As soon as the warm exchange ended, Naell's cold uninterested demeanor was back at it again. Those who had seen the transformation were amazed as they thought,
'How could he change so suddenly...'
Just a while ago, they saw a rare Naell filled with gentleness paired with a soft smile, but at the moment, it was back to a cold icy looking face.
Even so, the ladies in the room thought that both demeanors showed off his handsome features.
Earlteria was also smiling at the spectacle while Mony on the other hand, could only sigh.
'Troublesome lad indeed.'
After some time, the little lady who was called Anna went and held onto Earlteria's cloth, asking for her permission.
With the warmest smile, adding to the soft patting of the little girl's hair, Earlteria went and made way for the grandfather and Anna to converse with Naell.
"Young master Naell." Said the grandfather warmly as he bowed down.
"I'm pleased you're both safe." Replied Naell smiling genuinely which erased his icy demeanor yet again.
He truly was glad that they were both safe. He knew they could have sustained a huge injury, or worse, death as powerless civilians against aura and magic.
Rethinking those things made Naell angry once again. He knew it wasn't for him to be involved, yet injustice like that really got on his nerves.
'If I don't intervene, then I'm just rejecting my morals...'
No matter how painful his life was, Naell would never abandon the principles he had learned on earth.
Yet out of nowhere he recalled what he had done, making a wave of embarrassment quickly befall him. He could not stop himself from remembering the countless praises he received for his mana control, when just moments ago he had failed to do so.
"It's been a while, young master. Once again, thank you for saving us." Replied the grandfather smiling as Anna nodded happily, waking Naell up from his thoughts.
It was noticeable to all that it wasn't Naell and the two's first encounters. Coincidentally, Anna was among the missing children and beasts that he, together with Estra and Owly once saved.
There she saw how formidable he was as the frosted ghostman that knocked out all the kidnappers, together with his trusty aid, the rumored uncle-like undeadman, and the fat crow.
"You're really strong big brother!" Added Anna cheerfully.
When she first met him, she was quite scared due to his appearances and quite angry demeanor at that time. Yet all of that was replaced upon seeing his warm smile when they rescued her.
She could only see Naell, as a mysterious hero who had an enchanting look. Just like how books described the appearances of fairies.
Naell could only smile and pat her head. He was still flustered, and not to mention just wanted to lie down. He deeply wished to forget his outrageous actions from earlier.
Noticing his tired expression, the grandfather said in a calm tone,
"Well it is getting quite late so we will be on our way, Young master."
With a soft nod towards Earlteria and to the rest of the room, he then excused himself with his granddaughter, yet not before the young girl spoke seemingly saddened from the short reunion,
"Thank you again!"
"May we meet again soon, Little Anna." Replied Naell which in response made both the grandfather and the little girl smile.
The rest then followed suit, bidding them goodbye, with Mony being the first one to tease Naell.
"Once in a while, I hope you go and listen to my lecture."
"I'd be happy to speak with you over tea, Naell." Said Earlteria while also looking at Owly.
Both Naell and Owly simply nodded in response. Those in the room then watched as Mony and Earlteria teleported away, disappearing with the young girl and her grandfather, both to be sent to the school gates and be escorted safely to their home.
They were then followed by the committee members who praised Naell for his bravery, yet again leaving him feeling flustered. Further he was surprised to learn that even the student council president, Utua Taglagas, the 1st princess was with them.
"Let's talk when you are well, Naell." Said the princess softly with a sweet alluring voice.
Naell could only bow formally while thinking,
'Hah, no thank you.'
He already had no intention of going to class, neither did he wish to meet Earlteria, yet above all he certainly had no reason to be acquainted with the royal family of Taglagas.
*******
When Naell thought that all the troubles were finally about to end, he was then met with no choice but to uncomfortably stare at those who stayed behind.
Andrew and the rest of his friends were also staring at Naell. None were speaking, and only silence befell the room.
Owly and Rizaul sighed at the awkwardness. So without wasting anymore time they decided to take action.
They filled the room with HOOTs and the harsh yet soft words of the half-elf, enabling Andrew and the rest to feel at ease.
Only Naell was having a hard time feeling eased from the duo's "oddly caring rage" towards him.
"You're good at mana control, HOOT?" Mockingly said Owly as he glared and scowled at Naell.
"Haha... I'm sorry." Naell could only apologize as he was already embarrassed as it is.
"That was actually very dumb of you Naell." Even Rizaul was not holding back his words, his indifferent look being rather intimidating.
Yet since Naell knew he did not mean any harm, he wasn't scared, and just felt really bashful.
"...But thank you for saving my friend's life." Yet upon Rizaul's last sentence, all of them on cue bowed before Naell making it far more awkward for the young master to tolerate.
"No need! It was my fault in the first place." Naell exclaimed, immediately confusing everyone within the room.
"Ehhh? How come?" Asked Note trying to understand his words.
Unlike the rest, Note felt uneasy for bullying Naell, as in that moment, he couldn't help but see him in a better light.
"Well, she's my partner so she's my responsibility, right?" Replied Naell while gazing at Namiku.
"Ehhh?" At the same time, Namiku's and Viola's eyes widened.
Yet only for a couple of seconds as Namiku could not stop laughing at Naell's serious reply. Soon Note was laughing as well yet chose to stop upon seeing the silent Rinca.
Andrew and the rest sighed while Viola was calming her down.
"You...'re quite funny Naell." Said Note after Namiku was done.
Naell's smile was so clearly out of discomfort that Note and Namiku started laughing again. Even Andrew and the rest were not able to keep a straight face.
Yet Viola, who since earlier had been eager to say something to Naell, distracted all of them as she coughed softly,
"Truly, thank you for saving my life."
"..."
Once again, Andrew and the rest bowed down showing their gratitude, a genuine display that Naell was not at all used to.
He begrudgingly recalled his promise to Earlteria, to not use teleportation magic, though in that moment he was really hoping he could.
"I guess people really do change... Thank you for saving my friend." For a moment, Naell was captivated when he saw Rinca's gentle smile.
Yet if Naell's demeanor could change quickly, such could be said with her as she coldly added on,
"But don't think you're forgiven for your past."
The icy look she gave was surprisingly not able to intimidate Naell. Contrary, he was breathless as he was enthralled by her beauty.
"Rinca..." Viola and the rest could only look at Rinca with a hint of sadness.
"I understand. I'm not here to apologize as well." Yet they were surprised when they heard his voice befitting his villainous demeanor.
If sparks could be created with gazes alone, they knew Rinca and Naell's could make thunder and lightning at that moment.
Yet no words came after, only a look of understanding between the two. To Rinca who could not forgive and to Naell who did not ask to be forgiven.
She then left without a word. Note, Namiku, and Rizaul followed as they were worried about their friend. Not before they excused themselves.
Andrew and Viola had turned to each other before choosing to stay, making Naell unable to completely fall at ease. Not to mention, Owly was still pestering him with his scoldings.
"Hmmph, HOOT!"
"I'm really sorry, Owly... steak? Eat all you can? Seeds?" Asked Naell knowing that food was the way to the bird's heart.
Yet that seemed to only make things worse. Fortunately, before Owly could even attack Naell, the bird was patted by Andrew who was smiling wryly with Viola.
"..."
Naell too smiled awkwardly, adding to the wondrous uncomfortable scenario the three were having. Seeing this, Owly finally calmed down as he sighed and spoke,
"I'll accept the food treat, HOOT."
"Thanks." Replied Naell whose smile was weak, far from his fake one.
"Then I'll leave you three alone, I'll eat with the others, HOOT." Without waiting for a reply, Owly whooshed leaving nothing but specks of wind from where he was.
Silence filled the room once more. With a fake cough, Naell then spoke hoping to finally rest.
"Why don't you two head back as well."
Yet no response was given. Only stares that Naell found uncomfortable as he thought,
'Please leave me be...'
As he was about to close his eyes and pretend they were nonexistent, Viola's soft voice with a hint of shyness filled his ears.
"Young master... I'm sorry."
"Ehhh?" Naell questioned what he heard, yet Andrew then followed suit with his resolute voice confusing him more.
"I am as well."
Naell wanted to dismiss it yet he saw how serious they both were.
"Why?"