"We should become friends. You and I."
"No way."
Isalda and Ailmer had been walking together, toward the school. It was less walking together, and more like Ailmer was following her by the side.
"Why not?"
"Friendships are beneficial relationships. Why would I become friends with you?"
"You are aware, I am of royalty, right?" Ailmer spoke boldly. His voice was just slightly condescending.
"I'm aware."
"Jeez. Is it because you're from the Mahaut family, that you're so stuck up?"
"..."
"I mean, the great Ailmer, the most handsome boy, the spectacle of wonder? You wouldn't want to become at the very least friends with-"
She grabbed him by the collar, lifting him into the air.
"W-woah!" he yelped, the sudden change in elevation catching him off guard.
"Did you ever think that maybe, asking me some other time that's not early in the morning could change my answer? You're irritating."
She threw him to the side as if he was a ragdoll.
It was pretty cold. Ailmer trembled, his soft skin coming into contact with the harsh cold snow.
"You..."
Ailmer quickly got off, patting the snow and dirt off his body, holding back tears.
Isalda held in a snicker.
"Loser."
. . .
. .
.
Jisvo was trying to focus in class, but he simply couldn't forget. The strength of that young girl. Back in Venichian, he was the strongest in his class. Unrivaled.
"I finally have... a rival."
A satisfied grin crept across his face.
"I feel so... excited."
Lightning crackled, surging through his body.
. . .
. .
.
"Let's-"
"Argh, god damn it! I'm tired of it! Everyone is trying to become acquainted with me! I'm sick of it! I especially don't want to become friends with a delinquent like you!"
"What are you... talking about?"
Jisvo and Isalda stared at each other, awkwardly. They could both sense a misunderstanding in the air. But, Isalda was too embarrassed to admit it.
"I was... going to ask to fight you. But it seems like you're in... emotional turmoil. I respect it."
"Huh?"
"What...?"
"I mean... I expected you to force me to..."
"Wow. Is that how everyone views me? I may be a little rough around the edges... but I don't do that kind of stuff."
"Sorry. What were you going to ask me, again?"
"I asked if you could fight me."
The lighthearted mood disappeared as soon as the word fight escaped his lips.
"People like... are even worse than that orange-haired bastard."
"Huh?"
She soared into the air. Her foot crashed into Jisvo, like an axe.
At least, that's what she expected.
He blocked the attack, with his forearms.
Her face turned from of annoyance to surprise.
She landed gracefully.
"People like you... fighting addicts. They're the worst. You're the kind that should be eradicated.
"Harsh."
[Cast: Tempest Daimon]
Lightning crackled.
He dashed at Isalda.
[Cast: Infernal Spark]
Her right eye glowed. An explosion appeared in front of his face.
"Ack!"
"Let that be a warning. Don't pursue me."
. . .
. .
.
"You were sparring, and got an injury like this?" Rithi, the school nurse said.
[Cast: Heal]
The tissue slowly regenerated. The scarring was still there. But it would heal.
"I was embarrassed! That was the most embarrassing moment of my life."
"A lot of kids have come here, after trying to befriend that young girl. It seems like she really wants to be kept alone. You miscreants can't just accept that?"
Rithi pulled at his ear.
"Ack! Okay! Okay!"
She released her firm grip.
"Now get to class."
"Yes, ma'am."
. . .
"I'm really starting to get tired of that brat."
Jisvo was walking back to class. That was what he was going to do until he heard that remark. He stopped in his tracks. The conversation was coming from the hallway on his right.
He hid behind the wall, listening in. There were four boys.
"I know! I'm getting tired of her. She's way too stuck up!"
"Luckily, with this plan, we'll finally be able to get rid of her stuck-up behavior... heh."
"The look on her face when she's begging for us to stop attacking her will be so satisfying!"
"Right! I just can't wait!"
"And then, when she's finally knocked out... we can have some real fun..." the third voice joined.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Right... guys?"
"We aren't going that far, Nhelan. Keep your freaky behavior to yourself."
"Right. This is why we don't hang with you that much."
"I was just... suggesting."
"Eh. I don't blame you. She does have a pretty nice figure."
"I know... Looking at her frail arms, and her petite stature, you'd never think she was that strong."
"Despicable perverts."
Jisvo's foot crashed into the face of the boy named Nhelan. He was knocked out in an instant.
Nhelan crashed into the floor, while Jisvo landed softly.
"People like you, are the worst."
"Who does this guy think he is?"
. . .
. .
.
"Ow... ow... ow!"
Jisvo winced, as his wounds were being treated by Isalda.
"Look at you. This is where you're obsession to fight got you. What made you think you could win a fight against three 3rd years?"
"If I didn't fight them then and there, I would've never been able to forgive myself."
"What are you talking about? Idiots, I swear."
"Why are you even helping me? Just a few days ago, you attacked me with no mercy."
"..."
She patted his wounds with force, causing him to yelp in pain.
"Oww! What was that for!?"
"Why am I helping you... hm?"
Strands of black hair partially covered her eyes.
"I guess you could say... I've gained a new sense of justice."
"Bullshit."
"We should become friends."
"Huh? Me and you? We have no similarities."
"I'm aware."
"..."
"I saw you fight, y'know? Initially, I thought you had a crush on me. Jumping in and fighting those guys. Like you were some kind of hero or something."
"You're mischaracterizing me."
"Then, I thought you did it because you loved fighting."
"That's the reason I did it. Obviously."
"It's because you have morals. I guess I misjudged your character, and expected you to be the type to join in on what they were planning."
"..."
Isalda got up from her crouching position. She finally finished treating his injuries.
"I usually get every one right, but I was wrong about you. Let's be friends."
"... This guy. Commanding me to do something."
Jisvo got up. Despite her arrogant behavior, he still had the slightest smile on his face.