With the battle concluded Willow's two other teammates — who were unconscious — got medical assistance while mine ran up to me giving praise.
"Dude, how did you survive Willow's attacks?"
"Yeah and how terrifying was that last attack of hers? I almost pissed myself and I wasn't even the one who the attack was directed at!"
"Just how lucky are you? I thought for sure that it was the end for you!"
As they bombarded me with questions I quickly tried to answer them.
"My luck is just really good, some of the times Willow was off balance and I narrowly managed to survive. Other times I just ran and zigzagged in random directions praying that nothing would happen."
While hearing my explanation their high thoughts of me decreased but they were still much more friendly.
"Dude you are braver than me, thank you for keeping Willow distracted so that we could come out with the win!"
"Yeah honestly I thought we were fucked from the get-go but you really saved the day!"
Hearing their praises I gave a nervous chuckle while rubbing the back of my neck.
"Thanks, guys but it was nothing too special."
Yet they didn't allow me to downplay my actions.
"Nonsense you're definitely the MVP of this match!"
"He's right because of you we didn't lose our winning streak. How about we buy you a meal as thanks?"
I was momentarily stunned by their gratitude but I recovered in time to give a response.
"I'd like that."
They gave each other a look before they shared a smile.
"Great, how about we exchange information so that we can plan the time and date."
Giving them everything they need to stay in contact they gave me a pat on the back before leaving to hang out with their other friends.
Looking down at my phone I looked at their information and I couldn't help but show a light smile.
[43 - Quin Ferance]
[9 - Akira Sasaki]
I had officially just made my first friends.
Being that I already had my smartwatch open I switched gears and looked over the new defense gift I bought.
[Null: Allows the user to dismantle and disintegrate any magic-infused attack.]
Reading the description I was in awe at the multiple possibilities the gift could bring me.
The gift was nothing like I had expected but when I read over it a second time I realized how specialized it was to fit the conditions I set.
What I was expecting was a super strong bubble to appear and block the attack or maybe my skin to turn into a sturdy mineral and not leave a scratch. Perhaps something that would reflect the attack or make it so that I would avoid it. But instead, I got something completely overpowered.
What I had asked for was to: create a defensive gift that will allow me to stop the aura attack.
The gift was obviously defensive which met the first condition. Then I asked that it stop the attack, not deflect or absorb. This is why I was able to shatter the attack in a split second and completely stop it from doing any damage whatsoever. Finally, it fulfilled the last step by limiting the gift to affect only the aura attacks. This relates because the gift can only work against magic-infused attacks meaning it's useless against physical ones.
Once I understood how detailed the gift was I made a mental note to be exact with my wishes or else I might end up with something I don't want.
Thankfully everything played out preferably; I survived the attack, got a powerful new gift, got a defensive gift, made two new friends, didn't attract any unwanted attention, dissed Willow and got away with it, and won my first-ever trios battle, didn't bankrupt myself, and finished my part of the deal with Charlotte.
All and all today had been a highly profitable day and it was only just beginning.
While returning to the wall next to Charlotte I glanced at the amount of SP I had remaining.
[SP: 7,513]
Overly satisfied I tried to take my seat but I winced in pain.
Now that everything was over and I was still in one piece my adrenaline dropped causing me to remember that I was still injured.
Looking down at my wound my side was still bleeding — although not as bad — and I was a little lightheaded. However, the worst part was my clothes which were completely ruined due to the red stains and torn parts.
Still standing I looked down at Charlotte only to have her meet my gaze. I couldn't understand the emotion hidden behind her eyes but she seemed upset.
I let out a sigh at the incoming trouble this girl would inevitably cause.
"Would you like to escort me to the infirmary?"
She paused for a moment before nodding and rising to her feet.
"I'll have to let Miss Smith know first since I haven't had my battle yet."
"Okay."
While Charlotte went off to explain herself I started making my way toward the exit with the expectation that she would soon catch up. Plus I didn't have all day to wait due to my body becoming heavier with each passing second.
Once I made my way through the class and out the door I began walking down the hallway only to be caught off guard when I turned the first corner.
"Willow?"
Unexpectedly Willow was hiding behind the corner with her head buried in her knees.
Hearing someone's voice Willow looked up with tears in her eyes only to realize who it was. Once she saw that it was me she quickly wiped the tears away and sprung to her feet.
"This is all your fault!"
"Huh?"
I was immediately caught off guard by her accusation.
"If it was for you none of this would have happened!"
'Fuck, fuck, fuck!'
"What do you mean?"
'Why now?'
"Don't pretend like you don't know, you are the one who-"
I knew exactly what was happening and it was the worst possible timing because:
'Another fucking crossroad.'
"- messed up my friendship with Charlotte-"
'Think, think Lucas, think. She is going to give me two choices, either mend our relationship or make it worse and both are going to result in an alteration within the novel.'
"- ruined how Elijah looks at me-"
'Which is worse? Right now the best course of action is to keep the novel progressing as it should because I have everything under control and enough SP.'
"- caused me to lose my winning streak -"
'This is just like what happened with the Charlotte arc.'
"- so it's all your fault!"
'I'm out of time.'
I originally asked Willow what she meant when she said it was all my fault in order to keep her busy while thinking of a way out of the situation but I couldn't find one.
So I was now left with the redeeming myself and befriended Willow arc that would most definitely affect the rest of the book. Or continue to be the asshole who ruins everything which would result in her fixating on me, also affecting the book while causing me to be on the lookout for her antics.
'Both are terrible! Why do the girls I'm not interested in keep popping up? I'm not into having a harem or archenemy!'
"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Since I had been quiet this whole time Willow finally asked the big question.
'Once again I have to decide which path I will go down.'