Amidst the celebrations and toasts honoring Jonah, the man in question was anything but calm. He looked at the person who gave him the cores and asked him for this favor.
"Alexie, I know you don't like attention. However, too much attention to myself will make a target!" Jonah's heart was filled with worries.
Lately, he hasn't been able to sleep at night because he kept training. He was always waiting for the day that people knew he was a sham, nothing more than an impostor.
"Jonah," Alexie turned to him, confident just like Jonah had always known him. "The mont that you ranked first on the second exam; you have already beco a target."
"But now, the Nightfall dorm will target directly." Jonah paced around the balcony, refusing to stay still. The sound of music rang in their ear, but their mood was anything but joyful.
"You think that those noblen like Arlo and the others would leave you alone even though you ranked higher than them? You're a commoner."
"Stop looking down on !" Jonah snapped before calming down. "I'm sorry, I just..." Jonah allowed his voice to trail. He knew Alexie didn't an to, but his words reminded him of the fact that one day, no one would treat him with respect in this place.
As soon as they knew he was a weakling, they would look down on him too. At least at the mont, he wasn't treated as a weak commoner.
"It's alright." Alexie stood up and patted him on his shoulder. Jonah looked into his eyes and was again reminded of how unnatural they seed; he never saw them reveal any emotions. "I considered the fact that you'd be targeted too, so don't worry."
"Hah, and you still asked to do it?"
"You could've said no."
"I can't say no after everything you've done to !" Jonah sighed. "Alexie, I'm just scared. These people... they're abnormal. They are willing to hurt others as long as it retains their reputation."
"That's exactly why they won't lay a hand on you in the ti being," Alexie explained with a smile. "I know these people; they care too much about how others view them."
"That's why..." Jonah wanted to explain but Alexie interrupted him.
"That's why they won't challenge a person who can take down three peak-high-tier monsters." Alexie turned toward the hall. "They won't challenge a commoner that has a high chance of taking them down. That would ruin their reputation and endanger their status as the heirs of whatever the hell they were born into."
"You know this won't last for long." Jonah reminded. "They'll take down one day and I'll never see the end of it."
"Until that ti, we just need to make you grow stronger." Alexie smiled. "You want that, don't you?"
Jonah smiled and nodded. The curtains that separated them from the hall opened, allowing light to cover his back and Alexie's face. Jonah didn't know if he was imagining it, but he saw Alexie's eyebrows twitch slightly.
Turning to see who it was, Jonah saw a girl with hair that was light azure. It was an unnatural color, but it worked perfectly with her beautiful features.
"Mr. Linan," The girl smiled. "I think Miss Alice is looking for you, maybe you should head inside." Jonah then saw Alexie furrow his brows and nod.
"Thank you, Miss Alia." With another pat, Alexie left the balcony. Jonah turned to return as well but found that the girl, Alia, was still standing there, smiling at him.
"What you did there was amazing," Alia said with a tint of admiration. "I'm Alia Caron." She reached out her hand. "A commoner like you."
"Nice to et you, Miss Alia." Jonah shook her hand with a smile. He was curious why would Alexie be bothered by her. "It's nice to et soone who isn't so different."
"You looked like you were close friends with Mr. Linan, though," Alia asked with curiosity.
"He's different." Jonah shook his head.
"Is he also a commoner?" Alia took a step forward with her glass in hand.
"In the past, he also..."
"I understand, I've seen his character." Alia took a step forward. Suddenly, she placed her small hand on Jonah's chest. "But I admire you more, you strived against all odds and accomplished sothing."
Jonah's heart was beating rapidly as he looked into her eyes. It's not like he has never been approached by girls, his appearance was like a magnet. This ti, it wasn't his appearance.
He saw Alia tiptoe to reach him but he didn't stop it. At that ti, his mind was blank as he just allowed her to kiss him.
***
Arthur drank from his glass while leaning in his chair. He had talked to Alice earlier and all she did was apologize for Sebastian's behavior. However, he was bothered by the fact that Jonah and Alia stayed on the balcony alone.
He stopped using his detection rune when Jonah left the balcony in a hurry. With a sigh, Arthur stood up and headed toward the balcony.
As he stepped out of the curtains, it just so happened that Alia was about to go to the party. She flinched and took a step back.
"Mr. Linan, you've startled ." Alia assud her polite smile as soon as she saw Arthur. On the other hand, Arthur simply stared at her coldly.
"What, am I not getting a kiss too? Should I abandon my nobility to get one?" Arthur asked sarcastically.
"I... have no idea what you're talking about." Alia furrowed her brows. "Please refrain from saying such things."
"Oh, shut up." Arthur shook his glass as he watched the Champaign twirl inside of it. "I know what just did with Jonah, so don't try to fool ."
"That's none of your business." Alia's expression was icy cold.
"It is, he is my friend. I don't care who he associates with, but I certainly wouldn't want him to be manipulated."
"Manipulated, hah?" Alia chuckled. "You have strange fantasies, that is..."
"I'm a commoner, you told him. Your father has received his nobility title, a Baron, one month ago. Since you're not a part of his family at the mont, you're still rely a commoner." Alexie stepped away from the door but Alia was frozen still.
"That doesn't an I'm manipulating him."
"In a college such as Jerano, the nobility is not a necessity, but a luxury. Society is a cruel thing. How would a disgraced daughter fit in such a place?" Alexie stood beside the balcony. "It's better to get the protection of soone powerful, a one-digit ranker at least, who is also easy to manipulate. Let's say... a commoner?"
"Is that wrong?" Alia bit her lower lip as her hand tightened around her glass. "Everyone seeks protection here."
"I didn't say it was wrong, but there is sothing low about manipulating a person's feelings, even for you."
"Ah, look who's talking. A nobility educating about what honorable paths I should take to look after myself. Do you not know how privileged you are?" Alia laughed coldly. "You have no say in what I do to survive."
"I'm nothing like a nobility, heh." Arthur smiled. "But I'm better than you are."
"You look at the world with eyes of doubt, always assuming the worst. Maybe the reason for that is you would do these things yourself."
With that, Alia also headed back toward the party. Arthur sighed as he heard footsteps from behind him.
'One in, one out. Is this a play?' Arthur was amused as he looked at Jonah, who was panting.
"Brother, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you like her. I... I didn't think straight." Jonah said as he raffled through his hair. Arthur blinked thrice as he carried a blank face.
'What should I say to this himbo?' Arthur had no idea.
***
After the party was over, Arthur headed back to his room. There, he found Reece still sleeping. He made sure to 'accidentally' step on his tail.
"ow!" The cat owed and Arthur thought he might have made a mistake. "How dare you step on my lovely tail?" The cat spoke, making Arthur sigh in relief.
"I've found sothing, this." Arthur showed him the picture of the mark on the tree. "Do you know anything about it?"
"How would I know?" Reece lied down on the ground again. "Look for it in the library or sothing."
"I will," Arthur checked the picture again and saw that the mark was fading a bit. "I guess Jaran didn't want anyone to find it in ti." Arthur smiled.
"You should try to live a little," Reece glanced his way. "You're obsessed with uncovering this mystery. How about you try to live like a college student?"
"And do what?"
"I don't know, drink a lot of alcohol and make love," Reece said while licking his paws.
"I don't have ti for that." Arthur started taking off his clothes to take a bath. "I have things to do."
"That's how it was before you awakened too," Reece said, making Arthur pause.
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