Chapter 54 - Ana's confidence

"It's me, Ana... Makoto"

I said, still behind the barrier I had created.

"Ma-kun?"

Ana questioned.

"I will appear now, okay? Please don't shoot"

I requested, getting ready to leave my position. As soon as I emerged from behind the barrier, I found Ana still inside the lake, naked, and looking at me. As I approached, I was a little puzzled, wondering why she wasn't trying to cover herself.

"Aren't you going to put on some clothes?"

I asked, looking at her. Upon hearing my question, Ana tilted her head to the side, seemingly not understanding.

"Why?"

Ana inquired, which made me wonder if she didn't mind being seen naked by men.

"Well... I am a man, you know"

I said while still gazing at Ana's body. If she didn't mind being seen, I saw no reason not to look. Besides, Ana had a pretty nice body, although small.

(She's only a year younger than me, but anyone else would think she was still in elementary school)

I thought as I looked at a specific part of Ana's body.

"Ma-kun, did you just think of something rude?"

Ana's voice interrupted my thoughts. When I looked at her face, I saw that she was looking at me.

"I don't know what you mean... but anyway, you really don't mind being seen by men?"

I asked, still puzzled by her lack of concern.

"If it's Ma-kun, I don't mind"

Ana replied nonchalantly.

(So, I have a green card?)

I thought, sighing.

"That's not why I came here anyway. I wanted to ask you something, Ana"

I said, capturing Ana's attention.

"Tell me... something?"

Ana asked, looking confused. I just nodded my head.

"Probably in a little while, I will have to leave... I will be taking some people with me. Since we have spent a lot of time together lately, I came to ask if you wanted to come along with me"

I explained, looking into Ana's sky-blue eyes. I really wasn't expecting a quick answer, but I still needed to ask.

"I will"

Ana replied nonchalantly. Her eyes didn't show an iota of hesitation in her words.

"Are you sure... don't you think it's strange that I blocked your attack so easily when I shouldn't have any good skills?"

I asked, looking at Ana. When Ana and I became friends, I told her about my fake ability. So, it's quite strange that she trusts me after seeing her attack being blocked so easily. Hearing my words, Ana just shook her head to the side.

"Ma-kun and good... I'll go"

Ana said, sounding even more determined.

"Well, if that's what you want, I won't stop you"

I said with a soft smile on my face.

"Just don't forget to stay near me today, although I don't know why, I have a feeling something will happen today"

I said as I looked at the forest. Hearing my words, Ana just nodded. Seeing that Ana was still calm and composed, even after that, a smile made itself present on my face. For some reason, being with Ana was quite relaxing.

"It's okay, I just came to warn you about this"

I said, turning to leave.

"Oh, don't forget to get dressed"

I said in a serious tone. For some reason, I really thought it was possible to forget to get dressed if you were Ana. Hearing my words, Ana puffed up her cheeks in a cute gesture, which made me smile. After this, I said goodbye to Ana and started walking back to the camp. In a few minutes of walking, it was already possible to hear the sound of conversation in the air. The lake was not that far away, so it was a walk of just under 5 minutes.

As soon as I reached the crowd of people, I noticed that everyone seemed to be talking about something in particular. As soon as I approached, everyone started looking at me. They seemed to want to say something to me but just gave up. Again, the feeling that something was about to happen was getting stronger and stronger. As I was walking, I suddenly felt something coming towards me. The feeling was telling me that I should dodge or block it at any cost. So, just as done, I decided to block the attack.

"Dark manipulation"

I said. As soon as I said that, a black cocoon enveloped me. Within seconds, I felt a loud bang coming from the front, but it still wasn't enough to break my shield. After the boom had passed, I undid the shield. Looking to the sides, I saw everyone looking at me with surprise and disbelief in their eyes. Looking forward, I saw who possibly tried to strike me. Baji was looking at me with a look of extreme anger.

"You... so it was true"

Said Baji. I really couldn't understand what he meant by that, nor did I want to. The only thing I knew at this very moment was that they found out about my secret.

"And so, you have someone who has been helping you all this time?"

I said with a smile on my face. Baji didn't answer my question and just continued to look at me with angry eyes. He looked like he wanted to kill me right there.

"A worthless guy like you thinks you can mock me by hiding your weakness?"

Baji said, almost shouting. Everyone around us could feel the tension. A battle could take place at any moment, and they would be in the middle.

"Well... it looks like you found out"

I said, smiling.

"Could you explain to me how?"

I asked, genuinely confused.

"I received a prophecy from my goddess"

A third voice entered the conversation. Shinji appeared next to Baji, looking at me nonchalantly. He didn't look angry like Baji or anything like that.