I sat on the ground, my legs shaking after running 30 laps.
When Leonardo saw that I couldn't run anymore after 30 laps, he gave up on making me run 50 laps and let me rest while he continued to finish his 100 laps.
After he completed his 100 laps, the bell finally rang, signaling the lunch break.
I intended to order as much as I could so I could get some satisfaction after being made to run 30 laps out of spite.
I informed Raiden and Tyiyn that I was having lunch with Leonardo today and invited them, but both declined simultaneously.
"First Miss Fia, now Mr. Leonardo, why are the high-rankers so interested in you?" Raiden asked.
"Maybe Will is someone special," Tyiyn speculated.
"It's not like that at all. By the way, why are you declining the offer to have lunch with Mr. Leonardo?" I asked.
"We don't want to embarrass ourselves in front of him," Tyiyn replied.
"We look up to him, so we can't let that happen," Raiden added, his expression pained.
"Are you really sure? Then I won't force you," I said before feeling a presence behind me. I turned to find Leonardo.
"Let's go," he said.
"Understood," I replied, bidding farewell to Raiden and Tyiyn.
Leonardo and I headed to the cafeteria. We easily found an empty table and proceeded to order.
I had him order the most expensive dish on the menu, costing 2 silver coins per serving. I asked for five servings, amounting to 1 gold coin.
Afterward, he ordered his own meal, and we took our seats. Just by this, I could already tell that he was quite wealthy. Well, being the son of the principal, that was expected. Still, paying 2 gold coins for a simple lunch seemed excessive.
As we began eating, Leonardo suddenly asked me a question.
"Your name," he said.
"Huh?" I replied.
"What's your name?" he repeated, raising his voice slightly.
"Oh, it's Will. I'm Will, but why now?" I answered and asked why he was suddenly interested in my name.
"Well, it's hard calling you 'you' all the time," he explained.
"Then can I ask a question too?" I inquired.
"Yeah, go ahead," he replied.
"Why did you choose me as your partner? Is it because you saw that I didn't want to pair with Alad?" I asked.
"Huh? No, it's nothing like that," he responded.
"Then why?" I probed.
"Because I'm interested in you," he admitted.
"Huh?" I blurted out, feeling a bit uneasy.
"No, it's not like that! It's because you and Fia seem so close, so I just want to know your relationship," he clarified, attempting to clear up the misunderstanding.
"Wait, do you like Miss Fia?" I asked.
"Huuuuhhhhh? Where did that come from?" he exclaimed, looking flustered.
"So you do like her, huh?" I teased.
"Hey!! Don't jump to conclusions like that!" he exclaimed so loudly that everyone in the cafeteria turned to look at us.
"I apologize; please continue eating," he said before returning to his seat.
Afterward, we continued eating in silence until he spoke again.
"Yes, I like her," he finally admitted, confirming his feelings for Miss Fia.
I smiled and then answered his previous question.
"Our relationship is merely that of a student and a teacher. She's my instructor in earth magic, so there's no need to worry," I explained.
"Eh? Is that so? I guess my guess was wrong," he admitted.
"Wait, is that why you were so harsh on me earlier? Is that why you chose me as your partner, just to be tough on me? That's mean!" I realized, connecting the dots.
"I'm sorry for that," he apologized.
"Do you think sorry would suffice?" I questioned.
"Then what do you want?" he asked.
"You owe me one. When I need your help, please assist me," I requested.
"Is that it? Then I understand; I'll return the favor when you need help," he agreed.
Afterward, we continued eating until he brought up another question.
"Can I ask another question?" he inquired.
"Yeah, go ahead," I said.
"Do you know anything about a place called the Fighting Ground?" he asked.
It seemed he was also investigating it. I could share what I knew, but revealing too much might lead to repercussions for Crestia, so I opted to tell him the same as I'd told Miss Fia.
"Yeah, I think I've heard of it before, but I can't recall where or when," I answered.
"Is that so? Then forget I asked anything," he said.
"I understand," I replied.
Afterward, we continued eating until we finished, coinciding with the ringing of the bell.
"You attend magic class every afternoon, right?" he inquired.
"Yes," I confirmed.
"Then I'll take my leave here. Don't ever dare tell anyone what we talked about today, or I'll chase you to the end of this world," he warned.
"I understand," I said, and he finally left.
I exited the cafeteria and headed for the magic classrooms. Along the way, I spotted Chris' group and caught up with them.
"Good afternoon, everyone," I greeted.
"Good afternoon, Will," Lana and Lucia responded.
"Will, you're not with your friends today. Did something happen?" Chris asked, his expression concerned.
"No, it's just that I got a free lunch from a senior, so I accepted it and ate with him," I explained.
I glanced at Crestia, who was looking at me.
"Good afternoon, Crestia," I greeted her.
"Good afternoon," she replied.
Everyone seemed surprised by Crestia's replied, but we had reached the magic classrooms, so they didn't discuss it further and entered their respective rooms.
I entered the earth magic classroom, and the first thing I noticed was the dark-haired guy with glasses, who regarded me with hostility—probably because of yesterday.
I took my seat and awaited Miss Fia and her classmates' arrival. After a few minutes, Miss Fia entered and instructed us to pair up with the same partners as yesterday and gather behind the fifth-year dormitory. Our lesson from yesterday would continue.
Once we arrived at our designated spot, Miss Fia reiterated her instructions from yesterday, reminding us not to stray too far and emphasizing that classes would end when the bell rang.
Miss Fia and I went to our previous location, and she continued teaching me how to cast the rock bullet.
Time flew by, and the bell rang, but I still hadn't succeeded in casting the rock bullet. Earth magic was proving to be quite challenging.
Miss Fia and I returned to the meeting point, and she dismissed the class.