[Pargoina Academy] [1]

"Hello."

"AHH, MOMMY!"

Siwsh.

Startled, she spun around and threw a punch in my direction, her fist slicing through the air.

Reacting quickly, I managed to dodge, narrowly avoiding her punch.

"Wait! Wait!" I shouted, backing away as she prepared for another attack.

"H-huh?" Startled, she focused on me, her eyes meeting mine.

And looking into her deep golden eyes, only one thing came to my mind:

'mesmerizing.'

If there are the most beautiful eyes in this world, they are definitely hers.

"It's just me," I said, raising my hands defensively and taking another step back.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Realizing her mistake, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she quickly lowered her hand.

"It's fine," I replied, trying to reassure her.

"I didn't mean to... I mean, I thought someone was messing with me." She hung her head low as she continued to apologize.

"It's fine, don't be too bothered," I said, attempting to ease her guilt as I relaxed my guard.

"Wait! Are you a noble?" She asked, her eyes widening.

"Well, yea—."

"I am truly sorry!" Before I could respond properly, she quickly bowed down at ninety degrees.

"I said it's fine," I replied calmly as I tried to make her stand back. "And stop bowing."

"B..But, please—."

"If you keep doing this, I will not forgive you," I replied sternly, making her flinch before she slowly straightened her back.

"Now, should we move? If we don't, we could be late," I said again as I started to walk, and nodding, she also walked with me.

"What's your name?" I asked, looking at her.

"Ashlyn Zyanya," she replied softly, still not making eye contact with me.

"Azariah," I replied, extending my hand.

Hesitantly, she approached and shook my hand. "Nice to meet you."

"A new student?" I asked, noting her uniform, which was the same as mine, except for the abalone-colored skirt instead of pants.

"Yes, you're also a new student?" She asked, then immediately bit her tongue softly at her own stupid question.

"As you can see, I am indeed a new student," I replied with a chuckle, noticing her embarrassment as she lowered her head.

"I..I am sorry," she once again apologized, glancing at me.

"It's fine," I replied with a smile as I took out a candy from my bracelet and extended it towards her, "want some?"

She hesitantly looked at the candy and then at me before slowly taking it.

"Raspberry?" she mumbled in surprise before looking at me, "you like them as well?"

"Yeah, they're good," I replied, even though I didn't actually know how they tasted.

"I haven't seen many people like this," she said with a slight smile before eating it, "even my sister doesn't like it."

"You have a sister?" I asked softly as I looked at her.

"Yeah, she is three years younger than me," she replied, nodding her head with a widening smile, "she is the best sister I could ask for."

"You like your sister very much, huh?"

"Of course! Even though she is younger than me, she is a lot smarter and more talented than me," she replied in a prideful tone.

"Well, I also have an elder sister," I replied as I looked ahead, but unlike her, I didn't have pride in my voice. "Just like yours, she also excels in everything she does."

"You must like her as well," she asked, not noticing my tone.

"Yeah," I replied, forcing a smile. "I like her a lot."

"What about your other family members?" she continued to ask, looking at me curiously.

"We should go this way," I said, ignoring her question as we arrived at a cross-section.

"Huh? What's wrong with the other road?" she asked, tilting her head.

'It's to avoid a cliche.' I thought as I looked at the way she was looking.

I don't want to meet the protagonist of the game right now, not with her around me.

"It's nothing, this one is closer to the academy," I replied as I walked towards the other way, and after some hesitation, she followed behind me.

"Have you been here before?" she asked as she arrived beside me.

"Yeah, my sister is a student here, a second-year student," I replied, nodding my head at her words.

"Wow, that means you already have someone to protect you," she said with a bright smile.

....Is she doing this on purpose?

I have zero fucking people who would want to protect me, and everyone who would be at my throat.

"Yeah," I replied noncommittally as the buildings of the academy loomed into view.

"Can you please give me a tour of the academy?" she asked, making me look at her.

And her eyes...

Why are they so mesmerizing?

"P-pretty please?" As I remained silent,she added, using the full force of her puppy-dog eyes.

"Sure," I replied with a slight smile.

"We're on time," she sighed, looking at the open gate.

"Nope." I took out my phone and checked the time. "Five minutes left before the entrance ceremony starts."

"Oh, we're late then!" She panicked, tightening her grip around her bag and preparing to run.

"Calm down, will you?" I interrupted her before she could take off. "We'll get there even before it starts."

"But... but... we're late!" She exclaimed, her steps quickening as we crossed the gate.

The guards glanced at us, and I noticed a flicker of fear in their eyes as they recognized me, but the girl was too preoccupied to notice.

"Stop panicking, again, will you?" I asked, scanning the area.

Apart from us, there was no one else around. Not a single soul in sight.

"Come on, we're going to be late!" As I casually looked around, the girl exclaimed and glanced back at me.

"Sigh... Go straight, and you'll find the main hall for the entrance ceremony," I replied, gesturing towards the front building.

"Huh? Where are you going then?" She asked, looking at me curiously.

"I'll meet you in a minute. Just go, or you'll be late," I replied, starting to walk in another direction.

"Come quickly! I'll save a seat for you!" She exclaimed before rushing towards the building.

[That...girl, are you sure she can help you?]

As I casually walked towards the building adjacent to the front building, El asked.

'Why do you ask?'

[She feels....Normal? I can't feel anything special from her.]

"Hmm, your eyes are just shit then," I replied as I looked at the building in front, the building for the first-year students.

[No, seriously Azariah, she doesn't feel anything special. How can she help you?]

"Then tell me, what beings do you fear or are afraid of?" I asked as I moved towards the back of the building.

[Huh? Why do you ask?]

"Just tell me the answer."

[Well, we fear powerful beings, ones with abilities beyond our control like the Gods.]

"Exactly." I replied, "and Appearances can be deceiving."

[But are you really going to endanger her?]

"What, you like her already?" With a chuckle, I replied as I looked up at the back of the building.

[I am worried about you, Azariah. What if you lik—.]

"I am half a person, El," I replied with a smile as I took out a trampoline from my bracelet, placing it down. "How am I supposed to like her when I don't even like myself?"

[Az—]

"I protected them with all I can." Interjecting, I replied.

[Them?]

"....Leaving that aside," I changed the topic as I looked at the building, "what are the chances of me surviving the fall from the third floor?"

[.....What?]

"I'm just asking."

[Are you crazy? Then the trampoline—]

"I forgot where my class should be."

[.....]

"I am placing them randomly."

And thinking about my luck, I might miss them when I jump down.

[Crazy fucker.]

"Well, I won't deny that."

Muttering to myself, I walked back towards the main building where all those who hate me are present.