Twilight had faded, and the day turned dark with an orange hue on the horizon. While waiting for Yolina to return to her dormitory, I chatted with Mr. Bradley, the gatekeeper. It didn't take long for us to become acquainted. Just 30 minutes of chatting, and we interacted like old friends. I shared many stories that I modified from Dark Saber.
"Edward..."
I heard a feminine voice calling me from outside the guard post. Since the post was quite open with many windows, I only needed to turn my head. And there I found Yolina standing still, holding a folio-sized folder in her left hand, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and fatigue.
"Oh, sis." I greeted Yolina.
"Miss." Mr. Brad also greeted her.
Yolina looked between me and Mr. Brad, and then she said, "What are you doing, Edward?"
Mr. Brad and I exchanged glances for a moment. Then I smiled at Yolina.
"I'm waiting for you. And instead of getting bored, I got to know Mr. Brad and chatted." I replied.
"You? Getting to know someone?" Yolina squinted her eyes.
I could see the look of bewilderment on her face from here. She seemed to be pondering something. Maybe about me.
"Well then, I'll be off, Mr. Brad. We'll chat another time," I said to Mr. Brad, extending my hand.
Mr. Brad nodded his head and then patted my palm. With such a start, the bro handshake I taught Mr. Brad was executed. This was a modified handshake common among intergalactic mercenaries in my previous life.
As the handshake ended, Mr. Brad tossed a rune card to me for guest access to the women's dormitory.
"Your sister is here, so you can enter the dormitory," said Mr. Brad.
After catching the access card, I stood up, took the box containing ice cream from the magic refrigerator, and walked out of the guard post.
"I'll drop by again later," I said to Mr. Brad.
Once outside, I was faced with Yolina, whose mouth was slightly agape and had a confused look. She blinked several times while looking at me.
I stopped in front of Yolina and waved my right hand in front of her face.
"Hey... you still there?" I asked, bending down because Yolina was shorter than me.
Yolina, now slightly aware, stepped back from me, looking puzzled and frowning.
"What was that just now?" Yolina asked with a silly tone.
"A friendship handshake?" I replied, waving my right hand.
Yolina froze. And soon after, she melted.
"I must say, your enlightenment experience has really changed you. Damn, I don't recognize you at all." Yolina said, shaking her head.
I didn't respond. Instead, I was more interested in her tired face.
"Forget that for now. You look tired. Let's go to your dorm unit first. I want to talk about something." I said with a flat look, holding the access card between two fingers raised in the air.
Yolina was silent for a moment. Then she took a deep breath and exhaled. Her expression showed she had given up on my change.
"Alright, let's go," Yolina spoke while moving her head to the side once, signaling me to follow her.
Yolina walked a bit ahead, and I followed her from behind. We walked while chatting.
"So, what brings you here? Don't tell me you want to show off your new girlfriend. The second daughter of the Bahraeel family, right?" Yolina asked.
"The rumors seem to spread quickly," I replied flatly.
"Is that true?" Yolina retorted, glancing slightly to the left, her eyes falling toward me without any change in her expression.
I took a short breath and answered, "Half true. It's just a pretense for now."
Yolina faced forward again. About five meters more, we reached the entrance of the dormitory building. She then took out a card from her blazer pocket, raising it in the air. I followed her movement.
"A pretense? Like an equal agreement?" Yolina asked.
While walking, the runes on Yolina's card and mine lit up green. After that, she put her card back in her blazer pocket. I did the same. Then, Yolina opened the door, and we entered the building.
"Something like that," I replied indifferently.
"Mind explaining in more detail? If the family finds out, this issue could become serious." Yolina, slightly ahead, slowed down her pace and walked alongside me.
Hearing this, I raised one eyebrow and glanced at Yolina.
"Is it that serious?" I asked.
"Actually, not really. At most, they will plan an engagement if you agree." Yolina answered, shrugging her shoulders.
While walking, several women passed by in the hallway.
"I'm not thinking much about it right now. Besides, we're still young. And our real relationship is just as friends who benefit from each other." I said flatly, walking toward the elevator.
Yolina glanced at me, then said, "Hmm. No matter what your relationship and feelings are now, you have to be quick. Just so you know, your little girlfriend is secretly becoming a target for many high-ranking noble families to marry. Her value is very high in the eyes of the nobles."
Yolina stopped beside the elevator and pressed the button with the up arrow. I also stepped aside from the elevator entrance.
"How fast?" I asked.
Yolina touched her chin with her right hand after hearing my question.
"If possible, make your decision before entering the third year." Yolina looked at me seriously, showing the number three with her fingers.
*Ting~
"Why?" I asked, entering the elevator that had opened with Yolina. The elevator doors were like diamond-split iron bars and varnished teak wood as the inner lining.
Yolina pressed number 6 in the elevator and the doors closed. Then she answered me, "Why? Didn't I tell you earlier, many are targeting her. Besides, your little girlfriend has high potential. She is the daughter of a businessman without noble status who entered the Hero Department at the most prestigious academy in the empire."
"And she managed to rank 78th among 250 first-year students. If everything goes smoothly, by the third year, your little girlfriend will become a top student." Yolina continued while pressing numbers 7 and 8 as the elevator doors closed.
I looked at her strangely.
'How do you know Ishma is ranked 78th? And you didn't need to press those floor numbers, did you?' I thought.
"Then her value will increase, and it will be difficult for me to reach her because of the competition?" I asked, confirming.
"Bingo. You have to decide whether you want to get officially engaged to her, and the two families will be your shield. Or you can increase your strength and prove your worth to eliminate your competitors." Yolina answered.
'Of course, I know that. But for the first option, I'm not too comfortable deciding it now or in a year. Besides, Ishma and I are just getting to know each other and haven't developed any intimate feelings. Currently, our relationship is still superficial. There's only a desire to get closer, mutually benefit, and admiration for strength and looks. So the second option suits me better,' I thought.
*Ting~
As I was deep in thought, the elevator doors opened. I came to my senses and walked out of the elevator following Yolina on the sixth floor.
"Oh, and also, since you two are quite popular, it's best to maintain your relationship with Ishma even if you're just pretending. If you break up, there will be other wild rumors. If the rumor that spreads is about infidelity or something like that, it will put a blemish on your reputation." Yolina said while walking.
I silently complained, 'I don't know if Yolina's words are exaggerated, but noble life is very troublesome.'
"I understand," I replied.
We had been walking for a while, and Yolina, leading a bit ahead of me, stopped in front of a door. She took out a key and unlocked the door.
"Good if you understand. Come in and take off your shoes." Yolina said while opening the door. She entered first, turned on the lights, and then let me in after her.
After I entered, she closed the door.
"Excuse me. Oh, and here, I brought some snacks." I extended my hand, holding a paper bag containing two boxes of sweet snacks.
"Oh? What this time? Brownies again?" Yolina asked, accepting my paper bag and opening it.
While taking off my shoes, I answered, "Macarons and ice cream."
"Okay, okay. Have a seat." Yolina replied with a strange smile on her face and walked away.
As I entered, I was greeted by a living room that exuded warmth with a classic Victorian touch, though without excessive luxury. Different from my dormitory unit. The walls were covered with wallpaper patterned with small, soft-colored flowers, giving a cozy and familiar atmosphere. In the corner of the room, a fireplace burned with a small flame, emitting warmth that spread throughout the room. I guess the fire lit up after Yolina turned on the lights when she first entered.
Above the fireplace were some decorations and a phonograph. Above that, on the wall, hung a pair of crossed swords with a shield adorned with the Vallois family crest in the center. Next to the fireplace was a bookshelf containing books, small potted plants, some decorations, and some vinyl records placed in a wooden box.
A long, cushy sofa covered in floral fabric with warm colors was positioned facing the fireplace, flanked by two carved wooden armchairs. On the long sofa, a few pillows were placed. Several potted plants were positioned in the corners of the room and on the long coffee table in the center. Hanging pots with trailing plants added a natural and refreshing touch, hanging near the windows. Table lamps with lace fabric shades emitted a soft, warm light, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Compared to my dorm unit, Yolina's place emphasized comfort and aesthetics, while mine exuded an aura of wealth and luxury, which I didn't particularly like.
'I think I'll use this room as a reference for how to redecorate my dorm unit later.' I thought while sitting on a single-seater sofa and taking off my blazer.
After a short wait, Yolina came out of the kitchen wearing a muted green floral dress, carrying a tray with plates of macarons, a tub of ice cream, and two glasses of iced tea. Her long black hair was tied back and draped over her left shoulder. She walked toward me barefoot.
She set the tray on the coffee table, took a macaron, and sat comfortably, hugging a pillow.
As she sat, she sighed in relief as if releasing her exhaustion.
"Ah, home is indeed the most comfortable place," Yolina said.
"You look exhausted. What were you doing at the Hero Department Academic Bureau until sunset? Preparing for third-year heroism practice?" I asked, taking a macaron.
Yolina looked at me and sighed. She put a macaron in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed it.
"Yes. I had to handle some documents. They should be ready by tomorrow. I don't want to deal with those troublesome documents again after this." Yolina replied.
"Will you venture out alone or join a group?" I asked.
Yolina looked at me and then leaned her head on the armrest of the sofa.
"I'm fine venturing out alone. And as for joining a group, I'm not too picky. I'm okay with being placed anywhere. But I have a few places I want to go. However, just as I was about to submit a proposal, the family recommended through the academy to place me in a small town called Koasel Creek on the western border." Yolina said.
"Hmmm, the western border, huh?" I muttered.
I sat with my legs crossed, searching my memory.
"Yeah. What's up?" Yolina asked.
'Anetta?' I called out to Anetta, who hadn't appeared for two days.
There was no response from Anetta. Reluctantly, I searched my memory on my own. Then there was a click in my head as if I had found something.
"Is it in the Western Pletra Province?" I asked with a somewhat serious expression.
"Yes," Yolina answered briefly.
I held my forehead and temple. I took a light breath.
"Is there a mountain range named Markhat there?" I asked, stroking my right eyebrow.
"It seems that's close to my placement town. Why? You look worried." Yolina replied, taking another macaron.
"Yeah, I guess I am worried," I replied, exhaling again.
As I said, it was worrying. In the game, the towns around Markhat Mountain Range would be leveled by waves of monsters and surface demon invasions. If Koasel Creek was indeed near Mount Markhat, this was really bad news.
'Yeah, this isn't good for you, Yolina.' I thought.