Luvi was embarrassed for his past, but he didn't hate who he was before. Parts of that still existed even now, but he considered himself to be much kinder, as he didn't give out any permanent scars like before.
So Mirian can be considered lucky to some extent. Because the current Luvi was stable than before.
"You two, you both were practicing together?"
The nurse asked, looking at Luvi, then giving a long look towards Miriam.
Who, after some thought, chose to not mention the reason why her throat was so swollen.
"It was our first time sparring with our abilities, and things get a bit heated up."
A stupid excuse, but considering neither Luvi nor Miriam chose to speak the truth, she was forced to give up.
The things that happen in this academy, she is well used to it. How the weaker students always choose to remain silent under their ongoing bullying was too common in her eyes. And after trying and failing to get the victims to report their experiences to the authorities, she has chosen to give up after a long white.
Hence, she didn't force either Luvi or Miriam to speak the truth. But in her mind, she had already put Miriam in the same seat as the bullies were.
"Thank you…"
Luvi said after the Nurse had left the scene once again. "Even though this didn't work out, I would still send the promised amount to your account."
"... I didn't do this because of you. I just didn't want this to get any bigger."
And like that, the two chose to have their last meeting.
It would be a lie to say that Luvi didn't regret certain things. He got a good partner who knew how to use her brains during combat. But he lost out of his own paranoia.
Making it way harder for both of them to approach each other in the future.
Even though she acted kind in the end, Luvi understood that people can't forgive so easily. Because no one has she mentioned or suggested that she forgives him for what he did. And Luvi knew that he can't complain, because he truly deserved that.
But that is how life is like.
Now, the only relationship they would have in the future would be of boss and minion, while Miriam would remain unaware that the guy who wished to employ her, turned out to be her boss all alone.
Putting the whole event behind, with bandages on his face, Luvi left the infirmary after a few hours.
He was prescribed some antibiotics and ointments which were pretty expensive, though effective.
With the advancement of biochemistry as well as medicine through the help of dungeon materials, medicines nowadays can heal most injuries in just a few days.
Including burns.
Though, the scars would still require the old plastic or reformation surgery which has been done till now and has become way more expensive than before.
"Well, if she is not going to help me, I should look for someone else."
Luvi then went back to work. To him, money was never an issue, not anymore at least. Currently, he was rich enough to buy out the whole school if he wanted.
Sadly, after older experiences Luvi was well aware that he can't buy some companions through money alone. Not the money he can show in the open that is.
'The stronger students are doing the 1v1 battles, barely anyone is taking part in the hunts.
'What to do.'
Luvi was a bit sad. If he didn't find anyone else in the next week, he would have to abandon his plans for the future and wait for a whole year, doing nothing, beside earning lots of money that is.
Though, while he was moving toward his house. A young man approached him, looking confused as he stared deeper into Luvi's face.
"You.. You Kuluvi right?"
He asked, obviously confused, but understandable, as the current Luvi had half his face bound in bandages.
"And you are? And what are you doing in front of my home?" There was no need to answer properly, there was none in the school with any similar scars and Luvi's other half of the face was still exposed. Not to mention, due to Luvi's past experience with random meetings with other students, he didn't have much goodwill towards his student.
"Idhant, we shared history class together…" The student acted jittery and struggled to word his sentences properly, making it appear that he didn't have much practice with talking to others. "Bu.. but you rarely came to the class.. So you might not… know me."
"Idhant?... I don't recall your face for the few times I did go. But you do have a forgettable face."
"But let's get back on the topic. Why are you here?" Luvi asked in a strong voice, not hiding his annoyance in the least bit. Which scared Idhant, who was already someone of weak personality.
"I need money… and I heard you were giving it away. But, I need at least 700$." Hearing these words, Luvi's eyes shined.
Someone with a weak personality like Idhant was a perfect sacrificial lamb for him, but Luvi didn't smile on the surface and just specified. "I am not giving away money, I just want someone capable to take part in the hunting tournament."
"If you are not capable enough, I won't employ you."
"No… I am not weak. The teacher said… I just have confidence issues."
"Well, explain your ability, if I like it, we can do some sparring and learn something about each other."
"Oh… of course."
*****
Coincidence?
Luvi was not sure as of yet. But no matter what it is, the fear of being exposed as DreamMachine was gone as it was not Miriam this time.
And if this Idhant was someone with bad intentions, Luvi didn't mind falling into some potential trap.
As long as he can prove himself in front of the audience, at least, he would gain something. Even if he fails his goal at the end.
This small snippet in his life's history might help him in the future.
So Luvi didn't mind if Idhant was there to sabotage him, with everything that happened with Miriam, he welcomed it.
Gaining something was always better than failing at everything.
Though, on the other hand. Miriam was recalling her experience and how dangerous it was.
The longer she thought about it, the more she understood how dangerous this small experience was for her.
Making her understand not exposing Luvi was mercy enough. For now, her attention needs to go back to finding good candidates, in which Luvi was not present anymore.
'Should Rose be considered?'
She wondered.
Rose was not small minded like many might have assumed. Even though she hated Luvi, she has chosen to approach Miriam and talk with an open mind without showing any prejudice towards her due to her ability as well as her potential relations to Luvi.
Showing that Rose was capable of focusing on her goal, no matter how insidious they might be.
"Hmm, a good candidate."
Luvi was a failure and unstable element, she can't put her cards on him anymore. The only reason she showed some mercy on him was out of pity. If not for showing remorse over his actions, she might not have given him even that.
But Rose was different, she was direct on what she wanted and also warned Miriam appropriately about the danger Luvi might pose to her. Which turned out to be true to some extent.
So Miriam made up her mind.
If she can't get Luvi, then why not pick someone like Rose, who has better ability and a calmer mind. Unlike Luvi, who struggles to work with others.
DreamMachine: I would be sending FIX your way. All we need is your location. Also, its mandatory, I can't give out so much money towards your group unless I make sure you are safe. So, I believe you should understand.
A sudden message that scared Miriam a bit.
For security reasons, she understood what DreamMachine meant.
Ignoring the harsh experience of the day, she started to think about what to do and how to reply in thi case.
'DreamMachine finds me suspicious?'
And why wouldn't she?
Miriam knows how much she has failed till now and this much seemed appropriate in her case. Leaving Miriam to struggle about whether she should give away her real identity.
Seeker: Yes, I understand. I would be sending you my address.
But in the end, she chose to accept this test. Hiding away won't help her much, and she had learned that some members have already met FIX. So it wasn't that surprising that it was her turn.
Though, the reason behind FIX's visit to her might be somewhat different.
FIX: What you did was wrong.
DreamMachine: So help her, I am still young and prone to making mistakes. Something an Elder like you should be able to easily fix… isn't that why your name is FIX? Huhu
FIX: … Kid, let me ask you something. Would you do something similar in future?
DreamMachine: No
Luvi lied, like always.