Recently, there has been a strange rumor spreading around the university, it seems that the rumor has spread like wildfire and nearly every student has heard of the rumor. No, its not about Fade. I agree that generally Fade is the center of rumors because he always causes strange things.
He generally gets the most spotlight out of all the students. But it is different this time, the rumor is not all about Fade but also has someone else in it now:
"Hey, did you hear that madwoman recently has become silent."
"shhh, idiot, do you want both of us to be killed. Don't use that name so brazenly, she is the daughter of a S rank, we will get killed if she heard it."
"Yeah, Yeah, but what I wanted to say, isn't she acting weird these days?"
"what's weird? To me it seems she is still training like a crazy person"
"Oh, come on, I am not talking about training, it seems she has not been arguing Ms. Kira recently, it's a relief she has stopped annoying our goddess."
"Yeah that seems true she seems to be busy with something recently, maybe she has some urgent thing to do"
"Whatever it is, I hope she just remain busy and stop pestering Ms. Kira, Ms. Kira is such a kind and good person I don't like when someone hurts her."
"You are right Ms. Kira is really an angel, but recently that trash Fade has been wagging around Ms. Kira too much, that bastard irritates me too much!"
"Should we go and give him a good beating today at evening?"
"Heh, let's invite some of our friends too, we can enjoy beating him in peace" (The boy said with a devilish grin)
Talks like that are going on everywhere in the academy the only person who has been harmed by this rumor is our disaster magnet Fade. Even though people were talking about someone else, they still found some reason to make trouble with Fade. But only Rio knew these are just some small events to set up Fade's reputation by face slapping the bullies.
While passing by the talking students Rio just shook his head after hearing their nonsense. Recently people are just focused on becoming cannon fodder for Fade:
"Such is the life of a protagonist, so troublesome"
But one thing caught his attention that is these rumors seem to be talking about the villainess, the infamous Lia.
'I wonder what's going on with her, according to the novel she had been in great depression around this time due to her face being ruined but now that outcome has been changed by me, I wonder what happened to her?' (Rio)
In the end Rio decided to have a talk with Lia once they met next time.
Unknown to Rio himself, he has started to develop concerns about someone for the first time. Since he was an orphan even in his first life and never had experience in such things, he himself was not aware of his condition.
.
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(Lia's Pov)
Recently, Lia is in great trouble, she herself can't understand what's going on with her, she can still suppress when training with her sword but the problem is, when she is not training she always have the urge to see a certain someone's face, the urge to meet that certain someone and talk to him for an endless period of time.
She knows that this all seem to be nonsense when heard but it is happening to her recently, she has been denying herself by thinking that it might be due to her body fighting against the darkness covering her heart. Maybe seeing his face or maybe talking to him can help her recover from the dark clouds covering her mind.
'Yeah, that it! certainly there's nothing else!' (Lia)
But the reality has been betraying her, she has been capturing photos of him secretly. While training, while jogging and while in the class too. It's fortunate that she has her father's gift, an artifact that can hide your presence from anyone under rank B, due to which she has not been caught by him yet.
But obviously she is not immoral enough to sneak in his room though. Recently she has even started to doubt that maybe she is becoming a stalker or something. But she just shook her head saying that, its just for curing herself, no bad ideas.
Even rumors about her strange behavior is flying around the academy but she never cared about rumors in the first place and will only do what she wants.
But a talk among girls did catch her attention though:
"Hey, where did you bought that blue dress?"
"Eh, why would I tell you? Hmph, I want to look unique in the new year party"
"Hah, I know you just want to show off yourself at the new year party."
"Hmph, so what, there will be a dance that day, maybe I will have a chance to have some boys attracted to me~"
"You shitty bitch! Anyway, I can assure you, if you placed your evil eyes on my boyfriend, then I will gauge out those eyes of yours."
"Hmph, we will see who will do what, not to mention your boyfriend I will charm everyone that day, just you see."
The sparks of raging lighting were seeming to be colliding with each other. Such fights are rather common around this period of time in the academy and since the academy don't ban relations between the students it's a common sight.
Just like the boys were preparing to impress a girl, the girls had to defend against the enemies they might be facing, it a natural phenomenon and is very common everywhere.
You may think why the academy is not banning this, but the main reason is also that the academy doesn't want to ban it. Because the researches had already proved, that the chance of having a more talented individual being born among a family based on love is more than the family with no love in it.
Since the humanity itself is in great need of talented individuals they never restrict the relations between anyone but there's still restriction to the official marriage. Marriage can only be done at the age of 18. It's a solid and firm rule which can't be overlooked.
Leaving these matter's aside, everyone was preparing for the dance party. Obviously, Lia had to prepare too. She had never interacted with any boy in the academy except Rio, so it was obvious who she will pair with at the dance party. But hearing the talk between girls she became wary of the girls and started seeing them as her rivals now.
It's really ironic. Those who gave her the idea to prepare for the party are her rivals themselves now. But she knew that she can't falter here, a newfound determination was raging in her mind and she had a very bright flame of confidence burning in her eyes until one familiar voice interrupted her thought process:
"Are you preparing for war or something?" (Rio)
Lia looked behind her and was instantly surprised to see him sitting on the desk right behind her, the main reason for her surprise was that she never sensed him coming. You must consider the fact that she already is at the peak of D rank and will be able to get into rank C in a few weeks.
The difference between a D rank peak and a rank C is not so huge that she can't even sense him approaching her. A huge expression of surprise appeared on her beautiful face.
Seemingly as if reading her mind Rio replied:
"well it's just that I am a little bit stronger, nothing else."
Obviously, Rio didn't mention the fact that he is already near the peak of C rank himself. But who cares no one will find out as long as he doesn't show it himself?
'is he reading my mind?' (Lia)
"No, I am not" (Rio said with a very innocent expression)
"Y-you liar!" (Lia)
"No, I am not" (Rio)
"You are! How can you read my mind without my permission!" (Lia)
"Oh, come on! Obviously, I can't read your mind it was just all written on your face, why are you acting like a child in its rebellious phase." (Rio said while smirking)
"I am not a child!" (Lia)
"Yeah, yeah, I give up, women are really hard to understand" (Rio)
Hearing his remarks, Lia became a little embarrassed and a little blush appeared on her beautiful face. Thinking back, she now understood that he was just messing with her and she fall for his trick easily. This made her even more embarrassed.
She has always been treated respectfully by everyone else for fear they might face the wrath of her S rank father in any case of mistake. It was the first time someone was messing with her so much while seemingly enjoying her foolishness.
Thinking this, an aggressive expression appeared on her face and she started to stare at Rio as if looking at a sandbag, which needs a good, beating.
"Oh, I am starting to get afraid." (Rio)
Even though Rio said this he was having trouble holding his laugh in. He knew that if he laughed now, she may really get angry on him. So, in order to stop this matter from escalating anymore he decided to end it all now, by changing the topic.
"So, what were you preparing for, are you going to beat someone? Invite me too" (Rio)
Well this time Rio was really thinking of taking part in beating someone. He also wanted to experience what it felt to act like a bully for once. After all its always good to have change of dishes in your dinner. It makes the food more delicious and prevents you from getting bored by eating same food every single day.
He will not be surprised if Lia bullied someone since she is the villainess. Anyway, who cares as long as you not go to excessive lengths. Just a little bit of bullying will not harm anyone.
Just as Rio was busy in his own world Lia broke the silence by a rather surprising offer:
"Why would I bully someone, more importantly I wanted to go buy some clothes for the coming new year party. If you are free then your ca-can accompany m-me too" (Lia)
"But i-if y-you don't want t-to, then it okay too, humph, I can go myself." (Lia)