I followed Fina to a familiar bench, the first time I had ever seen Leyhna. Maybe it was their favorite meeting spot?
"What took you so lo- …Alt?" [Leyhna]
"In the flesh." [Solace]
Something told me Leyhna wasn't very happy to see me. Maybe it was that look of disgust on her face?
"So… are you two going to tell me how you two know each other?" [Fina]
Leyhna and I glanced at each other.
"You first." [Solace]
"He's my uncle's disciple." [Leyhna]
"Vincent's?" [Fina]
I nodded.
"That's him." [Solace]
"How? I thought he wasn't taking any students." [Fina]
I scratched my head trying to pull out a suitable answer.
"Circumstances I guess." [Solace]
It wasn't really a lie. It was either that or dying since I learned their |Flame Enchant| on accident.
"Fina, can I borrow Alt for a sec?" [Leyhna]
"What do you mean?" [Fina]
"I just need to have a word with him." [Leyhna]
Fina gave Leyhna a strange look.
"...Sure." [Fina]
Leyhna then waved me over a fair distance away from Fina. She then wrapped an arm around my shoulder and whispered to me.
"What the hell are you doing here?" [Leyhna]
"I had no choice! Master enrolled me into Fina's classes." [Solace]
"For what?" [Leyhna]
"To guard her! She doesn't have any mana anymore, remember?" [Solace]
Leyhna's face then turned into a mixture of emotions.
"I never know what uncle is thinking…" [Leyhna]
"Now THAT is something I can agree with." [Solace]
Leyhna then removed her arm and turned back to Fina.
"Are you two done?" [Fina]
"Yep! He's worthy of being my servant!" [Leyhna]
"What?!" [Solace]
I swear, it's always one thing or another with this person.
"I'm not your servant, nor will I ever be." [Solace]
"Why not? Don't you want to serve a beautiful girl like me?" [Leyhna]
I scoffed.
"Beautiful? Where?" [Solace]
Leyhna didn't take too kindly to that.
"It sounds like your spine is going to break soon." [Leyhna]
"Oh? And how is that?" [Solace]
I spoke confidently, but I was already inching away from her.
"...You got a lot of gall to-" [Leyhna]
"Hey! New guy!" [???]
Interrupting her, some big guy strolled up to me.
("Thank god. I didn't want to actually fight Leyhna.") [Solace]
"Can I help you?" [Solace]
I turned to see this guy towering over me. I think he might've been an entire foot above.
"You're the one that refused my invitation." [???]
"...Do I know you? I think you have the wrong person." [Solace]
The big guy frowned.
"I am Marvin Helts. The strongest among the first years." [Marvin]
"Uh-huh… And?" [Solace]
"Everyone has to pay their respects to me." [Marvin]
I glanced at Leyhna and Fina.
"Did you guys have to do that?" [Solace]
"No? Who even are you?" [Leyhna]
"I also did not know of this rule." [Fina]
Marvin looked at the two in surprise.
"Leyhna?!" [Marvin]
He looked shocked to see her.
"Yes?" [Leyhna]
"N-nothing. Anyway! My business is here with you." [Marvin]
He poked at my chest.
"...Wait a minute. I think I recognize you." [Leyhna]
Marvin flinched.
"I-I think you have the wrong guy." [Marvin]
Leyhna's eyes glimmered as she recalled something.
"Oh! You're that guy that I beat up when I first enrolled! You've got a lot of guts to come pick a fight again." [Leyhna]
Looking at the frightful look on Marvin's face made me laugh.
"This is gold! You lost to HER?!" [Solace]
"Hey, you lost to me too." [Leyhna]
"That was before. I can definitely beat you now." [Solace]
"Wanna test that theory?" [Leyhna]
I shrugged her provocation off.
"Sorry, but gentleman's rules prevent me from engaging in useless fights. Rule 1: A gentleman shall never lay a hand on a lady. Rule 9: A gentleman does not harm the weak. Rule 15: A gentleman will not engage in useless conflict." [Solace]
"...Do you actually have it all memorized?" [Leyhna]
"Haha… It was the worst two weeks of my life." [Solace]
I earnestly believed that.
"Yo! Where do you think you're going?" [Solace]
Out of the side of my eye, I saw Marvin sneaking away.
"Me? Nowhere." [Marvin]
"Didn't have something to say to me?" [Solace]
"Uh… I don't know what you're talking about." [Marvin]
"What's that you're holding?" [Solace]
Looking at his hand, Marvin was holding a folded yellow parchment.
"It's… a riddle." [Marvin]
"A riddle?" [Solace]
He opened it up and showed it to me.
("Huh. It's the letter I wrote.") [Solace]
I guess this guy was the person meant to bully me.
"Do you know what it means?" [Solace]
"Not exactly…" [Marvin]
"Do you still want to pick a fight with me?" [Solace]
Marvin's eyes wandered to Leyhna.
"Don't worry about her. If we are to fight, then it's just me. Right, Leyhna?" [Solace]
Leyhna didn't even look at me to reply.
"Why would I want to help you?" [Leyhna]
"See?" [Solace]
Marvin's attitude suddenly switched up.
"You have a lot of nerve to tell me to come find you myself. I can tie you into a knot, you little twig." [Marvin]
"Okay buddy, remember that letter? Read it out for me real quick." [Solace]
"Why would I need to read the riddle?" [Marvin]
"It's not a riddle. You'll figure it out if you read it aloud." [Solace]
Taking a peek at the parchment, Marvin cleared his throat.
"Fuck around and find out. I don't get it." [Marvin]
I smiled.
"You will soon." [Solace]