"Trained your whole life, huh? Is that why you came to this school? You aiming to become a magic knight?" Shredica questioned. "If that's the case, why hide what you're really capable of? Revealing your true skills might put you at the top."
"What, in the bronze class?" I scoffed. Did she not grasp it yet? No matter how hard she struggled, she'd be eternally stuck in the bronze class. Those without a special skill couldn't ascend. They simply didn't belong to the chosen few. That's the brutal reality of this world. "Why waste my time on that crap?"
"Don't dismiss it as a waste of time," she said angrily. Then she sighed, "So, why did you come here then?"
"Simple. Curiosity. I want to witness firsthand the true capabilities of those so-called chosen ones."
Every word I spoke was a lie, of course. I wasn't about to spill the real motives for coming here.
"What a lame reason," Shredica sneered, raising her gun and aiming it at me again.
"You're one hell of a scary woman."
"Scary? That's the first time I've heard that. All my peers always call me a beauty."
"Put that gun down, and maybe we can have a civilized conversation."
"If I don't have something to hold over you, you're gonna reject me."
"Reject you for what?"
"I've got a little request."
"It's not exactly the best way to request a favor while pointing a gun at someone. What you're doing right now is threatening," I said, my tone steady despite the heightened tension.
Shredica's smirk deepened, the gun still unwavering. "Sometimes a little threat is necessary to get what you want."
I sighed, maintaining eye contact. "Fine, state your request. But remember, waving a gun around doesn't guarantee compliance."
I waited for her to break the silence, locking eyes with her. Suddenly, a blush adorned her face, a pink hue spreading across her cheeks. What the hell? Is she about to confess to me? No way, that couldn't be possible. But that's the vibe she's giving off right now. How the hell did our conversation, where she threatened me with a gun and almost killed me, turn into a confession?
"I-It's really hard to say this since this is going to be my first time doing it, and it's kind of embarrassing, but..."
This was getting awkward. Seeing that cold woman squirming like this as she held her gun aimed at me was a unique experience, one no other guy would likely ever have, except for me. She was kinda cute, if not for the fact that she was pointing a gun at me.
She closed her eyes. "Will you go out with me?"
She peered at me with one eye after saying that. But from my perspective, it seemed like she was aiming her gun at me with one eye open. It felt as though if I were to decline, she might just shoot me.
"Go out... Wait, where the hell are we going? You're not hinting at us becoming lovers, are you? I mean, you're definitely easy on the eyes, but..."
I sensed the impending danger, so I smoothly dodged the bullet by contorting my upper body backward until my hands met the ground. With practiced ease, I bounced back on my feet, executing a move that resembled a slick backward tumbling act.
"The notion of you and me becoming lovers isn't something I'd resort to pointing a gun at you for you to agree to," she retorted.
Okay... So she wasn't some crazy yandere or something. Good to know. I wasn't in the market for a woman who'd pull a gun on me if I missed our anniversary. I just wished she hadn't shot me out of nowhere, though.
"Well... First, I've got a few things I'd like to clarify with you," I said.
"Very well. Let's hear it," she replied, her eyes focused and intense, like a predator locking onto its prey.
I took a deep breath. "First things first, what the hell do you mean by 'will you go out with me?'? I don't want to jump to any conclusions, so I need some clarification."
"Are you really that slow on the uptake? Can't wrap your head around a simple idea?" she snapped, frustration etched across her face. "Go out with me. Anywhere but here. Is that sinking in?"
"Okay... So, am I correct in assuming that, in simpler terms, you're strong-arming me into going on a date with you?"
Shredica kept her guard up, glowering at me. But then, a blush once again painted her cheeks.
"Are you really making me say it? Fine then. Yeah, it's exactly as you say. So, what's your reply?"
I still didn't have a clue about how to respond, even though the choices were as straightforward as yes or no.
I crossed my arms, eying her with a mix of skepticism and bemusement. "Alright, let me get this straight. You're threatening me with a gun, nearly turning me into a corpse, all for the sake of dragging me on a damn date? Your approach to asking someone out is... unconventional, to say the least."
Shredica huffed, "Quit making a joke out of it and just give me a straight answer."
"Alright, alright. But before I agree to this date, there's one more thing I need to know," I said.
"Spit it out."
"Why me?" I asked. It was the million-dollar question. "I'm just an ordinary guy with a knack for dodging things. I might be more than what meets the eye, but there's no apparent reason for you to approach me., is there? What's your deal? What's your angle in all this?"
Shredica locked eyes with me, her intense blue gaze holding me in place as if by some irresistible force. After a few moments of silence, she sighed and finally holstered her gun, concealing it somewhere.
Even so, she remained tight-lipped.
"You're clearly keeping something from me. There are plenty of things I'd like an explanation for."
"I'm fed up with your relentless questioning..." she finally said. "But fine, I'll say the details, but not in this place."
I cocked my head, "Where, then?"
"Anywhere but here, moron."
Damn, this woman had guts, calling someone she wasn't close to a moron. But I finally realized what she meant. She was saying she'd spill the beans on my questions, but not in the academy. Translation: she'd answer my inquiries on our date somewhere. That's why she mentioned earlier that she wanted to go out with me anywhere but here.
What could be the reason she couldn't spill the tea in this place? I was getting intrigued, wanting to uncover the mystery.
"So, what will it be?"
"...I'm in." I replied.
If I wanted to know, then going on a date with her was the play.
"Great," she said, then pulled something out of her pocket.
It was a sleek smartphone, a high-tech marvel that momentarily left me wide-eyed at how she managed to snag one, but I kept my surprise under wraps. Given her bounty hunting exploits, it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility that she raked in enough cash to splurge on a smartphone.
"You did something to the princess of Bethlan so you could message her up on this, right?" she remarked, brandishing the device. "I want the same setup with me."
She wanted my number. It was a refreshing change to have a girl taking the initiative in the digits game.
"Sure," I nonchalantly replied.
I handed over my number and gave her a quick rundown on how to use the messaging features. After that, she peered at her phone, checking out her new contact. My name was the sole entry—no extra details.
"Well then," she said, smoothly sliding her phone back into her pocket. "I'll hit you up with the details about our plans tomorrow tonight. Be sure to shoot me a reply pronto when my message lands in your inbox."
"Alright," I affirmed. "So, is that all? If it is, I'll bounce back to the dormitory." I executed a smooth turn on my heels, but then realization struck. "Wait? We're doing this tomorrow?"
"But of course. When else if not tomorrow?"
"Uh, I've got something lined up for tomorrow."
"Cancel it, then."
Wow. She wants me to cancel it?
"Look, it's something I can't just casually scrap. Do you even know how crucial this is for me?"
Tomorrow, I planned to put my schemes into action, attempting to win over one of the second-years I've set my sights on. She was always out shopping with her friends during breaks, and tomorrow was my chance to capture her interest and unlock the prerequisites for conquering her. This wasn't a plan I could just toss aside. I had fierce competition with other guys, and I couldn't afford to waste any more time. I needed to make my move before someone else beat me to it.
"Is it more important than going on a... a d-date with me?" She said it with a straight face initially, but when she hit the word 'date,' her face turned red. Stoic expression maintained, though.
"It is important," I asserted with a stern face. It seemed like she might pull out her gun or unleash some other threat if I didn't make it crystal clear. "But if you're dead set on tomorrow, can we make it in the evening? I can carve out that time."
She fell silent for a beat before letting out a resigned sigh. "Fine, then. I suppose evening it is. I'll tell you the details later – the time and the spot. Just remember, no tardiness. Otherwise, I'll unleash everything in my arsenal to make you suffer in ways you can't even fathom. Got it?"
Wahh, scary. "I get it," I replied.
"Well then, I shall make my way back to the dormitory."
"That's probably a good call. It's pretty damn late. I'm sure the dorm guards are already side-eyeing us for not being there. Hold up, why are you tagging along?"
"We're in the same dormitory, remember?"
"Oh, right." I'd completely spaced. This woman was from the bronze class.
Both Shredica and I strolled toward the dormitory, an unspoken tension between us. Luckily, we managed to slip in the dormitory without catching flak for staying out late. That was a relief, at least.