"...."
"...."
Everyone headed back out of the dungeon soon after tying Kyle in chains, Snow went overboard and encase his entire body up to his neck in ice which the snow men carries him.
(Now that's just cold) thought Shin.
The group headed back out too tired to even bother fighting the monsters and opt for sniping them from a distance.
Aerina soon woke up after a bit of walking and joined them in taking out the monsters.
Floor 4.
"Let's take a break," said Shin.
"Great," said Callum, sitting on the ground without getting a seat first.
(Geez, this dude sure is something) thought Shin as he observed him.
One side of his hood is cut with a deep gash, his school uniform is dirty and his left hand that was used to punch Kyle's light bulb out is still red but recovering.
A wand is pointed at Kyle who is moving in his sleep.
(Dude's gonna throw hands or wand soon)
Shin thought Callum was a bit jumpy but seeing his badge he can tell why.
(Psi, huh? .....Looks familiar, did I see that badge somewhere before? Wait, actually, why would a Psi student be here?)
Another thing that surprised him was the fact that Callum was wearing a helmet that covered his entire head and face when Kyle went for a strike to his head.
If it weren't for that he would have to carry two people back out.
(This guy is interesting)
___________
"Are you alright?" Serina asks for the fourth time.
"Yes, I'm fine, but this hand will take some time though"
His hand seems to throb following that comment.
"If..it still hurts..I can help" said Serina shyly.
"Thanks, Kurihara"
"Mm"
"...."
"?"
(Why is she holding my other hand though?)
Serina's face doesn't seem to change even when she holds his hand.
(Maybe it's her way of showing concern?)
___________
Soon after the break finished, the group continue on and soon arrive at the entrance of the dungeon.
"Finally," said Snow.
"Yeah, who would have thought Kyle here would struggle so much"
"...." Callum maintained the stare on Kyle who had woken up two times and was put to sleep by his now severely aching hand.
"Hey, Callum"
"Yes?"
Snow called out to him.
"Here" she then hands him an ice pack.
"Oh, thanks"
Putting the ice pack on his hand, Callum felt the pain blow away and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ahh~. Anyway, here Kurihara"
"? Why?"
"Well, you got injured right?"
"Just a bit though" she then showed him her hand.
"....That's a lot"
"Really?"
"Yes"
"Oh....I-I see"
"Here, let me heal it"
Not listening to her protest, Callum used a spell.
Healing Spell (Standard): Wound Heal
The wound closes itself, cleansing the the blood as it seeps back into the wound, not even a scar is present as it closes up.
"....Wow"
"You have that spell all this time?" asked Snow.
"Yeah, it's like very important to have this stuff, I just don't use it because I have to punch this guy in case of him waking up again, and you know breaking my hand from punching him so heal and repeat?"
"...You're weird"
"I know...but in a good way, right?"
"....Perhaps"
Snow nodded remembering the satisfaction upon seeing Kyle get punched in the face.
Seeing the smile on Snow's face, Shin began to panic.
(Oh, ■■■■, this guy almost got Snow?! Oh, that was close! Good thing I got her before he did...) he sweat dropped a bit upon nearly missing out on such a great woman.
"Well, I guess I'll let you guys deal with this...guy here then, I'm out"
"Huh? Where are you going?" asked Shin.
"I need to eat...and sit on a chair for two hours, my legs are so screwed right now"
"....Uh, sure"
"Great, bye Ms.Frostfield, Ms.Aerina, and Kurihara"
Callum then leaves the group heading somewhere else.
"....Uh, I have somewhere to be as well, see you later," said Aerina heading out as well.
"Oh, right, I also...uh...got somewhere to go, catch you later"
Serina left as well leaving the three by themselves.
Snow and Shin look at each other and shrug.
___________
(Ah~, finally)
Callum went back to his dorm to change his uniform and head to a restaurant nearby, too tired to cook, and ate his food silently enjoying the delicious food and drink.
He would sit there for two hours minimum before heading out to buy some materials.
________
Aerina's room.
Burying her face into her pillow, in her pajamas, and under the cover, Aerina couldn't help but feel her heart beating rapidly and her face red.
Remembering a scene in the forest on the 10th Floor made her heart pound.
Unbeknownst to anyone she was half awake during the whole exchange, including the part where Serina; tired and lost from everything that Kyle had done to her confronted Callum, pouring her heart out, possibly her deepest insecurity to him and Callum himself showing his vulnerability to her.
(...It's like seeing a scene straight out of a....no...this feels much more real....so real...)
Hearing him sympathizing with Serina was something she didn't expect from Callum himself, the guy who takes care of her and Laura during the Dungeon Incident, the one who helps others evacuate to the shelters during the Robot Incident, and the one who went into a dungeon with Serina who is many classes above him but still joins anyway.
His actions inspire her to join in and push herself.
They say action speaks louder than words, but in that moment when he speaks with Serina about vulnerability, it was then that words speak just as loud as action itself.
As Aerina replayed those scenes in her mind, she couldn't help but feel touched, inspired, and developing a crush for Callum.