washed over her, her body trembling with the strain of channeling such potent energies.
Blood dripped from her nose and eyes, staining the pristine surface of the desk below. The frost on her fingertips spread, creeping up her arms with each passing second, a chilling reminder of the toll her actions had taken on her body.
THUD!
With a strangled gasp, Miriam collapsed to the ground, coughing up mouthfuls of blood that splattered onto the floor below. The room spun around her, the air thick with the scent of burning paper and the acrid tang of her own blood.
Just as the room seemed to be fading into silence, the envelope containing the letter and the now-destroyed list of names began to close on its own accord.
Miriam lay on the ground unconscious as the envelope transformed into particles of light, shimmering and dancing in the air before disappearing into nothingness, leaving her alone in the silence of the room.
********
The past two weeks had been rather uneventful for Irina in terms of the academy. She had been training, studying, and playing games, but the academy had been rather quiet with the assignments. But that didn't mean those days were easy.
In fact, it was the opposite. Though the academy was quiet, there were many reporters whom she needed to entertain after the announcement of Phantom's Land. Many news channels thought it was rather untruthful to explain the situation.
Thus, they were trying really hard to get something from her, but in the end, they couldn't, as Irina had preserved it well.
But that made her psychologically exhausted, resulting in her playing video games all night. The VR game was somehow addicting, and she couldn't help but grind it rank. The sense of feeling I achieved something by ranking up was just too alluring.
Yet, now she was feeling the repercussions of it.
"Yaaawn…..I am so sleepy…"
As Irina stirred from her slumber, she couldn't shake off the lingering heaviness of sleep that weighed on her eyelids. With a tired yawn, she staggered to wakefulness, rubbing her eyes as she tried to adjust to the morning light filtering through her window.
"Noooo….."
Glancing at the hour on her smartwatch, she groaned inwardly. It was still early in the morning, much earlier than she would have preferred to wake up. Two hours of sleep just wasn't enough to replenish her energy reserves.
"Haaaah… Only two hours…" she muttered to herself, resigned to the fact that she wouldn't be able to catch any more rest. With another weary yawn, she dragged herself out of bed, her feet shuffling across the floor as she made her way to the kitchen.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Irina prepared herself a strong cup to help shake off the grogginess. As she sipped on the hot beverage, she scrolled through the latest trends on social media, catching up on the news and gossip circulating around the academy.
'Interesting….There are this many seniors dating with the freshmen….I don't understand; what do they even find in those seniors anyway?'
The sky outside was beginning to lighten with the promise of a new day, and Irina felt a sudden urge to embrace the fresh morning air.
'Should just run a little bit? I don't think my head is clear enough.'
Setting down her empty mug, she slipped on her running shoes and headed out the door, determined to clear her mind with a brisk run around the campus grounds.
Today, there will be another assignment according to the schedule posted by the academy. Therefore, she needed to be clearheaded but not tired at the same time. Thus, she went with a light jogging session that wouldn't tire her that much.
As Irina jogged along the campus grounds, she couldn't help but notice a group of girls up ahead, also engaged in a morning run. They jogged together in a tight-knit formation, their laughter and lively chatter filling the air around them.
'Campus Ladies, huh?'
Irina thought to herself, recognizing the group as one of the newer clubs that had recently formed on campus.
She had been invited to join them, but the thought of spending time with those girls didn't quite appeal to her.
They seemed more interested in gossip and frivolous activities than in anything of substance. Though this type of act to get rid of stress made sense, she had the pride of a lion, thinking she didn't need to resort to such tactics. There was no way the academy could stress her after all!
Just as Irina was about to speed up to pass them, her curiosity was piqued by one of the girls' voices.
"Guys, did you see the new boys ranking?"
Chapter 321 - No title (2)
–CLANK!
The room, whose sole purpose was to accommodate students engaging in a spar, was now filled with weapons clashing. It was still very early in the morning, even before the classes.
On the first day of the week and its first hours, it was expected that the training grounds would be deserted.
Yet there were two students who were doing different things from others.
–CLANK!
With each second passing, sparks continued to fly through the ceiling, two weapons clashing. One was two short blades coated with a red aura, while the other one was a long stick with a metal head coated with a yellowish aura.
SWOOSH!
The figures were blurry, as it was very hard for any normal onlooker to clearly see what was happening there. But the constant sounds of weapons clashing made it evident that there was an intense clash going on there.
–CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!
The spear rapidly pierced through its opponent, the yellowish aura flashing in rapid succession.
Yet, the daggers, now turning the aura of colors to gray, also rapidly intercepted its path, clearly not letting the spear do as it wished.
For a split second, the fight seemed to enter a stalemate as the two figures stopped moving. There revealed a blue-haired young boy holding a spear, his eyes focused yet his face with a smile.
"HA!"
He gathered his breath and, with a shout of spirit, converged his aura right on top of the spear, swirling like a hurricane.
「Spear of Hartley. Extension」
The swirl of energy shot forward in an attempt to take down its target.
–SWOOSH!
Yet, before the energy could hit the target, the young boy's purple eyes flashed for a second. Shadows swirled around his feet, channeling energy. In an instant, he disappeared, flashing away.
The swirl of energy was missed, reaching out to the wall and getting nullified by the formations surrounding the training grounds.
"Here I come!"
However, contrary to how his attack was missed, the spear-holder didn't even seem to be flustered, as if he had already expected this to happen.
Utilizing his superior stats and his talent at controlling mana, he appeared right before the purple-eyed boy, his spear already targeting his shoulders.
"Tch."
The purple-eyed boy clicked his tongue in annoyance, seeing his opponent not giving up the pursuit. Since he was in the process of evading the attack, it was hard for him to move normally.
The purple-eyed boy, realizing he was in a tight spot after narrowly evading the spear attack, relied on his agility and close combat training.
–THUD!
With a swift, acrobatic movement, he dodged the spear's stab and kicked the spearhead upwards, creating an opening.
Seizing the opportunity, he quickly grabbed a dagger from his belt and hurled it towards the spear user, aiming to exploit the moment of weakness.
However, the spear user, with his fast reflexes and strong physique, anticipated the incoming attack.
'This….I can't use my spear fast enough.'
Realizing he wouldn't be able to retrieve his spear in time, he made a split-second decision. He freed his second hand from the spear and channeled mana into it, forming a protective barrier.
CLANK!
As the dagger hurtled towards him, he intercepted it with his bare hands, the mana coating acting as a shield against the blade. The dagger clinked harmlessly against his hand, deflecting off to the side.
"Huh?"
Yet, just as he thought the attack was over, his vision, as well as his senses, grasped an incoming projectile. Before his eyes stood something; he could feel the mana swirling around that very thing.
"Magic?"
–THUD!
Before he could even question just when he conjured the magic and fired it, his forehead echoed with pain, his posture shaking. Though the attack lacked the necessary strength to deal a serious injury to him, let alone fatal, the precise location of the attack messed with his eye nerves, blurring his vision.
–SWOOSH!
Following that, as his vision cleared, he saw a silhouette appearing right before his face and felt the cold blade on his neck. He heard rough breathing from the person before him while he himself remained untired. The boy's hoarse voice broke the silence, "It is over," he declared, his cold purple eyes showing no emotion.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the spear user smiled while raising his hands in surrender. "Yeah, I lost," he admitted defeat. "You really are clever when it comes to fighting, Astron."
Hearing him speaking like that, Astron looked into his eyes, opening his mouth. "Not everyone is blessed with overwhelming talent like you, Ethan 'Hartley.'" He spoke while emphasizing the word Hartley, his hoarse voice slowly returning to normal.
It seemed he was slowly recovering his energy.
"…..Right…." Ethan didn't deny it; instead, he lowered his head, looking at the traces of fighting around the training room.
There was a lot of leftover mana on the formations and the walls that were slowly repairing themselves—some cracks on the ground as well as cuts on both of their clothes.
'To think I wasn't able to land a decisive blow on him….Though I didn't go all out for the sake of training, considering my stats and my prowess, I thought I would win this spar at the end.'
He thought to himself, looking at the purple-eyed boy floating the dagger he had just thrown.
'He had even managed to master some magical spells….He really is an all-rounder type…'
The guy named Astron was an enigma to Ethan. He couldn't understand him, no matter how hard he tried. He didn't know what he wanted or what kind of person he was. He knew he was talented at using daggers and bows and fighting in close combat. Adding magic to that, he somehow became very unique.
'Yet, it feels like his stats can match mine…..how is it possible? Is he also in the range of mid-rank-5? Even with my newly risen stats, I couldn't overpower him clearly. Maybe it is his way of fighting? Hmm …..'
He threw a quick look at the status window appearing at the corner of his eyes.
------------------------------------------
▶Name: Ethan Hartley
▶Occupation: Spearman (Level 5)
▶Talent Limit: ?????
▶Passives:
- ?????'s Might
▶Attributes:
-Variable Attributes:
Strength: 5.69
Dexterity: 4.42
Agility: 4.60
Constitution: 5.92
Intuition: 4.65
Magical Power: 3.9
Mana Capacity: 4.5
-Invariable Attributes
· Might: 9
· Charisma: 10
· Vitality: 10
· Will: 16
---------------------------
Looking at the stat, he couldn't help but think that Astron wouldn't be able to come close to his stats, knowing that he had a cheat in terms of raw physical power.
Reflecting on his past spars with Astron, Ethan's mind wandered back to their earlier encounters when they first began training together at Arcadia Hunter Academy.
He recalled their initial spars, where they fought without weapons, relying solely on hand-to-hand combat and martial arts techniques. Despite Ethan's superior strength and physique, Astron proved to be a formidable opponent, using his agility and quick reflexes to evade Ethan's attacks and counter with precision strikes.
Then, as they progressed to sparring with weapons, Astron's fighting style became even more apparent. He would wait for Ethan to make a move, observing his opponent's actions and patiently biding his time.
And when the opportunity presented itself, he would strike with calculated precision, exploiting even the slightest opening in Ethan's defense.
It was as if Astron had a sixth sense for identifying his opponent's weaknesses and vulnerabilities, allowing him to adapt his strategy accordingly.
'Yeah…It must be his eyes that are special…At first, I thought he was someone like me, but that may not be necessarily true…He is somehow different…While I improve constantly in fights, thanks to my traits, I still maintain my core identity as Hartley. But he is like water, slipping into every different bottle, taking different shapes.'
Ethan realized that Astron wasn't just fighting against him; he was fighting against his own limitations, using his opponent's strength against them.
'Certainly…I could see that....'
As Ethan pondered over their past encounters, a newfound respect began to bloom within him for Astron's cunning and tactical prowess.
Despite his initial frustration at being unable to defeat him in combat, Ethan now understood that Astron's strength lay not in brute force but in his ability to outmaneuver and outsmart his opponents.
"He's always fought against people stronger than him," Ethan mused to himself, a sense of admiration creeping into his thoughts. "And yet, he never backs down. He always finds a way to turn the tide in his favor, no matter the odds."
With a newfound appreciation for Astron's unique fighting style, Ethan made a silent vow to continue sparring with him.
"I can hear you."
As Ethan heard Astron's irritated response, he couldn't help but chuckle, a sense of familiarity washing over him. Despite everything that was happening around them, Astron remained steadfast in his demeanor, unwavering in his attitude.
"Right," Ethan replied, his smile widening as he looked at Astron. "I forgot you were always so perceptive, being an archer."
Astron raised an eyebrow in response, his expression unreadable as he listened to Ethan's words.
"Being an archer is irrelevant," Astron continued, his tone serious. "All Awakened people have strong senses. You should get rid of this speaking habit of yours."
Ethan nodded in acknowledgment, his amusement still lingering as he considered Astron's advice. Despite the seriousness of their conversation, Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in Astron's presence.
Recently, the world around him was changing, and Ethan could feel it. He was getting stronger and stronger with each day, climbing the ranks. He also found himself in a lot of different situations, from Emily to Lucas and then to Jane.
People were changing, and he was having a slightly hard time adapting to it. Yet, seeing Astron the same as ever, he somehow liked this.
'Yeah, from time to time, I should meet him.'
"I will pay attention to it," Ethan assured him, his smile softening.
"You better."
With that, Ethan made a silent vow to himself to heed Astron's advice and become more mindful of his words in the future. But for now, he wanted to enjoy the moment of camaraderie between them.
"Hey, Astron," Ethan began, his tone light and casual. "How about we grab breakfast together?"
Before Astron could refuse, Ethan added with a grin, "It is my treat. Consider it a token of my appreciation for all those times you've outsmarted me in sparring. I learned a lot from this sparring."
Seeing Ethan looking at him with earnest eyes, Astron didn't refuse the offer of treatment. He didn't have any plans after this training either, or he had already exerted himself enough for the day before the assignment. Thus, it was a good time for a free meal.
After a brief pause, he nodded in acquiescence, a faint hint of satisfaction dancing in his purple eyes.
"Sure, why not," Astron replied, his voice calm and composed. "I could use a decent meal after all that sparring."
With their plans set, Ethan and Astron finished their training session and made their way towards the showers.
The training grounds were gradually emptied out already as the other diligent students also concluded their morning routines, leaving the two of them with a sense of tranquility amidst the bustling academy.
After a refreshing shower and a change of clothes, Ethan and Astron emerged from the training grounds, ready to head to the dining hall for breakfast. As they walked side by side, their footsteps echoing in the quiet dawn, Ethan shuddered for a second.
'What?'
Turning his eyes, there he saw a group of eyes looking at him as if they could strip him at any moment.
'Ah….'
Realizing the source of the gazes, he couldn't help but get embarrassed a little, though this wasn't the first time he was getting such attention from girls, especially since this was more severe after the changes he could feel in himself, awakening that passive [?????'s might].
Yet, seeing Astron undisturbed, he followed him, attempting to chat….
Chapter 322 - No title (3)
"Guys, did you see the new boys ranking?"
Irina, who was just about to pass through the group of girls, stopped her tracks after hearing these words.
As for why she did it, she didn't know the answer to that question. However, the feeling of intrigue in her heart somehow seemingly took control of her body for a while. She 'slightly' pricked her ears, listening to the conversation with her amplified senses.
Hearing their friend's words, the other girls' eyes seemed to shine with excitement. "I did! And guess what? Victor is still holding the top spot," one of the girls exclaimed enthusiastically. "He's just so dreamy, isn't he? I can't believe there is someone like that in this world!
Just him existing alone makes the world shine brighter." Her eyes were sparkling as she somehow held a dreamy look.
"You are crazy, Thea."
"I am perfectly normal. He is just that amazing," Thea insisted, her eyes still gleaming with admiration for Victor. The others laughed at her antics, seeming accustomed to her infatuation with the top-ranked boy.
Hearing the girls, Irina somehow looked bewildered. 'You don't even know him. How can you fawn over him this much? This is crazy…..' She thought inwardly. She had known Victor from her childhood, meeting him a lot of times.
They had trained together, went out to many banquets, etc. In a way, she could be very well considered someone who knew Victor the most in this academy with their friend group since Blackthorns weren't someone to socialize with normal people too much.
Thus, it was evident to her that this girl didn't know what kind of person Victor was, and neither did she know that he liked Julia.
"He may be amazing, but don't you think you're exaggerating a bit?" one of the other girls, Lilly, teased, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice.
"I don't think so. He's like a prince charming straight out of a fairy tale," another girl, Ria, chimed in, nodding fervently.
"He's got the looks, the talent, and the background. It's no wonder he's always on top."
"Yep. Anyone other than him won't satisfy me." Thea said, raising her head haughtily, showing her figure.
'Then you will be single until you die.' Irina thought as she knew Victor wasn't interested in anyone other than Julia. Also, being from a very high-ranking family like Victor's, she was very well aware of the fact that this girl didn't have the necessary qualifications to be with Victor or someone of his caliber since if she had, Irina would have known her way long ago.
The conversation shifted, and Irina listened intently as the girls discussed the significance of the new boys ranking.
"It's not just about Victor, though. This time, the rising stars are really catching everyone's attention."
"Yeah, I heard there are a couple of new entries that are causing quite a stir. It's going to be interesting to see how things shake up."
At this point in the moment, Irina's interest was piqued by the gossip and the conversation. It was like watching a theater play unfolding before her eyes, as the girls' reaction was somehow making her feel funny.
And as she was into the gossip, she also started wondering about who the new rising stars could possibly be.
'It will be Ethan, won't it?'
Though she wasn't engrossed in such topics in general, she could see the name that was going to appear now.
Just then, as if to prove her right, Ria's eyes seemed to light up with excitement as she leaned in closer to the group. "You guys know Ethan, right? He is the new campus prince."
The other girls nodded eagerly, indicating their familiarity with the name. Ethan had quickly become a prominent figure among the freshmen, his name on everyone's lips.
Lilly chimed in with her expression contemplative. "Yeah, we all heard of him. The way he jumped more than a thousand ranks in just half a semester was really eye-catching. But I guess, being a Hartley, it makes sense."
Ria nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting admiration as she continued, "And he's not just talented; he's handsome too. But what makes him truly stand out is none of those. It's that he's so gentle and polite, not like those arrogant boys who think they own the world."
Her voice softened with reminiscence as she shared a personal anecdote, "I'm in the same class as him, and I once dropped my pen during a lecture. Without hesitation, Ethan picked it up and handed it to me with a smile. It's the little things like that which really show his character."
"And it's not just that one instance," she went on, her expression earnest. "He's helped many people during the Phantom's Land incident and in dungeon explorations as well. He's always willing to lend a hand, no matter the situation. These are the things that show the character of a man; it is not the looks and background that is always important."
'Indeed….Ethan is like that.' Irina felt proud of her friend, as Ethan was now getting the recognition he deserved. Out of all the people she knew, Ethan and Sylvie were probably the purest ones, with the former being more idealistic and the latter being just naïve.
They scoffed at Ria's words, her expression skeptical. "Please, Victor is still better," she said dismissively.
But Ria wasn't about to let that comment slide. "Oh, come on, Thea. With the way Ethan is progressing now, it won't be long before he takes over that cold-prick Victor. People who have warm hearts deserve the world," she retorted passionately, her eyes flashing with determination.
But Thea also wasn't about to let Ria's praise for Ethan go unchallenged. "Please, Ria. No matter how much Ethan progresses, Victor will always be superior. He's a Blackthorn, after all. No one can compete with that."
A smug smile played on Thea's lips as she continued, her tone filled with confidence. "And just imagine Victor giving Ethan one of his cold looks while he steps on him... Kyaaa~" she added with a happy sigh, her expression dreamy as she imagined her beloved Victor asserting his dominance.
"You are just gone…." The others just couldn't help but facepalm. Their friend was crazier than they expected!"
"Oh, really? That stupid shit can only do things like that…After all, aren't Blackthorns known to be shady and vile? That Victor certainly suits that image." At this point, Ria just hates Victor for the sake of fanaticism.
'Why did Victor become the bad guy now? You guys are just too crazy. Just because you want to defend the person you admire, do you have to put others below? Where is the character you just mentioned? Is this how people think now?'
Somehow, to Irina, the comments that were coming to her now seemed a lot less angering. Seeing people like this, she now understood that most of the comments on there came from people like these, and she was the one who was stupid to get angered by those.
'So, this is what he meant by keyboard warriors. So, they are people like these in real life.'
Remembering the talk she had with Astron when she confronted him about the rumors, she now realized the shallowness of the general people's topics of talk.
–SILENCE!
Just at that moment, Irina felt like the noise disappeared.
As the girls fell silent and turned their attention elsewhere, Irina followed their gaze to the training grounds. There, she spotted two figures making their way out, and she recognized them immediately.
One of the boys had striking blue hair, slightly wavy and damp from what appeared to be a recent shower. Despite the chill in the air, he seemed unaffected, exuding an air of calm confidence. It was Ethan, unmistakably, with his warm smile and gentle demeanor, that seemed to light up the area around him.
Beside him walked another boy, his hair as dark as the night sky. He had an air of mystery about him; his posture, though seemed relaxed, was somehow commanding.
Even from this distance, Irina could see that Ethan was trying to strike up a conversation with him, constantly talking about something, and this put a smile on her face somehow. It was quite funny, as Ethan somehow looked like a bee flying around a flower.
The girls nodded their heads in agreement as they watched Ethan and Astron walk away. Lilly was the first to speak up, her eyes lingering on Ethan's figure. "Okay, he is definitely hot," she commented as if this was natural.
"Yeah….I somehow can understand…But Victor is still better." Thea said, but then she squinted her eyes, looking at the boy before Ethan. "Hmm….Who is he? He somehow feels familiar?"
Ria nodded in response to Thea's question, her gaze fixed on Astron's retreating figure. "That's Astron," she explained, her tone tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "He's our classmate, but he's a bit of an oddball among the students. Doesn't talk much, but when he does, he can be edgy and kind of rude, to be honest." She paused, furrowing her brow as if trying to recall something.
"He was the one with the rumors, too. Some say he's got a shady past or something, but who knows? He keeps to himself most of the time."
Thea's expression shifted as she recalled something, her eyes widening slightly with realization. "Oh, right! I remember now," she said, nodding to herself. "He's also one of those rising boys, isn't he? Advanced quite a lot in the mid-terms, and with those good looks and that aloof demeanor of his, he's been turning heads lately." Though she said those, she didn't seem to be much impressed.
'Hmm….he is becoming a more hot-topic? Heh…This is what you get for doing this to me….You think you can fool everyone easily like that; look how things are not going the way you want.'
She thought, remembering how she needed to deal with the aftermath of that time because of his request. Somehow, she seemed to ignore that she got something she wanted out of that deal, but this and that were different.
"Hmm...he is quite my type, though," Lilly said, a mischievous grin playing on her lips, seizing him from top to bottom. Then, she continued, licking her lips suggestively. "I don't know about gentleness or whatever, but he can make me forget about all my worries," Lilly added with a suggestive wink, her tone laced with innuendo.
"I wouldn't mind getting lost in those dark eyes of his for a while if you know what I mean."
–CREAK!
As Lilly's suggestive comment hung in the air, the group suddenly heard a creaking sound nearby, as if something was being crushed. Their conversation halted abruptly as they turned to see the source of the noise, only to find a girl with fiery red hair glaring at them with an annoyed expression. A palpable aura of intensity surrounded her, sending chills down their spines.
'Irina Emberheart!'
All had the same thought in their heads, voicing the girl's name in their minds.
"Tch."
Before any of them could utter a word, the girl stormed past them, her gaze fixed ahead as she hurried in the direction Ethan and Astron had gone.
"Huh?"
As the girl stormed past them, a sudden wave of heat washed over Lily, causing the hem of her clothes to burst into flames.
"Fire!"
Shocked and startled, she let out a yelp of surprise, frantically patting at the flames in a panic.
The other girls gasped in horror, watching as Lily's clothes smoldered and the fire quickly spread. It was clear that this was no ordinary accident; it seemed like a petty act of revenge orchestrated by the fiery-haired girl they had just encountered.
"Noo…..My clothes…."
It was a good lesson….At least, Irina felt like that.
Chapter 323 - No title (4)
After they left the training grounds, Ethan led Astron to their destination. After walking for a little while, they reached the place.
Outside, the restaurant stood nestled amidst a cluster of trees, its rustic wooden facade blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings at the edge of the Academy Forest.
A quaint sign hung above the entrance, bearing the name of the establishment in elegant script.
[Whispering Oaks]
Soft lanterns adorned the exterior, casting a warm glow that illuminated the path leading up to the entrance.
DING!
The door opened, with the bell ringing. As Ethan and Astron entered the restaurant, they were greeted by the tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked food and the gentle hum of slow music.
Unlike the opulent establishment they had visited before, this restaurant had a more laid-back atmosphere, with wooden tables and chairs arranged in a cozy arrangement.
'Yeah….This place never disappoints….'
Taking in the sights and sounds around them, Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity wash over him. He had frequented this restaurant numerous times in the past, often grabbing a quick meal between training sessions or classes.
Turning to Astron, Ethan raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Have you ever been here before?" he asked, gesturing to their surroundings.
Astron shook his head, his expression neutral. "No, I haven't," he replied simply.
Ethan's mouth fell open in surprise. "Really? You've never been here?" he exclaimed, unable to hide his astonishment.
This place might seem like it was now deserted, but the time was not normal to begin with. After all, it was still early in the morning, and many students skipped breakfast to make it to the morning lessons, let alone come into such a place.
But that didn't mean this was the case normally. When it was noon or slightly late evening, this place would be filled with students.
Astron nodded in confirmation. "I didn't even know this place existed," he admitted, his tone matter-of-fact.
'There wasn't a place like this in the game.'
Most of his knowledge of the academy, in fact, stemmed from the game, as he never intended to explore the campus. For him, things like these were a waste of time, after all, as he would rather train or do something else in that said time. He knew where the important locations for his goal were, but aside from that, he wasn't interested in anything else.
Ethan couldn't help but chuckle at Astron's response, finding it amusing that someone as observant and perceptive as him could overlook such a prominent location on campus.
"Well, consider this your lucky day then," Ethan said with a grin, leading the way to an empty table. "I'll show you the ropes and introduce you to some of the best dishes on the menu."
"What makes you think that I trust your judgment?" he asked, his tone neutral.
Ethan's expression turned deadpan, caught off guard by the question. He wasn't even expecting such a response from Astron. "Well, I, uh... I guess I assumed," Ethan stuttered, trying to come up with a suitable reply.
Astron simply nodded in response before saying, "I'll choose my own food."
With that settled, Astron took a seat by the window, his gaze fixed on the forest outside.
"Hahaha…."
Ethan followed Astron's movements, but before he could speak, a familiar chuckle caught his attention.
Turning his head towards the entrance, Ethan's eyes widened in surprise as he spotted his fiery-haired friend, Irina, standing at the door.
Ethan's surprise was evident as he watched Irina enter the restaurant, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Irina! What are you doing here?" he exclaimed, waving her over to their table.
Irina's cheeks flushed slightly as she remembered just what happened before coming here. The words spoken by that girl, Lillick or whatever, somehow sounded more embarrassing than annoying now.
She made her way over to them, her gaze momentarily flickering away before meeting with his classic look.
"Oh, uh... I just happened to be passing by," she replied, her tone casual as she tried to brush off any suspicion.
"Passing by? In the middle of the forest?" Astron was the one to open his mouth as he seized her up. "Your clothes, your sweat, and the size of your irises don't say so." His demeanor was calm and aloof, yet for Irina, it felt like he knew what she was doing.
'Tch….That's why dealing with this bastard is tiring.'
Sometimes, his quick way of grasping things was certainly helpful, especially if it was directed at something she was searching for as well, but if she was at the receiving end, it was annoying and troublesome to deal with.
Irina released a slight sigh, feeling a twinge of annoyance at Astron's perceptiveness. "Well, I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go for a run to clear my head," she explained, her tone genuine. "And when I was running, I happened to see you two and thought I'd tag along."
Astron nodded, seemingly satisfied with her explanation, but Irina could tell he wasn't entirely convinced as his eyes continued to seize her up, focusing on her facial expressions. His calm demeanor only added to her frustration.
Ethan, on the other hand, looked genuinely curious. "But why didn't you come in sooner?" he asked, tilting his head slightly in confusion.
Irina shot him an annoyed look before replying, "Because you two were practically speed-walking! I couldn't catch up with you," she explained, her irritation evident in her tone. "It's like you were being chased by something."
Ethan's eyes widened in surprise. "That…."
'It might be because I felt uncomfortable at that time, yeah…That might have been the case.'
"Maybe I was walking a bit fast," he admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
Contemplating that, he threw a look at Astron.
Astron, classic the indifferent observer, simply shrugged in response. "After leaving, you suddenly sped up, and I just went with the flow," he remarked casually as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Ethan shook his head helplessly, chuckling at the realization. "Guess I got a bit carried away," he conceded with a grin.
Irina harrumphed in response, her irritation dissipating slightly as she found herself naturally gravitating towards Astron, taking a seat beside him.
While they perused the menu and placed their orders, Irina couldn't help but ask curiously, "What were you two doing out this early in the morning?"
Astron's reply was simple and to the point. "Training," he stated flatly. Irina, familiar with Astron's terse way of speaking, understood his implication.
"Sparring?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Astron nodded in confirmation. "He offered," he added, his expression neutral. "No, rather he forced. This guy suddenly barged in, demanding a spar out of nowhere." He looked a bit annoyed, but Irina knew this was how he usually was.
Somehow, she could imagine Ethan doing that, remembering how it was while they were walking and Ethan trying to strike up a conversation.
She nodded knowingly, a small smile playing on her lips. "Sounds like something he learned from Julia," she remarked, remembering Ethan's past self and current one – his competitive streak and his tendency to challenge others to improve his skills.
Astron nodded in agreement. "Makes sense," he conceded with a shrug, his attention returning to the menu.
Somehow, Irina was curious about the spar, as she knew Astron rather disliked showing his skills in general. Even though she didn't know the extent of his abilities, at the same time, that was the case with Ethan as well.
If Astron was unfathomable because he was hiding himself, Ethan was incomprehensible because of his incredibly rapid pace of improvement. Thus, the outcome of the fight between these two individuals, who were somehow ranked higher than other people in her eyes, was important.
Irina leaned in slightly, her curiosity getting the better of her. "So, who won?" she asked, her eyes flickering between Ethan and Astron.
Astron turned his head to Irina, his expression saying it all – 'Isn't it obvious?' Irina couldn't help but grin mischievously. "Ah, so Ethan won," she stated confidently, already picturing the scene in her mind.
Astron simply shrugged his shoulders, his demeanor nonchalant. "You're free to think whatever you want," he replied.
"You're no fun."
Astron met her gaze with a deadpan expression. "Your sense of humor is just as bad," he retorted calmly, unfazed by her jest.
Irina couldn't resist the urge to pinch him in response, but Astron remained stoic and unaffected by her actions. She also knew he wouldn't say anything since he owed him quite a lot of favors, so she was doing this inherently.
Ethan watched the exchange between Irina and Astron with a mixture of amusement and slight envy. Their familiarity with each other was evident, and he couldn't help but feel like an outsider witnessing their interaction.
'These two….Somehow, they seem rather close…I had never seen Irina like this before.'
"You guys…..You look like a"
"Here, the food you ordered."
For a moment, he considered teasing them about seeming like a couple, but before he could utter a word, the waitress arrived with their food, effectively cutting him off.
With Irina's gaze now fixed on him, Ethan felt a sudden urge to keep quiet. He shrugged off the thought of making any comments and instead focused on his meal and conversation differently…..
********
Inside the buzzing classroom, the students sat on their seats, waiting for the instructor to show up.
"I wonder, what will today's assignment be? Any clues?"
"I don't know. In the mail, it was stated that this one wasn't going to include much combat but rather an observation, but man, Phantom's Land was supposed to be an observation assignment as well. Look what happened, though."
"You are right, but I think this time they will keep it more simple. My mother is a civil servant in the government, and she had already submitted a complaint."
–CREAK!
Just then, the atmosphere shifted as the door creaked open wide, drawing the attention of every student in the room. In walked the classic stern instructor, Eleanor, her presence commanding respect and silence.
The students fell silent as Eleanor scanned the room with her piercing gaze, seizing the attention of each individual.
"Good morning, cadets," she announced briskly, her tone leaving no room for chatter or hesitation.
Without wasting any time, Eleanor delved straight into the purpose of their gathering.
"Today's assignment will take us to the Mana Stone Mine operated by the Blackthorn Family," Eleanor began, her tone crisp and authoritative. "Our objective is twofold: first, to observe the mining operations firsthand, and second, to analyze the techniques and strategies employed by the miners in extracting mana stones from the earth."
She paused momentarily, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "Each of you will be assigned a specific area of the mine to observe closely. Pay attention to the tools and equipment used, the methods of excavation, and any safety protocols in place. Your task is to gather detailed observations and insights into the process of mana stone extraction."
Eleanor's gaze swept across the room, ensuring that every student was attentive and focused. "Furthermore, be prepared to analyze the quality of the mana stones unearthed. Note any variations in size, color, or purity, and consider how these factors might impact their usefulness in magical applications."
"As always," she concluded, her voice unwavering, "accuracy and attention to detail are paramount. Your observations will form the basis of your evaluation for this assignment. Any questions?"
Her question hung in the air for a moment, but no one dared to speak up. Just as she was about to nod her head, she saw a hand raised.
It was Ethan.
"Instructor, will we enter the mine with our previous groups?"
Eleanor observed the raised hand of Ethan, a glimmer of approval shining in her eyes as she nodded in acknowledgment of his question.
"Yes, Ethan," she replied, her voice calm and measured. "You will indeed enter the mine in groups, but these groups will be different from those you've previously worked with on assignments. The reorganization is intended to encourage collaboration and teamwork among different cadets."
She paused briefly to allow her words to sink in before continuing. "The specific group assignments will be distributed to you before we enter the mine. Each group will be carefully selected to ensure a balance of skills and expertise."
Eleanor scanned the room, her gaze lingering for a moment on each student before moving on. "Are there any further questions?"
Silence greeted her inquiry, confirming that her instructions had been understood. With a decisive nod, she gestured for the cadets to prepare for departure.
"Very well. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment and supplies before we depart. We will reconvene outside to board the buses shortly."
With that, Eleanor turned on her heel and strode out of the classroom, her presence commanding respect and obedience as the students followed suit, their minds already turning to the task ahead.