After Charles informed the group that the exam would abruptly end, the voice announcing the rules of the exam confirmed it. Most participants were dumbfounded by the sudden closure, but they obediently returned to the starting point. As Belle and the others arrived back at the starting point, they found the rest of the teenagers already gathered there. No one had been sent out for finishing the exam early, as had happened in the previous stage. Belle noticed all the teenagers' eyes on him - a featureless human with just a mouth was bound to attract attention.
"With the way things have developed, we have decided to grade you all based on the second exam, as it also tested your strength. The exam officially ends now. You will all be teleported back, meet up with your parents or guardians, and await the grading and class assignment," the voice from the third stage of the exam announced, as Belle and the others were teleported away.
"You look even cuter like this," Elizabeth, whom Belle had just met after being teleported, said, bursting into laughter. "Don't think anything of it," Belle responded. "I'm not thinking anything, but don't you think you should have tried being a woman fully when we went shopping?" Elizabeth said, causing Belle's face to crease. He suddenly noticed the many eyes on him, and Elizabeth's comment only drew more attention. "Don't worry, they can't hear me. They can see us, but they can't hear," Elizabeth said, laughing as she reveled in pulling one over Belle.
"Why are they looking at me, though?" Belle asked. "I think you overdid it a bit," Elizabeth replied. "Overdid it?" Belle pondered for a moment before realizing what Elizabeth meant. In his view, he had used his powers as a mortal rank should have when fighting the rhinos. "I didn't overdo it. I was holding back," Belle insisted, realizing that what he thought was acting like a normal mortal rank was actually not.
"Did I put you in a tough spot? I'm sorry," Belle immediately apologized, lowering his head. His parents weren't big fans of elementary classes, fearing that monsters might attack locations without defense, so Belle had never attended one and lacked basic knowledge like power ranking.
"You know, I really hate how weak you are. Every little thing makes you feel bad. It's quite frustrating, but feeling sad shouldn't be it. If you feel bad enough to put me in a tough spot, then don't give them a chance to exploit it. Regardless, you're still a kid, no matter how much you behave like an adult most of the time," Elizabeth shook her head.
"My powers might bring bad luck. I wiped out my county and put you in a tough spot just five days after meeting you. Am I complaining? Belle, the best thing you can do for me is to be strong. The world isn't a fantasy where they live happily ever after. Putting me in a tough spot won't matter. What will matter is what you do after putting me in a tough spot," Elizabeth explained.
"What should I do?" Belle asked. "Be mature. It would have been great if I had noticed your lack of basic knowledge earlier, but now that it has come to this, I want you to be mature. Maturity isn't about age; it's about knowledge. You've secured yourself a spot in the academy, which should be one of the best places for knowledge. Make use of your time there to acquire knowledge. Seek out books, gather information. Don't feel like a jinx and stay away from others. Approach people and extract information from them. You have a convenient way of doing so. Currently, nobody will make a move for me, but the future will rely more on you. I believe you understand me and that you will come up with something, because you are truly great at using your brain," Elizabeth advised.
Hearing Elizabeth's words, Belle could only look at her. He still doubted how things had been working between them, sometimes thinking that Elizabeth might want to use him for some reason. However, he was ninety-five percent certain that she had no ulterior motives. As she had said, she truly embraced him as a lost kin. Perhaps it was because she had always been alone, only being casual with her workers before she met him. "Thank you," Belle sincerely expressed his gratitude.
"you don't need to say thank you, who accepts just thank you this days, to appreciate me, how about you grow some mound with your normal appearance and take a loli pics for my restaurant banner" Elizabeth said with evil grin.
"Surely, this is not happening. A lot of normal people accept a 'thank you,' but I can't judge you as normal people, though," Belle said, his mood already elevated.
"Are you implying that something is wrong in my head?" Elizabeth said, giggling.
"I didn't say that, but since you can come to that conclusion yourself..." Belle said and paused.
"Being like this will really be great, Belle. Don't let them find it easy to delve into your past and into what makes you sad. Make them all think you live the best," Elizabeth said.
"I will try my best," Belle said.
"Okay, don't forget to ask me for money for anything you want in the academy. Neglect the restaurant. I am super rich," Elizabeth said, bursting out laughing.
Seeing her laugh, Belle truly hoped it would forever be like this.