"And the students that will be dueling this Monday will be Aarick Laupier and Hugo Riley!"
'Of course, it fucking is!'
Frustration started to well up inside of me as I realized that the teacher known as Mr. Ainsworth honestly was so petty that he would do anything to somehow prove that his class was superior to ours.
Even if I had no idea how strong Hugo actually was, there was no doubt that it would be next to impossible for an [F]-rank like me to beat an [E]-rank. And if his eyes were half as good as his mouth was, Mr. Ainsworth should have a pretty good understanding of my abilities right now.
Also, why didn't Dona step in?
'Actually... I already know why...'
It was probably something along the lines of trial by fire. In her mind, it probably didn't matter if I won or lost, just that it would be a good experience for me to have as early on as possible.
Despite that, I couldn't help but glare at her when she began talking, not because she was looking absolutely gorgeous in that black dress, but because I was angry at her.
"Naturally, as this is a show match, it will have nothing to do with either of the participant's grades at the academy. Also, it is important to keep in mind that it is only an event that is meant to create some light-hearted rivalry between the classes, and the match itself doesn't necessarily reflect the participants' actual performance on the field."
Then, the air turned heavy, and Dona suddenly got serious.
"Because the wasteland is not like the academy. On the wasteland, a defeat equals death. Out there, there is nothing to save you except for your comrades and your own abilities. There are no teachers that will come to save you after you graduate, and it doesn't matter how rich your parents are. Out there, many of you will die, and death does not care about what household you come from."
Noticing that the mood had gotten more than a little depressive, Mr. Ainsworth quickly came to the rescue, his face a bit paler than usual.
"Ah, and that's very true, Ms. Zito. But tonight, we just hope that you can continue to have a good time and relax. Because after this we expect you all to work hard to improve yourselves. So, everyone, go loose!"
*Clap, clap, clap!*
It was hard to say that he managed to save the situation, but at least he managed to make it so everyone's night wasn't ruined by Dona's very curt and crude words.
In sync with them walking away from the dance floors, the light went on, and with it, I walked out of the club. Because if there was someone who had to improve the most, it was undoubtedly me.
****
[Levi's Pov]
Sitting at a table with Will, Matthew, and Jessica, another student from Mr. Ainsworth's class, I was having a hard time focusing. And although I knew the reason, it was still frustrating that I couldn't let it go.
Because when I and Will entered the club, everyone was looking at us, something that wasn't all too rare. Everyone except for one person. A person who just shot us a quick glance before turning around, treating me as if I was just air.
This, despite the fact that I had actually allowed my attendants to fix me up for the night, something that practically never happened unless there was an incredibly important event relating to Leviathan.
Then, on top of the childish emotions that rampaged inside of me just because I got ignored, this happened.
"And the students that will be dueling this Monday will be Aarick Laupier and Hugo Riley!"
Although it was so very dark, I could still sort of see Aarick's illustrious white hair in the dark, though it goes without saying that I could not see what kind of expression he was wearing.
'Aarick...'
It was quite ridiculous really, how his one interaction with me had caused all of this to happen. Naturally, I was aware of it, but at the same time, I wasn't sure what to do about it. Because if I went about it the wrong way, it would have the opposite effect of what Aarick wanted.
Aarick just wanted to live his life in peace, just like he had always wanted. To just get to face the future with a smile on his face while working hard to fulfill his dreams.
And yet, he never appeared to just get to be left alone. Because of me, because he got in contact with me. Because I couldn't just let it go, seeing Matthew questioning him about what happened with Hugo.
Just like in the past, when he got bullied because I kept hanging out with him.
And even still, even despite all of this, when the lights went off, and I saw him turn his back to us, I couldn't sit still.
"Where are you going, Levi?"
Grabbing my arm gently, just to get my attention, Will looked a bit confused seeing me suddenly getting up.
"I'm just getting some air. I'll be right back."
"Want me to go with you?"
"No, it's okay. I'll be back in a moment."
As Will was already very aware that my answers never changed, he didn't force the issue anymore, but his face still looked a bit worried. But my mind was too muddled to care right now.
Maybe because of the alcohol, or maybe it was because of the intense sense of guilt inside of me, but I knew I had to go. And so I went.
It didn't take long until I was outside the club, and as security had already chased away the paparazzi, I was free to move where I needed to go. Because further down the street I saw him, the back of the white-haired man I desperately needed to talk to.
Yet, as soon as I saw the lonely back, I somehow knew. I knew that it would be pointless, detrimental even. In the end, I only wanted to speak with him for my own sake, no matter how much my head tried to justify it being for his.
Biting my lips, I once again felt weak. Just as weak as I felt when seeing him in the hospital bed. Because just like that time, there was nothing I could do without making everything worse.
So, I turned around, trying my best to hold myself back together as I entered the club once again.
****
[Dona's Pov]
Coming home from the party, I wasn't all too surprised to have noticed that Aarick had already left the vicinity quite early on. What did surprise me though, was hearing some muffled sounds coming from my practice room.
Walking through my hallway and living room, I couldn't help but put my ear to the closed door, being as quiet as possible so he wouldn't notice my presence.
*Bom*
The small noise of an impact was heard, and then it didn't take long until I heard the voice of the boy who always tried his best.
"-Fuck! That's not it!"
*Bom*
*Bom*
*Bom*
Seating myself on the floor, resting my back on the door, I continued to listen to the struggling boy repeating his movement over and over, stopping only briefly every now and then to catch his breath and regain his mana.
'Aarick...'
His situation wasn't something I could ever call fair, and even though I hadn't opposed Mr. Ainsworth's idea and I kept forcing him into uncomfortable situations, I knew there was no helping it.
Ultimately Aarick didn't have a choice anymore, not since he woke up as something other than human. Even now he still didn't fully understand what he actually was, and even though he tried to act strong, I knew it was wearing him down.
But that was just all the more reason why he had to become strong as soon as possible. Not just physically or becoming adept at using his blessing, but mentally strong. It was just a shame that he couldn't quite find anyone he could trust in the academy to support him in his struggle.
No matter how much he tried to fool himself into believing that he was alone just because of some circumstances, it wasn't hard to tell that he was choosing to be alone. Even after just one week at the academy, it was already clear that he hesitated to trust the humans around him.
'Astor, huh?'
Still, there had been one person who had just forced himself into Aarick's sphere, and although that stupid freshman Hugo had ruined it, Astor had even been quite close to creating a situation where Aarick would get an opportunity to at least interact with other people.
It was quite interesting, really, how Astor was one of the humans that didn't follow the unwritten rules of this world. Because if he did, there was no way that someone with his kind of standing would ever interact with an orphan like Aarick.