Chapter 128 30.1 - Conversation
"Tch. Bastard."
"He still dares to show his face."
This has become a daily occurrence for me as I was walking in the corridors of the academy. The students were talking while looking at me with disgusted expressions.
After the incident related to the joint dungeon was solved, at least on the surface, the students had now returned to their original daily lives.
Of course, considering they are nothing but a bunch of youngsters who didn't know about life outside with the countless dangers awaiting them, their worries and the topics that they were talking about were also nothing but rubbish.
Even the fact that such rumors without any base whatsoever took ground in the academy and in their mouths showed how shallow humans or society are.
Just like a bunch of sheep that were being herded by the shepherds, most of their opinions and their thoughts were being manipulated by the environment around them, mostly stemming from the lack of critical thinking.
Though, for me, all those things or how I was being perceived didn't matter too much. From the moment I came to this academy…
No, from the moment she left, I had been alone in this world, and this probably won't change in the future.
So, for me, whatever people thought about me won't matter as long as something directly affecting my goals occurs.
THUD!
As I sat on the desk and put my books on the table, I started looking at today's lecture points. Even though I didn't care much about my notes, I also didn't want to drop out randomly, so I was putting in minimal effort.
Moreover, thanks to my traits, I was able to learn and understand the topics at a fast rate, which made it a lot easier for me to study before the class started.
[Introduction to Mana for Hunters]
This was the lesson of today.
[Study of Mana, 3rd edition, by. Alena Frostborne]
The book we were using was also written by a person who was pretty famous amongst the magic scholars.
'It was written in a clear way.'
I had been studying the subjects from this book for a while, but because I lacked the basics of mana before, I wasn't able to comprehend the complex investigation of mana shown in this book.
But that was no longer the case right now, thanks to Senior Maya's guidance. Because of that, I didn't have any difficulty studying this topic.
Just as I was reading the book, suddenly, I felt someone approaching me.
"Hey, Astron."
It was both the familiar and unfamiliar voice of the certain annoying guy.
"….."
I didn't answer and just continued reading the book, just to convey that I wasn't interested in talking with him.
"Hey, I know you can hear me."
Of course, being the annoying guy he is, he didn't back down but rather approached me more.
"Hey….."
Not being able to ignore him anymore, I raised my head and looked at the guy now sitting in the empty seat beside me.
"What is it?" I asked, clearly with the intention of displaying that I didn't want to talk. Though, the innocent smile on his face was still there.
His fluttering blue hair was now cast to the right side, giving him a quite handsome look.
'Indeed, he is the main character.'
Just up from his shoulder, I could see some girls in the class casting glances at him rapidly. Of course, considering this guy's identity and his face, it made sense.
"What did you do on the weekend?" Ethan asked.
"Just usual."
"Usual what?"
"None of your business."
"Hmm….Hmm….You are the same as usual." Ethan said, looking at me.
His face did contain slight remorse as if he was thinking about something. He was playing with his thumb, and that was something he did whenever his mind was occupied with something.
Though, reading his body didn't mean I could read his mind. "What does that even mean?" As I asked what he meant, the answer I got was
"Nothing."
this….
"Tch….Just say what you want, and don't waste my time any longer." I said, looking at him with an irritated face.
"Okay, okay."
"So?"
"I wanted to ask if you are free after the lessons today."
Hearing his question, I thought about what I was going to do. Aside from training, there wasn't much to do for me for the time being.
"I will train; why did you ask?"
"Then, how about we have a spar."
"A spar?"
"Yeah. Just like in the lessons."
"Why not wait for the practical lesson?"
"Our partners are going to change from now on."
"…I see." I didn't know how he did, but it seemed he learned that our partners would change this week's training.
"So, what do you say?"
Hearing his question, I pondered about the idea for a little. The fight I had yesterday and my progress so far.
'It is a good opportunity.'
Without fighting with others, all the training I have done would be meaningless, and I know that I am developing a lot better when I am in a combat environment.
"Fine."
"Th-"
TAK!
Just as he was about to continue, the door of the classroom opened, and the professor of the lesson entered the room.
"ATTENTION!"
He was a serious professor with a non-giving temperament.
"I will call you after classes end."
Whispering like that, Ethan left my side and returned to his own seat as the class was about to start.
"Open your books."
And, with the words of the professor, the class started.
******
After the banquet was finished, Ethan returned to the academy. However, the events of that day still kept lingering in his mind.
His fight against the Demonic Human and how strong enemies were.
The fact that even the Blackthorns were targeted by them meant no one was actually safe.
And he also understood how weak he was when he finally met someone that strong. But he also knew he learned something new.
Something inside him did change while he was fighting with that man. And, because he knew that fact, he wanted to test the change he had.
"What are you pondering about?"
At that second, Lucas' voice came beside him with his usual laughter on his face.
"Nothing."
He replied.
Ethan could easily ask Lucas for a spar, or it could be Julia. However, he knew the difference between their stats was too much for the time being. Though he was sure, he could catch up to them sooner or later.
But then again, he wanted to test himself against an opponent that he was a lot more close to.
He wanted to compete against someone like himself.
"Yeah? Is it the usual 'nothing,' or is it really nothing?" Lucas asked with a clear smirk.
"..."
"Anyway, what are you going to do now that classes end? Do you want to grab a meal?"
"No. I want to train."
"Training, huh? Are you hyped up now that yesterday you were left behind?"
"Shut up."
"….Though, it might be a good idea to train. Should we do it together?"
"No. I already promised someone else."
"Ho? Who is that someone? Should I conjugate you now that you finally found your own way?"
As Ethan heard that, he sighed, trying to hide a faint smile. Lucas always had a way of pushing his buttons, and today was no exception.
"No, not a girl," Ethan replied, his voice tinged with exasperation. "I'll be sparring with a guy."
Lucas let out a low whistle. "It is him, isn't he?" His gaze was directed at the boy, who was slowly picking his things up.
"Yes."
"Why are you this interested in him anyway?"
When that question came, Ethan also thought about it for a second, and he immediately came up with an answer.
"He is good at fighting. You saw that too, didn't you? How he knocked that guy down at that time."
"I know it, but is it all? If you were only thinking about fighting prowess, there are quite strong people around you, right? Like this lord here."
"Yeah, I get it. You are strong. Don't make it cringe."
"So? Why him?"
"Well, talking with him is quite fun."
"From my side, it doesn't look like you are talking with him, though. It is more like you are trying to chase a lady that is not interested in you. Are you into such play?"
"...."
"You need to see your expression right now."
"You also need to think about what you are saying before actually saying them, you know?"
Lucas chuckled, thoroughly enjoying his friend's exasperation. "You're right. Sometimes, I can't resist getting a reaction out of you."
Ethan shook his head and turned his attention back to the conversation. "Anyway, it's not about any kind of 'play.' He's just an interesting guy. His way of thinking, his experiences... they're different from anyone else I've met here."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued this time. "Different, huh? In what way?"
"I don't know. It is just different. I felt challenged whenever I was with him."
"Fair enough," Lucas conceded, his teasing manner fading into genuine curiosity. "So, where is he now?" As he said, he looked at where the boy was picking his things up just now, and that place was now empty. "It seems he didn't wait for you, huh?"
As if just realizing that fact, Ethan immediately stood up and started packing his things up. "Tch…You talked too much."
"It was you who couldn't get up, no?"
"Sigh….I will see you later."
With those words, Ethan stood up and started walking rapidly to the outside of the room, leaving Lucas alone.
"I guess I should play around a little."
******
Just as Ethan left the lecture building, he immediately started looking around to see clues about Astron.
'Where did he go?'
Just now, he was inside the place, so it didn't make sense that he went further just in seconds.
"You are late."
At that moment, suddenly, he heard a voice coming from his back as well as a presence made itself known.
FLINCH!
And that made Ethan flinch.
'What?'
He wasn't even able to sense Astron approaching, let alone sense any movement. It was as if he appeared out of thin air just now.
"Were you waiting here?"
"I was."
Ethan turned to face Astron, still surprised by the sudden appearance. "You're... really good at sneaking up on people, aren't you?"
He just shrugged his shoulders as the response.
"Anyway, let's not waste any time, follow me."
With those words, the two started walking in the academy grounds.
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