Chapter 118- I Owe You Way Too Much, Elise (Part 2)
One single tear fell on her cheek, just a single tear. Yet, Rin felt as if that single tear made his mind short-circuit. He didn't understand what was going on.
'Was she angry? Was she sad? Was she offended? But wait, is she that offended that it made her cry? Or maybe it's a different thing? Maybe she got injured badly and she teared up because of it? But then again, she had never cried before because of pain. This doesn't make any sense!' Rin panicked as he extended his arms toward Elise while trying to say something.
"Elise, mm…. Why are you crying? Mmmm… Aaaah, what should I do? Are you angry?" He fidgeted left and right as he tried to figure out what to do.
He had comforted crying girls before. However, Elise was a different matter. Not only had he never seen her cry before, he had never really had to deal with any extreme emotions from her side. Even when she's in a very bad state mentally, she never really shows any form of sadness or grief. She only stays silent and tries to keep the matter in her head.
It was a form of safety measure for her so that no one can discover her weakness. After all, Elise was very cautious when it comes to treating other people. However, for some reason, that side of her basically vanished and Rin couldn't understand why.
Luckily, Elise woke up from that trance and quickly touched her cheek with a surprised look on her face. Feeling the wetness on her fingers, she could only stare at it silently. For a second, she didn't even comprehend what this was. But, when the reality dawned on her, she frowned and quickly stood up and started walking away quickly.
She felt like burying her face underground like an ostrich because of the sheer shame she was feeling.
'For me to cry? What is wrong with me? In front of Rin nonetheless.' She asked herself as she wanted to slap her face a few times as a punishment for this.
Elise had to admit that those words made her feel very emotional for some reason. It hit a string that she hadn't touched in a very long time. That feeling of gratitude Rin had toward her was such a refreshing thing for her. To have her actions valued no matter how small they are is something she didn't know she needed but nevertheless a thing she deeply valued unconsciously.
Maybe in all these years, all she was searching for was someone who cherishes her hard work. Someone who can see what she did, not what she didn't do.
But, that idea alone made her feel scared too. Scared that she might one day lose this feeling again. Seeing Rin say the same words that her father and everyone around her said was like a dark nightmare she never wants to see in all of her life. If that day comes, she really doesn't know what will she do or what will become of her.
Maybe at that moment, everything will end… including her life. So, trying not to think about that dark future, she shook her head and erased such thoughts.
'He must not see my face.' Elise decided.
"Hey, wait!" Rin quickly stopped her.
"I'm fine. You need not worry. I'm leaving." She said quickly and continued walking.
"Did I make you angry?"
"No…"
"Then…"
"It's nothing. My eyes caught some dust because of the previous fight so I teared up."
Rin could only stay silent even though he knew that her excuse was most likely a lie. There wasn't even any dirt around them, it was all lush greenery and thick grass and trees. However, he didn't try to push her any further since that could make her feel embarrassed and end up angry.
'Man, I don't get how she thinks sometimes. Ah, well, nothing can be done about it.'
Then, Rin followed her back to the dormitory. On the way, he asked.
"Did Aria tell you about what I did?"
Nodding her head, Elise answered.
"She snuck into the dormitory and spoke with me. She looked worried and frantic."
"Hehehe, I'm going back to a long lecture." He said.
"That's not the most important thing right now. This matter of the 'Shadow Monarch cult', does not make any sense whatsoever. For such a thing to appear because of a simple butterfly effect caused by your powers isn't logical. Not only are they most likely been in this world before we even got transmigrated here, even if they appeared at the same exact time that you obtained your powers, but for them to become this strong that quickly is nonsense."
Shaking her head, she continued.
"The second matter is the one related to the fourth party that you mentioned. That person is most likely one of the students or professors. I'm more inclined toward the possibility of that person being a student."
"Yeah. Most professors are aware of the huge disaster that could fall on their heads if they contacted such shady people and even strike a deal with them."
"Exactly. So, with that in mind, this person must've had some kind of thing they wanted. Most likely power. That leads us to another important fact…
Rin halted a moment later as if he realized something.
"You mean…
"Yes, these people, whoever they are… can give some kind of power to others. Most likely the power to slightly affect shadows to a certain extent."
"But, I should be the only one capable of…
"Fully manipulating and controlling the shadows? Yes, you are most likely the only one that can do that. However, think about it. A cult that seemingly worships the Shadow Monarch and the fact that we found ownerless shadows in many places. I think that worshipping this Shadow Monarch does come with its shady perks."
"What are you implying, Elise?" Rin asked with a frown.
The latter stopped and turned around as she replied.
"These people found a way to touch into the power of the shadows. However, from the crude way they used it to kill the king and also kill that top-100 student, I can safely say that they can barely touch the surface of that power. However, that can change in the future for all we know."
'I already put that possibility in my head. But, for my powers to literally change the future of this world just by existing. This is bad!'
"But, for now, I think that the matter won't turn chaotic. They are extremely careful with their plans. They also know that the academy still has the upper hand in the situation so they won't try to do anything without calculating their steps. Clever bunch, tsk."
The Shadow Monarch cult was still merely preparing for their plan. Even the warning they sent to every floor master was merely a step further with their plans. They didn't even try to kill one of them or even attack higher-ups in the academy for that same reason. Whatever they are doing, it's something that the academy shouldn't underestimate or they might end up regretting it in the future.
They are smart and careful. So, the question is, can that cleverness of these people end up toppling down a behemoth of the Academy's size? Only time will tell.
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The rest of the night passed peacefully, during that time, Rin had to keep appeasing the angry and worried Aria. She kept giving him the cold shoulder because of the reckless mistake he did. Coaxing her took almost an hour before she finally calmed down and seemingly fell asleep next to him.
When the morning came, Rin had to go to classes as usual. Tomorrow was the first magic lesson. Rin was still basically as clueless as a child about magic. How do spells work? How does magic work? How can mages and fighters become stronger? Is there a possibility to learn other elements and many more questions?
But, all of that quickly got erased from his head when he met Emilia in the evening.
"You are going to raid the Custom Dungeon… tonight."
"Huh?"
"Change of plans. We need to do it tonight."
"Wait, wait. Why?"
"It's not important right now. Besides, there are some major academy events that will happen soon. So, the faster we start this matter, the better."
"Mm, I see. Well, if that's what master wants then I don't mind it that much."
"Sorry for this sudden shift of plans. No such thing will happen again. We need to accelerate the training up a notch."
"Don't worry, master. I am always ready."
"Mmm, good." She nodded her head.
"But, before that, you wanted to tell me something, didn't you?"
"Yes… actually…"
(A//N: Time for the custom dungeon. If you are enjoying the story do drop a ps. This one shall be grateful for your support :) Time for the custom dungeon mini-arc.)
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