"Wait, what?"
"Carry me"
"...Woah, woah, woah, woah. Woah. Calm down lady"
o-o?
The guy stops her with his hands held up.
"Why not? It would be faster if you were to carry me since you're fast and strong, carrying a young woman's body shouldn't be difficult unless you're speed-focused or maybe mana?"
"No, that's not the problem here, it's like...you"
"I assure you I kept a close watch on my body weight for health reasons"
"Okay, first off, I'm glad you're taking care of your body, but it's more of a....personal reason"
"What's wrong with you?"
Feeling the question stab him in the chest, the guy took a deep breath and replied.
"I just feel....stiff when I'm close to a girl"
"....Because?" not hearing further explanation, Rualan ask for details.
"That's all"
"..."
"...."
"...How cu--admirable"
Almost using a word she wasn't used to speaking out loud made Rualan blush a bit, but it was the only word perfect enough to describe the feeling she has for the guy in front of her and his reasoning.
"....."
"Then let's go at our own pace then"
"...Right"
The two opt for a slow walk through the dungeon, with the guy shooting any monsters that gets near them or hiding using Rualan's Monster Book's locating function.
_____________
Taming 56%
The Taming skill didn't level up unless increasing the mastery over it, but the increase in stats certainly play a role in her progress to tame the monster.
"....Assistant?"
"Yes?"
"I think I might need to level up a lot more in the future"
A small smile tug underneath the hood as the guy ask.
"Can I join?"
"I will allow it"
"Thank you"
Taming 79%
________________
In the Academy Battleground
Swords are swung through the air swiftly without hesitation as one can result in the immediate defeat by their opponent, many eyes watch as the exchange between the students grew more intense.
As the intensity grew, the fierce eyes of the fighters grow even stronger.
Metallic sound rang out throughout the arena as everyone feel the climax reaching its peak.
The exchange of blows became too much for the practice weapons that they shattered to pieces right as they collided, the automatic announcement quickly ended the match upon notice leaving the two fighters annoyed with the interruption.
"Not bad" said Conner Zhang, moving his hand to shake his opponent.
"Thanks, you too", Kyle Ryder shakes his hand signaling the actual end of their fight.
Cheers and whistles from the onlooking crowd cheers them as the two leave the stage, their shattered practice weapon removed by a flying mini golem that collects and disposes of it.
"Great job, Kyle" a 'friend' of his congratulated Kyle as he reached her, receiving the towel she handed to him.
"Thanks, Serina"
"Did you make a good impression?"
"Hmm, maybe? I'm sure I display amazing power just enough to show him what I'm capable of"
"Well, if its you then I'm sure he will say 'I can't wait for you to join my team' "
"Yeah, definitely" the two heads out the exit on their side, while on the other side, Conner have already reach the exit of his locker room and there Elena was waiting for him standing by the wall watching the match from a TV.
"Oh, hey. That was a nice match"
"Yeah"
Noticing the look on his face, she make a guess based on her experience with him.
"Not that great?"
"Not really"
(It's just another overpowered classmate showing 'a fraction of my power' to me)
"How many people did you fight this month?"
"29 people"
"Including that guy?"
"Nope"
"So 30 then"
"Ugh, now it felt like I'm on a victory spree"
"Well, you are"
"I wish I'm not"
The two walk side by side out of the arena area, their pinky interlocked with one another for a brief moment before detaching.
_______________
"My bat!"
"Get back here, you--Fast legs!!!"
Holding the handle and the broken blade of his bat, Guy watched as the zooming monster left the area and out of sight.
A small bat with a thumb size orb on its forehead landed on a nearby stone and ask him.
"...Is it live?"
"Just now?"
"....."
<.....>
"Dammit...I'm heading back up now, I don't think I can stay here any longer", annoyed and frustrated with himself, the guy heads back up to the 1st floor.
Current location: 4th floor
_______________
"That was....just sad," said Rualan swirling around on her chair to look at him.
"....I know, I'm sorry head researcher", the guy called Rualan as such on the 3rd day of their cooperative relationship.
4th day.
"It's alright, it is called 'The Speeding Ticket Avoider' after all", though the weird choice of words, Rualan can understand where it is coming from when someone name it that.
"I will look for a way to get it, but for now I will just capture the other monsters"
"No, I don't think that is necessary"
"Why?"
In the direction that Rualan pointed to are cages filled with monsters clawing at the bars or running in circles, though they make noises it is normal for monsters like them, but the interesting thing is that all of them are calm and not hostile.
"There's only one cage left since you did your job so well, so until I get the new cages I ordered from the Forge Club, your priority is to only capture the Speeding monster"
".....I will try, head researcher" taking a moment to reaffirm himself, the guy declared such to Rualan.
"Great, now, how about we discuss about this monster while having tea?"
"Okay"
Taking a seat near her, Rualan began preparing the tablet to display the projection of the monster, readying her kettle and tea bag.
"Move closer"
"Isn't this just fine?"
"You might miss out on the best part if you do that"
"How? I mean the projection is very clear and stuff"
"Fine, I'll just move then"
"Uh..."
Rualan set her chair next to him with no gap between them and the tablet in front with the projection running.
"Quiet now, or you will miss it"
(No replay then!?!?!)