Alphs' pupils darted around wildly, as if there had been an earthquake.
After calming down, she asked,
"Uh, how long have you been here...?"
"About five minutes ago,"
Theo replied matter-of-factly.
Alphs cautiously observed him.
Being watchful had become a habit for her.
Yet, he maintained an impassive face, unreadable in emotion.
What should she say now?
"......"
"......"
But neither of them spoke first.
Theo was conserving his words for strategic reasons, while Alphs, despite having a mountain of things to say, was too busy being cautious.
Eventually, Alphs, unable to bear the silence, broke it first.
"Uh... Theo. You asked me to come here at this time during the [Night of Light], so here I am-"
"That's right."
"What is this about...?"
After speaking, Alphs immediately checked Theo's reaction, worried he might not say what she was hoping for.
But her worry was short-lived, as Theo soon spoke.
"Alphs, I want to be with you."
"......What?"
"Hmm, did I say that too broadly?"
Still sitting elegantly on the bench, Theo continued.
"Alphs Shupiri, I, Theo Lyn Waldeurk, want to recruit you as my Aide."
"......!"
Alphs' eyes widened in surprise.
She had guessed Theo might propose such a thing, considering the purpose of the [Night of Light].
But it was surprising that Theo directly confirmed the speculation she had been avoiding, especially since it was something she had longed for but never achieved.
Alphs quickly tried to manage her expression, but ingrained habits don't easily fade away.
She stuttered,
"Why, why... would you, Theo, want someone like me...?"
Her naturally submissive demeanor surfaced.
At that, Theo frowned.
'It's clear she has a severe issue with confidence. It's unbelievable that someone with such incredible potential is like this.'
Theo didn't like Alphs' attitude.
He himself was reincarnated into a character named Theo, a completely potential-less, bottom-tier character, constantly struggling.
'But still, Alphs is an undeniable talent that must be recruited.'
Feelings of inferiority arose, but Theo decided to endure them.
'No, this isn't right. Such emotions aren't good.'
He resolved to accept reality as it is.
'Let's just focus on the goal.'
Theo firmly met Alphs' eyes and asked,
"Is a reason really necessary?"
"......"
There was no response.
Theo gazed at the silent Alphs, who seemed very anxious, as if needing a proper reason.
But it was nonsensical to blurt out, 'I've transmigrated into this world, and in the future, you will become a strong character due to your unleashed potential~'.
Theo quickly thought and came up with an appropriate response.
"To be honest, I see myself in you."
"......What??"
Alphs asked back, her face showing utter confusion.
However, Theo had successfully caught her interest.
......Theo intuitively felt that emotional appeal, rather than logical persuasion, would work better on her.
"My current class rank is 181 out of 200. But in reality, there aren't 19 people behind me. Thanks to the large backing of the Waldeurk family, even if I was ranked 200th, I would have been placed at 181st. You, being a student at Elinia Academy, would surely know that the bottom 10% of the Hero Department is all the same, the lowest tier."
"......Yes, that's right."
Alphs nodded.
Theo continued,
"But, regardless, the current me has become a student recognized for his own efforts. And then, this thought occurred to me."
Theo paused, not saying anything more, to prompt a counter-question from Alphs.
One of the basic principles of persuasion is to stimulate the curiosity of the target.
Theo was acting in line with this principle.
"What thought?"
Alphs bit on Theo's bait.
As proof, Alphs, who previously couldn't stare at him for more than three seconds, now couldn't take her eyes off him.
Theo was aware of this but didn't let it show.
"The fact that God never abandons those who work hard, and that there must be a reason why God sent me to this world."
"......Are you saying God has responded to you, Theo?"
Alphs asked back, not just a simple counter-question, but a sincere question.
'Good, everything is going according to plan.'
Theo internally rejoiced but, likewise, didn't let it show.
"No, that would be an overestimation. Rather─"
"......Rather?"
"I choose to believe so. The reason God sent me to this world is─"
Theo spoke up to that point, then stood up from his place.
He then walked towards Alphs, step by step.
Close enough for their breaths to mingle.
Alphs, startled by the unexpectedly close proximity, jerked but didn't move away.
Theo bent his knees to meet Alphs at eye level and said,
"It's to comfort those who have faced similar hardships. Like you, Alphs."
"......!"
Alphs' face instantly turned red.
Her eyes darted around wildly, as if struck by lightning.
Embarrassed, she could no longer meet Theo's gaze and averted her eyes.
But Theo didn't miss this opportunity.
Click.
He placed his right hand on Alphs' shoulder.
"I am certain, Alphs, that you possess shining wings incomparable to someone like me. Please, join me."
He gripped his right hand tightly on her shoulder.
"......Tha-tha-tha...!"
Alphs, her face so red it seemed about to burst, let out a loud shriek.
'Ah, ah!'
She covered her mouth, surprised by the loud sound she had made.
Then, she hastily checked Theo's reaction. His expression remained unchanged.
However, his red eyes were burning fiercely, like a blazing flame, showing not a hint of doubt about himself.
There was no conversation between them for over 30 seconds.
Theo's eyes were still focused on Alphs.
Perhaps due to the unprecedented praise she had received, Alphs felt dizzy.
At the same time, she mustered the courage to ask a question she wouldn't normally dare.
"Theo, I am really grateful for your high regard of me. Honestly, I have no expectations for myself. With other aides like Irene from the Knight Department and Seria from the Magic Department leading the way... I feel too far behind compared to them."
Theo didn't answer immediately.
He was thinking of a suitable response since her argument was logically sound.
'She's almost convinced.'
Alphs was mentioning Irene and Seria.
Simply put, she was considering her place in the team after joining.
'Good, it's time to drive the point home.'
Theo focused on coming up with the right comment.
To Alphs, his demeanor seemed to show genuine concern for her.
Theo said,
"Yeah, I don't believe in myself either. Around me are geniuses like Neike and Piel, talents that come once in decades, the top-notch prodigies.
And there's a huge gap between me and them."
"......So, even you have felt that way, Theo."
"But what does that matter?"
"......What?"
"People move at their own pace. Just because Neike and Piel are moving faster now doesn't mean anything. Until we reach the end, no one knows."
Theo again placed his hands on Alphs' shoulders.
This time, both of them.
"......So believe in yourself. If you can't believe in yourself─"
Startled by the sudden physical contact, Alphs shivered, but overwhelmed by his presence, she couldn't utter a word.
Instead, she met his gaze without flinching.
Theo spoke with strength.
"─Believe in me, who believes in you."
"......"
Upon hearing these words, Alphs gazed blankly at Theo.
......It might seem inappropriate to think this in such a situation.
'He is truly a radiant person... Theo.'
He was incredibly beautiful at that moment.
His attitude towards life was beautiful.
'Ah, and of course, his appearance... is handsome as well.'
Alphs couldn't take her eyes off his unwavering red pupils.
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