Chapter 257 Resolving problems with Elise? (III)
(POV: Lumiere)
In the southern clearing, just outside the bustling Aldnoah Magic University, Ophelia stood with poise, her eyes fixed on the group of students engrossed in their training.
Clad in sleek black tracksuits, their attire seemed to possess a touch of modern elegance, undoubtedly the handiwork of Lucretia.
The emblem of the university gleamed proudly on the left breast pocket of their uniforms.
Anastasia, her breasts rising and falling with exertion, could be seen panting as she struggled through her push-ups.
Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead, as she grumbled.
"I'm a Cleric class, why do I have to do this much physical exercise... Isn't jogging in the morning enough?!"
Luna countered her complaints with a calm stare.
"Anastasia, just because your class doesn't demand much physically, doesn't mean you should neglect it entirely. Plus, push-ups aren't really that hard..."
As if to demonstrate, Luna performed her push-ups with lightning speed, her movements swift and precise.
Anastasia, still panting heavily, retorted, "Easy for you to say, Luna. Your demon heritage gives you an advantage in strength."
Luna raised an eyebrow, a combination of smugness and seriousness crossing her face.
"Don't make silly excuses, Ana. You can still improve and become stronger, regardless of your class."
Lumila, the epitome of calm, executed her push-ups methodically, her grace contrasting with the physical strain.
She chimed in, "Luna's right, Anastasia. Although her demon heritage does give her an edge, we can all work at our own pace to become better."
Luna, a proud smirk gracing her lips, quipped, "Exactly, Lumila! Why would that even be a discussion?"
Eh, maybe because you were doing one-armed push-ups!!
Lumila, her quick push-ups completed effortlessly, gave Luna a blank stare before simply shrugging it off and continuing with her exercises.
Despite her own exhaustion, Lumila seemed unfazed, not even a drop of sweat forming on her serene visage.
Oh yeah, at the time I was hiding in the bushes.
My gaze shifted towards Elise.
"Jeez..."
She struggled, barely able to lift her arms to perform even a single push-up.
The effort seemed arduous.
Lumila was doing perfectly, and like before, Elise was struggling.
I watched from my hiding spot in the thick bushes as Elise struggled to lift her arms, her face contorted with strain.
Could I even say she was exhausted? I mean, she hadn't even done one push-up...
"She's really 'pushing' herself," I mumbled to myself.
A small giggle escaped my mouth.
For some reason I found my unintended pun funny— Hm, no one ever understood my humor.
Besides Serena.
"I really miss her..."
Just as I thought I successfully concealed myself, Ophelia's sharp gaze suddenly caught my small rustle in the bushes.
"Crap," I cursed softly under my breath, realizing my cover had been blown.
Ophelia briefly diverted her attention towards me, but quickly turned her sights back to the students.
"Phew, she didn't notice me," I sighed in relief.
Her scrutiny was intense, but I survived...
Little did I know, Ophelia had other plans in mind.
Swiftly and effortlessly, she transformed the sword she held into a magnificent blue and gold scythe.
That was her [Matter Reorganization] skill.
With a powerful throw, the scythe soared through the air, hurtling straight towards me in the bushes.
"Guess she did notice me after all," I muttered, a sigh following after.
Reacting quickly, I employed the technique known as [Flash Step], vanishing from my spot in an instant.
The scythe whizzed past me, its trajectory slicing a deep path through the dense forest.
Trees, one after another, fell with a resounding crash, as the force of the scythe's throw carved a devastating path.
"Holy crap!" I exclaimed, wide-eyed as I watched the destruction the scythe caused.
It seemed like Ophelia had managed to cut down at least twenty-six trees in one fell swoop.
Her physical strength was no joke.
Still, I'd never checked it before.
Ophelia, her eyes fixed on my black blur, confidently called me out.
"Reveal yourself."
Slowly, I turned to face her.
"Jeez, were you trying to take off my head?" I told her.
As our eyes met, her face turned a deep shade of red, her pointy ears twitching in surprise. "L... Lu... Lumiere?!" she stammered, clearly caught off guard by my presence.
I never understood Ophelia.
She was always so confident, but around me it was a different case.
At least, when we first met, she was like her usual self— confident.
Unbeknownst to Ophelia, the scythe had already made its way back towards her, like a boomerang.
So engrossed was she in looking at me that she let it fly past her.
Then there was an abrupt scream by Ruri.
With a horrifying thud, the scythe lodged itself into the earth, inches away from Ruri's vulnerable body.
"RURI!"
Reacting on instinct, Luna immediately abandoned her push-ups and rushed to Ruri's side.
She enveloped Ruri in a protective embrace, her arms comforting and secure.
"Ruri, are you alright? Oh, hells..." Luna's voice trembled with worry, her fingers lightly assessing Ruri's well-being.
But the pale pallor on Ruri's face spoke volumes, revealing the immense fear that pulsed through her veins. She peered down at the ground between her spread legs, realization sinking in that the scythe would have mercilessly sliced through her pus— in-between her legs had she not been fortunate.
Momentarily distracted from my relief that Ruri was unharmed, Aidan halted his own push-ups and adjusted his glasses.
A thoughtful frown creased his forehead.
"I truly don't understand the caliber of teachers we have here," he mused aloud.
Lumila, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.
With some exasperation, she chimed in, "Tell me about it. It's like they have no concept of safety or basic instruction."
Meanwhile, Lance, who was lounging in the shade beside a snoring Grome, finally stirred from his relaxed state as he caught wind of the conversation.
His mirror in hand, he approached Lumila.
Lance's smooth voice caressed the air as he quipped, "Well, Lumila, I must say, your beauty is one thing they certainly can't dispute. It 'almost' rivals my own, wouldn't you agree?"
Caught off guard, Lumila blinked.
She wasn't surprised, no.
She was unsure how to respond to Lance's unexpected compliment.
"Uh, thank you?"
Since I've known her, that's the nicest thing she's said.
My attention shifted back to Ophelia, concern etched itself onto my features.
It's like she didn't even know what was going on.
"Ophelia? You alright?"
This noisy elf, always so weird.
Her face still flushed with embarrassment, she stammered out a response, "I... I... I'm fine..."
However, her trembling expression betrayed her true state.
Ignoring her protests, I closed the distance between us, gently placing the back of my palm against her burning forehead.
The moment my touch connected with her skin, she recoiled, averting her gaze.
"I SAID I'M FINE!!"
Ah yes, that's the noise we all know and hate.
A trace of steam escaped from her head.
Unwavering, I persisted, genuinely worried about her.
"Are you sure you're alright, Ophelia?" I asked, my gaze searching her face for any signs of distress.
She mumbled something incoherent, her ears twitching nervously.
It was Luna who broke the tense silence. "Professor Ophelia! Your scythe, it almost split Ruri in two!"
"My life... Flashed before my... Eyes..." Ruri spoke, anorexically.
Confusion painted Ophelia's face as she echoed, "My scythe?"
Her words remained unanswered until she finally realized it herself.
"OH NO!!"
Without a moment's hesitation, she darted towards Ruri.
"Ruri! Are you alright?!"
Ruri, still visibly shaken, stuttered out a response, "I... I'll... I'll live..."
Just as the events unfolded, Anastasia gracefully approached my side, standing tall with her hands elegantly folded. Her hair was artfully tied in a bun, and the beads of sweat that trickled down her forehead and neck only served to enhance her natural beauty.
It was weirdly, stimulating...
The way her delicate body perspired... Jeez, what's wrong with you Lumiere...
Casting a concerned gaze towards Luna, Ophelia, and Ruri, she turned to me. "What's happening here?" she asked, her eyes searching mine for an explanation.
Caught off guard, I blinked in surprise.
Shouldn't I be the one asking that?
"Huh?"
Her question hung in the air, and it took a moment for me to gather my thoughts.
She pressed further. "I mean, why did you come here?"
"Oh, that..." I said, underwhelmed.
"Yes, that..."
"It's because of Elise, I have a plan to restore her confidence..."
That's if she had one to begin with.
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