"Why are you walking like that? Did you hurt your toe or feet?" Stephanie said, noticing my uneven walking. It was the consequence of overexerting myself earlier, and now, I'm reserving some of mine by slowing the healing process in my leg.
"Not a problem, just a little strain."
Stephanie looks at me in the eyes with narrow eyelids. However, in the end, she completely saw through my words. Yet, she didn't make any fuss, overlooking my injury which is quite nice of her.
By the evening, Stephanie and I met somewhere near the freshman building. Right near the educational buildings, a town can be visited at any time. This town, known as the Klaied, was one of the few towns around the academy, a village of wooden, stone infrastructure. Whitewashed walls based on the cloudless sky, endowing the tranquility of the gentleness. Four bridges crisscrossed over the empty trench, connecting the four lands.
According to Stephanie, all the towns surrounding us were all part of the land where the academy resides. Also, there are people also living, here in this unknown place. Moreover, this town was also responsible for helping other students who are in destitute of points. They also provide jobs or quests, like what I'm doing back on the guild.
Street lamps were everywhere, every street or building, as they provide light to the people in the night. However, they're somewhat odd-looking, silhouette of small creatures or entities has been moving around inside of those street lamps. I can't figure out what it is.
"What's inside of those lamps, Stephanie?"
"They're called, firelights. Tiny monsters or what I just call them 'the glowing orb creatures'. They're quite interesting too. They don't eat or anything. From what I heard, you can only see them in crowded places like this town. You can't find them in the forest even if you try."
"Amazing..."
"And, they also live exceptionally well, about centuries, said the chief of this village. They're also common in other villages. Let's go I'll tell you more along the way." Stephanie drags my hand away, interlocking her fingers on mine. We're like two couples cruising on a vacation. Or to be specific, like we're on a honeymoon.
There's a rule within the academy that a student shall wear their uniforms and identification card at all times whenever they're outside—with the only exception inside of a dungeon. Not only that, there are a ton of strict rules. It barely even scratched the surface with how obnoxious the academy rules are. Also to point out, I barely see any other races in here other than humans or beast-kin, which is... common, even way back home.
Upon reaching our destination, a man in his prime was contemplating over the stone plate placed on his lap. There were few people in here. If I remember Stephanie's words, we're here to check if I could qualify as a class-F student. All the parties that she has joined, the lowest rank she has ever party was from Class-E.
"Oh, Ms. Hart, how may I help you today?"
"I'm here to ask if a student from F-class will be qualified to join on any dungeon expeditions."
"Oh no, there's a special procedure that needs to be done. From the academy's policy..." Then he looks at me. "He needs permission from his class supervisor and the principal. As you may know, people... Particularly him were not welcomed warmly by other students since they're called... I don't want to be rude, but they're called the bringer of misfortunes."
That didn't bring a good taste to Stephanie's mouth, as she's looking at him bitterly. While I was on the back, I was rubbing my numbing leg that's still healing. So, my reaction was quite late, and before anything, I spoke first to explain the situation to Stephanie. "I see. Was it because there was some instance of some spirits getting loose before?"
"Yes. And, especially since they're in strict monitoring... But there are ways to gain points, like working in the village. I can recommend you to some of my neighbors. Do you want to?"
He seems like a nice guy. He's not deliberately demeaning me or anything, based on his expression, he had these worrying eyes. Obviously, the 'bringer of misfortunes' had more into it other than bringing misfortunes on others. Death will always be the top priority of anything that needs to prevent.
"We're good. I appreciate the concern, but I'll respectfully decline it. Anyway, thank you again for the information. Let's go, Steph."
I pull Steph away outside; however, while going outside, we stumble across some young people in armor and other clothing. Stephanie's eyes widen upon seeing them, the same could be said for the people that are on the front of the group.
"Stephanie? What are you doing here? I thought you're busy today?" said the man in a blue cloak with an intricate white pattern around it. Next to him, a woman pops up. "Yeah? You even screamed that time."
"That's because you... Nevermind. Let's go, Claude."
Then all of them looks at me, and then the woman added. "Is he..." Looking me from top to bottom. "A freshman? He's... Handsome... Hehehe~ Ehem, anyway, from the look of things... Apparently, our Stephanie bought a fine young man here, despite having a lot of admirers."
She fidgets her finger, shyly. "Is he available...? I mean... Did she pay you a lot?" She leans in to whisper.
'Wait is she implying I'm a gigolo?'
"Huh?! What are you saying?!" Stephanie raised her voice in anger.
"Eh?! Why are you getting angry? Is it not? It's not!? I-I mean, I'm just joking, hehe..." She then averts her eyes away from Stephanie's fierce eyes.
I completely understand from where she got it. However, accusing Stephanie of paying someone to be with her? That's unacceptable and completely unheard of. In a million years, she wouldn't do something like that, especially with her attitude. I feel so offended, right now.
From observing Stephanie, I could sense the impending danger of her outburst. There at times where she will be extremely angry when it comes to me, yet when it comes to her; she seldom does something.
So, in a similar old fashion, the best way would be to make her calm down. By tugging her sleeves, I sent her a message. There's a slight change in her mood, so she pulls my hand away from the group with the wrinkles on her nose and forehead still in a clear display. Undeterred by the calling of her acquaintances from behind, Stephanie continues walking.
"How dare she say those words! She's not even hiding it. How can someone be like that? No delicacy. She's the worst. I can't believe her. I thought she's a good person. Tch. You can't really believe everything that you see with your own eyes." Stephanie had been talking to herself for the entire duration of our walk, including the several eyes and gossip around the townfolks.
I didn't utter a word and let Stephanie wanders off on the bustling street while dragging my hands. Later on, we ended up on a quiet side of the street. Minutes later, I finally can't bring myself to ask her a question because it looks like she's just mindlessly wandering. "Wait, where are we going, Stephanie?"
"Shut your mouth and just follow me."
"Okay... If you're that upset, we can just stop here and take a rest."
"Leave that for later. For now, just follow me without saying a word. Once we got there, you'll see."
"If you say so."
Now, we found ourselves in the woods. Trees are bent in an odd way along with their leathery leaves that are fluttering from the wind and falling from high above. The crunching noise of our feet along with the rustling leaves, continued on until Stephanie finally stop her feet when we found ourselves on a small dome-like house. We approach the shabby wooden door. A rotting stench punched my sense of smell.
Stephanie knocks on the door, a few times. "Professor, Professor, Professor, it's Stephanie. Open the door, please. I have someone with me." Stephanie repeated the process for a few minutes before we finally got a response.
The door creaked and behind the door, a woman emerges within this shabby home. Moreover, she's quite a beauty too. Purple hair and two buns tied above, her eyes were covered by this black leathery strap with a star symbol between her eyes. Yet, it doesn't hide her beauty as she exudes an aura that I felt whenever I see a beautiful woman, along with her curvaceous body—especially her thick thighs.
'Aahh... I want to be squeezed by those thighs. They look so squishy and firm.' Having thought of it, made my eyes ogle and my mouth dry. I wonder if every man who sees her thigh would wish her to crush them by it. I mean, it's not a bad wish and it's also a good choice. I'm among them.