The Acolyte of Spirits and Curses

Chapter 68: Overthinking?

At that moment, the classroom door opened, and Klein stepped in "Master..."

Eleanor’s eyes trembled the moment she saw him in the flesh for the first time.

Her heart skipped a beat, and a rush of emotions flooded through her.

’H-Husband...’

Her hands tightened slightly on the edge of her desk as she fought to maintain her composed expression, and a faint flush colored her cheeks.

Klein walked over to Erica and murmured something quietly about Shui Yinran.

Erica listened with a serious expression, then replied softly, "We can talk about it after class. For now, attend the class."

He nodded and turned around to find a seat.

He glanced around at the room and noticed an empty space beside Julia.

Just as he thought of going and sitting there, Eleanor looked directly at him.

Her blue eyes met his eyes with a gentle yet insistent look, subtly signaling for him to come and sit beside her.

Klein: -_-’

He hesitated for a brief second, feeling a strange feeling from the Saintess, but ultimately walked over and sat down in the empty seat beside her.

Eleanor’s heart fluttered as he took the seat next to her.

She kept her expression calm and graceful, but inside, she was overjoyed and screaming.

’He sat beside me...’ she thought, a soft, warm feeling spreading through her chest.

’MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

’AFTER SO MANY YEARS! FINALLY! I AM HERE!’

But she quickly composed herself ’I-I need to keep calm.’

She has been waiting for this moment for years, and when it was finally happening, she didn’t know what to do.

She took deep breaths to calm her racing heart ’...Peace.’

Klein glanced at her from the corner of his eye and saw her breathing heavily with a faint flush on her face.

’W-What is happening?’

He don’t know her personally, yet she is acting strangely ever since he sat down.

Eleanor noticed his glance and quickly composed herself, offering him a saintly smile.

"Is everything alright, Saintess?" Klein asked quietly, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb the lecture.

Eleanor’s heart skipped another beat at the sound of his voice directed at her.

"Y-Yes. I’m just... happy to be here. The Spirit Division feels very welcoming."

"That’s good to hear." Klein nodded, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to her reaction than she was letting on.

The lecture continued, and Eleanor kept stealing glances at him whenever she could, her mind racing with years of longing finally coming to fruition.

’He’s even more handsome in person...’ she thought, a soft, dreamy smile threatening to break through her lips.

Her gaze quivered as she stole another glance at him from the corner of her eye.

’S-Should I try to get his number? But that’s too embarrassing.’

’What if he thinks I am a creep or a pushover or a stalker... or finds out that I am obsessed?’

Her mind was spiraling into overthinking territory.

She imagined all the worst-case scenarios... him looking at her with disgust, rejecting her advances, or worse, realizing the depth of her feelings and feeling burdened by them.

’No, no, no. I can’t mess this up. I’ve waited too long for this. I need to be elegant and graceful. Like the perfect wife he deserves.’

’He’s so close... I can smell his scent.’

Her fingers itched to reach out and touch his hand, but she held herself back with iron willpower.

’Just a little longer. I need to find the right moment. Maybe after class? Or during a break?’

’No, that might be too sudden. I should wait for him to approach me first. But what if he doesn’t? What if he’s too focused on his training and doesn’t notice me?’

The lecture continued, but Eleanor’s attention was no longer on Erica’s words.

One of the girls in the back row whispered to her friend, "Look at them... they look like a perfect couple. The Saintess and that Mythic-rank guy. I ship them so hard."

"Like the handsome man and beautiful woman in those manhwas."

Her friend giggled softly "Right? The way she keeps glancing at him... it’s so cute. They’d be adorable together."

---

The lecture finally came to an end, and Erica wrapped up her explanation with a warm smile.

"That’s all for today. Class dismissed."

She then glanced at Klein and spoke "Klein, come with me":

The two of them walked out of the classroom together, leaving the other students behind.

Eleanor watched them leave, her blue eyes following Klein’s back with a mix of longing and quiet frustration.

’He left with his master...’ she thought, a small pout forming on her lips for a brief second before she composed herself again.

’I wanted to talk to him... but I guess I’ll have to wait a little longer.’

---

"WHAT? You are challenging her disciple to a duel?"

Erica stood up from her desk in shock, looking at Klein with wide eyes.

She stared at him for a moment and rubbed her temple in exasperation.

"Klein... why? I told Evelyne not to mention it to you. I didn’t want you to feel pressured."

"Let’s just not make this a commotion."

Sitting on the desk, Klein shook his head "No, Master. I don’t care if she rejected me as a disciple. That’s her right. But humiliating my master? That’s something I can’t ignore."

Erica sighed deeply, looking at him with a mixture of warmth and worry "I understand your emotions, but this is not a good idea, Klein."

"And by your logic, if you lose this, it will bring even bigger shame to my name, Klein."

He looked up at her and replied "Don’t worry, I am going to challenge her to a pure spearmanship, which they are both so proud of."

"And I will surely win in that."

Erica looked at his determined expression, and her gaze softened "I am not sure if you are simply arrogant or just confident in your abilities."

"If you are set on this... as your Master, I will do my best to support you."

"But Klein, remember this... it doesn’t matter even if you lose, just don’t get hurt in the process, alright?"

Klein smiled back at her, "I’ll keep that in mind, Master."

He leaned back slightly in the desk "By the way... what reward will you give me if I actually win this?"

Erica blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone.

She stared at him for a second before letting out a soft laugh.

"You really are something else," she said, shaking her head. "You’re already thinking about rewards before the duel even begins?"

She crossed her arms, pretending to think seriously for a moment, though the corners of her mouth were twitching with amusement.

"Hmm... if you win, I’ll personally cook you a special meal. And I’ll give you unlimited access to the Spirit Realm for two months. How does that sound?"

Klein grinned "That sounds pretty good. But I was hoping for something a little more... personal."

Erica’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she maintained her composure and grabbed his ear before pulling it.

"Ah, Master-"

"Don’t push your luck, disciple. A meal and Spirit Realm access are already generous. Now go prepare for your duel. I’ll start making the arrangements with the Student Council."

Klein stood up, rubbing his ear with a chuckle "Yes, Master. Thank you."

As he left the office, Erica watched his back with a mix of fondness and concern.

’That boy... he really is going to turn the academy upside down.’