Questions

Adrian's POV:

_____

"Woah! Adrian won!"

"H-he was so fast!"

"I couldn't see his movements for a moment!"

I could hear my classmates' whispers, but I didn't really care about anything they said.

I looked at Emeric who was struggling to stand up and then the instructor.

"Both of you have done well." The instructor started speaking, her gaze drawn to Emeric. "But I will have to punish student Emeric for breaking the rules and trying to severely injure his classmate when it was just a friendly duel. You will have to stay here after the class to receive your punishment."

"And as for you," She turned her focus on me. "You really did an amazing job. Using only your physical strength from the beginning to the end. Your combat techniques and footwork were also flawless. But, it would help if you hadn't become overconfident which led to a mistake. You could have been seriously injured back then."

She's right, I let my guard down and was a bit arrogant.

"Sorry instructor, I will not make the same mistake again," I replied, nodding respectfully.

"Good, now return to your positions. Everyone continue practicing." She faced the class. "If you can't perform basic combat techniques like student Adrian after a month, you will fail my class, so work hard, understood?!"

"Y-yes, instructor!"

With that, the class continued, though I would prefer if it ended. Because I have been getting countless glares and gazes since the end of the duel. It's making me really uncomfortable. Especially those three people's stares. One is my sister, one is the instructor, and the last one is obviously our villain - Emeric.

Well, thankfully, the class ended after half an hour.

Without waiting any moment, I immediately headed to the Changing Room and quickly started changing my clothes before others would come in. 

"Eek!"

However, just as I was about to wear my uniform, the door opened and two familiar students came in, the MC and the third ranker, Ren.

I ignored them and continued on to what was I doing. Hopefully, they are not gonna talk to me. Or 'he' won't ask me about my body, the scars on them more precisely.

Well, I must have been worried for nothing. They didn't ask anything.

After I finished, I made my way to the exit, while a gaze lingered on me. 

Feigning ignorance, I exited the changing room and then walked toward the exit.

As I stepped out into the corridor, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. It was as if invisible eyes followed my every move, dissecting my actions and thoughts.

I quickened my pace, eager to leave the suffocating atmosphere behind. However, before I could make my escape, a familiar voice called out to me from behind.

"Adrian."

I halted in my tracks, recognizing the voice of the MC. Reluctantly, I turned around to face him, my expression indifferent.

"What do you want?" I asked, my tone curt.

The MC, seemingly unfazed by my cold demeanor, approached me with a determined look in his eyes.

"I just wanted to ask you something," he said, his voice steady. "About your... injuries."

I tensed at the mention of my scars, a familiar pang of discomfort gnawing at my chest.

"What about them?" I replied, my voice strained.

The MC hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "How did you get them? They seem... serious."

I considered my response carefully, weighing my words before answering.

"It's none of your business," I said, my tone sharper than intended. "Just forget about it."

The MC seemed taken aback by my abrupt dismissal, but to his credit, he didn't press further.

"Alright, I understand," he said, his expression tinged with concern. "But if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

"Wait." I stopped him before he could turn back and leave. "Don't talk about to this to 'her', you know what I mean."

"..." Aurelius was stunned for a moment, then he nodded in understanding. 

"Alright. I will do that." He said while smiling. "See you later."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone.

"...Why did he smile?" I muttered. 

Did he perhaps misunderstand something? It's one of his personality perks after all.

Anyway, let's continue before anyone comes again. I wanted to return to the dorm, my room, and think about some things.

_____ ____

Unlocking the door to my room, I stepped inside and closed it behind me, enveloping myself in the comforting solitude of my own space. Sitting down on the edge of my bed, I allowed myself a moment of respite, closing my eyes as I tried to clear my mind of the events that had unfolded earlier.

And I asked myself the question which kept bothering me from the time Emeric picked up on me.

Why did he target me in the first place? We haven't met each other before nor I did anything to offend him. 

Or is it because I got the first rank?

Why did he act differently from the novel?

Or is this not the novel world?

Or is it because of me? 

Or what they call it - the butterfly effect?

"That must be it..." I muttered since I didn't have any other plausible guesses.

But, I'm sure he learned his lesson today. I had to show him he shouldn't mess with someone like me.

But, wait...

He wasn't that surprised when I revealed I was affinityless... 

Did he know it beforehand? If so, how?

Could it be he had a hand in the incident that I nearly died?

...

Nah, I am thinking too much. Emeric didn't have any enmity with Aurelius or my little sis.

It's probably the work of Aurelius's father or...

"Grr..." (Sound of stomach growling)

Never mind. I must be hungry, should I cook then?

Let's go!

Half an hour later.

As I finished cooking and prepared to serve the meal, a soft knock echoed through the room, interrupting my thoughts. I frowned, wondering who could be at my door at this hour. Weren't everyone having lunch?

I approached the door and opened it, revealing the figure of a familiar face standing in the corridor.

"Hello."

It was none other than my neighbor.

"Hi, Aria."