"Interested? Was it because I endured the duel with Mr. Sanfort?" Lein tried to convey one of the possible reasons. If not that, then what else could make this girl from the nobility have an interest in him?
"No! You are strong, but I have seen someone who has better talent than you and was also the same age as you back then. So it's not surprising at all." Delucia's smug expression irritated Lein. She was talking about someone else, but as if that person was her! Damn girl!
"Then?" Lein asked again.
"I'm interested in you, especially your large jug. What's really behind it?" Delucia's expression turned to one of curiosity.
Hearing that, Lein couldn't help but sigh. Eventually, everyone will ask and it will only piss him off. Telling them sooner seemed like the best option, because it could reduce the number of questions asked in the future.
"Koi fish. Inside there are only koi fish," Lein said expressionlessly.
Koi fish?" Delucia's expression grew even more curious, even disbelieving.
Seeing Delucia's expression made Lein stop walking while letting out a long sigh. He lowered his large jug, then opened the lid of the jug. There, Delucia could see many koi fish that had various colors. Compared to koi fish in general, they look much prettier.
"Can I have some?" Delucia looked at Lein expectantly.
While Lein who had an irritated expression immediately replied, "What do you think is the reason I always take them wherever I go? It's because I love them so much! I wouldn't trade my koi fish for anything, let alone give them away for free!"
The value of koi fish cannot be exchanged for anything at Malivic World. If someone were to find out the secret behind it, then it would only create an uproar and only bide time for a major war to break out. It would also be bad for the koi fish themselves. They will be taken advantage of by being force-fed continuously. Even though it was just fish, slowly Lein began to like them.
"I will kiss your cheek twice!" said Delucia with a serious expression and flushed cheeks.
Delucia is confident in her beauty. Her mother had even said that there was no other beauty like her in the entire Asmovius Kingdom. Then, to be able to get a kiss from her sweet lips, which boy isn't interested in that? Some young princes might even be willing to cross the great ocean just to be able to hold a bit of her hand, she thought. However...
"NO! Millions of kisses won't compare to my koi fish!"
Lein's answer made Delucia Richloave's heart ache and almost cry! Does that mean the charm of beauty loses to koi fish?
Delucia tried to offer other things, such as meeting some of her family's sword and magus masters to get a bit of teaching and enlightenment from them, even invitations to a dinner attended by many of the heads of the most influential families in the Asmovius Kingdom. However, just like before, Lein rejected it all even starting to get irritated.
"As I explained earlier, any form of offer, I will decline!" Lein started to quicken his pace; trying to leave Delucia. This girl really sucks!
Unnoticed by the two, they become the center of attention in the library. Some students even secretly followed them to hear further of their conversation, one of them was Prince Arden Alaric. He is one of the students who owns a gold token who secretly likes Delucia. In the future, when he was fit to be the head of the Alaric family, he planned to propose to Delucia Richloave to be his wife.
Knowing that Delucia desperately wants the koi fish that were in the kid's jug, Arden plans to take their share of the trouble. At least, with his influence, he could threaten Lein to give some of his koi fish to Delucia. With this first step, love may grow in her heart and make Arden's future plans easier. Yes! It's the perfect starting plan!
At the next opportunity, Arden suddenly appeared in front of the two and blocked Lein's steps away from Delucia. Lein stopped and looked at the figure in front of him. He is a teenager aged between 15-16 years. He has dark blue hair with fair white skin. When observed from afar, he looked like a pretty boy because of his beautiful skin. However, the thing that stood out the most about him was his powerful and domineering aura. At such a young age, he was already at the 5th class swordsman, a level between 50-55.
In front of the two, Arden bowed slightly towards Delucia and greeted, "Greetings Princess Delucia. I am Prince Arden of the Aleric Family who overheard your conversation." After that, Arden's eyes shifted to Lein while displaying a piercing and threatening look, before returning to a sweet smile as he shifted towards Delucia, "If I'm not presumptuous, I can take the koi fish myself to give to Princess Delucia who beautiful."
Hearing that, Lein couldn't help but let out a long sigh. Another annoying kid!
"Is that true?" Delucia's expression turned happy. She initially wanted to give up, but knowing Arden Aleric had offered to get the koi fish for her, she felt like she had found a normal boy! Only crazy boys ignore her charms!
"Of course." A smile appeared on Arden's face before finally meeting Lein's eyes coldly. At the same time, he emitted a powerful aura that made those who felt him feel like they were facing a monstrous monster. It was strong and domineering, twice as strong as Sanfort's aura before the first test. Several students nearby started hiccuping and shaking, so they chose to stay away from the three. However, Lein didn't let out any response as if he was just blown away by a slight breeze.
Realizing that his opponent had resistance to his aura, Arden increased the amount of his aura so that it greatly drained his mana. However, that also didn't affect his opponent in any way, Lein even managed to yawn on purpose.
The frustrated Arden continued to increase the amount of his aura that even accidentally hit Delucia, causing her to spontaneously fall down in surprise. Cold sweat broke out on Delucia's forehead. As a result, Arden who panicked immediately dispelled his aura and helped Delucia to stand up.
"Forgive me, Princess Delucia." However, Delucia couldn't respond due to shock.
Seeing the romantic couple in front of him, Lein took long strides and intended to leave the two behind. Adolescence is indeed the most beautiful time!
However, realizing that he had lost his face in front of Delucia, made Arden scream 'WAIT!' which made everyone in the library surprised and naturally turned their heads towards him.