After our combat training class, Ziona, Kevin, and I arrived at our class, seeing all our beat-up appearances, all our classmates were stunned, and Livia came running toward me with a worried face and asked me about my situation. I just waved my hand to her, as if telling her that it was not a big deal,
Meanwhile, Ayla approached Ziona and used her healing magic. Though Ayla is not a healer, she could still use some healing magic to treat some minor injuries.
Ayla could only use Buff, debuff, and some minor healing as well.
After healing some of Ziona's injuries, she approached me and started healing me. I was quite surprised about this situation as I was not on good terms with Ayla, and she even refused me to approach her.
As I was pondering to myself, Ayla spoke while still healing me,
"It's not like I care about your injuries or anything, I am just healing you because Ziona asked me to, humpf," She said and turned her head away.
Hearing her, I looked toward Ziona while she just shrugged her shoulders with an awkward smile.
After healing me, she went back toward her seat with Ziona as Ziona's seat is right next to her. It seems they became good friends, the same as in the novel. I thought to myself.
Ayla left without even bothering to look toward Kevin.
Kevin on the other hand was waiting for Ayla to heal him as well. As Ayla left, he was just watching her departing figure in a daze...
I caught a glimpse of it, then turned my head away and ignored him as well, as if I didn't see anything, and headed toward my seat with Livia.
"...."
Soon, a middle-aged professor with black hair entered the class and started his lecture. The lecture was all about the types of monsters and their weaknesses,
Time went by while I wasn't concentrating much, as I was still thinking about my combat training class and reviewed it again and again.
Soon I heard a bell ring indicating the class had ended. While I was about to leave the classroom, we all heard an announcement all around the academy, and the students were told to assemble in the Academy's main Auditorium.
Hearing It, I already knew what announcement would be made, as it was the 2nd arc of the story in the novel, while the first arc was Lucas just fighting some bullies.
Soon all the students were assembled in the academy's huge main Auditorium, and even 2nd and 3rd-year students were present.
After a few moments, Ivica came across the stage and stood in front of the mic, and greeted everyone while her face was still covered with a white mist as usual,
"Nice to meet you," she said, It was the first time for the 1st year students, to meet the Dean of the academy.
"I am Ivica Livingston, The Dean of the S'oreh academy"
Hearing her, all the first-year students were bewildered and shocked with their mouths wide open, as the position and power of the Dean of S'oreh academy were paramount, and not many would be able to get an audience from her, but not waiting for them to get back to their senses, Ivica spoke again.
"The purpose of this sudden assembly is to inform all the students of the Academy about the upcoming tournament that will be held between academics," she said and continued without even allowing students to wrap up the information,
"The prestige and dignity of our Academy will be on the line in this tournament, so I want everyone to work hard and take this matter seriously. The participating students will be listed in a few days and the tournament will be held in 2 months, while all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years will be participating."
She concluded and left the stage just like that, leaving all the students in a stupor and confusion.
"It's so like her" I muttered to myself and left the Auditorium while all the students were still standing there asking for an explanation.
I already knew about the tournament, and I am not even interested in fighting some teenagers.
After today's combat class, I learned a valuable lesson, and I don't want to play with these teenagers anymore. I should just focus on increasing my strength.
As I was pondering and walking out, Livia ran after me and started walking beside me, and soon she questioned me,
"Aren't you interested in the tournament, Ares?"
I turned my head towards her and answered,
"Yeah, I am not interested in playing with kids"
Livia giggled after hearing my response and said,
"Yeah, me too, I won't be participating as well"
I wasn't surprised after hearing her, as I was expecting it, as Livia didn't participate in this tournament even in the novel.
Now the whole 1st year will be divided into factions to appoint the leader that represents the first year, and the same goes for 2nd and 3rd years as well.
The Academy consists of all students from prestigious and powerful noble families, and even some princes and princesses attending the Academy. So it is impossible for them to follow anyone else's lead, as their pride won't allow it.
So the whole academy will be divided into factions of the most famous and powerful students taking the lead.
And of course, the first faction of the first-year students will be 'The elven princess Diana's faction',
Then there is 'Claude Valdemar's Faction', and finally there is our main character 'Lucas Eugene's faction'.
Ziona wasn't interested in any of this, as she was just interested in fighting, so she will be joining Lucas's faction as she is a friend of Ayla, who will be in Lucas's faction. While Livia stayed neutral, Claude, Diana, and Lucas would do everything they could to make her join them, but to no avail.
Also, Kevin will join Claude's faction as well,
And I, on the other hand, will be staying neutral like Livia, as I am also not interested in making or joining any factions as well.
After thinking to myself, I turned toward Livia, who was walking beside me while staring at me with a smile.
"What?" I questioned her seeing her smiling happily,
"It's nothing" she replied and averted her stare and looked forward while still smiling.
I don't know what was going on in her mind, but I asked her about something I was quite curious about even while reading the novel.
"Why aren't you participating in the tournament?"
Hearing my question, Livia answered me with a wry smile,
"It's not like I don't want to participate, but It's just that I can't."
"Why's that?" I asked
"I restricted myself from using my powers against the students, as I am too powerful for them. Even 3rd-year students can't be able to keep up with me" She said while turning her head toward me, and continuing with a smile
"of course, you are the special case, as I never thought I'd be defeated by someone the same age as me in the entrance examination"
Listening to her, I knew what she meant, as she will become the youngest transcended being on the whole continent. So I just gave her an awkward smile and spoke,
"It may be too late, but I'm sorry for beating you to a pulp-, ahem I mean defeating you like how I did. Of course, you would have been ranked #1 in the entrance examination if we fought fairly."
She shook her head hearing my apology and spoke,
"No, I am rather grateful to you, it was good to meet someone as strong as you, as now I don't have to be lonely and finally have someone with the same circumstances as me"
Listening to her I don't know what to say about that, as I already know, Livia never had real friends as most of them were afraid of her talent and some were jealous. They would approach her, just to gain her trust, so they could use her in the future, and they would call her a monster behind her back.
She is friendly toward me as I overshadowed her fame and am now on the same boat as her.
At least I think that's the case...
"...."
While on the other hand, Livia's thoughts were the opposite of what Ares was thinking,
***
POV LIVIA ~
'In the beginning, I just thought you were an interesting person. But as time went by, I don't know when you became one of the most important people in my life. I experienced a feeling that I had never felt before,...My heart aches when I see you conversing with some other girls.'
'I don't know what this feeling is...just seeing your face makes me happy. Every time I am away from you, I have a longing for you...'
"Is this what they call love?" I unknowingly muttered out loud
"...."
"Huh?" Ares exclaimed.
'D-Did he hear me?' I thought to myself and slowly turned towards Ares...
**************