I Killed an Academy Player — Chapter 88: Start of Winter (3)

Chapter 88: Start of Winter (3)

Merkarva‌⁠⁠ had two exams:‌‌⁠ the interim and‍‌ the end-of-the-year exam.‌‍ People might say⁠ two exams a year was a very forgiving schedule⁠⁠‌ but this was⁠‍ because the students‍ of a guardian‍ academy tended to‍ do a lot‌‍ of practical work‍ outside.

Exam‌‌ results didn’t matter‌⁠‌ much to the‌‍ grade promotions as⁠ a guardian, so⁠‍ most of the‌‌ students that cared‌ about studying were‍ those from the‍‍ Magic Department that‍‌⁠ wanted to do‍ things other than⁠⁠ fighting.

“It’s⁠ finally going to‌ be a holiday‌ again.”

“Before⁠ that would be⁠‍ the final exam‍‍ though. Maybe you‍⁠‌ guys should study.”⁠‌

“Nah.‍⁠ Tests are there⁠ to judge your‌‍ average ability, not⁠‍⁠ your procrastination skills.”⁠

Lark‌⁠ and Jaeger were‌‍ the same as⁠ always. Well, considering‌‌ how Jaeger was‍ a Grade 3 Knight who was more than likely⁠‌ to reach Grade‌ 2 by graduation,‌ he probably didn’t⁠ care too much about test scores.‍‍

“Didn’t‌ you get pretty‍ much full marks⁠ in your interim‍‌ exam apart from⁠ the prac test?”‌‌ I asked.

“Ahk…‍‍‌ d, don’t remind⁠ me about Miss‍ Lunia…! Uhk!”

On‍ the other hand,‍‍ Lark was applying⁠ for the Tower⁠⁠‌ of Mages. Rather‌ than the prac‍‍ tests that assessed‍‍‌ one’s skills as‍⁠ a guardian, he‍‌ was the type⁠ to focus more on written exams.⁠‍

“What⁠‌‌ about you, Korin?”⁠

“Me?‌‌ Well… I guess I’m similar to‌‌ Jaeger when it⁠ comes to tests.”⁠

“Kuhahat!‌ Right? I’m telling‌⁠ you, tests are‌ supposed to assess‌‌‌ what we know‌ already. There’s no‌ need to study‌ for them!”

“You‌‌ say that, but you both got‌‌ stomped in your‌‌ previous test didn’t‌‌ you?”

“If⁠‍ you bring that‍⁠‌ up… I guess‌‌ there’s nothing for‍‍ me to say‍ in return.”

I was overly reliant⁠⁠‌ on my memories⁠‍ of the previous iteration when sitting‌ the last exam‌‌‌ and went horribly.‌ It was only‌ thanks to getting‌‍ full marks plus‌⁠ some extra points‍‍ during the prac‍⁠ test against Lunia‍⁠ Arden that I landed somewhere between‍ average to high-performing‍ students. 60 out‌ of 400 or‌ something like that.‍

The⁠ prac tests were⁠‍‍ definitely very important. I was wondering‍‌ who the prac‍⁠ test instructor would‌‍ be for this‍‌ exam when Alicia⁠ spoke to me⁠ after packing her‌‍ bag.

“Mr.‍‌ Korin.”

“Oh,‍ hey. You look⁠‌ nice in that coat.”

“Uhihi, right? I made⁠⁠ up my mind‍ and went for‍‍ it. It’s winter‍‌‌ after all.”

Alicia‌‍‌ was wearing her‍‌‍ martial uniform with‌ a coat on‌⁠⁠ top, and honestly,⁠‌ it looked pretty‍⁠ sick.

“I’m‌⁠ going to get‍ some desserts. Would‍ you like to‌‌⁠ come with me?‍‍‌ It’s a new⁠⁠ place but it⁠ feels a bit weird to go‍‌ there by myself.”⁠

“Are⁠⁠⁠ you buying it?”‌

“Do‍ you want me‍ to?”

“Nah,‍ don’t worry about⁠ it. I’ll pay.”‌

Although⁠‍ it was very‍ sudden, there weren’t any things scheduled⁠⁠ for today, so‍‌‌ I decided that⁠‌ having a meal‌⁠ downtown wouldn’t be‍‍‍ a bad option.⁠‍‌ While I was⁠ at it, I could also check⁠ how the hotel‍ was faring in‍ the auction.

“Korin-oppa.‍ Can I come‌ with you?”

That⁠‌ was when Hua‍‌ Ran in her‌ Ran mode expressed‍‌‍ her will to‌‌⁠ enter the group‌ with a smile‍‍ on her face.‌

“The⁠‍ more the merrier.”‌ It seemed that‍‌⁠ Alicia wasn’t against‍‌ it and said⁠⁠ that without raising‍ any objections.

“…”⁠⁠⁠

“…”‍⁠

Jaeger⁠‍ and Lark, who‌‌ had been chatting‍ about holidays and⁠⁠ final exams, suddenly started gazing at‍‌‍ me with narrowed‍⁠ eyes. They were‌ my friends but⁠ sometimes, I had‍‍‌ a feeling that‌ their eyes were‍⁠ a bit too‍ cold.

“Huu…‌‌ I know this⁠ is not that⁠‌⁠ nice of a thing to do,‍ but…”

“Yeah.‍ This is getting‌ a bit annoying.”⁠⁠

The⁠ two of them‍ came to a mutual understanding without⁠ even saying anything‍‌ and raised their‍‌ hands up at‌ the same time.⁠‌

“We⁠ want to go⁠ as well.”

“We‍ can pay for⁠ ourselves…!”

“I‍ told you it’s⁠‍‌ on me already.”⁠‌

After⁠ Hua Ran was⁠‍ Jaeger and Lark,‌ but that wasn’t even the end.‍⁠

“Korinnn~.‍ Are you done⁠‌ with your lesson?”

Another‍ celebrity hopped her‌ way into the‍‍ lecture room. Marie⁠‍ came immediately after‍‍ her own lesson and approached us‍ while waving her‍‌‍ hand.

She appeared very regularly‌ in our classes⁠⁠ these days so the other freshmen‌ students didn’t seem‌ to think much‌‌‍ of it.

“Senior⁠⁠⁠ Marie. We’re going‌‌ to go downtown‍‌ to a dessert⁠‍ store called… What‍‍‌ was it called again?”

“Belzeana? Something like that!‌‍‌ I only saw‍‌‌ the flier this morning as well.”‌

“Yes.‍⁠‌ Anyway, we’re going‍‌ there. Would you‌⁠ like to come‌‍ with us?”

“Of course! Doggo likes⁠ cakes as well!”⁠⁠

There were six people‌‍ now including Marie.‍‌ Everything was good⁠‍⁠ because there was‌⁠‍ nothing bad about⁠‍ having more people.‌

– I’m so jealous,‌⁠ man.

– Dude, let go.‍ Shit, let go…!‌‍‍

– Hold your horses‍ buddy. You know⁠‌ you’re just gonna‌ get demolished anyway.

– Sometimes…! There are times when we,‌‌‍ men, just have‌ to go in‌ even if we‌ know we’ll lose!⁠⁠

My⁠⁠ peers that were looking at our‍ group… more like me, had deep‍ frowns on their⁠ faces. Kuhum… I know, guys. I know.

****⁠⁠

Even‌ though we were‍ out for dessert,‌ it was about⁠‌ to be winter⁠ very soon so‍ we had to‍ look for winter‌ equipment as well‍‌ because the road‌ back home without‌‌ coats and winter‌‍ clothes was going‍‌‌ to be hellish.⁠

Naturally,‌‍ our group went⁠ shopping together as⁠ well.

“Korin-oppa.⁠‍‍ Korin-oppa.”

Hearing‍ the word, ‘oppa’⁠⁠ that sounded delightful‍‍⁠ no matter how‌ many times I heard it, I had to force⁠ my lips to⁠ stay down.

“What⁠ is it?”

“I‍⁠ have a question.⁠ Knights and mages‌ use aura and‌ mana to protect their bodies all‍ the time, right?”‌

“Yeah.”⁠‍

“So‌ why do you‍‍⁠ need to use‌‍ winter equipment? Like,‍⁠ I’m not feeling‌ any cold.”

Hua‍ Ran, who was⁠⁠⁠ wearing nun clothes‍‍ of the New‌⁠‍ Faith, probably couldn’t‍‌‌ expect much protection‌‌ against the cold‍ from her clothes either, because the⁠⁠⁠ sides of her‌‍ clothes were open‍‍ for air to‌⁠ seep in.

“It‌‌‌ takes aura and⁠ mana to block the heat and‌‍ the cold, and‍ those get consumed‌ as well. When‌‌‍ it’s fully winter,‌⁠ the consumption rate‍‌‍ would skyrocket.”

“Aha~‌‌ I see. There‌ are a lot⁠ of different coats, right?”

“Generally‍‍ we use the‍‍ hides and furs‌‍ of demonic beasts.⁠‍ The cheap and‌‌ cost-efficient ones are⁠ the ones from hounds but I don’t really recommend⁠ them because they⁠ stink. I would⁠ recommend these ones here.”

“Wahh~. You’re so knowledgeable,‌ oppa!”

She⁠ smiled and reacted‍ to every single‌ sentence of mine,‌ and made it extremely fun to‌‍ explain things to her.

“…”⁠

Meanwhile,‌ Marie stared at⁠ her with a strange look from‌ the side.

Jaeger‍‍ and Lark also‌ added a few sentences.

“Oh right, Hua Ran.‍‍ Have you bought‌ a hat?”

“That’s⁠ a new night‌⁠ vision tool that‌‌ the Tower of‌ Mages put on‍ the market. That’ll‍ be a good⁠‌ buy.”

“Ah, okay. Mister Hinzpeter.⁠‌ Mister Buhgman.”

She‍⁠ looked a bit‌ cold when talking‍⁠ to the two‍‌ of them, but maybe that was just me.

– Nom nom.

When we went to‍⁠ the dessert store,‍‌ Alicia finally sparked‌ back to life⁠ while focusing on the dessert. She⁠‌ was probably the⁠‌‌ one who was⁠‍⁠ living a life‍‌ that was closest to peers of‌ her age.

“T,⁠ this chocolate mousse‌ is remarkable!”

“Have⁠‌⁠ you never tried‍‍ it in the⁠ east?”

“It’s⁠‌ in the countryside after all! There‌ weren’t any dessert stores in our‍ town so we‍⁠ had to make‍ them in our‍‌⁠ kitchen!”

How⁠ countryside was it…? I had gone⁠‌‍ to the east a few times‌ for several quests,‍⁠ but the Arden⁠‍ household itself wasn’t‌ related to the⁠‍ main scenario so‍ I wasn’t that‍ familiar with them.‌

“Korin…!⁠‌ Have a try‌ of—-”

“Oppa,‍ try this. Looks⁠ like they put‍ honey on a thin layer of‍‌‍ flour and cooked⁠ it!”

“Ohh.⁠⁠ Is that a crepe?”

“Looks‍‌ like a rolled‍‌ omelette, right?”

“It‍ does.”

I scooped up a part of the‍‍‌ cake recommended by⁠‌ Hua Ran. After‍ eating it, I turned to the‌ side and asked.‌‌‌

“Senior⁠⁠ Marie. Were you‍ about to say‍⁠ something?”

“…Nothing.”⁠

She‍⁠ replied while fidgeting‍‍ with the strawberry⁠⁠ cake in front⁠ of her. That⁠ was when Hua Ran stood up‌ from her seat‍ with a smile⁠‌ and reached out‍‌‍ to Marie with⁠ me in the‌ center.

“Unni.‌ Can I try‍ that strawberry cake?”‍

Then‍ Hua Ran’s nape‌ almost grazed my nose as she lowered her head‌‌‌ past me. A nice fragrance of⁠ lilac seeped into⁠‍ my nose. It⁠‍ seemed that she‌⁠‍ was wearing perfume.⁠

“U,‍‍ un…”

With a poke, Hua‌ Ran picked up⁠⁠ a tiny piece of the cake with her fork, that was as⁠‍⁠ small as a grain of rice. Was there even⁠ meaning in eating just that much?‌⁠

“Hehe.”⁠

While⁠ Hua Ran was‌‍‌ going back, she⁠ looked at me‍‌‌ and gave a bright smile.

After‍ some time, a beautiful array of‍‍ desserts was carried‍‍ to our table⁠‌⁠ on a 3 tier trolley.

“Huh?⁠‍ Who ordered a freaking mint chocolate⁠‍ cake?”

“Me.”⁠‌‍

“Ah,‍ Senior Marie. Here you go.”

Marie‌⁠ picked up the⁠‍ mint chocolate cake⁠ from the tray before putting it⁠‌ in front of⁠ me.

“Korin.‌ You like mint‍‍ chocolate, right?”

“Of‍ course.”

Mint⁠⁠‍ chocolate… was the‍ best. It was‍‌⁠ a shame that‍‌ there were some‍‌ evil forces that‌ defamed something this‍ tasty and called‍‌ it toothpaste-flavor.

There was a time⁠⁠⁠ when I had⁠⁠ gone to an⁠⁠⁠ ice cream store with Marie and‌‌⁠ mentioned that I had been eating‍‍ nothing but mint chocolate ice cream⁠ for over 20‍ years. It seemed‌⁠ that she still⁠ remembered that.

“…”‌‍

Everyone⁠‌‌ looked at me⁠‍ after Marie said‌ that but she‍‌ continued on by‌‌ putting a mint chocolate flavored macaron‍ in front of‌⁠ me. She knew‍ me too well.‍

“Hmm…‌‍ Korin-oppa likes mint⁠ chocolate, huh.”

“Yeah⁠‍ I do. What‍‍‍ about you, Hua‌ Ran? Do you‌ want to try?⁠ It does depend⁠ a lot on⁠ your preference, but‌⁠⁠ there are a lot of people‌⁠ that love it.”‌‌⁠

“I‍⁠⁠ do want to‍ try.”

Despite‌‌ saying that, Hua‍ Ran stayed still‌‍‌ while deeply staring⁠‍ into my eyes.‍⁠⁠ Without even touching⁠ her fork, she‌ stared at me‍‌ with a wide⁠ smile on her face.

Was‌‍⁠ she… asking me‍‌‌ to feed her?⁠‍

It‌⁠ didn’t feel right‍ to leave her‌⁠‍ be so I sliced a part⁠⁠‌ of the mint‍‍‍ chocolate cake as⁠ Hua Ran went,⁠⁠ ‘Ah~’ while adorably‌‍‌ opening her small⁠ lips. Right when⁠ I was about‌ to move the⁠‌ fork, a mint⁠‍ chocolate macaron entered⁠‍ her mouth.

“…!!”‌

Hua Ran, who had‌ been waiting for‍‍ my mint chocolate⁠‌ cake with her⁠ eyes closed, immediately‌ opened her eyes.⁠⁠ The one who‌ shoved macaron into⁠‌ her mouth was‌‌ none other than⁠‍ Marie.

“This⁠‍ one’s also mint⁠ chocolate flavored.”

“…”⁠

Tasting⁠ the mint chocolate‍ macaron in her⁠ mouth, Hua Ran‍ returned a smile.⁠‌‌

“It’s‍ very delicious, Sister‍‌‌ Marie.”

“Right?⁠ Do you want‍ more? Sister Hua Ran?”

“Haha. I’m okay.”

“What‍‌ a shame. Did you not like‌⁠ it?”

“Of‍‍ course not.”

They‌ were both smiling…‌ but their eyes‌⁠‍ weren’t.

Those⁠ cold smiles stayed⁠ on their faces⁠ for numerous seconds‌‍ until I raised‍‌‌ a teapot and‌‌ filled up their‍ empty cups.

Naturally,⁠ the two of them turned towards‌⁠ me.

“Kuhum.⁠ Looked like your⁠ cups were empty.”‌⁠

“Thank‌⁠ you, Korin.”

“Thank‌ you so much,‌‌ oppa.”

“You’re‌ welcome.”

I then realized that⁠ Jaeger and Lark‌ were staring at‍ me with a strange look in‍ their eyes so‌ I jokingly told‍ them off for⁠‌ a change of‌ mood.

“It’s‍ common sense to⁠‌‍ fill these up‍ whenever possible, guys.⁠⁠ Don’t you know⁠ the etiquette of⁠ a gentleman?”

“…‍ Right.”

“Very⁠ smooth, I see.”⁠‌

I was born and raised in a Confucian society, so‍ setting up cutleries‌‌ and filling cups‍ with water was‍ a part of⁠⁠ my everyday life.‌‍

In‍‍ any case, although‌‍‌ we all came⁠ to the dessert‍ store together, there‌‌ were 6 of‍ us so it‍‍‍ was natural for‍‍ everyone to chat‍‌ about different topics‌‌ with the people‍ sitting next to‌ them.

“Dude,‍ look at my‌ arm.”

Pulling⁠⁠ back his sleeve,⁠ Jaeger bragged about⁠ his full biceps‍⁠ as Lark exclaimed⁠ in admiration after⁠ touching it.

“That’s⁠ quite impressive actually.”⁠

“I⁠ am a knight‍⁠ after all. You‍ should work out‍ as well.”

“But‌‍ I’m a mage.”‍

“Stamina⁠ is key to‍⁠ everything! Don’t you‍‌ know?”

“And⁠ actually…” Lark added.⁠ “I do have‍‍ a fair bit⁠ of muscles as‌‌ well, okay?”

Lark‍⁠ pulled back the‌‌ sleeves of his robe. Jaeger was‌⁠⁠ about to sneer‍ after seeing those‍ measly muscles but‌‍ that was when‍⁠ Hua Ran suddenly⁠ grabbed onto my⁠⁠⁠ wrist.

“Wow.⁠ Oppa, your arm’s⁠‍ so hard.”

Her‌ soft palms traveled‌ across my arm.⁠‌‍

“Haha,⁠ I’m glad you found out. This‍‌ is the type‍⁠ of muscle you‌ get after training‍⁠ for 8 hours‌⁠⁠ every day. Huaahp…!”⁠

I flexed my arms,⁠⁠ allowing Hua Ran⁠‌‍ to touch the⁠⁠⁠ bulky biceps and‌ triceps.

“Wahh~‌⁠‌ this is amazing! It’s as big‌‍‍ and tough as‍ a piece of‌‌ rock!”

Unlike Hua, Ran had exceptional reactions and‌ it felt great⁠‌ to show off‍‌⁠ to her.

“Kuhk…‍⁠ I do have‍‌ to admit that⁠⁠ stupid Ko does have better muscles.”‍‌

“…Maybe‍ I should work‍⁠‌ out as well.”‌⁠

The‌ two of them‌‍‍ accepted their defeat.⁠‍ Putting aside Jaeger,‌‍ Lark really did⁠‌ need to do‍‍ some exercise. He‌⁠ wasn’t even going⁠‌ to be able⁠‍ to climb the⁠ stairs of the‍‍ Tower of Mages‍ at this rate.⁠

“Wow~.‍⁠ Your muscles feel like a piece⁠‍ of rock with‌ steel implanted inside.”‍‍

As‍ if deeply intrigued,⁠⁠ Hua Ran stroked⁠ my arm all‍⁠⁠ the way from‌‌ my wrist. I was confident that‍ I would immediately‍ get shit on⁠‌‌ if we did arm wrestling right‌ now, so it⁠‌ felt kind of⁠‌ odd to hear‍ that from her.‌

“K,‍ kuhum…!”

Someone⁠ gave an empty cough from the‌⁠ side – it‍ was Marie.

“H,⁠‌ Hua Ran? Umm…‌ don’t you think‍ you’re being too‍ improper as a girl? And Korin‌ seems troubled as‌ well.”

Hearing⁠ that, Hua Ran‍⁠ seemed surprised. After‌ carefully letting go‍ of my arm,‌‍ she asked with‍‌ an extremely apologetic⁠ look on her⁠‌ face.

“Really?‍ Was it annoying‍‍ for me to‌‌ touch you, oppa?”‍

“H,⁠ huhh? No? Not…‍‌⁠ really.”

“Thank⁠ goodness! I was⁠ worried that might‍ have put you⁠‍ in a bad⁠⁠‌ mood.”

She‌ started stroking my arm again with‌ a faint smile on her lips‍ but for some‍ reason, it felt⁠ like she was⁠ staring past my⁠ face…

“Umm,‌ do you like⁠‍ muscles?”

“Yes.‍ I ‘love’… them.”⁠⁠‍

…We’re‌ talking about muscles⁠⁠ right?

I could feel a piercing gaze staring⁠ at the back⁠‍ of my head.⁠‌

………⁠

………‍

………⁠‌

We⁠ had ourselves the⁠‍ third dessert as well as a new type of⁠‍ black tea and‌ yet the air around our table was still very⁠ heavy.

‘Why?’⁠‌ one might ask.‌‍ Why was it⁠‌‍ so heavy?

“You‍‌ have a potato⁠ farm? Do you have potato cakes⁠⁠ as well then?”⁠

“We‌⁠ do. We put‍ them in a pan and bake‍‌ them in the‍⁠ oven.”

“Ah~.⁠⁠ But that’s a bit different from actual cakes, no?”⁠

“We‍⁠ call that a cake though! So‍ it’s a cake!”‌‍

“I⁠ guess, if you⁠ say so~”

“Eeek…!”‌‍

At‍⁠ this point, even‍‌ I could tell‌ that there was a war of‍‍ nerves happening between⁠‍ Marie and Hua‌⁠⁠ Ran, which had‍ started from who⁠ knows when.

“K,‍ kuhum… let me‌ go to the‌‍ bathroom real quick.”

“Oh yes. Me too…!”⁠‌⁠

“Ah,‌ I have a stomachache…”

When⁠⁠ I started it⁠ off, Jaeger and‍ Lark nonchalantly stood‍ up to follow‌⁠‍ me to the‌⁠ bathroom. I sent⁠ a gaze to‍‌ Alicia but she hesitated between me‍ and the new cake and ended‌ up missing the‍‌ golden opportunity.

After⁠ leaving the table,‌‌ we stopped at‍‌ the corridor of‌‌ the building for⁠‍ a chat.

“Hah~.‍ Did they fight‌‍ or something?”

“I‍‍ swear, you are‌ the worst fucking person out there.”‌‍‍

“I⁠‌⁠ agree. You freaking‍⁠‍ gold-digger.”

What⁠ is wrong with⁠ you guys now?‌⁠

****‍

‘…Heavy.’‍

Alicia soon regretted not⁠‍ following the boys.

She,⁠ who had been‌⁠ too focused on‍‌ the new cake,⁠‌ belatedly noticed that‌ the air had‍ shifted tremendously.

“Heeh~‌ I see. So‍ your house is⁠‍ in the countryside⁠⁠ with a lot⁠‍‌ of fresh air,⁠‌ huh? Very different⁠⁠‌ from us.”

“Of⁠‌⁠ course. A forest‌ with great water‍⁠ and a nice view is much⁠ better than a place reeking of‌⁠⁠ domestic animals, right?”‍

They‌‌ were clearly chatting‍‌ with a smile⁠⁠ but their eyes‌⁠ weren’t smiling.

“Unlike‌⁠ Hua, you’re very⁠⁠ cute aren’t you,‍ Ran?”

“Really?⁠⁠ Oppa often calls‌ me cute as‍⁠‌ well.”

“Is‍ that so? Ahaha~‍‌‌ I’m so jealous.⁠ He only tells‍ me I’m pretty‌ and beautiful.”

“Hmm~.”‌

‘S,‍ somebody. Please get‍ me away from‍ this place!’

She‍‍ couldn’t even swallow⁠ the cake anymore so instead, she‌ used her trembling‍ pair of hands⁠⁠ to drink some⁠ tea. Even after⁠ coming this far,‍‌ Alicia still didn’t⁠ know why the⁠‍ two of them⁠ were on their‍ toes, having a sharp war of‍⁠ nerves between them.⁠

“Haha…”‌⁠

How‌ many times have‌⁠ they stabbed each‌‌ other with words?‌ Without showing any⁠‌‍ of her discontentment‌ on her face,‌ Marie tilted the‍ teapot over her‌ cup.

– Crack…!

“Huahk…”‍

The⁠ stream of tea‍ froze in real-time‍‌ in front of⁠⁠‌ Alicia’s eyes. It‍‌ appeared like a frozen waterfall.

“Oh‌ my, Sister. It’s⁠ not going to‍ taste nice if‍ you drink it‍⁠ that cold.”

“What⁠⁠ do you… uht?!”‌

Marie⁠‍⁠ was surprised upon‌ seeing that the⁠ tea had frozen‍ in her grip.‌‌‍

“…”⁠

“…”‍

‘Ah…‌ no more cake‍ nor tea.’

Alicia‍‍ sweated profusely while‌⁠ tapping her empty⁠ plate. Their tongues‌⁠ and eyes were‍⁠‍ sharp like blades‍‍ for some unknown⁠ reason.

“L,‌‍⁠ let me go‌‍ to the bathroom⁠ as well…”

“Alicia,⁠ sit.”

“Sit down, Alicia.”

“Yep,‌ okay.”

After Alicia sat back⁠ down on her⁠ chair, Marie and⁠ Hua Ran looked at each other⁠‍ for a very‍‌ long time. It⁠ was Hua Ran⁠ who broke the⁠ silence.

“Sister.⁠‍ You don’t like‍ me, do you?”‍

Ah…‍ so the real‌ sword wasn’t even⁠⁠‍ out yet, huh?‍

“Hnn.‌ Of course not.‌ I like all‌‌ of Korin’s ‘friends’.‌ Maybe you were⁠‍⁠ misunderstanding something.”

“That’s‍⁠ great. I thought‌‌ you hated me,⁠ Sister.”

So‌ heavy.

In‍ Alicia’s mind, both⁠ Hua Ran and⁠ Marie were like‌ small and harmless⁠ animals. Hua Ran⁠‍‌ was an indifferent‌ type whereas Marie‍ was a 2nd-year⁠‍ Senior that was‌‌ kind to everyone.⁠ They were like a lofty cat‌ and an energetic dog respectively.

But now, it felt‍ like a battle‌‍ between a panther‍ and a wolf.‌⁠

“What do you think,‍‌⁠ Alicia?”

“Yes?⁠ Sorry? Me? I, is this about‍‌ the desertification of‌ the east?”

“No.”‍

“B,‍‍ because I don’t‌‍ think it will‍ turn into a full desert until‍‌‍ the day of⁠ my death.”

“Alicia.”‍

“S,‌ seriously! I’ve been‍ to a place⁠‍‌ that was already⁠‍ turning into a desert but compared⁠ to that place, the east isn’t‌ that warm!”

“Alicia.‌ Please focus.”

“O,⁠ okay… Umm, how‌ about we be‌‍ nice without fighting…”‍‌

““We’re‌‌ not fighting though?””‌‍‌

“…I‍ think you are.”⁠‌⁠

“Alicia…!”‌

“Yes…!‌⁠⁠ Of course! Of course you’re not‍‍⁠ fighting!”

They‍‌ were smiling while‍ stabbing each other‌‌ with invisible swords.‌ What were they⁠‍ doing if not‍ fighting?

Sweet words were leaving⁠ their mouths but there was a serpent waiting inside⁠‌‍ their bellies.

“Besides,‌ why would I not like Hua⁠ Ran? It’s all thanks to you‌ anyway.”

“…What‌ do you mean?”‌‌

“Don’t‍ you remember what‌ happened at the⁠⁠‍ hunting grounds? You‍ pushed me back⁠‌‍ right? And I couldn’t do anything‍‌ because I was‍ limited to ‘elemental‌ spells’ only.”

“…”

Hua⁠ Ran couldn’t catch‌ on to what‌‍ she was trying‌‌ to say but⁠ regardless, Marie continued⁠ with a bright‌ smile.

“It’s⁠‍ because of that‍‌ that I awakened‍‍‍ into a vampire‍‌‍ you see. Thanks⁠⁠‌ to that, Korin⁠ came to help‍ me and our‌‍ relationship developed this‍‍‌ much thanks to⁠‌ that so… Yep!‍ I would have to thank you‌‌⁠ for what you⁠⁠⁠ did!”

“…”⁠⁠

A crack appeared on‍⁠ Hua Ran’s smile.⁠‍

“It’s‍‍‍ thanks to you‍ that ‘our’ Korin‌‌ also came to‍ my house and⁠ greeted my parents!‌ Thank you!”

“You⁠ shouldn’t thank me‍‌ for that. That’s⁠⁠ far from having‌‌ your marriage permitted⁠‌ right? I already‍‌ have the permission from the family‍⁠ lord of our household to marry Korin ‘oppa’.”

“Eeek…!”

“…Tch.”

Alicia⁠‌‍ had trouble breathing⁠‌ properly. What was‌‌‍ wrong with the‍ two of them? Why couldn’t they‍ be nice to each other?

“Hmph.⁠ Well, I will⁠‍‌ go to the‍‌‌ south again with‌⁠ Korin this winter.‍ I have a few hot springs.⁠ Korin needs to‌ have some rest‍ at a good hot spring.”

“Really?‌‍ I’m going to‍ invite Korin-oppa out‌ to Chapel Zeon. There, he can‌ get blessed by‍‌ the Saintess. A blessing from the‌ Saintess is going⁠‍ to be a lot better than‍‍ a stinky hot⁠ spring.”

“Umm,‌‌ Mr. Korin said⁠ he would be⁠‌ coming to my house though…”

““????””‍⁠

Their‌⁠‍ eyes turned with‍‍ a frightening flick,‍ as Marie and⁠ Hua Ran glared at Alicia with⁠ a blazing pair‌ of eyes.

“Alicia.‍‌⁠ What did you‍‌ say?”

“Uhh…‍‍ M, Mr. Korin said he had⁠ something to do‍ in the east…⁠‍ He said we‌‍ would form a party… and watch‍‌⁠ the Solar Eclipse‍ together… Did he‍‍ not say anything‌ to you?”

Facing⁠ the burning eyes‌‌ of the two‍ people who felt⁠‍ like they had⁠⁠ been dogs barking‌ up the wrong‍⁠ tree, Alicia wanted‌ to faint if‌‍ possible.