Forum Thread

A chill ran down Kinoko’s spine. She backed up. This wasn’t the Soo-ah she remembered. She held up her baton. It was shaking.

“Wh-what do you want me to do then?”

She slowly inched away.

---

Seeing the other back away like a mouse in a corner, Soo-ah lips quirked up. She raised raised her hands beside her like she was surrendering, and winked. "Eh~ Now now, I don't mean you have to overthink!" Almost in an instant, the previous coldness was gone, and the normal Soo-ah was back, ready to cause shinangons.

The now normal Soo-ah tapped her index finger lightly on the raised baton and hummed. "I'm not an enemy Ko, so put down your baton please~"

It.. almosted sounded like an warning. Or perhaps, the narrator is just overthinking it.

---

Kinoko raises it higher, incredibly chilled.

“What are you planning? Who are you?”

Kinoko was griping the baton so hard, her knuckles were turning white.

---

"Thank you, Mr. Magnus. I appreciate your help. It's... unexpected, to say the least."

Her mind was always analytical, calculating every move and considering all possibilities. In this instance, she had made a calculated decision to offer Saeha her guidance, recognizing the potential in her fellow classmate. Yet, Andrael couldn't shake the disinterested expression on her face, as if she were detached from the situation.

Her words had been honest, but she couldn't deny that there was a hint of detachment in them. It wasn't that she didn't care about Saeha or her classmates; it was more that her caring was expressed in a different way. Andrael had always been self-reliant, navigating her own path and learning from her mistakes. She had never needed someone to hold her hand or guide her through life, and she assumed others were the same.

But Saeha had shown her vulnerability, her disappointment with her current ranking, and that struck a chord with Andrael. In a way, she saw a reflection of herself in Saeha, someone who had the potential to grow and excel. And while she recognized that offering guidance might not be the usual approach, it was her way of reaching out, even if it seemed aloof or distant.

Her mind replayed her words, dissecting each one as if analyzing a complex puzzle. It was true; she didn't care about people in the same way the rest of the world did. Her analytical nature and self-interest often overshadowed conventional emotions. Yet, deep down, there was a sense of duty and responsibility that drove her actions, even if she wasn't always aware of it.

Andrael knew that her way of caring might not be conventional or easily understood by others. She had her own methods, her own way of showing concern and offering support. And while she might come across as detached or distant at times, it was her own way of navigating through a world that often baffled her.

---

"Hm?"

"???"

"?!?!?!???"

Soo-ah blinked, in confusion.

"Soo-ah Lee? 2-4 student?? Who did Ko think I was? An Invader???"

Sure, Soo-ah did sort of intimidate the other and went out of character for once, partly for fun, and other was an actual serious warning. But the reaction she got was not what Soo-ah expected.

"...You didn't actually think that someone took my identity right..?"

"Rightttt????" Soo-ah sweatdropped.

---

“N-no. I just don’t think I’ve ever known who exactly you are.”

She lowered her baton, cautiously looking at Soo-ah.

---

Soo-ah nodded as if she doesn't really understand, but nodded anyways. ofcourse, inwardly, Soo-ah understood what made the other so cautious.

As if you think about it, throughout the whole school year last year, there was barely anything known about her. (Not that she let anything out. ) So it was natural that some people would get cautious. But did Soo-ah trust Kinoko enough to tell her all that?

No way.

So instead, Soo-ah just shrugged and laughed it off.

"Ko.. Ko, you always overthink or just end up acting rash in these situations~ You just let your shoulders relax, and go with the flow! Like me!" Soo-ah spoke dramatically, with her hands acting equally as showy.

---

“Oh, okay.”

She puts on a smile and relaxes.

“I guess you’re right. Do you think I should have fought back against Andreal?”

---

"Fxck..."

Saeha groaned, as she struggled up on the bed.

Magnus looked back.

"Morning, princess. Sleep well?"

Magnus smirked at her.

She rolled her eyes.

"Shut up, Exito-"

Her expression shifted when she saw Nadrael.

"O-oh...! Andrael...!"

---

"Hey, that's my nickname for Saeha. And you stole my line." Andrael huffed in mock annoyance. "How was your sleep?"

---

"I slept... good... enough..."

She muttered, her cheeks pink.

Magnus laughed, as he looked over at Andrael.

"No one's shut her up like that since she heard the pink haired witch was dating Harda$$ Wright."

---

Soo-ah put herself in a thinking posture, and hummed.

"Hmm. Well, I don't think running away is good, but I don't think fighting leaves you with a good chance either.. no offense!" Soo-ah waved her hand not very serious about her apology to the accidental roast.

"Instead.. you should've explained yourself more.. but knowing Andry's character.. ah." Soo-ah sweatdropped.

"...That probably wouldn't work either."

---

Celine stared at the ghoul appearing, before swinging her scythe directly at the ghoul’s head, only for the ghoul to dodge and lunge towards her, nearly sweeping her off her feet. Right…direct attacks weren’t going to work for her. She was sure to get killed if she went full on offensive with the ghoul still at full health. Moving around a little, she watched as the ghoul quickly mimicked her. Well. Speed was the first thing to deal with. Celine maintained her defensive stance, swiping her scythe at the ghouls arms and legs when it was off guard, limiting his movements by injuring him. She activated her Edeya, and dolls materialise beside her, poised to attack. Sure, the ghoul had been rendered rather immobile, but it wasn’t dead yet. Celine and her dolls formed a circle around the ghoul, watching carefully, all of them ready to attack should the ghoul make a move.

It groaned, as it tried to lunge forward and swipe at her, but failed quite miserably.

It staggered forward, groaning and moaning, its' soulless white eyes staring straight at Celine.

It managed to launch a do2nward swipe.

Professor Wright watched quietly.

Professor brown was cheering Celine on.

---

“Oi. That’s not very nice.” Celine retorts, a hand shooting up to touch the fresh wound on her forehead, looking at her fingers to see glistening red blood. Not a very big cut, but certainly not pleasant either. Her dolls were the first to retaliate, armed with little swords akin to needles, as they drove them deep into the critical and sensitive points. Celine repositions herself, swinging her scythe down with force, once again aiming it directly for the ghoul’s head. This time, after weakening the ghoul, the scythe made its mark. With a sickening swish, it drove itself deep into the ghoul, splitting its head into two. She yanked the scythe from its head, before swinging it at the ghoul a few more times, completely dismembering it. Celine didn’t know much about ghouls, so better to be safe than sorry.

The ghoul's form flickered into ash, as it died.

The professor clapped.

"8 points. Good job. Just polish your movements some more, and you should be good."

---

“Thank you, Professor.” Celine replies, smiling a little. She hands the scythe back, sends her dolls away before going back to stand beside Alea. “Is that everyone? I think I’m last- or second last.” She asks Alea, now dabbing the fresh cut gingerly with cotton gauze.

"Awww. Did someone have a crush on Professor Brown?" Andrael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She stood, dusting off her uniform, removing the imaginary dirt that may or may not have gotten on it.

"Mr. Magnus, does Saeha have to stay for observation of anything? Or should we be heading back to class?"

---

Alea smiled at Celine. “I think there’s one more person… you did well! I got 7, I think someone got a 6, so you aren’t last or second last.” Alea patted her gently on the shoulder

"You two are free to go. Saeha, wipe the blood off later. Don't cause trouble for the old man."

Saeha huffed indignantly, as she leapt to her feet.

"I never had a crush on Professor Brown! And I don't cause trouble!"

---