Steiner

[Lydia's Pov]

'What are we even watching...'

With almost all of the students attending the monster elimination course having exited their capsules due to fatigue, there was still one student that hadn't come out yet. And as Mr. Ainsworth had once again put the white-haired student up on the big screen, we were all baffled while looking at him.

For most students, there was no way they would go against more than three or four scenarios during the class, as the mental exhaustion would quickly become too much to bear. But that didn't seem like it mattered to Aarick.

"Crazy..."

However, what was truly insane was the way he was fighting the monsters.

In no way could I look at the clawed man on the screen and think that he was particularly strong, even if it was obvious that he had gotten a lot stronger than last time we watched him. But the way he was fighting was something I had never seen.

Blood and guts was flying as he tore his enemies apart with his dark claws, his face showing us a bright smile as if he found this to be the most enjoyable thing in the world. Even when he challenged a monster that was too strong for him to defeat, he would just calmly select another scenario and go again.

Goblins, kobolds, slimes, etc. He fought against all kinds of monsters over and over, with never-ending mental stamina. It was even to the point where Mr. Ainsworth felt like he had no choice but to end the connection to the database, stopping Aarick from continuing to enjoy himself.

At the same time, all of us were just trying to process what we had just witnessed. Because now, we all had the image of a white-haired man with huge claws slaughtering monsters imprinted in our minds.

Despite this, I couldn't stop my hands from clenching in excitement, as well as frustration, when seeing the absurdity that was Aarick.

****

[Aarick's Pov]

'Tch! Just as I was getting to the good part...'

Getting out of the capsule, I was in a pretty sour mood after my training had gotten interrupted all of a sudden. A mood that wasn't exactly improved when I saw all the other students and Mr. Ainsworth staring at me when I got out.

'Why didn't they continue to practice?'

Even though I wasn't quite sure why all of them appeared to have given up way before the time set for the course would end, it was also not hard to figure out that there was something weird going on. Unfortunately, I also had a good hunch that the strange thing going on was me, judging by the way they looked at me.

"Hrmm! So, now that all of you are done with your scenario training, you can either stay here and do reviews if you want, or you may leave. Good work everyone!"

Pretty much jogging out of the room, Mr. Ainsworth didn't seem like he wanted to stay for even a second longer than necessary, leaving all of us behind. Following this, it didn't take long until Astor came up to me.

"You're pretty crazy, you know that?"

"Hmm?"

Not knowing what he was talking about, I could only tilt my head in confusion, waiting for him to clarify. Sadly, he did not.

"Nothing. Anyway, shall we go grab a coffee or something before the next class? Or do you want to stay and do some reviews?"

"Let's go grab a coffee then."

"Let's go then!"

'Wait...'

I had gotten caught in his trap, a trap designed to make it seem as if the only choices I had would inevitably mean I would hang out with him. Without thinking about it, I had just off-handedly picked the option that meant I wouldn't have to study, while at the same time getting the opportunity to get a coffee.

"Haa... Sure..."

Following Astor, I decided that it wasn't worth it to make a mountain out of a molehill. After all, I knew that I still needed to keep him somewhat close so he could act as my bug repellant against annoying students.

****

[Will's Pov]

Currently facing the scariest man I had ever met in my life, I held my hands in my lap as I always did when sitting in his large office, devoid of any of the common modernity that one would expect to see in an office.

"Tell me. For what reason did you choose to come here? Haven't I taught you from a young age to solve your own problems?"

"You have, father. However..."

"However, what Will?"

His red hair shook as he leaned his head on his hands, eager to hear just what kind of answer I could give to him, with me fully aware that what I was about to do wasn't in line with the teachings I had received.

Taking a breath, I collected to the courage needed to tell him why I needed his help.

"Do you remember Aarick? The boy that..."

"I remember. Not only do I remember, but I also know that he is currently attending Augustus with you and Levi."

"Then, if you know that...!"

Suddenly, a huge red aura emerged from my father, with him piercing my very soul with his amber eyes. As I felt the oxygen reserves in my lungs getting depleted, he spoke coldly.

"I do not care, Will. Just like when you begged me to pay for his hospital fees, I don't care what you choose to do, but I will not help you with it. If you need money, you will get money. If you need artifacts, I will get you artifacts. But do not think for a second that I will do anything else for you. You can make your own choices, and you may choose to either act or to stay idle."

Turning my eyes down at the desk between us, I wasn't sure what to say or do in response to his words. Because I already knew this. I had come here despite knowing that he wouldn't lift a finger to help me unless it involved acting as a supply.

I already had money, money that I had gotten from not only my father himself, but from a lot of different sponsorship deals around Rellea. This also meant, by default, that I didn't have any issues getting ahold of artifacts that were suitable to my rank, as [D]-rank artifacts wasn't all that rare.

Then, my father released the pressure around him, allowing me to breath normally once again. Luckily, I knew that he had gone easy on me, as the pressure from one of the few [A+]-rankers were more than enough to force me to my knees if he had wanted to.

"I understand that you are worried Will, and I can respect that to some extent. However, just like always, a Steiner must attain what he wants with his own power. You are lucky to even receive official training from our household."

In the end, I had gained nothing from coming here. Nothing except for confirmation that it was up to me, and only me, to make sure I got what I wanted.

So, I stood up, bowing slightly to show my respects.

"I understand, father. Please forgive me for my..."

"Don't act like one of those political weaklings. Now, go away. I still have work to do."

Dismissing me, he picked up a pen and switched his focus back to the stack of papers on the desk that he had to deal with. Taking it as my queue, I left him alone and walked out, my gaze quickly met by the modern facilities of the Phoenix guild house.

"Are you done, Mr. Steiner?"

"Don't call me that, Stina. Just call me Will, like always."

Outside, a well-dressed woman with glasses was waiting for me, as I was still not allowed to move as I wanted in the building until I became an official member of the guild. And that was only allowed after I graduated.

"Alright. But nonetheless, I will still have to ask you to follow me to the entrance if you are done."

Nodding, it didn't take long until we were on our way, taking an elevator so we could get down to the bottom floor. At the same time, my mind was spinning wildly, thinking of ways that I could make the best out of this awful situation.

Needless to say, I didn't want to cause Aarick to get hurt again, which was why I was going to try and see if my father could use his connections to get him thrown out of the academy. Now that that wasn't an option, I had limited choices left.

'But I can't just do nothing...'

I had to be prepared. Because as soon as there was any inclination that Aarick would approach Levi again, I knew I needed to be able to act as quickly as possible.

To make sure she wouldn't get hurt or used, and at the same time, to make sure I would still be able to make her mine.