F-Rank Soul Eater-Chapter 204: Mission Outside school

Sophia’s stare on Soren was flat. "You figured out all of that, but still don’t know why I can’t join a party?"

Soren was a bit speechless. He had simply told Devon to gather information, and this much was already very good.

She put away her dagger, turned away from him, "Brother Jo, Bo... let’s go. We have a quotation to meet."

The two boys, still scared of Cynthia, carefully navigated around her.

As they left, Soren’s mind worked fast. He remembered the things he had heard about Sophia.

Before coming here, he had asked about her from a certain someone.

Aegon.

After their encounter with the Shade Stealer, Aegon had invited Soren over, just like the party leaders.

While Soren declined on visiting—as he did not want to be a part of the subtle political play between noble families—obviously extended through Academy parties they supported—

He still agreed to keep communication with them.

After all, these were influences both within the academy and the outside world.

Aegon had sent over information he had on Sophia.

While Devon’s information on her had been about her origins, Aegon had given him enough about her stay in the academy.

Putting both sides together, it was not so hard to figure out a few things.

Sophia, being a Healer was no doubted sort after by all if not most parties.

Meaning that she could have easily made enough money for her family, both outside and inside the academy.

But she rejected every party that invited her.

In other words... She rejected every noble house.

In conclusion, it could only mean one thing.

"I know Aegon you have a debt... A debt money can’t fix.

Senior Aegon promised to help didn’t he?"

Soren’s words made Sophia pause.

"And even though you had learned never to trust nobles, your suffering, and hope pushed you.

That’s why you were so willing to trick me for him."

Sophia turned to him, stumping her boots hard as she walked towards him.

"Listen to me, you over grown privileged nuisance. Not all of us low rankers have it lucky like you.

Some of us have to do whatsoever it takes to have food in our mouths, grow out strength, and then deal with bullies who want nothing more than to flex their superior titles as they punch down our fucking throats.

And this is aside the fact that we have families suffering out there.

Families that think we are special. But we know... we know we are not special. We are just fucking cursed to carry all the burden..."

As she ranted, she did not even notice yhe tears falling down her eyes, or the fact that she was now banging on his chest.

But soren,

He did not stop her. He did not even say a word.

After all, no one knew clearer than him on what it meant to suffer.

And still, maybe it was because of his unique concept of death and life, he did not compare his suffering with hers.

He could tell, her’s was unique and particular to her.

This was her pain. Her burden.

Still, it aroused something within him. Something he had not felt in a very long time.

Envy.

"...and every fucker just wants to use me, again and again and again." She concluded into a low sob.

Her brothers behind, stared at her with pitiful eyes.

Soren’s hands instinctively raised to hold her.

She pushed him away. "Don’t touch me. I am not some pitiful princess that needs comforting." She wiped the tears, giving Soren an unrelenting look.

"True." Soren sighed, "You are just a girl under a soul oath by a noble family in a vain attempt at paying your father’s debt."

Sophia’s eyes widened.

"That’s the reason you intensionally cheated on the exam the last time, isn’t it?

At the time, you had reached the limits on Cadet allowed Leave from school, but you had heard of the possibility that you might be free of your oath, and you were so willing to be free that you gambled your admission in the Imperial Soulforge Academy.

Considering you later sold me out to Aegon, I take— it ended up being another scam.

Meaning you lost an entire year, damaged your file in the academy, and still indebted to a noble family—you no doubt despise."

Most of the tears were gone. "Are you done, asshole?" She asked.

"I want you to join my party Sophia." Soren replied.

She gave a dry chuckle, "are you even listening to yourself? You said it already. Not even money can release me from my oath."

"Yes, I know. So instead, we are going to ask them to remove it."

"HUh!?"

Her brothers also looked at soren baffled.

....

A day later, in Soren’s room...

"What? You are going to Senior Sophia’s home town?"

Tommy could not believe what he was hearing.

He rolled forward. "Dude, are you like in love or insane?

Because the two are quite literally the same thing."

Soren shook his head as he packed his clothes into the Suitcase. "Trust me, it’s none of that. Its just that we really need her in our party.

All the top parties have healers which is practically a second life to them. And the Winter games are drawing close."

"And that’s exactly why I think this is a terrible idea. Instructor Eagle-wing eyebrows said that they had prosponed it too many times. Even if the sky falls, the Winter games will hold in a week’s time.

We can’t afford to lose our heavy hitter now." Tommy’s gaze moved to Cynthia who was standing suitcase already packed at the edge of the room.

Soren rolled his eyes. "And here I was, thinking you greatly cared for me. But its all Cynthia."

Tommy folded his arms, "Don’t flatter yourself. We all know you are as stubborn as a cockroach.

The true problem is if you guys will be back in time.

—and that is on the condition that the Ouroboros noble family does not see Cynthia and force her under the same damning oath as Senior Sophia."

"Don’t worry, that won’t happen." Soren assured him, packing the last set of pants into the Suitcase and closing it shut.

"And how are you so sure?" Tommy asked, really resisting the urge to push from his chair and literally smack sense into Soren.

"Don’t worry, I just am." Soren gave Tommy a wink.

It was not like he could tell Tommy that he had already pitched the idea to Dr. Kaya, and her interest had been so picked, that she agreed to be pay for transport, to and fro without argument.

And all she said was. "Bring a souvenir I’d be interested in."

Knowing that vile woman, nothing ordinary ever caught her eyes.

It could only mean that there was something else in the background.

After all, she was granting her favorite toy permission and sponsorship away from her.

Soren had a feeling that this impulsive adventure of his was not going to be so simple.

Of course, he also had another reason for wanting to take this trip.

This would be the first time in his life that he would be seeing and experiencing the outside world.

Just the thought of it excited him.

"...Soren! SOREN!!" Tommy’s scream pulled him back from his thoughts.

"As your friend, and family I absolutely do not agree with this." Tommy grabbed the suitcase.

"Really, dude? We can’t be fighting right now." Soren pulled the suitcase. "Besides, when I’m gone, someone has to look after Pencil and Bloodshine."

"Pencil and Bloodshine will be fine. What they need is the leader of our newly formed party to stay right here." Tommy pulled the suitcase again.

"—Besides, we still have to make significant contributions in the hunting grounds to attract sponsors for the party. There is also the fee.."

"I already have all that handled." Soren protested.

It was true. He did. Yesterday, he and cynthia visited the hunting grounds, and Big girl went wild.

—Wild enough, that that they instantly got three primary sponsors for the party, willing to spend just enough for an allowance of ten points every month, per party member.

Ten points was not a lot. But for a party so quickly formed, and no formal achievement under their belt, this was very impressive.

Of course, Tommy knew this. But right now, he was having selective amnesia.

The two of them struggled back and and forth.

And then—

"Why don’t you love me?!" A voice came from behind.

Bloodshine. She looked pitiful, like she was about to cry, but was holding it in. "How dare you go to fight for another woman’s love in her home town?"

"What? I’m not fighting for..."

"—Liar. You are nøt fighting for love, while I’m nøt supposed to wait here for you." Her pearly yellow eyes were filled with tears, and before soren could explain, she stormed out of the room.

Soren sighed as he massaged his brows.

Tommy cracked a side smile.