Engagement?

Ishma and I are currently taking a break from training at the main training field. We practiced from the moment we packed a free lunch in the main cafeteria until 5 PM. Earlier, we had quite intense practice. And what did we practice? Certainly physical training, martial arts, and weapon usage. Because Ishma and I have similar stat types. Speaking of stats, Ishma has 27 mana points and I have 0 mana points. Ishma has low mana and struggles to gather it. Whereas I don't have any mana at all and cannot gather it. I think our conditions are almost the same when viewed from the stats alone.

From any perspective, we are fighters. Pure fighters without relying on excessive mana. Even though there are artifacts that increase mana points and improve mana collection and control efficiency, of course, we don't have them, and that can be considered later.

On this occasion, I also asked about how Ishma improved her strength during our duel yesterday. Besides Ishma's sheer strength, it turns out she also received blessings from the spirits of the Southern Sea. She didn't disclose what level of spirit it was, but I guess it must come from her trait as a Child of The Ocean.

Just by looking at her trait until receiving blessings from the sea spirits, I can guess she spent a lot of time at sea until the spirits took a liking to her. No wonder she's genuinely tired of seafood.

I'm now resting at a picnic table under a large tree with Ishma eating the packed meal we brought from the cafeteria. I finished my pack earlier, so Ishma is the only one still eating. I lie on the long seat that merges with the table. My hands crossed serve as a pillow facing upwards.

"We discussed this on the way to the training field, but are you really okay with what you said in the main academy cafeteria earlier?" I asked Ishma but didn't get up from my lying position.

I couldn't see Ishma because she was covered by the table. I also hadn't heard Ishma's response yet. I think she's still chewing her food.

Anyway, Ishma's unexpected statement in the main academy cafeteria earlier drew a lot of attention from the students there. Especially after Lenos and I had a heated debate. I was satisfied with Lenos's arrogant expression breaking after Ishma said I was her boyfriend and backed me up quite firmly.

"Young Master, this is my choice. So please stop attacking Edward! My family has quietly approved this."

That's what she said to Lenos, which made Lenos somehow withdraw from his efforts. And here Ishma is now, eating casually.

After chewing her food and swallowing it, Ishma answered casually, "You're using me, and I'm using you. Isn't that fair?"

I glanced to the left and could see Ishma's feet in long training pants under the table. I sighed and quickly shifted my gaze upwards again.

"Of course, I don't mind you using me. Besides, I'm doing the same." I stared at the foliage with an empty expression.

Then I continued, "What I mean is, you said I'm your boyfriend and your family secretly agrees. I know you intend to ward off annoying men who propose to you. But choosing me as your fake boyfriend, I think it will affect your reputation and your family's. And also, we've only known each other for one day."

As I expressed my opinion, Ishma didn't respond at all. She was silent again. But this time, it was longer, she wasn't just chewing her food. I decided to lift my body a little to look at Ishma. What I saw then was Ishma's face very close. She climbed onto the table in a challenging position though I couldn't see her. Her chin rested in her right hand with her elbow propped on the table. Her beautiful fingers touched her cheek. Her expression was flat with red eyes staring at me.

'Good lord!' I thought in a subtle surprise.

We fell silent in that position. Shortly after, Ishma smiled faintly. At that moment, I felt an uneasy premonition, I couldn't calm down seeing Ishma's expression. I slightly exerted my Arkium to calm myself.

"You're really the new Edward. I can't see any remnants of your old habits at all. Or are you someone else inhabiting his body?" Ishma said in a flat, cold tone yet teasing.

'Lucky I obeyed my bad feeling. I wouldn't mind if someone else said this. But this is Ishma. Intuition or Identification Eye? Or both?' I thought.

I stared into her eyes, which seemed to pierce through my soul. Then I snorted lightly and smiled. I closed my eyes and lay down again.

"Of course, I'm someone else. How could the old Edward be this calm, right?" I stopped talking and opened my eyes. I made my expression as melancholic as possible.

Then I continued, "He's a depressed person who lacks self-awareness and vents it blindly. He's ungrateful. His view is narrow, so he doesn't realize that those closest to him actually care about him. How could he change this quickly unless there's something urgent? Although it's difficult to change, I think he should do it for his own good." I smiled and looked at Ishma who was looking at me.

My answer sounded ambiguous. But I think Ishma could catch that what I meant was 'Edward is trying to change for the better.' She didn't respond or anything. Her smile had disappeared since I started telling her.

She then smiled faintly again and returned to her sitting position and continued eating. I also decided to sit. It's uncomfortable every time I glance to the left, there's a view of Ishma's feet even though they're covered with long training pants.

"Good luck with your new journey then?" Ishma replied, taking a spoonful of rice and Wyandotte stir-fry.

"Well, thank you. I'll do my best. But enough about me. You changed the subject," I said.

Ishma replied calmly, "As I said, I don't care much about my reputation. As for my family..." she didn't finish her sentence, her eyes rolling in another direction.

Seeing Ishma's body language, I muttered, "Why do I feel something troubling?"

"Well, I've never had a boyfriend. And if my family finds out later, my family, especially my mother, will surely propose an engagement immediately. Especially since I said our relationship was secretly approved by my family. My mother will quickly propose a proposal to Marquis Vallois. But considering your infamous bad reputation in noble circles, I think my family will wait and see your movements first. This sounds troubling but not. I know you understand my point, Edward," Ishma continued calmly.

I pondered for a moment and rubbed my chin. Honestly, this is a bit tempting. But as Ishma said, it sounds troubling but not. The troubling part is, that rumors will surely spread in the academy environment first, considering the students here love gossip whether it's about men or women. Many consider me trash at the academy, so there will surely be many male students challenging me.

Then the not-troubling part is,

"Your father and mother can't reject me outright despite my trash reputation. It's because they will think this relationship is your own desire to make me your boyfriend. The Bahraeel family will monitor whether I'm suitable or not. And because your family's goals don't conflict with my goal to improve my reputation, if I succeed, the outcome will surely be positive, and our engagement will be announced," I replied steadily, staring at Ishma with a blank expression.

Ishma raised her fork and pointed it at me.

"Mhm. That's if Marquis Vallois agrees," Ishma replied, shrugging.

"Our family is powerful enough to allow their children to choose their own partners. So, the likelihood of this engagement happening is high," I retorted.

Ishma didn't reply and resumed eating.

"But, do you agree with this?" I asked with a hesitant face.

Ishma, who had swallowed her food, replied, "Political marriages are common, aren't they?"

"Your statement is somewhat contradictory. You previously rejected many proposals from nobles. Even Lenos earlier, who is Count Brochett's son. Didn't he also propose a political marriage agreement between the Count and your family?" I questioned her statement calmly.

"He's annoying and has no positives. Whereas you, aside from your past actions, now for some reason, you're intriguing and interesting according to my intuition," Ishma said, her gaze becoming very deep as she looked at me.

'Identification Eye? Tch, how many times do I have to ask myself this?' I thought.

Seeing me not responding, Ishma continued, "Besides, now you're a handsome, tall, strong man from a well-regarded family in the empire. I like your calm way of speaking. Your gaze isn't lewd like some people I've rejected. Those are your plus points."

"For some reason, I don't feel like you're speaking seriously for the last part." I sighed and smiled resignedly. Ishma just shrugged and continued eating.

...

After Ishma and I trained and ate earlier, we decided to head home. We took the same tram route. The opposite route from my dorm. Ishma got off first at another stop, while I continued on the tram to a stop near the women's dorm where Yolina stayed. I decided to meet Yolina after remembering a conversation between Ishma and me about heroism practices for third-year seniors.

And here I am, at 6 PM, standing in front of the gate of the women's dormitory building while carrying a paper bag containing a box of macarons and a box of ice cream. Right now, I'm waiting for my older sister Yolina to answer the communication orb from the gatekeeper. The dormitory building where Yolina stayed was neither luxurious nor simple.

This ten-story building features stunning Victorian architecture with stained glass-adorned windows and intricately patterned steep roofs. Ivy vines crawl in some parts of the walls, giving an elegant natural touch. When the sun begins to dim like it is now, the crystal lamps around the windows emit a dim light, reflecting warm twilight light in the surrounding air.

'For some reason, I prefer this building to mine,' I thought.

As I focused on Yolina's dormitory building, I heard the gatekeeper talking to Yolina.

"You're not in the dorm, Miss? Alright... alright. Okay, Miss."

I guess this is my unlucky day. She's not in the dorm. As I thought about it, the gatekeeper who had decided his call walked towards the closed iron gate. He opened it. The sound of metal grating was audible.

"Miss Vallois said you can wait at the guard post. She'll be home soon," said the gatekeeper.

I then entered the gate and headed for the guard post near the gate. Once inside, I sat down immediately. The gatekeeper then closed the gate after I entered. He walked and entered the guard post and sat down as well.

"Where did she say she was coming from, Sir?" I asked politely.

The gatekeeper looked at me strangely. More precisely, he seemed puzzled. Then he replied, "Miss said she was from the Academic Bureau of the Hero Department."

'The Academic Bureau, huh? I guess it's troublesome to be here until dusk,' I thought.

"I think she'll take a while to get here. How about we chat, Sir?" I asked, placing the bag containing the macaron box and ice cream on the table.

The gatekeeper looked at me strangely again.

"You're the younger brother of Young Lady Vallois, right? The son of Marquis Vallois and Lady Eilif Jubaida Vallois, right?" the gatekeeper asked hesitantly.

"That's correct, Sir," I replied with a smile.

The gatekeeper evaluated me. He approached and looked over my entire body. Then, he ended up staring at my face intensely. I must say this man was bold to do this, knowing I was a high-ranking nobleman's son.

"What is it?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

After my question, the gatekeeper sat back and rubbed his bearded chin while looking at me.

"Hmmmmm. The rumors seem different. Why are you so polite? And... I can't feel your noble aura at all," said the gatekeeper.

"I don't know if you're insulting me or praising me, but thank you. By the way, can I use that fridge?" I pointed to a small magical refrigerator in the corner of the room.

"Of course, young man," the gatekeeper replied.

After that, I put the ice cream box into the fridge and sat back down.

"I'm Edward, Sir. What's your name?"

...

After 35 minutes, Yolina finally stood outside the closed gate. She pulled out a card with rune carvings and placed it in the keyhole part of the gate. With a click, the gate unlocked, and Yolina opened it. She looked mentally tired after returning from the Academic Bureau.

As she closed the gate again, Yolina realized and heard someone talking joyfully and excitedly.

'Is the gatekeeper talking to his friend?' Yolina thought.

However, she was surprised to see the gatekeeper chatting enthusiastically with her younger brother. Yolina's face looked very confused and surprised, especially when she heard the topic of their conversation.

"And you know, Mr. Brad? My friend, after pulling the reel hard and people being excited, decided to release the reel and throw it into the lake," Edward said as he talked with the gatekeeper.

'Mr. Brad? Reel? What the hell? What's wrong with my little brother?' Yolina thought with a strange expression.