Aria's Dilemmas!

TRiinnng—

With the ring of the bell, the potion-making class came to an end, and the professor hurriedly left the classroom, eager to test out the newfound knowledge he gained from Caius's improved healing potion.

As the class began to disperse, the students couldn't help but feel a mix of jealousy and awe at Caius's extraordinary achievement. Many of them started questioning their own abilities and reconsidering their choice of studying potion-making. After all, how could they possibly compete with someone who had set the bar so high on the very first day?

Amid the envious and admiring glances, Caius calmly exited the classroom, knowing exactly what lecture he would attend next. He had planned his schedule meticulously, taking full advantage of his Completionist Insight skill.

The first day of the academy presented Caius with numerous opportunities thanks to his Completionist Insight skill. He knew that if he didn't take full advantage of it now, he might not have another chance. After all, this was no longer just a game—it was his new reality. With determination in his eyes, Caius made a mental list of all the cheats and advantages he could utilize throughout the day.

"C-Caius, thank you so much. I have learned a lot from you," Nerine approached him with a bright smile. "Your methods of improving the potion were truly impressive, and I hope I can learn more from you in the future," she added, her fists pumped with excitement.

"....."

Caius looked at Nerine, her enthusiasm shining in her eyes, and he couldn't help but find her misunderstanding amusing. Instead of clarifying, he decided to use it to his advantage.

"Don't worry about it, Nerine," Caius replied with a warm smile. "There are still many things I want to experiment with in potion-making, and I think I could use your help. Let's learn from each other," he suggested.

"Yes! You can count on me," Nerine happily agreed.

Caius smiled back at her before excusing himself, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I fear I might be running late for the next lecture I plan to attend."

"O-Oh, of course. But if you don't mind me asking, which lecture are you interested in attending next?" Nerine inquired. "I'll be taking Herbology, as it's crucial for mastering the art of potion-making. Are you planning to join that class as well?" she continued, assuming that someone as skilled as Caius would also opt for advanced herbology studies.

"No, I won't be taking Herbology. I'm more intrigued by the Spirit Training class," Caius revealed. "Well, see you later," he added as he began to walk away.

!?

"Hm? O-Okay, see you later then," Nerine waved her hand as Caius vanished into the distance, leaving her with a sense of curiosity about his unique choice of classes.

Surprisingly, Damien didn't follow Caius this time. Instead, he started walking in the opposite direction, a realization dawning upon him. "...I should focus on my own interests rather than trying to fit into someone else's mold," he muttered to himself, a newfound determination shining in his eyes.

'Caius didn't care about societal expectations and pursued his own path. It seems to have worked out well for him. I should learn from his example and follow my own passions,' Damien thought, a hopeful smile gracing his face.

Meanwhile, Aria stood still, observing Caius, Nerine, Damien, and Ember walking in different directions to attend their respective preferred classes.

Determined, she sprinted and caught up with Caius, walking beside him. Caius gave her an indifferent look, unfazed by her presence, as they made their way to the Spirit Training Class. "So...how does it feel to steal someone else's achievements?" Aria asked bluntly.

Caius smirked in response, seemingly amused by her question. "You're talking as if you didn't try to do the same," he retorted. "...The only difference is that you failed, while I succeeded," he chuckled knowingly.

Having a thorough understanding of Aria's character, Caius was certain that she would not hesitate to utilize the information from her past timeline to her advantage in order to exact her revenge, even if it meant stealing someone else's opportunities or accomplishments.

"....."

Aria fell silent, her expression conflicted. She had underestimated Caius's awareness and his willingness to turn the tables on her. Deep down, she couldn't deny that she admired his audacity.

'...Well, they haven't invested as much time and effort into developing that recipe in this timeline yet, so it's not entirely unfair to take advantage of their work from my previous life, right?' she reasoned within herself.

But she couldn't help but wonder why she had failed to create the improved healing potion, even though she followed the exact same recipe as Caius. Was there something he knew that she didn't? Her gaze lingered on him, contemplating the possibilities.

'...Even though I may have knowledge from my previous life, there must be some hidden details or techniques that I'm missing. Perhaps Caius has stumbled upon them,' Aria thought, realizing that she needed to reassess her approach.

"Anyway, I overheard you talking with Nerine about taking the spirit training class," Aria interjected, deciding to shift the conversation. "...You do understand that it won't be the same as the potion-making class, right? To attend the spirit training class, you need to summon a compatible spirit, and not everyone can do that," she pointed out.

'Your past experience won't be of much help when it comes to summoning spirits,' Aria silently reflected.

"...Why don't you mind your own business for a change and stop worrying about me?" With a sour tone in his voice, Caius responded sharply. "Go annoy Damien or someone else and ask them for assistance in achieving whatever objectives you have in mind."

!!

Aria came to an abrupt halt, taken aback by Caius's curt response. She watched as he continued to walk away without paying her any further attention.

"....."

"This... will be more difficult than I thought," Aria muttered, her hand running through her hair in frustration.

While she had considered seeking assistance from someone else to achieve her vengeance, meeting Caius had made her doubt if there were any better candidates than him. He possessed maturity, wisdom, and a shared experience of multiple lifetimes. Moreover, he was already aware of her story and motivations, making it easier to convince him to join her cause.

If she were to approach someone else, she would have to explain the intricacies of her regression and the painful experiences she had endured due to the person she sought revenge against. However, conveying such a tale to others would be a daunting task, as it would undoubtedly make her sound like a madwoman.

'...And to top it off, Caius is already strong, and with his previous life experience, he has the potential to become even stronger than before,' Aria contemplated, her gaze fixed on Caius's receding figure.

She knew that if she wanted to achieve her goal, she would need someone with Caius's strength and understanding by her side. Despite his biting remark, she couldn't help but believe that he might be the key to her success.