151 – Back to the Academy. (2)
But there was nothing Aris could do. She could only watch Asti cling to Prax diligently like a loser and feel jealous.
Naturally, Asti smirked at seeing that.
“She’s going to end up playing in Prax’s palm anyway. Ah, she’s already playing. If only she had seized the opportunity when she first came in, this wouldn’t have happened.”
It was amusing, but it wasn’t all that easy. She knew too well how one human decision could change a person’s life.
If, at that time, Aris had held Prax’s hand, Prax might never have met her.
…Or not?
She chuckled. Come to think of it, Prax didn’t know the future, did he? The world… the future where the human realm would be destroyed.
In that case, maybe, even if she had chosen Prax, Prax might have met her. No, or maybe… Perhaps…
Perhaps Prax had seen the future much earlier.
Maybe trying to rape Aris was intentional. If he did that, it would have been certain that Asti would approach him.
It was definitely a plausible scenario. Prax may be weak in admitting it, but he values his goals more. Even if Aris gets hurt, in the end, he would do whatever it takes to survive.
Perhaps Prach had also considered that point.
Well, as her, she couldn’t know the details. What mattered now wasn’t that.
It was just about how to comfort that poor girl.
Since there was still some time until Prach’s next plan.
Prach doesn’t tell her the detailed plan. Perhaps, she calculates everything in her head and only tells her the best plan when it’s written down.
So, there wasn’t much for her to do right now. Just, being by Prach’s side.
There wouldn’t be much to do. Teasing Aris wouldn’t be a bad idea.
If you keep scratching her nerves, surely Aris would take some action. Watching that would be one of the fun parts.
‘Is this what they call the luxury of the privileged? This is quite amusing in its own way~’
Feeling such sentiments, Asti watched Aris glancing at her and Prach energetically.
◈
It seems that Aris keeps glancing this way. Seeing Asti unintentionally directing her gaze towards Aris.
…This is a bit awkward. Since she’s a political science professor who doesn’t seem to care much about the students, I let it slide, but if Asti had clung to my side during another professor’s class, she might have provoked the professor’s anger.
From Noble mtl dot com
Well, it’s probably irrelevant to Asti… but not to me.
I said to Asti.
“Asti.”
“Yeah?”
“Could you move away a bit during class? It’s uncomfortable to have all the attention on us…”
Upon hearing that, Asti looked at me with a shocked face.
“That’s mean…”
But whether she liked it or not, I told her.
“Stop acting strange.”
“Fine. Got it.”
She stuck out her tongue slightly and moved away from me. The gazes from around us noticeably decreased.
I wish this had happened earlier. Of course, it’s not that I don’t like her… but still, I hope she’d choose the time and place more carefully. This makes me look completely like a loner.
Moreover, it’s not pleasant to feel someone’s gaze constantly on you. I prefer a quiet environment.
“By the way, Aris seems to have a lot to say to you, doesn’t she?”
Asti glanced at me briefly and said.
“Well… that could be. We were just friends, and we haven’t had a proper conversation since the expedition. I have things to say too, so I’ll talk to her later.”
“Things to say?”
“Yeah. There are things related to his achievements… and Aris needs to be taken to the dungeon.”
“If his skills are up to it, wouldn’t it be dangerous?”
“Skills improve through danger. How can skills grow in a safe cradle without the threat to life? Taking classes at the academy is important, of course, but the significance lies in building a solid foundation. Just attending classes and laying the groundwork won’t take you further.”
Asti nodded at my words as well. Even I, based on the classes I took with Asti at the academy, improved my magic skills through practical experience.
In short, it’s not that classes at the academy aren’t important.
After attending classes at the academy and practicing, one must engage in practical combat to rapidly improve skills.
In the end, no matter how high your skills are, if you can’t display them properly, it’s meaningless.
What I needed were individuals who could demonstrate excellent skills in practical combat.
It goes without saying for Ruslan… but Aris, well. He hasn’t shown outstanding skills in practical combat yet.
Honestly, since Ruslan is strong in practical combat, Aris seemed like he needed to be made familiar with it. The fights to come won’t be easy at all.
Alright. Let’s start by gently persuading.
* * *
As soon as the class ended, Aris subtly rose from her seat. Today didn’t feel right. Today was meant for calming her mind and gathering courage to talk to Frah tomorrow…
She was thinking like that.
Why did Frah suddenly approach her? She couldn’t help but widen her eyes.
It wasn’t the usual scenario either. As soon as the class ended, Asti exchanged a few words with Frah and then disappeared somewhere.
Her thoughts scattered in all directions, failing to organize properly. Why did Frah suddenly…? Only such thoughts swirled in Aris’s mind.
Approaching her, Frah spoke.
“Aris.”
“Huh, uh, yes? Why?”
“I have something to discuss briefly, is now a good time?”
“Discuss what? What is it about?”
“It’s something a bit awkward if others hear.”
Frah whispered softly into Aris’s ear. With his sudden move, Aris’s face seemed on the verge of exploding at any moment.
“Uh, okay…”
Now that Frah had come this far, Aris had no right to refuse.
* * *
“What’s up? What do you want to talk about?”
Aris still looked at me with a flushed face.
“I have a place to go next time and I want to go together.”
“A place? You want to go with me?”
“Yes.”
“For, for fun?”
Aris’s expression was full of anticipation, but her expectations shattered as Frah’s following words hit her.
“No. It’s because a new dungeon has been discovered.”
“A dungeon?”
“Yes. I don’t know the details… but I want to gather skilled people to explore if possible.”
“It’s a bit out of the blue…”
Aris looked at Frah with a puzzled expression. Out of nowhere, talking as if it’s an important matter, about dungeon exploration.
“Oh, we won’t go right away. We’ll prepare and conduct basic exploration of the dungeon before entering.”
“I see… So, who’s going?”
“I have some people in mind. Ruslan, you, Diana, Johan. Also, Lina, Nea, and Asti.”
“Familiar faces. What about the Holy Lady?”
“Do you think the Holy Lady has time for such things?”
“True.”
“Anyway, are you coming?”
“What’s in it for me?”
“First, I want to focus on gaining experience. As for dungeon rewards… I plan to share them with the ones going together. I’m not that greedy.”
“You don’t even know what rewards the dungeon holds.”
“Usually, good treasures are hidden at the end of dungeons.”
“That’s true. By the way, experience….”
Aris pondered deeply. Experience.
“Real-life experience seems to be important after all.”
Frah’s words struck her like a wedge. When she fought with Seongtuhee Esté and faced the specters in the land of specters.
She hadn’t fully demonstrated her abilities. Of course, she had improved a bit in the land of specters, but… even then, she hadn’t fully unleashed her true capabilities.
“But you don’t seem to need real-life experience in particular. It was the same last time too…”
“No. Real-life experience always needs to be honed. Especially… because I think the Academy evaluation this time will focus on that.”
“Makes sense. I’m in.”
Aris’s dilemma didn’t last long. The absence of real-life experience was something she always felt. And… above all, she couldn’t be with Frah.
“Alright. I’ll let you know when the schedule is set.”
“Got it. Oh, by the way, Frah.”
However, Aris didn’t stop there. It was a time when she could talk to Frah without Asti’s interference, so she shouldn’t waste it like this.
She blushed slightly and then said to Frah, “Why?”
“Um… Are you available this holiday?”
“Well… I’ll have to check.”
“If not, it’s okay.”
“I didn’t say it’s not possible. I’ll try to make time first.”
“Really?”
Aris’s face lit up.
“Yes. But what do you want to do?”
“Oh, just… I want to go to a dessert cafe. I want to chat.”
“You like dessert cafes too?”
“Uh?”
“Never mind. So, what do you want to talk about?”
“Just anything.”
“Hmm… Okay. Got it.”
Frah readily accepted Aris’s suggestion.