Invitation

Almina was trying to invite him to her party. Yman initially thought that she was inviting him into a celebration but when he remembered about the Elites announcement from this morning, he figured out that she was inviting him into their group.

Yman felt excited and happy for the invitation and it was showing on his face. Although he felt bashful being in a face to face situation with one of the most beautiful girls in the academy, he was dejected when he remembered that his ability might not be of help to Almina's group.

Actually, after the evaluation exam on the Outerworld, he tried to join some groups, but when they learned that his ability was self-healing magic, they kicked him out of the group.

Now Yman was afraid that Almina might kick him too after she would know that his ability was useless to their party.

Not only that, but his physical strength was also way weaker than the rest. Even the girls were stronger than him.

So Yman had to decline her invitation with regrets on his face.

"I don't care...!"

Yman was about to leave but rooted on his feet and stared blankly at her face when Almina suddenly exclaimed.

She opened her mouth once again and continued saying, "I don't care if your abilities are no use in the party. Your commanding talent is more than enough to be qualified in my group. And besides..."

She added then stopped her words again and bit her lip, unaware of how blushful her face had become. Even Yman had noticed the redness in her face. But he somehow did not give it any malicious meaning. He just thought that the heat from the sun got her. However, she looks more stunning and lovely than usual. He could not help admiring her beauty once again.

If his memory serves him right, this was the second time that he was in a face to face situation with this girl. Now that Yman thought about it, he was yet to say 'thank you' at her for saving him last time.

She lifted her right hand in front of her chest, and her left arm was straight down pointing the ground on her side as she gripped her hand into a fist that slightly lifted to the side. Then she stared at him while furrowing her brows.

After a deep breath, she said, "And besides, I - I want you at my party, not because of your magic."

She said shyly. And even become redder.

|Hm, not because of my magic...?| He had a puzzled expression surfacing on his face. How come someone invited someone into their party of magicians but not because of his/her magic?

|So it must be because of my commanding talent again, huh.|

He wanted to rebut that what happened last time when they fought the Mustang Spider was just a lucky one because he had a little knowledge about that monster, to begin with. But if they encountered an enemy that unknown to him, it would be a problem.

However, he really wanted to join their party. It would be easy for him to increase his combat experience if he had a party to help him kill some monsters. Which was difficult for him at his current state.

He needed to increase his breakthrough level as soon as possible so that he could control his Black Mana for a longer time. And besides, he could not execute a strong spell if he was low level.

"Uhm, can you tell me... what do you mean by not because of my magic?" For some reason, even though he expected already that what she meant by it was about his commanding talent but oddly enough, he was curious about it. Hoping for a different reason from her.

"Hmph, you've got guts for asking someone you have forgotten after you stole her first kiss," Almina mumbled in an indefinite voice, the reason why Yman did not understand what she was mumbling.

She could not believe that even though they were in this distance. This guy still did not remember her. After stealing her very first kiss. This guy had the nerve to forget her. She initially wanted to lash mean words at him for forgetting her. But she could not bring herself to get angry at him for some odd reason.

"Ha?" Yman awkwardly asked after he failed to understand what she mumbled about.

"I - I will..." she hesitated. But Almina opened her mouth again. "I will tell you the reason after a few months." She said blushfully.

"Eh?" He could not follow what she meant.

|Why does the answer have to take longer?| He thought.

"Anyway, you don't have the right to refuse, hmph!" She said with a pout then she retreated away while her face was painted in redness. Though he finds it very cute. "See you later!" She shouted while waving her hands before she left for good.

|And now she was demanding, huh.| He thought as he scratched his face.

Actually. Yman could not decide yet. He needed to balance the cons and pros before joining her party.

|To be in a party of one of the most beautiful girls in the academy, certainly, it was a dream come true to most of the boys out there. Not just that, she was one of the strongest magicians also in this academy.

So it was easy for her teammates to accumulate enough Combat Experience and breakthrough.

But, the cons...

No doubt, Almina was an exquisite young girl, it would be easy to fall in love with her, but I had to shake it off of my mind. The feeling of trying to grab the smoke in the air, was the same feeling if I let myself fall in love with her. Just like reaching the stars in the sky. Right in front of your eyes but will never be yours.

In fact, she already had someone she likes. So joining with her group was like luring myself in the abyss. It's hard to suffer a one-sided love. I could not let myself fall to someone out of reach.

It would only be a bother to me in the future. And besides, being with someone as beautiful and popular as her — would attract unfavorable attention to me which I tried to avoid. I do not want to stain my already infamous name.|

For Yman though, falling in love was just a pretense. They were unnecessary feelings that may distract one's decision making.

After Almina left. She regretted that she forgot to mention her message yesterday. And wasn't it supposed to be now? Almina went into the canteen together with Kesha. She was waiting for Yman to show up there. She already spends all her guts just for inviting him to their party. Her only wish that he would show up tomorrow. Wait, she forgot to tell him that it was tomorrow the creation of the party! Well, she could message him though.

One person in the distance had fierce-looking eyes. He knew that Almina was a kind girl, so she must be trying to help that person. But his mind wanted to know what they were talking about. Yet he could not do some unnecessary things as of now. No matter what happened, he would become the ace in this academy, after that, Almina's love for him will surely become deeper.

He was just wondering why she did not welcome him yet after recovering. Although her friend named Kesha already did. And Kesha told her that Almina's mind was just too full at the moment because of the many events that were coming. And it looks like she was nominated as the Elites leader.

He really wanted the position but if it was for his girl, he could only let her be.

In any case, he would help her to lessen the loads on her shoulder. Once he becomes the ace of this academy, that will be the time he would claim her.

With his talent in magic, he was sure no one was above him. And he almost reached the pinnacle of his CE to advance into level 5. As talented and handsome as he was, it was only natural to be loved by the most beautiful girl in the academy. He was regretful but he needed her to wait for a little longer.

He would surprise her one day and will tell her that he also likes her. For sure, when that time comes, that will be the most unforgettable moment in Almina's life. He could not wait to see how happy she will be when the time comes.

Then after that, he would squish that frog under his shoes.

Before he left, Kiko smiled as he thought of that day. Then together with his friends, they walked towards the barracks.

After delivering all the equipment into the storeroom, Yman directly went into the library.