There is a slight hesitation in him when he first hears her words; however, a thought appears in his mind.

’She already has an idea about my combat prowess anyway... let’s take this chance to check how far one of the strongest students is compared to where I am right now...’ Finding reasons to accept Medea’s offer, Novus drops all hesitation as he nods to her question.

"Great, there are private combat grounds open to sophomores and above, let’s use that location," and seeing that nodding motion of his, Medea smiles in satisfaction, leaping down from the tree she was standing on previously, beckoning to him before turning around, walking without looking back as if that nod alone guarantees that he will follow where she’s going to go.

And follow her he did, the two of them taking the longer, unpopulated way back to the academy just to make sure they were not seen.

"Let’s take this path, you familiar with it, Junior Novus?" Looking at him, turning around, expecting the young man to be following her, she asked, being greeted with another unquestioned nod of agreement once again. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

In fact, being someone who loves just doing as she pleases, the two of them being seen walking together is not really something that weighs on Medea’s mind; however, she knows full well that this junior she just met is someone who prefers hiding his own strength, and the two of them being seen together might be detrimental to that little goal of his.

’Well, it’s better, I already have enough bad rumors surrounding me as is.’ he is not well aware of all of these things happening in Medea’s mind; however, he appreciates the two of them taking this path as he can avoid making himself the center of everyone’s attention yet again.

"So, when do you plan on showing off?" this path is longer than the regular path a student will often walk towards the academy, however in exchange for this, one can connect more with nature in this path, the ground not paved, the trees quite thick, the fresh wind blowing cool on one’s skin, the lake on one side that reveals shimmering reflection from the moonlight, all of these making it just a calm, chill stroll for anyone to take.

And this chill stroll makes the upperclassman feel like this junior of hers might open up to her even for just a little bit, albeit this little hope of hers is something that even she herself thinks is close to the realm of impossibility right now.

’Well, it makes sense, he’s been living too obscurely before I encountered him after all, then it all becomes chaotic when I appeared.’ It especially feels even more so as the young man just stays silently following her moments after, causing her to smile wryly as she thought to herself.

"I... don’t see it happening in the immediate future, Senior Medea... well, for now that is, since who knows what kind of things the academy has in store for us?" Before she could make an attempt to ease up this awkward tension that formed due to his previous silence, Novus already spoke his answer after considering it for a few moments.

"Hmm~ surprising, I thought you’re going to lie and come up with a random answer." she was already pretty certain that the walk towards the combat grounds will be something quite awkward for both of them, hence why she pushes her mind to think of another thing for them to talk about, her lips already open holding her earlier words out as she heard his answer to her previous question.

His answer, however, causes her to think she has a good chance to tease him, hence why her playful reply to his answer, hoping to see a little crack on his serious face.

"Why do you think so?" Feeling the teasing and clear anticipation in the upperclassman’s voice, Novus can’t help but ask, one eyebrow slightly raised as he wonders where is it that she picked up that assumption of hers.

’I don’t think I lie that much?’ he thinks to himself with continued wonder, only for his curiosity to be finally sated as she replies in a slightly mocking tone.

"What was it again that you previously said? Ah, right, ’You’re overthinking it, Senior Medea, I am as mediocre as people say I am’, isn’t that right, Junior Novus."

As she so dramatically acts like she is trying her best to recall the words that he previously said, even closing her eyes as if she’s thinking really hard as she strokes her smooth chin, she finally said, adding a little bit more to her jab as she straightened her expression before turning it into the dismissive one Novus was sporting when he said those words.

The acting was impressive to the point that even Novus felt like she had some talent to it, if not for the fact that the action felt way too masculine, which made it appear comedic, being carried out by her graceful, feminine self.

"I see no point in lying now that you discovered what I am trying to cover up," sighing as he felt the need to reply to her words, the young man said, the way she always finds a way to talk back to him, making him think of something else.

’If there’s anyone who should be branded sharp-tongued, shouldn’t it be her?’ he thought to himself, such thoughts being interrupted as the lady once again pointed out something slipping out of him, a slip-up that he never expected he would commit.

"Wow... You? Not Senior Medea? Not even Miss Medea? Junior Novus, show me even just a bit of respect, will you? I am a noble lady after all, act accordingly." Despite the tone and the words she is saying, appearing like she is quite triggered by his words, the lady still sports that playful gaze unique to herself, her eyes still sharp despite being so, yet holding a hidden gentleness that seems to connect with underclassmen as well.

"Well, Senior Medea sure doesn’t act like a lady, that I am sure of." It was as if they were fighting even before they actually started, his words as if another punch he sent in when she finally let her guard down, making her baffled, as never in her entire time in the academy did someone dare to speak to her like that.

"You... Call me Miss Medea, no, call me Lady Medea!!" instead of resorting to violence right now however, she just takes a mental note of this transgression in her mind, making sure to take it back the moment they have their exchange, instead acting a like an annoyed noble lady for now, her voice’s pitch a bit higher than previously as she forces him to call her Lady Medea instead.

"Senior Medea," but Novus refuses to budge, insisting on the way he had always addressed her, making her all the more frustrated, her previous witty remarks deteriorating into stubborn insistence instead.

"LA DY ME DE A" she pronounced every syllable with intense emphasis as she turned around, each step towards the young man, another syllable until she finally stood in front of him, realizing the great difference in their height as it was only now that she took time to have a good look at him.

There is a certain smile on his face as she approaches close, also only realizing now how small this senior is compared to him, as when they are fighting, her figure feels so large and invulnerable that it seems like she is standing at the same, if not a taller height than him.

This smile, however, is in no way good, as it is one that is worn when a person spots yet another weakness in the other’s defense.

"Senior Medea."

He insisted as well as he walked past her, leading the way towards the academy instead.

"Aghhh!!"

Seeing him act like that, she cannot help but feel a bit frustrated, causing a short scream to escape from her lips.