Raghnall shrieked in pain as he clutched the spot. Actually, it didn't really hurt that much but the surprise added a lot to his reaction.
Inna looked at her hand that just hit Raghnall and just as she expected, she saw it trembling. She clenched it into a fist and then released it again but it didn't seem to stop her trembling.
She really got weak, huh.
That slap was what she could muster with all her power but it probably just felt like a breeze hitting him.
Hah. What happened to decapitating people with a slap.
She chuckled softly as she continued to observe the trembling of her hand.
Raghnall saw her gestures and he felt worried for her so he decided to ask her calmly this time.
"Hey, what was that for?"
Thinking she was probably disturbed by her trembling, he grabbed her hand and decided to release some magical energy from his hand so that she could absorb it.
He hoped it can at least try to stop hers from trembling so much.
The little energy made Inna's hand feel cool and relax and she couldn't help but look with wonder at the glow it made as her hand continued to absorb the small particles.
"I… I just... I don't know.… Well… you said it was okay to hit you when I couldn't take it anymore. And well, I guess I felt like I couldn't take it anymore?"
Raghnall looked at her in confusion as he asked her with a soothing voice.
"What do you mean?"
"I was just… irritated with all that's happening, I guess. I mean, looking back, I just realized that I actually had a chance of winning the thing you know?"
Raghnall sighed as he reached out his other hand to pat her head.
"I told you not to worry about the exam. You shouldn't get too attached to it anyways. It happens all the time. There will always be cheaters in this world who is willing to do anything just to win. If you ask me, I'd rather lose doing the right thing than win by the wrong means."
Raghnall squeezed Inna's hand gently as he spoke.
"Besides, you wouldn't be able to take that subject soon anyways. It's a requirement for those who reached the top classes. And from your aptitude, I doubt you'll be able to even enter the testing grounds without my help."
Inna curled up on the bed, her eyes still lacking the previous shine Raghnall got used to seeing.
Raghnall didn't know why she was so strange and down today.
Is it the effects of the medicine?
He was about to ask her what's wrong when Inna suddenly mumbled softly.
"It's not about the subject, you know. I just wanted to prove you wrong."
"I just wanted to actually achieve something. I just wanted to be good at something, you know."
Because in the numerous months where she was in the Sun breeze mansion, Solomon just kept telling her how she was so weak as a magic user.
All jokes aside, she actually wanted to improve, hence she was looking forward to entering the Academy.
But, in the end, even the academy looked down on her skills in using magic.
Weak. Useless. Failure.
She lost count on how many times those words have been said to her in just a single day.
And even if she tries to tune them out, it's impossible to not get affected by their words.
So, she wanted to feel like she was at least better than someone in something other than fighting in this world.
Seeing her disappointed expression, he couldn't help but feel his heart squeeze a bit. So, to try and cheer her up, he put on a smile as he spoke.
"You do know that you're good at fighting, right? Why are you even looking for something more to be good at when you're already a goddess in that area? Asking for more would be too much, you know? I mean, if the Supreme God were to grant you any more talent, world domination would just be at your fingertips!"
Raghnall dramatically exclaimed as he tried to get a laugh out of Inna.
Seeing the exaggerated scene, Inna smiled warmly in reply. But in the back of her mind, she didn't feel any better because she knew that the 'goddess' he proclaims that fights well isn't her but the 'thing' inside her.
Seeing that she didn't fully brighten up with his stunt, Raghnall sighed and just caressed her head as what he would do to a baby. Then, seeing a little bit of color come back from her face, he suddenly remembered something.
"Well, actually, there's something else that you're good at."
Inna curiously looked over at him.
"And, what's that?"
Raghnall grinned as he continued.
"You're truly good at getting me into trouble."
Inna gave him a flat look as she slapped his hand, that was still caressing her head, away.
"You say it as though you've never gotten into trouble before I was around. Hah! Judging from your attitude alone, I doubt that."
Raghnall chuckled and he felt glad that the spark was slowly returning in her eyes.
"Well, I never got into really major trouble. Because when I do something bad, I always had someone to help me get away with it."
"So, it's actually a first for me to get punished for something I didn't directly do to the person."
"Guess the saying I heard from Favian is true."
Inna raised an eyebrow at that.
"What saying?"
"Women always bring misfortune to men."
Inna gasped at the implication but before she could retort, Raghnall continued to speak.
"And since technically, you are my first girl friend that I ever had, I can prove that saying to be true."
Inna choked on all the complaints she had because she was flustered with his words.
Jesus Christ!
For a moment there, she actually thought he was referring to her as a 'girlfriend.'
And her heart actually skipped a beat from shock.
God, she's can't believe she'd be so stupid to actually even consider the thought.
After realizing her own ridiculousness, she laughed lightly at herself for getting flustered alone.
Meanwhile, Raghnall felt relieved that she was finally laughing.
Laughter really was the best medicine he can hope to give her.
But just as he was about to make more jokes, Raghnall felt a disturbance on the space near the door of the room.
And before he could react, Ulima appeared with a small smirk on his face.
"Raghnall, from the Freshmen Rose Class, you've been called to the Elder's Office. Elder Fang is expecting your arrival in ten moments."