Aisha's eyes widened in surprise.
She caught Theo's gaze, and he approached her with a smile.
A mix of anxiety and anticipation welled up within her.
Soon, Theo, standing in front of her, spoke.
"Aisha."
"Yes?"
"There's something I want to discuss."
"What... what might that be?"
Aisha asked with a slightly shaky voice.
It's only natural; lately, Theo had become rather unpredictable.
He had to know about her secret talks with the other branch families, her ambition to become the family head, and the time she blamed him for the magic dungeon incident.
But, he didn't punish her.
He chose forgiveness, hoping their relationship could improve.
In fact, she owed him for many things.
At the start of the semester, when she secretly trailed him, he had turned to help her when she started struggling.
He had even taken out personal time to teach her swordsmanship one-on-one.
During the recent 'dungeon exploration', he shared his intel and even saved her before when she was in danger.
Honestly, there was only one thought that came to her mind.
'Could it be... does Theo have feelings for me?'
His actions seemed to suggest so.
Aisha had always attracted a lot of attention from the guys around her.
She was astute enough to pick up on the feelings of a boy her age.
Yet, she was still somewhat hesitant.
Theo was always so stoic, rarely showing emotion.
Unlike someone like Andrew, whose face was an open book, Theo's expressions were hard to read.
It was hard to decipher what was on his mind.
But people should be judged by their actions.
Actions speak louder than words – this was something Aisha had learned from a young age.
She decided to put aside her subjective thoughts and only consider the objective facts.
Theo had forgiven her multiple times and took special care of her on many occasions.
He had always made her feel 'exceptionally' looked after.
If she were to ask a hundred people about this, they would all likely come to the same conclusion.
That he likes you.
Lost in her thoughts, she noticed Theo glancing around and then suggesting,
"Let's step outside for a moment to talk."
"Alright... let's."
Aisha replied, her lips curling into a delicate smile.
Now, her anticipation outweighed her anxiety.
---
---
Outside a quiet lecture building.
I asked Aisha for a favor.
"Could you help me teach the orc classmates how to study?"
Aisha's face turned slightly gloomy.
She probably didn't like the idea of sparing her own time.
But I couldn't think of anyone else to ask other than Aisha.
After all, she was top of the class in terms of theory.
I couldn't just back down now.
"Fine."
Aisha murmured, lips pouting.
Why didn't she just accept right away?
I thought she owed me quite a lot.
In any case, I'm running out of time.
Perhaps I should ruffle her pride a bit.
"Well, if you don't want to, I won't force you. I suppose it won't be easy to teach orcs who aren't human. Even for you, who is always boasting about being the top in theory and being a great Waldeurk, it's a tough task."
"That's not it!"
Aisha exclaimed defensively.
"So, will you help?"
"Of course! Something like this isn't too difficult for me, Aisha Waldeurk!"
"As expected. For you, Aisha, the top student in theory, this task shouldn't be difficult."
"Exactly! Besides, when the next head of the great Waldeurk family asks, I have to oblige. After all, I am a proud member of the Waldeurk family!"
Aisha rambled on.
She seemed slightly flushed.
I wonder if she's not feeling well.
"We're short on time, so let me explain the current situation."
I began to explain to Aisha the current study status of the orc classmates and the potential questions that might appear on the exam.
Aisha's initially calm face soon turned to one of shock.
---
---
Inside the classroom of the Hero Department.
It was now past 9 p.m.
Without even having dinner, Aisha and I had been teaching Noctar and our orc classmates.
Now, only Aisha, the orcs, and I remained in the classroom—a total of eight.
Our discussions had been so intense that it felt like my head was about to explode and my throat ached.
It seemed more relaxing to think of training instead.
The orc classmates began stretching out their arms, their muscles tense.
"Ah, so this is how it's done. I'm beginning to understand a bit."
"Right. Becoming a hero is tough. I can only understand about two problems. I think smashing things suits me better."
The orcs looked relieved as they skimmed through their textbooks, filled with countless words.
However, with how late it is, it'd be difficult to make any more progress.
It might be better to take a break tonight and continue tomorrow.
'Their concentration is gone.'
It's understandable.
After all, there's a limit to how much one can focus in a single day.
Even I felt my focus slipping, let alone the orcs.
The fact that they didn't tear apart their textbooks in frustration was commendable.
After all, they've been studying for more than 8 hours.
'······I'm worried they might start to hate studying.’
The total time one sits isn't equivalent to the total time one actually studies.
Pure concentration is what counts.
Given how intensely Aisha and I taught, even if they sat there, their minds must have wandered elsewhere at times.
This is especially true for orcs.
While they might view physical challenges as a step towards becoming a true warrior, mentally taxing tasks might feel more like torture.
Over millennia, the orc species had evolved this way.
Even if these orcs are the elite, it's hard to overcome ingrained habits overnight.
'Some kind of solution is needed.'
A way to boost concentration.
A method to activate the brain to its fullest and utilize limited time efficiently.
...I really need the [Focus] spell.
[Focus] is a simple spell that slightly enhances one's concentration.
However, I possess the [Amplification Orb], which amplifies its effects more than twofold.
For studying, this enhancement is almost like a 'temporary awakening'.
But the mana in my [Magic Cartridge] has long been exhausted.
To recharge it, I'd need to remove my shirt, exposing the engraved [Magic Cartridge] on my left side.
‘I might have to visit Seria again...’
However, I don't have another rare item like the [Magic Sealing Cuffs] to offer her in exchange for just recharging my mana.
As I was thinking this─
"Ah, I'm so hungry. My head feels dizzy from using it too much."
"Is it enough for today, Theo?"
"Thanks, Aisha. Will you teach me again tomorrow? I understood one problem today, so does that mean I'll understand two problems tomorrow?"
The orc friends and fellow students looked at both Aisha and me.
Aisha gave me a 'What should we do?' look.
She had firsthand experience of the gap in intelligence between us and the orcs.
'...There's no other choice.'
I made up my mind.
Tonight, I'll go directly to Seria.
I may not have much to offer right now, but I'll try to figure something out.
After all, I'm considering recruiting her for our team in the future.
It wouldn't be smart to reveal this engraving to others.
I told Piel, one of the few who knows about this mark, that it was a [Magic Engraving], so asking her to charge my mark wouldn't be too bad.
Of course, she would help if I asked.
But I'm planning to make a 'big' request in the future.
If I ask for these small favors now, she might think she's already done enough for me.
When asking for a favor, it's best to ask for a big one all at once.
'Let's get going then.'
With that thought, I made plans to meet with Noctar, our orc classmates, and Aisha tomorrow afternoon.
Seria is usually holed up in her lab until 10 pm anyway.
I should head there right away.
---
---
In a dimly lit laboratory.
The expansive space was scattered with various reagents, flasks, and magical tools like magic stones.
Jingle, jingle─
Seria, the current occupant of the lab, was lost in thought, holding a mana cuff in her hand.
The subject of her contemplation was a man she'd seen a week ago, dressed in a tight-fitting black outfit that accentuated the contours of his body.
Even though a week had passed, the image of the man etched in her mind showed no signs of fading.
He was a man where fear and excitement coexisted.
A man who made her heart race and set her body aflame.
A man with ruby-red eyes, burning intensely, drawing in anyone who met his gaze like moths to a flame.
She wanted to see him again.
The man who had revealed his true self to her for the first time.
A man she was certain was of her kind.
Despite knowing the dangers, she wanted to be with him.
She'd searched everywhere, but to no avail.
There were too few clues.
She didn't even know if he was a student or a staff member.
She didn't know his face, not even his voice.
If only she recognized his voice, she might have found a way.
"Haah... It's already ten o'clock. I should leave."
As Seria let out a sigh and checked the time, opening the door to leave the lab,
Whoosh─
An object flew in an arc, landing right in front of her.
