CHAPTER 81: BATTLE

The next morning, Arthur stretched his back and rolled his shoulders, preparing himself for the day ahead.

His physical assessment was scheduled for the afternoon, leaving him with more than six hours of free time.

As always, he began the morning by communing with the spirits. For nearly an hour, he reached out—feeling their presence, greeting the new ones who live around this area.

He didn’t need to build a deep connection with each of them, but it was important that they knew that someone could hear them now. Someone was willing to listen.

Once he was done, he made his way to the eatery his brother had introduced him to yesterday.

’Woah...’ he thought, stepping inside. It was even more crowded than before.

Clearly, the secret was out—this place had the best food around.

Arthur lingered by the entrance, uncertain.

He waited for a bit, weighing whether to search for a quieter place or just stay and hope for a table to free up.

Just then, a waitress approached him with a warm smile. "Excuse me, sir. If you don’t mind sharing, there’s a seat available at the corner table. You can sit with the lady over there."

She gestured discreetly toward a woman sitting alone near the window.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "But... won’t she mind?"

The waitress shook her head with a gentle smile. "She’s the one who sent me. Said it was perfectly fine."

"Oh, okay." Arthur nodded, then made his way toward the table.

The woman seated there had a thin fabric draped over her lower face, concealing everything but her silver hair and gleaming golden eyes.

"We meet again," she said, pulling the fabric down to reveal her face.

Arthur offered a slight smirk. "As I thought, it’s you."

With her distinct features, he had already suspected it was the same woman from yesterday—the one who had chased the thief.

The waitress soon arrived, notepad in hand. Arthur glanced up and placed his order.

"Breakfast set with extra meat... and that grape drink you serve. Make that two."

She jotted it down and replied, "Just a few minutes," before disappearing back into the crowd.

The silver-haired woman rested her chin on her hand, her golden eyes watching him curiously. "Didn’t go to watch the others’ assessments today?"

Arthur gave a half-shrug. "Would’ve killed the thrill. And... it’s not like there’s anyone I want to cheer for."

She chuckled softly, "Hmm~ might’ve made some friends if you tried."

Arthur scoffed, "They’re too worried to even think about making friends." He’d seen people crying—and nearly wetting themselves—during and after the exam yesterday.

The hype was real. He’d witnessed firsthand how desperate people were to get enrolled here.

The lady smiled curiously. "You don’t seem nervous. Is that arrogance I’m sensing?"

Arthur raised a brow. "If worrying solved problems, we wouldn’t have a thing called poverty."

She chuckled. "That’s... quite the example. Still, I wonder how someone your age can move like that—or attack someone without hesitation."

She was referring to what she’d seen yesterday.

Arthur held back the urge to say Not everyone grows up in a sheltered home. That would’ve been unfair to his parents. So instead, he said,

"You’re young too. Probably around twenty, yet you’re working at such a prestigious institute. How does that make sense?"

"You are close about my age and no, I didn’t get my position through normal means. I am a mere replacement." She said with her tone growing dimmer, reflecting her grief.

Arthur realized he touched the wrong nerve. Just then, the waitress returned with the tray in her hand and placed it before Arthur, "Enjoy your meal, sir."

Arthur nodded and took the fork and knife.

As he began eating, Arthur asked, "Shouldn’t you be at school? I heard Obsidian is short on staff. Your presence might’ve helped."

Becoming a teacher there wasn’t easy—rigorous tests, followed by annual assessments just to keep teaching.

The woman across from him simply shrugged. "I’m sure they’ll manage without me."

Arthur hummed in response and didn’t push further.

This time, she was the one to speak. "I’m curious though. How were you able to use magic yesterday without triggering any alarms?"

Arthur wanted to sigh but chose instead to focus on chewing his meat.

This is going to be a headache—not just now, but in the days to come.

The school grounds had sensors to detect mana. What they couldn’t detect was spiritual magic. And if he kept using magic in front of others without setting off those sensors, they’d keep questioning him over and over.

Spiritual magic was considered taboo—because of the being who ruled over the spirits. That alone was enough to raise suspicion. He had to be cautious.

"You could say the mana frequency was too low... and I was far from the sensors," he said, playing it off.

The woman hummed, clearly suspicious. The water needle he’d used should have been caught by the sensors.

But instead of pressing him, she changed the subject. "Thanks, by the way—for what you did. I owe you one. If you ever need help, just reach out."

With that, she got up and left.

Arthur didn’t dwell on it. He finished his meal in peace.

Only four hours left now.

Time to prepare for what’s coming.

....

Arthur arrived a good half hour before his reporting time.

A crowd of students stood near the notice board, eagerly checking their scores. He didn’t bother to look and instead walked straight up to a nearby council officer.

"Excuse me, where should I go for the assessment?"

The bald young man glanced at him. "Second shift?" Arthur gave a nod. "Wait over there. Someone will escort you in a few minutes," he said, gesturing toward a group of students gathered in the corridor.

Arthur joined the line and quickly noticed something different from the day before.

They’d already formed small groups—probably because most had arrived early to watch the first shift’s assessments.

Leaning his back against the wall, Arthur took a glance around. That’s when a voice rang out,

"Looking for me?"

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Nope," he said flatly, turning away from the redhead.

He hadn’t forgotten her teasing from yesterday.

Grace felt like laughing but held back. Instead, her voice softened. "You doing okay? My arms are a bit sore, though."

Arthur frowned. "What happened?"

She smiled to herself. ’Just as I thought... he’ll forget grudges if it’s about my well-being.’

She showed him her left arm and said, "I think I slept on it... Now it hurts whenever I move it."

Arthur looked visibly annoyed. "You’ve got a physical assessment in a few minutes, and here you are—already handicapped."

Without waiting for permission, he reached out, placing his hand near her shoulder. A gentle swirl of jelly-like water wrapped around her arm, spreading a soothing warmth through the limb.

Grace’s lips curled into a smile. "I’m sorry."

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "With that smile... do you even mean it?"

He shook his head in weariness. Seriously, the way she talked—it was unfair. She always found a way to make him forget any resentment.

"Hmph!"

A sharp exhale snapped his attention sideways. Standing nearby was the silver-haired Princess, arms folded and an unmistakably pouty look on her face.

Arthur wanted to sigh but kept his tone neutral. "Can I help you?"

"My arm is sore too," she said, not bothering to hide her complaint. "I trained for too long."

Arthur wanted to spare himself from needless chattering. He could already feel several eyes drifting in his direction, drawn by the sight of him standing between two striking girls. Without a word, he reached out and applied the same warm, healing water to Elowen’s arm.

"You even have the same element as him..." she whispered faintly.

Arthur flinched—but only slightly. He masked the reaction with a neutral expression. "It’s done. Now, excuse me."

He stepped away, heading toward a quieter corner to escape the attention he’d unintentionally gathered.

Elowen’s gaze followed him before shifting sharply toward Grace.

The redhead stood there with a blank expression, infuriating Elowen even more.

"You can’t have him," Elowen said coldly. "I’ve already claimed him."

Grace tilted her head, unbothered. "Is he a thing that can be claimed?"

"You know what I mean," Elowen snapped. "So stop trying to chase him. Keep pushing, and you’ll get hurt."

For the first time, Grace’s expression changed.

A slow, sadistic smile curled on her lips as she looked down at the silver-haired girl.

"Is that a threat?"

Elowen growled, "Consider it whatever you want. He belongs to me and I will make sure no one interferes with us."

Saying so, she walked past Grace, her expression fierce.

Grace’s brows drew closer but she didn’t say anything.

A different kind of battle had begun before the assessment. And both girls were well set on winning it at every cost.

******

A/N:- I hope you are still reading the book. I barely receive any comments these days T~T