The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy-Chapter 93: Interlude: Snowy Love (X)

The world around them felt silent.

The soft crunch of snow beneath them was the only sound.

Aestrea could feel Eleonora’s breath against his skin—warm against the cold air.

Her chest was pressed against his—firm, soft, and way too close.

Her left leg was caught between both of his, their bodies entangled in a way that sent a strange feeling through him.

She didn’t move.

She just stared.

Her lips were slightly parted, and her light blue eyes held an expression Aestrea couldn’t quite read.

For the first time since he’d met her—

She looked speechless.

Aestrea let out a breath.

"…Are you going to get up?"

His voice was steady, but inside, he wasn’t sure how to feel about this.

Eleonora blinked.

Then—

Her lips curled into a small smile.

"Oh my," she murmured.

Her voice was soft—too soft.

Her fingers, still planted in the snow beside his head, tightened slightly.

"You caught me," she whispered.

Aestrea frowned.

"Of course I did. You were falling."

She hummed.

"And you jumped after me without thinking."

Aestrea paused.

’…That was true.’

The moment she went flying, his body had moved on its own.

Eleonora’s smile widened.

"How romantic."

Aestrea sighed.

"Get off me."

"Hmm…"

She tilted her head slightly, her light blue eyes glowing under the soft winter lights.

"But I like this position."

Aestrea’s eyebrow twitched.

She was toying with him.

Again.

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"Eleonora," he said, his voice flat.

"Yes, dear?" she replied sweetly.

"…Get. Off."

She giggled.

Then, finally, she pushed herself up slightly, but not before leaning in close—

Too close.

Aestrea stiffened.

For a second, he thought—

No.

She wouldn’t.

Right?

But then—

Instead of doing anything else, Eleonora simply grazed her lips near his ear.

Then, in a whisper just for him—

"You’re warm."

Aestrea’s breath hitched.

His hands, still gripping her waist from when he caught her, tightened slightly before he let go.

"…Get off," he repeated, this time gritting his teeth.

Eleonora laughed.

A soft, melodic sound that sent a shiver down his spine.

And finally—

She lifted herself off him.

Aestrea exhaled sharply, pushing himself up as well.

Snowflakes drifted around them, the cold air brushing against his skin now that her warmth was gone.

Eleonora stretched her arms above her head, acting as if nothing happened.

"That was fun~" she said cheerfully.

Aestrea gave her a look.

"You almost broke your neck."

"But I didn’t," she winked.

"If anything, I’d use mana last second... tehee~"

’...What did I expect?’

Aestrea ran a hand through his hair.

"You’re impossible."

Eleonora only grinned.

"Well," she sighed, dusting the snow off her coat. "That was only the first event. We still have more left, you know."

Aestrea groaned.

"You’re actually looking forward to this, aren’t you?"

"Of course!"

She beamed.

Then, before he could respond—

She suddenly grabbed his arm.

"Come on, come on!" she urged, pulling him forward.

Aestrea stumbled slightly.

"Hey—!"

Aestrea barely had time to think before Eleonora dragged him forward, her grip on his arm tight and firm.

"Come on, come on!" she chirped, her excitement clear in her voice.

Aestrea sighed, letting himself be pulled along.

It was pointless to resist.

The activity board ahead glowed with bright, icy letters:

❄ The Cozy Igloo!

❄A quiet, warm space where you and your partner can talk and relax.

Aestrea’s eyebrow twitched.

"...This is the next event?"

Eleonora nodded eagerly.

"Yup! Sounds nice, right?"

Aestrea exhaled.

"Why do I feel like you planned this?"

Eleonora put a hand over her chest, gasping dramatically.

"Me? Planning to be alone with you in a cozy, warm place? Aestrea, how could you think so highly of me~?"

He gave her a flat look.

"Because you did."

She only grinned.

Before he could argue further, a staff member approached, dressed in a fluffy winter coat.

"Welcome!" the woman greeted cheerfully. "Ah, it looks like you two are the next pair. Please, step this way!"

She didn’t even seem surprised that the Headmistress was with Aestrea.

Aestrea sighed, following as Eleonora practically skipped beside him.

The staff guided them toward a small path lined with glowing lanterns. Snow crunched beneath their boots as the warmth of light contrasted with the cold air.

Then, up ahead—

An igloo.

Not just any igloo.

It was beautiful.

Soft golden lights glowed from inside, casting a cozy, welcoming hue. The entrance was slightly open, showing glimpses of thick, plush blankets and pillows inside.

The whole place looked like something out of a fairytale.

Eleonora gasped softly.

"Ooooh~ It’s so pretty!"

Aestrea hummed.

It was nice.

...Too nice.

Almost suspiciously romantic.

The staff member smiled.

"Inside, you’ll find warm blankets, a fireplace, and some sweet treats. This event is meant to give you and your partner a peaceful time together. Please, enjoy yourselves!"

And with that, the staff walked off, leaving the two of them standing there.

Aestrea hesitated.

But before he could say anything—

Eleonora grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside.

The moment they stepped in—

Warmth.

It was like stepping into another world.

The cold air was replaced with a gentle heat, coming from a small, magical fireplace set in the center.

The walls of the igloo were made of thick, packed ice, but they didn’t let in any cold.

Instead, they sparkled faintly, reflecting the warm glow inside.

Soft blankets were spread across the floor, along with fluffy pillows.

In one corner, a small tray of treats—chocolate-covered strawberries, warm pastries, and a kettle of steaming hot cocoa.

Aestrea blinked.

This was…

Way too nice.

Eleonora, meanwhile, flopped onto the blankets.

She stretched her arms up, letting out a happy sigh.

"Aaaah~ This is perfect! Look at this place!"

She patted the spot beside her.

"Come on, sit down."

Aestrea hesitated for a moment before finally sitting down—but not too close.

Eleonora noticed.

She smirked.

"Why so far, Aestrea?"

"Because I know you," he replied flatly.

She pouted.

"You make me sound so dangerous."

"You are."

She giggled, shifting to face him directly.

A moment of silence settled.

For the first time that night, Eleonora wasn’t teasing.

She simply watched him, her light blue eyes reflecting the warm glow of the fireplace.

"...You really jumped after me back there," she murmured.

Aestrea looked at her calmly.

"You were falling."

She hummed, tilting her head slightly.

"But you didn’t even hesitate."

Aestrea didn’t respond.

Because she was right.

The moment she lost balance on that ramp, his body moved on its own.

He hadn’t thought.

He just jumped.

"...You always act so cold to me," Eleonora continued softly, tracing a finger across one of the blankets.

"But sometimes, you do things like that."

She looked up, a small smile playing on her lips.

"It makes me wonder how much you actually care about me."

Aestrea stared at her.

"...Don’t overthink it," he muttered.

She laughed.

"Hmm. Maybe I will."

Another pause.

Then—

Eleonora reached for the tray of sweets.

She picked up a chocolate-covered strawberry and held it up.

"Here."

Aestrea raised an eyebrow.

"...What?"

"Open your mouth."

His stare turned deadpan.

"I can feed myself."

"But this is the Cozy Igloo event! It’s all about bonding~" she grinned, wiggling the strawberry.

Aestrea sighed.

"...I’m not playing along with this."

Eleonora huffed.

"Fine, fine. Your loss."

She popped the strawberry into her own mouth instead, chewing happily.

Aestrea simply shook his head, reaching for his own cup of hot cocoa.

The warmth spread through his fingers as he took a slow sip.

For a moment—

It was quiet.

Not awkward.

Not uncomfortable.

Just...

Peaceful.

Aestrea glanced at Eleonora again.

She had leaned back slightly, watching the flickering firelight. Her expression was calm, her usual playful smirk nowhere in sight.

For the first time tonight—

She looked...

Relaxed.

Aestrea found himself staring a little longer than he meant to.

Then, before he could stop himself—

He spoke.

"...Do you like it here?"

Eleonora blinked, looking at him in surprise.

Then, she smiled softly.

"I do," she murmured. "It’s warm. Quiet. Feels nice."

She turned her gaze back to the fire.

"…Feels like something I never had before."

Aestrea paused.

Her voice had dropped slightly, losing its usual playful edge.

Something about the way she said those words—

Made something in his chest tighten.

"...What do you mean?" he asked quietly.

Eleonora hesitated.

Then, with a small chuckle, she shook her head.

"Nothing," she said. "Just thinking out loud."

But Aestrea knew.

It wasn’t nothing.

Still—

He didn’t press.

Instead, he simply watched her.

And in that moment—

For once—

Eleonora wasn’t just the teasing, playful Headmistress.

She was just…

A woman, sitting across from him.

Wrapped in the warmth of the firelight.

In a quiet, cozy space.

Just the two of them.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

After spending time in the cozy igloo, the warmth still lingering on their skin, Aestrea and Eleonora finally stepped back out into the chilly night air.

The sudden cold made their breath visible in the air, little white clouds escaping their lips as they walked toward the next event.

Eleonora stretched, her arms reaching toward the sky.

"Aaaah~ That was nice! But now, it’s time for something fun!"

Aestrea raised an eyebrow.

"You’re acting like we weren’t just sitting in silence half the time."

She grinned.

"That was peaceful. Now we need excitement!"

Aestrea sighed but didn’t argue.

Ahead of them, a large open snowfield had been set up for the next event. Bright lanterns lined the area, casting a soft glow over the white landscape.

Groups of students and even professors were already gathered, some chatting excitedly, others stretching as if they were preparing for battle.

Above them, a floating board displayed the event’s name:

❄ The Snow Hunt!

❄Solve clues and find hidden treasures in the snow!

Aestrea glanced around.

"Treasure hunt, huh…"

Eleonora nodded eagerly.

"Yup! We get clues, follow them, and find little treasures hidden all over the place! Some of them have prizes too~!"

Aestrea hummed in thought.

He wasn’t the type to care about "fun activities," but…

A puzzle wasn’t bad.

A few moments later, an event staff member stepped forward, raising a small bell.

Ding ding!

"Welcome, everyone!" the staff called.

"The Snow Hunt is about to begin! This is a bonding game of teamwork, mystery-solving, and of course—fun!"

Aestrea’s eyebrow twitched.

That word again.

The staff continued.

"You and your partner will receive a scroll with your first clue. Each clue will lead you to another location, where another scroll is hidden! Solve them all, and you’ll find the final treasure!"

Eleonora nudged Aestrea.

"Ooooh, we get to solve riddles together~! Isn’t that romantic?"

"...It’s a treasure hunt."

She pouted.

"Where’s your sense of adventure, Aestrea?"

"...I left it back in the igloo."

Before she could argue, the staff members started handing out scrolls.

Eleonora snatched theirs immediately.

"Alright, let’s see our first clue!"

She unrolled the scroll, clearing her throat dramatically.

Then, she read aloud:

"I stand tall but have no feet.

My arms wave but make no sound.

Though I sleep in winter’s white,

My coat is always green year-round."

Aestrea exhaled.

"...It’s a tree."

Eleonora blinked.

"Eh?"

"It’s obviously a tree."

She pouted.

"Come on! You could’ve let me think about it for a bit!"

Aestrea crossed his arms.

"...You were about to say ’a snowman,’ weren’t you?"

"...I was considering it."

"...Let’s go."