Chapter 19. The Anxious Rabbit Awaiting the Exam
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"Hehehe…"
"You're drooling," said Cyd, taking a bite of a cookie. "That's kind of creepy. Are you fantasizing about something inappropriate?"
"Slurp... No! Teacher, I'm not thinking about anything!" Bell blushed, wiped his mouth, and stood up.
"Don't be so loud. Feeling guilty?" Cyd tossed the rest of the cookie into his mouth.
"Bell, you're not really thinking about something bad, are you?" Hestia's eyes widened.
"No… not at all!"
"That makes it even more suspicious!" Hestia pouted.
"Really, it's nothing! But if you don't leave soon, you'll be late!"
"Hmm…"
In the end, Hestia reluctantly left.
"So, spill it," Cyd crossed his legs. "You look like you're dying to brag about something."
"Hehehe," Bell scratched the back of his head, smiling awkwardly. "Actually, Teacher, I made a promise with a girl to go to the dungeon together in the future."
Bell then animatedly recounted his adventures in the dungeon to Cyd.
"Bell-sama… could you be Lily's hero too, someday?"
It seemed like the way things ended left Bell feeling over the moon. For a young boy who always dreamed of being a hero and having romantic encounters, Lily's final words were like a bombshell.
"Sure! Even though I'm just an apprentice now, no matter how many times it takes, I'll save you!"
So, Bell had pledged himself, almost like he was accepting a confession.
"Although I don't understand why they had to scare me at the end," Bell scratched his face, looking a bit embarrassed.
Even though he and Lily left in style, he was actually quite nervous. Scarface's mention of a level 2 ambush waiting for them was seriously unnerving.
They practically tiptoed their way back up, terrified that at any moment a group of adventurers would jump out and pummel them.
But in the end, they didn't encounter a single adventurer—just monsters.
"I left so coolly, but then Lily teased me about being a cowardly rabbit," Bell covered his face.
"Who knows? Maybe something urgent came up, and they left," Cyd shrugged.
"Speaking of which… Teacher, what's that?" Bell pointed to a row of weapons and armor leaning against the wall behind Cyd.
"Huh? Oh, I saw these on sale before. The quality seemed pretty good, so I bought them to see if I could resell them," Cyd picked up his tea and took a sip.
"Teacher, you must have spent quite a bit," Bell examined the weapons on the wall. "Some of these are top-notch."
"They certainly made a profit," Cyd narrowed his eyes.
Life doesn't offer many lessons as easy as losing a few pieces of equipment.
Those guys were repeat offenders. Instead of hunting monsters, they practically specialized in hunting adventurers.
Just being stripped of their equipment and beaten up was already a great deal.
"By the way, it's about time for your evaluation," Cyd placed the teacup on the table. "Just so you know, you won't pass tomorrow's test with a lackadaisical attitude."
"Yes!"
"By the way, Bell, do you have any wishes?" Cyd casually asked, tapping his nails.
"Hmm? Becoming a hero?" Bell tilted his head.
"Anything else?"
"A fateful encounter!"
"Anything else?"
"Uh… no, that's it." Bell scratched his face.
"Ah, neither of those can be achieved overnight," Cyd sighed. "Leaving with regrets can be painful. Bell, don't you want to think it over?"
"Huh!" Bell's eyes widened. "Teacher, what do you mean by that! Why do you sound like I'm going to die tomorrow?"
"Nothing. I'm just curious since you're so young," Cyd turned his head. "I'm definitely not asking about your regrets~ But it seems like, despite being so young, Bell might… sigh~"
"Ugh… you're definitely asking about regrets!"
"Anyway!" Cyd gave a thumbs-up. "Bell, just get a good night's sleep."
"How am I supposed to sleep after hearing that!" Bell clutched his head, groaning. "Ahhh! I'm so anxious! What's going to happen tomorrow! I'm so worried!"
Cyd's lips curled into a slight smile as he watched Bell hopping around in agitation.
He's starting to look more and more like a fluffy rabbit.
Ah~ No, I'll end up wanting to tease him. I'd better leave quickly.
Cyd stood up.
"Teacher! Just a little! Give me a little hint!" Bell grabbed Cyd's hand.
"Ah~ You really are a troublesome student. Asking about exam questions before the test is against the rules, you know," Cyd raised his hand and poked Bell's nose. "And to think you were just bragging about today's events."
"Teacher, you… you're not getting back at me, are you! I was wrong!"
"I don't like people who boast about their achievements, but if it's something you genuinely accomplished on your own, then you have the right to declare it to the world," Cyd patted Bell's head.
"Teacher… Could you please give me a hint about tomorrow's test?" Bell looked at Cyd with hopeful eyes.
"Good grief…" Cyd sighed. "Just this once."
"Thank you!" Bell stepped back and bowed.
Even a tiny bit of information is better than knowing nothing at all!
"Bell, tomorrow's test…" Cyd said as he straightened his clothes and pushed open the door, "might be tough~"
Click!
The door closed, leaving Bell frozen in his bowing position.
Five minutes later, Bell let out a wail.
"Aaahhhh! Forget it! Just forget it!"
I bet that kid had a really funny expression.
Cyd chuckled wickedly as he walked into the Hostess of Fertility.
"Wel… back again, Mr. Cyd? You seem to be doing well lately," Syr covered her mouth with a smile. "Are you here to see Ryuu again?"
Cyd's face darkened. This little girl wasn't teasing him, was she?
Smack!
Mia raised a fist and lightly knocked Syr on the head.
"What are you talking about?"
"Hehe~" Syr stuck out her tongue.
"Welcome," a hand reached out from behind Mia and pinched Syr's cheek, pulling at it. The yellow-green-haired elf girl, Ryuu, emerged.
"Hey, could you come to the dungeon with me again tomorrow?" Cyd waved at Ryuu.
"See, he's here for Ryuu again!"
Smack!
Syr clutched her head and squatted on the floor.
"Hey~ Kid, Ryuu isn't so easy to ask out, you know," Mia lowered her fist.
"Okay," Ryuu wiped her hands. "Mama Mia, I'd like to request a day off tomorrow."
"Ryuu… could you be a bit more subtle?" Mia's face darkened. "If these men find out you're so easygoing, they'll try to take advantage."
"I'm still here, you know," Cyd pointed at himself.
"I… don't dislike him," Ryuu hesitated for a moment before turning her head away.
"Hey! If you dare play with my daughter's feelings…" Mia slapped her hand down heavily on Cyd's shoulder. "I'll make sure you regret it!"
"I just… came here to eat…"