Chapter 138: You’re Not Wrong
"Medea? Something wrong?" seeing the reaction the lady is showing from his words, Novus asked with a trace of concern in his voice, wondering if he just said something that could’ve triggered her.
"A-ahem... Nothing at all... why would you think that?" as soon as she heard his voice and the trace of concern he has seeing her act like that, Medea immediately attempted to divert her attention to something else, clearing her throat as she tries her best to calm herself down.
As sharp as the young man is getting these days, he still fails to truly see why is it that the Sword Princess suddenly started acting like that, add to that the fact that she outright confirmed that there is no problem at all, prompts Novus to push the intrigue to the back of his mind.
Meanwhile, the lady who already recovered most of her composure looks back to their battle once again, impressed at how well her junior handled the duel between the two of them.
’I thought I’m already strong enough but... looks like I have to work even harder now...’
She thought to herself as the two of them starts moving towards the exit to the battlegrounds, the fact that this junior several years younger than her is already catching up to her strength making her feel the urgency to grow even further than before.
’The problem is...’
Recalling the one thing that prevents her from advancing leaps and bounds, she couldn’t help but pause as she feels the emptiness of her spatial ring now void of any Evolution Crystal for her to use.
She could’ve just asked the one supplying her with such wondrous resources, however, her pride as his senior, as well as the fact that she had been too reliant on him for improvement these past few days made her feel all the more hesitant to do so.
She doesn’t act with intent, but he can see it well, the slight hesitance in her movements, the faint caress of her fingers on her storage ring, as well as the clear aversion of her gaze despite seemingly wanting to say something to him.
Seeing this, Novus faintly smiles as he reaches his hand out.
"Right, give me your storage ring." he declares, making her glow a bit in relief as she was spared from the embarrassment of having to request for something that she knows she cannot repay in return.
"Thank you, Novus~~~" a cheerful, cheeky smile blooms on her face as the familiar mischievous tone laced her voice, giving her spatial ring to the young man without any trace of hesitation at all.
As the young man transfers Evolution Crystal after Evolution Crystal into the Sword Princess’ spatial ring, the two of them just stood there in silence, odd, but comforting and warm nonetheless, as if they are silently conversing without any of them hearing anything at all.
"There, should be enough for until tomorrow night." Filling the ring with numerous E Tier Evolution Crystals, Novus then throws it back to its owner, said owner hurriedly catching it as she looks at the young man with a teasing smile on her lips.
"How dependable~~~ should this big sister reward you with something~~?" she asked with a playful tone as she walks ahead of him, turning herself around as she meets his gaze, bowing a faint bit as she looks up, seeing the small smile on his face.
’He’s changing... no, maybe that’s just how he really is?’ she asks herself as the two of them met each other’s gaze, the faint, gentle light beneath his eyes making her wonder whether the Novus she first met really is just an outer shell for whoever version of him it is that is standing in front of her right now.
"That’s actually a good idea."
"Isn’t it? Now now, Junior Novus, tell this big sister what you want~~"
"Hmm, how about Evolution Crystals..."
"That... hahaha~~~ maybe let’s postpone the rewards for next time??"
With the two of them now walking back towards the dormitories, the duel officially concluded with Novus barely winning against the Sword Princess, this secret that there is someone else among the students that excels in close quarter combat more than the Sword Princess being something that they will keep for themselves for just a bit longer.
"Come to think of it, Isn’t it that time of the year already? Have you already decided on where to join?" as the two of them enjoy the gentle moonlight partnered with the calm breeze of the late-night air, Medea asked.
Her words appear to not make sense to the one she is talking to however as he appears to have no idea on what she is talking about, prompting her to go on and explain to him something extremely important that he seems to miss.
The Galilea Magic Academy’s annual Great Talent Festival.
In the surface, it is called a festival, however, just like any other big events in the academy, it is also a test, a measure in seeing which student excels than most.
Of course, contrary to the usual combat and survival-oriented exams given by the academy, this one is unique in the fact that there are several events for non-combatant students to show their talents to everyone.
Not to mention its uniqueness compared to other common tests and trials, the winners of each competition are granted massive rewards, aside from fortune, also earning fame and reputation for themselves once they’ve showcased to everyone the things they are capable of.
That is exactly the reason as to why every student who had experienced in for the first time seeks and looks forward to when they will experience it again.
It is to the point that even when it is an optional thing to participate in, almost a hundred percent of the entire student body opts to join in on the fun, all in the hopes of earning a bit of rewards for themselves.
"Although, it is really surprising that you haven’t heard of it yet when there are posters about it all around the academy..."
She pointed out as she looks at the young man walking beside her, the faint trace of intense air around him driving her to a single conclusion as to why he has yet to hear of such big event.
"I headed back to my room directly after class and had been meditating there since then..." he pointed, causing her to confirm her suspicion as a helpless smile appears on her face.
’It’s not like I can’t understand him though...’
She thought to herself as she looks back on the feeling of significantly growing stronger by meditating while absorbing Evolution Crystals, the feeling of seeing actual progress in her growth with each passing second a sensation that she cannot quite extricate herself from as well.
"Should I walk you all the way back?"
With the two of them continuing on their mundane conversations, they eventually reached the crossroad between the male and female dormitory, prompting Novus to ask a question that made the lady smile.
"I’ll be glad if you do so~~~" she said as both of them continued, both seemingly wanting to prolong this little moment between just the two of them for a bit longer.
"Also, it’s not like you will let me go back on your own if I refused your offer, right, Junior Novus~~?"
"...You’re not wrong, Senior Medea."