Chapter 211 He's bashful....eh?

Yawning, I rested my head on the desk, feeling a bit sleepy and tired.... whatever the professor was saying was going above my head.

'You didn't sleep last night, so this is expected,' Blaze remarked before returning to his slumber. No one would dare question him.....cats have it easy huh.

'Yeah a lot easy, BITCH I NEARLY DIED, I DON'T COMPLAIN SO IT DOESN'T MEAN IT DOESN'T HURT!' and or so he said but- he can still sleep.

"And today's lecture ends here," Professor Devereaux announced as she scanned the entire classroom, stopping when her gaze landed in my direction. "Mr. Ren... Where were you this morning?" she inquired while fixing her glasses and I was again centre of attraction.

"Huh?" I thought she had seen me; after all, many people had noticed me entering through the main gate. "I was on a morning stroll. I had to meet a friend of mine as he's in Solstice for a few days." I used Alver as my excuse.

"Okay," she nodded to herself, then packed her things and left the classroom, leaving behind a room full of murmurs, mostly questioning how I could have friends.

Gathering my belongings, I exited the classroom, feeling hungry. I decided to head to the cafeteria.

'Get me a piece of cake; I'm craving something sweet,' Smokeball requested. Who says I don't have friends?

...

'Is this how it's going to be all the time?' Blaze asked as he looked at me. I simply slid him a plate of sweets.

"Nice to see you around," I greeted the beastgirl who had taken a seat in front of me.

"Really!? I thought the same too. Thanks for letting me sit here. Today's quite packed," Raven replied, her table adorned with a substantial amount of food.

"No problem," I chuckled as I picked up a piece of chicken from my plate. "Are you done with your combat classes? You're in the same class as Cecelia, right?" I inquired.

"Oh, about that, no, my turn is after. That's why I'm eating light; I want to be agile on the field," she explained. And this is her idea of a light meal?

"Is that so... I never asked, but what's your elemental manifestation again?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"It's earth... cough!" She choked on her food, and I quickly handed her a glass of water, which she eagerly drank. "I'm sorry... it's just that I didn't eat anything for two days."

"Eh?" I faked my reaction, "Why?" I exaggerated a bit.

"Don't tell anyone, but... don't you think it's a bit strange that a second-year student like me was attending a first-year class with you?" She looked around and lowered her voice.

"Now that I think about it, yes, it is a bit unusual," I nodded.

'Damn, you should sometimes try theater,' Blaze commented.

"It's just that I requested the principal personally, and he agreed because..." she hesitated before continuing, "my grandfather is very sick. So I wanted to learn how to make potions for him, and..." She fell silent.

"Oh, really!?" I pretended to be surprised. "That's sweet. You must really love your grandfather."

Raven lowered her gaze and nodded. "Yes, he's always been there for me. He used to tell me stories about the world outside the city, about nature, and..." She paused for a moment.

"That's a beautiful reason," I said, pretending to be genuinely touched by her words. However, I did feel genuine pity for her situation.

"Yeah," she replied with a faint smile. "I'm really thankful for everything he's done for me. I just hope I can become strong enough to repay his kindness."

Taking another bite of my food, I contemplated her sincerity. "I'm sure you will," I said, "and when you do, you'll be able to make amazing potions for him."

"I hope so," she replied, her smile growing.

Should I tell her that her grandfather is going to die?

'No! You sick fuck!' Blaze cursed.

For Raven, her strength was deeply rooted in her love for her grandfather, and it was a bond worth nurturing.

Her character development in the game revolved around Adam and her grandfather. Her grandfather's death made her weak but cold, and Adam was her solace and light.

I swirled the fork in my hand as I looked to my side, my gaze lingering on Raven. "Still... I am glad," I said, intentionally making my voice small.

"Huh? Sorry, I didn't hear you," Raven leaned forward, prompting me to repeat myself.

'Why are you acting bashful -.....damn sicko,' Blaze muttered.

"I said, I am glad!" I pushed my voice a bit louder so she could hear me.

"Glad? For what?" Raven seemed clueless.

I pretended to check my surroundings before answering, looking down at the table. "I am glad that you shared these things with me. I liked that I was the only one... Wait, I am the only one you've told these things to, right? Or am I just assuming? If so, then I am sorry." I realized why Jasmine used to laugh at lines like this; they were cheesy.

"N-no!" Raven stuttered, her face turning slightly red.

It does work, huh.

"Really!?" I let out a sigh as I plopped on the table. "Thanks for considering me trustworthy enough to share these things."

She froze, blinking her eyes in surprise.

I gave Raven a reassuring smile. "Yeah... I trust you." She hesitated before saying that. Did I miss something?

"Good to know," I said as I got up from my seat. "I think I should get going... or you want me to stay?"

'Now this is a lot to handle, ughhh,' Blaze acted as if I was enjoying... maybe I was.

"N-no, please don't miss your classes... I just ordered too much; I have to finish," she said, looking down at her plate, her ears still beet red.

"Okay then, later," I said. I picked up Blaze, who was eyeing the cake intently.

'Hey! At least let me finish the cake!!!' he complained as his eyes didn't leave the sight of the cake until we left the cafeteria completely.

Maybe, with this, I can get access to the contents of the letters.

'Meh, wait, what letters?' Blaze questioned.

Letters from Adam, that he'll send here... from what I know, those letters should've arrived but looks like they haven't, according to Raven's behavior.

'And how are they useful to you? Now you are invading the privacy of a young maiden?' He questioned

"Haa, why would you think that, I am a good guy," I sighed. "I just want to steal the insignia on that letter."

'.....really dude? That's it?' Blaze appeared puzzled, not fully comprehending the importance of the insignia.

Well, even the princess doesn't bat an eye, as they say, people living by the river don't care about the shortage of water... or something like that, right?

Anyways, that insignia is vital and highly effective if used correctly.

'How about you focus on Alver first?' Blaze's words served as a reminder that Alver was waiting for me, and he would have questions too.

Haa... I never thought I'd be giving criminal advice again... but it's not my fault. I need a few expensive tools and information.

'And what are these expensive tools?'

'Convergence Amulet,' I knew there was a lot more to uncover about the "void" itself.

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[Raven's POV]

My heart raced with a blend of emotions, leaving me flustered and overwhelmed. I couldn't believe what had just transpired.

"Muuu," I mumbled into my lap, my face flushed with embarrassment. I knew I was drawing attention to myself with my unusual reaction, but I had no other way to contain my feelings.

What was that all about?

He was delighted that I trusted him! Ren, that guy!

And his bashful expression was just too much to handle. He seemed almost vulnerable, as if he'd be genuinely hurt if I'd said "no."

Slap!

I literally slapped myself, snapping out of my chaotic thoughts, and forced myself to sit up straight. My heart still pounded in my chest as I attempted to regain composure.

I couldn't understand why I'd opened up about my grandfather's condition to him. Perhaps I'd thought he wouldn't care, and I needed an outlet for my pent-up emotions.

My grandfather's health deteriorated with each passing day, and it weighed heavily on me. But...

"He... ugh," I struggled to find the right words, as if my heart was on the verge of leaping out of my chest.

How could he be... adorable? The way he'd acted, so concerned about my trust in him and seemingly timid, was a complete contradiction to the day he had been involved in a fierce battle.....he's a murderer too!

I am just..... grandpa help me here! Why does this guy's behaviour now and at that time don't match up.

I couldn't help but feel confused. This whirlwind of emotions left me both troubled and strangely elated.

[A/N: Love interest?..... intresting love interest.]