Ring-
The ring of a bell could be heard indicating the end of the class, which seemed to be quick as I was being stared at by Livia during the entire class time, She was sitting right next to me, and didn't even utter a single word, while solely staring at me without a blink.
It made me quite uncomfortable and didn't allow me to concentrate on the class.
As soon as the class ended, I questioned her.
"Do you have anything you want to say to me, Livia?"
Hearing my question, She replied after a certain pause with just one word,
"...No"
"Ok, I will be visiting my extra course classes now, so see you again tomorrow"
I said with a smile and got up from my seat, but as I was about to walk out, Livia questioned me with a stuttering voice,
"yo-your plans!"
"Huh," I exclaimed and turned toward her, asking her to continue,
Getting my attention, Livia continues her sentence hurriedly as if I was running away somewhere,
"W-What are your p-plans after the extra course classes"
"Oh, I'm having a sparring session with Ziona" I replied to her instantly,
Listening to my answer, her face lightened up and her previous demeanor just seemed to be a facade.
"Ah-h, I-Its just a sparring session? Where you will be beating Ziona up?
She questioned me with an excited voice,
"...."
I was speechless after hearing her question and kept a neutral face, as I didn't know how to answer that.
After a few seconds of silence, Livia spoke while giggling, not waiting for my response.
"hehehe~, go for It Ares, I will be rooting for you, you can beat her up all you want-, I mean you can train with her with all of your strength."
"See you tomorrow Ares"
She hurriedly left the classroom after waving her hand toward me as if saying bye, but her loud gigglings could be heard from the hallways.
!?
"What was that?" I questioned myself,
"...."
***
Ignoring what just transpired a moment ago, I went toward the reading course as I still hadn't registered yet,
As I arrived at the library where the course was supposed to be held, I was met with lots of nerdy students all around the library engrossed in their books.
And, the thin librarian that I met on my first visit to the library during the written examination, seems to be in charge of this course.
I approached him, while he was standing near one of the bookshelves and appeared to be scouring for some books,
"Good evening, professor"
After hearing my greetings he turned toward me, and as soon as he saw me, he made a surprised face and spoke in a loud voice as if wanting everyone to hear,
"O-Oh, Aren't you the youngest swordmaster of the generation"
Hearing him, the students that were engrossed in their books a few moments ago, turned their attention toward me,
"...."
This scene was rather familiar to me...
I kept a neutral face and stared at the thin-looking and brown-haired librarian,
Feeling my gaze, he cleared his throat and spoke again,
"Ahem, so what brings you here, the youngest-,... I mean Ares Von Rothstaylor"
Ignoring his previous words, I responded to him.
"I would like to register for the reading course"
"...."
Only silence prevailed in the whole library. After hearing my response, the librarian stood speechless for a few seconds.
'What is it now, did I say something wrong?' I thought to myself.
"Huuh, The famous Ares wants to join the reading course?" he said exaggeratedly.
I nodded my head ignoring his flattery,
"Seriously?" He asked again, surprised
"Yes," I agreed.
"Everyone, the famous Ares 'The Youngest Swordsmaster' will be joining our reading course class from this day forth"
The librarian shouted out loud while making an excited face. And hearing him, everyone in the library started applauding and cheering for my name.
"...."
'What the fuck is wrong with these people? Are they some sort of cultists?'
I thought to myself while regretting my decision to join this course.
"...."
And soon after I regretfully registered for the course and began looking for useful books. As I was moving forward, I saw students all over the library peeking at me while reading their books. I don't know why, so I just ignored them.
But soon I recognized someone from my class who was sitting with piles of books beside her.
She was Ayla Eugene...
I approached her and sat next to her, and started flipping the books from the pile.
The girl didn't seem to care as she ignored me completely, and treated me as if I didn't exist, so I didn't bother her as well and continued my skimming.
And after a few minutes, I completed flipping all the books that were piled up and looked toward the girl next to me and said,
"Are there any other books?"
I questioned her because the books she collected were quite knowledgeable and had a lot of useful information, It will save me time trying to search for useful books.
She didn't respond to my question, so I scrutinized my eyes and continuously stared at her.
Feeling my continued gaze, she spoke in an annoying voice.
"Ahk, don't talk to me, if you have already finished those books, go somewhere else.
She spoke while hiding her face in the book.
I was confused by her reaction and uttered,
"What's wrong with you people, is everyone in the reading course class some type of fanatic?"
Hearing my question, she finally put her book down and spoke with a loud sigh,
"Sigh, You don't know anything, do you?"
!?
Seeing question marks appear on my face she sighed again and spoke,
"Sigh, It's not like they are some sort of fanatics, but they are just your fans. You don't know how popular you are, especially in the reading course class. They all created quite a lot of fan clubs for you as well."
After a certain pause, she continued again,
"You became some sort of idol for them, and the worst part is there are some professors that joined your fan clubs as well. It's a never seen before trending topic all around the academy"
"So, of course, they will show this kind of reaction seeing you"
She said and turned towards me, making a face saying 'now you understand?'
But after seeing my sober face, she clicked her tongue and spoke again,
"Tsk, what will you do when the celebrity you idolize is sitting in the same room as you?"
Hearing her I thought for a moment before answering,
"I will go towards them and ask for a fight."
!?
"...."
Hearing my answer, Ayla was bewildered and shocked with her eyes wide open, she then spoke, after a brief moment of silence in a loud irritated voice,
"Y-You, you're a lost cause"
Hearing her scream, everyone turned their attention toward her,
"Ahh, Whatever just stay away from me, you're too radiant and a nuisance"
"What's that supposed to mean?" I questioned her,
Ayla took a deep breath and elaborated on her words,
"You're too popular, wherever you go, you will gather attention, as you're the strong and handsome ideal prince that every girl desires"
She said, then she pointed her finger towards a certain corner of the library,
"You see those girls over there, they are peeking at you and clicking your pictures from the moment you entered the library. And now because of you, I will be the most hated girl in the academy if they upload pictures of you talking to me."
She said and then pointed towards another corner,
"Can't you see those envious stares that girls over there are giving me? "
"It doesn't matter if it was Ziona or Livia as they are both strong and no one would dare to go against them. And I, on the other hand, am just a support type trainee who isn't strong enough to protect herself and will need her brother's protection"
"I will become their target of a heckler and I don't want my brother to get himself in trouble as well,"
She finally concluded.
To be honest, I didn't hear any of her blabberings and only heard some parts, where she said I am quite famous and it would be troublesome for her to be seen with me...
p But I still have to reply to her or else I would appear rude, so I uttered,
"Don't fret, I will shield you"
Hearing my words, Ayla's whole face turned red like a tomato, and her eyes became unfocused.
She slowly got up from her seat without any word and fled the library.
Seeing her departing figure, I doubted myself,
"My words sounded misleading, didn't they?"
**************