Chapter 169- Outside World (Part 1)
"Leave the academy?" Rin asked back in confusion.
"Yes." Evelyn nodded her head.
"W-W-What do you mean by that, woman?!" Aria shouted as she stood in front of Rin to protect him. This gesture of hers was completely done by instinct as she was still focused on Evelyn, not leaving her eyes on her.
"Relax, big sister. I'm not going to snatch your little brother. I was just asking if he wants to go on a mission with me." Evelyn said as she smiled mischievously.
Rin could swear that she phrased it that way on purpose. Evelyn adored creating misunderstandings merely for her enjoyment. She loved the thrill of seeing people's frantic reactions as they tried to comprehend what she said. It was one of her secret hobbies.
"Explain, Evelyn." Rin stepped up and asked her with squinted eyes.
"Well, it's simple, no? I have a mission I have to deal with and I wanted you to help me." She said.
"Do you really need my help? I think the sheer difference between us when it comes to power is way too drastic for me to be useful." Rin quickly cut down any possible routes she can take to convince him.
Not only did Rin not trust this woman, but he was also not going to just leave the academy grounds to go somewhere unknown with a mysterious woman that claims to be an assassin. He could be killed as far as he was concerned. Even though the chances that she will harm him are close to zero, he was still not going to risk seeing that 1% chance become reality merely because he was acting naive.
"Hmm, but, what about our agreement?" She asked.
"Huh, what are you talking… about." At the last word, Rin's eyes flashed with a hint of understanding as he remembered what 'agreement' she was talking about.
'The date?' He asked.
From what he could remember, she only mentioned that she wanted to go on a date with him. Nothing mentioned had any relation to a mission or going out of the academy for that matter.
"But that has nothing to do with this request of yours."
"Hmm, I still think both are the same. As long as it's with you, I would consider it as such."
The two kept talking in cryptic words that made Aria more and more panicked. Her face turned grim as she looked back and forth between them.
"What are you two talking about?! What did she ask from you, Rin?!" She finally couldn't hold it in anymore as she asked her little brother for a proper explanation.
"Mm, well…" Scratching the back of his head, Rin tried to find a good way to explain.
However, no matter how he looked at it, Aria would get angry and throw a tantrum no matter what he said.
'This is troublesome.'
Rin would rather not say anything than end up trying to deal with a raging Aria. As much as he loved his sister, she was just a very emotionally-driven person when it comes to her family. Words can't simply stop her if they aren't satisfactory enough.
*Ding*
However, as they were like that, one of the bracelets in the room made a very familiar ding sound. Looking at the origin of it, it was Aria's bracelet.
The latter also looked down and her face immediately paled. Silence dominated the room, the grim atmosphere was very heavy for a moment before Aria lifted her eyes and looked at Rin.
"I have been challenged to a duel for my rank." She said in a very slow manner.
"A duel? Is it that serious?"
"Honestly, yes… I have to go back to the higher floors now."
"I see… Well, if you have to, there is no stopping it."
"But, what about this?! I can't leave you with her now! And also the matter of this agreement." Aria's panicked tone only increased as she took quick glances at Evelyn sitting on the bed.
"Don't worry, I have already met her before when I was alone. She won't do anything bad… hopefully."
"Oh, how horrible of you, Rin. If I wanted to harm you, I would've done that before. Why the hassle?" Evelyn rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, well, I guess. So, you don't have to worry, I will deal with this matter by myself. You can deal with yours." Rin smiled as he extended his arms to hug Aria.
The latter allowed him to hug her as she basically threw her body weight on him and buried her face in his shoulders.
"Don't worry, ok? I can handle trouble myself. You can't keep protecting me forever, can you?"
"That's why I'm feeling horrible," Aria replied as she held on to his clothes.
"You don't need to. Did you forget what I said before?" He asked as a memory of when both of them talked about this matter before.
At the time, Rin had told her that he would never allow himself to stay under his family's protection merely because it was the easiest route. He wanted to protect them more than anything else.
"I… understand," Aria replied slowly.
"Good, now, go and deal with this matter. When you come back, we will talk more, ok?"
"Hmm… Let me hug you for a few more minutes."
After that, the two siblings said goodbye to each other and Aria left the room after making sure to warn Evelyn a few times. As much as she trust Rin's senses, she still wanted to make sure to tell Evelyn that touching her brother was a big no.
When the two were left alone, Evelyn finally stood up and walked toward Rin.
"You have a very lovely sister. I like her."
"Thanks." He replied without turning around.
"Now, is it time for our small date?" She asked with a wide smile.
"What are you thinking, Evelyn?" He asked coldly.
"Hmm, what do you mean?" She asked as she touched her chin with her index finger.
" Do you think I can't see through your small tricks? How did you make someone challenge Aria to that duel?" He asked.
"..."
Silence dominated the place for a very long time after Rin's questions. Neither of them moved nor made any sounds. A weird tension started building inside the room that could make any third party feel extremely uncomfortable.
"What made you think so?" She asked.
"So I was right. Well, it was mostly a guess. But, if I have to voice out one reason. It's the timing. It was simply too perfect to be a mere coincidence. You predicted that the conversation will be led in that direction and then somehow made someone ask for a duel at the perfect moment to get rid of Aria."
He then turned around and stared directly at Evelyn.
"You also wanted me to have no excuse to not accept, no? However, this part of the plan is still not executed yet. Go ahead, say what will make me completely accept this request." He said.
Rin's whole demeanor changed as a dark, hollow aura surrounded him. Neither of them was aware of this change or the strong pressure emitting from Rin.
"Pfft! Hahahahahaha!! Amazing!~" Suddenly, Evelyn exploded in laughter.
It was the most genuine laugh Rin had ever heard from this mischievous seductress. Her expression was as real as they could get.
"Aren't you too smart for your own good, darling?" She asked.
"I could only become like this to see through your meticulous plans and schemes." He retorted.
"Fufufuf! After all, I do really like you, Rin. You are the most special person I have ever met. Maybe it was all a blessing rather than a curse after all." Evelyn said in a whisper.
"What blessing?"
"Don't worry about it. But, back to the important topic, I do indeed have a very attractive offer for you." She said as she smiled.
"Spit it out."
"Before, that, what's your main weapon?"
"A dagger, why?"
"Well, good news. I think I have great news for you. In the place where the mission will happen, there is another dagger. I have made my research about it and I could only say that it's freakishly powerful."
Then, Evelyn extended her arm to her cleavage and from there, she pulled out a rolled scroll. Opening it up, she showed it to Rin.
On it, he could see the drawing of a particular dagger with some weird scriptures written around it.
"It's called 'The blood eye' and it's known to have been one of the weapons used by the founder of the academy himself. Its destructive power is unparalleled. But, its most scary power is not the sheer destruction it could inflict. Its what it can give to its user… The power to manipulate blood." Evelyn said.
"Manipulate blood?" Rin asked.
"Yes, blood… It's said that the founder had more than one element when he was still alive. One of these elements was blood."
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