I couldn’t say anything at first.

In fact, I didn’t even know what to say.

So there were a few seconds of silence whilst I thought of a suitable reply, before I finally said:

"Yeah... I suppose so." I paused for a moment, then added:

"How have you been lately?"

Srin nodded slightly.

"I’m fine. Things are going well for me. And you?"

I shrugged.

"I... well, I don’t know. I suppose things aren’t too bad."

The situation was unbearably awkward, which was why I’d been deliberately avoiding her over the past few days.

I knew she’d been trying to talk to me on more than one occasion, but I’d found a way to dodge her every time.

Why?

Wasn’t the reason obvious?

Most likely because she had feelings for Nero.

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure; I might be wrong, but what I was really sure of was that this situation was extremely awkward.

We stood there staring at each other without either of us uttering a single word, and in the meantime, I could see boredom gradually creeping onto Liana’s face.

The smile that had been playing on her lips faded, before she finally said:

"Oh my, why do I feel as though I’m starting to feel embarrassed and bored with you two." She sighed, then pointed to herself with her thumb. "By the way, I’m Liana Greenfield. The girl who fought alongside you in the simulation."

I nodded at her.

"Yes, I know. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh? You’re more polite than I expected." She then tilted her head slightly and continued in a curious tone:

"But I have a question."

"?"

"Why do you bully students here and there? Is it because you find it fun? Or is there a specific reason for it? You’re wondering about that too, aren’t you, Srin?"

Srin blinked for a moment, as if the question had brought her back to reality after the long silence.

"Huh?" She looked between me and Liana before letting out a soft sigh.

"Actually... I don’t know."

Liana raised an eyebrow.

"You don’t know?"

"I mean... yes, he’s annoying sometimes. But I don’t think he does it just for fun."

"..."

I sighed softly as I interrupted them:

"First of all... the word ’bullying’ is a bit of an exaggeration."

"An exaggeration?" Liana replied immediately. "I heard you disfigured one of the students."

"...It was an accident."

"How can disfiguring someone be an accident at all?"

"I didn’t do it on purpose..."

Of course, I couldn’t explain that it was because of that damn headache that was about to split my head open at the time.

And who would believe that anyway?

But more importantly... Why should I have to explain myself in the first place?

"So it was an accident?.. Wow. You’ve completely convinced me. How about I do the same to you, and then later say it was a mistake? Isn’t that an amusing idea?" Liana said, folding her arms.

"..."

Well, when you put it like that... it does sound pretty bad.

"Boof"

I heard a muffled sound beside me. I turned slightly to find Srin trying in vain to stifle her laughter.

"Are you laughing?"

She shook her head quickly, trying to look serious.

"No... just..." Her shoulders trembled slightly. "I feel like this is the first time I’ve seen you not know what to say."

"..."

"Oh? So you usually act as if you know everything?"

"I don’t."

"You do."

"I don’t."

"You do."

"I don’t."

"You do."

The silly argument went on for a few seconds before stopping abruptly.

"By the way... why were you avoiding me?"

Liana and I stopped talking at the exact same moment.

"..."

It looked like this conversation was going to drag on longer than I’d expected. And I didn’t have time for that.

I had to get back to my room and get ready quickly; I had an important mission to carry out that night, so I looked up at them and said:

"There’s no particular reason... so..." I paused for a moment, searching for a suitable excuse.

"Um... can we put this off until later?"

I didn’t wait for their reply.

I turned around immediately and hurried off, leaving them standing there, staring at my back, whilst I heard Srin say:

"Hey... wait," but I had already disappeared.

...

...

...

What I was about to do could be considered a form of suicide.

Or at least, that’s what I thought.

But if I didn’t do it, what other options did I have?

Why am I thinking like this?

It’s all because of that strange mission that popped up for me about two days ago.

And why am I even taking it on if it’s that dangerous?

Because it’s worth it.

I mean, the reward attached to it was so huge it was hard to believe. At first I thought I was reading it wrong, but the more I went back and read it again, the more astonished I became.

I let out a soft sigh as I stared at the floating screen in front of me.

[Main Mission]

Break into the main vault of the Battle Arena Foundation, and steal******

Reward: 1,000 Override Points.

It was an unbelievable reward in every sense of the word. That’s why I saw no reason not to take the risk, even though I had no idea what exactly I was supposed to take from the vault.

Besides, I desperately needed those points. And so... I had to carry out the mission, whatever the cost.

Over the past two days, I’ve spent most of my time preparing for it.

Despite my initial hesitation to use the finalised system, I researched everything related to the Fighting Arena and its organisation, because of what happened with Larshia last time.

Fortunately, nothing unexpected came up during my research.

So I started going over everything I could remember about the arena, and all the information I’d managed to gather, until I finally came up with a suitable plan.

Then I set about preparing everything I’d need to carry it out.

I’d already phoned Sam and asked him to pack the storage bag, as well as to bring along some of the supplies I’d need.

I was too lazy to go and collect them myself.

Although Sam seemed surprised by the request, he didn’t ask many questions. Perhaps because I’d offered him a good reward for it, or perhaps because he’d learnt that curiosity only brings him trouble; in either case, it didn’t matter.

After all... I might not even come back alive.

I sighed.

And yet, I felt that something had changed inside me over the past week or so, ever since what happened to me that day.

I’d become calmer. Or perhaps I was just imagining it; I don’t know.

But what I am sure of is that time is passing at a frightening pace. More than two full weeks have passed since the start of the academic year.

And if that’s any indication, the raid on the Academy is drawing near.

Closer than I’d like.

The problem is, I don’t know if things will go exactly as planned. What if the raid happens earlier than scheduled?

That wasn’t impossible at all.

That’s why I had to prepare for every possibility, and rack up as many points as possible before it was too late.

I sighed in frustration.

But where is this bloody train? How much longer am I going to have to wait?

I’d been standing here for nearly half an hour, waiting for the train to arrive.

My destination was the city of Talarsim, in the state of Lydia, where the arena was located.

Although the city is about three hours’ journey from the Academy, that is only thanks to the tremendous speed of modern trains, capable of covering vast distances in a very short time.

Besides, there was no portal to the Academy to begin with, and even if there had been one... I wouldn’t have used it.

In fact, I felt a strange aversion to it, or perhaps fear, I suppose.

Whoosh—

The sharp sound of the train snapped me out of my thoughts.

I looked up to see it approaching rapidly, whilst taking a deep breath.

Then I exhaled slowly.

"I just hope I stay alive to see tomorrow."

And with that deeply reassuring thought... I stepped towards the train.