"You… are the guy!" Eugene said, his eyes widening as he saw Echo standing up from his seat.
"No, I'm not," Echo smirked, making his way down the sloped floor. The others, whether aspiring Heroes or not, also stared at him in curiosity. Only Eugene seemed to understand what was happening.
"You don't have to say it! I know, I know!" Eugene stood up, pointing at the knight in shining armor walking down the stairs. "I envy you, man! I envy you!"
The Warhammer's voice echoed through the hall, but Echo didn't bother looking back. Instead, he stopped in front of the Soul Absorber.
"Are you looking for me?" Echo asked, a small smile on his face.
"Yes," Dianne nodded. "Can you come with me?"
"Why?" Echo replied, though he already had a guess.
"Come with me," Dianne repeated, her tone now colder, no longer a request but a command.
Echo Maxwell paused, taking in the beauty of the Mayor's daughter. Known as the Soul Absorber, she also had another title: Sentinel's Princess. She was essentially a celebrity in Sentinel, her fame even reaching neighboring cities. Her reputation came not only from her potential and beauty but also from her status as the Mayor's daughter—a status so high that even Official Heroes wouldn't dare cross her.
That's why, when the Magician Hats gang dared to lay hands on her, they earned countless enemies. Heroes actively hunted them down, and Herman's personal vendetta against them was likely one of the main reasons.
The men around them stared at her in awe, while the women admired her poise.
"How did you know me?" Echo asked playfully.
"Come with me," Dianne repeated, and this time, the temperature began to drop. Ghostly wails and whispers filled the air, casting a dark ambiance over the hall.
Echo glanced around, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Just playing with you. Don't be hasty, alright?"
The Soul Absorber stayed silent, her dark eyes fixed on him as if ready to consume him whole.
"I'll come with you; let's go," Echo said, walking past her and out of the room.
The temperature returned to normal, the lighting brightened, and the Normal Heroes exchanged confused glances.
"She's feisty," Eugene muttered, sitting back down. While he envied Echo for getting close to Sentinel's Princess, it was a double-edged sword; rumors suggested Dianne was easily irritable and unafraid to use force to get what she wanted. Her display moments ago seemed to confirm the rumors. "Good luck, bro."
…
"Where are we going?" Echo asked as he followed the Soul Absorber.
"To eat," Dianne replied.
They were walking down a wide hallway, where Echo could see other students chatting and laughing among themselves. Picture frames of Heroes lined the walls, each with names and achievements displayed beneath. Echo didn't bother looking at them; he already knew their stories.
As usual, Dianne drew attention wherever she went. Eyes followed them, and the once-lively hallway quieted, whispers filling the air as students watched them pass.
Echo felt intense stares on him and, glancing to the side, saw men looking at him with jealousy and envy.
"Where are we going to eat?" Echo asked, glancing back at the male students as if challenging them. "The cafeteria is on the other side."
"The cafeteria is noisy," Dianne replied.
"I assume you're taking me somewhere quiet," Echo said, his eyes drifting to the back of Dianne's head before slowly moving downwards. However, before his gaze could go any lower, a chilling sensation hit his chest.
Looking down, he saw gray smoke swirling from his chest, accompanied by faint wails and cries.
"You know… using powers inside the academy is prohibited unless it's absolutely necessary," Echo said, breathing heavily as he stared at the Sentinel Princess. A gray smoke lingered around her before vanishing back into her.
Though he was in indescribable pain, his pace didn't slow for a moment.
"Your eyes wandered. I had to stop them," Dianne said coldly, glancing at Maxwell.
"Nope, it's not wandering," Echo took a deep breath. "It's a natural response… a compliment."
"Compliment… I see," Dianne muttered before falling completely silent.
Echo also didn't say another word, focusing instead on steadying his breathing. He felt as if he were drowning, surrounded by ghostly presences, his body cold and his mind sluggish, though he could still manage casual conversation.
Before he knew it, they had arrived at a garden—a private one, likely for the Sentinel Princess's personal use.
Stepping through a vine-covered gate, Echo looked around. The walls were adorned with flowers and vines. In the corner were bonsai trees, carefully trimmed, accompanied by other trees pruned to perfection.
Butterflies danced together as sunlight filtered through the glass ceiling above.
There was even a small stream, where little fish swam happily.
Dianne walked across a ground covered with lilies, roses, and daisies, making her way to the center of the garden where a circular table with two chairs faced each other.
By now, Echo had 'sobered up' from her power. Casting one more glance around his surroundings, he followed her and sat across from the Soul Absorber.
"What do you want to eat?" Dianne asked.
"Hmm, ribeye steak, well done," Echo replied.
"Rarely do people order well-done," Dianne remarked, her usually emotionless voice holding a hint of amusement—or maybe he imagined it.
"I like my food cooked all the way," Echo shrugged.
"I see." Dianne nodded, then snapped her fingers. Moments later, the gate opened, and a server in uniform entered the garden. He carried four plates, balanced carefully in his arms.
The server placed their food and drinks in front of them before quietly leaving.
"Well, that was fast," Echo commented, looking at the steak before him. Then he glanced at Dianne's plate, which was full of fresh vegetables. "Didn't know you were a vegetarian."
Dianne said nothing, merely staring at him.
"What?" Echo asked, raising his hand to take his knife and fork.
"I don't believe you," Dianne said, her void-like eyes staring deeply into Echo's.
"I don't get what you mean," Echo replied, holding her gaze as he drew his hands back.
"You saved me, but I don't believe you meant it," Dianne explained as the temperature dropped. "Are you part of them? Was your act of heroism just to gain my favor?"
Echo Maxwell showed no emotion, then a smile appeared on his face. "I'll take this meal as your way of saying thank you," he chuckled, beginning to eat his steak.
The Soul Absorber watched him for a moment before starting her own meal.
The sound of them eating echoed, with neither saying a word, communicating only through the quiet clinking of their utensils.